Search found 1278 matches

by Candor
Sat Mar 23, 2024 1:28 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: It is really that simple to do it the Bogleheads way?
Replies: 87
Views: 8166

Re: It is really that simple to do it the Bogleheads way?

I would say it is, but you have to buy into the BH investment philosophy and know why you are following it and that this is the correct way for you, otherwise you may fall victim to many of the pitfalls that others have mentioned. Understanding the reasons you have chosen this path and having the knowledge base that supports your decision is the key to sticking with it through thick and thin.
by Candor
Tue Mar 12, 2024 12:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Financial Advisor says my portfolio is akin to a retiree at age 34
Replies: 80
Views: 8322

Re: Financial Advisor says my portfolio is akin to a retiree at age 34

FoolMeOnce wrote: Tue Mar 12, 2024 11:15 am
harsha1 wrote: Tue Mar 12, 2024 7:55 am If I chose to take up their services (I didn't want to) the fee was 2.0% AUM
:shock:

I feel bad for your friend who uses and recommended this person.
I wonder if they realize they will be handing over almost 45% of their entire portfolio in fees to this advisor after 30 years. Rhetorical question obviously.
by Candor
Thu Mar 07, 2024 12:35 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Argument against people that say stock market is rigged, so don’t invest in it
Replies: 80
Views: 5750

Re: Argument against people that say stock market is rigged, so don’t invest in it

It's probably futile but I can understand the desire to educate a family member in this matter. How many millions of working class or middle class families have reached financial independence through investing in the stock market vs. gambling? A difficult thing to quantify I'd guess but no doubt it is decidedly one-sided.
by Candor
Sat Feb 24, 2024 2:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Accounting for fees when using the 4% rule
Replies: 19
Views: 2180

Re: Accounting for fees when using the 4% rule

Yes, and if you have had these fees over the course of your accumulation of 30 years you would have handed over almost 45% of your entire ending portfolio in fees and now you get to hand over 50% of each withdrawal going forward. What a deal!
by Candor
Thu Feb 22, 2024 5:22 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 401k fund choices (make sure you're sitting down)
Replies: 32
Views: 2933

Re: 401k fund choices (make sure you're sitting down)

lakpr wrote: Thu Feb 22, 2024 5:09 pm
Candor wrote: Thu Feb 22, 2024 4:56 pm I'd probably just pick the highest growth oriented fund (2065 TD?) in hopes of offsetting the high expenses, although, of course, you will pay more in expenses the higher the growth. :oops:
You can't outrun the high fees by opting for high growth investments. That's why it makes sense to stuff the low-growth investments here, which you want to hold anyway for their diversification purposes and/or cash-needs purposes. See my previous post, about four posts above this ...
Agreed. Since this is just a small part of their overall portfolio it's best to concentrate the growth outside of this high fee structure.
by Candor
Thu Feb 22, 2024 5:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone use Shoe Goo to increase the life of their shoes
Replies: 38
Views: 3892

Re: Anyone use Shoe Goo to increase the life of their shoes

I prefer E6000. Make to sure to thoroughly clean both mated sides when you glue them. I use alcohol. I have a pair of hiking boots that the front 1/3+ of the soles completely separated from the shoe and used E6000 and I have hiked ~250 miles since and they are holding together good as new, actually better.
by Candor
Thu Feb 22, 2024 4:56 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 401k fund choices (make sure you're sitting down)
Replies: 32
Views: 2933

Re: 401k fund choices (make sure you're sitting down)

I'd probably just pick the highest growth oriented fund (2065 TD?) in hopes of offsetting the high expenses, although, of course, you will pay more in expenses the higher the growth. :oops:
by Candor
Fri Feb 09, 2024 10:52 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Investing paralysis
Replies: 39
Views: 2850

Re: Investing paralysis

Maybe your notional AA is out of sync with your risk tolerance.
by Candor
Tue Feb 06, 2024 1:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What's your allocation for International Stocks?
Replies: 101
Views: 7523

Re: What's your allocation for International Stocks?

