Search found 630 matches

by rj49
Tue Mar 26, 2024 5:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: AC or Heat Pump in Seattle
Replies: 29
Views: 1805

Re: AC or Heat Pump in Seattle

I live in WA and went the heat pump route, just installed in my living room, but it keeps my one-level house warm or cool easily. For a two-level, I'd keep a furnace in order to heat bedrooms. It's especially nice during periods of smoke and heat waves, since I can keep windows closed and still stay cool, and it also keeps outside noise down in the summer also. PSE and a local non-profit both gave rebates, which mostly covered the units and installation. Shopping around definitely helps, because larger companies with lots of advertising and add-on support charged double the price of a local small-shop electrician and tried to upsell me to the largest unit, which would have been overkill for my 1000 sf house. From what I read, having one ade...
by rj49
Sun Jan 28, 2024 9:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do you retire when you love your work?
Replies: 163
Views: 13214

Re: How do you retire when you love your work?

The easy answer is to transition to a lighter schedule. A surgeon is going to have the bargaining power to set a lighter schedule, or to take sabbaticals, if you want to do traveling but then return to work. That way you stay in the game, keep your position and prestige, but are able to carve out more time for yourself, family, and enjoying things like travel when you're young enough to enjoy it more. If you get burned out, you can also move to a different area, a sort of pre-retirement destination where you can also still work part-time. It's possible you'll develop or discover new desires that require more leisure, or want to do certain things that require more leisure, so just be flexible. I retired when I was 43, and have tried and pivo...
by rj49
Sun Jan 28, 2024 9:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Travel to Greece - seeking input on itinerary
Replies: 14
Views: 1971

Re: Travel to Greece - seeking input on itinerary

I'd pick up the Rick Steves book on Greece and follow his suggested itineraries (and watch his videos on Greece). I'd allow flexibility, because weather in Greece in June can be over 100, so you might want to cut back if it's too brutal out. Another thing to consider is that it's the peak of cruise ship season, so if 10,000 passengers descend on Santorini or Mykonos, you won't have a very good experience--you can search cruise port schedules online to see how many potential passengers would be there. I'd also check the number of passengers in Piraeus if you want to tour Athens, because if you have thousands of cruise ship passengers wanting to visit the Parthenon, it would also be pretty unpleasant. For sites like that, or Venice, Rick Stev...
by rj49
Sat Dec 16, 2023 9:04 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard International Index fund Recommendation?
Replies: 31
Views: 6122

Re: Vanguard International Index fund Recommendation?

If you invest in an international fund, you will drive yourself crazy with specific allocation, and be ready to abandon it when some part of the world doesn't do well. The easiest way to stay the course is to invest in Total World Index, where you're investing in companies, not countries, and the index float will allow you to effortlessly track the world market. Home bias is very strong on here, going back to Mr. Bogle, so I'd read some works by William Sharpe, who makes compelling cases for world markets in the same proportion of what the market judges.
by rj49
Sat Dec 16, 2023 8:58 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Winning the game and Dry Powder
Replies: 157
Views: 26239

Re: Winning the game and Dry Powder

"Opportunistic investing" sounds like market timing, which usually doesn't work, and gets you chasing hot assets after they've gone up. My brother-in-law gets caught up in such things, lured by clickbait youtube and finance articles, so he's bought silver, gold, and gets tempted by dividend investing (I asked him the simple question of what the value is of a $100 stock after a 10% dividend, which he got wrong, of course). You also have a lot of bad things in the world that could happen that might damage your investment, and you can tell from the threads on here that people are eager to buy high but not low, and chase the hottest things or portfolios, often recommended by faux-gurus on here. Even reliable total markets types get en...
by rj49
Fri Nov 17, 2023 10:37 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TSP immediate annuity rate
Replies: 16
Views: 2872

Re: TSP immediate annuity rate

I wouldn't do it and wouldn't trust TSP or Metlife, especially since TSP is rebidding the contract to try to attract more interest in TSP annuities. I tried to establish one a year ago, and I wasn't able to under the new system, probably because I'm military and had some tax-free contributions. Rather than help me, I talked to 3 first-level customer reps who simply tried to do the same thing I did, set up an annuity, and then it was 'gosh I don't know why this isn't working, I'll make a note in your file'. One said she'd email somebody, with no case number, no accountability, no name or number of who would be dealing with it, and of course it never got fixed, never was contacted, and it failed to work a few months later. I researched myself...
by rj49
Sun Nov 05, 2023 12:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Did anyone spend too much in early retirement?
Replies: 71
Views: 14470

Re: Did anyone spend too much in early retirement?

