Search found 815 matches

by gwrvmd
Mon Mar 23, 2020 10:28 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What is the point of stocks?
Replies: 101
Views: 8138

Re: What is the point of stocks?

I retired at the end of 2005. From Jan 2006 to Mar 2020, the assets in my IRA tripled. And I didn't add anything, I'm retired,no earned income.
As of today 3/23/20, the value of my IRA is still double what it was when I retired. I'm sure glad I didn't put it in a 1% CD
by gwrvmd
Mon Mar 23, 2020 9:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 100 percent stock investors: any of you adding bonds now?
Replies: 51
Views: 5029

Re: 100 percent stock investors: any of you adding bonds now?

I am 83, have been 80% stock and 20% cash for about 15 years. Currently 70% stock and 30% cash but I won't be buying bonds
by gwrvmd
Thu Mar 19, 2020 10:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [Help high school student choose college career]
Replies: 171
Views: 4764

Re: Master of biology degree

Get a BS in Biology. Then get a Masters Degree in a PA/Physicians Assistant program. Same 6 years but an interesting occupation with starting salary about $75,000 to $80,000 and median national salary $108,000. Plus a very health job market
by gwrvmd
Mon Aug 12, 2019 4:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Should Bonds be removed from Asset Allocation
Replies: 49
Views: 4435

Re: Should Bonds be removed from Asset Allocation

Chase2323 I have had an asset allocation of 80% stock and 20% cash for the past 20 years, In fact, in 40+ years of investing I have never owned a bond It is the asset allocation of the book "Investing at Level 3" by Dr Jim Cloonan the founder of AAII (American Association of Individual Investors) . Great book, if you are interested in an 80/20 asset allocation buy the book. The essence of the concept is in chapters 4 - 6. (Uses only 4 Index Funds....very Bogleheadish) I could never understand why people who were worrying about how to finance investing for a lengthening longevity were buying more or any bonds that do not move with inflation For years I thought I had a high risk portfolio but 5 years ago I learned I was investing at...
by gwrvmd
Fri Jun 21, 2019 7:58 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The End of Passive Investing?
Replies: 55
Views: 6559

Re: The End of Passive Investing?

We are a country of 330,000,000 people. If 99.9% of people invest passively, the remaining 33,000 will argue and set the prices.......Gordon
by gwrvmd
Mon Jun 17, 2019 10:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommendation for light beer.
Replies: 41
Views: 4149

Re: Recommendation for light beer.

Yuengling Light, not as good as regular Yuengling but better than any other light I have ever tasted...Gordon
by gwrvmd
Sun May 12, 2019 7:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best interest bearing savings account?
Replies: 34
Views: 5747

Re: Best interest bearing savings account?

If you are eligible.......
I just renewed a 6mo CD at Pentagon Fed CU in my checking/savings account at 2.47%.......Gordon
by gwrvmd
Sun Mar 17, 2019 11:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Housing should be no more than 28% of your income.
Replies: 66
Views: 9567

Re: Housing should be no more than 28% of your income.

I think the general guideline to not be "House Poor" is to not spend more than 28% of gross income or 33% of after tax income on housing (to include all housing expenses)..............Gordon
by gwrvmd
Sun Mar 17, 2019 11:14 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Favorite investment quote
Replies: 73
Views: 6076

Re: Favorite investment quote

Bonds: What is safe in the short run may be risky in the long run..............Gordon
by gwrvmd
Tue Feb 26, 2019 10:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone Keep a Second Fridge in Garage?
Replies: 56
Views: 6827

Re: Anyone Keep a Second Fridge in Garage?

How can you live w/o a Beer Frige. It is a sign of hospitality among men...."Hey,you wanta beer". Ya gotta have what your best friends drink. And you have to have at least an extra ale, an amber and a couple of IPAs. And a Lite or an Ultra for their wife.
If I have less than 6 different beers in the garage frige, I get a twitch in my right eye and left thumb..........Gordon
by gwrvmd
Mon Feb 18, 2019 10:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: KeyHero? Home Depot?
Replies: 28
Views: 5174

Re: KeyHero? Home Depot?

