Search found 428 matches

by newbie001
Thu Feb 01, 2024 9:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: HSA Investment Question
Replies: 22
Views: 2615

Re: HSA Investment Question

lakpr wrote: Thu Feb 01, 2024 1:37 am
IndyWing wrote: Tue Jan 30, 2024 1:51 pm Correct - My HSA provider only allows funds over a $3K threshold to be invested.
Open a Fidelity HSA account and drain all money except $20 to Fidelity. Keeping $3k in cash at your HSA provider is costing you $150 per year or $12.50 per month in implied fees. What is the monthly fee if you go below the required $3k balance? $1.50 per month, as my HSA plan requires? That is only $18 per year.
Yep, well said. My HSA through my employer is with Optum, but I hate their policies so I just roll over my employer's contribution to my HSA every year, being sure to keep enough in my Optum account to pay the monthly maintenance charges for the year. Fidelity and Lively (the latter lets you invest through Schwab) are good choices.
by newbie001
Sat Aug 19, 2023 10:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Ever Work for a Micro Business?
Replies: 56
Views: 4615

Re: Ever Work for a Micro Business?

THere are discount 401k providers available these days, such as Guideline or Human Interest (I love Guideline, which offers maninly Vanguard funds). It takes a couple of hours to set up and monthly maintenance is automated. It's dirt cheap too. I believe there are still tax credits for small employers that start retirement plans (I vaguely rcall these were offered around 2019), which would make the cost to your emloyer even smaller. Your employer might not pay more than a few hundred bucks to set it up.

EDIT: Now that I think about it, an emloyer match would probably not be involved, which I think can complicate 401k compliance and make a 401k less attractive to an employer. But there are some gurus on 401ks on BHs who can address that.
by newbie001
Mon Feb 27, 2023 1:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Who's up for pickleball? Zero-zero-two. Game On!
Replies: 377
Views: 89819

Re: Who's up for pickleball? Zero-zero-two. Game On!

I am very curious about pickleball and will eventually try it at our local Y. There are quite a few players there. Some of them are like me; a previous (50 yrs) racquetball die hard. I have osteoarthritis in knees and need to find a competitive sport. On Monday, I had GreenLight procedure done on prostate; healing up now. Once the doc gives me the okie-doke to return to full activity, it’s game on. I’m curious about it, as well. I’m a former competitive volleyball player (indoor, outdoor sand and grass), and I’ve been sidelined for several years due to an osteo issue in one of my feet - according to my podiatrist, my ‘brake shoe’ has worn down from all the years of jumping. Given that my vertical leap is more like 12” than 36” these days, ...
by newbie001
Mon Feb 20, 2023 3:05 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: WisdomTree GDE: 90% Large Cap + 90% Gold
Replies: 65
Views: 8379

Re: WisdomTree GDE: 90% Large Cap + 90% Gold

I have a very small amount in GDE and hope to add to it over time. When gold does well for a year or two, I expect GDE's AUM will grow substantially.
by newbie001
Fri Feb 17, 2023 9:22 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: List of Capital Efficient, I e leveraged, Funds
Replies: 2
Views: 507

Re: List of Capital Efficient, I e leveraged, Funds

Thanks for posting. I'm surprised the "blended" capital efficient funds haven't received more buzz. I'm guessing they will become extremely popular with retail investors over the next few years, notwithstanding the average investor's fear of leverage.
by newbie001
Fri Feb 03, 2023 11:27 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Understaing rate of return with Guideline 401k
Replies: 4
Views: 495

Re: Understaing rate of return with Guideline 401k

For what its's worth, I see my overall return when I log into Guideline. I just go to the "Portfolio" tab from the dashboard and look under "Your All Time."
by newbie001
Wed Feb 01, 2023 6:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: It's not market timing if it's in your IPS
Replies: 51
Views: 9891

