Search found 26297 matches

by ruralavalon
Thu Mar 28, 2024 10:26 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: First ever job, help with 401k portfolio
Replies: 16
Views: 885

Re: First ever job, help with 401k portfolio

Welcome to the forum :D . Congratulations on your first job ever. BlackRock, Fidelity and State Street all provide very diversified index funds with low expense ratios. It looks like your employer's 401k plan offers good funds, probably with low expense ratios, so you are fortunate. A little additional information will be very helpful. How much (in dollars) do you contribute annually to your 401k and how much (in dollars) do you contribute annually to your Roth IRA? Which fund firm or brokerage is your Roth IRA with? Do you have any other accounts? What is your tax bracket, both federal and state? Just landed my first ever job and am struggling with figuring out how much to invest into things with my 401k, since my options are pretty limit...
by ruralavalon
Thu Mar 28, 2024 10:02 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Post your Financial Milestone Announcements Here
Replies: 3623
Views: 569262

Re: Post your Financial Milestone Announcements Here

Veiled wrote: Thu Mar 28, 2024 6:00 am
Veiled wrote: Mon Apr 24, 2023 8:22 am Proud to announce that I am back to broke!!!
Back a year later: I’m at 100k in assets for the first time.

The recent run-up in stocks helped, and the tax man is about to take a bite out of the cash set aside for him…but I’m at least briefly looking at six digits. 😆
Congratulations :D
by ruralavalon
Wed Mar 27, 2024 7:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity 401k what to invest in?
Replies: 18
Views: 1356

Re: Fidelity 401k what to invest in?

Hello, Thank you all for the information! I have decided to not utilize the 2065 fund and instead have a split between Fid 500 index 50% Fid glb ex us index 25% Fid us bond index 25% Those are reasonable choices in my opinion. What are the ticker symbols for those funds, and expense ratios for those funds as charged in your employer's 401k plan? Are any additional fees charged to plan participants, if so what are they? How much (in dollars) do you currently contribute annually to your 401k account? The maximum annual employee contribution to a 401k is $23k. Any employer match does not count toward the employee maximum, it's extra. Now that the 401k is covered I also decided to open a Roth IRA and max out the 7k contribution. I have about 3...
by ruralavalon
Wed Mar 27, 2024 7:17 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity 401k what to invest in?
Replies: 18
Views: 1356

Re: Fidelity 401k what to invest in?

Duplicate post deleted.
by ruralavalon
Wed Mar 27, 2024 6:25 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: First ever job, help with 401k portfolio
Replies: 16
Views: 885

Re: First ever job, help with 401k portfolio

Welcome to the forum :D . Congratulations on your first job ever. BlackRock, Fidelity and State Street all provide very diversified index funds with low expense ratios. It looks like your employer's 401k plan offers good funds, probably with low expense ratios, so you are fortunate. A little additional information will be very helpful. How much (in dollars) do you contribute annually to your 401k and how much (in dollars) do you contribute annually to your Roth IRA? Which fund firm or brokerage is your Roth IRA with? Do you have any other accounts? What is your tax bracket, both federal and state? Just landed my first ever job and am struggling with figuring out how much to invest into things with my 401k, since my options are pretty limite...
by ruralavalon
Wed Mar 27, 2024 2:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How do YOU integrate cognitive decline with investment policy?
Replies: 37
Views: 2517

Re: How do YOU integrate cognitive decline with investment policy?

I already posted about simplifying the portfolio.

I also use an automatic Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) service, with automatic deposit of 1/12 of the RMD every month direct to my bank checking account.

I agree with the comments about granting children durable powers of attorney for both healthcare and proprerty, and granting children whatever written authority your fund company or brokerage requires (like "full agent authorizatuion" if at Vanguard; the terminology may be different elsewhere) for them to view and manage investments.

You could also set up fraud alerts and credit freezes with the 3 credit bureaus.
by ruralavalon
Wed Mar 27, 2024 2:37 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Exchange FSKAX for VTI at Fidelity in taxable account
Replies: 5
Views: 427

Re: Exchange FSKAX for VTI at Fidelity in taxable account

bookgirl wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 2:29 pm I'm trying to simplify the number of funds I have. I have a very small amount of money in FSKAX in a Fidelity taxable account. I made a mistake buying FSKAX in taxable. I want only VTI. Should I sell FSKAX then buy VTI? Fidelity appears to give me the option to exchange. Does it matter? I've only held FSKAX a few months so I know I'll pay a bit of short term capital gains tax.