And when that program gets hacked, the hacker can have your car any time he wants it or could sell the key and the address or he could..........Gordon
by gwrvmd
Mon Feb 18, 2019 12:37 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Oregon 529 vs. Vanguard 529
Replies: 15
Views: 2254

Re: Oregon 529 vs. Vanguard 529

Remember that the state tax deduction is only one time on the contribution. You can pay the expense ratio on the funds for up to 18 or 20 times depending on the age of the child when you begin the 529
And when the child is 18 you will be paying a higher ER on $25,000 portfolios because you got a few dollars deduction on some $1,000
contributions 15 years ago
You get the state deduction once....you pay the ER on the fund for many years
I live in NC and have grand kids in NJ. My 529s are all in the Vanguard Plan. If you look in the very small print it is the Nevada Plan.
Only states can have 529 plans........Gordon
by gwrvmd
Sun Feb 10, 2019 10:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 403 B Question
Replies: 10
Views: 1226

Re: 403 B Question

Another vote for going to website: 403bwise.com

Some states require or advise that Security Benefit be an option but often times that is intentionally not obvious. Apparently some times is easier to just call them and ask if they are in your plan

Good advice is don't buy investments from an insurance company or insurance from an investment company..........Gordon
by gwrvmd
Thu Feb 07, 2019 11:13 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: To What Degree Does Money Buy Happiness?
Replies: 107
Views: 7315

Re: To What Degree Does Money Buy Happiness?

They say "Money Can't Buy Happiness" but it is way ahead of whatever is in second place........Gordon
by gwrvmd
Tue Feb 05, 2019 6:29 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Investing Vanguard or American Funds via TIAA-CREF
Replies: 22
Views: 2001

Re: Investing Vanguard or American Funds via TIAA-CREF

When you invest with TIAA remember what TIAA stands for: Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association

My personal opinion is: Don't buy investments from an insurance company or insurance from an investment company....Gordon
by gwrvmd
Thu Jan 31, 2019 11:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much do you keep in checking?
Replies: 135
Views: 22141

Re: How much do you keep in checking?

It depends on how you use them
I have my checking account at Pen Fed. It has very good CD rates. I now have 2 relatively large 2.8% CDs in my checking account. Is it my checking account or is it my savings account?.....I don't have a separate savings account so I guess it is both
If you can write checks on your saving account or buy CD in your checking account, there is no reason to have both.....Gordon
by gwrvmd
Wed Jan 23, 2019 12:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Marketwatch - If everyone invested like John Bogle, markets couldn’t work right
Replies: 54
Views: 5274

Re: Marketwatch - If everyone invested like John Bogle, markets couldn’t work right

This article has been published under different titles in the past few days, all slightly critical on Bogle. There are all click bait
Shiller is not that critical of Bogle

If 99% of people indexed there are still 1% of people who think they can beat the system
Did you ever see a lottery go out of business due to lack of participants?............Gordon
by gwrvmd
Sat Jan 05, 2019 10:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Northwestern Mutual Whole Life Insurance (65 Life)
Replies: 61
Views: 5800

Re: Northwestern Mutual Whole Life Insurance (65 Life)

One of the basic premises of financial literacy is: Don't buy investments from an insurance company or insurance from an investment company .......Gordon
by gwrvmd
Sat Jan 05, 2019 5:53 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Von Roys Law or Rule
Replies: 1
Views: 565

Von Roys Law or Rule

I am trying to trace the origin of Von Roy's Law or Rule
It says "If you can tell good advise from bad advice, you don't need any"
or
"If you can tell good investing advise from bad investing advise, you don't need any"
I can't trace it through Google or the Financial Dictionary.
Can anybody help?.......Gordon
by gwrvmd
Tue Jan 01, 2019 8:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best place to keep track of market
Replies: 24
Views: 2311

Re: Best place to keep track of market

MarketWatch.com.....You can get a lot of info free in 30 to 60 seconds
Morningstar.com......for specific mutual funds or ETFs, also comparing anything to anything........Gordon
by gwrvmd
Tue Dec 25, 2018 10:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: PenFed 3% CDs maturing: Thank you Bogleheads
Replies: 22
Views: 4791

Re: PenFed 3% CDs maturing: Thank you Bogleheads

Pen Feds 1 yr CD rates are good also. I just renewed a 1 yr CD for 2.67%........Gordon
by gwrvmd
Wed Dec 19, 2018 10:42 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Artemis Attack on the Bogleheads
Replies: 80
Views: 11816