I think human nature makes overspending unlikely, unless it was an unexpected unavoidable life event, like medical costs or divorce. I retired at 43, with a military pension and investments, and became too careful with tracking each dollar spent and being conservative with investments. The biggest weakness of the 4% rule, I think, is that few people are going to keep spending 4% + inflation in a huge market downturn, and instead will just cut back on discretionary spending and withdrawals, just as people early in retirement aren't going to just ignore a depleting nest egg, particularly if their investments drop severely. They'll cut back, get a part-time gig, and postpone things like travel or big housing projects. I've read investment advi...
by rj49
Sun Nov 05, 2023 12:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good options for places to travel in August?
Replies: 7
Views: 1138

Re: Good options for places to travel in August?

Try Canada. Vancouver is ideal then, and with Quebec and Montreal you get a taste of France without the heat and deserted Paris in August. West Coast of the US is perfect--I'm at the top end, just before the Canadian border, and summer temperatures are usually under 80 for most of August. The other good part about Canada and the US is that we have a/c if there are heat waves, whereas if one hits anywhere in Europe, you'll probably be in a hotel and venues without a/c. Denmark is nice in the summer, because you have cities like Copenhagen, and northern beach resort towns, and it's easy to continue down to Germany or up to Sweden.
by rj49
Sun Nov 05, 2023 12:17 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Youtube ads in overdrive [Removing website ads]
Replies: 81
Views: 6569

Re: Youtube ads in overdrive

Just use a new browser or try a new adblocker. I just read an article earlier about options for staying ahead of the youtube ad game. Brave and Firefox browsers will be a good bet--just google which browsers and ad blockers still work for youtube, and use that browser just for youtube. I use Adblock Pro on my ipad and don't get any ads or youtube terms of service warnings.
by rj49
Sun Nov 05, 2023 12:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Apple experts – Old iMac – forum recommendations?
Replies: 53
Views: 6017

Re: Apple experts – Old iMac – forum recommendations?

I have a 2012 imac that still works, although it's slow. There are probably amateur computer experts who will come over and handle everything for you, and computer shops that aren't Apple stores that will be able to handle an older Mac system. If you want a super-fast, attractive, simple, light computer, look at the 24" imac, which I'm on now. You can get a like-new one on Apple's refurbished site for around $1000, and save another 10% if you are a veteran. Upgrading to a newer ipad air would also make your tablet life much nicer.
by rj49
Mon Oct 23, 2023 6:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Least acidic coffee beans
Replies: 86
Views: 8713

Re: Least acidic coffee beans

Well, you can branch out and try different beans. My recommendation is to go to various local stores that sell bulk beans, and simply try different ones, or visit indie coffee shops and try what they have until you find something you like. The Co-op market in my town has dozens of different beans that they sell in bulk, so I just take a small portion of different beans. Bigger grocery stores will also have a variety of bulk beans, including discount ones like Winco. I know Safeway and Target also both sell bagged beans of a lot of quality roasters. It's tempting to buy huge bags at Costco or on Amazon, but there's an amazing world of coffee out there, so buying fresh beans, especially locally roasted, might give you more pleasure. An indie ...
by rj49
Mon Oct 23, 2023 5:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Frankfurt: 18+ hr overnight layover
Replies: 83
Views: 7856

Re: Frankfurt: 18+ hr overnight layover

I used to go through Frankfurt almost every month while in the Air Force. I would explore the Romer, an area downtown with the historical buildings recreated after being destroyed in the war. Then go have dinner and walk the nightlife/bar center of Sachsenhausen, which has all sorts of things and people-watching, and even an Irish pub. Then, depending on your views and comfort level, the red light district called Bahnhofsvierte is interesting to walk around in--you can look up videos and articles to see if it would interest you. Here's an article I saw that references the sights I recommend:
https://www.travelingspud.com/5-stops-y ... t-germany/
by rj49
Wed Oct 18, 2023 8:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: "IRS moves forward with free e-filing system in pilot program to launch in 2024"
Replies: 119
Views: 11897

Re: "IRS moves forward with free e-filing system in pilot program to launch in 2024"

There has been free IRS filing for some time, which I tried once. Later on I got free Turbotax through working for Uber and Lyft, so I'm sort of dependent on their systems for tracking carryover losses and such, and their importing of VG forms makes life much easier, so worth the discounted fees, especially since I don't pay state income tax. I think the former free program had the same issue of Turbotax, that there were add-ons and upgrades they pitched to make it not free, just as HR Block and Liberty have been preying on people by pitching financial services, refund advances, and other things. So I'd rather pay to use a good software program, and if I had something complicated, I'd save myself headaches and hassles by paying a qualified ...
by rj49
Tue Sep 19, 2023 1:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: stationary exercise bike with arm movement
Replies: 11
Views: 1049

