Search found 398 matches

by bottomfisher
Sun Jan 03, 2016 9:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do you keep your young kids busy/occupied?
Replies: 37
Views: 4837

Re: How do you keep your young kids busy/occupied?

2 year old twins - only children; so built-in playmate already helps us. We keep them going through a steady rotation daily. Grandparents watch most weekdays. Start out in child proof play room attached to living area & kitchen; so they can be constantly monitored from a distance. Put nursery rhymes on tablet for a little while (or Peppa Pig is another favorite as recommended by another). Then breakfast in dining room. Then outside for while depending on weather. Or local library for organized children's activity depending on day. Then back inside to girls bedroom which is also mostly child proof with different set of toys, books, activities. Then to dining room again at some point for next meal. Then nap time. After nap typically dad h...
by bottomfisher
Sat Jun 06, 2015 12:00 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [Elusive] Fidelity study identifies the most successful investors!
Replies: 37
Views: 10838

Re: Fidelity study identifies the most successful investors!

Browser wrote:Fidelity released a study discussing a performance breakdown for their accounts. The clients that did the best were the ones who were dead. The second best performing set of clients forgot they had Fidelity accounts.
My new favorite quote from this website! Thanks for sharing
by bottomfisher
Sun May 31, 2015 4:32 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: To REIT or not to REIT
Replies: 26
Views: 7513

Re: To REIT or not to REIT

novicemoney wrote: With the REIT portion so small, should I even worry about it? Or just be rid of it and simplify? Thanks for looking.
Reminder - "The greatest enemy of a good plan is the dream of a perfect plan.”

http://johncbogle.com/speeches/JCB_AZ_Republic_3-00.pdf
by bottomfisher
Fri May 29, 2015 6:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: My son needs a double lung transplant
Replies: 41
Views: 9344

Re: My son needs a double lung transplant

The Social Security criteria for disability due to a condition of the respiratory system can be found here: http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/3.00-Respiratory-Adult.htm#3_01 His treating physician should be able to help guide you through the required testing to substantiate his condition and whether it meets disability criteria at this time. If he is still working, then he will more likely than not be declined on initial application. However, I would not recommend obtaining legal representation for the initial application. Just be sure to have the appropriate medical documentation in order. A condition requiring double lung transplant is a very serious medical condition. Once he undergoes the procedure or his respiratory ...
by bottomfisher
Mon Mar 30, 2015 9:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tablet recommendations?
Replies: 17
Views: 2749

Re: Tablet recommendations?

Had similar interest recently. Was using borrowed 1st generation IPad for streaming children's songs, cartoons. I was not happy with it. Wanted more reliable, easier to use tablet. Was looking for 12 in, but didn't find any for good price; but didn't search extensively. Didn't want to spend a lot due to potential damage due to primarily for children's use. Settled on 10 in. ASUS tablet. Very happy with performance for streaming videos. Good price from H.R.Gregg, although can't recall exactly how much paid
by bottomfisher
Sat Feb 28, 2015 7:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Replacing exterior door ease?
Replies: 10
Views: 1562

Re: Replacing exterior door ease?

Thank you for the input. Appears no consensus thus far. A little further background in light of above comments. My guess is if your door frame is pretty square it should not be a problem. House was built early 80's. But was custom built for prior family/owner and solid/square construction around this particular door and remainder of house. Its an exterior door to separate garage closet. It has HVAC vent but I've since shut off vent because entirely unnecessary for storage area. So essentially garage access door now. But while it's just a side door, I'd hate for a nice solid door go to waste. Old materials would not go to waste. We have a local recycler of building materials - http://www.thegreenproject.org/ The trouble with exterior is that...
by bottomfisher
Sat Feb 28, 2015 6:14 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Replacing exterior door ease?
Replies: 10
Views: 1562

Replacing exterior door ease?

