After a couple of snags with Vanguard regarding IRA rollovers and estate issues I am firmly committed to the two brokerage approach. Overall Fidelity is better in the areas of customer service and equal regarding costs. The only advantage I see with Vanguard are a couple of managed funds and the yield of Prime MM.
As far as being treated better if you're a loyal customer, forget it. Try that approach at your local bank. There's an old saying that (I'll paraphrase in the interest of good manners) you've got to take advantage of your good customers because the bad one's won't let you. Also simplicity for the sake of simplicity is not an adequate justification.
Search found 245 matches
- Tue Mar 12, 2019 5:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Should I go all in with Vanguard or "diversify" with Fidelity?
- Replies: 48
- Views: 7626
- Tue Mar 12, 2019 3:35 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Reporter doing story on delaying SS until age 70
- Replies: 6
- Views: 2125
Re: Reporter doing story on delaying SS until age 70
Qualification #2 - Find part time work to delay SS ? I think this forum is the wrong audience to find a test subject.
- Fri Aug 17, 2018 4:59 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Vanguard predicts 10 year equity returns
- Replies: 91
- Views: 12555
Re: Vanguard predicts 10 year equity returns
I'm hoping Grandma would have an IRA rather than a 401k.
- Sun May 20, 2018 4:38 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: The Millionaire Next Door and civil servants
- Replies: 99
- Views: 17839
Re: The Millionaire Next Door and civil servants
I would ask myself, why do you care?
- Sun May 20, 2018 4:20 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Why is Vanguard switching all accounts to brokerage accounts?
- Replies: 91
- Views: 35482
Re: Why is Vanguard switching all accounts to brokerage accounts?
...and Jack Bogle doesn't work here anymore. Thank-you
- Sun May 20, 2018 4:16 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Why is Vanguard switching all accounts to brokerage accounts?
- Replies: 91
- Views: 35482
- Sun May 20, 2018 3:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Buying an etf (bid ask spread)
- Replies: 5
- Views: 856
Re: Buying an etf (bid ask spread)
Never place a market order. Use a limit order for the price you're willing to pay. Either fill or kill (20 min), end of day, or good til cancel. If I can do it anybody can.
- Thu May 17, 2018 5:46 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: YTD: VBTLX down 2.28%; VBILX down 2.99%; VTSAX down 0.23%
- Replies: 106
- Views: 17768
Re: YTD: VBTLX down 2.28%; VBILX down 2.99%; VTSAX down 0.23%
+1. My first post in a number of years. It's not that tough. For example , I sold my TBM and bought a CD ladder, the end result will probably be the same. Or not. Who care's.
- Fri Aug 30, 2013 5:45 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Is it this easy: Stocks are safe, bonds are risky?
- Replies: 59
- Views: 5378
Re: Is it this easy: Stocks are safe, bonds are risky?
At 4PM today I'm sure that a large number of buyers and sellers either purchased or sold something at what they consider a fair value. I can't begin to figure out who got the better deal. That's why I have to stick to my AA and look long term. Just shooting to be average.
- Thu Aug 29, 2013 6:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Can A Boglehead join a club?
- Replies: 19
- Views: 2991
Re: Can A Boglehead join a club?
Sounds like this is something you can afford and is desired. Keep a steady balance and you will always meet your needs. Personally the CC route is not my style. My DW and I years ago looked into a local yacht club and decided it was not for us. Instead we bought a waterfront lot and built our own double dock lakehouse. Not sure if that was the best choice but...
- Fri Aug 23, 2013 5:46 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: "Passive Index Investing Feels Wrong"
- Replies: 8
- Views: 2520
Re: "Passive Index Investing Feels Wrong"
Taylor, your posts have been a steady influence over the last 5 years for me. I've been a Steady Eddy investing in index funds for 30 years now. Nothing fancy. Maybe that's why I only have a couple hundred posts, most of them hubris.
- Fri Aug 23, 2013 4:59 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: India Crisis
- Replies: 49
- Views: 8750
Re: India Crisis
Just another BRIC in the wall
- Sun Aug 18, 2013 7:14 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Eggs All in One Basket?
- Replies: 16
- Views: 2745
Re: Eggs All in One Basket?
