Search found 39 matches

by JSMill
Wed Dec 30, 2015 8:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cataract billing issue - anesthesiologist
Replies: 64
Views: 11325

Re: Cataract billing issue - anesthesiologist

The amount of misinformation about cataract surgery is truly astounding. Cataract surgery is not a haircut. Cataract surgeons usually have to be e at the top of their medical school class to be selected to ophthalmology residencies and then put in the necessary time and work to become proficient at this procedure. For most people, cataract surgery takes anywhere between 5 and 15 minutes. But in many ways the procedure is like walking a tightrope. Millimeters separate a successful surgery from disaster. Issues that can arise during surgery: Poor visualization due to dense cataracts Poor dilation/ floppy iris issues Posterior polar cataracts with high risk for capsular rupture Positive posterior pressure Zonular laxity/ zonular dehiscence Sup...
by JSMill
Sat Apr 04, 2015 9:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: VRBO rental gone awry- recourse for security deposit?
Replies: 50
Views: 16755

Re: VRBO rental gone awry- recourse for security deposit?

To clarify- I was instructed to "take the trash cans out before I left on Sunday morning" for trash pickup Monday morning. I read it as take the trash out. We did not see trash cans in the garage or elsewhere, so I left the trash in bags outside at the bottom of the driveway. I did not find this unusual, as my neighborhood does not allow us to put trash in cans (we must leave bags out). Apparently this is against their HOA code, and a seagull got into one bag (house near beach). I found out later that they keep their trash cans on the side of the house, which I never went to. The location of the cans was not obvious to me. I don't know how I was supposed to know that these were there. The owner's argument is that I should have see...
by JSMill
Fri Apr 03, 2015 10:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: VRBO rental gone awry- recourse for security deposit?
Replies: 50
Views: 16755

VRBO rental gone awry- recourse for security deposit?

I rented a home last week through VRBO. Our stay was uneventful, but when we left, we made a mistake leaving out the trash for pickup. This did not cause any damage to the home, but did result in the owners having to spend a few hours driving to take care of the trash. It was my mistake, but was unintentional, and the owners could have been a bit clearer in my opinion. The owners were very upset and not very cordial in our dialogues during this episode. My security deposit of $500 has not been returned. I sent an apology email to the owners (day after the incident, unrelated to security deposit) and did not get a reply. I feel that it is fair for them to keep some of the deposit but not all. Is there a nice way to ask for it back? If they d...
by JSMill
Thu Dec 25, 2014 4:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best watch for around $5,000? [Archived]
Replies: 1479
Views: 347561

Re: I think I just got a $5,000 watch for Christmas

Congratulations! The $5000 watch thread was one of my favorites
by JSMill
Sun Apr 27, 2014 3:32 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting Attendance
Replies: 16
Views: 3682

Re: Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting Attendance

People who have attended in the past: what recommendations do you have for first-timers? Eg, how early do you get to the convention center? How bad is parking? Thanks,
by JSMill
Fri Jan 24, 2014 10:52 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: U.S. stocks in free fall
Replies: 36221
Views: 4652635

Re: U.S. stocks in freefall

I was starting to miss this thread
by JSMill
Tue Dec 17, 2013 10:56 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: misguided interest in div strategies
Replies: 200
Views: 23101

Re: misguided interest in div strategies

Actually, most of the responders for this Seeking Alpha article are posting thoughtful comments. Larry Swedroe has been a tad condescending in his replies and seems to be antagonizing them by calling them "fanatics."
by JSMill
Wed Jul 24, 2013 9:41 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What did Bogleheads do when the stock market crashed?
Replies: 129
Views: 88460

Re: What did Bogleheads do when the stock market crashed?