Re: It's not market timing if it's in your IPS

It's tempting to try to time TREA, but I think that I will limit that to disaster scenarios like the GFC or for real estate-specific meltdowns. Simple corrections I can live with :) I held everything during COVID and that worked out well enough.
by newbie001
Fri Jan 20, 2023 10:36 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why not 100% PSLDX? [PIMCO StocksPLUS Long Duration Fund]
Replies: 2109
Views: 394724

Re: Why not 100% PSLDX? [PIMCO StocksPLUS Long Duration Fund]

Best of luck! I'm taking the plunge tomorrow and moving my HSA almost entirely into PSLDX. Hopefully the next 30 years are good to it :D I never heard of an HSA allowing PSLDX, who do you have as an HSA? I just rolled over funds to LIvely, which allows one to use Charles Schwab HSA brokerage, which in turn offers PSLDX (subject to a $50 transaction fee). Lively will have a $25 annual fee starting later this year. Not that it matters much, but kind of annoying. Agreed. Like any good, miserly Boglehead, any HSA fees drive me nuts. I'd go with Fidelity, but they have something like a $1 million requirement for PSLDX, which sadly is a great deal more than I have. I guess I can live with $24 annually for access to PSLDX, but yes, it's very anno...
by newbie001
Thu Jan 19, 2023 6:54 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why not 100% PSLDX? [PIMCO StocksPLUS Long Duration Fund]
Replies: 2109
Views: 394724

Re: Why not 100% PSLDX? [PIMCO StocksPLUS Long Duration Fund]

OuterBanks wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 3:58 pm
newbie001 wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 11:40 am
Best of luck! I'm taking the plunge tomorrow and moving my HSA almost entirely into PSLDX. Hopefully the next 30 years are good to it :D
I never heard of an HSA allowing PSLDX, who do you have as an HSA?
I just rolled over funds to LIvely, which allows one to use Charles Schwab HSA brokerage, which in turn offers PSLDX (subject to a $50 transaction fee).
by newbie001
Thu Jan 19, 2023 11:40 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why not 100% PSLDX? [PIMCO StocksPLUS Long Duration Fund]
Replies: 2109
Views: 394724

Re: Why not 100% PSLDX? [PIMCO StocksPLUS Long Duration Fund]

e5116 wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 11:36 am I just submitted a "buy" order so taking the plunge today! Wish me luck...Seems to be a good day with both equities/long bonds down big. But it was random chance because sold a Vanguard fund yesterday and can't exchange it directly into non-Vanguard fund so one day out of market not by choice. Got lucky with the one day this time. But intentionally split it up to mitigate that risk (and plan to do another buy) so the luck/chance could reverse itself next purchase.

Seems like a reasonably entry point for a long-term hold in my Roth. Hoping for that tax free growth over the next 20 years!
Best of luck! I'm taking the plunge tomorrow and moving my HSA almost entirely into PSLDX. Hopefully the next 30 years are good to it :D
by newbie001
Wed Jan 18, 2023 1:44 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Bond Party Will Commence?
Replies: 112
Views: 12021

Re: The Bond Party Will Commence?

Not to hijack this thread, but a new inflation rate target is something that worries me greatly about holding Treasuries, in particular LTT. LTTs offer such wonderful diversification (sometime), but I sometimes wonder if I am insane lending money at 3.6% for 20+ years. If inflation of 3% or 4% does become the new target rather than 2%, I assume the market would respond by demanding higher interest rates on Treasuries? And if memory serves, the average weighted maturity of outstanding Treasuries is about 6 years (I could be misremembering that), which is short enough that the federal government would have to be concerned with the effects of higher interest rates as it rolls over its existing debt. In short, I perhaps foolishly am trusting th...
by newbie001
Mon Jan 16, 2023 10:40 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How much can I move from my Optum Bank HSA?
Replies: 27
Views: 3257

Re: How much can I move from my Optum Bank HSA?

