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It is actively managed instead of index, but the cost is low so being actively managed is not a big problem. Exactly. It's a composite of mostly-active funds (probably "boutique" firms that are hopefully closet indexers anyway). It's structured and weighted to be close to market-neutral a...

For international, I'd use the International Equity Fund (.34) offered in the 457. However, since it is an EAFE fund, you still would not have the emerging markets. Can you put some money into a Roth IRA to hold just the emerging markets? I thought I'd still chime in to say that navigating this pro...

^ I'm so sorry about that! Your explanation lacks absolutely nothing. Please accept my apology as I explain the errors in judgment that lead to my last post. The following bobloblaw question was in the quotes above my last post: Thank you for the help! Can you explain "interferes with "bac...

And why not accept market risk (which is enough) rather than timing risk, which has pretty much been established as a losing strategy? Even if you get lucky this time, it'll only feed the desire to continue to do so because, hey, I was right before. If you make gains, you'll eventually give them all...

casey2012 wrote:I know this is market timing, but what the heck...I have 20 years til retirement...a little market timing for 6-12 months won't wreck me, right?

The notion is fallacious. The statement presupposes there won't be even more compelling reasons to time markets throughout the entire 20 years.

Yes, I do treat my portfolio overall as one but the only problem I see is rebalancing everything again after I finally go a hang of it :( with the taxable and non-taxable, etc. Yes, sometimes it's a challenge to see how it can be done until another can point out with specificity how it all works to...

Thank you for the help! Can you explain "interferes with "backdoor" Roth IRA contributions."? I tried doing some Googling of that and don't understand exactly what you mean. I don't have time to go into it now, but there shouldn't be much need to google. Click the link I posted ...

I'll be honest: I might be tempted go with the Great-West SecureFoundation® LT 2020 (MXSPX). I know it's ER is 0.77%, but hear me out. The Great-West target funds are index fund portfolios equivalent to a 3 fund portfolio (even though they use 7). Using the Great-West target (index) funds makes your...

So the question: Is it best just to contribute to the employer match at these rates? From an income standpoint we'll need to do a backdoor roth as we won't qualify for any deduction due to phase out. Please tell me you didn't roll the old employer plan into the new one! (I imagine not...) Of course...

Expense ratios and ticker symbols, where available, please?

As I understand it, Morningstar.com charts total returns and here's how they look: Vanguard Wellesely Income Investor (VWINX) Vanguard LifeStrategy Conservative Growth (VSCGX) (a static 3 Fund portfolio) http://i42.tinypic.com/2zec5kk.png Source: VWINX/VSCGX Chart My "in the box" explanati...

What are your state a federal marginal income tax brackets? With the $1,000 credit for each of the kids did you even have any Federal income tax due last year? Watty makes a good point. I'm not great with tax stuff, but just bouncing some numbers around lead to this... $70,000 Gross Income - 10,000...

markmadsden wrote:nedsaid: Your comment about investing in "commodity companies" makes a lot of sense, its a good idea for consideration.

And the good news here is that you have 10 years to sit back and watch commodities to see whether it's Rick's view or Larry's view that wins out!

Watty: 15% Federal, and I am in NY (I think state rate is 6% or so). Right now, I invest enough in 401k to get full company match, and no more. I invest an additional $1500/yr in Roth IRA. Please clarify: Are you personally saving $13,500/yr in the 401k (not-including employer match) and $1500/yr i...

CNBC makes it almost intolerable to watch Mr. Bogle with all the sounding of brass and tinkling of cymbals going on in the background, and on the sidelines, and above and below him. Sheesh. How can one ignore that noise to focus on the one person with substance to share?

Indexing, buying, holding, rebalancing, Bogleheading, etc. helps to reduce some forms of risk, but there is still risk. If my index fund tracks the stock market, and the stock market takes a 50% dive a la 2008-2009, my index fund dives with it. 100% stocks is still 100% stocks, and it's still very r...

So while increasing your bonds by 1% each year, you will be increasing your AA, but you will be sticking with "Age-minus-15" in bonds. At age 65 this means your AA will be 50/50. Is this right? Yes, exactly. Actually I am 44 and discovered only 15% in bonds as I have been just now learnin...