Thanks in advance!
I wonder how you could "exchange" a Fidelity fund to a Vanguard ETF.

I think that you could sell the Fidelity fund and then buy the Vanguard ETF, in two separate transactions.

If the tax cost from sale of the Fidelity fund would be trivial then I see no reason not to do this.
by ruralavalon
Wed Mar 27, 2024 2:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How do YOU integrate cognitive decline with investment policy?
Replies: 37
Views: 2517

Re: How do YOU integrate cognitive decline with investment policy?

jebmke wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 2:14 pm
Tamalak wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 2:11 pm If I deteriorate to the point where I can't handle basic concepts of money, there won't be enough of "me" left to be worth worrying about.
A friend of mine developed rapid onset dementia at age 64; mismanaged enough of their assets to require them to sell their home and downsize and then died before his 65th birthday. His wife was left to pick up the pieces.
I agree.

The investor may be beyond caring about anything, but may leave an awful mess for his or her family to try to fix.
by ruralavalon
Wed Mar 27, 2024 2:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: buying mutual funds seems easier than buying ETFs
Replies: 64
Views: 4909

Re: buying mutual funds seems easier than buying ETFs

When I buy (or try to buy) ETF shares in my brokerage account, I usually use the "Limit" method and put a price that I am willing to pay, usually a few cents higher than the closing price that day. I am usually doing this at night; too busy during the day. Sometimes I get the shares and sometimes I don't. Mutual funds are easier: "invest this many dollars". You get however many shares that buys. Should I be doing something differently? For example, the "Market" method? I'm worried I'll end up buying shares at much higher price than I intended. Maybe that's a silly worry, and prices don't change that dramatically during one day? I appreciate all the insights (despite my having posted this accidentally in probab...
by ruralavalon
Wed Mar 27, 2024 1:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How do YOU integrate cognitive decline with investment policy?
Replies: 37
Views: 2517

Re: How do YOU integrate cognitive decline with investment policy?

It appears to me that many Bogleheads manage their own portfolios, based on their own investment policies, rather than relying upon an asset manager to do so. My question is this: Cognitive decline has not set in for me yet (so far as I can tell...), so, paying an AUM fee to someone to manage my money seems unattractive, especially since my investment policy does not match the "cookie cutter" investment policies offered by managers (who are fiduciaries but also need to keep things simple and uniform to keep costs low and stay in business). I want to find an advisor/manager/accountant/professional who can read, understand, and execute my Investment Policy Statement when my mind is gone but my breath remains. I realize that I need ...
by ruralavalon
Wed Mar 27, 2024 1:20 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Some reasons to help me avoid the US/exUS debate
Replies: 44
Views: 3284

Re: Some reasons to help me avoid the US/exUS debate

protagonist wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 7:50 am I would rather see the authors claim +/- 2% variance across the board. At least the "phoniness" would be more transparent.

In my opinion it's more important to know the dispersion than just the mean (or the median, or mode).
by ruralavalon
Wed Mar 27, 2024 11:13 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TIAA 457b vs. Brokerage
Replies: 17
Views: 835

Re: TIAA 457b vs. Brokerage

If you feel your estimate is reliable, I'd switch the TSP to Roth and stop using the 457 at all...at least to the point that you stay in the current 22% bracket. And re-evaluate every few years. Would it be better for them to use Roth 457 instead of taxable? The tax drag would probably be at least 0.3% (15% LTCG and 2% estimated qualified dividends) which combined with the expense ratio comes close to the cost of the 457. I'm just trying to learn, not disagreeing with your advice. Roth 457 would be great. For reasons I don't know, I was just assuming that was not available. Well, you were correct even though you didn't know it :) Her employer does not offer a Roth 403b or 457b, it's traditional only. So I agree retiredjg's suggestion to &q...
by ruralavalon
Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:40 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Future Guidance
Replies: 4
Views: 464

Re: Future Guidance

What I was just looking for was feedback on my current layout / situation. It looks like you are doing very well so far. It's good to see that you have minimal debt, contribute to tax-advantaged accounts, and are investing in very diversified index funds with very low expense ratios. You are far ahead of most of your contemporaries. Hello, I have been following the boglehead way for some time. I'm 42, and have a Vanguard account setup tax efficient with both a taxable account and Roth IRA. In total has about 340k in value... See below: Taxable: VTIAX / VTSAX - 222k value Roth IRA: VBTLX / VTIAX / VTSAX - 116k value 83% stock / 17% bonds I've also got a 401k at my work, with about 124k invested in a fund called Blackrock LifePath Index (LIR...
by ruralavalon
Wed Mar 27, 2024 9:27 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio review for married couple with 13 years age difference
Replies: 28
Views: 2078