My employer recently set up an HSA with Optum, and their fund selection is rather poor IMO. Plus, they charge $4.25 a month as a "maintenance fee," which drives my miserly self nuts! I plan to transfer all my funds to Fidelity but am paranoid that Optum will continue to charge the monthly $4.25 fee, resulting in a negative balance. Their rep told me this wouldn't happen, but I've heard stories about HSAs with other providers going negative.
by newbie001
Wed Dec 28, 2022 12:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Question on PSLDX and its international sister fund
Replies: 3
Views: 691

Re: Question on PSLDX and its international sister fund

Sorry, just saw the above responses.

Yes, I would prefer to have an international fund that is unhedged. My wish to invest in PSLDX or its international equivalent is due to the fund's track record. Obvously, that record may not be replicated in the future, but I'm willing to allocate a small slice of my portfolio to the fund.

Any thoughts on the foreign tax credit questions? TIA.
by newbie001
Thu Dec 22, 2022 2:25 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Question on PSLDX and its international sister fund
Replies: 3
Views: 691

Question on PSLDX and its international sister fund

Simplying some facts here...I was forttunate enough to earn a little more than I anticipated this year and would like to invest the excess. Based on the various posts on this forum regarding Pimco's PSLDX fund and the brutal year it has had thus far, I would like to invest in that fund. This investment will be in a tax-deferred account and I will not need it for several decades. The problem is that I would like to increase my overall allocation to international stocks, not U.S. stocks. Fortunately, Pimco has an international version of PSLDX: PSKIX. It lacks the sparkling track record of PSLDX, but international eventually has to bounce back (I hope). So far, so good. BUT, I believe that PSKIX, like PSLDX, regularly distributes all (or almo...
by newbie001
Fri Dec 16, 2022 5:15 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What is going on with Gold price?
Replies: 283
Views: 33705

Re: What is going on with Gold price?

Apologies if this is a bit tangential, but the leveraged Wisdom Tree fund GDE (appears to aim for results akin to 90% S&P 500, and 90% gold) seems like a useful innovation that will allow people with a desire to hold gold to have significant exposure to non-physical gold without having to reduce one's allocation to equities.
by newbie001
Wed Dec 14, 2022 1:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: My Mint Mobile Experience... Terrible!!!!!! What has your experience been?
Replies: 59
Views: 9896

Re: My Mint Mobile Experience... Terrible!!!!!! What has your experience been?

I've been with Mint for 2 years. It is probably my favorite company of all time. I had a bit of a problem the first 2 days I had, but they solved the problem quickly, and smooth sailing since then. Incredible bang for the buck IMO.
by newbie001
Wed Dec 07, 2022 11:48 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why not 100% PSLDX? [PIMCO StocksPLUS Long Duration Fund]
Replies: 2109
Views: 394724

Re: Why not 100% PSLDX? [PIMCO StocksPLUS Long Duration Fund]

swehrman wrote: Tue Dec 06, 2022 8:55 pm
newbie001 wrote: Tue Dec 06, 2022 6:57 pm I have seen reviews of PSLDX on youtube that say no minimum for TD Ameritrade. I called to be sure a few days ago; the rep told me that there is no minimum, only a $50 transaction fee. I hope that's right because I am planning to open a TD Ameritrade account for PSLDX purposes. Your link makes me wonder if the rep was wrong...
I have bought PSLDX at TD Ameritrade, and the $50 transaction fee and no minimum is correct.
Thanks! That's good to know.
by newbie001
Tue Dec 06, 2022 6:57 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why not 100% PSLDX? [PIMCO StocksPLUS Long Duration Fund]
Replies: 2109
Views: 394724

Re: Why not 100% PSLDX? [PIMCO StocksPLUS Long Duration Fund]

johnsmithsf wrote: Tue Dec 06, 2022 6:36 pm What is the minimum purchase requirements for PSLDX at TD Ameritrade?

I only see 1,000,000 on this link

https://research.tdameritrade.com/grid/ ... mbol=PSLDX
I have seen reviews of PSLDX on youtube that say no minimum for TD Ameritrade. I called to be sure a few days ago; the rep told me that there is no minimum, only a $50 transaction fee. I hope that's right because I am planning to open a TD Ameritrade account for PSLDX purposes. Your link makes me wonder if the rep was wrong...
by newbie001
Sat Nov 26, 2022 5:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: If you had to choose a managed futures / trend following ETF, which would it be?
Replies: 23
Views: 3494

Re: If you had to choose a managed futures / trend following ETF, which would it be?