If you don't want to be bothered with picking an entry point, you can use market orders. I always appreciate the feedback. I think it may be risky to use market orders as high frequency traders might take advantage of me by scooping up a shares at the price I see on screen and then increase the ask...

I was under the impression that with interest rates at such lows, it would be better to wait to invest in bonds since future prices will inevitably fall. Lower returns are expected. Drops in bond prices/values are expected. All true, but it doesn't mean bonds should be avoided altogether...at least...

Let me also refer you to the following video, for perspective: Asset allocation and disciplined rebalancing "Age in bonds" is an oft repeated guideline that makes a lot of sense to me, even if one decides to hold less (or more) in bonds than one's age; the idea of "age in bonds" ...

Maybe this'll help?

Reducing Your Bond Allocation? Proceed With Caution

Bonds aren't just about returns. They're about diversification, cushioning the fall, having dry powder.

^ Also TFB's Backdoor Roth: A Complete How-To ... Oh, I see there's also a link for it in that Wiki article. Her 401k (was 3% match) is being rolled over now and want to know where to put it Not sure on contributions - she just started own business thinking of solo 401k I may be wrong, but I think V...

why would I purchase VTSMX over VTI, especially when VTI has a lower ER and doesn't require 3k as a minimum investment? Am I missing something? Probably not. Many people like the fact that they can trade ETFs at anytime during the trading day. I don't like them because I have to order their purchas...

3. No backdoor Roth; No after-tax 401k New Contributions $19,500 His 401k $17,500 Her 401k $1,500 His Non-Deductible Traditional IRA <--Kicked back from 401k due to high compensation. $1,500 Her Non-Deductible Traditional IRA <--Kicked back from 401k due to high compensation. $30,000 Taxable $5,000...

2. Idea with Backdoor Roth (NO After-tax 401k) New Contributions $19,500 His 401k $17,500 Her 401k $5,500 His Non-Deductible Traditional IRA <--Convert to Roth soon thereafter. $5,500 Her Non-Deductible Traditional IRA <--Convert to Roth soon thereafter. $22,000 Taxable $5,000 I-Bonds (emergency fu...

1. Idea with Backdoor Roth via Non-Deducticle TIRA AND After-tax 401k Emergency Fund 1 year ( 14% Cash, 29% I-Bonds, 57% VG Short-Term Bond) Tax Filing Status: married filing Jointly Tax Bracket: 33% Federal / 5% State (Maryland) Ages: His 41 / Hers 35 Current portfolio: high six-figures (Woohoo!) ...

I started to wonder if I'd ever get back here. I apologize for the long delay. I have been busy and this is a long thread with many details to bear in mind. I will post some ideas in the following order: 1. My idea for incorporating a Backdoor Roth via non-deductible Traditional IRA contributions an...

I don't like them much either...but I use them through my employer's SDB to increase the diversification of my underlying holdings, to use passive investment vehicles and to reduce costs.

(Sigh.)

I definitely prefer traditional index funds, but we've got to work with what we've got.

I just did a major re-edit to my last post.

Please go back and give it another read through.

P.S. And Laura's suggestion of above is also the bomb.

Welcome to Bogleheads! Keep it in Star fund for now. There is still some of learning to do. The best way to be in the top 25% of mutual funds over the long haul is to be in the bottom 25% of costs, and you'll have the lowest costs between Vanguard and TSP. Now, the Star Fund isn't exactly a fund, ra...

There's no firm answer, although "age in bonds" is an oft repeated guideline that makes a lot of sense to me, even if one decides to hold less (or more) in bonds than one's age; the idea of "age in bonds" keeps ever-present the importance of ratcheting down risk as retirement app...

I'm not in-the-loop regarding EDN's participation or recent lack thereof. I've seen what appeared to be some feather ruffling at him and by him. I appreciated his knowledge and experience he brought to the forum. My hearty thanks to him, as well as the well-deserved thanks to other forum heroes list...

