We’ve taken the California Zephyr round trip from Chicago to San Francisco and the Empire Builder RT from Chicago to Seattle and had a great time. I found the room attendants to be delightful. Love them up early on.
I would suggest taking a shower when the train is stopped in a station. Also, if the meal special is appealing, order it early in the trip as it may run out.
We really enjoyed chatting with folks on board and seeing the scenery and backyards of America. Have a wonderful journey!
Search found 35 matches
- Thu Feb 01, 2024 5:40 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: First time Amtrak train ride. Is there anything I should know?
- Replies: 36
- Views: 4966
- Sat Nov 07, 2020 5:18 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: State Pension Viability
- Replies: 43
- Views: 3935
Re: State Pension Viability
About viability, the STRS Ohio funded ratio, actuarial asset value over actuarial liabilities, was 76% for fiscal year 2019. Though far from great, this funded ratio is better than many state and municipal pensions. For example, The Teachers’ Retirement System of Illinois is funded at 40%.
- Mon Feb 10, 2020 12:13 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: What is rectangle chart with different asset class performance?
- Replies: 2
- Views: 326
Re: What is rectangle chart with different asset class performance?
Try a Google search on "Callan periodic table".
- Tue Feb 04, 2020 4:03 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: [Books that changed your life]
- Replies: 577
- Views: 72724
Re: Books that changed your life
From a personal perspective, "Man's Search for Meaning" by Vicktor Frankl and the audio of "Noble Heart: A Self-Guided Retreat on Befriending Your Obstacles" by Pema Chodron.
From an investing perspective, "Unconventional Success: A Fundamental Approach to Personal Investing" by David Swensen.
Thanks everyone for sharing.
From an investing perspective, "Unconventional Success: A Fundamental Approach to Personal Investing" by David Swensen.
Thanks everyone for sharing.
- Wed Jan 22, 2020 8:29 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: If you could only listen to one podcast...
- Replies: 185
- Views: 24121
Re: If you could only listen to one podcast...
"Where Should We Begin?" with Esther Perel, a psychotherapist who discusses love, relationships and intimacy in a forthright fashion.
- Thu Sep 22, 2016 4:41 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: The Bogleheads' "100 Things Worth Every Penny" List
- Replies: 275
- Views: 56137
Re: The Bogleheads' "100 Things Worth Every Penny" List
FM radio, Spotify, my library card, Mizuno running shoes, and Michigan apples.
- Tue Jun 07, 2016 7:31 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Biggest investing myths
- Replies: 39
- Views: 5657
Re: Biggest investing myths
This time it's different.
- Wed Apr 06, 2016 8:22 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: ICMA-RC - Are these reasonable fees?
- Replies: 15
- Views: 12018
Re: ICMA-RC - Are these reasonable fees?
As the only option at my workplace, I've invested with ICMA-RC for 25 years and their fees are unconscionable.
- Sun Sep 20, 2015 8:43 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Hike the Pacific Crest Trail/JMT
- Replies: 74
- Views: 11510
Re: Hike the Pacific Crest Trail/JMT
Heather "Anish" Anderson is an exceptional athlete who set the record for fastest "unsupported" (no help, no car rides, etc.) time on the Pacific Crest Trail two years ago. She is on the Appalachian Trail now and about to set the record for the fastest unsupported time for the AT. She's keeping it quiet so well-intended folks won't show up to try and help her out.
I plan to through hike the PCT in two years. My motto is "last one to Canada wins!"
I plan to through hike the PCT in two years. My motto is "last one to Canada wins!"
- Sun Jul 19, 2015 8:52 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: tiaa/cref lazy portfolio
- Replies: 33
- Views: 6892
Re: tiaa/cref lazy portfolio
I use the TIAA-CREF Equity Index Fund and the TIAA-CREF International Equity Index Fund to deal with my laziness. Time for a nap.
- Wed Jun 24, 2015 8:00 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Your Top 10 Books
- Replies: 64
- Views: 16314
Re: Your Top 10 Books
Our public library has an annual (because it takes that long) book group started by two English majors, both librarians, who had a really hard time finishing some of the "classics" early in their lives. We've worked through "Ulysses" by James Joyce, "In Search of Time Lost" by Marcel Proust, and "The Complete Stories" by Flannery O'Connor, among others. This has been a wonderful experience for our readers.
Thank you all for sharing your favorite books.
Thank you all for sharing your favorite books.
- Wed Mar 19, 2014 4:00 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Less is Beautiful
- Replies: 29
- Views: 5686
Re: Less is Beautiful
I had a similar experience after reading "A Life of Being, Having and Doing Enough" by Wayne Muller. Not that I over-consumed before, but I'm more conscious of my need for consumption now. Best wishes on your path.
- Fri Mar 14, 2014 3:06 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Backdoor Roth - why does it make me feel dirty?
- Replies: 23
- Views: 4205
Re: Backdoor Roth - why does it make me feel dirty?
