Bogleheads

[edge]

Maybe the libraries can put up papers on trading strategies and vehicles such as options, shorts, hedging, structured equity etc. I don't think many of us actually use any of these but it is interesting to read and understand them.

Also, alternative investments such as timber, private equity, LPs, CanRoys, etc. Not recommending these --- just want to learn about them

[TnGuy]

Perhaps a section on Markets & Market Efficiencies?


David

[norm]

[norm]

gbs,

here are some more sites for you to place in the forums.

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/ca....eposit.asp

Certificate of Deposit Calculator Calculate your earnings and more

Use this calculator to find out how much interest you can earn on a Certificate of Deposit (CD). Just enter a few pieces of information and we will calculate your Annual Percentage Yield (APY) and ending balance. Click on the "View Report" button to see a detailed schedule of your CD's balance and interest earned. Unhappy with your current CD rate? Check out Bankrate's exclusive list of the highest-yielding CDs in the United States.


http://content.members.fidelit....LX,00.html

Enter Symbols for up to five (5) funds for a side-by-side comparison:


http://moneycentral.msn.com/in....t/main.asp

Life Expectancy Calculator
_________________
NormC

�Illegitimus Non Carborundum �

“The art is not in making money, but in keeping it”

[Barry Barnitz]

Norm:

For the present we are operating under a policy that tries to avoid linking to commercial sites whenever possible

gbs has posted the following in the Administration Forum

The morningstar link requires registration and will not open.

Tracking model portfolios is a worthwhile effort, but as Bill Bernstein, who tracked his Coward Portfolios for many a year conceded, it requires a lot of work. This topic would require a separate sub-topic and a dedicated staff to implement. This forum has only been in existence for one week, so we all will have to patient while we wait for consensus and volunteers.

Personally, I approach all but the simplest calculators with a healthy dose of scepticism. "Black box" solutions, be they calculators, optimizers, or monte carlo analyses require at least some basic understanding of the underlying algorithms driving the numbers, as well as a clear understanding of the limits to which the output can be applied.

The optimal solution, in my humble opinion, is that each "black box" tool we employ be accompanied by a tutorial. These could be written by our forum's mathematicians and investment pros. Remember, with this forum, anything which they could write to this effect would remain their property. This should increase the incentive.

Keep the ideas coming. Many of them will likely only face a delay. This forum has a huge potential for development.
_________________

blb
December Birthday Celebration: Ludwig van Beethoven

[norm]

I understand. I expect that any link a member submits for posting will be reviewed and posted if it falls withing the board's parameters.
_________________
NormC

�Illegitimus Non Carborundum �

“The art is not in making money, but in keeping it”

[gbs]

Hi norm,

We invite all posters to add their contributions directly to the topic of interest if not sure then submit them in the suggestion thread.

gbs

P.S. The diversification topic was merged into the Asset Allocation topic.

[gbs]

Data set and comments from Trev H. post in the International Stocks
http://diehards.org/forum/view....ight=#3721
[edit by gbs: I trimmed the comments before I got the idea to move them here.]

Using the Data Set provided by Table 5 in the fapnet article below...

http://www.fpanet.org/journal/....6-art7.cfm

Which includes Emerging Markets Returns back to 1988. I composed this data set:

US Equity (US in the results table)
==============================================
1970-1991 - Standard & Poors 500 Index (data from fapnet article)
1992-2006 - Vanguards 500 Index Fund

International Equity (IN in the results table)
==============================================
1970-1987 - EAFE (data from fpanet article)
1988-1996 - 85% EAFE / 15% EM (data from fpanet article)
1997-2006 - Vanguards Total International Index Fund

I then calculated US & International combinations starting with 100% US, then adding in 10% Slices of International until I ended up with 100% International. Calculations consider yearly rebalancing.

Portfolio..........10K Growth.......CAGR.......StDev
==================================
US100..............506,373.64........11.19........16.80
US90/IN10.......536,595.52........11.36........16.52
US80/IN20.......563,664.86........11.51........16.44
US70/IN30.......587,028.33........11.64........16.55
US60/IN40.......606,196.98........11.73........16.86
US50/IN50.......620,761.45........11.80........17.36
US40/IN60.......630,404.84........11.85........18.03
US30/IN70.......634,912.99........11.87........18.85
US20/IN80.......634,181.52........11.87........19.80
US10/IN90.......628,219.57........11.84........20.87
IN100...............617,149.83........11.79........22.04
==================================

Holding 60% US / 40% International gave a increase in returns of near 100,000.00 with basically the same volatility as a 100% US Equity portfolio.