Re: stationary exercise bike with arm movement

I would prefer an Echelon or Peloton good exercise bike, and then get an adjustable dumbbell set, like a cheaper Bowflex. Trying to do both at once with a single machine isn't optimal, like the old folks walking around with Nordic poles because it's trendy, since it prevents them from either getting a true aerobic workout from walking or from getting a good strength training. That's especially true of a home exercise bike with an arm workout, which 9 times of 10 are garage junk and eventually gets tossed. I have a cheaper Echelon bike that actually feels like a bike, although I don't pay for classes--I sometimes stream virtual bike rides you can watch with an iPad or tv in front of you on Youtube, so instead of being bored, I can pretend I'...
by rj49
Tue Sep 19, 2023 1:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: iPhone user thinking of switching to Android... Samsung or Pixel?
Replies: 67
Views: 6427

Re: iPhone user thinking of switching to Android... Samsung or Pixel?

I'm also completely immersed in the Apple ecosystem, but don't want to pay for an expensive phone and be on the upgrade hamster wheel. What I do is have a personal phone for family/texting/Apple Pay, but I use the iPhone SE from 2020, which works perfectly and fits in my shirt pocket and comes in red, which I like. Then I also got a Pixel 6a, which was $75 on the Google store last Black Friday, the price after a very generous $250 or so trade-in for a barely-working iPhone 7 in my closet with a cracked screen. The problem with Samsung is that they have their own apps which nag you to try to get you into their ecosystem, whereas Pixels are pure Android, so I only get the usual Google nagging. I use my Pixel for photos, having a public number...
by rj49
Wed Sep 13, 2023 10:08 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Single fund 80% US, 20% International?
Replies: 23
Views: 3081

Re: Single fund 80% US, 20% International?

If you want simplicity and a hands-off approach for someone not as obsessed with finding the perfect portfolio as on here, then I'd pick Lifestrategy Moderate Growth. It has a typical 60/40 stocks/bonds mix of US/international for bonds and equities, but without the extreme home bias of an 80/20 portfolio. It will automatically rebalance internally, have income and stability from bonds, and would prevent performance chasing into cash or making up arbitrary allocations like 80/20, instead of closer to what the millions of investors who make up the market thinks each asset should be worth. This is a good chapter of William Sharpe's book on retirement investing and withdrawal on why you should invest in a total world markets portfolio: https:/...
by rj49
Mon Sep 11, 2023 11:59 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to adjust a 529 for delayed entry to college
Replies: 17
Views: 1685

Re: How to adjust a 529 for delayed entry to college

That's way too short-term to try to get riskier. It's easier to deal with short-term losses in a retirement portfolio--cut back, work longer, find other income sources. But for college, the money has to be there, so getting greedy or ambitious could cost you. The market can lose 40% in 1-2 years, but with current money market rates at 5% or so, even if there are some Fed cuts over the next few years, there's not much likelihood of going very low, and if they do cut significantly, it usually means due to a recession, which would hurt stocks much more. So stay in a money market fund, and let the interest accumulate over the delay. Just be sure that you have a 529 that fully captures current money market rates--I made the mistake of putting mi...
by rj49
Mon Sep 11, 2023 11:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Repeated Credit Card Fraud from Uber Despite Multiple Replacements - Seeking Advice
Replies: 36
Views: 8115

Re: Repeated Credit Card Fraud from Uber Despite Multiple Replacements - Seeking Advice

Use Apple Pay for Uber, if that's possible, which adds high security levels and gets 3% cash back. Another option is to persuade her to switch to a reputable local credit union, so she can go into a real branch and talk to real people if there's a problem with a card or banking, without the sales and fee-raising tricks of a national bank or overseas phone help. It can be difficult to persuade an elderly parent to switch banking (or anything else)--my mother still is with Wells Fargo, but I at least got her to set up a Discover savings account and CDs, which earns $20k a year on her savings, rather than $200.
by rj49
Fri Jul 21, 2023 2:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any reason to NOT get the Apple Card?
Replies: 80
Views: 12869

Re: Any reason to NOT get the Apple Card?

