Search found 154 matches

by Kuota Rider
Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Going all in with $400k... need some final encouragement
Replies: 60
Views: 10034

Re: Going all in with $400k... need some final encouragement

BBL wrote:The anticipation is killing me.

I'm waiting for your poll that starts with: Here's what I actually bought; what do you think?

Will we get one of those?...




Calm Man wrote:The suspense is killing me. Newb, did you do it?



Fairly soon.
Soon?.....You've lost another two days.
by Kuota Rider
Sat Jan 26, 2013 8:48 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Seattle Local Chapter? The answer is "Yes"
Replies: 60
Views: 21073

Re: Seattle Local Chapter? The answer is "Yes"

If we could do it on a weekend I will attend. I am in Bellingham.
by Kuota Rider
Sat Jan 26, 2013 8:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Your most intense movie scene
Replies: 155
Views: 19932

Re: Your most intense movie scene

I am stunned that no one has mentioned the baptism scene in The Godfather.
by Kuota Rider
Mon Jan 21, 2013 8:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to stop friends/family from jumping in/out of the mkt?
Replies: 58
Views: 4108

Re: How to stop friends/family from jumping in/out of the mk

It's not like they need a drug intervention. You give them a simple book from the wiki and say "this has worked really well for me."
by Kuota Rider
Sat Jan 19, 2013 3:13 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How are you investing your tax refund?
Replies: 51
Views: 4409

Re: How are you investing your tax refund?

My refund normally equals my annual property tax. And the coincidentally my property tax bill and refund come at the same time -- so my tax refund just pays another tax.
by Kuota Rider
Sat Jan 12, 2013 9:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Things to do in Seattle and Vancouver in Feb
Replies: 14
Views: 1519

Re: Things to do in Seattle and Vancouver in Feb

I live in Bellingham (about 80 miles north of Seattle). Worst month to visit of course, but the San Juan Islands are beautiful (there are over 100 islands in Puget Sound Bay). You can take a ferry from Anacortes. Also the drive up Mt Baker is incredible right here in Bellingham. In Seattle downtown Pikes Place Market and Space Needle area are fun. Boeing offers tours of there manufacturing plant also is you like that.
by Kuota Rider
Sat Jan 12, 2013 8:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Walmart to offer unlimited iPhone 5 plan for $45/mo
Replies: 45
Views: 7774

Re: Walmart to offer unlimited iPhone 5 plan for $45/mo

So you will pay $1200 for the first year to use a cell phone. Yes you can amortize the phone cost over the life of the phone, but $1200 is a pretty big slice of a budget for a phone.
by Kuota Rider
Fri Jan 11, 2013 8:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Struggling with when to get in
Replies: 74
Views: 7707

Re: Struggling with when to get in

OP,

Many of us were nervous starting on our own. But with knowledge comes confidence. Read from the book list...keep reading until you are comfortable. And then read some more.
by Kuota Rider
Thu Oct 18, 2012 2:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 401K limits increased to $17,500
Replies: 41
Views: 9710

401K limits increased to $17,500

IRS announced 401K contribution limits for 2013:

http://money.cnn.com/2012/10/18/pf/taxe ... ?iid=HP_LN
by Kuota Rider
Sat Sep 15, 2012 4:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Why do people [Why Would I] live in expensive places?
Replies: 51
Views: 4295

Re: Why do people live in expensive places?

I was just telling a friend the other day -- you can't put a price tag on your neighbors and the friends your children will grow up with. I lived in one town where neighbors never socialized, everyone hunted and taught 6-month old toddlers how to drive ATV's in the sreets. Now I live in an area where neighbors all wave, visit, watch eachothers kids. I have no issue paying more to live in a nicer neighborhood / city.
by Kuota Rider
Tue Sep 11, 2012 10:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Road bike - carbon or alloy
Replies: 74
Views: 10412

Re: Road bike - carbon or alloy

I ride a Kuota Karhma (hence the name Kuota Rider). Cervelo makes a very nice line of alluminum bikes.
by Kuota Rider
Tue Sep 11, 2012 8:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Road bike - carbon or alloy
Replies: 74
Views: 10412

Re: Road bike - carbon or alloy

Fit and comfort is way more important than material. Ride 8-10 bikes and pick the one most comfortable. I had the carbon / alluminum argument with myself for months and it vanished after I rode a few bikes.
by Kuota Rider
Fri Sep 07, 2012 3:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 2 Comma Club
Replies: 60
Views: 10036

Re: 2 Comma Club

Woodshark wrote:Welcome to the club. I consider our household in the two comma club. Ido include our vacation home but still exclude our primary residence. Regardless of how you figure it, it feels good to cross that major threshold.
I prefer NOT to count my primary residence as well, but it still felt good being the first time that number was in my hed -- by any calculation.

Next milestone is w/o primary residence.