Thanks

Trev H

Year,500 Idx,EAFE85/EM15
Year,VFINX,VGTSX
1970,3.90,-11.70
1971,14.30,29.60
1972,19.00,36.30
1973,-14.70,-14.90
1974,-26.50,-23.20
1975,37.20,35.40
1976,23.90,2.50
1977,-7.20,18.10
1978,6.60,32.60
1979,18.60,4.80
1980,32.50,22.60
1981,-4.90,-1.00
1982,21.50,-0.90
1983,22.60,24.60
1984,6.30,7.90
1985,31.70,56.70
1986,18.70,69.90
1987,5.30,24.90
1988,16.60,30.37
1989,31.70,18.93
1990,-3.10,-21.31
1991,30.50,19.61
1992,7.42,-8.32
1993,9.89,39.19
1994,1.18,5.79
1995,37.45,9.94
1996,22.88,7.81
1997,33.19,-0.77
1998,28.62,15.60
1999,21.07,29.92
2000,-9.06,-15.61
2001,-12.02,-20.15
2002,-22.15,-15.08
2003,28.50,40.34
2004,10.74,20.84
2005,4.77,15.57
2006,15.64,26.64

[paulob]

Suggestion for the glossary:

Are you allowed to create a link to Wikipedia?

When I clicked on DFA in the current glossary, it took me to their website but I would have to rummage around to find a concise definition. Wiki seems to serve that purpose.
_________________
Paul

[gbs]

[gbs]

[pkcrafter]

The library is becoming a wonderful resource. However, there is very little for the novice investor. Most articles are too advanced for newbies who just need some introduction to subjects such as AA, diversification and the importance of costs. Basically, the M* Diehards was created to help new investors. What is the mission of this site? The site could use a use a sticky post addressing its purpose.

Why are there two links to articles on Asset Allocation?

I don't quite understand the avoidance of "commerical" sites. If they are useful why would there be a problem? What is commerical? Rick Ferri's site with his online book? Eric Hass's Altruist site with its reading room? Bill Schultheis coffeehouse Investor?

How about Travis Morien, Invesopedia, MoneyChimp, and Frank Armstrong. Anyway, thanks for listening.

Paul

[gbs]

Hi Paul,

[pkcrafter]

Hello gbs, thanks for the reply. I'd be much more comfortable addressing you by name rather than initials. Just seems friendlier to me.

Sorry about "commerical," the typo was mine. And just think, it was my first chance to edit something.

I'll come up with a few basic references for your consideration.

thanks,

Paul

[gbs]

Hi Paul,

Thanks in advance for your help!

Also would like to point out that the library has an open submission policy. That means you can post directly without moderator aproval.

Me and Barry (the librarians) volunteered to create and moderate this board by making sure that the contributed links are on topic and in an easy to read format.

We try to manage as best we can but we believe that the value resides in the individual contributions of our posters because they reflect the real world.

If one notices that a topic is lacking a certain type of content then just by contributing new links he makes the library that much more complete.

Regards, gbs

[DRiP Guy]

[JMacDonald]

Hi,
I think a section on LTCI would be worthwhile. There has been one conversation on it so far: Long-Term Care Insurance. Best Wishes.

Joe

[TimDex]

I would suggest a library topic along the lines of "investing for beginners," or something like that.

One resource for that might be pkcrafter's online resource "Investment Guide.

www.investingessentials.blogspot.com

Also, include a few book recommendations, such as Brennan's Straight Talk, Malkiel's "The Random Walk Guide to Investing" (and not his other RW book), and perhaps Andrew Tobias.

My thoughts.

Tim

[pkcrafter]

Hello gb,

Here are a few suggestions for the library. I don't know if you have a basic section or these links should be filed under their topic.