I just got 5% back on an Apple purchase, using quarterly Discover bonuses, which are actually things I use and that don't promote overspending--Apple Pay and gas this quarter, along with online shopping, groceries, dining, and other things. It's limited to $1500 of spending, so $75 in rewards a quarter, but it fits seamlessly with their banking, which has a 4.15% savings account and has had good CD rates. I also like that the Discover card lets me customize the card design, so I get compliments on the cat photo on mine. You're also not supporting the Visa/MC duopoly that way. One good reason to have the Apple Card is to get access to the Apple savings, which is also 4.15% now and ends up multiplying your cash back if you automatically depos...
by rj49
Wed Jul 05, 2023 12:35 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 'Bogleheads® on Investing' #59: Dr. William F. Sharpe
Replies: 23
Views: 3763

Re: 'Bogleheads® on Investing' #59: Dr. William F. Sharpe

I wonder what his definition of broad vs narrow index fund is and what number marks the line. There are so, so many funds out there anymore. https://web.stanford.edu/~wfsharpe/RISMAT/ He lists his market portfolio in chapter 7 and how to accomplish it through VG ETFs or funds. He shows how to calculate the proper percentage and maintain it, which when I set it up, following his advice, was pretty much a 60/40 stocks/bonds portfolio, with 60/40 for both bonds and stocks for US/international. No endless hand-wringing over US/international percentage or asset allocations or glide paths, trying to come up with arguments for market-timing and chasing what's hot or adding hot additional assets. His ebook also shows his Lockbox withdrawal strateg...
by rj49
Wed Jul 05, 2023 12:35 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 'Bogleheads® on Investing' #59: Dr. William F. Sharpe
Replies: 23
Views: 3763

Re: 'Bogleheads® on Investing' #59: Dr. William F. Sharpe

I wonder what his definition of broad vs narrow index fund is and what number marks the line. There are so, so many funds out there anymore. https://web.stanford.edu/~wfsharpe/RISMAT/ He lists his market portfolio in chapter 7 and how to accomplish it through VG ETFs or funds. He shows how to calculate the proper percentage and maintain it, which when I set it up, following his advice, was pretty much a 60/40 stocks/bonds portfolio, with 60/40 for both bonds and stocks for US/international. No endless hand-wringing over US/international percentage or asset allocations or glide paths, trying to come up with arguments for market-timing and chasing what's hot or adding hot additional assets. His ebook also shows his Lockbox withdrawal strateg...
by rj49
Wed Jul 05, 2023 12:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lower Cost smartphone?
Replies: 18
Views: 1315

Re: Lower Cost smartphone?

I use an iPhone SE, which is a good starter phone for young people. The screen is smaller, but it's powerful enough to do anything they want, and since you'd be familiar with managing Apple apps and issues, it would be best to stick with what you know. Her friends are also likely to have iPhones, so she might want to use iMessage, FaceTime, and other things, and have a choice of colors--I like my red one. Having a credit card that covers phone damage would be helpful, but another good feature of the SE is not having a glass back.
by rj49
Thu May 18, 2023 1:49 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Buckets, Barbells and their kin
Replies: 29
Views: 4328

Re: Buckets, Barbells and their kin

I loosely follow William Sharpe's Lockbox strategy. His free ebook on his Stanford page is called Retirement Income Analysis and shows how most common retirement withdrawal practices don't maximize utility, including 4% rule and glide paths. His portfolio calls for total world markets in stocks and bonds, balanced with risk-free assets like TIPS, and each year of spending designates a spending an assigned part of that portfolio. It's complex and difficult to achieve in practice, but the nearest approximation I find is just spending X number of shares for every fund for each year of estimated remaining life (generously estimated). I have a safe floor of military pension, generous health care, and no mortgage or spouse or heirs, so variable s...
by rj49
Thu May 18, 2023 1:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Where do you bank and why? 2023 Edition
Replies: 306
Views: 39657

Re: Where do you bank and why? 2023 Edition

BECU for checking and some savings and direct deposit of pensions, since you get 4-6% on balances up to $500. Discover Bank also, since they're up to 3.9% for savings and checking is absolutely free (I hate paying for more checks or sneaky fees) and you get 1% on debit transactions. They also have good CD rates, and their app incorporates the Discover credit card, with its 5% quarterly bonuses on everyday things like groceries, gas, dining, and Amazon.

I have Apple Pay and Apple Card, and so am using the new Apple savings account, 4.15%, which magnifies the cash back, since I can let it grow.

Cash for next year's spending gets put in VG money market and then transferred.
by rj49
Thu May 11, 2023 3:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any must haves for travelling to Europe?
Replies: 126
Views: 10521

Re: Any must haves for travelling to Europe?