Re: Portfolio review for married couple with 13 years age difference

2. The international and bonds costs in my wife's 401k/Roth 401k available plans are pretty high. Should we look to move that money into the options available in my 401k/Roth 401k and/or international stock allocation in hi 401k, and just put all her money into the lower costs US stocks tracker? Yes. The expense ratios of the bond fund and international stock fund in her plan are enough higher than in your plan to make a difference. So in her employer's plan she could use only the "Stock Index Fund, Description: S&P 500 index tracker, . . . . , Net cost: 0.040%". (The Stable Value Fund might also be a possibility, see below.) Hold the bond allocation and international stock allocation in your 401k. Also, I've added all the fu...
by ruralavalon
Tue Mar 26, 2024 4:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Review Please. DW got a new job and 401K plan
Replies: 4
Views: 485

Re: Portfolio Review Please. DW got a new job and 401K plan

Greetings. I am looking for your recommendations and a portfolio review. DW has a new job and new 401K. She has both 401K and Roth 401K plans, although she is contributing to the 401K plan at the moment. Emergency funds: Cash 6+ months Debts: None Tax Filing Status: Married Filing Jointly Effective Tax Rate: 24% Federal Tax Bracket, 0% State Age: 56, 51 Desired Asset allocation: 70% stocks / 30% bonds Desired International allocation : 10%-15% Total Portfolio Size: $1.2 M Current Yearly Savings: His - $25K (Taxable), $6.5K IRA. Hers - $30K 401K, $6.5K IRA. I hope to save additional $75K+ yearly in about 2 years. Retirement Plans – No plans to retire anytime soon (Self-employed (He) – Full Time (She)) Since you are self employed you should ...
by ruralavalon
Tue Mar 26, 2024 3:29 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TIAA 457b vs. Brokerage
Replies: 17
Views: 835

Re: TIAA 457b vs. Brokerage

What funds are offered in her governmental 457b plan? Please give fund names, tickers and expense ratios. Are any additional fees charged to plan participants? If so what are they? I overstated a bit (been a while since I've looked). CREF EQUITY INDEX R1 - .41% CREF GLOBAL EQUITIES R1 - .49% CREF GROWTH R1 - .45% CREF STOCK R1 - .49% Everything else is 1% or higher. There's like a $25 quarterly fee, but nothing else. The $25 quarterly fee is trivial, and should not influence her decision about using the 457b plan. Does the plan also offer TIAA Traditional? "CREF EQUITY INDEX R1 - .41%" tracks the Russell 3000 Index ( link to pdf fact sheet ) which covers 96% of the investable U.S. stock market ( link ), so is a good choice for in...
by ruralavalon
Tue Mar 26, 2024 2:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: My Portfolio-New Member
Replies: 7
Views: 643

Re: My Portfolio-New Member

Welcome to the forum :D . Hi-new here love this forum. Emergency fund- 4 months Debt-0 Tax filing/married filing joint Tax rate -Federal, currently zero, no state State- Florida Age 68, wife 62 Desired allocation 60/40 stocks/ bonds with about 20% cash Current portfolio-about 900k I like to keep it simple. My plan was to use the 4% rule. I’m actually taking 3.8% now. I’m withdrawing $2,700 per month , balance to meet my expenses so take rest from social security. Taxable account- 50% of total, 35% in Vanguard Wellington, 16% in Vanguard MM fund Traditional IRA-28% in Janus balanced fund (held in my Vanguard acct ) I suggest dropping Janus Henderson Balanced Fund. It has a very high expense ratio. Which share class do you use, and what is th...
by ruralavalon
Tue Mar 26, 2024 2:26 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TIAA 457b vs. Brokerage
Replies: 17
Views: 835

Re: TIAA 457b vs. Brokerage

Hope everyone is doing well! My wife and I are currently maximizing tax deferred space. $23k into TSP for me (5% match) and $23k into a governmental 457b at CREF-TIAA for her (no match). Considering the TIAA plans lowest fund ER is .50, she's tried lobbying to get a better plan. This hasn't been successful to date and I'm not sure if it will ever come to fruition. We're also hitting the max on both Roth IRAs and contributing $50k annually to a fidelity brokerage account with VTI. The question: Should we divert this $23k from her 457b plan to the brokerage account? We'll be in the 22% federal tax bracket no matter what. Any thoughts would be appreciated! More information is needed. An expense ratio of 0.5% is no so high as to necessarily ou...
by ruralavalon
Tue Mar 26, 2024 2:14 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Taxable account investment help
Replies: 11
Views: 1269

