Search found 398 matches
- Sun Jan 03, 2016 10:22 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How do you keep your young kids busy/occupied?
- Replies: 37
- Views: 4070
Re: How do you keep your young kids busy/occupied?
2 year old twins - only children; so built-in playmate already helps us. We keep them going through a steady rotation daily. Grandparents watch most weekdays. Start out in child proof play room attached to living area & kitchen; so they can be constantly monitored from a distance. Put nursery rhymes...
- Sat Jun 06, 2015 12:00 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: [Elusive] Fidelity study identifies the most successful investors!
- Replies: 37
- Views: 7989
Re: Fidelity study identifies the most successful investors!
My new favorite quote from this website! Thanks for sharingBrowser wrote:Fidelity released a study discussing a performance breakdown for their accounts. The clients that did the best were the ones who were dead. The second best performing set of clients forgot they had Fidelity accounts.
- Sun May 31, 2015 4:32 pm
- Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
- Topic: To REIT or not to REIT
- Replies: 26
- Views: 6159
Re: To REIT or not to REIT
Reminder - "The greatest enemy of a good plan is the dream of a perfect plan.”novicemoney wrote: With the REIT portion so small, should I even worry about it? Or just be rid of it and simplify? Thanks for looking.
http://johncbogle.com/speeches/JCB_AZ_Republic_3-00.pdf
- Fri May 29, 2015 6:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: My son needs a double lung transplant
- Replies: 41
- Views: 8396
Re: My son needs a double lung transplant
The Social Security criteria for disability due to a condition of the respiratory system can be found here: http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/3.00-Respiratory-Adult.htm#3_01 His treating physician should be able to help guide you through the required testing to substantiate his co...
- Mon Mar 30, 2015 9:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Tablet recommendations?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 2370
Re: Tablet recommendations?
Had similar interest recently. Was using borrowed 1st generation IPad for streaming children's songs, cartoons. I was not happy with it. Wanted more reliable, easier to use tablet. Was looking for 12 in, but didn't find any for good price; but didn't search extensively. Didn't want to spend a lot du...
- Sat Feb 28, 2015 8:52 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Replacing exterior door ease?
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1283
Re: Replacing exterior door ease?
Thank you for the input. Appears no consensus thus far. A little further background in light of above comments. My guess is if your door frame is pretty square it should not be a problem. House was built early 80's. But was custom built for prior family/owner and solid/square construction around thi...
- Sat Feb 28, 2015 7:14 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Replacing exterior door ease?
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1283
Replacing exterior door ease?
Question: anyone's opinion on is it easier to replace an exterior wood door via placing new door against old hinges, outlining hinge, and routing new door hinges and hang or purchasing entire new door + frame/casing replacing old frame/casing without regard to needing to preserve old door frame/casi...
- Wed Feb 11, 2015 5:24 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: I'm not a bad Boglehead [buying Powerball ticket]
- Replies: 101
- Views: 10025
Re: I'm not a bad Boglehead [buying Powerball ticket]
"There’s A 67 Percent Chance Someone Will Win The Powerball Jackpot Tonight" http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/powerball-lottery-jackpot-february-11/ A $500 million advertised Powerball jackpot typically means about 191.7 million tickets will be sold, based on a polynomial regression. Given that le...
- Tue Feb 10, 2015 4:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Using LLC to pay off student loans
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1578
Re: Using LLC to pay off student loans
I was wondering if there are any tax benefits to using a personal LLC to pay off student loans? I have an LLC for tax (and additional) benefits since I am a 1099 contractor. Could my company get any tax breaks for paying the student loans for my employee, AKA myself? There are likely no benefits fr...
- Tue Feb 10, 2015 5:14 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Hedged International Equity
- Replies: 1
- Views: 301
Re: Hedged International Equity
Due to this does it make sense to only invest in international equities that are hedged back to the USD? My opinion - no. This statement from the paper sums up my thoughts "A reasonable forward-looking assumption is for an unhedged and a hedged investment to produce similar gross returns over long ...
- Sat Jan 24, 2015 4:49 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Do you have an EF & Taxable Account?