Rick Steves guidebooks, physical and maybe ebook. Also a money belt that he recommends. Let them watch some of his shows on the places they'll visit too, and I've seen his lectures on how to prepare for Europe in terms of safety, jet lag (don't go to sleep as soon as you get there), and packing lights. They're probably unaware of pick-pockets, aggressive gypsies, and other scams prevalent in Europe, so some coaching would help them avoid losing cash, cards, and their lifeline (cell phone). On a Rick Steves tour, even a careful judge lost a dummy wallet on the Paris Metro to a good thief, and my brother-in-law had his iPhone snatched in Rome.
by rj49
Thu Apr 27, 2023 9:52 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "What I Don't Own" by Jonathan Clements
Replies: 31
Views: 8715

Re: "What I Don't Own" by Jonathan Clements

Bogleheads: Jonathan Clements is an exceptionally knowledgeable financial writer who has written more than 1,000 articles for the Wall Street Journal. He writes a financial newsletter titled, "Humble Dollar " which is one of the few I subscribe to (it's free). His latest newsletter has an article Bogleheads will love: "What I Don't Own" . This is the link: https://humbledollar.com/2023/03/what-i-dont-own/ Best wishes. Taylor Jack Bogle's Words of Wisdom : “Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!”. From the link: I’ve never bought a savings bond—though I once won a $75 EE bond, since cashed in, for finishing second in a local 5K. Series I bonds have enjoyed a heap of buzz over the pa...
by rj49
Thu Apr 27, 2023 12:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: About to travel full-time for the next years without any strong ties to a location in the US. Tax-related questions ...
Replies: 59
Views: 4254

Re: About to travel full-time for the next years without any strong ties to a location in the US. Tax-related questions

I'd look at WA state, since it has no income tax, lots of mail-delivery places (since a lot of Canadians get stuff delivered here), and easy air access to both Europe and Asia. I'd think it would be easier to register an LLC here, with a much larger foreign-born population, with all the tech workers from overseas, and I'd say it's probably a better place to get medical care if needed.
by rj49
Mon Apr 24, 2023 4:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do I need an Apple desktop?
Replies: 55
Views: 5954

Re: Do I need an Apple desktop?

I still have my 2012 iMac, and it still runs fine, but I got a 24" iMac last year. If you want to save some money on one, look at Apple refurbished, which sells them in like-new condition, with a new screen and everything and no sign of use (several models in stock now as low as $1099). If you know a veteran, they can also get Apple devices at 15% off, which I've done. I love mine, although the screen is a bit smaller and less immersive than my 27" iMac, but it loads in around 10 seconds after I restart, and since it doesn't have a hard drive, it's absolutely silent and much quicker. It definitely helps for working on finance sites, since it remembers logins for VG and here, and I use the free Numbers app for viewing Excel files, ...
by rj49
Fri Feb 03, 2023 12:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: First timer - London in June?
Replies: 66
Views: 5797

Re: First timer - London in June?

I recommend staying at Premier Inns. They"re all over, most are newer and comfortable, with a nice breakfast spread. I"d splurge on upgrading to premium economy instead for flights, which usually have nice recliner seats, wider, with better food and service. I'm flying that way on Virgin Atlantic to London in May. Apart from sites, I'd recommend seeing some live theatre, which to me is what sets London apart from any other city. I lived in England in the late 1980's, and saw 4 future Best Actor winners on stage, as well as most of the adult Harry Potter actors, and even appeared on stage with Ian McKellen. There will probably be some movie actors on stage in June, lots of musicals and comedies ("The Play That Goes Wrong"...
by rj49
Wed Jan 04, 2023 6:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mattress recommendations?
Replies: 67
Views: 8706

Re: Mattress recommendations?

I love my Signature Sleep Contour mattress, which I bought on Amazon in 2016 and still is fine, with no sagging or other issues. It's $360 now for a queen, and it actually comes shrink-wrapped in a box, and expands to full size as air gets into it. It was actually a little too firm for me as a side sleeper, so I simply bought a 2" memory foam piece that I put on top, and now it's wonderfully cushy. My sister got the same mattress for my niece, and she loves hers as well. If you want to avoid buyer's remorse, you could try getting a twin for a spare bedroom, if possible. I use a cheap metal frame, also bought on Amazon, that supports it without needing a box spring, and it's 14" tall, which leaves me plenty of room for under-bed st...
by rj49
Wed Jan 04, 2023 6:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: TSA Pre-Check, Global, Entry, or TSA Clear?
Replies: 62
Views: 8607

Re: TSA Pre-Check, Global, Entry, or TSA Clear?

If you live near the Canadian border, I recommend a Nexus pass. It's the cheapest option, at $50, and gets you TSAPrecheck, and you can apply for GlobalEntry, which allows you to skip the lines when arriving from an international trip. The only difficulty is you need to arrange an in-person interview at a border check point with both US and Canadian agents. Another way to skip long lines arriving back in the US to to use the US customs app, where you can load your info into the app before you arrive and go right through, and you just show the app when you exit customs with your luggage. Regardless, you'll have a wait to get anything approved that requires a background check and interview, or even getting/renewing a passport, with everyone r...
by rj49
Tue Dec 20, 2022 8:45 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: TSP G Fund rate 3.00% (Nov 2023)
Replies: 231
Views: 38397