Re: Artemis Attack on the Bogleheads

I am a long only investor with mostly a large load of S&P 500 Index Funds......for the last 40 years
My philosophy is the same as Nedsaid. As long as it is not worse than 2008, I will be fine......Gordon
by gwrvmd
Sun Dec 16, 2018 2:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Military-Advice Needed
Replies: 13
Views: 2020

Re: Military-Advice Needed

Military retiree here
I don't think your asset allocation is too aggressive, you will have an indexed military pension and in 2008 you proved you can handle volatility
I don't think you have to save 25x expenses either, that is based a 60/40 asset allocation and SS covering 40% of expenses
With a military pension that is indexed and Tricare For Life which covers much more than Medicare which is a major cost for most retirees, you would be well off with 15x expenses if you have no mortgage expense.
I agree with the other responses....You have won the game!......Gordon
by gwrvmd
Thu Dec 13, 2018 9:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Good fund choice for Teenager's IRA?
Replies: 13
Views: 1030

Re: Good fund choice for Teenager's IRA?

a simple low cost S&P 500 index fund.....good for the first $50,000
Vanguard VFINX or ETF Vanguard VOO. Well diversified, represents 75% - 80% of all American Industry. Long term total return of 10%, beats 90% of all mutual funds, it has been 95% of my wife's portfolio for over 30 years.......Gordon
by gwrvmd
Thu Dec 13, 2018 9:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: A "super mega roll" of toilet paper = 6 "regular rolls:" is this possible?
Replies: 80
Views: 11770

Re: A "super mega roll" of toilet paper = 6 "regular rolls:" is this possible?

nisiprius..............I think you have too much time on your hands. Have you tried a hobby? How long have you had this fixation on Toilet Paper?............Maybe you shouldn't have retired .........Gordon
by gwrvmd
Thu Dec 13, 2018 9:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying a WSJ on Ebay
Replies: 37
Views: 10547

Re: Buying a WSJ on Ebay

I have been buying the WSJ through E bay for about 5 years. Cost of about $2.00 a week, about a year at a time
Finished my last one about 3 weeks ago
Just bought the one that is on Ebay now at $65.99 for 7 months, it began 3 days ago, I have never been cheated, its there every day at 6.30 am

I don't know who the sellers are, I don't think I have never bought from the same one twice. Maybe I have been lucky but I have not had a bad experience......Gordon
by gwrvmd
Mon Dec 10, 2018 11:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: High Expense 403B
Replies: 24
Views: 1406

Re: High Expense 403B

Another vote to check for Security Benefit. Many Plan Administrators from insurance companies try to stop school districts from publicizing that Security Benefit is available......Gordon
by gwrvmd
Wed Dec 05, 2018 7:12 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Ytd return of sp 500
Replies: 5
Views: 942

Re: Ytd return of sp 500

Go to: Marketwatch.com. it is on there every day; Daily, weekly, monthly, YTD and 1yr,3yr and 5yr
Gordon
by gwrvmd
Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New car choice for low mileage driving: Prius Prime Premium or Subaru Impreza Premium?
Replies: 21
Views: 2305

Re: New car choice for low mileage driving: Prius Prime Premium or Subaru Impreza Premium?

I have 2 Imprezas....1) 2011, 100K miles and 2) 2017, 10K miles. 30-35 mpg, never a serious problem, I consider them both great cars.....Gordon
by gwrvmd
Fri Nov 09, 2018 1:54 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [Deleted]
Replies: 172
Views: 17967

Re: A reminder: Stay away from AQR

I buy a factor fund....The S&P 500 Index Fund
The factor is that each stock in the index is weighted in the index based on its total capitalization
The fund has millions of managers all over the US who constantly evaluate the future value of each component
None of the managers is paid
I call it The Bogle Factor..............It seems to work quite well........Gordon
by gwrvmd
Tue Nov 06, 2018 9:28 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: USAA getting out of mutual fund biz
Replies: 51
Views: 12477

Re: USAA getting out of mutual fund biz

I have been and am a very loyal USAA client for 40 years. Their insurance is great but their mutual funds are not very good
Get your investments from an investment company and your insurance from an insurance company

Don't get your investments from an insurance company..........Gordon
I have followed mutual fund companies quite closely since I bought my first one from Vanguard in 1978. I have never heard of Victory Capital
by gwrvmd
Fri Nov 02, 2018 10:08 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Ignorance (toward Volatility) is bliss from Vanguard
Replies: 5
Views: 909