OP, I'm sorry I don't have specific advice for your situation... :( ...but since none of my fellow members in this thread has even reached 100 posts, I wanted to jump in and offer a hearty welcome to all of you and to thank you for participating. Welcome to Bogleheads, friends! Best wishes. :beer

Welcome to Bogleheads! You have some good options. Below I'll note some red flags: The PTTRX seems to outperform the VIPIX even though the ER is a little higher. I would most likely go with the Blackrock funds, and maybe add some VHCAX as it has performed really well (up about 40% this past year). C...

My apologies. I was still waiting for answers to a couple more questions and I figured you were busy with the little one. :D Do you have information as to whether His 401k allows elective after-tax contributions and regular in-service withdrawals of only those contributions? This is what it says, wh...

He has a few financial planners chasing him, and I want to make sure he doesn't do anything he regrets. Show him PBS Frontline's The Retirement Gamble (available for viewing online and which is also discussed in in this thread ). If he advances it to the 19:50 mark it'll start him at 3 critical top...

I'm contributing 6% which maximizes my employer contribution Got it. I know I'm terribly low on contributions, but will be bumping up in June/July when I can change it. Thank you for giving the dollar amounts, too. I wanted to know the dollar amounts in case you were also contributing outside of th...

In case you missed it, PBS Frontline did a documentary piece called "The Retirement Gamble" that might interest your friend. I think it makes all this investing gobbledygook very simple and palatable. There's a link in the thread to see the video online. If she needs a good "hook"...

^ ^ I watched Frontline's "The Retirement Myth" before going to bed last night and the question of costs haunted me last night as I slept. I scanned this thread again and realized that I don't understand what you're saying (and not saying) about future retirement savings, from which one mi...

^ It would appear that DFA Global Equity is simply the equity part of Global Allocation 60/40 fund , with the same US/International split (64 US / 36 Int'l) and the same value and size tilts (see links). OP could actually taylor the amount of bonds by using DFA Global Equity for stocks and add howev...

Today, I couldn't get the following out of my head, so I wrote it down to Honor Mr. Bogle for his birthday. Imagine John Bogle on a stage adorned with an Admiral Bicorne. He dusts off the musical score to Pirates of Penzance and turns to the Major-General's Song. He clears his throat and cues the mu...

"He couldn't have nearly as many DFA options," I thought to myself as I typed that last question. Well you don't, but you do have A LOT. I think you should change the title of your thread to "Portfolio Help - DFA & Vanguard" or something like it. Also, edit your first post to...

I guess I agree that bonds look terrible right now, but only if they don't get worse later. Gas prices also look terrible, but I need both bonds and gas. So does Buffet. Perhaps if I were as smart as him, I'd be complaining. Honestly, I'm just happy to be able to save and invest!

I converted an old 401k from Fidelity (awhile back) to USAA IRA just to keep my accounts together. Do you have other investment accounts that you have not included? I am not familiar with USAA, other than the general rep they have for being good for insurance, but they leave something to be desired...

18x earnings does not mean there will be a crash or drop or anything of the sort. Instead of a drop in the market, what if the "correction" is merely a slower rise in the market wherein the earnings catchup to the prices? Waiting for that correction would be a loser's game because your ass...

Pingo, Funny...if you look at the back of my images you'll see that my chin-up station is an old Soloflex that I must've bought around 1982. Wow, 31 years ago! :shock: I only use it for chins anymore as all other movements are done with free weights except for shoulder warmups which are done with a...

IronMind has a nice article on an easy way to build a great lifting platform . And there's nothing like having a good bench. Blues features the IronMaster Super Bench in his photo and I have never heard anything negative about it. Another one I'm partial to is the IronMind 5-Star Flat Bench , which...

The only other account is a Roth IRA through USAA, just opened, with less than 10K rolled over from Fidelity. I have all of that in VTSMX for now. Too bad. You had good options at Fidelity. And I'll admit I'm questioning the choice of holding a Vanguard fund at USAA. It has to be more expensive doi...

I have both powerblocks and the ironmaster. The powerblocks are far, far superior. Great comments from everyone so far. The ironmasters are marketed as quick change - but they really aren't that fast. I would go with powerblocks. I've seen this comment before, that is that the IronMasters can't be ...

I'm seeing a lot of PowerBlocks here. What, no love for IronMaster Quick-Lock Dumbbells?

They're not nearly as quick to change, but they don't feel any different than gym dumbbells. Just curious.