Search found 271 matches

by ndchamp
Thu Jul 14, 2011 10:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: social security question re my parents
Replies: 15
Views: 2935

ndchamp : do my folks have to file for medicare if my father is still working full time and they are both covered under private insurance from work? In any case, both my parents will most likely not need social security money until after 70 years old. So what would be the best choice in their situation? Just do nothing and file for it when they need the money?[/quote] Part A is hospital insurance provided by Medicare. Most people do not pay a premium for this coverage. Part A covers inpatient care in skilled nursing facilities, critical access hospitals, and hospitals. Since it is free coverage, there is no reason not to have it. Part B can be delayed until his retirement, with no penalty. http://questions.medicare.gov/app/answers/detail/a...
by ndchamp
Thu Jul 14, 2011 6:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: social security question re my parents
Replies: 15
Views: 2935

Don't forget Medicare.
No point in postponing that. He'd probably be better off to visit the SS office and get all his questions answered by someone (hopefully) knowledgeable.
:lol:
by ndchamp
Tue Jul 05, 2011 9:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Boglehead Cruise Line Preference
Replies: 61
Views: 12671

Wife and I have cruised on Carnival, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean.
If drinking is your favorite sport, Carnival may be for you but for us...never again.
Smaller ships are better, 3000 passengers is my max (RCI Voyager Class), and pricing and ports make the decision. Cruising out of Tampa FL this November on the Norwegian Star, 2300 passengers.
Important to us is having a Day at Sea for the last day of the cruise, gives you a chance to unwind, leisurely pack, and say goodbye to new friends on board.
As my wife pointed out, she never met an island she didn't like. 8-)
by ndchamp
Mon Jul 04, 2011 7:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: advertising by Rick Ferri
Replies: 91
Views: 11828

Re: Advisor contributions

Taylor Larimore wrote:Bogleheads:

One of the primary reasons for the success of the Bogleheads Forum is the presence and invaluable contributions of recognized investment experts.

There can be a fine line between a post that is a commercial solicitation or a post that is a sincere desire to help. Fortunately for moderators, the intent of an advisor is usually clear from their post and past contributions so we are able to act accordingly.

I know that the vast majority of Bogleheads appreciate our many advisors and authors who give us the benefit of their knowledge and experience for free.
Amen...and Amen.
by ndchamp
Mon Jul 04, 2011 7:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: e-Reader - Kindle vs. Nook
Replies: 30
Views: 3994

For reading...the Kindle wins hands down.
I kind of worry about the future of B&N in the current bookstore crisis. Maybe some other company would support the Nook, but....maybe not.
by ndchamp
Thu Jun 30, 2011 1:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Luggage Recommendations
Replies: 38
Views: 9649

I like the Heys polypropylene luggage. Very sturdy and light-weight. Has held up to many air travels (so far, so good).
Sams Club had the set of large and small cases for under $100, wife got pink, I got the silver.
by ndchamp
Mon Jun 13, 2011 7:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: At what age does it go downhill
Replies: 190
Views: 29258

Mid 40's.
That's when I started having to hold the paper further away, after a lifetime of 20 - 20 vision. 8-)
Also the body developed aches and pains, nothing terrible, just annoying.
Doesn't matter though. Ten years from now you'll be looking back and wishing you felt as good as you do today.
by ndchamp
Mon Jun 06, 2011 11:43 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The annuity puzzle
Replies: 145
Views: 12534

Re: Richard

yobria wrote:Thanks for the link. Lord what a horribly biased article!
**snip**
Oh, it's a no brainer all right, pal.

Nick
Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
by ndchamp
Mon Jun 06, 2011 7:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to become a Florida Snowbird.
Replies: 30
Views: 7028

JDCPAEsq wrote:
texasdiver wrote:You don't want to leave a house empty in that climate, especially during the summer.
Easy - you just leave the air conditioning on.