I have 11% international. On some level I acknowledge 20% is probably a more sensible position but I have decided it will need to get there of its own accord without any help from me. I no longer waste any time mulling whether a few percentage points one way or another will make a material difference to my outcome because it almost certainly won't.
by Candor
Fri Jan 26, 2024 10:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Rental car accident - Gap between Rental Co ask and Insurance company
Replies: 12
Views: 2120

Re: Rental car accident - Gap between Rental Co ask and Insurance company

JoeNJ28 wrote: Fri Jan 26, 2024 10:34 pm
Candor wrote: Fri Jan 26, 2024 10:26 pm Tell them that admin fees are not warranted because handling claims is just part of running a business and you don't owe them for that, because that is what your ins co told them. Request proof from the rental co that every vehicle at that location was rented out and the names and contact info of the customers they are claiming they had to turn away as result of your rental vehicle being repaired in order document their LOU claim and it will probably go away.

Vehicle class, not every vehicle and giving other non involved customer data out even asking for that they would laugh in your face.
They need to prove their LOU. I've done hundreds of times without fail.
by Candor
Fri Jan 26, 2024 10:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Rental car accident - Gap between Rental Co ask and Insurance company
Replies: 12
Views: 2120

Re: Rental car accident - Gap between Rental Co ask and Insurance company

Tell them that admin fees are not warranted because handling claims is just part of running a business and you don't owe them for that, because that is what your ins co told them. Request proof from the rental co that every vehicle at that location was rented out and the names and contact info of the customers they are claiming they had to turn away as result of your rental vehicle being repaired in order document their LOU claim and it will probably go away.
by Candor
Thu Jan 25, 2024 10:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Comparing Car insurance coverage
Replies: 13
Views: 1479

Re: Comparing Car insurance coverage

The only difference I see is the $50k PD limit listed with GEICO. $50k PD limits is a little on the light side these days imo. The average cost of a new vehicle is close to $50k.
by Candor
Tue Jan 23, 2024 1:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Most popular boglehead withdrawal strategy
Replies: 117
Views: 13133

Re: Most popular boglehead withdrawal strategy

So far (2.5 years) I've just used a reasonable approximation of my FIRECalc 100% number. The first couple of years were well below that number in anticipation of purchasing a new vehicle so, as of that purchase, I'm back to close to the FIRECalc WR. I just use common sense and will adjust as things proceed. If the market has a good run I may increase my WR and if the opposite occurs I may adjust it down, but only if it is a prolonged move, e.g. 5-10 years. If I am significantly over the amount one year, due to a surprise lumpy expense, I will just ratchet down the spending the next year or two if needed.
by Candor
Mon Jan 22, 2024 12:14 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: 🎁 🎉Happy 100th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎊🎂
Replies: 429
Views: 43331

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

Happy Birthday Taylor! One more accomplishment to add to a long list. I won't be surprised to hear next year you are celebrating your 101st with another parachute jump just for old times sake. :D
by Candor
Fri Jan 19, 2024 10:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Auto Insurance : Has Anyone Heard Of An Insurable Interest?
Replies: 2
Views: 421

Re: Auto Insurance : Has Anyone Heard Of An Insurable Interest?

It sounds like you could potentially be open to the insurance company denying the claim based on material misrepresentation of the risk that could influence the acceptance of the policy and rate for the premium.

If this is an independent agent that is suggesting this I would be very leery but if it's a captive agent less so, but still cautious.
by Candor
Thu Jan 18, 2024 5:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dealing with Insurance Company on Totaled Vehicle
Replies: 31
Views: 3746

Re: Dealing with Insurance Company on Totaled Vehicle

I'm surprised that there have been ZERO comments on this gem: The body shop manager told me that the insurance companies are purposefully understating their estimates. They hope that the owners will just cash the check and never get the repair done. In my case, it would have saved them about $21k ($30k total vs. their $9k repair estimate). It just seems like very slimy way to do business. It sounded like many insurance companies were doing this - not just mine. Hail damage can be difficult to assess in the field. Bright sun on a lighter vehicle in particular, rain, frost, dirty vehicle, etc. The shop will put the vehicle under special lighting at various angles, indoors, and that will bring out the full extent of the hail damage. Also, the...
by Candor
Sat Jan 13, 2024 1:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is anybody actually running out of money in retirement?
Replies: 201
Views: 48723

Re: Is anybody actually running out of money in retirement?

The government pays out way more than you put in. I figured out I put in at most 40k, and my employers the same. So 80k put in. I will get aver 50k per year at 70. The inputs and outputs do not match. Double check your calculations. To get $50k/year of SS benefits at age 70 you need to have had 35 years of income almost at the maximum that's taxed for SS. (About $158k/year will do it, in 2024 dollars. Do a quick check on https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/quickcalc/ with this level of income and age 70 collection.) SS tax is 12.4%, so you and your employer will have paid in 35 * $158k * 0.124 = $685k (in 2024 dollars). That is almost an order of magnitude larger than your $80k estimate. (It occurs to me that you may not be adjusting for inflation in...
by Candor
Sat Jan 13, 2024 12:59 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is anybody actually running out of money in retirement?
Replies: 201
Views: 48723

Re: Is anybody actually running out of money in retirement?