Re: Taxable account investment help

We invested some money in a friend’s small business to help during Covid and while we have enjoyed some interest over the years we were paid back in full with an unexpected extra return. Additionally we inherited some extra money very recently and we now have roughly $100k. We liked the idea of investing in small businesses so we don’t want all this money to go into tax advantaged accounts and lose access to it. We’d like to keep it in a taxable account but we won’t know if this money will stay in this account more or less than a year which might complicate some answers below. Our current and next years tax bracket projects to be the upper end of the 12% bracket and thus, 0% for long term capital gains. And Pennsylvani state tax. We get co...
by ruralavalon
Tue Mar 26, 2024 11:12 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Which Bonds Fund To Buy
Replies: 17
Views: 1773

Re: Which Bonds Fund To Buy

Welcome to the forum :D hey, i'm 59, planning on retiring in 4-5 years. I've reached my number for retirement ($1 mil, plus enough equity in house to buy a smaller place once the kids leave for college in 2 years), so looking to preserve what o have. feel like i need to get more conservative in my portfolio and was looking for a fidelity bond index fund, but open to other suggestions. my asset allocation: 90% stocks in fidelity index fund (FXAIX) 10% cash the FXAIX is split 60/40 between taxable and non-taxable IRA's. my idea was to reallocate most if not all of the non-taxable into bonds. would love to hear suggestions. thanks. thanks. i have a sep ira with $150k and a rollover ira with $260k. agreed there is an incredible array of bond ch...
by ruralavalon
Mon Mar 25, 2024 11:41 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors
Replies: 144
Views: 10633

Re: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors

jasperhobbs wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 11:15 am Having gone to a time share presentation in Mexico a few years ago, I decided, I would rather get kicked in the groin area with a steel toed boot than go to another presentation of any kind.
We went to just one timeshare presentation, on Kuaui. We endured the presentation, and didn't buy. We had a nice time on Kuaui.

Later during that same trip we bought a resale ocean-front timeshare on Maui, which we used every other year for over 20 years, and always enjoyed our stays. My avatar photo is the view from our timeshare unit.

Never buy a timeshare from the timeshare developer, if you want to buy a timeshare always buy a resale.
by ruralavalon
Mon Mar 25, 2024 11:14 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Missed the boat? Need help!
Replies: 11
Views: 2478

Re: Missed the boat? Need help!

. . . . . My age:51 Wife's Age: 60 I am self-employed working part time. Prefer to retire age ~58. Wife makes negligible money and won't take SS until age 70. We started a small business a year ago in the hopes that it can be a "hobby" that will generate enough income to cover med costs to allow for retirement at that age. Any income generated from that business beyond covering medical is gravy. . . . . . His soon to be rolled over SIMPLE IRA: AMCPX American Funds Large Growth 1.5% . . . . . Here is the missed the boat part I'm referring to. I had subscribed to the use your age for bonds and well, you know how that's gone. While I was slightly more aggressive having bond percentage at 30%, it still hurt the gains the past few yea...
by ruralavalon
Mon Mar 25, 2024 10:54 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors
Replies: 144
Views: 10633

Re: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors

I have never been to one of those free steak dinners.

If you go please report back here on your experience.
by ruralavalon
Mon Mar 25, 2024 10:35 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: For those of you in early retirement, what is your Asset Allocation and withdrawal rate?
Replies: 88
Views: 14060

Re: For those of you in early retirement, what is your Asset Allocation and withdrawal rate?

I understand during a normal retirement age you can start to withdraw about 4% of portfolio (add inflation each year), but the key it to be flexible. But for early retirement people you have 50 years of living left, not 30 years. So it's probably better to be more conservative with your withdrawal rate. For those of you who are in early retirement, how much do you withdraw? During early retirement we had a 4.4% withdrawal rate. I had retired sooner than I would otherwise have wished, because of physical health. I know 60 Stocks and 40 Bonds is quite popular for normal retirement age. But will 60-40 work for early retirement age? Is it better to be a little more aggressive since you have 50 years of living instead of 30 years? For those of ...
by ruralavalon
Mon Mar 25, 2024 10:21 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Please help me organize the fixed income part of my portfolio
Replies: 144
Views: 9031

Re: Please hep me organise the fixed income part of my portfolio

dorster wrote: Sun Mar 24, 2024 4:06 pm
quattro73 wrote: Sun Mar 24, 2024 3:02 pm
dorster wrote: Sun Mar 24, 2024 2:45 pm So yeah they did really well.
Total Bond lost 13.16%
The TIPS fund lost 11.89%
Not sure I would call that doing “really well” in comparison.
Losing 11.89% vs 13.16% is over 125 basis points better! Experienced investors will always prefer to have chosen the higher returning asset in retrospect.
Experienced investors don't spend a lot of time looking in the rear view mirror agonizing about what might have been.