John
Actually, easier and cheaper with a dehumidistat.
http://www.ehow.com/how_4616737_prevent ... -home.html
by ndchamp
Sun Jun 05, 2011 3:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to become a Florida Snowbird.
Replies: 30
Views: 7028

Lots of SnowBirds living in The Villages. Some are owners, some rent.
Lifestyle Preview Plan is available.

http://thevillages.com/comevisit/lpp.asp#top
by ndchamp
Sat Jun 04, 2011 6:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Reading Bogleheads.org on a Kindle
Replies: 12
Views: 2117

Ice-9 wrote:***snip**The new Nook is cool because of the longer battery life and touch screen, but if I were buying right now I'd probably take the $114 Kindle. (Battery life goes down from 2 mo with the Nook to 1 month with the Kindle, both stats assuming WiFi is off.
Nook based their battery life usage on reading 1/2 hour per day.
Kindle's was based on a 1 hour per day.
So....I call BS on Nook. :wink:
by ndchamp
Thu Jun 02, 2011 2:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Annuity
Replies: 71
Views: 12123

Vanguard gave quotes from 3 companies, IA dot com gave quotes form 3 different companies.
Hardly seems like apples to apples to me if your main concern is the fee.
Did IA happen to mention what their fee/commission was on their selected companies?
by ndchamp
Tue May 24, 2011 8:27 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Variable Annuities Popular Again. Does this make sense?
Replies: 96
Views: 11671

nisiprius wrote:
Of course, you could take $100,000, use $70,000 to buy an income annuity paying $5,000 a month, and put the other $30,000 into an S&P 500 fund. Then, hey presto, if the stock market goes up, you win. Why, if it goes up you can use the proceeds to buy an additional income annuity, thereby increasing your income--you've "given yourself a raise!" And if the stock market goes down, well, you still get your $5,000 a year, hey, that's 5%, guaranteed.


Nice if you could get it, but I think that should read $5000 a year.
by ndchamp
Sun May 22, 2011 11:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: $1000 vacation ideas?
Replies: 27
Views: 4155

I vote for the cruise vacation.
Depending on your location, it is probably an easy day-trip drive to Charleston SC where you can find Bahamas cruises.
Not much further is Jacksonville FL which also has a cruise port.
Saving on the cost (and the aggravation) of air travel is a good thing. :lol:
by ndchamp
Wed May 18, 2011 4:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vegetable gardening
Replies: 97
Views: 16553

I use the EarthBoxes. Kind of a mobile 2 sq ft garden for each box.
I highly recommend the self-watering container concept, especially if you have some free space on your patio or driveway.
I had 4 topsy turveys a few years back. Plants (tomatoes) mostly died and the ones that lived produced very little fruit. IMHO they are an "Advertised on TV" gimmick, not worth the time or effort. :roll:
by ndchamp
Mon May 16, 2011 3:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Florida Keys
Replies: 12
Views: 2178

ddb wrote:I'm partial to the Caribbean for a warm-weather destination.
Cruise ship vacation.
Eastern, Western, or Southern Caribbean. 8-)
RCI or Norwegian would be my first choices. Disney, not so much, but a 10 year old would probably love it.
by ndchamp
Mon May 16, 2011 8:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: "Over 55" Communities
Replies: 41
Views: 7095

3504PIR wrote:Add to that the Villages has the highest STD rates in Florida. Very active community...
Urban myth. More fiction than fact.
http://www.ocala.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti ... 6931917187
by ndchamp
Wed May 11, 2011 4:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite two-person games (card or other)?
Replies: 36
Views: 3896

Cribbage.
500 Rummy.
by ndchamp
Tue May 03, 2011 6:43 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where did all of you comedians come from?
Replies: 42
Views: 4771

How nice that the self-appointed Moderator Police steps in (again) to offer helpful tips on forum posting.
:roll:
by ndchamp
Mon May 02, 2011 7:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: USAMA BIN LADEN IS DEAD
Replies: 50
Views: 8336

JDaniels wrote:UNITED STATES NAVY SEALS - When you care enough to send the very best! God Bless America!
I agree!
by ndchamp
Fri Apr 29, 2011 8:43 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Is an SPIA in your retirement plans - Revised - READ FIRST
Replies: 29
Views: 4373

Re: Is an SPIA in your retirement plans - Revised - READ FIR

555 wrote:
RPS wrote:"Bogleheads generally place great faith in the research and opinions of experts via peer-reviewed studies as they relate to indexing and low-cost investing. They generally regard those who take an active management approach as misguided and/or arrogant for ignoring that research. But when the academic consensus is essentially unanimous in its recommendation to use SPIAs (income annuities) for retirement income planning, Bogleheads often tend to ignore *those* experts.

