Bogleheads.org

Very interesting thread. I understand those who own gold in specific amounts and rebalance back to their targeted asset percentage. I'll never understand owning 70% of of one's portfolio in a single commodity. This is just like betting most of your money on one stock or one piece of real estate I su...

I really liked this. What a great way to illustrate their fee structure. $0.26 for a cup of coffee is not too bad either. Thanks for sending the link.

I do have to ask, do cops get to drink coffee for free at that shop?

Man, those are HIGH FEES!!! HIGH FEES??? Not even close. The OP should max out this 401k. Agreed^ I actually find those fees to be very reasonable for actively managed funds. American Funds are decent as well. I personally am 100% indexed, but I would make do if this is what I had. I would definite...

Man, those are HIGH FEES!!! HIGH FEES??? Not even close. The OP should max out this 401k. Agreed^ I actually find those fees to be very reasonable for actively managed funds. American Funds are decent as well. I personally am 100% indexed, but I would make do if this is what I had. I would definite...

First, thanks for the scores of birthday greetings from you as I entered my 85th year on May 8. Never expected to hang around this long, but, with a new lease on life, why not! Jack A belated Happy Birthday Sir! We expect you to hang around for a long time yet. Thank You for all you have done and c...

Total World is slightly more expensive than owning Total US and Total International separately. For this reason, I opted for the latter. I also like being able to control my international allocation. 30% seems to be what most experts agree on. ^ this is how I would go as well. But the answer to you...

I would only use the large cap and mid cap stock index funds in the 401K. They are the only decent choices in my opinion. I would then hold my bonds in my ROTH and my taxable. You really have too many funds and the ER's are way to high.

Not sure if this helps, but I try to remind folks when buying their house NOT to look at the possible sales price, but the actual cost, which at MINIMUM is the sales price+ all the interest you will be paying over the years. Then, of course, you have property tax and maintenance costs over the year...

I like the idea of purchasing I bonds and then a muni fund for the rest. Leaves you free for the value tilt in tax advantaged.

I have a friend who has happily had a lot of his money in his fixed account because "it pays 6%!" Yeah, it probably did pay 6% when he first bought it way back when. It's now about 2% and he didn't know it had dropped. He thought "fixed" meant the interest rate was fixed. Don't ...

OP, I have 30% of my equity in international, and I have all of that invested in the Vanguard Total International Index. I understand those who argue for more and those who argue for less. I agree with those who say it probably should be somewhere between 20% and 50% of equity.

I really hope you have other 457B options. If there is a governmental 457B comparable to the 403B then I would fund the 457B first. With the 457B there is no 10% early withdrawal penalty.

I think keeping a large portion of your fixed income in a stable value type fund that yield 3% is very reasonable. Just make sure you understand any liquidity restrictions that are place on that particular account.

I currently keep over half of my fixed income in such accounts.

Serious question: why do you care if the market is up or down in a day? If you are in for the long run, and are a Boglehead, isn't investing sooner than later always the better option? Unless you have a time machine... ^ well said. I'll add this. You should find an asset allocation that you can sle...

I agree with everything you said. Rather than "straw man" I should say "incomplete." Yes I would like them to acknowledge the existence of bank savings accounts, CDs and series I savings bonds. Don't forget the G Fund! There would be no reason for them to mention the "G Fun...

Thanks for the link. I enjoyed the charts and article. For an accumulator like me it makes sense to save a little more and accept lower expected returns. I agree that the bonds fill the roll in ones portfolio that bonds are called to fill. IMO, many out there are looking for something better in an a...

I don't use it because I'm not interested in owning gold as an investment. I'm not convinced that the permanent portfolio is a wiser way to invest than my current allocation.

Thanks for the link. Good to see Bogleheads quoted in the article. I'll add that a portfolio review on the investing help section is free and is pretty darn good as well.

Thanks for the article Larry. Crazy that such a small number of stocks drive those returns. Indexing is the way to go.

Hi, newbie here. I am doing my research before transferring over my traditional and roth IRAs over to Vanguard. A few questions came up when reading up on bonds. I am 48 and am looking at the Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund (VTTHX). It has only 14.5% in bonds. Question #1: If Bogle recommends ...

Always amuses me when someone takes the time to sign up and then makes one post asking such a simple question with no back ground information. OP, no one can give you an decent answer with the little information that you provided. I will leave it at this: If you need to invest in large cap US equity...

Welcome to the Bogleheads and congrats on being in such a great financial situation. Question #1: What do you think of what I have set up? I think you are doing a great job by getting rid of your debt. Your financial plan seems to be sound and it is great that you are building wealth even in retirem...

Thanks for the recommendation. I'm about to get on amazon and look for the kindle edition now.

Edit: Done. Purchased through the amazon link here.

Interesting. In this low interest rate environment the 3% I get with my GRSA contract seems to be a better deal every day.

Oh, and I'll take every ER reduction that TIAA Real Estate throws my way.

Save and invest what you can when you can. I really don't think in the long run you will end up any better by doing it your way unless you get lucky.