Everyone prefers higher returns and lower losses.
by ruralavalon
Mon Mar 25, 2024 10:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11152
Views: 2086261

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

AlohaBill wrote: Sun Mar 24, 2024 4:47 pm We just finished watching Humphrey Bogart in: The Maltese Falcon, The Big Sleep and The African Queen.
All great classic movies. Also I like Treasure of the Sierra Madre ("We don't need no stinkin' badges"), Casablanca ("Here's looking at you kid"), and Beat the Devil.
by ruralavalon
Mon Mar 25, 2024 9:49 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Bond choices in 401k
Replies: 35
Views: 3318

Re: Bond choices in 401k

Good morning! I have this fund in my 401k State Street U.S. Bond Index Securities Lending Series Fund Class XIV It has no ticker and information on it is scant. There is no posted yield. How are we compensated for the treasury yield in this instrument? Thank you. That is a total bond market type bond index fund (a CIT), similar to Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund (VBTLX) or Fidelity US Bond Index Fund (FXNAX). Yes I am able to invest above that amount. I have a treasury direct acct and have a inflation series savings bond as well as rolling a chunk of cash monthly through short term notes. Well true but I have missed out on the post COVID rally and want to reengage but am potentially close to retirement so value preservation is import...
by ruralavalon
Mon Mar 25, 2024 9:31 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio review for married couple with 13 years age difference
Replies: 28
Views: 2078

Re: Portfolio Review

Your portfolio looks fine in my opinion. You are doing very well :D Will either or both of you be eligible for both a substantial pension and Social Security benefits? If not then I suggest traditional 401k contributions, not Roth contributions. Most people (without a pension or very large balances in traditional tax-deferred accounts) will likely be in a lower tax bracket during retirement. So for most people traditional tax-deductible contributions will likely be better. TFB blog post, The Case Against Roth 401(k): Still True After All These Years . Wiki article, Traditional versus Roth examples . I suggest maximum annual employee contributions ($23k) to both employer's 401k plan as a priority over contributions to your Roth IRAs. Your e...
by ruralavalon
Sun Mar 24, 2024 11:10 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Some reasons to help me avoid the US/exUS debate
Replies: 44
Views: 3284

Re: Some reasons to help me avoid the US/exUS debate

Your reasons are fine in my opinion. My own personal favorite for 20% of stocks in international would be "4. I get a significant portion of the diversification benefit. I'm diversified."

Don't pay any more attention to the debates. Get out of the debating society.
by ruralavalon
Sun Mar 24, 2024 11:02 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio review for married couple with 13 years age difference
Replies: 28
Views: 2078

Re: Portfolio Review

ap901 wrote: Sun Mar 24, 2024 10:40 am Questions (cont)

6. Should I be considering different investment strategies for the 401k's and Roth 401k's?
Do the employer plans permit use of different funds in the Roth sub-account than are used in the traditional sub-account?

If so then preferably place bond funds in the traditional sub-accounts, and preferably place stock funds in the Roth sub-accounts.
by ruralavalon
Sun Mar 24, 2024 10:54 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio review for married couple with 13 years age difference
Replies: 28
Views: 2078

Re: Portfolio Review

Your portfolio looks fine in my opinion. You are doing very well :D Will either or both of you be eligible for both a substantial pension and Social Security benefits? If not then I suggest traditional 401k contributions, not Roth contributions. Most people (without a pension or very large balances in traditional tax-deferred accounts) will likely be in a lower tax bracket during retirement. So for most people traditional tax-deductible contributions will likely be better. TFB blog post, The Case Against Roth 401(k): Still True After All These Years . Wiki article, Traditional versus Roth examples . I suggest maximum annual employee contributions ($23k) to both employer's 401k plan as a priority over contributions to your Roth IRAs. Your em...
by ruralavalon
Sun Mar 24, 2024 10:26 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How would you change my 401k?
Replies: 46
Views: 1695

Re: How would you change my 401k?