Although now that I scroll down at that link, I'm not sure if the load is waived only if a person makes an investment beyond a certain amount?
by newbie001
Sat Nov 26, 2022 5:13 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: If you had to choose a managed futures / trend following ETF, which would it be?
Replies: 23
Views: 3494

Re: If you had to choose a managed futures / trend following ETF, which would it be?

I’ve been toying with the idea of adding managed futures, but I have not pulled the trigger yet. I see these funds discussed most frequently here for managed futures: AMFAX -AlphaSimplex Managed Futures Strategy Fund KMLM - KFA Mount Lucas Index Strategy ETF DBMF - iMGP DBi Managed Futures Strategy ETF EQCHX - AXS Chesapeake Strategy I MFTFX - Arrow Managed Futures Strategy Fund Class A LCSAX - LoCorr Long/Short Commodity Strategies Fund Class A Thank you, very much appreciated! Do you see any obvious things to look out for in choosing MF? For instance: I've really liked the long track record of PQTAX, but then found out about the wild front-end load. It is indeed an intriguing fund. I've thought about allocating 10% to it. FWIW, I think y...
by newbie001
Sat Nov 26, 2022 5:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: If you had to choose a managed futures / trend following ETF, which would it be?
Replies: 23
Views: 3494

Re: If you had to choose a managed futures / trend following ETF, which would it be?

I’ve been toying with the idea of adding managed futures, but I have not pulled the trigger yet. I see these funds discussed most frequently here for managed futures: AMFAX -AlphaSimplex Managed Futures Strategy Fund KMLM - KFA Mount Lucas Index Strategy ETF DBMF - iMGP DBi Managed Futures Strategy ETF EQCHX - AXS Chesapeake Strategy I MFTFX - Arrow Managed Futures Strategy Fund Class A LCSAX - LoCorr Long/Short Commodity Strategies Fund Class A Thank you, very much appreciated! Do you see any obvious things to look out for in choosing MF? For instance: I've really liked the long track record of PQTAX, but then found out about the wild front-end load. It is indeed an intriguing fund. I've thought about allocating 10% to it. FWIW, I think y...
by newbie001
Mon Nov 07, 2022 2:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why Max HSA?
Replies: 58
Views: 9272

Re: Why Max HSA?

For my part at least, I can't think of a more attractive investment than an HSA, other than retirement plan contributions up to the match.
by newbie001
Mon Nov 07, 2022 11:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why Max HSA?
Replies: 58
Views: 9272

Re: Why Max HSA?

1) Tax deduction;
2) Compounds tax free;
3) Tax-free withdrawals;
4) Contributions are free from FICA tax if made through payroll.

Tough to beat!
by newbie001
Mon Nov 07, 2022 11:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why Max HSA?
Replies: 58
Views: 9272

Re: Why Max HSA?

1) Tax deduction;
2) Compounds tax free;
3) Tax-free withdrawals;
4) Contributions are free from FICA tax if made through payroll.

Tough to beat!
by newbie001
Fri Nov 04, 2022 12:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Decent credit card line-up?
Replies: 27
Views: 2288

Re: Decent credit card line-up?