Interesting."
That is a ridiculous mischaracterization of Bogleheads.
Yeah.
He left out bellicose and curmudgeon.
Oh wait, that's just me. :wink:
by ndchamp
Thu Apr 28, 2011 11:41 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to determine my AGI
Replies: 4
Views: 971

by ndchamp
Wed Apr 27, 2011 11:42 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Where Can I Get My FICO Score?
Replies: 4
Views: 2062

I went to my local Credit Union for car loan interest rates and pre-approval before visiting the auto dealerships.
She told me my FICO.
by ndchamp
Sun Apr 24, 2011 10:48 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Allan Roth on building your own equity indexed annuity
Replies: 43
Views: 6913

Re: Allan Roth on building your own equity indexed annuity

YDNAL wrote:
DaleMaley wrote: Using a 3.5% ten-year CD rate, this works out to having 57% in the CD and 43% in the Vanguard stock index fund.......or a 43:57 stock-to-bond asset allocation.
- Forward Inflation like 1973-1982 (10-year period) will destroy capital invested in a 10-year CD at current rates.[/list]

Code: Select all

Year Inflation Rate 
1982 6.16% 
1981 10.35% 
1980 13.58% 
1979 11.22% 
1978 7.62%
1977 6.50% 
1976 5.75% 
1975 9.20% 
1974 11.03% 
1973 6.16%
And what is the return for TSM for the same period?
by ndchamp
Sat Apr 02, 2011 1:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best book for investing DURING retirement
Replies: 27
Views: 7270

dbr wrote:My view is that the Otar book is both too long and too complicated for most readers. I also feel that the Boglehead book is inadequate.rstanding.
The Bogleheads' Retirement Planning book took us this far. It is now time for a Bogleheads' Retirement LIVING book.
C'mon guys. :)
by ndchamp
Tue Mar 22, 2011 11:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to deal with bank wanting to "help" me with my
Replies: 42
Views: 7698

KyleAAA wrote:I'll make this easy. Never, ever, ever invest through a bank.
Something wrong with CD's?
by ndchamp
Fri Mar 18, 2011 2:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: opening a roth ira for senior retiree
Replies: 11
Views: 1556

Table 1-1. Compensation for Purposes of an IRA
Includes ...
Wages, salaries, etc.
Commissions.
Self-employment income.
Alimony and separate maintenance.
Nontaxable combat pay.

Does not include ...
Earnings and profits from property.
Interest and dividend income.
Pension or annuity income.
Deferred compensation.
Income from certain partnerships.
Any amounts you exclude from income.
by ndchamp
Tue Mar 08, 2011 9:05 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: For those in retirement [withdraw amount]
Replies: 38
Views: 6552

My RMD withdrawal is 3.91% (Period Distribution 25.6).
Mad Money and spousal ROTH IRA with Vanguard Wellesley Income Fund.
So far, so good.
by ndchamp
Fri Feb 25, 2011 8:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: ING Direct's Orange Savings drops to 1% APY
Replies: 33
Views: 6005

Grandpaboys wrote:For online savings account the best deal available is American Express @ 1.30%
My online Discover Bank Premium Savings Account is currently at 1.30 pct APY.
by ndchamp
Fri Feb 25, 2011 7:52 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bogleheads' Guide to Retirement Planning Book in Paperback
Replies: 17
Views: 2924

Does that mean that a Bogleheads' Guide to Retirement LIVING might be coming?
by ndchamp
Mon Feb 21, 2011 2:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Auto Makers Kill Off the Cassette Deck
Replies: 22
Views: 2875