Question: anyone's opinion on is it easier to replace an exterior wood door via placing new door against old hinges, outlining hinge, and routing new door hinges and hang or purchasing entire new door + frame/casing replacing old frame/casing without regard to needing to preserve old door frame/casing? Background: replacing very infrequently used side wood door with 3 window panel with solid wood door. Thanks
by bottomfisher
Wed Feb 11, 2015 4:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I'm not a bad Boglehead [buying Powerball ticket]
Replies: 101
Views: 12566

Re: I'm not a bad Boglehead [buying Powerball ticket]

"There’s A 67 Percent Chance Someone Will Win The Powerball Jackpot Tonight"

http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/powe ... bruary-11/
A $500 million advertised Powerball jackpot typically means about 191.7 million tickets will be sold, based on a polynomial regression. Given that level of turnout, we’d anticipate a 67 percent chance of at least one winner.
by bottomfisher
Tue Feb 10, 2015 3:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Using LLC to pay off student loans
Replies: 4
Views: 3196

Re: Using LLC to pay off student loans

Foster wrote:I was wondering if there are any tax benefits to using a personal LLC to pay off student loans?

I have an LLC for tax (and additional) benefits since I am a 1099 contractor. Could my company get any tax breaks for paying the student loans for my employee, AKA myself?
There are likely no benefits from using a personal LLC to pay off student loans. The student loan payments paid by your LLC would count as additional income and must be reported to the IRS in addition to your usual W2 wages. So any tax benefits for the LLC will be offset on personal taxes. Disclosure - I'm not an accountant; I would recommend discussing this with an accountant to see if the above is still true in your specific situation.
by bottomfisher
Tue Feb 10, 2015 4:14 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Hedged International Equity
Replies: 1
Views: 423

Re: Hedged International Equity

Due to this does it make sense to only invest in international equities that are hedged back to the USD? My opinion - no. This statement from the paper sums up my thoughts "A reasonable forward-looking assumption is for an unhedged and a hedged investment to produce similar gross returns over long time horizons." Sometimes US currency & equities will outperform international and vice versa. But over a long time horizon reversion to the mean will take place more often than not. A downside of hedging is the increased cost associated with hedging program. I personally prefer the tradeoff of an equity unhedged/lower expense ratio fund with increased volatility over hedged/higher expense ratio / lower volatility. So the answer to ...
by bottomfisher
Sat Jan 24, 2015 3:49 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Do you have an EF & Taxable Account?
Replies: 20
Views: 2618

Re: Do you have an EF & Taxable Account?

I'm with livesoft on the variable need for having access to cash during a disaster. A good friend spent 6 months helping document the devastation, but that doesn't mean that each person impacted needed a 6 month emergency fund. For many it was a great idea. For others perhaps not needed. I think his point was that it might not have been advisable for everyone . For example, if you have access to 6 months cash in available credit card debt limits one could use those to rent temporary housing, etc. It might be easier to use your credit card than get money from a closed bank branch. I'm sorry, I thought this thread was about emergency funds with a bias towards ready cash in a few days. Some Katrina victims had cash in their homes which did th...
by bottomfisher
Sat Jan 24, 2015 8:22 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Do you have an EF & Taxable Account?
Replies: 20
Views: 2618

Re: Do you have an EF & Taxable Account?

Edit to add: I lived in Manhattan during 9/11, in New Orleans for Hurricane Katrina and more recent BP oil spill. I recognize the economic devastation of catastrophes and the absolute importance of back up plans and emergency funds. I have lived through several natural disasters including Hurricanes Ike, Rita, and Sandy where I was "trapped" without power for days with tree and power line damage in the neighborhood. Also my home was damaged by a tornado and all the homes across the street were destroyed along with the nearby high school. In none of these situations did I use any cash or emergency funds. Cash is simply not necessary when all the stores were closed. I was prepared in other ways such as having ready access to food, ...
by bottomfisher
Sat Jan 24, 2015 7:07 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Do you have an EF & Taxable Account?
Replies: 20
Views: 2618

Re: Do you have an EF & Taxable Account?

