Search found 105 matches

by mgullo
Wed Jan 24, 2024 1:11 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: 🎁 🎉Happy 100th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎊🎂
Replies: 429
Views: 41920

Re: 🎁 🎉Happy 100th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎊🎂

Happy Birthday, Taylor!

I am always glad to read your posts and I search them out whenever I'm on the forum. Thank you for your amazing service to our our nation and all of Europe and the world during World War 2, and thank you so very much for sharing all your experiences, expertise, and thoughts on this forum. The services you have provided have had a direct impact on countless of individuals and generations of families. What an amazing life you have! Thank you for all you have done.

Have the most wonderful of birthdays.
by mgullo
Wed Jun 02, 2021 9:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Looking for Advice for Trip Around Lake Michigan with Young Children
Replies: 4
Views: 771

Re: Trip Around Lake Michigan with Young Children

Hi JPA, I was actually born in Grand Haven https://visitgrandhaven.com , grew up in the area, and go back regularly. I'm clearly biased, but I do like the GH Beach and I like the beach scene at nearby Hofmaster State Park https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/parksandtrails/Details.aspx?id=457&type=SPRK even more. Hofmaster has a learning center that focuses on the environment and animals of the dune habitat and the local area, which the kids might enjoy. North Shore beach in Ferrysburg is also a great choice for a nice beach https://www.miottawa.org/parks/northbeach.htm . It's a bit north of Grand Haven and less crowded; mostly locals where Grand Haven gets crazy busy with tourists and locals. There is a playground on the beach at North Shore b...
by mgullo
Wed Dec 09, 2020 10:12 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: $100 Cash for Teachers - Issues?
Replies: 101
Views: 10014

Re: $100 Cash for Teachers - Issues?

Are government employees even allowed to take cash gifts from the general public? As an school administrator, I need to complete an annual ethics report regarding gifts, but as a teacher I never did. Gifts are a personal thing, but for many of my close colleagues and myself, mugs, ties, trinkets, etc., are kind gestures, but those usually don't last too long in our possession. There is only so much room in a cabinet and it can be tough to select something that matches the teacher's personal taste. At best, I'd keep the trinket in my classroom/wear the tie while the student was in my class. Once they left the building, unless I really liked it, I would give it away to a second hand store. When I was teaching, my colleagues and I thought gif...
by mgullo
Mon Nov 16, 2020 1:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Taking a 100k paycut for a less stressful job?
Replies: 106
Views: 15208

Re: Taking a 100k paycut for a less stressful job?

Hi Cyanide123,

If it were me, I'd take the cut in pay for more time with my family, more time on my hobbies, and less professional stress. Yes, a $100,000 cut in pay is a lot, but if you are bringing in 350k after the reduction in pay you can still live below your means and live quite comfortably.
by mgullo
Mon Sep 21, 2020 3:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to discuss with HR that I live in multiple places...
Replies: 28
Views: 4420

Re: How to discuss with HR that I live in multiple places...

Wouldn't it be convenient to get yourself a PO Box at a local post office or UPS store? As a practical matter. I am unsure if I spend 4 weeks somewhere in a short term rental, if I'm going to have to bother to setup a new mailing address, etc. I have no problem using my Florida residency for everything I need to do. The issue is just with not wanting to make noise needing to update my address a dozen times a year. If you provide your employer with the Florida address, will you have to update it regularly? Will your employer actually send you material through the post? My work requires all employees to live within the limits of the city and we must provide that address to HR, but they never send us anything through snail mail; it's all elec...
by mgullo
Wed Sep 16, 2020 12:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: what is your side job and income?
Replies: 87
Views: 23124

Re: what is your side job and income?

Are you looking for more money, the ability to sharpen or develop your skills/abilities, or for an opportunity to have fun and create memories? I worked ballpark operations/security for a MLB team in the Midwest for a few years. Didn’t make a bunch of money, a few thousand a season. But I made some great friends, saw hundreds of games and dozens concerts, worked in the stands and on the field/bullpen, and even earned myself a World Series ring. It was a great side-gig. Now my full time job takes up too much time and I can no longer work there. That sounds interesting. What were some of the specific things you were responsible for? Did you see any cool concerts? It was a lot of fun. My first year I would be assigned to the bleachers (Wrigle...
by mgullo
Wed Sep 16, 2020 12:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: what is your side job and income?
Replies: 87
Views: 23124

Re: what is your side job and income?