The government pays out way more than you put in. I figured out I put in at most 40k, and my employers the same. So 80k put in. I will get aver 50k per year at 70. The inputs and outputs do not match. Double check your calculations. To get $50k/year of SS benefits at age 70 you need to have had 35 years of income almost at the maximum that's taxed for SS. (About $158k/year will do it, in 2024 dollars. Do a quick check on https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/quickcalc/ with this level of income and age 70 collection.) SS tax is 12.4%, so you and your employer will have paid in 35 * $158k * 0.124 = $685k (in 2024 dollars). That is almost an order of magnitude larger than your $80k estimate. (It occurs to me that you may not be adjusting for inflation in...
by Candor
Fri Jan 12, 2024 9:20 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Is 7 Years a short time period in stocks?
Replies: 19
Views: 3523

Re: Is 7 Years a short time period in stocks?

If I had no need for the money for 7 years I would have no problem investing it in stocks. If I absolutely needed all my money back in 7 years I probably would not.
by Candor
Wed Jan 10, 2024 2:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 4Runner - new or used
Replies: 77
Views: 9009

Re: 4Runner - new or used

[ The things that I really miss in the 4runner are modern safety features like lane keeping assist and basically the vast of Toyota Safety Sense or whatever the marketing term is nowadays. The design is old. It doesnt have most of it. The 2023 has safety sense. It's super annoying. I like to wait till the last second to start braking if someone is turning in front of me. It always starts blaring an alarm and flashing a red warning. Hasn't auto engaged the brakes yet, so I guess that's a plus. It also has radar cruise control which my wife's 80k suv doesn't even have. What it's missing is parking sensors. What other new car is missing parking sensors? Insane. Also, the backup camera doesn't have the steering markers just fixed lines. They h...
by Candor
Wed Jan 10, 2024 11:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 4Runner - new or used
Replies: 77
Views: 9009

Re: 4Runner - new or used

[ The things that I really miss in the 4runner are modern safety features like lane keeping assist and basically the vast of Toyota Safety Sense or whatever the marketing term is nowadays. The design is old. It doesnt have most of it. The 2023 has safety sense. It's super annoying. I like to wait till the last second to start braking if someone is turning in front of me. It always starts blaring an alarm and flashing a red warning. Hasn't auto engaged the brakes yet, so I guess that's a plus. It also has radar cruise control which my wife's 80k suv doesn't even have. What it's missing is parking sensors. What other new car is missing parking sensors? Insane. Also, the backup camera doesn't have the steering markers just fixed lines. My '23...
by Candor
Tue Jan 09, 2024 12:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 4Runner - new or used
Replies: 77
Views: 9009

Re: 4Runner - new or used

If you want one with the latest safety features I would just go with a new one because the difference in new and 1-2 years old doesn't make much sense for a used one because they hold their value so well. I am starting to see more on the lots in my area and was able to negotiate a little off MSRP on a new one a couple of months ago. If you are a veteran you can also get a $750 manufacturer rebate. Also, there are likely still some '23 models on the lot and you could use that to your advantage in negotiations.
by Candor
Mon Jan 08, 2024 3:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: “You’ll know when the right time is to retire”
Replies: 69
Views: 9765

Re: “You’ll know when the right time is to retire”

Over the years I had really grown to dislike my job and had been saving heavily for years because I knew I wouldn't be able to stick it out until a typical retirement age. A close colleague decided to retire somewhat unexpectedly which would have created a significant increase in my workload and responsibilities for a year or two and I wasn't willing to go through that so I retired a week before his last day. It was earlier than I had planned or really wanted and I would have stuck it out for at least a couple more years if he hadn't retired but I have zero regrets and it was definitely the right choice.
by Candor
Sat Jan 06, 2024 12:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Purchase new car in 2024
Replies: 47
Views: 7871