I maintain primary emergency fund as savings acct linked to checking acct. Its got about 1 - 2 mo of expenses. Then have separate taxable account earmarked for retirement, but secondarily intended for emergency-emergency account. Its got quite a few months of expenses if needed. Withdrawals would require payment of capital gains; so hopefully don't need to tap into it. Taxable account is Vg Tax Managed Balance fund (so 50/50 AA). Its worked well for me so far. I don't have the 12-24 months of expenses you mentioned readily available. I get paid from accounts receivables. So even if separated from primary job, I will still have a declining but steady income stream for 6 to 9 months. Also have ancillary job that I could ramp up hours worked i...
by bottomfisher
Fri Jan 23, 2015 12:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Deleted
Replies: 76
Views: 10492

Re: I'm thinking about making very large 529 contributions A

529s are stupid Postby davebarnes » Fri Jan 23, 2015 1:18 pm 529s are a horrible "investment". You are better off buying gold bars and stashing them in a safe place. States have different 529 programs. I am not aware of the drawbacks of your state's 529, but ours appears appealing with few negative drawbacks. Benefits to our state's 529: A deposit in the Louisiana Principal Protection Fund is guaranteed by the State of Louisiana. The State will match up to 14% of deposits each year with Earnings Enhancements. Deposits made to an account may be excluded from taxable income reported on the Account Owner's Louisiana tax return, up to $2,400.00 per year per Beneficiary for single Account Owners and up to $4,800 per year per Beneficia...
by bottomfisher
Fri Jan 23, 2015 11:03 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What is your commodities stocks/indexes allocation?
Replies: 20
Views: 2355

Re: What is your commodities stocks/indexes allocation?

Currently - 0%. Previously invested Vg Energy fund and Vg Precious Metals & Mining fund. But have since exchanged them for TSM/TISM in effort to simplify portfolio. Occasional temptation to tinker into such allocations again, but so far have resisted...
by bottomfisher
Thu Jan 22, 2015 9:08 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: good time to invest in a Reit Index fund?
Replies: 40
Views: 6953

Re: good time to invest in a Reit Index fund?

Portfolio Returns Portfolio performance statistics Are in order of listing here , I could not paste it any other way: Initial Balance,Final Balance,CAGR, StdDev, Best Year, Worst Year, Max. Drawdown Sharpe Ratio, Sortino Ratio, U.S. Mkt Correlation, Intl Mkt Correlation 1 $264,000 $654,660 5.84% 13.50% 25.28% -25.48% -25.48%  0.33 0.56 0.96 0.98 2 $264,000 $792,233 7.11% 12.49% 25.23% -24.76% -24.76%  0.44 0.80 0.96 0.91 3 $264,000 $829,065 7.41% 13.37% 27.13% -26.12% -26.12%  0.45 0.81 0.96 0.95 I do not know what CAGR, Sharpe Ratio, or Sortino Ratio are, but I clearly see the more sliced and diced the Portolio , the more gain over 15 years. The portfolio pictures looked like Dr. Bernstein's portfolio. This encourages me add a Reit Ind...
by bottomfisher
Wed Jan 21, 2015 9:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicaid eligibility and cap gains
Replies: 4
Views: 2039

Re: Medicaid eligibility and cap gains

The stock, dividends, and/or capital gains may be considered a "resource" to Medicaid. There are resource limitations to be eligible. The eligibility requirements are complicated depending on personal circumstances and state you reside in. But hopefully, the local office can provide you with further details into her eligibility.
by bottomfisher
Wed Jan 21, 2015 3:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Deleted
Replies: 76
Views: 10492

Re: I'm thinking about making very large 529 contributions A

No. Have 12 mo. old twin daughters. So I only recently got started with 529 plans for them. Currently have too many other financial obligations - recent 15 year mortgage refinance, retirement, student loans, home remodel, wife wants to stop working, etc. So we'll just continue as such and cross that bridge if/when we come to it. A contingency plan would be that our mortgage will be paid off around daughters 15 yrs old, so that money can then be utilized to aggressively save for higher education those last few years high school.
by bottomfisher
Tue Jan 20, 2015 3:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Birthday gift ideas for a 7 year old chess player
Replies: 19
Views: 3965

Re: Birthday gift ideas for a 7 year old chess player

I saw this unique 3D chess board on Popular Mechanics website (and other unique designs in slide show):

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technol ... -4#slide-5
by bottomfisher
Tue Jan 20, 2015 1:40 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Did the Swiss stock market really lose 9%?
Replies: 15
Views: 2959

Re: Did the Swiss stock market really lose 9%?