-M
by Kuota Rider
Thu Sep 06, 2012 9:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 2 Comma Club
Replies: 60
Views: 10036

2 Comma Club

There was a post early this year by someone who just had to share their new membership into the "2 Comma Club" because there was no one else to confide with. Well....today (counting equity in my primary residence), I joined the same club. I feel like the same poster did because we can't share financial news like this with a friend or neighbor.

Not sure how long it will last, but it sure feels good tonight.

Many thanks to this board for advice and assistance.

-M
by Kuota Rider
Wed Aug 29, 2012 10:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Why Invest in 401k?
Replies: 15
Views: 1832

Re: Why Invest in 401k?

1. Company match; it's a bonus and ytou are essentially saying "no thanks."
2. Tax deferred savings
3. Automatic savings makes it easier
4. You will blink and in 6-7 years have $100K; worse than that, you may blink in 10 years and have $5K.
4. Start with the basic books on the wiki.
by Kuota Rider
Sat Jul 21, 2012 2:14 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Investing VS Gambling
Replies: 23
Views: 2143

Re: Investing VS Gambling

Anyone that doesn't understand the market and would hold a stock that long (4 years) should not be investing. My average hold time is 30 minutes to 90 days."
The funny part to me is that this person considers what he is doing "investing."
by Kuota Rider
Sat Jul 21, 2012 11:12 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Investing VS Gambling
Replies: 23
Views: 2143

Investing VS Gambling

A co-worker and I like to share (and debate) investing news and theories. He laughs at the Boglehead way as too conservative and I calmly tell him I am I think individual stocks are far too risky. He outranks me so I try to be politically correct. He has shown me a couple penny stocks that he has proudly purchased and I just say "nice." So Last week, I sent him the price fall of RIMM as my evidence: $142 - $7 in four years.

His reply was stunning: "Anyone that doesn't understand the market and would hold a stock that long (4 years) should not be investing. My average hold time is 30 minutes to 90 days."

It is just always interesting to hear the rationale of the other side.
by Kuota Rider
Sat Jul 21, 2012 12:04 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Our income needed will be 70% lower in retirement?
Replies: 43
Views: 5537

Re: Our expenses will be 70% lower in retirement?

Very nice....but it doesn't appear you are accounting for inflation. Property tax, homeowners dues, utilities, & misc. expenses will all be quite a bit more 20 years from now than they are today.
by Kuota Rider
Sat Jul 14, 2012 9:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best watch for around $5,000? [Archived]
Replies: 1479
Views: 348811

Re: Best watch for around $5,000?

I have a very intelligent (and wealthy) relative who owns 2 $20 watches: 1 for standard time and 1 for daylight savings time. I love it.
by Kuota Rider
Wed Jul 04, 2012 8:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: recruiter asks for birth month and day and last 4 of SSN
Replies: 36
Views: 22192

Re: recruiter asks for birth month and day and last 4 of SSN

It is standard procedure in many industries today to perform a background check (credit check, driving record, police record, etc.) But that is only done AFTER they make you a formal offer and normally done directly through the firms human resources department -- not the recruiter.
by Kuota Rider
Mon Apr 02, 2012 8:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Just got fired, now what?
Replies: 49
Views: 12198

Re: Just got fired, now what?

L,

Good to hear...congratulations.
by Kuota Rider
Sat Mar 10, 2012 8:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 3 Years since ...
Replies: 16
Views: 1854

Re: 3 Years since ...

I am very happy to say that I didn't change a thing during the last crash. And much of the reason is reading the posts here where people reminded eachother to Stay The Course.

I scaled back some savings a few months ago because of a slightly smaller salary at a new job, but that was in line with a new budget.
by Kuota Rider
Fri Feb 17, 2012 7:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Your Personal Mentor
Replies: 32
Views: 2546

Re: Your Personal Mentor

A good friend whom I have known for 20 years. I was a warehouse grunt and he was the company controller. I was single and liberal and he was married and conservative. He has taught me more than he knows (about money, family, politics, life, & career) and I owe him plenty. But we all owe other people more than we know (or care to admit); we are all by-products of someone else's teachings (whether we know it or not).
by Kuota Rider
Mon Feb 13, 2012 9:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 401K limits and "anti-discrimination" policies
Replies: 34
Views: 4297

Re: 401K limits and "anti-discrimination" policies

I have been a victim of a "refund" a couple times. Be thankful though...one company I worked at avoided the audit issues by limiting the amount anyone could contribute to the 401K to $8,000. That way, there was less disparity between high and low income earners so they never failed their audit.
by Kuota Rider
Sun Feb 12, 2012 9:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Thank you Bogleheads
Replies: 15
Views: 1549

Re: Thank you Bogleheads

Congratulations Camper. Keep it up.
by Kuota Rider
Tue Feb 07, 2012 7:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What skills to learn to improve career options?
Replies: 29
Views: 3238

Re: What skills to learn to improve career options?