This was one of my favorite posts from that period, courtesy of Rick Ferri

http://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtop ... 10&t=26284
by JSMill
Wed Jul 17, 2013 9:25 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [Sad news - Pat Larimore]
Replies: 225
Views: 26695

Re: [Sad news - Pat Larimore]

Taylor, condolences from our family to yours. You and Pat are in our thoughts.
by JSMill
Thu Jul 04, 2013 12:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best/Favorite ipad Apps
Replies: 34
Views: 6025

Re: Best/Favorite ipad Apps

+1 for Zite and Dropbox

Netflix
Scrabble
Vanguard
Yelp
Wikipedia
by JSMill
Sat Jun 29, 2013 6:00 pm
Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
Topic: Forum Design - Hard to refer people
Replies: 31
Views: 4722

Re: Forum Design - Hard to refer people

One suggestion: cosmetically, I think the landing page would benefit from more "negative space."

http://sixrevisions.com/web_design/nega ... s-a-guide/

Perhaps move away some of the text/ links on the left side of the page?

On the whole though, I am very appreciative of the work that the site administrators have put in. As a new user last year, I did find the layout a little disconcerting but now I'm very comfortable with the page setup. Thanks,
by JSMill
Sat Jun 29, 2013 8:29 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Question About June Distributions from Muni Fund (VWITX)
Replies: 3
Views: 745

Question About June Distributions from Muni Fund (VWITX)

A little confused here. The distribution for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund (VWITX) for June was $0.03537, compared with May's distribution of $0.03622. I did a little reading and found this: Monthly Distribution Rate While the SEC yield's calculation is standardized, the formula for distribution rate – also called "distribution yield" – can vary. Most fund groups quote distribution rate as a monthly 30-day figure. Like SEC yield, a fund's 30-day distribution rate uses the previous month's income to project an annualized figure. Formula for calculating the Monthly Distribution Rate Even though SEC yield and 30-day distribution rate cover the same time period, it's not unusual for those two numbers to differ. One reason...
by JSMill
Thu Jun 20, 2013 10:20 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why is the Market having a major sell off?
Replies: 121
Views: 12259

Re: Why is the Market having a major sell off?

I'm just surprised no one has resurrected the "US Stocks in Freefall" thread.
by JSMill
Fri Jun 14, 2013 8:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Premium Products That Are Worth It To You
Replies: 368
Views: 65075

Re: Premium Products That Are Worth It To You

Bose noise canceling headphones
by JSMill
Fri May 03, 2013 9:51 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Grabiner approaching 10,000 posts
Replies: 32
Views: 4827

Re: Grabiner approaching 10,000 posts

Grabiner for president!
by JSMill
Fri Apr 12, 2013 11:30 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [Vanguard Announces Expense Ratio] ER Changes
Replies: 32
Views: 3557

Re: ER Changes

I'm with Chan_va. I'd rather they improve the functionality of the website. Their interface leaves much to be desired.
by JSMill
Sun Feb 10, 2013 11:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How I Transfer Over $50k to Roth IRA Each Year
Replies: 25
Views: 8989

Re: How I Transfer Over $50k to Roth IRA Each Year

What makes some 401K plans offer after-tax contributions while others don't?
by JSMill
Sun Jan 20, 2013 2:34 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: AAII- AmericanAssociation Individual Investors
Replies: 16
Views: 2254

Re: AAII- AmericanAssociation Individual Investors

I joined AAII two years ago before I found Bogleheads. I will not be renewing.
by JSMill
Tue Jan 15, 2013 10:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Your most intense movie scene
Replies: 155
Views: 19663

Re: Your most intense movie scene

The dentist torture scene in Marathon Man:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzw1_2b-I7A
by JSMill
Mon Dec 10, 2012 8:47 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "Skating Where the Puck Was"
Replies: 79
Views: 18596

Re: "Skating Where the Puck Was"

Dr Bernstein, I'm a physician who's been in practice for a couple of years. I wanted to thank you for writing "The Four Pillars Of Investing." I only wish I had read it in residency. Maybe it will be part of required med school reading one day. Thank you!
by JSMill
Thu Dec 06, 2012 6:08 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: A Compelling Argument for Holding Wellington Fund
Replies: 67
Views: 9104