As a proud miser, here is my credit card arsenal:

1) Wells Fargo 2% cash back card (for general spending);
2) Chase Sapphire Preferred (3% on dining, 5% on travel, great travel benefits);
3) Amex Blue (6% back on groceries and streaming, 3% on transit);
4) Citi Costco (a wonderful all around card, but in particular 4% back on gas);
5) Chase Amazon card (3% back on Amazon and Whole Foods, you can get 5% back if you are a Prime member);
by newbie001
Sat Oct 15, 2022 7:08 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: PSLDX is testing my resolve
Replies: 53
Views: 8471

Re: PSLDX is testing my resolve

Lee_WSP wrote: Sat Oct 15, 2022 6:47 pm Nows actually the time to back up the truck, even if you catch the falling knife because the knife will rise again someday.
I was just thinking about PSLDX in the context of this yesterday. I've never invested in PSLDX but have followed the mega-thread with great interest for a while and intend to invest in it eventually when my job situation changes. It's starting to look juicy after this huge drawdown. Nobody knows nothing of course, but if I had to guess, I would guess that bonds probably aren't going to fall much more, in which case I'd be no worse off in PSLDX than I am in VOO. Will probably take the plunge in the near future...
by newbie001
Thu Oct 13, 2022 11:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Credit Card "Churning" for Bonuses --- Can't You Just Run Out of Decent Cards to Get?
Replies: 124
Views: 15316

Re: Credit Card "Churning" for Bonuses --- Can't You Just Run Out of Decent Cards to Get?

retireIn2020 wrote: Thu Oct 13, 2022 10:39 am So far in 2022 I churned about $4000 in cash back on cash back bonus credit cards, now I'm getting declined on new applications, not sure why, I have a fico of 800. I'm guessing they catch on to this sort of thing.
Sadly, some credit card companies have indeed caught on to this. There is a subreddit for credit card churning that discusses this quite a bit; based on all of the users' reports, one can see that some companies have guidelines for new approvals. Going back more than a year, there have been many, many reports of users with perfect credit getting rejected. The explanation given is often that they have too much unutilized credit.
by newbie001
Tue Oct 04, 2022 3:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best Plan Provider or TPA for Solo 401k Mega Backdoor Roth
Replies: 4
Views: 590

Re: Best Plan Provider or TPA for Solo 401k Mega Backdoor Roth

A while back (1-2 years?), I tried finding a discount 401k provider that offered a plan conducive to Mega Backdoor Roth IRAs. Long story short, I had no luck. Perhaps things have changed since then. It's a rapidly evolving industry- the fees you list are bargains compared to the administrative fees my previous employer was charged for very basic 401k services.
by newbie001
Thu Sep 29, 2022 11:09 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Permanent Portfolios
Replies: 39
Views: 4607

Re: Permanent Portfolios

It's pretty crazy that this year the OG "Permanent Portfolio" (Harry Browne's version) has a -17.4% YTD return (which will be even worse after today). Gold and Bonds have NOT provided a ballast against a decline in the stock market this year. How rare is this? Well, the absolute worst year since 1985 was 2015 when it returned -2.9%. There have been only 5 years since 1985 (38 years) that have had a negative return at all (13% of the time). So, a nearly 20% decline is truly historic. We'll see what the rest of the year holds! But the "flight to safety" to gold/treasuries (or even to the new "c" place) have not helped much and no matter what you've held, you're down significantly this year for the first time in ...
by newbie001
Thu Sep 22, 2022 12:37 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: TIPs in the future and "flight to safety"
Replies: 5
Views: 1007

TIPs in the future and "flight to safety"

The recent thread discussing a possible asymmetry in the risks of nominal Treasuries and TIPS got me thinking about something that has bothered me for a while. For a risk-averse investor, it is nice to have a meaningful allocation to Treasuries, especially long term Treasuries, as they have been (and presumably still are for now) the premier "flight to safety" asset during market disasters. Of course, holding long term Treasuries exposes the holder to, among other things, serious inflation risk. If TIPS offered the same safe haven status that LTTs do, I would probably opt to hold them rather than LTTs. I know the performance of TIPS during the 2008 meltdown has been discussed here many times, with many positing that their disappoi...
by newbie001
Sun Sep 18, 2022 11:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Employees want 401k how can I start?
Replies: 38
Views: 4283

Re: Employees want 401k how can I start?