Re: Purchase new car in 2024

I purchased a new 2023 Toyota 4Runner a couple of months ago for $1500 under MSRP plus an additional $750 manufacturer rebate. I lucked out because the dealer just so happened to have approx. 20 of them on the lot. I went in expecting to pay MSRP and pointedly asked the salesman if they are still sticking to MSRP and he stated "well, we do have a bunch of them on the lot right now" so I knew I had a chance at a relative deal. I'm pretty sure I could have negotiated some more and got a little better deal (although $1500 is not that great it's not bad considering recent history), but I was so surprised they were willing to negotiate it threw me off a little, plus I needed a vehicle asap so I couldn't afford to play any games. Also, ...
by Candor
Thu Jan 04, 2024 5:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Attic Help
Replies: 4
Views: 1095

Re: Attic Help

I have no idea about UK regs but how about a spiral staircase? May not be that practical for some older folks though.
by Candor
Thu Jan 04, 2024 4:58 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How did you make your first $1M?
Replies: 148
Views: 35627

Re: How did you make your first $1M?

Early on I tried the fast and spectacular route (day trading) but that didn't pan out so I moved on to the slow and steady grind of saving a significant portion of my fairly modest salary and investing mostly in index funds. Sllooooww and steady. 20 years later and voila just like magic.
by Candor
Thu Jan 04, 2024 2:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Oil change frequency on older Toyota (w/ 140k)
Replies: 64
Views: 7883

Re: Oil change frequency on older Toyota (w/ 140k)

Blackstone Lab:

Okay but the oil was in the engine for more than a year. Is that a problem? Will it affect the analysis?

No. Oil doesn’t wear out by just sitting there. It only breaks down as it’s used and accumulates metals/contaminants. In Ye Olden Days, engines weren’t sealed up tight. They had open breathers that allowed moisture and other contaminants to enter the engine when it loafed around, unused. That’s not the case these days. If you don’t have an open breather, your oil can sit pretty much indefinitely without going bad.


https://www.blackstone-labs.com/informa ... questions/
by Candor
Thu Jan 04, 2024 12:46 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Won the Game Question
Replies: 77
Views: 15785

Re: Won the Game Question

Just this week I realized my expenses for last year in ER were low enough to put me at 105x if I include SS at 62 although do I plan to delay until FRA at least. Now, this does not include any unexpected large expenses but I have already taken care of most of those recently (new roof, heat pump, new vehicle etc.). It also doesn't include unexpected health care expenses but I am in excellent health and require no meds and hopefully that will continue but of course I'm well aware that it could change at any time. My expenses last year were modest and I did not feel deprived at all but I do plan to open up spending in the future, so I don't know whether I've 'won the game' but for my purposes I consider myself as close enough. I know I can rev...
by Candor
Mon Jan 01, 2024 11:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
Replies: 2857
Views: 230188

Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?

^ Great shot. Where was this taken by the way? Thanks. It was taken at Conowingo Dam in MD. There wasn't any fishing going on at the time so this wasn't the typical fight over a fish that you see there. Numbers were way down during my visit. I thought it might have been there. I've been up there many times at various times of year. The December gathering is epic. Susquehanna SP is one of my favorite spring migration destinations for warblers - I think my one-day record for warblers there is 20 -- maybe 22. I'm not aware of anywhere on the east coast that compares to Conowingo for eagles although I observed probably no more than 20 in the area while I was there in mid December. I have seen as many as 200 in past years and have heard locals ...
by Candor
Mon Jan 01, 2024 9:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
Replies: 2857
Views: 230188

Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?

jebmke wrote: Mon Jan 01, 2024 7:24 am ^ Great shot. Where was this taken by the way?
Thanks. It was taken at Conowingo Dam in MD. There wasn't any fishing going on at the time so this wasn't the typical fight over a fish that you see there. Numbers were way down during my visit.
by Candor
Sun Dec 31, 2023 10:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
Replies: 2857
Views: 230188

Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?

^ A Merlin is a highlight of any bird excursion. Great catch.

A recent shot which I choose to believe is a happy couple, since it is mating season, or perhaps it's just a clumsy attempt at an amorous coupling. Only they know.

Image
by Candor
Fri Dec 29, 2023 10:48 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Do you view portfolio risk differently when you retired
Replies: 32
Views: 3884

Re: Do you view portfolio risk differently when you retired

I started reducing my equities a couple of years before I retired. The market dropped close to 20% in a short period of time late in 2018 and I was 75-80% equities, as I recall, so that got my attention. I started buying bonds for the first time in 2019 as the market recovered. Two years later I was 50/50 or 50/25/25 equities/bonds/cd's Ibonds going into early retirement. I plan to keep my AA between 50-60% equities for the duration and do suffer from slight fomo when the market is rising but the peace of mind of having a large amount of FI during drawdown outweighs any reservations I have of a lower equity position. It has made the first couple of years of retirement during a turbulent time a non-issue for me.
by Candor
Fri Dec 29, 2023 9:14 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What was the investment climate like in the bull market 10 years ago?
Replies: 55
Views: 7573

Re: What was the investment climate like in the bull market 10 years ago?