- Replies: 20
- Views: 2219
Re: Do you have an EF & Taxable Account?
I'm with livesoft on the variable need for having access to cash during a disaster. A good friend spent 6 months helping document the devastation, but that doesn't mean that each person impacted needed a 6 month emergency fund. For many it was a great idea. For others perhaps not needed. I think hi...
- Sat Jan 24, 2015 9:22 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Do you have an EF & Taxable Account?
- Replies: 20
- Views: 2219
Re: Do you have an EF & Taxable Account?
Edit to add: I lived in Manhattan during 9/11, in New Orleans for Hurricane Katrina and more recent BP oil spill. I recognize the economic devastation of catastrophes and the absolute importance of back up plans and emergency funds. I have lived through several natural disasters including Hurricane...
- Sat Jan 24, 2015 8:07 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Do you have an EF & Taxable Account?
- Replies: 20
- Views: 2219
Re: Do you have an EF & Taxable Account?
I maintain primary emergency fund as savings acct linked to checking acct. Its got about 1 - 2 mo of expenses. Then have separate taxable account earmarked for retirement, but secondarily intended for emergency-emergency account. Its got quite a few months of expenses if needed. Withdrawals would re...
- Fri Jan 23, 2015 1:34 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: I'm thinking about making very large 529 contributions ASAP
- Replies: 76
- Views: 8424
Re: I'm thinking about making very large 529 contributions A
529s are stupid Postby davebarnes » Fri Jan 23, 2015 1:18 pm 529s are a horrible "investment". You are better off buying gold bars and stashing them in a safe place. States have different 529 programs. I am not aware of the drawbacks of your state's 529, but ours appears appealing with few negative...
- Fri Jan 23, 2015 12:03 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: What is your commodities stocks/indexes allocation?
- Replies: 20
- Views: 1837
Re: What is your commodities stocks/indexes allocation?
Currently - 0%. Previously invested Vg Energy fund and Vg Precious Metals & Mining fund. But have since exchanged them for TSM/TISM in effort to simplify portfolio. Occasional temptation to tinker into such allocations again, but so far have resisted...
- Thu Jan 22, 2015 10:08 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: good time to invest in a Reit Index fund?
- Replies: 40
- Views: 6125
Re: good time to invest in a Reit Index fund?
Portfolio Returns Portfolio performance statistics Are in order of listing here , I could not paste it any other way: Initial Balance,Final Balance,CAGR, StdDev, Best Year, Worst Year, Max. Drawdown Sharpe Ratio, Sortino Ratio, U.S. Mkt Correlation, Intl Mkt Correlation 1 $264,000 $654,660 5.84% 13...
- Wed Jan 21, 2015 10:33 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Medicaid eligibility and cap gains
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1396
Re: Medicaid eligibility and cap gains
The stock, dividends, and/or capital gains may be considered a "resource" to Medicaid. There are resource limitations to be eligible. The eligibility requirements are complicated depending on personal circumstances and state you reside in. But hopefully, the local office can provide you with further...
- Wed Jan 21, 2015 4:33 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: I'm thinking about making very large 529 contributions ASAP
- Replies: 76
- Views: 8424
Re: I'm thinking about making very large 529 contributions A
No. Have 12 mo. old twin daughters. So I only recently got started with 529 plans for them. Currently have too many other financial obligations - recent 15 year mortgage refinance, retirement, student loans, home remodel, wife wants to stop working, etc. So we'll just continue as such and cross that...
- Tue Jan 20, 2015 4:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Birthday gift ideas for a 7 year old chess player
- Replies: 19
- Views: 2448
Re: Birthday gift ideas for a 7 year old chess player
I saw this unique 3D chess board on Popular Mechanics website (and other unique designs in slide show):
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technol ... -4#slide-5
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technol ... -4#slide-5
- Tue Jan 20, 2015 2:40 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Did the Swiss stock market really lose 9%?
- Replies: 15
- Views: 2729
Re: Did the Swiss stock market really lose 9%?