Re: TSP G Fund rate 3.00% (June 2022)

Odd question but it's been eating at me all day.. Example: June 2022..let's say I had 200,000 in traditional tsp G Fund, and no other funds in there besides G, and added 1500 a month for next 6 months. I am not a math wiz but that would end up as 209,000 with just added principal. Based on interesr rates going up over past 6 months, shouldn't the balance be higher with the earned interest over that 6 month period? I did my semi annual portfolio review today and it seems like balance is reflecting only added principal and no interest. I am still learning the ins and outs of bonds, so any insight is appreciated. You can look at the actual G Fund price for any date. It goes up to reflect the addition of interest. Compare the price of the G fu...
by rj49
Tue Jul 19, 2022 3:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you use a password manager?
Replies: 361
Views: 34466

Re: Do you use a password manager?

I keep a document in a hidden file on my computer and update it when I change passwords. I keep a printed copy hidden among other files, and I let my sister know where to look if I die suddenly. A 'in case I die' file is also helpful, with account numbers where you have financial business, and with clear directions for a surviving spouse or relative. My stepdad did that for my mother, which was helpful for getting VA survivor's benefits and a very old military life insurance policy.
by rj49
Fri Aug 27, 2021 12:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Book Recommendations: RV Travel
Replies: 10
Views: 786

Re: Book Recommendations: RV Travel

There are thousands of youtube videos out there now by people living in RVs and vans, covering every aspect of it and offering advice. I'd start there, because they'll be more recent and relevant, especially with the explosion of sales and difficulties in finding campsites and facilities. It seems to have also shifted from a retiree niche to a young people/techie lifestyle, and now an alternative arrangement for the homeless (watching "Nomadland" is eye-opening). My town is full of homeless RVs and traveling people living in converted Mercedes Sprinter vans. If you want a sadder picture of some of the drawbacks of traveling in an RV, watch "About Schmidt", a really depressing picture of life after retirement.
by rj49
Sat Aug 14, 2021 3:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buying a 1950s Co-op: Several questions
Replies: 81
Views: 7883

Re: Buying a 1950s Co-op: Several questions

I bought into a 1917 Co-op in Seattle, which needed renovations to the exterior around the building and constant plumbing issues, which of course pushed up dues, and since real estate taxes are lumped in with dues, you can get sticker shock from the dues, compared to a condo. The problem with repairs, which is common in many old co-op buildings, is that you have a lot of older residents on fixed incomes who don't want any sort of improvements or even basic maintenance, and in my building several residents refused to pay dues for the building repairs. In other Seattle buildings, there were major problems simply because the majority of residents were older and didn't want to pay for upkeep, so the buildings slowly became decrepit. In my build...
by rj49
Sat Jul 24, 2021 4:04 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where to put bridge funds until SS at 70?
Replies: 22
Views: 2881

Re: Where to put bridge funds until SS at 70?

If you're torn between the no-return prospects of cash versus the prospect of a market crash for stocks that are at historical highs, I take a middle road with part of my portfolio, getting high income at the cost of low-liquidity, meaning significant penalties if you well within 5 years. I invest in Fundrise for income and some growth, and in 5 years have had income from 5-7%, with another 2-3% in gains from properties sold. You can structure a portfolio based on income vs growth needs, by geography, and other parameters, with wide diversification. My underlying eREIT funds own a lot of apartments, some commercial, and lately they've been heavily investing in single-unit rental home communities in Sunbelt cities, where they believe there's...
by rj49
Mon May 31, 2021 4:16 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Larry Swedroe's article on Single family house rentals
Replies: 88
Views: 11030

Re: Larry Swedroe's article on Single family house rentals

I want the income of rentals but not the hassles, so I invest in Fundrise. They're investing now in lots of single-home rental community construction, mostly across the Sunbelt now, along with apartment communities and construction loans. So I get diversification, income, no hassles, and no single market/single renter risk, along with some price appreciation in the underlying funds when properties get sold or developers pay off loans. The drawback is limited liquidity, with penalties for withdrawals before 5 years, and the possibility of withdrawals being frozen during extreme market conditions, as happened for a while last year. I would also think that a rental home that was half the price 6 years ago would offer less return, as with stock...
by rj49
Sat May 15, 2021 3:30 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I-Bonds and EE Bonds in Portfolio [in your 20's]
Replies: 51
Views: 6526

Re: I-Bonds and EE Bonds in Portfolio [in your 20's]

It sounds like you're tempted by the 3.5% inflation adjustment for ibonds. You have to ask yourself how you'd feel if inflation goes back down to the level it's been at for a decade or more. I had a lot of ibonds, but after years of a minimal inflation adjustment, and the stock and bond markets doing quite well, it was too hard to justify keeping. I also locked in 7-year CDs at 6.25% in 2007, which far exceeded ibond returns and were just as safe. If you have bond funds in a retirement account, one VG paper showed that they actually do better in a rising interest rate environment than in a falling one over time, so there's a case for diversification in fixed income to cover all economic conditions. The $10k limit is a good natural limit--pe...
by rj49
Wed Apr 07, 2021 8:31 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What is your contrarian/alternative play?
Replies: 102
Views: 11153

Re: What is your contrarian/alternative play?