That being said, a market correction or crash always has me looking for extra cash to invest.

Peter Peeker picked the best pick of all the picked funds that were picked by the fund pickers.

Fun test, thanks for the link. I got a 100%. Not bad for a cop.

Here is what we pay so you can compare. His 403B - just pay the fund expense ratio His 457B - pay on a sliding scale based on the balance. About 0.2% Her 403B - $15 per quarter regardless of account size. Her 401K - 0.79% on top of the fund expense ratio I think your fee is reasonable. It could be a...

OP, I also direct my new contributions towards the asset class that has become lower than my desired allocation. This works when your portfolio is smaller in size or when classes have similar returns. Later on you my have to do the once a year rebalance. As the other poster said, yes your tax advant...

I would just hold your nose and accept the low yields. Intermediate term bond funds are only yielding 1.7% or so right now. And with those you are accepting significant more risk. If you don't mind seeing your emergency fund drop by 5% or 10% just before you need the money then maybe the intermediat...

My question is whether it makes sense to complicate things by mixing stock and bond holdings in appropriate retirement accounts in order to more efficiently rebalance. If bonds tank and stocks soar (or vice versa) its not always possible to add funds to retirement accounts to rebalance. I think it ...

Since you are not used to having the money invested, I like the idea of averaging the money into your desired asset allocation over a period of time. I think it's easier to gradually turn up the heat. Jumping right in or averaging in is OK. I would not advise taking more than 12 months to get to you...

Thanks for the article Rick. What you wrote really seems to make sense to me.

I often wonder how much of the gold run up has been due to all the Gold will reach a gazillion dollars commercials that are all over the AM radio as well as day time news TV.

Since you presumably got a stepped-up basis, there will never be a better time to liquidate and diversify with no tax consequences. I'd follow your son's advice. +1 +2 +3 +4 .... There is harm in keeping the account: The fees will slowly go up and you will not be able to sell in the future because ...

I'm not sure how the fidelity guy fits in with all this? I'd just teach the boglehead philosophy with an emphasis on saving and living below ones means. I like to point newbs towards good investing books like those written by Ferri, Swedroe, and Bernstein. I'd straight push the three fund portfolio ...

I use the Intermediate Bond Index simply because I like the 50/50 mix of corporates and treasuries. I also like the fact that it doesn't own mortgage backed securities. Total Bond has a slightly shorter duration and lower SEC yield. I think you are good with either one.

I've always thought of my pension as an income stream which lessens my need to pull money from my other retirement assets, but it doesn't affect my AA either way. Right now it covers more than 100% of my expenses, but I still have almost 40% of my retirement portfolio in bonds. Whatever works for y...

Taylor just laid the quote smack down on this thread. Booyaaaa!!!

"I suck at this timing thing so ill just Boglehead it." - ofcmetz

I'd at least put half of my fixed income in such a fund.

I really like the suggestions Duckie gave you OP. I'll agree with everyone else who says that it is too risky an imprudent to tilt so much towards health care.

OP, I consider the following accounts in my asset allocation. I keep a spreadsheet to keep track of the allocation. I don't keep my cash reserves from my checking account in the allocation because this fluctuates a ton as money comes in and bills get paid out. Although it wouldn't hurt to consider t...

littleken wrote:The simple answer is everthing should be considered in your AA, even your human capital, and the kind of company your employer is (cap size, value or growth....).

^ How is including your human capital in your asset allocation simple?

If gold is part of your asset allocation then having it in that set percentage would be part of staying the course. A lot of bogleheads own gold in one form or another. The main question is why do you want to include it and what percentage of your allocation would you have. After that would you own ...

Does anyone agree with me that that is being a little reckless or is this expected by the guys who run the 401Ks for companies. Don't know if it's reckless, but IMO it's obviously not good or sound advice. I'm not really surprised based on where it's coming from. At least you have good choices with...

Welcome. I would definitely concentrate on the student loans after maximizing any tax advantaged savings. I agree with others who say you want a minimum of 10% bonds. 20% would be more reasonable in my opinion. As far as a REIT tilt I think 10% is reasonable as long as it fits in your tax advantaged...

Dude, you are doing awesome. Keep up the great work. When I was 28 and married I made a similar amount of money. If I divide my net worth in half at that point then it's right where yours is. You are definitely on the path to financial freedom.

I try to spend more than $100 on our anniversary dinner. (This year will be #13). Ruth's Chris Steakhouse or something similar for those occasions is what we like to do. I don't think any of our other meals out all year come close to the $100 range.

jginseattle wrote:Liar's Poker, by Michael Lewis. It's a hoot!

I agree, very fun book to read.

Calm Man wrote: Just don't drive drunk, have wild parties or fool around with drugs or wild women (or men).

I agree with almost all of this comment. But c'mon, what's wrong with

Calm Man wrote: or fool around .... wild women (or men).

Your level of fear may be irrational, but the things you are worrying about probably bother more people than you think. I think if you've taken prudent actions reference to the fears, then it's time to stop worrying. Specifically your questions: 1. I would say that if you are sued and they get 3 mon...