However, Swiss stocks fell by more than 10 percent at one point on the news, and the Swiss franc gained up to 30 percent against the euro. "(Swiss) companies will find that their exports suddenly become much more expensive, with the resultant hit to margins that will entail, while broader European ...
- Tue Jan 20, 2015 2:28 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: good time to invest in a Reit Index fund?
- Replies: 40
- Views: 6125
Re: good time to invest in a Reit Index fund?
Man, I wish I invested in the Vanguard Reit Fund Admiral last year! It's has been on fire! As , Nedsaid has told me, it is very high now , and overvalued, so now is not the best time to invest. I see it continuing to go up and up and looked at this past year. I really wanted to add it to my boring ...
- Mon Jan 19, 2015 10:12 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Today was a Really Bad Day in Shanghai
- Replies: 27
- Views: 4661
Re: Today was a Really Bad Day in Shanghai
FYI for Vg Total Int'l Stock Mkt fund investors - Chinese stocks encompass 4.0% of the funds net assets and Hong Kong 2.6%.
- Mon Jan 19, 2015 7:18 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Let's Celebrate! Which funds are you buying in 2015?
- Replies: 48
- Views: 5182
Re: Let's Celebrate! Which funds are you buying in 2015?
Will very likely be starting a new job soon. Currently have a personal investment account, Roth IRA, SIMPLE IRA, and traditional IRA. Then new employer will provide Thrift Savings Plan. In effort to simplify investments, plan to exchange entirety of Total Stock Market in SIMPLE IRA position for Tota...
- Mon Jan 19, 2015 5:40 pm
- Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
- Topic: Return of the Stockpickers
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1150
Re: Return of the Stockpickers
Investing and/or trading in stocks is a zero sum game. Some will inevitably do well and some will inevitably do poorly. Knowing who will do well and who won't is the question? The zero-sum game is a theoretical concept underpinning why indexing can serve as an attractive investment strategy. The con...
- Thu Jan 15, 2015 11:19 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Efficient markets: luck v. skill
- Replies: 37
- Views: 3434
Re: Efficient markets: luck v. skill
So, who has the statistics on FUND-picking skill? https://pressroom.vanguard.com/content/nonindexed/Updated_The_Case_for_Index_Fund_Investing_4.9.2014.pdf Can investors consistently pick winning funds? Two critical questions for investors, therefore, are: “Do I have the ability to pick a winning fu...
- Wed Jan 14, 2015 8:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Free (or REALLY cheap) image hosting?
- Replies: 20
- Views: 2057
Re: Free (or REALLY cheap) image hosting?
+1 more for imgurpacket wrote:+1 imgurBusting Myths wrote:imgur. Free, simple, and account not required.
:beerCheers,
Packet
- Wed Jan 14, 2015 4:54 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Rick Ferri looking to internationalize his portfolio
- Replies: 507
- Views: 127408
Re: Rick Ferri looking to internationalize his portfolio
Like I said, I go with actively managed mutual funds. I've owned OAKIX, DODFX, and others. All the ones I owned over the last 19 years outperformed VXUS/VGTSX significantly. The Ex-US index funds underperformed actively managed funds over long periods of times and throughout multiple cycles. I don'...
- Wed Jan 14, 2015 11:58 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How would you put a value on a pension?
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1640
Re: How would you put a value on a pension?
I am in a similiar situation. My current place of employment has been sold very recently and I am now working for a new employer and was recently offered a new employment agreement. I have also discussed other employment opportunities with a federal agency falling under FERS ( Federal Employees Reti...
- Wed Jan 14, 2015 10:16 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Creating a medical advice website-liability issues
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1168
Re: Creating a medical advice website-liability issues
-Without going into too much detail, the topic would lend itself to personal "consults" specific to each patient. This would be something more lenghty and involved than a reply to a forum post. Would it be possible/wise to set this up as a paid service? This would involve reviewing medical reports ...
- Wed Jan 14, 2015 9:50 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Sellers Won't Fix Leaking Roof; Fear of Additional Damage
- Replies: 58
- Views: 9851
Re: Sellers Won't Fix Leaking Roof; Fear of Additional Damag
So far the consensus has been to walk away from the deal. I agree. Its difficult to do so when you've invested so much time and emotion into the process. However, as others have noted above, it will inevitably require much more time, money, emotion to mitigate all the issues from water damage. I als...