Questions: 1. I received advice on my non-401k investments in a separate post, so I'm not looking for advice on those, just on my 401k. My thought is to eliminate most of the funds and just choose these below but I'm not sure what to do with the fixed income component. I don't love VBTIX so I'm wondering if I should allocate all 30% to it or maybe split it and do 15% VBTIX and 15% to the TSVA T. Rowe Price Stable Value Fund? 55% VIIIX Vanguard Institutional Index Instl PI (0.02%) 10% VTMNX Vanguard Developed Markets Index Instl (0.05%) 5% VSCIX Vanguard Small Cap Index I (0.04%) 30% VBTIX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index I (0.035%) OR the TSVA T. Rowe Price Stable Value Common Tr-A I suggest simplifying to these 3 funds: 1) VIIIX Vanguard ...
by ruralavalon
Sun Mar 24, 2024 9:57 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Review in Retirement
Replies: 30
Views: 2729

Re: Portfolio Review in Retirement

Age: Myself 76, Spouse 72 Desired (Current) Asset allocation: 55% stocks / 45% bonds Desired (Current) international allocation: 20% of stocks . . . . . Questions: (1) What would you suggest for a new asset allocation, as we are in early- to mid-retirement (ages 76 & 72)? The Bogleheads Guide to Investing suggests the following for an investor in early retirement: Total Stock Market Index Fund – 30% Total International Index Fund – 10% Total Bond Market Index Fund – 30% Inflation-Protected Securities – 30% This is a pretty dramatic change from the 50/50 or 55/45 three-fund split that we have followed for the last 20 years or so. However, this is basically a 40/60 split, so it makes some sense. Given the individual factors above, would ...
by ruralavalon
Sun Mar 24, 2024 9:38 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Please help me organize the fixed income part of my portfolio
Replies: 144
Views: 9031

Re: Please hep me organise the fixed income part of my portfolio

My aim is to have about 30% of my portfolio in fixed income. Presently I have - 16% in vanguard money market 2 % in I bonds 5% in vanguard total bond fund 2.5% in limited term tax exempt 2.5 % in VIPSX- inflation protected securities 2% in treasuries Should I move about 10% from money market to VIPSX? Is it a good time to buy that ? Or should I buy more of VBTLX instead? Or dump whole fixed income n VBTLX or VIPSX? The above is separate from my EF. Age? Time horizon? Goals for the money? Attitude toward bond funds and how they fluctuate in price per share? Regards, Late 50s age 5-8 years to retirement - cut down to part time but still working now Goals for money - for retirement spending and pass on good chunk to heirs Have enough in asset...
by ruralavalon
Sun Mar 24, 2024 8:34 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: New employer; should I direct rollover my 401k?
Replies: 11
Views: 826

Re: New employer; should I direct rollover my 401k?

Wait until you have seen the Summary Plan Description and know about any additional fees charged to plan participants. Then go ahead and rollover into your new employer's plan, stop worrying about delays and market moves that may not happen.
by ruralavalon
Sat Mar 23, 2024 10:37 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VBILX vs MassMutual Stable Value Diversified HELP please
Replies: 12
Views: 824

Re: VBILX vs MassMutual Stable Value Diversified HELP please

gtt561 wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 10:22 am Thank you for all the information. Two conflicting opinions has me just as confused as before. :oops: I understand both sides, anyone out there that can offer a tie breaker opinion?
For the long-term investor Vanguard Intermediate-term Bond Index Fund is clearly better.

Portfolio Visualizer, 1995-2024.

If focused on the short-term, then a cash-like investment might be better.

I suggest investing for the long-term, and staying the course.

edited to fix the link
by ruralavalon
Sat Mar 23, 2024 9:30 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio advice for young beginner
Replies: 15
Views: 1997

Re: Portfolio advice for young beginner

allcowseatfood wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 12:18 am
lakpr wrote: Fri Mar 22, 2024 2:41 pm Just want to caution you again, that the "Emergency Funds" bucket should not be included as part of the investment portfolio at all. Exclude that.
Got it, I updated my proposed portfolio in the post above to remove that section from the calculations, thanks!
Looks reasonable.
by ruralavalon
Fri Mar 22, 2024 3:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: The Three-Fund Portfolio - Which fund should I pick?
Replies: 19
Views: 3217

Re: The Three-Fund Portfolio - Which fund should I pick?