I was feeling a little sorry for myself. The market had gone nowhere for over a decade and there was a lot of doom and gloom that future returns would be depressed. I realized I would never retire at this pace so I kicked my savings into overdrive and stayed the course and retired early 2 1/2 years ago.
by Candor
Wed Dec 27, 2023 12:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Minor Collision Damage Claim
Replies: 17
Views: 1103

Re: Minor Collision Damage Claim

You could just give the estimate from S.F. to the body shop and they will likely work out any differences.
by Candor
Sun Dec 17, 2023 8:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I Messed Up How Do I Get Back In
Replies: 97
Views: 20968

Re: I Messed Up How Do I Get Back In

It appears you need to deploy $350-400k to get back to a 50/50 AA. If you do this asap and then the market drops by 10% your portfolio will be lower by an additional $35-40k which with a $2.5m portfolio is nothing to get worked up over. Of course the market could drop considerably more than 10% but even at 20% it is still a small percentage of your present portfolio. If I was really struggling to lump sum a large amount back into the market I would just lump sum a significant portion immediately (50% or as much as you can stomach) and DCA the rest over a relatively short period on a strict schedule. That would minimize potential regret that may result from any adverse market moves. Also, keep in mind, lump sum or DCA or any combination ther...
by Candor
Sun Dec 17, 2023 11:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: car insurance - in the middle of claim, car sold, cancel policy?
Replies: 13
Views: 2001

Re: car insurance - in the middle of claim, car sold, cancel policy?

They should remove the wrecked vehicle from the policy. The only thing that matters is that the coverage for this vehicle was in force at the time of the accident.
by Candor
Fri Dec 15, 2023 9:21 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Now that long TIPS yields are 60 bp off their highs I will…
Replies: 2949
Views: 622914

Re: Now that long TIPS yields are 60 bp off their highs I will…

Who knew 1-2 months of data and information (inflation, Fed) could drastically change long term rates (both real and nominal)? :confused It does not seem like the market is staying the course . Does the market just constantly overcompensate and overreact based on new information? I suppose the market now firmly believes that inflation is in check. Yes. A colorful and I think appropriate analogy from Joshua Brown, a financial advisor, during an interview: BROWN: So a woman is walking through Central Park, and she’s got a dog. What’s a very active kind of dog? VANEK SMITH: Oh, like a Jack Russell terrier or something like that? BROWN: Fine. Jack Russell Terrier is great. If you just looked at her, what is she doing? She’s taking normal steps...
by Candor
Wed Dec 06, 2023 3:06 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How do you retirees monitor withdrawal rate (SWR) vs portfolio size?
Replies: 49
Views: 7802

Re: How do you retirees monitor withdrawal rate (SWR)?

I intend to keep my spending roughly in the 100% FIRECalc range. This year I was significantly over that due to purchasing a vehicle but in anticipation of this large expense I spent less in the preceding couple of years. I put nearly all my expenses on a CC so they are easy to monitor. I have no problem going beyond FIRECalc 100% at times but I also have no problem cutting back a little to keep the average in the ballpark.

If the markets are kind in the future and I eventually start SS I may adjust my WR upwards. If there is a significant downturn (10 years plus) I would likely do the opposite.

I'm firmly in the no need to be overly analytical and just use common sense camp.
by Candor
Sat Dec 02, 2023 10:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Flaunt Your High-Mileage Car
Replies: 945
Views: 151227

Re: Flaunt Your High-Mileage Car

Just traded in my 2007 4Runner V8 with 248k miles on a new one with 2 miles. Unfortunately, the V8 is no longer offered but I have full confidence the V6 will perform equally well.
by Candor
Sat Dec 02, 2023 8:53 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Has surviving stock market crash made you more resilient
Replies: 121
Views: 13719

Re: Has surviving stock market crash made you more resilient

They gave me some insight into my reaction to these kind of events and allowed me to better put them in context. Ultimately I became very conservative with investments outside of dedicated retirement funds after 2000 and 2008 as a result. That cost me but it also allowed me to maintain a heavy concentration in equities in retirement vehicles which helped set me up for an early retirement.
by Candor
Sun Nov 26, 2023 7:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone found an insurance company with reasonable rate increases
Replies: 17
Views: 2367

Re: Anyone found an insurance company with reasonable rate increases

I have been with USAA for years and I haven't noticed any significant increases.
by Candor
Sun Nov 26, 2023 7:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What ACA plan to choose? So many options!
Replies: 8
Views: 1287

Re: What ACA plan to choose? So many options!