Another vote for Guidelne- they offer Vanguard funds and are dirt cheap. Great service too in my experience. Also, I think there was a bill passed around the end of 2020 (?) that provided small employers who set up 401Ks tax credits to offset some of the associated expenses. Good luck!
by newbie001
Fri Sep 16, 2022 3:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can a Landlord Garnish the Income from a Tenant's Irrevocable Trust for Non-Payment of Rent?
Replies: 84
Views: 7998

Re: Can a Landlord Garnish the Income from a Tenant's Irrevocable Trust for Non-Payment of Rent?

I think a credit score in the low 600's is a red flag, but as pointed out above, there are exceptions. I agree that 14K total cc debt is not bad at all, especially with the debt:income ratio. I would have have the trustee sign a guarantee, as suggested above. While going after an (ex-)tenant's funds is cumbersome, most states allow recovery of attorney's fees and interest, which the trust could probably pay if it came to it. You might want to see the actual trust instrument and the most recent accounting for it.
by newbie001
Fri Aug 26, 2022 11:15 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Antti Ilmanen, Ph.D, provides exceptional insight about investing amid low expected returns in this Bogleheads podcast
Replies: 457
Views: 39885

Re: Antti Ilmanen, Ph.D, provides exceptional insight about investing amid low expected returns in this Bogleheads podca

Risk-adjusted real returns, especially for those heavily invested in US equity, real estate, and bonds were very robust for the 4 decades prior to 2021. There is no argument about that. We got used to it. The last 15 years of that boom was driven largely by the FED put (zero interest rates+ multiple episodes of massive QE never seen before in the history of the world) rather than robust economic growth. When you make credit so cheap and flood so much money into the economy like that, you inflate asset prices. That is precisely what happened. You could be very successful investing paying no attention whatsoever to market or economic fundaments. The biggest bucks were made by those who kept pouring money into LC growth darlings at first and ...
by newbie001
Wed Aug 24, 2022 3:04 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Assets Uncorrelated With Stocks During Downturns
Replies: 89
Views: 8951

Re: Assets Uncorrelated With Stocks During Downturns

The TIAA Real Estate Account? I recall its prospectus a while back saying that it had a near-zero correlation to the U.S. stock market. I believe it is up for this year by a decent amount, but can't check right now. Of course, it took a beating during the Great Recession, but that downturn affected just about everything except Gold and LTT, and had a strong connection to the real estate market.
by newbie001
Fri Feb 11, 2022 3:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How difficult is it to get a job in Tech if you are "older"?
Replies: 405
Views: 38662

Re: How difficult is it to get a job in Tech if you are "older"?

What a sobering thread. And this is in a booming economy! I am a 44-year old attorney and am determined to do a career change (I'm fine with losing money doing so). Tech is an interesting field for sure and I've thought about going back to school for computer science to become a software engineer. I have a lot of friends in the industry who acknowledge ageism but say there's always room for (halfway) talented people who keep their skills up to date. On the outside looking in, one question about tech always come to mind. I imagine even "old" SWEs (60+) who keep their skills up to date can add a lot of value. Given all the ageism alleged in the tech industry, why don't more SWEs start their own businesses around when ageism rears it...
by newbie001
Tue Jan 11, 2022 10:41 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Treasury Department says IRS likely overwhelmed and refunds could be delayed
Replies: 150
Views: 20134

Re: Treasury Department says IRS likely overwhelmed and refunds could be delayed

EddyB wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 12:30 pm
Gadget wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 12:29 pm Jokes on them. I'll owe them a lot...
Tell them you're overwhelmed and are going to need some time.
:D My boss just looked over at me after I belly laughed.
by newbie001
Wed May 06, 2020 4:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pull-ups and Push-ups
Replies: 678
Views: 182748

Re: Need to be able to do 30 chin-ups

Interesting bet! Anyone who can do 30 chinups with arms fully extended at the bottom of the reps is a legit bad-*ss. Even 18 is really impressive. Good suggestion upthread about grip strength. I would probably train one set, max reps every other day. Wearing a weighted vest for a while before doing the chinups might help. I don't know if this is bending the rules too much, but loading creatine monohydrate a week or so before the event would likely boost your reps significantly. Good luck!
by newbie001
Wed Apr 22, 2020 1:17 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why not 100% PSLDX? [PIMCO StocksPLUS Long Duration Fund]
Replies: 2109
Views: 394724

Re: Why not 100% PSLDX?