Re: A Compelling Argument for Holding Wellington Fund

Looked at the Vanguard website to see what the bond component for the Wellington fund was like these days; Here were the top 15: Holding Coupon Rate Maturity Date Face Amount Market Value Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 5.500% 03/01/2023-03/01/2041 $1,179,361,371 $1,287,246,641 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 5.000% 01/01/2033-10/01/2041 $748,481,991 $813,704,389 United States Treasury Note/Bond 1.500% 06/30/2016 $540,105,000 $561,795,617 United States Treasury Note/Bond 1.750% 05/15/2022 $316,320,000 $320,868,682 TriParty Repurchase Agreement (RBC Capital Markets LLC) 0.000% 10/03/2012 $250,000,000 $250,000,000 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 3.000% 09/01/2042 $200,000,000 $211,038,000 TriParty Repurchase Agreement (HSBC Bank USA) 0.000...
by JSMill
Sun Dec 02, 2012 8:30 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Where is Opponent Process?
Replies: 25
Views: 2941

Re: Where is Opponent Process?

His ignorance was as remarkable as his knowledge. Of contemporary literature, philosophy and politics he appeared to know next to nothing. Upon my quoting Thomas Carlyle, he inquired in the naivest way who he might be and what he had done. My surprise reached a climax, however, when I found incidentally that he was ignorant of the Copernican Theory and of the composition of the Solar System. That any civilized human being in this nineteenth century should not be aware that the earth travelled round the sun appeared to be to me such an extraordinary fact that I could hardly realize it. "You appear to be astonished," he said, smiling at my expression of surprise. "Now that I do know it I shall do my best to forget it." &q...
by JSMill
Fri Nov 30, 2012 7:06 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Simple Question re: Tax Cost Ratio
Replies: 5
Views: 1009

Re: Simple Question re: Tax Cost Ratio

Indeed. And more to the point, when I examined MAPIX's tax cost ratio via M*, it shows that the cost actually increases as time goes on! 1% for one year, and 1.5% for five year. On the other hand, an index fund appears to become more tax efficient with time, only furthering the burden on the active managers. I just wanted to be sure I had my facts straight and it appears as though I do, for the most part. I'll be selling my shares in MAPIX before the end of the year. The M* tax cost ratios for some international funds are broken, although I believe the error is only in older data. Emerging Markets Index reports a 0.57% ratio for five years and a 0.20% ratio for ten years, implying that it had a -0.17% ratio for the first five of those ten....
by JSMill
Tue Nov 06, 2012 4:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Star Wars Franchise - What Order?
Replies: 47
Views: 3902

Re: Star Wars Franchise - What Order?

SSSS wrote:4
5
6

Then watch the Red Letter Media (Mr. Plinkett) reviews of 1, 2, and 3, but do not watch the actual movies. I've watched those reviews 10 times each and they are spectacular.
Yes, those are truly fantastic
by JSMill
Sun Nov 04, 2012 1:53 pm
Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
Topic: [merged donation threads] Dear Bogleheads - time to pony up
Replies: 277
Views: 25622

Re: Dear Bogleheads - time to pony up

I'm in. Everything I've learned here in the last year has been invaluable to our family. Thank you so much.
by JSMill
Sun Nov 04, 2012 1:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Star Wars Franchise - What Order?
Replies: 47
Views: 3902

Re: Star Wars Franchise - What Order?

I would strongly consider forgetting about the prequels and watch only the original three. Mr Plinkett's reviews of the prequels provide thoughtful and technical analysis of why the prequels pale compare to the original movies

http://redlettermedia.com/plinkett/star ... -the-sith/
by JSMill
Sun Nov 04, 2012 11:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Need a recommendation for an auto transport company
Replies: 8
Views: 1681

Re: Need a recommendation for an auto transport company

A couple of years ago I used a company called All American auto transport (#650-777-0933) to ship my car from California to Illinois. They were really easy to work with and charged a fair price. Some companies don't allow you to load your car with personal belongings when it's shipped, but these guys let me load the trunk and put linens and soft materials in the back seat.
by JSMill
Mon Oct 08, 2012 7:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What's a Large VG Account?
Replies: 20
Views: 4762

Re: What's a Large VG Account?