My alternative is simply replacing bond funds with Fundrise real estate, since it pays well over 5%, doesn't suffer losses, doesn't have the NAV swings of a traded real estate fund, and is diversified by geography and type of investment. It's also been good about getting ahead of trends, by hoarding cash last year (and pausing redemptions) and now actively investing in Sunbelt city single-family rental homes and apartment complexes in suburbs of places like Tampa, Austin, and Houston.That way I get a share of the financial ongoing benefits of being a landlord, but without the hassles and risks of owning my own rental properties. My other alternative real estate investment was simply buying my house with cash 6 years ago, and it's doubled in...
by rj49
Sun Mar 28, 2021 10:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Thinking of getting a cellphone for the first time
Replies: 24
Views: 3218

Re: Thinking of getting a cellphone for the first time

I use Tello as a simple mobile plan, with 100 minutes of talk, unlimited text, and 2GB of data for $10 a month, using the T-Mobile network. The problem if you buy a Tracfone or other 'deal' is that they lock it to their service, so you'll pay for the lower upfront cost of the phone in the long run. Tracfone and SImple Mobile are owned by a Mexican billionaire who's one of the world's richest men, so they usually aren't the cheapest or best option. You can get the same Moto G power for under $100 in a used-excellent condition on Best Buy's site, and Best Buy is a good option since you can go in the store and try out phones and get help, and if you order a new or used-excellent phone and don't like it, it's easy to return. Personally, I like ...
by rj49
Thu Mar 25, 2021 11:55 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Any place better than Marcus (.5%) to park money?
Replies: 25
Views: 3277

Re: Any place better than Marcus (.5%) to park money?

I use Discover Bank, which is at .4% currently, but makes more for me as a one-stop stop. I set up a 2-6 year CD ladder with 1.8% rates last April, when it was clear that rates were going to go down hard, their checking account gives free checks and 1% cashback on debit card spending, and their credit card gives a simple 5% rotating schedule with things I actually spend money on, such as groceries, gas, restaurants, and Amazon, so that adds up to another $75 per quarter to the bank benefits. They also have friendly US-based customer service, they weren't involved in the mortgage meltdown in 2007 (unlike Marcus/Goldman Sachs), and they offer personalized credit cards--I use one with a cute cat photo, which gets compliments in stores and rest...
by rj49
Fri Mar 12, 2021 10:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buying a house now has turned into an auction. How to approach it?
Replies: 61
Views: 8959

Re: Buying a house now has turned into an auction. How to approach it?

I just went through the process and was outbid, and had the same temptations to sell my house in an insane market. One option is to put an escalation clause in the offer, saying you'll go up by certain amounts to a ceiling, with the seller obligated to forward competing offers to make sure they're legit. In this case the winning offer simply went above my ceiling and waived home inspection and was ready to close in 10 days. My sister's a realtor, and she said there are unprecedented practices, like a buyer offering to pay for commissions and taxes. Another option in a competitive market is simply to ask your realtor to call the listing agent and ask about competing offers and what it would take to have a chance to win. I passed on a bidding...
by rj49
Sun Feb 21, 2021 10:50 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Turbo Tax / H&R Block Comparison
Replies: 32
Views: 4416

Re: Turbo Tax / H&R Block Comparison

To me the ease of importing Vanguard and other transactions is well worth $50. In my case, I get Turbotax for free, as a Lyft and Uber driver, which makes it a no-brainer. Of course, as with all free/bargain services, Turbotax tries to get you to upgrade to more costly options, like live advice, professional review, signing up for Quickbooks. But the main reason why I didn't pursue thoughts of being an HR Block tax preparer at one time was the knowledge that I'd be expected to push tax refund loans and other financial products that weren't in the best interest of clients, so each company has its own ways to increase how much it gets from clients.
by rj49
Sun Feb 21, 2021 10:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Email - Gmail or iCloud and does it matter?
Replies: 28
Views: 5378

Re: Email - Gmail or iCloud and does it matter?

