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I would probably go 0/80/20. The growth fund would just offer a growth tilt to the portfolio. Most around here would prefer to tilt to the value side.

It appears that these are the only 3 funds offered by Amana. Do you have plans for bonds or is that just out of the picture?

Yes and yes. I assume that your tax sheltered accounts do not have enough room to hold all of your bonds or the bond offerings are very poor. Otherwise, put all your bonds in your 401k or whatever you have available.

Is your rental making money? If not, are you able to take the passive losses each year?

Find someone who needs help, and help him. That will be more satisfying than just blowing money. Or find a charity and donate.

Otherwise, take some nice vacations, eat at nicer restaurants, ....

I would recommend using a whole packer (12-15 lbs, point and flat together). Sounds like you are using flats only or very small packers. 1. Trim off the fat and season. 2. Cook in disposable aluminum pan @ 225-250F. Higher temperatures causes more cellular damage and results in dryer meat. 3. Leave ...

Double check the application directions for RoundUp, I recall that it should be used within certain temperature parameters. I wonder whether evaporation is a problem "in the heat of the day." I agree that the directions should be followed. "In the heat of the day" is too subject...

I would spray the plant in the heat of the day and then mulch the next day. You want the Roundup to be absorbed by the plant. Mulching too soon may remove some of the Roundup.

My wife and I take out $500 from the ATM 2-3 times a month. We spend the $500 then take out another. There are still some transactions that I prefer to handle with cash like paying the babby sitter, leaving tips, and some restaurants.

for the future money, to just put into my ETF's (VTI, VOO, VXUS). I don't see a reason to have both VTI and VOO. Just go with VTI. It is the total US market. VOO is the large cap portion of the US market. It probably won't matter much, but it is more complex than necessary. Personally, I would not ...

I suggest that you take your specific case and put some real numbers to the calculations to see what will be better for you. Once you look at the actual numbers, the correct answer for your situation should come out. It should only take a few minutes with a spreadsheet.

Let's compare the returns on an IRA vs. Taxable. Ignore dividends for now. P = principle T = tax rate I = return rate N = periods to compound return I R = return IRA: R = P*[(1+I)^N]*(1-T) Taxable: R = P*[(1+I)^N]*(1-T) - Capital Gains on returns The returns on the IRA is greater than taxable becaus...

If you are auto-reinvesting dividends into the TR fund, then turn that off. Don't add to what you want to get rid of. How much are you talking about in taxes if you sell your TR fund? Unrealized gains of approx 11k, so tax hit maybe 4, which is doable. I also just remembered I put more than half of...

InvestorNewb wrote:How do people stick in the same investments after years of back and forth prices?

By not looking and enjoying life.

There is a relationship between risk and expected returns.

I don't know what are your symbols are, but I would streamline to a 3-fund (look in wiki) portfolio with VTI, VXUS, BND. This would probably minimize your costs. I do believe a diversified, passive index fund based portfolio is better than stocks. Buying a handful of stocks is riskier, and the addit...

If you are auto-reinvesting dividends into the TR fund, then turn that off. Don't add to what you want to get rid of.

How much are you talking about in taxes if you sell your TR fund?

I TLH with mutual funds at Vanguard. Vanguard seems to have more index funds to choose from, and it is easy to work around their frequent trading policy.

Personally, I would not touch a Fidelity Freedom Fund. Look at what is in it. Do you understand everything that is in it? I don't.

I have my 401k with Fidelity. Rebalancing is easy with their tool. I would use the Spartan funds.

Sounds about right. I have been told by repairmen that kitchen appliances are only designed to work for 5 years before needing repairs. I bought all new kitchen appliances 4 years ago. I have had the refrigerator serviced 3 times for the icemaker, microwave 2 times, dishwasher 3 times before it comp...

I would look at a graph of the Int Term Tax exempt over a long time period. If you are okay with the size of the drops, then go for it.

Welcome to the forum.

Either fund would be fine. At your age and investment amount, the main thing is how much you can save a year.

I would take the TR fund because it is more diversified.

Thanks for the helpful reply! What if I sell out of a position into a similar fund (in this case, VWO into IEMG). I can use the loss (about $7k), but what if I end up holding the new fund due to gains - what about the fact that I've lowered my cost basis? Does this factor into the decision? Thanks ...

I have been pleased using my Cap One card overseas. The exchange rate seemed fair to me.

Here are a few reasons to not TLH: 1. savings is not worth the effort (e.g., to make $1) 2. will be liquidating the position in the same tax year 3. there is not a good replacement and do not want to sit out of the market for 30 days 4. a purchase in another account which would dis-allow the tlh due...

MindBogler wrote:Interesting. So, if you setup an automatic exchange it doesn't lock the fund? Or does it still lock the fund but the automatic exchange can bypass that lock?