Are you looking for more money, the ability to sharpen or develop your skills/abilities, or for an opportunity to have fun and create memories?

I worked ballpark operations/security for a MLB team in the Midwest for a few years. Didn’t make a bunch of money, a few thousand a season. But I made some great friends, saw hundreds of games and dozens concerts, worked in the stands and on the field/bullpen, and even earned myself a World Series ring. It was a great side-gig. Now my full time job takes up too much time and I can no longer work there.
by mgullo
Wed Sep 16, 2020 12:35 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to get over finance envy
Replies: 377
Views: 57946

Re: Are you "outer directed" or "inner directed" ?

Bogleheads: There are very rich people and very poor people. You and I are somewhere in the middle. A very good friend of mine was a teacher of Silva Mind Control . He likes to say: "There are two kinds of people--those who are " outer directed' and those who are " inner directed ." " Inner directed " people are happier. Best wishes. Taylor Jack Bogle's Words of Wisdom: "By worshiping at the altar of numbers and by discounting the immeasurable (trust, wisdom, character, ethical values), we have in effect created a numeric economy that can easily undermine the real one." Happy to see a post from you, Taylor, and I hope you are well. I always appreciate reading your thoughts. Simple, sensible, and ofte...
by mgullo
Mon Aug 03, 2020 8:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Does a couple really "need" an SUV?
Replies: 225
Views: 16272

Re: Does a couple really "need" an SUV?

cheese_breath wrote: Fri Jul 31, 2020 11:10 pm
Starfish wrote: Fri Jul 31, 2020 10:55 pm Is this a serious question? How did all people live without SUVs until 20 years ago or so? Nobody needs an SUV (or a truck for that matter), with very few exceptions.
Station wagons.
My parents had an early 1980s Chevy Caprice Estate. What a beast! So many family vacations in that thing, then when I got my license, lots of good times with friends. Those were the family haulers of the time. I would love to have something like that again.
by mgullo
Fri Jul 31, 2020 4:59 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best bond fund advice for home down payment?
Replies: 11
Views: 1570

Re: Best bond fund advice for home down payment?

...I’m looking to move about $25,000 from my Roth IRA out of the Target Date fund it is currently in and into a bond fund. The purpose of this move is to put the money in a more stable account with the plan of withdrawing it within the next 3 years for a down payment on a home... The Wiki article, Using mutual funds and ETFs for short-term savings (5 years) presents risk information in a way that is helpful for deciding your own answer to this kind of questions. VBMFX is the same fund as VBTLX but has a long history. Here is the data for 5-year holding periods of VBMFX . Thanks for the detailed response, nisiprius. I'll read through the Wiki link this evening and it should help me with my decision. I'm slightly surprised that VBMFX failed ...
by mgullo
Thu Jul 30, 2020 11:59 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best bond fund advice for home down payment?
Replies: 11
Views: 1570

Re: Best bond fund advice for home down payment?

retired@50 wrote: Thu Jul 30, 2020 10:12 am

Go get 'em Tigers!

Regards,

:sharebeer
by mgullo
Wed Jul 29, 2020 9:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best bond fund advice for home down payment?
Replies: 11
Views: 1570

Re: Best bond fund advice for home down payment?

Below is a list of bond funds available with Vanguard that I pulled from their website after speaking with a representative on the phone. I only listed the treasury/agency funds and I skipped the investment-grade , below-investment-grade , and tax-exempt options as those don’t seem suitable for my current needs, but I may have that very wrong. Tax-exempt bonds are not suitable since you are holding this investment in an IRA. Below-investment-grade (junk) bonds are not suitable for a short-term investment because they have substantial risk. Investment-grade corporate bonds are acceptable because they have low default risk. Note that "Treasury/Agency" is a measure of the average credit quality; many of these funds hold investment-g...
by mgullo
Wed Jul 29, 2020 8:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best bond fund advice for home down payment?
Replies: 11
Views: 1570

Re: Best bond fund advice for home down payment?

retired@50 wrote: Mon Jul 27, 2020 8:32 am
mgullo wrote: Sun Jul 26, 2020 10:57 pm
I only listed the treasury/agency funds and I skipped the investment-grade, below-investment-grade, and tax-exempt options as those don’t seem suitable for my current needs, but I may have that very wrong.