However, Swiss stocks fell by more than 10 percent at one point on the news, and the Swiss franc gained up to 30 percent against the euro. "(Swiss) companies will find that their exports suddenly become much more expensive, with the resultant hit to margins that will entail, while broader European stocks should feel the benefit as the euro weakens," Michael Hewson, the chief market analyst at CMC Markets, said in a note. "Switzerland suddenly got a whole lot more expensive and for chocolate lovers Nestle and/or Lindt chocolate just got a whole lot more expensive."

http://www.cnbc.com/id/102339567
by bottomfisher
Tue Jan 20, 2015 1:28 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: good time to invest in a Reit Index fund?
Replies: 40
Views: 6953

Re: good time to invest in a Reit Index fund?

Man, I wish I invested in the Vanguard Reit Fund Admiral last year! It's has been on fire! As , Nedsaid has told me, it is very high now , and overvalued, so now is not the best time to invest. I see it continuing to go up and up and looked at this past year. I really wanted to add it to my boring set up, but am staying the course. As I just read Dr. Bernstein's book - 4 pillars of investing, and Rick Ferri's assest allocation, I am desiring to own Reit fund once again. I read Reit's often don't correlate with stocks, so I wish I had them, but realize now is not the time! REITs may have a place in your portfolio provided you have an objective in using them and they compliment other aspects of your portfolio. I feel most of the feedback dis...
by bottomfisher
Mon Jan 19, 2015 9:12 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Today was a Really Bad Day in Shanghai
Replies: 27
Views: 5067

Re: Today was a Really Bad Day in Shanghai

FYI for Vg Total Int'l Stock Mkt fund investors - Chinese stocks encompass 4.0% of the funds net assets and Hong Kong 2.6%.
by bottomfisher
Mon Jan 19, 2015 6:18 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Let's Celebrate! Which funds are you buying in 2015?
Replies: 48
Views: 6234

Re: Let's Celebrate! Which funds are you buying in 2015?

Will very likely be starting a new job soon. Currently have a personal investment account, Roth IRA, SIMPLE IRA, and traditional IRA. Then new employer will provide Thrift Savings Plan. In effort to simplify investments, plan to exchange entirety of Total Stock Market in SIMPLE IRA position for Total International Stock Market fund. This is about 2/3's of my total stock market holdings across all funds. It is a "market timing" move considering recent years' exceptional performance of TSM and lack thereof with regards to TISM last year. But it is what it is. I will replenish this position dollar cost averaging back into total market using TSP C fund. C fund definitely meets the definition of "cheap" - it has rock bottom e...
by bottomfisher
Mon Jan 19, 2015 4:40 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Return of the Stockpickers
Replies: 8
Views: 1460

Re: Return of the Stockpickers

Investing and/or trading in stocks is a zero sum game. Some will inevitably do well and some will inevitably do poorly. Knowing who will do well and who won't is the question? The zero-sum game is a theoretical concept underpinning why indexing can serve as an attractive investment strategy. The concept of a zero-sum game starts with the understanding that at every moment, the holdings of all investors in a particular market aggregate to form that market (Sharpe, 1991). Because all investors’ holdings are represented, if one investor’s dollars outperform the aggregate market over a particular time period, another investor’s dollars must underperform, such that the dollar weighted performance of all investors sums to equal the performance of...
by bottomfisher
Thu Jan 15, 2015 10:19 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Efficient markets: luck v. skill
Replies: 37
Views: 4026

Re: Efficient markets: luck v. skill

So, who has the statistics on FUND-picking skill? https://pressroom.vanguard.com/content/nonindexed/Updated_The_Case_for_Index_Fund_Investing_4.9.2014.pdf Can investors consistently pick winning funds? Two critical questions for investors, therefore, are: “Do I have the ability to pick a winning fund in advance?” and “Will the winning fund continue to win for the entire life of my portfolio?” In other words, can an investor expect to select a winner from the past that will then persistently outperform in the future? ... Continued - see accompanying article linked above ...To analyze consistency among actively managed funds, we ranked all U.S. equity funds in terms of excess return versus their stated benchmarks over the five years ended 20...
by bottomfisher
Wed Jan 14, 2015 7:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Free (or REALLY cheap) image hosting?
Replies: 20
Views: 2409

Re: Free (or REALLY cheap) image hosting?