UrbanMedic wrote:
word wrote:progress killed it, not the auto makers

Anyone remember AM Stereo? I had a 1980 Chevette that had an AM stereo receiver. It was the only frill that car had -- no power anything, no AC, no performance. But, if you could hear it above the road noise, you had stereo. No FM either.
I remember, early on, when radio stations began offering AM and FM broadcasts.
Some stations offered stereo broadcasting, one track on the AM, the other on the FM. Of course, you needed two radios to obtain the stereo effect, but hey, what else did we have to do?
by ndchamp
Wed Feb 09, 2011 3:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Advice on TSP Asset Allocations
Replies: 5
Views: 1276

Using the L-2050 would be the easiest, it is currently 90% equities.
Or use the ratio from the 2050, eliminating the F and G, which would be:
C - 49%
S - 21%
I - 30%
by ndchamp
Sun Feb 06, 2011 10:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Trip To Florida Keys
Replies: 24
Views: 3862

When wife and I were in Key West, we stayed at a Holiday Inn. We drove downtown once....BIG mistake.
Best way to get around is the Trolley. Buy an all-day ticket, get on and off where you want. No worries about parking. Our hotel was near the #7 stop, very convenient.
http://www.trolleytours.com/key-west/ma ... ocator.asp
by ndchamp
Sun Feb 06, 2011 5:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: CPI vs. COLA Inflation Protection Fixed Single Life Annuity
Replies: 6
Views: 2244

Maybe half of the annuity intended funds into a graded 3 or 4 pct immediate annuity, the other half into a variable immediate annuity (3.5 AIR) should give inflation protection and a chance to have an increase if the market does well.
From the Wiki page.
Chen, Peng, and Milevski, Moshe A,,"Merging Asset Allocation and Longevity Insurance: An Optimal Perspective on Payout Annuities" Journal of Financial Planning/June 2003. Available at http://www.ifid.ca/pdf_workingpapers/WP ... pdf[/[url]
by ndchamp
Fri Feb 04, 2011 7:58 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard Variable Annuities for high-income investors?
Replies: 16
Views: 3353

chrikenn wrote:Turning LTCGs into OI is not a good thing. However, the OP was considering a VA for Total Bond Market (100% of yield taxed as ordinary income if held in taxable account) and REIT Index (a large portion of distributions taxed as ordinary income in a taxable account).

So in his case, a VA wouldn't really be turning too much LTCG into ordinary income. And to the extent of NAV increases... well, if he buys it now and holds it for long enough (not sure what "long enough" is, but surely 20 years would do the trick), he'll come out ahead anyways.
Good points.
by ndchamp
Mon Jan 31, 2011 10:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What's your favorite mutual fund
Replies: 54
Views: 8213

Wellington (VWELX) and Wellesley (VWINX).
by ndchamp
Sat Jan 29, 2011 4:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Great Retirement locations
Replies: 11
Views: 2546

The Villages. Free golf and Florida's friendliest hometown.
http://thevillages.com/
by ndchamp
Wed Jan 26, 2011 8:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Acer Notebook Battery
Replies: 23
Views: 3022

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss? ... 1296051275

I'd go with Amazon for their unbeatable customer service.
Go to the top of the Boglehead's page.
Help Support this Site (more info)
If you buy anything on Amazon.com after
entering from this link, we get a small referral
fee. It does not cost you anything extra.
by ndchamp
Tue Jan 25, 2011 11:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Taco Bell "beef" = 35% beef, 65% filler
Replies: 147
Views: 18056

goggles wrote:I can feel it--now's the perfect time to mention Animal 57!!