Thanks in advance.
You might consider the Ultra Short Term Bond fund at Vanguard. It is listed as a risk level ( 1 ) on the Vanguard 1 to 5 scale. With a short duration and decent credit quality it tends to trade in a pretty small price range. See link.

https://investor.vanguard.com/mutual-fu ... view/vubfx

Regards,
Thanks for that recommendation, retired@50. This fund was not on my radar as neglected to look in the investment grade funds. It seems pretty stable and safe.
by mgullo
Sun Jul 26, 2020 10:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best bond fund advice for home down payment?
Replies: 11
Views: 1570

Best bond fund advice for home down payment?

Hi Everyone, I’m looking to move about $25,000 from my Roth IRA out of the Target Date fund it is currently in and into a bond fund. The purpose of this move is to put the money in a more stable account with the plan of withdrawing it within the next 3 years for a down payment on a home. $25,000 represents roughly 26% of my combined Roth/IRA’s total value. DW and I have been funding our Roth IRAs over the years with the plan to withdraw some contributions from each of our accounts when we decide to purchase a home. It seems that that time may be coming close, though as I said, it is still at least a year and a half to three years away. We will most likely do the same thing with her rIRA within the T. Rowe Price family of mutual funds. 25k i...
by mgullo
Thu Apr 30, 2020 3:31 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why are stocks down "only" 10% YTD?
Replies: 31
Views: 3772

Re: Why are stocks down "only" 10% YTD?

Swivelguy wrote: Thu Apr 30, 2020 7:25 am Maybe the markets aren't going down because everyone is such a good buy-and-hold investor. If nobody sells, it can't crash!
:D
by mgullo
Mon Apr 06, 2020 12:09 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: How Is Your Job Being Impacted By The Current Crisis?
Replies: 505
Views: 68874

Re: How Is Your Job Being Impacted By The Current Crisis?

PreK-8th grade school admin in large urban district. Schools are closed, have been for over two weeks, and likely will not open until next year, though the state will reassess by 4/30/2020. I have gone in to work everyday since students and staff have stopped coming. Overseeing food distribution and assisting the teachers in setting up remote classes. Our district is not set up for remote learning but we have a fantastic staff who are tying their best. Lots of Google hangouts and webinars with downtown and school-based staff. Thankfully everyone district-wide continues to receive their pay and health benefits.
by mgullo
Sat Apr 04, 2020 9:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are you listening to now
Replies: 5802
Views: 574720

Re: What are you listening to now

During the last two weeks I walk about two hours a day listening to random artists. Lately I’ve been playing a lot of Robert Hunter, John Prine, Phish, and the Grateful Dead.
by mgullo
Sat Apr 04, 2020 9:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are you doing for haircuts due to coronavirus shutdown?
Replies: 258
Views: 27206

Re: What are you doing for haircuts due to coronavirus shutdown?

I’m gonna see how I look without cutting it until things evolve to the new normal and my place opens back up. Since I’m working remotely and not needed to be seen by anyone, I’m planning to grow out my mustache and the hairs on my chinny-chin-chin. I’d go for the full beard, but I got nothing on my cheeks or neck.

However, when work begins again as usual, I’ll have to clean it all up again. If that happens before my hair place opens, I’m fine buzzing it with clippers.

Good luck!
by mgullo
Sat Mar 28, 2020 9:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is it really Worth it to brown bag your lunch at work?
Replies: 328
Views: 33265

Re: Is it really Worth it to brown bag your lunch at work?

Absolutely it is! I bring a lunch everyday and it’s usually healthier than what I could buy, too. I like the control I have over choosing what to bring. I don’t understand some of my colleagues who eat out every single day. Often times they also order breakfast sandwiches and coffee to be delivered in the mornings.
by mgullo
Sat Mar 28, 2020 12:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How are you going to use your stimulus money?
Replies: 222
Views: 16400

Re: How are you going to use your stimulus money?

Most likely, put whatever amount we get towards our car loan.
by mgullo
Tue Apr 10, 2018 11:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: In need of a new Vacuum
Replies: 58
Views: 6027

Re: In need of a new Vacuum

3Wood85 wrote: Tue Sep 24, 2013 8:24 am Hello,

I am looking for a new vacuum and sort of overwhelmed by the options. I am 25, single and live in a 2BR / 2BTH condo. I dont have pets, though I may get a dog or cat soon.