Two years ago, after reading about the backdoor Roth conversion here, I took the plunge into the mud pit. While doing my taxes that year, my CPA wagged his finger at me and said to "be careful about such tax avoidance schemes found on the internet" (to protect our cover, I hadn't told him where I had read about it). Last year, he sent me a fancy newsletter that touted the joys of the backdoor Roth.
- Tue Jan 14, 2014 3:24 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: High Earners - What's Your Profession?
- Replies: 1217
- Views: 222946
Re: High Earners - What's Your Profession?
Librarian - a wonderful, fulfilling profession
- Sun Nov 17, 2013 6:52 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Land that won't sell: what would you do?
- Replies: 85
- Views: 13207
Re: Land that won't sell: what would you do?
A guy I know has a similar piece of northern Wisconsin and 50 years ago he planted walnut trees all over it. I admire his long-term view.
- Wed Nov 13, 2013 9:12 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: CNBC: iBillionaire Index: Investing like a billionaire
- Replies: 13
- Views: 2192
Re: CNBC: iBillionaire Index: Investing like a billionaire
I would be willing to invest a few dollars to see Nisi dance like Miley Cyrus.nisiprius wrote:"It would make as much sense as my dancing like Miley Cyrus."
- Tue Oct 22, 2013 5:26 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Emerging market allocation
- Replies: 18
- Views: 4442
Re: Emerging market allocation
One-third of our international equity allocation and 5% of the overall portfolio.
- Mon Sep 23, 2013 6:00 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: How do you compare with other investors your age?
- Replies: 50
- Views: 9666
Re: How do you compare with other investors your age?
Yep. My Vanguard account represents 1.6% of my retirement portfolio.Dandy wrote:Unfortunately, it only counts monies in VG retirement plan accounts - many people have significant assets in their company retirement plans (not with VG) and other assets, I was excited to send this to my daughters so they could "see where they stand" but I find it not very useful for that purpose - or much value in general.
- Sun Aug 25, 2013 4:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Office chair recs
- Replies: 21
- Views: 4522
Re: Office chair recs
I can recommend the Zody by Haworth. Super nice. My a** may not look like much but it seeks and knows comfort.
- Thu Aug 08, 2013 9:41 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Bad idea to buy i-bond now?
- Replies: 39
- Views: 5746
Re: Bad idea to buy i-bond now?
For me, time is too precious to have my emergency funds spread across five places. I use four.
- Tue Aug 06, 2013 9:53 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Average cost to build a 5000 sq feet house
- Replies: 56
- Views: 88395
Re: Average cost to build a 5000 sq feet house
Forget about the three bids. No builder is likely to bid and, if they do, it will be outrageously high. Here's why: There can be enormous variation in both the material and labor costs of any component of a house. Okay, granite counter top. What kind of granite? How thick? In what shape - the more irregular the shape the higher the cost. Unless you're prepared to spend several months specing the crown molding, the floor molding, the floor underlayment, the floor surface materials in terms of particular colors from particular manufactureres, etc. no builder is going to have enough information to make a bid. In fact, even if you do provide that information, you still might not get bids. Most builders are general contractors; the roof guys or...
- Sat Jul 13, 2013 9:26 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Deleted
- Replies: 161
- Views: 18425
Re: [Can you recommend]A spectacular movie, and a terrible m
Yes, District 9!LadyGeek wrote:Do you mean District 9? I thought it was excellent.maitrina wrote:Spectacular is not the best description, but I thought "Division 9" was an exceptionally creative film.
- Fri Jul 12, 2013 8:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Deleted
- Replies: 161
- Views: 18425
Re: [Can you recommend]A spectacular movie, and a terrible m
Spectacular - "The Usual Suspects"
Terrible - "Braveheart"
Spectacular is not the best description, but I thought "Division 9" was an exceptionally creative film.
Terrible - "Braveheart"
Spectacular is not the best description, but I thought "Division 9" was an exceptionally creative film.
- Mon Apr 08, 2013 9:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: is this a scam [Received gift, may have won a prize]
- Replies: 21
- Views: 4285
Re: is this a scam [Received gift, may have won a prize]
In your skepticism, you've missed the nicety and smell of free flowers. It's a scam but so what?
- Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:32 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: "The Affluent Investor." A Gem
- Replies: 27
- Views: 17632
Re: "The Affluent Investor." A Gem
I valued the quotes but feel uneasy about your cutting, pasting and sharing the highlights of another author's book, Taylor. Original, copyrighted works deserve protection and respect, I think.
- Fri Feb 01, 2013 6:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What's a better term for 'retired'?
- Replies: 97
- Views: 12072
Re: What's a better term for 'retired'?
To all but my current boss, I've described myself as a flâneur for the past 12 years.VictoriaF wrote:flâneur
attribution: Nassim Nicolas Taleb.
Victoria
- Sat Dec 29, 2012 5:26 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: What is your current Asset Allocation Policy and why?