Here is a link to Travis Morien's article for newbies, "Investment in One Quick Lesson."

http://travismorien.com/invest....iew/41/54/

Another link to Travis with articles on:
*costs
*active vs index
*choosing a good active fund

http://travismorien.com/invest....17/471/59/

This page from Moneychimp offers up some excellent interactive articles for new investors on:
*Index funds
*Compound Interest
*Volatility
*Randomness
*MPT

http://www.moneychimp.com/

Paul

[Mel Lindauer]

Hi Barry and gbs:

Simba made a post here http://www.diehards.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=691 that probably should be included in the Library under "Diehards History", if you agree.

Best regards,

Mel

[CyberBob]

How about a sticky to Bylo's PHPBB Userguide for Bogleheads?

[Barry Barnitz]

Simba, if you copy your post on Diehard's meetings here in the suggestion box we can create a suitable place for it in the Library.

Cyberbob, once Bylo finishes his tutorial it should most definitely be "stickied." The best placement would be in the main forum.

Edit: I have moved Simba's post into the Library, under the heading "Diehards History".-Barry
_________________

blb
December Birthday Celebration: Ludwig van Beethoven

[gbs]

Great post Simba!

gbs

[gbs]

I moved this from the "About vanguard" topic here until we find a better place for it:

[POSTED BY: simba]

Jack Bogle's Portfolio

An Inside Look at Jack Bogle's Portfolio - 2000
A Heart-to-Heart Talk with Jack Bogle - 2002
Catching Up with Jack Bogle - 2004
An inside look at Jack Bogle's portfolio - 2006

[shadowrings]

gbs

what about posting the Bogle links on the sticky thread titled "About Vanguard and its Founder"?

regards
vickie
_________________
Knowing your own darkness is the best method for dealing with the darknesses of other people.
--- Carl G. Jung

[gbs]

Hi Vickie,

[coastn]

First, I appreciate all the work that has gone into the Library. As a relative Newbie, I still have trouble intuiting some of the acronyms that have become common parlance. I tried to find 'TAA', and CAGR for instance this AM. I had to look in four of the Library Glossary postings before I found them. I also decided that I need to see a definition of 'Value Premium' - since I have just been winging it for several weeks, assuming I knew what it meant. I could not find it in the various Glossary links.

This is not a complaint about the Library. It's just a bit of venting about the insular nature of these boards, and the inclination toward exclusivity that happens when 'specialists' get together. Maybe I should periodically post a Rant on the two boards, not about using technical terms like 'value premium,' but about the propensity to use acronymns without explanation. I doubt if that will change anything, but I'll feel better.

-David
_________________
Do good. Do well. Take a nap.

[CyberBob]

[coastn]

Well, I'll be . . . .

Thanks.

-David
_________________
Do good. Do well. Take a nap.

[Barry Barnitz]

Nice find, with the acronym finder; I will add the link to the glossary section.
_________________

blb
December Birthday Celebration: Ludwig van Beethoven

[simba]

Good suggestion Bob.

May I recommend http://business.acronymfinder.com rather than http://acronymfinder.com to limit the acronym search to business and finance.

[TravisMorien]

[gbs]

Maybe they call it periodic because the random returns of the same asset classes are shown each year.

It is periodic as far as the asset class labels and random with regard to their returns. Similar with the Periodic table of elements. (http://www.webelements.com/)

gbs

[grabiner]

I designed this Microsoft Excel/Works spreadsheet for tracking asset allocations.

The spreadsheet will not make asset allocation decisions for you, but once you have chosen your target asset allocation, it will compute your current asset allocation, both by major classes (US stocks, foreign stocks, bonds) and subclasses. This makes it easier to determine where to invest new funds, or how much to move when rebalancing.

The spreadsheet can handle funds which are split over multiple asset classes, and can adjust for the different tax treatment of different accounts.

David Grabiner

[bob90245]

Dale Maley has compiled a collection of articles on the subject of annuities.

http://diehards.org/forum/view....=9457#9457

[fundtalker123]

Many people seek advice on this board. Rather than giving my opinion, I thought it might be nice to try to summarize (and give links to) the advice given by Vanguard and Vanguard Founder John Bogle:

-Vanguard gives investment planning advice here:
link: How to create your investment plan

-Some reasons you may want to invest with Vanguard are here:
link:Why invest with us
(Note: if one does not have access to Vanguard funds, e.g. in their 401k plan, one can still follow this advice (see below*)

-Suggested asset allocations (selecting the right balance between Stock and Bond funds) and historical returns:
link: Vanguard Model Portfolios