I hear good things about Shark and Dyson. I am curious what others may suggest here.

Thanks,
We have a shark rocket and are very happy with it.
by mgullo
Tue Apr 10, 2018 10:22 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Engineering: Quality of school vs. specialized niche degree
Replies: 52
Views: 5575

Re: Engineering: Quality of school vs. specialized niche degree

Engineering is absolutely a field where a good state school is plenty good enough. Engineering is a field that is based on merit, not on whose kid you met at <insert snooty Ivy League school> Thermodynamics is Thermodynamics. It doesn't matter where you go. It's taught the same way. Okay, I'll give you that MIT and Stanford will open some doors, but many of the top schools in Engineering are state schools with reasonable tuition. https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate Georgia Tech U of Illinois U of Michigan Purdue These are top schools and cost like $12k a year (in-state) instead of $40k. These are outstanding schools, but please be aware that the total cost for a student living on campus or renting an apartme...
by mgullo
Sun Apr 08, 2018 8:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Ivy school education. Is it worth it?
Replies: 238
Views: 23237

Re: Ivy school education. Is it worth it?

rhornback wrote: Sat Apr 07, 2018 8:03 pm
Completing the top 10 are:

Western Michigan University
Go Broncos! :beer
by mgullo
Sat Apr 07, 2018 9:17 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [When is going out to a restaurant worth it to you?]
Replies: 71
Views: 8557

Re: [When is going out to a restaurant worth it to you?]

I would say that we don't eat out very often. For us, it is more financially responsible and healthier to prepare meals at home. We will dine out or order in, though, when we want an experience, whether it is with the food or the company. In our city there are restaurants owned and operated by people of cultures from all around the world and we love trying different authentic ethnic foods. Our city also has what are considered some of the best restaurants in the nation and a few that are world-renowned. The meals served there, often in various courses, are a form of art: the order the courses are served, the ingredients chosen for them, the presentation of the plates/items, and the flavor components of each item. We also eat away from home,...
by mgullo
Sat Apr 07, 2018 8:46 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What can we learn from secret millionaires.
Replies: 93
Views: 21449

Re: What can we learn from secret millionaires.

Those of us who have amassed that sort of wealth or are on track to do so should realize how fortunate and lucky we are. Yes, many of us worked hard, but we also usually had a lot of help, and caught some lucky breaks too. Luck had nothing to do with it, fortunate, depends on your perspective. Help, that would be about zero. Lucky breaks, luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. +1 Agree! I personally had to dig myself out from the Un-lucky situations. Lay-offs, down-sizing etc. Other than great moral support from great family and friends, I had "help" from no one! B. Wellington Did you have your kidneys and lungs fail at 25? Did you have a stroke at 22? We're your kids born healthy or did you have a severly austi...
by mgullo
Sat Mar 31, 2018 12:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Grass is always greener, federal edition
Replies: 59
Views: 9425

Re: Grass is always greener, federal edition

I have a young child and an excellent work-life balance... I get to see my wife and kid at dinner every night (except when I'm on infrequent business travel), I rarely work on the weekends, and I can telework once a week... I like my job. It's one where I actually can say I make a difference, and there's real tangible results from my work that I can see. I have a lot of autonomy, because I'm a senior person and am trusted.... I doubt I'd like a private sector job nearly as much...While the extra income is nice, we don't need it.... I have an excellent work-life balance, and it's unlikely I'll get that in the private sector... pension will be significant if I stick it out to retirement, it won't be worth much if I leave now, because inflati...
by mgullo
Sun Mar 18, 2018 7:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2018 Forester vs CRV vs RAV4
Replies: 143
Views: 24202

Re: 2018 Forester vs CRV vs RAV4

Bought the Forester 2.5i 4.5 years ago when the current model redesign came out; did not have single problem with it since, delivers 30+ mpg on highways consistently when driven below 65mph. Unlike RAV4 and CRV, it has full time AWD and 2 additonal inches of ground clearane, both of which make it a superiour vehicle on unploughed roads and offroad. Outside visibility is outstanding. Rear passengers get 40-inch legroom. In comparison, CRV and CX5 looked cramped inside. Eletronics and entertainment on Forester are ancient when comapared CRV. I have a 2014 and agree with all this. Full time AWD with high ground clearance has been wonderful in the snowy winters, great visibility while driving, very good mpg for an AWD compact SUV, good legroom...
by mgullo
Sun Mar 18, 2018 7:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which Day Hiking Trails Do You Recommend?
Replies: 44
Views: 5174

Re: Which Day Hiking Trails Do You Recommend?