packet wrote:
Busting Myths wrote:imgur. Free, simple, and account not required.
+1 imgur

:beerCheers,
Packet
+1 more for imgur
by bottomfisher
Wed Jan 14, 2015 3:54 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Rick Ferri looking to internationalize his portfolio
Replies: 507
Views: 147740

Re: Rick Ferri looking to internationalize his portfolio

Like I said, I go with actively managed mutual funds. I've owned OAKIX, DODFX, and others. All the ones I owned over the last 19 years outperformed VXUS/VGTSX significantly. The Ex-US index funds underperformed actively managed funds over long periods of times and throughout multiple cycles. I don't know why anyone would believe that this would change. Why would this be different in the next 20 years than the last 20 years? Interesting point. I personally have not heard this opinion around this neck of the woods. I did some brief research (limited to Vanguard for my purposes/preference) and sure enough you have a valid point. I went to list of Vanguard International Stock funds: https://investor.vanguard.com/mutual-funds/all-vanguard-funds...
by bottomfisher
Wed Jan 14, 2015 10:58 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How would you put a value on a pension?
Replies: 11
Views: 1907

Re: How would you put a value on a pension?

I am in a similiar situation. My current place of employment has been sold very recently and I am now working for a new employer and was recently offered a new employment agreement. I have also discussed other employment opportunities with a federal agency falling under FERS ( Federal Employees Retirement System) with a basic annuity pension plan. The position has a somewhat lower salary but excellent benefits I am not currently provided. There are clearly defined pay increases and cost of living adjustments. The basic annuity is computed based on your length of service and “high-3” average salary. Because it is a government position, I am able to research what the department Chief and experienced staff are receiving for salary. I then inpu...
by bottomfisher
Wed Jan 14, 2015 9:16 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Creating a medical advice website-liability issues
Replies: 6
Views: 2016

Re: Creating a medical advice website-liability issues

-Without going into too much detail, the topic would lend itself to personal "consults" specific to each patient. This would be something more lenghty and involved than a reply to a forum post. Would it be possible/wise to set this up as a paid service? This would involve reviewing medical reports the patient already has in their possession. Any other advice is welcomed. Thanks! Sounds like doctor patient relationship to me and likely your medical licensing board as well. You are already referring to them as your 'patients' as well. Our state has specific regulations regarding 'telemedicine'. Your state may as well. You should inquire with your state board. Our board specifically states that 'telemedicine' may only be utilized fo...
by bottomfisher
Wed Jan 14, 2015 8:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sellers Won't Fix Leaking Roof; Fear of Additional Damage
Replies: 58
Views: 13088

Re: Sellers Won't Fix Leaking Roof; Fear of Additional Damag

So far the consensus has been to walk away from the deal. I agree. Its difficult to do so when you've invested so much time and emotion into the process. However, as others have noted above, it will inevitably require much more time, money, emotion to mitigate all the issues from water damage. I also feel that they may be further issues not yet discovered (or disclosed) as a result of inferior construction and/or design. For the most part, I don't feel the sellers are doing anything terribly wrong. Its their right to offer a take it or leave it deal depending on how motivated they are to sell. I agree with the attorney regarding a liability issue if you were to start addressing issues prior to closing. However, I personally would have been ...
by bottomfisher
Wed Jan 14, 2015 8:19 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Do REITs have higher expected return than the broad market?
Replies: 3
Views: 944

Re: Do REITs have higher expected return than the broad mark

There is no steadfast fundamental reason why REIT should have a higher expected return than the broad market. There are times when certain asset classes may have the appearance of better valuation compared to other asset classes. But there are too many other variables affecting returns to reliably act on valuation metrics alone. When you say 'expected return' - I correlate that with share price movements. If investors are expecting a higher return then share price will naturally rise as a result of increased demand from investors. A Morningstar comparison of Vg Total Intl Stock Mkt fund compared to Vg Global ex-US REIT fund reveals recent declines in both funds. But Total Intl Stock is much more dramatic since 09/05/2014. So I would say yes...
by bottomfisher
Tue Jan 13, 2015 8:22 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: [favorite] Boglehead quotes
Replies: 171
Views: 51956

Re: [favorite] Boglehead quotes

"Stuffing money in a mattress is also diversification, but I wouldn't do that either."