My wife and I use both Fidelity and Vanguard. Our 401k/403b's are with Fidelity and our Roth's and IRA rollovers with Vanguard. In addition a retiree medical acct and several bank accts along with treasury direct. No matter what we would have a number of accts if we combined the two. The Fidelity site has a good evaluator for keeping track but I don't input any acct numbers or passwords. The Vanguard portfolio manager set up is simple and I just manually input the number of shares once a month, Since we keep the number of holdings pretty simple ,with mostly low ER index funds ,it only takes a couple of minutes.
- Fri Aug 16, 2013 2:12 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Anyone have VG's Managed Payout funds in their INV Portfolio
- Replies: 19
- Views: 2055
Re: Anyone have VG's Managed Payout funds in their INV Portf
Awhile back I looked at these and realized if I invested my entire retirement portfolio I would be a pretty significant holder of the fund. Not comfortable at all. I agree with other posters that there are many other alternatives. Simply taking a fixed withdrawal from a lifestrategy fund or a three/four fund portfolio also works. I am a little different in that the bulk of my future w/d plans involve taking a % of my VG three index fund 401k, total return approach. With this my wife and I are planning to w/d only distributions from our Roth accts. The third leg of this stool is our after tax savings which we plan to use to manage our tax bracket. Hardly any expenses, and it gives us added flexibility and control on our part. Sounds more com...
- Sun Aug 11, 2013 7:25 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: POLL: Your Salary vs Inflation
- Replies: 24
- Views: 3255
Re: POLL: Your Salary vs Inflation
Started in 1980 up 25% over inflation - however nothing in the last 5years.
- Fri May 17, 2013 5:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Credit score hurt because I don't borrow enough
- Replies: 23
- Views: 2730
Re: Credit score hurt because I don't borrow enough
I asked my agent how much my auto / boat/ homeowners insrance would increase if I fell from the top tier credit score. A couple of percent or $15 -20 per year was the answer. While I get credit reports I don't pay for the largely worthless score. No credit card balance, no installment loans, no mortgage, and no plans to ever again get any of them.
- Fri Apr 19, 2013 5:00 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Dave Ramsey and 7%
- Replies: 46
- Views: 10847
Re: Dave Ramsey and 7%
A budget would allow me to spend far more than I ever did throughout my life. Any time I've projected expenses I've always came in way below. So why bother.stemikger wrote:Like others have said Dave gives good debt reduction advice, but I don't necessarily like his investing advice. It's not for the squeamish and definitely not for a Boglehead.
A pet peeve of mine is that Dave tells all his callers that you need a budget and you can't do it without one. Well I must be a freak of nature because I completed all of Dave's baby steps and I'm currently on the last one where I have to build up wealth. Guess what, I never did a budget in my life.
- Sat Apr 13, 2013 5:12 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Five Really Dumb Money Moves You've Got to Avoid
- Replies: 24
- Views: 5386
Re: Five Really Dumb Money Moves You've Got to Avoid
Agreed. Ihave lived with my investment decisions over the last 30+ years and don't plan to sacrifice a chunk of my portfolio for the questionable ss bonus. Change is in the wind.NYBoglehead wrote:I have a small issue with #4. There are strategies that will ensure a larger SS benefit, but nobody can say for certain if they took it too early. Nobody knows when their time will be up. And depending on other factors taking SS earlier might allow a larger portfolio more time to grow. The payoff from that might be more than the increased SS benefit. No guarantees of course, but what in life is?
- Fri Apr 05, 2013 7:23 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Is today a RBD [Really Bad Day]
- Replies: 83
- Views: 10444
Re: Is today a RBD [Really Bad Day]
Wow. This stuff makes me wonder what will happen when we return to real volatility.
- Fri Apr 05, 2013 5:38 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: 30 year bond prices up 2-3% today!!
- Replies: 39
- Views: 5207
Re: 30 year bond prices up 2-3% today!!
Pick your AA and stick to it, by all means. It also allows for a few brews on Friday afternoon without fear of stupid investment moves.tacster wrote:+1 to that (especially the beer!)Falco wrote:All the more reason to pick your diversified portfolio and stick to it, regardless. We can look at all sorts of timeframes and scenarios, policy, what happens when rates rise or drop etc. and think we know, but we dont.