- Wed Jan 14, 2015 9:19 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Do REITs have higher expected return than the broad market?
- Replies: 3
- Views: 776
Re: Do REITs have higher expected return than the broad mark
There is no steadfast fundamental reason why REIT should have a higher expected return than the broad market. There are times when certain asset classes may have the appearance of better valuation compared to other asset classes. But there are too many other variables affecting returns to reliably a...
- Tue Jan 13, 2015 9:22 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: [favorite] Boglehead quotes
- Replies: 76
- Views: 11084
Re: [favorite] Boglehead quotes
"Stuffing money in a mattress is also diversification, but I wouldn't do that either."
Rick Ferri
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=13547&start=50
Rick Ferri
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=13547&start=50
- Sun Jan 11, 2015 7:09 pm
- Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
- Topic: Why not long-term bond fund for the long haul?
- Replies: 11
- Views: 2157
Re: Why not long-term bond fund for the long haul?
I have a relatively low bond allocation considering I'm at least 26 years from retirement (41 y.o.). I have not yet decided when I'll increase my bond allocation in effort to lower my risk as retirement nears down the road. But I was pondering the role of long term bonds in my stock heavy portfolio....
- Thu Jan 08, 2015 5:25 pm
- Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
- Topic: What to do with VGPMX (Vanguard Precious Metals and Mining)?
- Replies: 129
- Views: 22548
Re: What to do with VGPMX (Vanguard Precious Metals and Mini
^^^ Further tinkering on "EDGAR Search Results BETA" with filing type N-CSR yielded this page: http://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?action=getcompany&CIK=0000734383&type=N-CSR&dateb=&owner=include&start=0&count=100&output=xml Listing of shareholder reports - annual and semi-annual. This is (simil...
- Thu Jan 08, 2015 5:06 pm
- Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
- Topic: What to do with VGPMX (Vanguard Precious Metals and Mining)?
- Replies: 129
- Views: 22548
Re: What to do with VGPMX (Vanguard Precious Metals and Mini
A question and a metaquestion. The fund's prospectus contains this statement: The Fund may also invest up to 20% of its assets directly in gold, silver, or other precious metal bullion and coins. Currently, it has holdings of platinum bullion amounting to 0.1% of the fund's market value--2009 troy ...
- Wed Dec 24, 2014 10:29 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Long Term Disability Denied - Runner's Knees
- Replies: 21
- Views: 4438
Re: Long Term Disability Denied - Runner's Knees
The issue for the OP is that he/she is currently applying for disability insurance through their employer. Hence, only one option through the employer route.neurosphere wrote: The main point to this long post? --> shop around.
target2030 wrote:I applied for LTD coverage through my employer ...
- Mon Dec 22, 2014 3:50 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Long Term Disability Denied - Runner's Knees
- Replies: 21
- Views: 4438
Re: Long Term Disability Denied - Runner's Knees
Liberty Mutual is a very frustrating insurance company to deal with. They are popular amongst employers because of favorable pricing. But they are able to provided competetive pricing because they deny claims more frequently. Chondromalacia patella is a degenerative change associated aging. We are a...
- Sun Dec 14, 2014 12:03 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: U.S. stocks in freefall
- Replies: 6393
- Views: 1371324
Re: U.S. stocks in freefall
If I were in S&P's marketing department, I would seriously recommend that the S&P 500 Index be rescaled, multiplying it by a factor of ten, making it bigger than the Dow. Surely if they did that, it would only be a matter of time before newscasters started announcing it first, and soon it, rather t...
- Sun Nov 30, 2014 7:39 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Oil / Energy ETFs
- Replies: 58
- Views: 6439
Re: Oil / Energy ETFs
Many energy and oil ETFs are down significantly. What are the arguments against buying an oil ETF now, on the premise that it's currently cheap? I have friends that trade "oil." Every now and then they discuss how much they made (or loss). I listen. I doubt they have outperformed a well balanced po...