Have you tried HealthSherpa? They ask some general questions regarding the type of healthcare anticipated and your prescription drug needs but it may not be quite as detailed as you are requesting.
by Candor
Thu Nov 02, 2023 11:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is Mobil 1 extended performance full synthetic oil really good for 20k miles?
Replies: 97
Views: 18885

Re: Is Mobil 1 extended performance full synthetic oil really good for 20k miles?

1210sda wrote: Sun Apr 25, 2021 5:11 pm Does anyone use conventional oil??
Replying to an older post but interestingly Blackstone Lab (noted above), who specialize in oil analysis, state on their website:

"We here at Blackstone generally use regular petroleum-based oil because honestly, it works just as well for us."
by Candor
Tue Oct 31, 2023 6:32 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to deal with the mental part of being invested in this market
Replies: 104
Views: 17494

Re: How to deal with the mental part of being invested in this market

The only time I literally lost sleep from 'investing' was at the tail-end of the dot-com bubble as a daytrader. Trying too hard to make easy money. While it wasn't a complete failure I haven't owned a single stock since then and although admittedly I have been tempted many times, I just have to think back to the stress and distress of that period and I'm perfectly happy taking the ever boring long-term index gains.
by Candor
Tue Oct 31, 2023 5:54 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: S&P500 or other index complete crashes
Replies: 20
Views: 4055

Re: S&P500 or other index complete crashes

A drop to 1960's levels would be what, a 98% drop from the current value of the s&p 500? That would indicate a complete breakdown of the financial/economic capacity of the US and possibly the world. Too extreme of an event to try and seriously prepare for imo.
by Candor
Fri Oct 27, 2023 6:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
Replies: 2857
Views: 230188

Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?

jebmke wrote: Fri Oct 27, 2023 5:34 pm
Candor wrote: Fri Oct 27, 2023 5:03 pm ^^^
That appears to be a juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk. Larger head and smaller eyes than a Sharp-shinned with more robust legs. Also, the eye color is consistent with a RSH vs a juvenile SSH which is yellow and you can also see the red just starting to come in on the shoulders and breast pattern is typical of a RSH. Nice catch.
Merlin IDs it as RS from photo.

Sound ID is sometimes wrong. I have not used the photo ID before.
That's impressive especially with a juvenile and its similarity with other Buteos.
by Candor
Fri Oct 27, 2023 5:13 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Market Down vs Economy Up
Replies: 25
Views: 3889

Re: Market Down vs Economy Up

Markets are forward looking.
by Candor
Fri Oct 27, 2023 5:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
Replies: 2857
Views: 230188

Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?

^^^
That appears to be a juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk. Larger head and smaller eyes than a Sharp-shinned with more robust legs. Also, the eye color is consistent with a RSH vs a juvenile SSH which is yellow and you can also see the red just starting to come in on the shoulders and breast pattern is typical of a RSH. Nice catch.
by Candor
Fri Oct 27, 2023 2:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VBTLX 5 Year Performance vs My Cost Basis
Replies: 22
Views: 2141

Re: VBTLX 5 Year Performance vs My Cost Basis

A couple minor details that would account for some of the discrepancy but certainly not all of it. The 5 year performance of .13% is through 9/30/23 so it does not include the decline in October so far (-2.48%). Also, you mention that some of your purchases were in Sept 2020 which has a CAGR of -5.05%. Of course there is also the expense ratio but that is minimal.
by Candor
Fri Oct 27, 2023 8:46 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to deal with the mental part of being invested in this market
Replies: 104
Views: 17494

Re: How to deal with the mental part of being invested in this market

It's people like you that Warren Buffett was referring to when he stated: “Only when the tide goes out do you learn who has been swimming naked.”

If this is taking a toll on your mental health, as you stated, then you are well beyond your risk tolerance. Since you are early in your investing career and you are hoping to hang on for just one more year it is unlikely this gamble will make a material difference in your future even if it pays off.

Now is a good time to learn these lessons though so good luck. Many of us made similar decisions starting out and that's, in part, what led us here.