- Wed Apr 03, 2013 3:09 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Jack Bogle on CNBC warns about bumpy ride next decade
- Replies: 35
- Views: 7462
Re: Jack Bogle on CNBC warns about bumpy ride next decade
Isn't this kind of like saying there's going to be a major earthquake in the next ten years? What I find most disturbing today, is the effect the media has on public option and how they respond to situations. Something as stupid as one person making an off the cuff comment through Twitter, can change the course of history. Things that people never even knew about before, now paralyze them with fear and create massive paranoia. I'm watching the news last night for a few minutes (which I try to never do), and there's Brian Williams making one of the typical news show, inflammatory, hysterical comments... that they just love so much. (With dramatic tone): "The stock market has had growth... Some would say TOO much and TOO fast". Yes...
- Sun Mar 24, 2013 5:28 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Lowering bond duration
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1037
Re: Lowering bond duration
I have to agree the statement from Vanguard appears a bit self serving for my tastes.
- Fri Feb 15, 2013 5:51 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: The Biggest Financial Asset in Your Portfolio
- Replies: 53
- Views: 6477
Re: The Biggest Financial Asset in Your Portfolio
Call it human capital, a career, compensation path or whatever, it's a job. I prefer to treat my occupation and my investments as separate worlds. Why create new categories of finances just to rationalize a position?
Do I include a pension and SS in my net worth? No - does it matter? How will this affect my long term finances and overall financial wellbeing?
Don't over analyze. Keep it simple.
Do I include a pension and SS in my net worth? No - does it matter? How will this affect my long term finances and overall financial wellbeing?
Don't over analyze. Keep it simple.
- Sun Feb 10, 2013 4:57 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Retiree Medical Savings Account (RMSA)
- Replies: 4
- Views: 8722
Re: Retiree Medical Savings Account (RMSA)
I've had a RMSA acct for 7 years. The withdrawals can be taken tax free after retirement age ( 10 years of service after age 45) if used for medical insurance premiums or out of pocket medical expenses.
The only downside to my plan is that there are no low cost VG funds. High expenses but the 50% match and annual employer contribution make paticipating a no brainer.
The only downside to my plan is that there are no low cost VG funds. High expenses but the 50% match and annual employer contribution make paticipating a no brainer.
- Sun Feb 10, 2013 4:50 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Thought I was Moderate but Actually Conservative?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 2395
Re: Thought I was Moderate but Actually Conservative?
At 57, I'm 45% equities / 40% bond and 15 % cash. However the bond portion is shorter duration and I really don't see much difference in yield between cash and bonds at this point. So I'm tempted to just say my AA is 45/55. I really don't feel this or your allocation are overly conservative.
- Sun Feb 10, 2013 3:39 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Bonds and Bond Funds are now considered Risky Investments?
- Replies: 40
- Views: 5004
Re: Bonds and Bond Funds are now considered Risky Investment
I'm in the same camp until I can get a satisfactory answer to the question above.ResNullius wrote:OK, I'll confess: I'm in the "bonds for safety" group. Yes, I like the income component, but "safety" is my primary reason for investing in bond funds. So long as they can at least stay even with inflation, I can survive with that, although I would prefer some real gain. So, what is someone like me suppose to do with their fixed asset allocation?
- Sun Feb 10, 2013 3:16 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Retire earlier or wealthier?
- Replies: 25
- Views: 5219
Re: Retire earlier or wealthier?
I'm close anyway with only a year or two to go. It would only take about 10% for me to pull the plug now.
- Fri Feb 08, 2013 5:56 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: "Think, Act, and Invest Like Warren Buffett" -- A Gem
- Replies: 41
- Views: 9323
Re: "Think, Act, and Invest Like Warren Buffett" -- A Gem
Taylor,Taylor Larimore wrote:I went back and read all the quotes. They are all so good that it is difficult to pick a "favorite." However, never one to knowingly avoid a question, I will pick this subtle "gem":EternalOptimist wrote:Thanks Taylor, which one is your favorite
"Investing is simple, but not easy." -- Warren Buffett
Best wishes.
Taylor
I'm a little surprised at this quote. I agree that investing is simple, but wonder why it would not be easy. Of course this coming from a very fortunate investor who believes in diversification - ie someone who doesn't know what they are doing according to one of the above WB statements.
- Fri Feb 08, 2013 2:37 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: "Think, Act, and Invest Like Warren Buffett" -- A Gem
- Replies: 41
- Views: 9323
Re: "Think, Act, and Invest Like Warren Buffett" -- A Gem
InterestingBeagler wrote:"Diversification is a protection against ignorance. It makes very little sense for those who know what they're doing."