Rick Ferri

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=13547&start=50
by bottomfisher
Sun Jan 11, 2015 6:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Why not long-term bond fund for the long haul?
Replies: 11
Views: 2465

Re: Why not long-term bond fund for the long haul?

I have a relatively low bond allocation considering I'm at least 26 years from retirement (41 y.o.). I have not yet decided when I'll increase my bond allocation in effort to lower my risk as retirement nears down the road. But I was pondering the role of long term bonds in my stock heavy portfolio. Its been noted by others that long-term bonds complement a high equity allocation. I did some backtesting to compare prior performance of inclusion of long term bonds in a stock heavy portfolio. I went to this site: https://www.portfoliovisualizer.com/backtest-asset-class-allocation Input 1988 - 2014 (26 yrs - which is my retirement timeframe); default start $10,000: 75% Total Stock Mkt, 25% Total Int'l Stock Mkt - $121,341, Std dev. 17.79% 75% ...
by bottomfisher
Thu Jan 08, 2015 4:25 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What to do with VGPMX (Vanguard Precious Metals and Mining)?
Replies: 131
Views: 27419

Re: What to do with VGPMX (Vanguard Precious Metals and Mini

^^^ Further tinkering on "EDGAR Search Results BETA" with filing type N-CSR yielded this page: http://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?action=getcompany&CIK=0000734383&type=N-CSR&dateb=&owner=include&start=0&count=100&output=xml Listing of shareholder reports - annual and semi-annual. This is (similar) page I was having difficulty locating in my reply immediately above. From there you can look through the prior reports for fund holdings for any given year. Again all the Vg Specialized funds are bundled into one report in separate sections. Hope that helps if you're still interested in seeking answer to your original question. EDIT TO ADD: Page 10 of the 2003 Vg Precious Metals and Mining Shareholder rep...
by bottomfisher
Thu Jan 08, 2015 4:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What to do with VGPMX (Vanguard Precious Metals and Mining)?
Replies: 131
Views: 27419

Re: What to do with VGPMX (Vanguard Precious Metals and Mini

A question and a metaquestion. The fund's prospectus contains this statement: The Fund may also invest up to 20% of its assets directly in gold, silver, or other precious metal bullion and coins. Currently, it has holdings of platinum bullion amounting to 0.1% of the fund's market value--2009 troy ounces. The largest platinum bullion bars Google is showing me seem to be ten-ounce bars, so I guess we are talking about 200 of these and nine of the little one-ounce bars: http://www.buybullionnow.com/images/PlatinumGen.jpg a) Does anyone know whether the fund ever had a meaningful percentage of its portfolio invested in precious metal bullion? b) Meta-question: how does one go about finding the answer to a question like (a)? Start here: https:...
by bottomfisher
Wed Dec 24, 2014 9:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Long Term Disability Denied - Runner's Knees
Replies: 21
Views: 5317

Re: Long Term Disability Denied - Runner's Knees

neurosphere wrote: The main point to this long post? --> shop around. :)
The issue for the OP is that he/she is currently applying for disability insurance through their employer. Hence, only one option through the employer route.
target2030 wrote:I applied for LTD coverage through my employer ...
by bottomfisher
Mon Dec 22, 2014 2:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Long Term Disability Denied - Runner's Knees
Replies: 21
Views: 5317

Re: Long Term Disability Denied - Runner's Knees

Liberty Mutual is a very frustrating insurance company to deal with. They are popular amongst employers because of favorable pricing. But they are able to provided competetive pricing because they deny claims more frequently.

