Bogleheads.org

You're bumping a six-year old thread. So what? Thanks for bumping this thread. I found the post above by Mr. Swedroe from May 10, 2007 5:25 pm to be quite intriguing. I'd love to read the long version if it now exists. I presume this is expounded upon in Larry's subsequent books? Edit - found the a...

If more websites used 2-step verification services (Vanguard or Fidelity...) this entire question could be completely meaningless... 2-step verification is certainly a good thing because it makes web based attacks more difficult, but I think what gets overlooked sometimes in these password discussi...

There is a difference of opinion on this forum over whether an investor should hold all bonds in an IRA (401k) and all stock in a taxable account or be diversified in both accounts. I fall more on the side of being diversified in both accounts, but also put some thought into it. For example, use mu...

I'm probably going to make a fool of myself (not the first time!), but I just cannot understand this topic of an emergency fund. If I need up to $20K at a swipe of a card, well, I have a credit card (actually two, hence more flexibility if needs be). Then for anything not strictly instantaneous (or...

In a more abstract way I do favor locations with weaker currencies as not having to worry about money during the trip increases my enjoyment significantly. If beers are $0.50, costs are generally below my threshold of pain - hello Bratislava in the '90's. If beers are > $6, I start worrying total c...

Thanks. Now, I want a cookie. Me too. Fortunately there are none in the house. I just came back from grocery shopping and once again didn't buy cookies, so there are none in my house for yet another week. Just walking down the cookie aisle is tough, but "stay the course" is my motto for c...

The Living Abroad book series by Moon looks like a good resource for use in evaluating retirement in a specific country:
http://www.moon.com/books/moon-living-abroad

Retiring abroad complicates retirement finances substantially. In addition to all the other investment risks, you now face currency risk, unless you transfer your assets to your host country. I would never consider moving my assets into the Thai baht, for many reasons. That means that if the US dol...

I'm retired at 25 and wrote a (pseudonymous) article that partially discusses my thinking: http://voices.yahoo.com/why-retire-lima-peru-11818472.html You can tell the article is for a 25-year old's concerns because it doesn't even mention heath care :) You can definitely hugely reduce costs - you j...

I'm late to the party here, but thought I'd pitch in some on basic expat issues and healthcare. I'm a China expat - 2 years in remote China working and another 3 to go. You scoff at the Aunt Jemima thing because you haven't done a long stint overseas . You've never been through serious sustained cu...

I'm not sure how much you're prioritizing the "rising cost of health care in the US" but I think that's a bit of a red herring. Yes, medical care is cheaper or even free in some other countries, but if you're thinking in terms of early retirement then most likely you are in an age bracket...

Hi Sharke, you might try the Early Retirement forum: http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/ I have lived in four countries besides the USA since I early retired at age 41. It seems like I ended up spending about the same amount of money everywhere. But I do live a much better lifestyle overseas. [...

I have no financial advice to offer. However, one of the most notable aspects of a multi-year professional stint in a european country years ago was how miserable several Americans I worked with were. They had sought out the job, had far more personal support (families in comfortable circumstances,...

I've noticed that there are a few members here who seem to be happily retired overseas, sometimes early. The idea certainly has appeal to me, both due to the promise of new cultural experiences and the potential for reduced cost of living. I am also pessimistic enough about the rising cost of health...

I have a similar dollar amount of unvested RSUs, but for better or worse I do not consider them as a part of my overall asset allocation. I consider them income over the next few years. Obviously this heavily ties me to my company's fortunes, but that is the case anyway as it is my only source of i...

Very good advice from previous posters, I just wanted to be sure you are aware that the ING REIT fund is a stock fund and you should not separate it and think you are 50% equity when you would actually be 60%. On top of that, the fund is 2x the volatility of Vanguard's REIT fund. It lost 67% in 200...

Sharke, welcome! Since your stated goal is "serious retirement planning" then, assuming retirement at 65 (we don't know), you have 21 years of accumulation x $35K = $735K plus expected growth. This gives you a quick reference that those restricted stock units (when vested) - and your 401K...

What kind of company is represented by your RSU shares? If small cap, you would want your other equity in S&P500. If large cap, perhaps overweight small/mid in your other equity holdings. You can't diversify away the single company risk or the single industry risk associated with your (very) co...

I would not buy a REIT fund at .75%. Does your 401K have a brokerage option where you can buy the Vanguard ETF VNQ at .1% ER? You certainly don't need REIT investments, and it has nothing to do with owning or not owning a personal residence. Ah, thanks for mentioning the brokerage option DBR. I act...

1. I would use that tax-exempt muni bond fund in this situation as well. 2. Instead of VFWAX, I would use Vanguard Total Int'l Stock Index fund. I wonder why you missed this other fund? 3. I own a home, yet still have about 10% of portfolio in real estate funds. But only in tax-advantaged accounts....

Hello, I've been lurking here for a while and have found this site to be an incredibly useful resource! Thanks in advance for any and all advice, especially suggestions regarding taxable account investing to meet my overall target asset allocation. Here's my portfolio breakdown: Emergency funds: Thr...