-Some reasons to consider investing in Index funds:
link: Active management and indexing
link: John Bogle on Mutual Funds

-A simple one-stop-shopping approach is to purchase a single "Vanguard Target Retirement" fund:
link: Vanguard Target Retirement Funds
-These funds give you a mix of stocks and bonds that are automatically balanced and adjusted over time as your age increases

-Another simple approach, recommended by Vanguard founder John Bogle, is to invest in a mixture of the following two low-cost index funds:
1. Total Stock Market Index Fund
link: Fund Snapshot
2. Total Bond Market Index Fund
link: Fund Snapshot
-It is often best to hold as much as possible of the Bond Fund in tax-advantaged accounts (e.g. IRA, 401k).

-One may also consider investing a portion in an International Stock Fund, such as:
3. Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund
link: Fund Snapshot
-John Bogle recommended putting up to 20% of the Stock Fund allocation in such a fund, although he has said that 0% International is fine for most people.

-When splitting your investments among several funds, check the percentages invested in each fund every year or two and consider buying and selling shares as needed to maintain the desired balances

*Footnote on Non-Vanguard Funds:
-If Vanguard Funds are not available (for example in your 401k) one can look for roughly equivalent funds offered by another firm, e.g.:
1. Fidelity Spartan Total Stock Market Index Fund
2. Fidelity US Bond Index Fund
3. Fidelity Spartan International Index Fund

[Barry Barnitz]

[posted by extra; moved to Suggestions for Librarians]


After reading your [gummy] sensible withdrawal rates, I have to conclude that safe retirement is for mathematicians only. The rest of us have to just wing it.

extra
_________________

blb
December Birthday Celebration: Ludwig van Beethoven

[orthros]

[lucky7]

Some excellent books on retirement focusing on issues such as taxes, mrd (minimum required distributions), inheritance, best ways to withdraw, etc. are I believe:
Ed Slott, The Retirement Savings Time Bomb (he has newer edition, do not know if as good); Retire Secure Pay Taxes Later by James Lange; and The New Rules of Retirement by Robert Carlson. All three authors are CPAs the latter two also attorneys.

Bob

[TravisMorien]

[Stinger]

Suggestion for the Library: cost basis for selling funds or stocks > methods to accurately calculate taxes owed.

Here's one good article by M* Sue Stevens: "An Investor's Worst Nightmare" (requires free registration).

Additional information and links would be greatly appreciated.

~Stinger

[gbs]

Hi Stinger,

That is a good article unfortunately requires registration so we can't include it into the library...maybe the IRS links at the end...

We have two sections of the library that touch on the tax subject: Taxable Investments and Asset Location.

Regards, gbs

[simba]

Stinger/gbs,

Use this link instead.

[gbs]

Hi Simba,

[Barry Barnitz]

gbs:

I am not sure about the "propriety" issue here. I would suggest e-mailing Sue Stevens and asking her to weigh in on the issue.

Stinger: A great source for what you are looking for (outside of the IRS Publications listed at the end of Sue Steven's article) is at Fairmark.

Here is the link:

Fairmarkcom. Capital Gains and Losses
_________________

blb
December Birthday Celebration: Ludwig van Beethoven

[Stinger]

gbs:
Too bad about the registration issue limiting reccomendations to good sources.

Barry:
Thanks for the Fairmark.com link -- exactly what I'm looking for. That could be included in the Library. Much easier to understand than the IRS Publications.

~Stinger

[jefmafnl]

This may be naive, or too perfectionist, but...

How about (in the Reference Library) maintaining lists (user-edited, a la Wikipedia, but with some quality control) of misprints in the most recent editions of the "standard" Diehard books? I'd imagine that we only need to do this for ca. 20 books...Swedroe, Ferri, Bernstein, Malkiel, Taylor-and-Mel, etc.

Joel

[gbs]

Hi Joel,

Since you can discuss that directly with the authors on the main forum I do not think that we will create the topic in the library also because those type of discussions rarely appear.

Regards, gbs

[Mel Lindauer]

Hi Barry & gbs (in alphabetical order):

Have you guys considered putting together a collection of financial calculators of all sorts? I think it would be helpful to have lots of them in one place in the Library.

Thanks for all the great work you both have done, and continue to do, for the betterment of the Bogleheads Forum and for all investors.

Best regards,

Mel

[bob90245]