If you read the frequent trading policy, it lists what is not allowed. Everything else is allowed. Automatic investments to not get locked.

I don't know the answer to your question, but I have found that it is easier to avoid the 60 day lockout by using 1 time automatic investments on line.

You could try speaking with your city councilman or county commissioner or whoever else represents you. 900 MHz is not microwave and should not be a problem. I had one of these installed on the side of my house this year for the electric meter. My only other option was to pay an extra $11/mo to have...

If you plan on doing this, find the store manager/owner and ask him if it is okay to do what you are describing.

Welcome to the forum!

Here is where to start:
http://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Getting_Started

Spend some time reading through the wiki. Ask questions as needed.

Don't expect 7-9%.

If you are not going to get any match, then go with the Roth. A Roth can also serve as an emergency fund.

In option 1 you forgot to invest the $8750 in tax savings. That would go into a taxable account, HSA, IRA, or Roth.

The paper is based on history. There is no guarantee of what the "optimum" rebalancing period will be in the future. Your AA is one way to manage risk. If you get too out of balance, then you may be taking on more risk than you can handle, which could lead to a behavioral mistake that is m...

I invest when I have enough to satisfy my OCD. Several times a year I get additional pay (ESPP, RSU's, stock options, bonus). I invest in my taxable when I get this additional cash. It works out to be about every 2 months.

Overcharging a Li ion battery is dangerous. I believe all chargers these days are smart chargers (at least the ones that come with the equipment), which will not over charge the battery. It is safe to leave them plugged in indefinitely. Think about a laptop docking station. The battery is left "...

I calculated my coverage level by adding 25% of my income for ten years to my current net worth. The 25% for 10 years applies to my state. Are there state laws of x% of income for y years? (25% of income for 10 years in your case)? I was not aware that states have such definition of potential liabi...

Your estimates are extremely conservative. You may find yourself with a lot of extra money.

Welcome to the forum.

You are seeing the same thing many others also see. Vanguard's tool is not as useful as M*'s. Many use the M* instant x-ray tool to look at their portfolios.

I calculated my coverage level by adding 25% of my income for ten years to my current net worth. The 25% for 10 years applies to my state. Are there state laws of x% of income for y years? (25% of income for 10 years in your case)? I was not aware that states have such definition of potential liabi...

I started carrying it when I learned about it on this site and the cost. I'm not sure what the purpose of a poll for dollar amount of coverage. Coverage level is based on an individual's circumstances. What others have should not impact what an individual has. I calculated my coverage level by addin...

I have experience with vinegar. It works. The organic gardeners that I use to follow recommended 10%. For some soil types, they also say it is good for the soil. If you are interested in this approach, I would find a local organic gardening store and speak with them. They should no what is proper fo...

My oldest of three is 9 years from college. My plan is to fund state schools. Current price for the local state school is $12k/yr ($12k * 3 * 4 = $144k). I have saved about 2/3 in 529's and Coverdells. I am not contributing any new money. I am trying to save enough for retirement before my first chi...

#1 seems like a good reason to just LS
#2 and #3 seem like market timing that may or my not pay off. In that case, there is no telling if DCA or LS would be better.

If you are only talking about 4.5% of your portfolio, I don't think it will matter much what you do.

I think it depends on why you are changing your AA.

1. AA is much too aggressive, then LS.
2. Want to change AA due to glide slope, then DCA.

Maybe there are some other scenarios.

I would take the $500/mo and put it into your IRA. This will max it out sooner, but it will also give you more time to figure out what else you want to do with your money.

Take it from us: it's extremely simple. An average middle school student could figure it out and be done in 10 minutes. Oh yeah... prove it! :) I am serious. If I have this hesitation, I am sure many others have it as well. This is where the wiki is very useful. It is full of answers, but not this ...

When selling options or rsu's, I never worry about taxes. There is no way to avoid the normal income taxes on RSU's unless you refuse the grant, which would normally be foolish. I always sell all vested rsu's immediately. This results in ~$0 cap gains. Everything is normal income. For NQ options, I ...

You are missing the fact that not all funds have the same risk level. Higher risks demand a higher expected return. Do the two funds in your chart of the same risk levels? Also, different parts of the market will perform differently over time ranges. Are you comparing apples to apples or are you com...

AA is about managing your risk. You still need to manage your risk in retirement, so you still need an AA target and you need to maintain it.

I would probably go 50% TSM and 50% TISM and let it go.

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I think I always consider the cost.

If I could ignore the cost, all I would eat would be expensive cheeses, smoked salmon, and beef tenderloin.

Instead of buying the cheeses, I just sample the cheeses at the cheese bar in the local grocery store. $25/lb is too much for me.

My 401k has CIT's. They show up as "other" in Vanguard.

Are you sure you have mutual funds? Does everything have a ticker that you could look up in M*?