Hi EGARCH, Bright Angel Trail at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Round Trip of 12 miles with a 3,110 drop in elevation on the way down and the same rise in elevation on the way up. Did this a few Aprils ago and it a wonderful experience. It ends at Plateau Point, which has an overlook of the Colorado River. https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/upload/brightangeltrail.pdf Mount Washburn Trail at Yellowstone. A nice, smooth, 6.4 mile trail with elevation changes of 1,400 feet both ways. Amazing views of Yellowstone at the end, which is an active ranger fire station. http://www.trailguidesyellowstone.com/yellowstone_hikes/mount_washburn_trail_yellowstone.php#6 Hike to the top of Black Elk (formerly Harney) Peak in Custer State Park, Black...
by mgullo
Wed Mar 07, 2018 1:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Colorado Skiing
Replies: 26
Views: 2781

Re: Best Colorado Skiing

Alexa9 wrote: Wed Mar 07, 2018 11:43 am What is your favorite skiing area in Colorado?
I've heard good things about Breckenridge, Copper, and Keystone.
I've skied Winter Park, Breckenridge, Copper, Keystone, and Steamboat and have enjoyed all of them. Each of them have different things to offer whether you are an advanced or novice skier and they also have different vibes/cultures off the mountain.

The three you mentioned are close together and can all be skied over a few days.

I will say though, that if I have to go to one of them again, I would want to go to Steamboat. I had a wonderful time there in late winter/early spring.
by mgullo
Wed Mar 07, 2018 11:02 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Donations to your enrolled public school
Replies: 106
Views: 9442

Re: Donations to your enrolled public school

Zero also, as a matter of fact, I have never heard of anyone who donates anything to the public school system. I could think of a hundred other places that would be more deserving than that!!! OMG. You don't see the value in having good schools? Do you have kids? Even people without children or with children out of school benefit from strong public schools. It costs a lot to properly education and prepare children for the future, but it's more expensive not to. My $0.02 is that uneducated/under-educated generations of kids will turn into uneducated/under-educated generations of adults. That's not good for the sustainability of our nation. My family spends hundreds of dollars each year towards public education and I hope we are able to cont...
by mgullo
Sat Jan 20, 2018 9:22 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What's your one big takeaway from the Crash of 2008?
Replies: 380
Views: 72421

Re: What's your one big takeaway from the Crash of 2008?

srt7 wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2018 4:38 pm I learnt about a company called Vanguard and put all my investments in to a target retirement fund from them. So far so good.
+1
by mgullo
Wed Jan 10, 2018 2:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Men's no iron dress shirt recommendations
Replies: 88
Views: 13683

Re: Men's no iron dress shirt recommendations

I'm a fan of Charles Tyrwhitt http://www.ctshirts.com/us/homepage. I'll often get them on sale for $29.50. I'm happy with the quality, look, and longevity of shirt. Most of the ones I get are non-iron, but a few require ironing after washing. I've gotten some compliments from coworkers on their shirts and ties. For 30 bucks I find a hard time beating them.
by mgullo
Wed Jan 03, 2018 10:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Roth IRA 5 year rule
Replies: 39
Views: 6043

Re: Roth IRA 5 year rule

docdaneeka wrote: Wed Jan 03, 2018 10:26 am Given the information from the link you provided, your glib answer doesn't make any sense.
I think livesoft is referencing this part of the linked article:
For others, the reality is that the Roth conversion 5-year rule is a moot point anyway, because they already meet another exception to the early withdrawal penalty (e.g., already being over age 59 1/2).
I'm guessing that you have not been held accountable to the early withdrawal penalty for about 8 years.
by mgullo
Sat Dec 30, 2017 10:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tea recommendations
Replies: 19
Views: 3956