Re: Ignorance (toward Volatility) is bliss from Vanguard

If there was no volatility the market would never go up......Gordon
by gwrvmd
Fri Nov 02, 2018 9:56 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: My Grandmother has 80% stocks
Replies: 55
Views: 6869

Re: My Grandmother has 80% stocks

Simplesause...If your Grandma is 84 now she would have been 74 in 2008. To be 80% stock now she must have been about 50% to 60% stock in 2008 and not have sold anything
Best thing you can do it ask her if she will teach you how she did it......Gordon
by gwrvmd
Wed Oct 31, 2018 10:38 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where should I be financially at 39?
Replies: 42
Views: 6877

Re: Where should I be financially at 39?

I believe 25X expenses is a poor guide. It assumes that your portfolio only produces income equal to inflation for 25 years and doesn't give a yearly guide. I think the following guide is more useful, it indicates how much your retirement portfolio should be in reference to your age and your gross income as you progress through life if you want to have the same standard of living when you retire. 30 yo 1X 35 2x 40 3x 45 4x 50 6x 55 8x 60 10x 65 12x (some would say 14) This essentially tells you where you should be if you want to retire at your current standard of living. It is low in the 30s and 40s when people are having kids and buying houses but you better double you portfolio between 50 and 65 (but income from the portfolio is helping t...
by gwrvmd
Thu Oct 25, 2018 1:30 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why I'm 100% stocks
Replies: 149
Views: 25570

Re: Why I'm 100% stocks

A good book on the all stock no bond portfolio is the 2016 book by Dr Jim Cloonan, founder of AAII (American Association of Individual Investors....which is much like Bogleheads) "Investing at Level 3". The essence of the book is three things: 1) All stock in Accumulation phase 2) Before retiring built up a fund equal to 3 years expenses in cash 3) Continue a 100% equity portfolio in retirement Actually in retirement the portfolio is essentially 85% stock and 15% cash, no bonds. Logic is no stock "crash" in the last 80 years has lasted more than 3 years (before that rules such as margin were much less strict) and the increased total return will help prevent you from Running out of Money before you Run out of Time. I reco...
by gwrvmd
Fri Oct 05, 2018 9:22 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: T. Rowe Price brokerage account
Replies: 4
Views: 929

Re: T. Rowe Price brokerage account

My investments are primarily at Vanguard but I have had a mutual fund at T Rowe Price for 20 years. They are one of the "Good Guys" but their fees are not as low as Vanguard........Gordon
by gwrvmd
Sun Sep 02, 2018 8:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Boglehead Beer
Replies: 1071
Views: 204142

Re: Boglehead Beer

Another vote for PBR and Yuengling. I am 81. PBR kept my kidneys flushed from 18 to about 40 and Yuengling for the past 40 plus. Good stuff, both best as draft......Gordon
I am amused that PBR has come back as a niche "In Beer"
by gwrvmd
Sun Sep 02, 2018 6:52 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: [Have medical issue - How should I change my investment strategy?]
Replies: 14
Views: 1952

Re: [Have medical issue - How should I change my investment strategy?]

A bit of practical investment advise: If there is possibility of decreased life expectancy don't let anybody sell you an annuity......Gordon
by gwrvmd
Wed Aug 29, 2018 11:01 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Most commonly misused/misunderstood investing terms and concepts (on BH forum)
Replies: 220
Views: 15393

Re: Most commonly misused/misunderstood investing terms and concepts (on BH forum)

Volatility is good. If there was no volatility the market would never go up......Gordon
by gwrvmd
Tue Aug 28, 2018 1:33 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: S & P Index fund with no Dividends
Replies: 16
Views: 1762

Re: S & P Index fund with no Dividends

Be careful that is an insurance company. Insurance companies often compare the price only S&P 500 to the funds in variable annuities and then say the funds in your annuity beat the S&P 500!
The facts:
From 1928 to 1/30/18 the average annual total return of the price only S&P 500 was 5.8% while the average annual total return of the Total Return S&P 500 was 9.9%. Dividends and compounding them produced 41% of the return
A point for the OP of this post and a good point for everyone "Reinvesting dividends is rewarded by the Magic of Compounding".........Gordon
by gwrvmd
Wed Aug 22, 2018 11:14 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Any issue with not holding mid caps?
Replies: 50
Views: 5723

Re: Any issue with not holding mid caps?