I randomly came across this page and found it interesting. When people with millions for wealth preservation are using US Treasuries as their primary investment, are they typically doing this is in a taxable account? If so, are they doing it with the understanding that they lose money to taxes and that is an acceptable tradeoff for preservation of their money?
by JSMill
Mon Oct 08, 2012 11:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Would you fly American today?
Replies: 24
Views: 2312

Re: Would you fly American today?

I am a frequent flyer on AA. I normally have no problems with them other than the usual annoyances of airports and flying. But I did take a domestic flight from Dallas a few weeks ago; there were delays taking off, an "electric malfunction" in-flight that necessitated a diversion to Albuquerque, and finally reached our destination 6 hours later than planned. I still fly American but I would be very cautious and leave sufficient times between connections.
by JSMill
Sat Oct 06, 2012 3:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: For GoogleFinance gurus ...
Replies: 7
Views: 3165

Re: For GoogleFinance gurus ...

Is there a function to get year-to-date returns for ETFs in the Googlefinance spreadsheet? There is one for mutual funds ("returnytd"), but I can't find a similar one for ETFs.....
by JSMill
Sat Sep 15, 2012 9:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Why do people [Why Would I] live in expensive places?
Replies: 51
Views: 4233

Re: Why do people [Why Would I] live in expensive places?

Different strokes for different folks.
by JSMill
Thu Jul 26, 2012 12:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ideas for trip to Turkey
Replies: 11
Views: 1607

Re: Ideas for trip to Turkey

We found this website really helpful:

http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/

We also used the Lonely Planet guide extensively.

My wife and I were in Turkey for a week. We went to Cappadocia (3 days), Ephesus (2 days), and Istanbul (5 days). Our best memory of the trip was riding a hot-air balloon in Cappadocia. Istanbul is an outstanding city; the food and sights were amazing. The rooftop bars and the music bars (?meyhanes) in Beyoglu in northern Istanbul were a lot of fun.
by JSMill
Thu Jul 05, 2012 7:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [Music Recommendations]
Replies: 103
Views: 9850

Re: [Music Recommendations]

I just stumbled onto Bob Dylan's Nashville Skyline album. He changes his voice from his usual nasal tone to a much softer one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6ODMKSWzT4
by JSMill
Tue Jul 03, 2012 1:35 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: madsinger monthly report (June 2012)
Replies: 9
Views: 2784

Re: madsinger monthly report (June 2012)

What is the Hot Hands fund this year?
by JSMill
Tue Jun 19, 2012 4:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: best wrinkle-free shirts
Replies: 39
Views: 9426

Re: best wrinkle-free shirts

Van Heusen is the best compromise for cost + wrinkle freedom
by JSMill
Tue Jun 12, 2012 5:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: TV show recommendations?
Replies: 606
Views: 247671

Re: What is your favorite TV show?

The Wire
The Sopranos
Seinfeld
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Arrested Development
by JSMill
Sat Jun 02, 2012 12:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Applying to Medical School
Replies: 34
Views: 3489

Re: Applying to Medical School

There is always a tradeoff. You will likely get quality medical education regardless of attending regular state vs top tier medical school. The advantages of attending a top-tier medical school: 1) Pedigree counts. When applying for residencies, especially in competitive specialties such as dermatology and radiology, the school you went to has weight in your application. Residency program directors give more weight to your grades, personality etc, but there is a prestige factor in play. Even if you go into a primary care specialty like Internal Medicine, if you decide to do a competitive specialty like Gastroinestinal medicine or Cardiology, pedigree can help you. 2) In a medical school class of a top tier school, you will be surrounded by ...