- Replies: 83
- Views: 15976
Re: What is your current Asset Allocation Policy and why?
Stable Value 20%
Bond Index 10%
Inflation Bond Index 15%
TIAA Real Estate 15%
US Equity Index 20%
Small Cap Blend Index 5%
International Equity Index 10%
Emerging Market Index 5%
Our AA has evolved based on Boglehead insights (thanks so much!) and a desire for a portfolio of well-balanced asset classes appropriate for our ages, circumstances and needs.
I wish everyone health and happiness in the New Year.
Bond Index 10%
Inflation Bond Index 15%
TIAA Real Estate 15%
US Equity Index 20%
Small Cap Blend Index 5%
International Equity Index 10%
Emerging Market Index 5%
Our AA has evolved based on Boglehead insights (thanks so much!) and a desire for a portfolio of well-balanced asset classes appropriate for our ages, circumstances and needs.
I wish everyone health and happiness in the New Year.
- Thu Nov 29, 2012 8:05 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What was your mid-life crisis
- Replies: 53
- Views: 7732
Re: What was your mid-life crisis
So far, at 52, my mid-life crises have included: 1) an awareness that I have much more than enough; 2) the knowledge that everything constantly changes whether I want it to or not (and impermanence is, actually, to be fully embraced); and 3) I may never, ever quite figure out the perfect asset allocation.
- Thu Nov 08, 2012 8:20 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Fess up, Bogleheads - what is your portfolio?
- Replies: 78
- Views: 9925
Re: Fess up, Bogleheads - what is your portfolio?
Guaranteed/Stable 20%
Inflation Protected Fixed Income 16%
Bond Index 10%
TIAA Real Estate 14%
US Stock Index 18%
US Small Cap Blend Index 5%
Love & Happiness Index 42%
International Index 18%
Inflation Protected Fixed Income 16%
Bond Index 10%
TIAA Real Estate 14%
US Stock Index 18%
US Small Cap Blend Index 5%
Love & Happiness Index 42%
International Index 18%
- Sat Oct 27, 2012 10:16 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Simple RMD strategy dominates 4% SWR rule
- Replies: 65
- Views: 7940
Re: Simple RMD strategy dominates 4% SWR rule
I thought that was how it was done except I'm still confused. The age 55 single life expectancy is 29.6 so the RMD would be 1/29.6 = 0.0338 = 3.38% (that seems high for someone age 55). In the brief referenced by the OP, the annual withdrawal percentage for someone who is 65 is 3.13%. Older person and lower rate? Any idea what I'm missing?sscritic wrote:Look in the IRS table? As previously posted, the age 20 life expectancy is 63. Divide.maitrina wrote:How would someone extrapolate the annual withdrawal percentages following the RMD strategy to a younger age, say 55?
1 / 63 = 0.01587 = 1.587%
For age 55, the single life table shows55 29.6
BTW, I'm super appreciative of the knowledge and wisdom shared here. Thanks so much!
- Sat Oct 27, 2012 9:56 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Simple RMD strategy dominates 4% SWR rule
- Replies: 65
- Views: 7940
Re: Simple RMD strategy dominates 4% SWR rule
How would someone extrapolate the annual withdrawal percentages following the RMD strategy to a younger age, say 55?
- Wed Sep 12, 2012 9:21 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Most underrated band of all time [that you listen to]?
- Replies: 342
- Views: 26303
Re: Most underrated band of all time [that you listen to]?
Three of recent times, Ray LaMontagne and The Pariah Dogs, Wilco and the Cowboy Junkies.
- Thu Sep 06, 2012 8:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: 21 ways rich people think
- Replies: 84
- Views: 11643
Re: 21 ways rich people think
"The rich are different from us." - F. Scott Fitzgerald
"Yes, they have more money." - Ernest Hemingway, replying to F. Scott Fitzgerald
"Yes, they have more money." - Ernest Hemingway, replying to F. Scott Fitzgerald
- Tue Sep 04, 2012 7:28 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: State pension and asset allocation question
- Replies: 46
- Views: 4430
Re: State pension and asset allocation question
Illinois is one of a handful of states with a "pension protection clause" in its constitution. It reads "Membership in any pension or retirement system of the State, any unit of local government or school district, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, shall be an enforceable contract, the benefits of which shall not be diminished or impaired." Three years ago, in the dark of night, the state legislature and governor made major changes to the pensions for future hires. The consensus was that changes to pension benefits for current members would require a constitutional amendment. As bad as Illinois' pension funding is, it's really, really hard to change the State's constitution, especially in a state with strong and ...
- Mon Sep 03, 2012 7:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Potato Salad
- Replies: 59
- Views: 4839
Re: Potato Salad
Funny how my first post is on a food thread (I'm appreciative of the caring ((most of the time!)) commitment by many of you to this forum. Thanks so much.).
With "tbs" I think you may have confused tablespoons with teaspoons.
With "tbs" I think you may have confused tablespoons with teaspoons.