There are many midcap indices: S&P, Lipper, Russell, DFA, CRSP(Vanguard), etc and some of them consider the smaller 200 or even 300 of the S&P 500 are midcaps.
I consider my S&P 500 Index Fund covers large cap and midcap......Gordon
by gwrvmd
Tue Aug 21, 2018 6:14 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard Investing - Feedback Needed
Replies: 6
Views: 811

Re: Vanguard Investing - Feedback Needed

Is it really worth it?
An expense ratio of .1% is $1.00/$1,000 per year
An expense ratio of .14% is $1.40/$1,000 per year
An expense ratio of .07% is $.70 /$1,000 per year

By using the separate funds you will save $.70 per $1,000 per year or $7.00 per $10,000 per year

Is it worth it to calculate where each deposit goes for the next 40 years?.....Gordon
by gwrvmd
Sat Aug 18, 2018 12:24 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Teachers Who Have Net Worth of $1 million +
Replies: 191
Views: 36276

Re: Teachers Who Have Net Worth of $1 million +

Its not that hard recently
Start saving and investing early, take advantage of tax deferred investing (401k,403b, IRA, spouse IRA)
invest 100% equities, one house, one spouse.
The 1990s were a 10 year bull market, the past 9 years have been a 9 year bull market, since 1990
we have had a bull market for 19 of the past 28 years.
Anybody should have been able to do it in the past 30 years. I doubt if the next 30 years will be that favorable......Gordon
by gwrvmd
Wed Aug 15, 2018 11:30 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Why bonds when they return nothing over inflation?
Replies: 34
Views: 6864

Re: Why bonds when they return nothing over inflation?

Andrew 99999....There are other people who think like you. It is the basis of the book "Investing at Level 3" by Jim Cloonan the founder of AAII (American Association of Individual Investors) an organization quite similar to the Bogleheads. The essence of the book is summed up in two sentences. "Funds needed in four years or less will be treated as short term funds (cash/CD). Funds not needed in the next four years are invested without regard to risk (stocks)". There are no bonds involved. The logic is that when the market is down use the cash, the market has never been down more than 4 years since before WW11. I am 81 and have essentially invested this way for over 40 years but didn't have a name for it until the above ...
by gwrvmd
Wed Aug 08, 2018 11:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Should I pay for a 401k?
Replies: 32
Views: 3018

Re: Should I pay for a 401k?

Two others to check are: Myubiguity.com and Lowcost401k.com.......Gordon
by gwrvmd
Wed Aug 08, 2018 11:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Huge mortgage mistake
Replies: 58
Views: 9727

Re: Huge mortgage mistake

Make extra principal payments ($500 or $1,000) as often as possible. Not extra mortgage payments, make specifically principal payments. When you get the principal down to 80% of the original mortgage apply to drop the PMI.....Gordon
by gwrvmd
Mon Aug 06, 2018 10:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Getting the stink out of synthetic shirts
Replies: 37
Views: 3483

Re: Getting the stink out of synthetic shirts

Well......Yeh could do it just like when yer dog done run up on a skunk....soak it with tomater juice then hit er with the hose.....Gordon
by gwrvmd
Thu Aug 02, 2018 3:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Which 403b provider to choose?
Replies: 19
Views: 1982

Re: Which 403b provider to choose?

I think Security Benefit is the best on the list, sometimes it is only available through the State Teachers Assn
Be sure to check Securitybenefit.com before you decide.....Gordon
On The Security Benefit website: Individuals>prices and performance>retirement plans>NEA Directinvest 403(b)7....a little hidden but it is there.....do only Directinvest as others have said
by gwrvmd
Tue Jul 31, 2018 10:33 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How much does it matter, considering scatter? Part 1 of many: Introduction
Replies: 38
Views: 6077

Re: How much does it matter, considering scatter? Part 1 of many: Introduction

Thank You Nisiprius.....You have done some great graph presentations on here but this is the BEST.....Gordon
by gwrvmd
Sun Jul 29, 2018 10:30 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Getting rid of individual stocks
Replies: 37
Views: 5322

Re: Getting rid of individual stocks

I agree with jalbert. Sell over the next year, then you won't be too happy or too sad
I would sell 25% every 3 months over the next year. Sort of DCA (Dollar Cost Averaging) in reverse
Gordon