Re: Tea recommendations

I like the style of tea called Lapsang Souchang; it's the kind with a smoky taste. I don't drink all that much tea and have more or less given up buying loose tea because, despite the cost savings, a half pound of tea just isn't going to stay fresh for the time it takes me to drink it. I like it unsweetened, whereas mostly I want my tea sweetened. I got some expensive and supposedly gourmet Lapsang Souchang from David's Tea and I liked it a lot. Lately I've just been buying Twining's Lapsang Souchang in packages of 24 foil-wrapped tea bags from a grocery store, and I like it just as much. So if you're curious you could try the Twining's. It probably isn't one of the faster-moving kinds, not all the grocery stores that carry Twining's carry...
by mgullo
Mon Dec 25, 2017 8:46 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: My Christmas Present to You
Replies: 106
Views: 17219

Re: My Christmas Present to You

Taylor Larimore wrote: Sun Dec 24, 2017 8:36 pm Dear Boglehead:

Seventy-three years ago on Christmas Eve, during the Battle of the Bulge, I was a 20-year old scared paratrooper in a snow-covered foxhole protecting the important transportation town of Bastogne, Belgium.

The Germans had us surrounded and demanded our surrender. Our commander said "Nuts." You can read about it here:

A Freedom Shrine Document

This is my Christmas present to you.

Taylor

Merry Christmas to you too, Taylor, and it's difficult to imagine a more valuable gift. Thank you for what you have done and what you continue to do. Your service to the country in the '40s and to our forum today have benefited unimaginable numbers of people. Thank you, again.
by mgullo
Mon Dec 18, 2017 8:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do Bogleheads save on eyeglasses?
Replies: 91
Views: 11011

Re: How do Bogleheads save on eyeglasses?

https://www.zennioptical.com

I have gotten 4-5 pairs from here over the past ten years. Should probably get another soon...
by mgullo
Mon Dec 18, 2017 8:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do Bogleheads save on eyeglasses?
Replies: 91
Views: 11011

Re: How do Bogleheads save on eyeglasses?

https://www.zennioptical.com

I have gotten 4-5 pairs from here over the past ten years. Should probably get another soon...
by mgullo
Wed Dec 06, 2017 11:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Price of haircut?
Replies: 194
Views: 19530

Re: Price of haircut?

Luckywon wrote: Thu Nov 30, 2017 8:49 pm Interested in what others on this forum spend.

I'm 51, male, pay $50 plus $15 tip.
:shock:

I pay $20 for a wash and a haircut in Chicago.
by mgullo
Wed Jan 25, 2017 10:09 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: HAPPY 93RD BIRTHDAY, TAYLOR!
Replies: 199
Views: 20528

Re: HAPPY 93RD BIRTHDAY, TAYLOR!

Have a very Happy Birthday, Taylor, and enjoy your day!
by mgullo
Tue Jan 10, 2017 6:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What would you do with $30k at 30 years old?
Replies: 49
Views: 5652

Re: What would you do with $30k at 30 years old?

slayed wrote:
kylemerriman wrote:I do not have a 401k or 403B. Also, I am self employed with no employees. I do have an emergency fund.
I would set up a solo 401k in that case.
Get your solo 401k set up and contribute as much as you can.
by mgullo
Fri Dec 16, 2016 11:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vs All Wheel Drive (AWD)
Replies: 136
Views: 19764

Re: Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vs All Wheel Drive (AWD)

btenny wrote:
Next time I will tell you about the car inside the house from black ice.
Tell us, Uncle Wiggley!

Seriously though, I plan to go for AWD when I get a car.
by mgullo
Fri Dec 16, 2016 10:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: My "sleep well at night" number seems to be changing
Replies: 49
Views: 10065

Re: My "sleep well at night" number seems to be changing

Beth* wrote:......and given what we have already saved we don't need a lot of growth in our investments but I would like to stay at least a little ahead of inflation.....
Once I get what I need for retirement, I'd like to think I won't take unnecessary chances. But what one needs is different for everyone. Good luck with your decision.
by mgullo
Fri Dec 16, 2016 11:56 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "Twenty Ways To Tell If You're A Lousy Investor"
Replies: 87
Views: 13545

Re: "Twenty Ways To Tell If You're A Lousy Investor"

Taylor Larimore wrote:Bogleheads:

George Sisti, editor of Vectors, is the author of one of the few e-mail publications I read. I hope you don't recognize yourself in this list:

TWENTY WAYS TO TELL IF YOU'RE A LOUSY INVESTOR

 You look at your portfolio more often than you wash your car.........