Why is KFC no longer Kentucky Fried Chicken? It's not because we shy away from the word "fried" and they wanted it out of their name. Oh no. It's because KFC no longer cooks what can legally be called "chicken"! They are growing horrible creatures known only as animal 57. **snip** BUT WE KNOW THE TRUTH!
Somehow I expect more from a Boglehead poster than quoting an email hoax as an information source.
by ndchamp
Sat Jan 01, 2011 3:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Yahoo Mail becomes unusable
Replies: 37
Views: 5709

Are you using the "All New" or the "Classic" versions of Yahoo Mail?
For me (Your mileage may vary) the Classic version works better.
by ndchamp
Tue Dec 28, 2010 11:43 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: With interest rates so low, are annuities effectively dead?
Replies: 71
Views: 20331

Re: With interest rates so low, are annuities effectively de

dkturner wrote: Any product, investment or otherwise, that generates the level of commission income that annuities provide is never going to die, at least not of natural causes.
I thought SPIA's were the subject of this thread. :?:
by ndchamp
Sat Dec 04, 2010 4:37 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: The investing opportunity open only to federal employees?
Replies: 11
Views: 1746

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)

https://www.tsp.gov/index.shtml
by ndchamp
Sat Nov 20, 2010 12:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ally Bank [lowers interest rate on savings]
Replies: 43
Views: 7198

And my Discover Bank Premium Savings Acct is still at 1.50% APY.
by ndchamp
Tue Nov 09, 2010 9:11 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: state farm versus allstate for insurance
Replies: 21
Views: 13800

I live in NC.
A few years back we got a letter from the Mortgage holder that our Home Owners Insurance had been canceled by Alstate.
More than 20 years of sending them money and they never contacted us when they decided to cancel cancel their coverages in our area. When we contacted the Alstate agent, he was less than helpful.
Good hands, my A$$.
We moved our homeowners coverage to State Farm, and as far as I'm concerned, Alstate is the worst insurance provider in the world.
by ndchamp
Wed Oct 13, 2010 8:02 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Calculating the cost of an annuity's longevity protection
Replies: 61
Views: 8492

Default Risk
vs
Inflation Risk, Longevity Risk.

I'm thinking that the risk of the loss of your money due to an Insurance Company going belly-up is MUCH less than the risks of not taking any action to protect some of your retirement assets.
by ndchamp
Wed Oct 13, 2010 7:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Songbird Hearing Aids
Replies: 14
Views: 3285

tc101 wrote:Interesting discussion about the financial motives of people involved in selling hearing aids.

Now that they are sold online I think the prices will go down. This used to be illegal, due the to lobbying of the people who kept them expensive, but apparently this has changed recently.
Still illegal in some states, Florida for example.
Protecting the individual citizens....or the sometimes shady businesses?
by ndchamp
Mon Oct 11, 2010 11:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Free Anti-Virus Program
Replies: 60
Views: 8584

Re: Hello from AVG!

keonichavez wrote:Hi everyone, this is Keoni Chavez, Junior Community Manager with AVG. I wanted to make myself available to answer questions you might have about our new product, AVG 2011.

If you're new to AVG, you may download our free version to see how it works for you, which is really the final word: your own personal experience. You can download it from our site; as I'm new to this forum, I'm unable to post a link directly, but it's easily found right from AVG's front page!

Can I help answer someone's question?
Wow! :?:
I downloaded AVG yesterday. Updated.
This morning it totally locked up my computer. I had to go into "safe" mode to uninstall it. My computer is an ASUS netbook, running Windows 7.
Totally unsatisfactory program.
by ndchamp
Tue Sep 21, 2010 9:23 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: POLL: Is an immediate annuity in your own retirement plan?
Replies: 195
Views: 24583

Yes.
When my ever increasing MDR percentage rate becomes greater than the online annuity rates, then it will be time for my CPI adjusted SPIA.
by ndchamp
Wed Sep 15, 2010 4:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: how to answer "what is wrong with variable annuities ?&
Replies: 15
Views: 2740

dandan14 wrote: The allure of VAs is that they promise safety of principal with the promise of potential upside. In reality, that upside is capped and the cap moves at the discretion of the annuity company. Most years, you will make the minimum guaranteed return."
Are you referring to Equity Indexed Annuities which are a type of Fixed Annuity not Variable Annuities?
by ndchamp
Tue Sep 14, 2010 2:27 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: New Vanguard/"Income Solutions" income annuity pro
Replies: 46
Views: 17998

Sometimes Change isn't better. The old calculator was much easier to use.
:?:
What happened to the Immediate Income Annuity with AIR (Assumed Interest Rate)?