Interesting thread, thanks for all the contributions. A few questions about PSLDX: 1) Morningstar says it has ~$640 million in assets. If that's true, what on earth accounts for such a low figure, given the sterling track record of the fund and its 2007 start date? This thread has pointed out some minimum investment requirements, but I imagine that can't account for (most of) it. 2) In what types of conditions would this fund be expected to perform poorly? Obviously a stock market crash like 2008-09 hurt it. I assume rapid inflation would too. And perhaps interest rates rising, although I don''t know if the speed of that rise would be the real concern. Would TIPS, intermediate term treasuries, and/or gold (if gold is your thing) be decent t...
by newbie001
Mon Apr 13, 2020 9:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Nuances on Mega Backdoor Roth IRA
Replies: 2
Views: 326

Nuances on Mega Backdoor Roth IRA

Hello all, I’ve been thinking about the Mega Backdoor Roth IRA a lot lately because my workplace is trying to set up a 401k plan that permits it. I was trying to explain the Mega Backdoor Roth IRA to a couple of friends who might be in a position to take advantage of it. When answering their questions, I realized that there are two points on which I am hazy: 1) My understanding is that the employer can roll the participant’s after-tax contributions over to a Roth IRA, and the earnings on those contributions over to a Traditional IRA. But could the employer just rollover both the after-tax contributions and the earnings on those contributions to the participant’s Traditional IRA, and then from there the participant could convert the Traditio...
by newbie001
Sat Apr 04, 2020 9:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 401k provider for small businesses that can work with after-tax contributions
Replies: 6
Views: 547

Re: 401k provider for small businesses that can work with after-tax contributions

Thank to all for the replies- much appreciated. I should have mentioned that we as a company are very lucky in that we have at least one NHCE (and maybe two!) who can make very large after-tax contributions, at least for a few years. Then again the fallout from this virus may change things...
by newbie001
Fri Apr 03, 2020 3:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 401k provider for small businesses that can work with after-tax contributions
Replies: 6
Views: 547

401k provider for small businesses that can work with after-tax contributions

Hello all, I work at a small company (6 employees total) that is exploring setting up a 401(k) with a discount provider. The boss is aware of the Mega Backdoor Roth IRA and we want to make sure the 401(k) plan allows for voluntary after-tax contributions. The problem is we have to make sure the 401k provider doesn't cost too much (hopefully less than 2-3K per year) or else our governing board won't approve it. Thus far I have compiled a list of companies such as Guideline, Human Interest, LT Trust, and Employee Fiduciary. I'm not sure if it's possible to use a low-cost 401k provider and have them draw up a plan that allows for after-tax contributions. I am concerned that these companies won't agree to use such a plan due to compliance conce...
by newbie001
Fri Dec 29, 2017 12:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Maxing out 401k with purely after-tax contributions?
Replies: 5
Views: 1000

Maxing out 401k with purely after-tax contributions?

I have a strange question. Suppose someone with a salary of 60K has access to a 401k plan through their employer and the plan permits after-tax (non-Roth) contributions. If no employee deferrals were made during the year (and thus no employer match), could the person on December 31st fund the 401k to the greatest permissible extent (54,000 for a young person in 2017 I think) using only after-tax funds? I think every example of the Mega Backdoor Roth I have seen on this site involves a person who first maxes out 401k employee deferrals at 18K and then makes additional, after-tax contributions to their 401k until they hit the 54K cap on combined employer and employee contributions. But I can't see why a person in the above situation couldn't ...
by newbie001
Fri Sep 22, 2017 9:20 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Tax Efficiency of Hard Money Lending
Replies: 6
Views: 989

Re: Tax Efficiency of Hard Money Lending

Yes, you are correct- the interest on the loan would be taxed as ordinary income.
by newbie001
Sun May 28, 2017 12:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 401K and SEP Contribution Limits
Replies: 6
Views: 864

Re: 401K and SEP Contribution Limits

I also am not an expert, but I think a person can participate in two 401(k) plans simultaneously but can only make 18K in elective deferrals in the aggregate. But if the OP's side business was profitable enough (I think he would need something like 225K?), I think his solo 401(k) could be funded with profit sharing up to 54K in addition to the 54K in the 401(k) attached to his day job.