Warren Buffett
- Tue Jan 29, 2013 3:51 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Adjusting Strategy when you hit your # early
- Replies: 38
- Views: 3576
Re: Adjusting Strategy when you hit your # early
At my current age of nearly 57 I have hit my age 60 "number". I plan to stick fairly close to my current AA of 45/40/15 for the next few years. Since I am still accumulating my rebalancing is partially accomplished through new contributions. Currently these are all going into a stable value fund.
Eventually the equity portion will decline somewhat down to a minimum of 35%.
Eventually the equity portion will decline somewhat down to a minimum of 35%.
- Sun Jan 27, 2013 6:55 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Market "melt up" and the Airplane Game
- Replies: 71
- Views: 8869
Re: Market "melt up" and the Airplane Game
My ISP and AA allow me to take some profits (rebalance) if things start to get crazy high. Keeps it simple
- Sun Jan 27, 2013 2:05 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: John Bogle: “Invest, and don’t peek”
- Replies: 24
- Views: 5409
Re: John Bogle: “Invest, and don’t peek”
Yeah, at least if everyone followed that advice no body would have been misled by his advice in early 2009. "when you can't stand to lose another dollar...."
Fortunately for me I only follow anyone's advice from a critical perspective. While he's done great things for all of us investors he is not a god.
Fortunately for me I only follow anyone's advice from a critical perspective. While he's done great things for all of us investors he is not a god.
- Sat Jan 26, 2013 2:44 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Breaking in engine on new car
- Replies: 43
- Views: 5484
Re: Breaking in engine on new car
I've had new cars every couple years for business purposes. Over the last 30 years I've put about 1.5 million miles on these vehicles with all going over 130k miles up to 170k. I never had any problem with any of them and certainly never gave them any special break in treatment.
- Fri Jan 25, 2013 11:32 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: A question on Target Date Funds
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1808
Re: A question on Target Date Funds
Since you didn't say specifically that you have Vanguard TDF's the answer is really it depends on which brand fund you have as each supplier of these funds has their own idea of what is the right glide path for you. In an Aug. 2012 article in Money magazine they compared the so called glide path (% stock allocation from 40 years before retirement to 30 years after) of 4 different fund families to what is called the "age in bonds rule." If you don't have access to this chart what it showed was essentially that TROWE gave pretty much a straight line from -25 years (before ret.) to +30, with stocks from 90% to 20% during that time frame. Vanguard was on a similar glide path but leveled out at about 10 years after retirement at 30% s...
- Fri Jan 25, 2013 11:28 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Wellington and Wellesley Interest Rate Risk
- Replies: 37
- Views: 10804
Re: Wellington and Wellesley Interest Rate Risk
I own Wellington and my wife Wellesley in our Roth IRA's. The Roths are the accts we plan to hold until passing to our children. We feel fairly secure with these funds. The other bigger accts are held in VG Index Funds which are rebalanced at 3% bands.
- Fri Jan 25, 2013 11:11 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: How Bogleheads made me a worse Investor
- Replies: 76
- Views: 9705
Re: How Bogleheads made me a worse Investor
I believe that if everyone here is really a Boglehead there's not much to talk about.
- Sat Jan 19, 2013 6:04 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Re: Maximum Expense Ratio in your portfolio ...
- Replies: 51
- Views: 4630
Re: Maximum Expense Ratio in your portfolio ...
Pimco Total Return Fund PTTRX .46% in 401k. Overall according to VG - .21%.
- Sun Jan 13, 2013 6:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Percentage of "Net Worth" Invested in Stocks - Retired
- Replies: 28
- Views: 3832
Re: Percentage of "Net Worth" Invested in Stocks - Retired
Excluding physical assets- equity% = equity % in portfolio , 45%Bustoff wrote:My mistake. I forgot that "home and cars" are part of net worth. I guess I should have excluded physical assets.Sheepdog wrote:I don't understand why stock investing percentage of total net worth, home and autos included . . .
Perhaps the better question is what percentage assets are held in cash equivalents.
- Fri Jan 11, 2013 7:55 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: My (horrible) experience with Vanguard
- Replies: 82
- Views: 14258
Re: My (horrible) experience with Vanguard
It's what they do when there is a mistake that makes the difference. I found VG to fumble and make up answers rather than address the issue at hand. That's the REAL problem. Everyone can make mistakes. It's what they do to correct them that counts.Index Fan wrote:I think it's fair to say that:
1) no institution out there is immune from mistakes (please let me know if there is one out there!)
and
2) Vanguard's best features are its fund offerings, low cost, and shareholder ownership.