But....I don't own a car.... :confused
by mgullo
Wed Dec 14, 2016 1:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [55% of households have Zero Credit Card Debt]
Replies: 30
Views: 20539

Re: US households (indebted) average $16k credit card debt!!!

InvestorAdam wrote:http://www.cnbc.com/2016/12/13/us-house ... -debt.html

I presume many on this forum have never had credit card debt...

When I was a college student I carried a balance for about two years. I learned a hard lesson, but in the many, many years since then, every statement has been paid in full at the end of each month. I hope my family can always continue this. Just the idea of carrying that much cc debt gives me anxiety.
by mgullo
Thu Dec 08, 2016 12:15 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Explain why Rebalancing isn't Market Timing?
Replies: 241
Views: 16880

Re: Explain why Rebalancing isn't Market Timing?

To me, market timing is based on emotions while rebalancing is based on quantifiable points related to the amount of risk you are willing to take.

I've always thought of market timing as buying or selling based on what you think you know about how the market will do in the future. While rebalancing, I've come to believe, is making sure the percentage of stocks to bonds in your investments is appropriate for your current risk. I believe that rebalancing is done once a year or due to major changes in one's live (marriage or having kids, for example). Each person's risk depends on numerous inputs: length of time until retirement, dependents one is responsible for, etc.
by mgullo
Sat Oct 22, 2016 9:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Chicago recommendations
Replies: 40
Views: 3592

Re: Chicago recommendations

Thanks again for the recommendations, all. Day one is in the books. Did Millennium Park and Maggie Daley. The kids' park was definitely a hit. Ended up walking everywhere, so this three day subway pass might go to waste... Tried Lou Malnati's. Will try Yolk and see at least the zoo today. Beautiful day for the zoo. Just to the south of the zoo is the south pond. It has a wonderful view of the downtown and it's a great place to go for a picnic lunch. To the north of the zoo (you don't even have to cross the street) is a peaceful pond that a family of wood ducks live in. It's called the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pond. It's on the National Register of Historic Places and is designed in the Prairie School style. It takes 15 minutes to walk through,...
by mgullo
Thu Oct 20, 2016 12:13 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How do you track your portfolio's performance?
Replies: 40
Views: 5851

Re: How do you track your portfolio's performance?

Taylor Larimore wrote:
How do you track your portfolio's performance?
Wade:

I have everything at Vanguard (and my bank account). I look at my two balances once or twice a year to detect mistakes or fraud.

I don't bother figuring annualized return. We get what the markets give.

I know my index funds are outperforming most investors which is good enough for me.

Best wishes.
Taylor
I basically do the same, but I check it more than twice a year. I check to make sure my 403(b) contributions are happening, increases take place as scheduled, and the Roth/TIRA contributions go through. Everything is in an index fund and keeping the accounts with one provider simplifies the process and I am happy with that.
by mgullo
Tue Oct 18, 2016 12:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Chicago recommendations
Replies: 40
Views: 3592

Re: Chicago recommendations

Smorgasbord wrote:Just a heads up, there is a reasonable chance that on Saturday or Sunday the Chicago Cubs could make it to the World Series for the first time in 71 years. That could make things, um, interesting in the windy city (more so in the northern portions).
That would be the following weekend. Games 6 and 7 of the NLCS will be played the 22nd and 23rd if we need them. I wouldn't bring little kids there during game time. It'll be a hot mess near the ball park if the Cubs could clinch it that particular night.
by mgullo
Sun Oct 02, 2016 10:42 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: How Did You Become A Boglehead? What Led You Here?
Replies: 173
Views: 37079

Re: How Did You Become A Boglehead? What Led You Here?

My Dad. He taught me the basics about investing, tax-advantaged retirement accounts, etc. and pointed me toward the boglehead books and this website. I can't thank him enough!
by mgullo
Sun Apr 03, 2016 8:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tuxedo rental for prom?
Replies: 24
Views: 3463

Re: Tuxedo rental for prom?

I've never rented a tux online. For both my junior and senior prom my friend and I wore tuxedos to high school for a day and passed out business cards from the local menswear shop. They then allowed us to get our prom tuxedos for free. We went and offered to do this (I think my friend's older brother did it a few years earlier) and they manager of the shop was very supportive. Maybe your son could try to do the same thing.

All the best.