Hopefully Alan S., retiredjg, ERISA Stone, or Spirit Rider can chime in.
by newbie001
Wed May 17, 2017 2:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: private stock held by sgl owner corp.
Replies: 3
Views: 447

Re: private stock held by sgl owner corp.

I'd be careful about holding stock through a C corporation. I'm guessing the bank is a C corporation and thus your C corporation might qualify for the dividends received deduction, but if your C corporation ever wanted to sell the bank stock, as a C corporation it will not qualify for preferential long term capital gains rates on gain from such a sale. Also IIRC a C corporation that owns investments in other companies can lose its favorable status as a qualified small business under Section 1202 (assuming it had such status) if the value of investments is too high a percentage of its net value. If I were in your shoes I would be inclined to purchase the bank stock in my individual capacity. Or, if you are worried about asset protection, pur...
by newbie001
Wed May 17, 2017 2:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are the powers of HR in a company?
Replies: 40
Views: 5790

Re: What are the powers of HR in a company?

Always remember that HR are not on your side. Never interact with them unless it is required. They are not your friend. +1 HR's primary purpose is to make sure the company doesn't get sued. Their secondary purpose is to fulfill their primary purpose. Then comes book & legwork of managing issues around potential employees and acting as the company conscience/communicating same toward soon to be ex-employees & remaining staff. Oh..and serving as the monthly/quarterly speakers to remind the staff that "we are a family.......", right up until they need to re-don their hat as the company conscience during periods where said family eats their young. At least that was my 30 year experience..I'm sure it's improved in the last yea...
by newbie001
Wed May 10, 2017 9:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sunscreen for men in office environment
Replies: 25
Views: 5320

Re: Sunscreen for men in office environment

Elta MD makes a great line of sunscreens that a lot of dermatologists recommend. There is a bit of shine to it but I think that is inevitable with a high quality sunscreen. It's a good kind of shine though, makes the skin look healthy rather that greasy. They make a tinted version if your skin is darker (which supposedly has less shine) but I've never used it since I'm as pale as a ghost.
by newbie001
Wed Apr 26, 2017 10:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Need advice about permanent life insurance policies
Replies: 17
Views: 2690

Re: Need advice about permanent life insurance policies

I'm not looking for specific credentials. He said he wasn't comfortable doing it because of the types of policies and the amounts. No, he didn't sell to me. Haha. Can you give an example of a type that's too complicated? Is the amount too high or too low for him to evaluate? For low amounts, I don't see the issue discussing them in public. For high amounts, can one of the experts can give you limited analysis to help you understand the policy better and better get a sense of uknown knows and known unknowns. In isolation, even the most complicated life insurance is subject to analysis and you can probably get a good sense of whether it's one to keep or toss. Are there ownership, trust, inheritance or tax type issues that complicate the matt...
by newbie001
Tue Apr 25, 2017 11:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any Boglehead wanting to sell used CFB books?
Replies: 2
Views: 869

Any Boglehead wanting to sell used CFB books?

Hello all,

I am thinking of taking the CFP exam. know quite a few BHs have taken it. Fortunately, am able to avoid taking the course certificaion due to some other benchmarks I meet. However, I need textbooks for each the 6 areas on the CFP test (I am leaving aside the "Capstone" requirement for now). Does anyone have a set of old textbooks they would like to sell? I figure any books published in 2013 or later would be close enough to current law to be satisfactory. I can get a hodgepodge of various books on Amazon for a decent price but would prefer that all the textbooks be from the same publisher. Feel free to PM me.

Thanks!