What I do is use icloud on my devices and computer, and then go into gmail on a desktop and turn on forwarding to icloud. That way you have one app to check and without the drawbacks of gmail or the complexities of having two email accounts set up on the mail apps. I set up the gmail not to delete the original, so I can go into the web version and move anything I want to save to folders. I also keep a yahoo email account that I only access on a web browser for travel companies and others that are likely to send me lots of unwanted email.
by rj49
Sat Feb 13, 2021 11:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Bonds vs mortgage payoff
Replies: 122
Views: 10916

Re: Bonds vs mortgage payoff

One possible approach to keeping the mortgage, but paying it off with something that yields more than a mortgage and is less likely to suffer negative returns or volatility. I invest in Fundrise, which buys equity in apartment complexes and supplies capital for new building and improvements, as well as some small-scale commercial development. I generally earn 5-7% in dividends, with some underlying capital appreciation of the various projects and eREITS. They're not publicly traded, so the value stays fairly stable, with the drawback of very limited liquidity, and during the pandemic crisis last year, they stopped redemptions altogether. It would be an interesting concept, to use mainly rental real estate to pay your own mortgage. Right now...
by rj49
Tue Feb 09, 2021 1:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Stationary Bike Program for Weight Loss
Replies: 50
Views: 4426

Re: Stationary Bike Program for Weight Loss

Instead of exploring it from the exercise angle, I'd do it from the diet angle, since it's a much easier way to lose weight, if that's your goal. Try keeping a diet log, and looking up calories for what you're eating, being honest with serving sizes. Your exercise tracking suggests you love data tracking and goals, so there are plenty of apps and online sources to track calories. Just as it's easy to overestimate the caloric benefit of an exercise bike workout, it's also very easy to underestimate serving sizes and calories, especially with healthy foods like nuts, olive oil, or avocados. Personally, instead of following endless diets and deprivation, I try to follow the simple food rules of Michael Pollan--eat real food, not too much, most...
by rj49
Fri Feb 05, 2021 6:01 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Power of Working Longer
Replies: 539
Views: 56565

Re: The Power of Working Longer

If you start investing early, and don't market-time or change your investments based on news or fads, you can also accomplish a lot of such goals. It also hugely depends on market returns when you're working longer--if it's at probable market tops in stocks and bonds, as now could be, then the gains of your extra work could be wiped out by a market crash early in retirement, as would have happened to someone who worked longer in order to retire in 2000 or 2008. The better version of the news is that there are better options for those who want the same results, namely gig working or part-time work that doesn't involve flipping burgers or being a Walmart greeter. It depends on your field, human capital, and how valuable you are to a company, ...
by rj49
Fri Jan 15, 2021 1:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone here have Xfinity Streaming....
Replies: 33
Views: 3061

Re: Anyone here have Xfinity Streaming....

Xfinity streaming has a lot of content that's only available at the owner's home network, particularly sports. My sister and I both borrow my mother's xfinity credentials to watch tv without the cost and overwhelming channel choice of home cable. I also get Xfinity internet essentials for $10 a month, with no taxes or fees, since it's available to veterans getting a disability payment. Xfinity also has a generous selection of free movies, and others with some ads, and you can get a free streaming device that includes access to Peacock, NBC's streaming service. If you have a parent or someone else with minimal data needs for cheap cell phone service, you can use your account to set up Xfinity Mobile, with has a $15/gig plan that can be share...
by rj49
Fri Dec 18, 2020 11:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does company loyalty still exist?
Replies: 64
Views: 5344

Re: Does company loyalty still exist?

Stephan Pollan wrote about company loyalty in his book "Die Broke", basically saying you should quit today, meaning always be looking for the next job. Another good view of the perils of company loyalty is the film "About Schmidt", which is the most devastating view of retirement and company loyalty and marriage I've seen. I'd think that it largely depends on your skill set and opportunities--if you're in IT, then it would seem to be relatively easy to transfer to an employer that doesn't involve all the regulation and idiocy of government contracting. You might end up with less job security, but more freedom and opportunity to prosper and enjoy work, even if freedom involves more risk and uncertainty. It seems to me, th...
by rj49
Fri Dec 11, 2020 12:12 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: BIG downloads (MacOS), slow internet. How to handle?
Replies: 17
Views: 10147

Re: BIG downloads (MacOS), slow internet. How to handle?

If it's a laptop, you could find a public wifi spot like a library to download. My local library is even renting out mobile internet devices for free, using Verizon's network. If it's an older imac like mine (2012), Big Sur won't work, I believe, but I can't say I've noticed any improvements from Mojave or Catalina, just annoying notifications and attempt to make the experience more like ios and integrate everything through icloud, which I don't like. Most new software versions also come with bugs and threats, so a lot of experts I've read advise people to wait until the kinks are worked out before installing a new OS. The new Mac Mini makes an upgrade a tempting proposition for me, especially at a low price point and with the ability to ho...