I like #2 and luckily have not encountered #1 at Vanguard yet.
Sorry you had a very bad experience.
- Fri Jan 11, 2013 7:46 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: LifeStrategy Funds for income
- Replies: 13
- Views: 1806
Re: LifeStrategy Funds for income
I would suggest taking a look at all the VG funds. There is very little difference in yield between the stock and bond funds on the whole. Assess your risk tolerance, set your allocation and stay the course.
- Fri Jan 11, 2013 7:40 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: My (horrible) experience with Vanguard
- Replies: 82
- Views: 14258
Re: My (horrible) experience with Vanguard
I found during a rollover of my wife's 403b that Vanguard has some room for improvement. During the transition the phone reps literally made up the status of the transaction during the process. At one point I was told the other company had not released the funds while I was looking at the funds recently deposited with VG. Just checking on them. However it's a big reason while I invest w/ VG the bulk of my retirement stays put at Fidelity. When questioned the answers have been accurate and professional.
- Wed Jan 09, 2013 2:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Can we afford it? (International trip)
- Replies: 92
- Views: 9646
Re: Can we afford it?
I flown plenty over the last 35 years. Many times I gotten free upgrades but have always flown coach overseas. My take on it is that combined you'll be flying 36 hours for $9000 or $250 per hour each in savings if you go coach. I can find a lot of ways to have fun with that cash. It's all about priorities
- Sun Jan 06, 2013 5:10 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Marriage & Finances - Joint vs. Separate Checking/Savings?
- Replies: 62
- Views: 5846
Re: Marriage & Finances - Joint vs. Separate Checking/Saving
Joint everything for the last 35 years. Teamwork in this case really paid off.
- Tue Dec 25, 2012 6:08 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Do you have a written Investment Policy Statement?
- Replies: 61
- Views: 7302
Re: Do you have a written Investment Policy Statement?
Yes, it's on an index card posted on the fridge. If I tried real hard I could probably memorize it and take it down.
- Mon Dec 24, 2012 7:18 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Where can I get the best immediate annuity?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 2330
Re: Where can I get the best immediate annuity?
Sounds like an incentive to buy a SPIA and just live forever. I love simplicity
- Mon Dec 24, 2012 7:00 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Tooth Crown
- Replies: 48
- Views: 4599
Re: Tooth Crown
Sounds about right. Have a Merry Christmas
- Mon Dec 24, 2012 6:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Becoming a Landlord Experiences
- Replies: 77
- Views: 11787
Re: Becoming a Landlord Experiences
Having a little experience in this area it amuses me when people want to retire to manage rental properties. All I can think is that they must have had really lousy jobs. My suggestion is to find your passion while your working and the rest will follow.
From the investment standpoint I prefer the 3:45 PM buy/sell option to having one more illiquid asset
From the investment standpoint I prefer the 3:45 PM buy/sell option to having one more illiquid asset
- Sun Dec 23, 2012 8:18 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Anyone using a Stable Value Fund for their ballast?
- Replies: 38
- Views: 3365
Re: Anyone using a Stable Value Fund for their ballast?
Where are the low cost funds that can provide about a 2% yield ? VG ST Bond Index is currently .52% and even ST Corp is only 1.14%. Also, they would not qualify for what I would call a stable value fund, the index funds NAV fluctuates.ResNullius wrote:I'm not putting down Stable Value Funds, but I simply don't understand why a person would want to be in one. You can create your own stable value portfolio by simply putting a few index funds together, all with much lower expense ratios, and you can adjust your risk tolerance to your exact needs, as opposed to the fixed choice of the stable value fund. Anyway, I just don't get it. I'm more than willing to be convinced if anyone has a good explanation.
- Sat Dec 22, 2012 4:49 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: What Is The Correct AA For a 107 Year Old Investor?
- Replies: 27
- Views: 3212
Re: What Is The Correct AA For a 107 Year Old Investor?
Or as my DW has said, put it all on Red
- Sat Dec 22, 2012 4:45 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: What Is The Correct AA For a 107 Year Old Investor?
- Replies: 27
- Views: 3212
Re: What Is The Correct AA For a 107 Year Old Investor?
Exactlyrmelvey wrote:I think Irving Kahn knows exactly what he wants and takes great satisfaction from his stock picking. When you are 107 you can do whatever the hell you want!