I agree with Gray...find a mentor. Nothing can help you learn faster than surrounding yourself with people smarter than yourself. Also, use your library and book store; read everything you can find on the subjects that will help you the most.
by Kuota Rider
Mon Feb 06, 2012 8:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: To those that have bought a house..Are you happy?
Replies: 142
Views: 15432

Re: To those that have bought a house..Are you happy?

Nobody has really mentioned kids & family happiness. With home ownership, our kids will grow up in the same neighborhood and go to the same school, with the same friends. That alone is priceless. If I was single, I might want to rent, but we are very happy with owning.
by Kuota Rider
Tue Jan 31, 2012 8:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Share Your Money-Saving "Secrets" Here
Replies: 110
Views: 13884

Re: Share Your Money-Saving "Secrets" Here

I've once opened a 2nd checking account at a local bank (for $500) just to receive their $100 offer. 3 months later I cancelled and withdrew $600.

-M
by Kuota Rider
Mon Jan 30, 2012 9:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Share Your Money-Saving "Secrets" Here
Replies: 110
Views: 13884

Re: Share Your Money-Saving "Secrets" Here

Ride my bicycle to work.
by Kuota Rider
Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: would you buy this Honda Accord?
Replies: 15
Views: 2243

Re: would you buy this Honda Accord?

We have a 2001 Accord with 120K miles. Still purrrs just fine, and no problems at all. We had a recall on the transmission, and Honda essentially replaced it at 50K.
by Kuota Rider
Sat Jan 21, 2012 3:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: san diego
Replies: 24
Views: 2319

Re: san diego

the beerdrinker wrote:
suggestions for restaurants
There's a little old lady who sits on the pier in Ensenada, Mexico who makes the best fish tacos you will ever eat.
by Kuota Rider
Sat Jan 21, 2012 12:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: san diego
Replies: 24
Views: 2319

Re: san diego

La Jolla cove and Old Town. Tiajuana is a fun day trip if you have the time.

-M
by Kuota Rider
Sat Jan 21, 2012 12:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cubicle talk
Replies: 36
Views: 3927

Re: Cubicle talk

I have heard a co-worker state: "I trust my advisor knows what he is saying when he tells me when to sell and when to buy."

I knew I wouldn't get very far after that response so I left it alone.

-M
by Kuota Rider
Sat Jan 21, 2012 8:22 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is the 529 the best place to put our $
Replies: 15
Views: 1969

Re: Is the 529 the best place to put our $

I feel its the obligation I assumed when I chose to have her. I'm also saving for retirement.
I agree with Gray. I max out my 401K and 2 Roths plus a small monthly sum into two 529's -- but we stretch to do that. But the best rule is to take care of your own retirement first before your childrens college fund (you can't borrow for retirement; they can borrow for an education).
by Kuota Rider
Wed Jan 18, 2012 9:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How have the BOGLEHEADS helped you?
Replies: 67
Views: 7201

Re: How have the BOGLEHEADS helped you?

When my first son was born (six years ago), I interviewed a couple financial advisors and was not happy with their quoted fees. So I began reading simple investing books and kept reading / progressing until I found the Boglehead's Guide to Investing. I now create a monthly budget and review it each year (401K, Roth and 529's are included in budget). I have an IPS which I review each year. I max out 401K and two Roth's. I have changed (almost) all of my accounts from TRP to Vanguard. I have become a true believer in both indexing as well as low cost ER's. I have begun campaigning to friends about the rewards of both indexing and personal investing. But the biggest thing I think I have learned from this group is simply not to worry...just kee...
by Kuota Rider
Wed Jan 18, 2012 8:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I continue maxing Roth IRA or go for 401(k)?
Replies: 31
Views: 3026

Re: Should I continue maxing Roth IRA or go for 401(k)?

OP,

I agree with Supersharpie and Livesoft (no reason for a decision),

I make the same salary as you with a wife, two kids and a home (mortg., property tax, insurance). And I have max'd out a 401K and TWO Roth's for 10 years now. You need a budget to find out where you are falling short. Count monthly 401K and Roth payments / deductions as a requirement of your budget; what's leftover, you can spend. That way your saving comes first, spending second.

-M
by Kuota Rider
Tue Jan 17, 2012 3:15 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Life-Cycle Funds: Life-Strategy or Target ?
Replies: 16
Views: 2952

Re: Life-Cycle Funds: Life-Strategy or Target ?

Thanks Taylor,

The LIfe Strategy funds may fit my AA better than my current Target fund over the next couple of years -- with a smaller ER.
by Kuota Rider
Sat Jan 14, 2012 8:12 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: When do you invest in your Roth?
Replies: 87
Views: 8489

Re: When do you invest in your Roth?