Chondromalacia patella is a degenerative change associated aging. We are all likely to have a degree of it as we get older depending on genetics, prior injuries, weight, activities. Can you read the fine print and figure out if degenerative conditions could be considered inclusive because of the fact that they a normal process that arises with aging?
by bottomfisher
Sat Dec 13, 2014 11:03 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: U.S. stocks in free fall
Replies: 36221
Views: 4651481

Re: U.S. stocks in freefall

nisiprius wrote:If I were in S&P's marketing department, I would seriously recommend that the S&P 500 Index be rescaled, multiplying it by a factor of ten, making it bigger than the Dow. Surely if they did that, it would only be a matter of time before newscasters started announcing it first, and soon it, rather than the Dow, would be the preeminent index. I mean, who would want 2,000 if they can get 17,000?
Why stop there? Let's make it 3D. With 3rd dimension being volume or something of the sort. Data has so much potential these days.
by bottomfisher
Sun Nov 30, 2014 6:39 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Oil / Energy ETFs
Replies: 58
Views: 7596

Re: Oil / Energy ETFs

Many energy and oil ETFs are down significantly. What are the arguments against buying an oil ETF now, on the premise that it's currently cheap? I have friends that trade "oil." Every now and then they discuss how much they made (or loss). I listen. I doubt they have outperformed a well balanced portfolio over the long run. But we don't go into specifics. I ran into them recently. I jokingly mentioned WTI is "dropping" in light of the fact I'm primarily index investor. One said "hold out it might go lower." It has. But to answer your question - my reply was - 'I don't have any money on the sidelines.' Of course oil commodities are tempting considering its past 5 year values. But its speculative. And unfortunat...
by bottomfisher
Sun Nov 30, 2014 4:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Plywood R value attic - energy efficiency
Replies: 29
Views: 8121

Re: Plywood R value attic - energy efficiency

No. The R-value of any insulation material assumes a complete air seal against convection. For example, the R-value of 10-inch unfaced fiberglass batts is essentially zero without an air seal. With an air seal it's R-30. I would suggest you read either or both of these two books before wasting time and money using plywood as insulation :oops: : John Krigger and Chris Dorsi -- The Homeowner's Handbook to Energy Efficiency. Bruce Harley -- Insulate & Weatherize As per others plywood has no useful insulative value. Thank you. That succinctly answers the question. The prevailing feedback has been no plywood. I will not be going in that direction. Based on feedback, I briefly considered adding additional blown insulation on top of current i...
by bottomfisher
Sat Nov 29, 2014 9:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Would you move/stay for better school district?
Replies: 55
Views: 10932

Re: Would you move/stay for better school district?

All this has led to some guilt about discussing a possible better physical home as if somehow we are doing less for our child. Has anyone else been tied down for a school district? Or is this an over blown hot button raising a child? We have twin girls 11 months old. We moved 1 year ago for this reason. I pressed the issue; my wife was 8'ish mo. pregnant and not her priority at that time. We lived in New Orleans, but we're both from the immediately adjacent suburb. Public school in New Orleans was not a consideration. Nearby private / Catholic (its a New Orleans thing) tuition was $14,000/per year per child. I didn't want them to go further away for schooling, because I did and had no elementary school classmates in the neighborhood. I pre...
by bottomfisher
Sat Nov 29, 2014 7:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: TV buying recommendations
Replies: 44
Views: 5169

Re: TV buying recommendations

We have a variety of flat screens. I believe they're all LCD. Our recent purchases have been Vizio 1 large screen for living, and smaller screen another room. I am very happy with these purchases considering price acquired. These seem on par with other brands. But in full disclosure, I'm not a technophile - it drives my wife crazy, but I don't even think about putting TV on HD channel option when available. Many out there appreciate the difference. We also have medium/large screen Panasonic (used from family) and medium screen Westinghouse. I simply can't appreciate a difference between brands. If your current TV is that old - I suspect you may not appreciate the difference either. Good luck, it is certainly a good time to shop for replacem...
by bottomfisher
Sat Nov 29, 2014 6:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Plywood R value attic - energy efficiency
Replies: 29
Views: 8121

Re: Plywood R value attic - energy efficiency

Thanks for the comments.