Welcome to the forum :D . [Moved into a new thread from: The Three-Fund Portfolio --admin LadyGeek] Hi fellow investors! I'm new to the forum and read the 3 fund portfolio and have a PCRA through Charles Schwab through my employer. In constructing my portfolio I am looking at SWPPX 60%, SWISX 20%, SWAGX 20%, for a little over $500k total to invest. My question is would it be better to invest 20% in SWVXX that yields 5.06%, instead of either the bond or international fund? Also, would I be better in SWTSX instead of SWPPX as my core fund of the portfolio? Thanks for any advice! If investing for the long-term such as for retirement, then in an account at Schwab I suggest these three funds: 1) SWTSX SCHWAB TOTAL STOCK MARKET INDEX (ER .03); 2)...
by ruralavalon
Fri Mar 22, 2024 2:50 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Sold all my original Mutual Funds today
Replies: 23
Views: 2947

Re: Sold all my original Mutual Funds today

TX_Aggie wrote:What would be really helpful is a way to understand, how much money I've been wasting on fees, and/or how much money I'll be saving with 3 low-cost funds? Is there a calclulator or method I could use to quantify it?

Partly to help me understand this is the right thing to do, and so I can help my wife understand.
The SEC Mutual Fund Cost Calculator
by ruralavalon
Fri Mar 22, 2024 11:25 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 23 years old, question about investments in taxable acct
Replies: 25
Views: 1949

Re: 23 years old, question about investments in taxable acct

Welcome to the forum :D . It's great to see that you are starting young, using very diversified index funds with very low expense ratios. Here is the breakdown of my portfolio, Vanguard: 2023 Roth: $6500 $3000 in VTSAX $3000 in VTIAX 2024 Roth: $7000 All in settlement fund waiting to be invested Individual Brokerage (Taxable): $3000 All in settlement fund waiting to be invested -Lost on where to go from here; popular suggestions I've gotten are to avoid bonds at my age, to go all in in VTI or VT for taxable, all in for VTSAX for roth. What should I do? How does it currently look? Thanks in advance Do you have a job with a 401k plan? Is your health insurance of the traditional type or a high deductible plan with an HSA? Yes, currently contri...
by ruralavalon
Fri Mar 22, 2024 11:05 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: When one is ready to retire and pull out of the market.
Replies: 44
Views: 4883

Re: When one is ready to retire and pull out of the market.

I believe it depends a lot on your asset allocation during accumulation.

If at 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100% in stocks during accumulation, then it's its wise (even imperative) to switch to a more conservative asset allocation adding significant amounts of fixed income.
by ruralavalon
Fri Mar 22, 2024 10:55 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: When one is ready to retire and pull out of the market.
Replies: 44
Views: 4883

Re: When one is ready to retire and pull out of the market.

Lets say you always had a magic number that when hit, one says "Cool, I am happy to retire with that amount and live how I want. Lets get out of the market." Granted the market is on a roll, but as well know it can burst or the floor can drop at any moment. Would rather look back wishing I stayed in the market as I can live with that. Wishing I would have pulled out with my magic # but only have 75% or less of it available would be [Inappropriate comment removed. Pops1860] along with lots of regret. To avoid that potential "regret', after that magic number hits what does one do with the current investments when pulling out of the market? Used to think Bonds were the place, but just a few years ago many Bonds dropped double d...
by ruralavalon
Fri Mar 22, 2024 10:44 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Equiy Indexed Annuity using retirement money
Replies: 28
Views: 1909

Re: Equiy Indexed Annuity using retirement money

Hello, I recently signed up with a fixed annual fee financial advisor. My current 403b account has about 500k of which 400k is a rollover from the prior job 403b. The advisor suggested moving the 400k portion to an IRA and then about 100k of that 400k into SILAC Denali 10 EIA. Specifically, he suggests moving it to a 11.5% cap S&P Point-to-point annuity. He states there are no other fees (other than capping gains). The annuity will return 0% in the years in which S&P is negative. This would be a 10 year commitment but its pre-tax money that I anyways should not be touching for another 15 years. The other 300k in the IRA would be invested in funds with a lower expense ratio than my current allocations (0.4%-->0.1%). Does that make s...
by ruralavalon
Thu Mar 21, 2024 6:38 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: For Retirement: 403b/457 or brokerage account?
Replies: 19
Views: 1361

Re: For Retirement: 403b/457 or brokerage account?