Vanguard deducts $416.66 for me and $416.66 for my wife from my checking account on the first of every month.
by Kuota Rider
Sat Jan 14, 2012 8:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Book recommendation: parenting
Replies: 35
Views: 2501

Re: Book recommendation: parenting

I second anything by John Rosemond; very old school discipline.
by Kuota Rider
Fri Jan 13, 2012 7:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pregnant with first baby, best book?
Replies: 37
Views: 3967

Re: Pregnant with first baby, best book?

What to Expect When You're Expecting.
by Kuota Rider
Tue Jan 10, 2012 6:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 40 Inspiring Quotes About Reading From Writers
Replies: 7
Views: 670

Re: 40 Inspiring Quotes About Reading From Writers

Others have been here before me, and I walk in their footsteps. The books I have read were composed by generations of fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, teachers and disciples. I am the sum total of their experiences, their quests. And so are you. -Elie Wiesel What really knocks me out is a book that, when you’re all done reading it, you wish the author was a terrific friend who you could call up on the phone whenever you felt like it. But that just doesn’t happen very often. -J. D. Salinger Books! Books are the greatest gift one person can give another. -Bono All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn…it’s the best book we’ve ever had…there was nothing better before and there has been not...
by Kuota Rider
Tue Jan 10, 2012 8:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bike riders with no lights at night
Replies: 60
Views: 4088

Re: Bike riders with no lights at night

That's not the goal of this forum. It is the goal of others on this site, but not this one.
Note: the Bogleheads forum is dedicated to the civil discussion of investing, personal finance, and consumer issues. Other topics - including politics and economic policy issues (e.g., health care and tax proposals) along with commercial solicitation and trolling - are NOT acceptable and may be edited or removed by our moderators.
by Kuota Rider
Tue Jan 10, 2012 7:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bike riders with no lights at night
Replies: 60
Views: 4088

Re: Bike riders with no lights at night

Two weeks ago this site had a thread titled "If You Can't Say Something Nice..." and today this thread is filled with name-calling like "stupid", and "Idiots" with examples revenge tactics. This is an investment site where the goal is to help educate eachother on finance realted issues. Please lock this thread.

-Kuota Rider (Kuota being my make of bicycle).
by Kuota Rider
Sun Jan 08, 2012 9:13 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Are you or could you be friends with another Boglehead?
Replies: 64
Views: 5890

Re: Are you or could you be friends with another Boglehead?

When topics range from reusing paper towels to the best $5000 watch, expect diversity.
Yeah... awhile back, someone said they were going to quit using deordorant in order to save a couple bucks a month -- definitely a little extreme.
by Kuota Rider
Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:24 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Stange Job Interview Questions
Replies: 66
Views: 6694

Re: Stange Job Interview Questions

Interesting. I took thedude's response as indicating that he would be annoyed at being asked the question, not at indicating that the grammar of the question was wrong. I would also find the question annoying, as it seems like the questioner is trying to gauge the level of my intelligence by trying to see what types of books I have read.
Why would one get annoyed at someone asking you what books you like? We ask it on this forum....I ask it during everyday conversations with people? It's as simple as asking "what do you do for fun"?

-M
by Kuota Rider
Tue Jan 03, 2012 8:10 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Stange Job Interview Questions
Replies: 66
Views: 6694

Stange Job Interview Questions

I read an article over the weekend that listed some of the strangest job interview questions. Thought I would share a couple I have been asked:

1. If you were a candy bar, which one would you be and why?
2. Elvis, The Beatles, or The Stones?
3. Name me three books you have read.

Anyone else want to share odd questions they have been asked?

-M
by Kuota Rider
Mon Jan 02, 2012 8:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is it rude to speak in a foreign language in the workplace?
Replies: 97
Views: 26217

Re: Is it rude to speak in a foreign language in the workpla

Never speak a foreign language where it can be overheard by others.
That is tbe best policy...
+1

It will help avoid any mis-conceptions.
by Kuota Rider
Sun Jan 01, 2012 8:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: On Budgets
Replies: 19
Views: 2108

Re: On Budgets

I create a monthly budget with estimates for housing (mortgage, utilities, maintenance, property tax), autos (maintenance, insurance, gas), Food (groceries, dining out), Insurance (home, health, life), savings (401K, Roth, 529). I also include a line for weekly allowances. My wife and I receive "X" dollars each week for personal allowance each Sunday.

If we run out of cash on Friday, we run out; if we have cash left over, on Sunday, it's extra. The allowance works well for us. And it ensures us that our savings comes is always met.

-M
by Kuota Rider
Sun Jan 01, 2012 7:25 pm
Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
Topic: If you can't say something nice...
Replies: 31
Views: 3549

Re: If you can't say something nice...

I agree with the OP...seems there has been an increase in negative comments.