I realize such questions will get limited participation on a personal investment/finance forum? Does anyone have suggestions for a reputable DIY home improvement forum. I see there are many out there. Just curious others if anyone has a favorite(s)?
by bottomfisher
Sat Nov 29, 2014 6:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Thinking of becoming a personal fitness trainer
Replies: 36
Views: 6416

Re: Thinking of becoming a personal fitness trainer

The bottom line is that personal trainers have become a commodity. Competition among trainers is often on the basis of price, which drives down what he can charge his clients. When he posts a job for a trainer (odd hours, no benefits), he's swamped with applicants even though the pay is low. (They're a commodity to him as well.) He offers bonuses for sales, but few trainers feel comfortable doing that. As the owner, he's covering his overhead expenses and taking only a small salary. If he sells the franchise, he won't get much for it. He's thinking of leaving and going to graduate school in physical therapy so that he can earn a decent salary. I strongly agree with this. The barriers to entry in personal training field are minimal (i.e. no...
by bottomfisher
Fri Nov 28, 2014 1:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Thinking of becoming a personal fitness trainer
Replies: 36
Views: 6416

Re: Thinking of becoming a personal fitness trainer

It is sales , period. It doesn't matter how good you are, you have to sell. I agree with this. I am not a good 'salesperson' per se. But I let my work sell me/my services. I would keep my clients moving at good pace. The majority of my clients were interested in training for health reasons, not to get bigger. So I would do cycle training with them - sets of upper body exercise immediately followed by lower body exercise immediately followed by abdominal exercises; then repeat. I was instructing them in core exercises before it was all the rage. The core exercises were unique and this sold some clients knowing that couldn't do this on their own (although obviously anybody actually could with initial direction from trainer, books, video). Th...
by bottomfisher
Fri Nov 28, 2014 1:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Thinking of becoming a personal fitness trainer
Replies: 36
Views: 6416

Re: Thinking of becoming a personal fitness trainer

Prior to my current profession (physician), I was physical therapist. I did some personal training as well. My undergraduate degree was Kinesiology and my Masters in Physical Therapy provided exceptional credentials. But I don't recommend pursuing a degree to work in this line of work. I obtained additional certification (because I like learning). At the time I noticed many articles in health and fitness journals were written by authors with CSCS credentials. This stands for certified strength and conditioning specialist. I obtained this certification as well. I recommend you do the same. There are many different certifications with varying degrees authenticity/recognition. Same are basically pay a fee and get certificate to hang on your wa...
by bottomfisher
Fri Nov 28, 2014 10:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Plywood R value attic - energy efficiency
Replies: 29
Views: 8121

Re: Attic fiberglass insulation - energy efficiency

Stop what you are doing right now and airseal the floor of the attic. Google attic airsealing, read a bunch, and avoid a painful mistake. Drywallers leave a gap between the ceiling drywall (attic floor) and the framing at the tops of walls (called top plates). Added up, this is like having 2-5 sq ft of opening in the floor of your attic. You can spend a few weekends up there filling them with spray foam or good caulking, and drop your heating bill 25-40%. Maybe $100 of caulking. Then insulate. Compared to airsealing, the benefit is much smaller and the costs are higher. Without airsealing first, the benefits of adding insulation are almost nil. If you decide to DIY, get good tools....like a powered caulking gun, or a sprayfoam gun. And wea...
by bottomfisher
Fri Nov 28, 2014 10:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Plywood R value attic - energy efficiency
Replies: 29
Views: 8121

Re: Attic fiberglass insulation - energy efficiency

LadyGeek wrote:FYI - bottomfisher had two simultaneous threads, which I merged together. This thread is in the Personal Consumer Issues forum.
This was intentional. They are 2 different questions requesting input from others on both.
by bottomfisher
Fri Nov 28, 2014 9:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Plywood R value attic - energy efficiency
Replies: 29
Views: 8121

Re: Attic fiberglass insulation - energy efficiency

I would recommend blown in fiberglass insulation for the attic. I just added an additional layer to my attic this fall. Much easier than roll insulation and it creates a seamless "blanket" of insulation in your attic. Both Home Depot and Lowes give you the machine for free if you buy 10 bales of insulation (about $30/bale). Cost effectiveness of how much insulation to add depends on a lot of factors such as type of heat source and where you live. You might what to look at the energy star website to see what they recommend. I remember r-49 was recommended for my part of the country (midwest). I put an additional r-30 to r-35 of insulation in our 1400 square foot attic for about $400. It took about two hours with my wife feeding th...
by bottomfisher
Fri Nov 28, 2014 9:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Plywood R value attic - energy efficiency
Replies: 29
Views: 8121

Re: Attic fiberglass insulation - energy efficiency

For perspective this how much area I considering - pics of attic area in link:

http://imgur.com/a/e4PIe#XGWACJM