The 457b/403b plans offer excellent very diversified index funds with very low expense ratios, but "An asset management charge of 0.73% is assessed against your account balance". What are the other vendors available in her employer's 403b/457b plans? Do any offer a similar fund line-up without the asset management charge of 0.73% assessed against your account balance? I don't see any information about the funds offered in his employer's 401k plan. Can you provide fund names, tickers and expense ratios? Hello All! First post! We are 50 y/o public school employees. We started late in saving/investing and playing catch-up for the next 10-12 years. Emergency funds: six months of expenses Debt: mortgage, 2.625% Tax Filing Status: Marri...
by ruralavalon
Thu Mar 21, 2024 11:26 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Equiy Indexed Annuity using retirement money
Replies: 28
Views: 1909

Re: Equiy Indexed Annuity using retirement money

Hello, I recently signed up with a fixed annual fee financial advisor. My current 403b account has about 500k of which 400k is a rollover from the prior job 403b. The advisor suggested moving the 400k portion to an IRA and then about 100k of that 400k into SILAC Denali 10 EIA. Specifically, he suggests moving it to a 11.5% cap S&P Point-to-point annuity. He states there are no other fees (other than capping gains). The annuity will return 0% in the years in which S&P is negative. This would be a 10 year commitment but its pre-tax money that I anyways should not be touching for another 15 years. The other 300k in the IRA would be invested in funds with a lower expense ratio than my current allocations (0.4%-->0.1%). Does that make s...
by ruralavalon
Thu Mar 21, 2024 11:03 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: In-Service Rollover from Voya 401k to Individual 401k
Replies: 13
Views: 746

Re: In-Service Rollover from Voya 401k to Individual 401k

Rheuminator wrote: Thu Mar 21, 2024 6:56 am Does anyone have experience successfully rolling over money from their current employer-sponsored Voya 401k into a separate individual 401k (assuming this plan does accept rollovers)? My current (high expense ratio-ridden) employer-sponsored Voya 401k plan does not allow this, but I was thinking of requesting this feature be added along with other overhauls coming to our plan next year. It’s next to impossible to find an answer online from Voya, and I’m not sure I would even believe a customer service representative if they gave me an answer.

Thanks!
What is your age?

Are you self-employed?

What funds are offered in your employer's plan? Please give fund names, tickers and expense ratios.
by ruralavalon
Thu Mar 21, 2024 10:53 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VTIAX vs. VXUS ER (.11% vs .07%)
Replies: 23
Views: 3328

Re: VTIAX vs. VXUS ER (.11% vs .07%)

Que1999 wrote: Sun Mar 06, 2022 6:02 pm Recently, Vanguard lowered the expense ratios of many ETF's. One of those ETF's was VXUS, in which the expense ratio dropped from .08% to .07%. As someone who prefers to invest in mutual funds vs. ETF's (bid-ask spreads, prefer to trade at end of day NAV, etc), is the time approaching now where the ETF ER benefits are starting to outweigh the simplicity of investing in mutual funds?

Should my new money start going into VXUS instead? Is buying VTIAX and then converting to VXUS a suitable option, or are there any risks associated with converting periodically to ETF's (probably a few times a year)?..

TIA.
The ETF hasn't produced a better return, Portfolio Visualizer, 2012-2024.
by ruralavalon
Thu Mar 21, 2024 10:43 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Moving to VBTLX and was thinking of adding VTBAX to Portfolio
Replies: 4
Views: 606

Re: Moving to VBTLX and was thinking of adding VTBAX to Portfolio

57deficitspendingPhD wrote: Thu Mar 21, 2024 6:02 am In my Vanguard portfolio, I'm going to replace Vanguard Intermediate Term Bond Index (VBILX) and Vanguard Long Term Bon Index (VBLAX) with Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund (VBTLX).

Currently I have 20K between VBILX and VBLAX.

Was thinking of having some exposure, maybe like 20% to Vanguard Total International Bond Index Fund (VTBAX). But I've seen others say on this forum to stick with VBTLX only.

Should I keep with this advise?

My concern is bonds have a bad year within the US.
Adding Vanguard Total Intl Bd Idx Admiral™ (VTABX) has had relatively little impact on either returns or volatility, Portfolio Visualizer, 2014-2024.
by ruralavalon
Thu Mar 21, 2024 10:26 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Should I rollover 401(k) from previous employer to current employer?
Replies: 20
Views: 1638

Re: Should I rollover 401(k) from previous employer to current employer?

wbadbada wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2024 11:34 pm
My new 401k I have the following:
- VLCSP
- BEEMT
- BMSIT
- VTBMK
What are the expense ratios charged for each of these funds in your employer's plan?