- Sun Nov 30, 2014 5:07 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Plywood R value attic - energy efficiency
- Replies: 29
- Views: 3884
Re: Plywood R value attic - energy efficiency
No. The R-value of any insulation material assumes a complete air seal against convection. For example, the R-value of 10-inch unfaced fiberglass batts is essentially zero without an air seal. With an air seal it's R-30. I would suggest you read either or both of these two books before wasting time...
- Sat Nov 29, 2014 10:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Would you move/stay for better school district?
- Replies: 55
- Views: 8628
Re: Would you move/stay for better school district?
All this has led to some guilt about discussing a possible better physical home as if somehow we are doing less for our child. Has anyone else been tied down for a school district? Or is this an over blown hot button raising a child? We have twin girls 11 months old. We moved 1 year ago for this re...
- Sat Nov 29, 2014 8:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: TV buying recommendations
- Replies: 44
- Views: 4541
Re: TV buying recommendations
We have a variety of flat screens. I believe they're all LCD. Our recent purchases have been Vizio 1 large screen for living, and smaller screen another room. I am very happy with these purchases considering price acquired. These seem on par with other brands. But in full disclosure, I'm not a techn...
- Sat Nov 29, 2014 7:32 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Plywood R value attic - energy efficiency
- Replies: 29
- Views: 3884
Re: Plywood R value attic - energy efficiency
Thanks for the comments.
I realize such questions will get limited participation on a personal investment/finance forum? Does anyone have suggestions for a reputable DIY home improvement forum. I see there are many out there. Just curious others if anyone has a favorite(s)?
I realize such questions will get limited participation on a personal investment/finance forum? Does anyone have suggestions for a reputable DIY home improvement forum. I see there are many out there. Just curious others if anyone has a favorite(s)?
- Sat Nov 29, 2014 7:26 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Thinking of becoming a personal fitness trainer
- Replies: 36
- Views: 5821
Re: Thinking of becoming a personal fitness trainer
The bottom line is that personal trainers have become a commodity. Competition among trainers is often on the basis of price, which drives down what he can charge his clients. When he posts a job for a trainer (odd hours, no benefits), he's swamped with applicants even though the pay is low. (They'...
- Fri Nov 28, 2014 2:32 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Thinking of becoming a personal fitness trainer
- Replies: 36
- Views: 5821
Re: Thinking of becoming a personal fitness trainer
It is sales , period. It doesn't matter how good you are, you have to sell. I agree with this. I am not a good 'salesperson' per se. But I let my work sell me/my services. I would keep my clients moving at good pace. The majority of my clients were interested in training for health reasons, not to ...
- Fri Nov 28, 2014 2:05 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Thinking of becoming a personal fitness trainer
- Replies: 36
- Views: 5821
Re: Thinking of becoming a personal fitness trainer
Prior to my current profession (physician), I was physical therapist. I did some personal training as well. My undergraduate degree was Kinesiology and my Masters in Physical Therapy provided exceptional credentials. But I don't recommend pursuing a degree to work in this line of work. I obtained ad...
- Fri Nov 28, 2014 11:53 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Plywood R value attic - energy efficiency
- Replies: 29
- Views: 3884
Re: Attic fiberglass insulation - energy efficiency
Stop what you are doing right now and airseal the floor of the attic. Google attic airsealing, read a bunch, and avoid a painful mistake. Drywallers leave a gap between the ceiling drywall (attic floor) and the framing at the tops of walls (called top plates). Added up, this is like having 2-5 sq f...
- Fri Nov 28, 2014 11:42 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Plywood R value attic - energy efficiency
- Replies: 29
- Views: 3884
Re: Attic fiberglass insulation - energy efficiency
This was intentional. They are 2 different questions requesting input from others on both.LadyGeek wrote:FYI - bottomfisher had two simultaneous threads, which I merged together. This thread is in the Personal Consumer Issues forum.
- Fri Nov 28, 2014 10:54 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Plywood R value attic - energy efficiency
- Replies: 29
- Views: 3884
Re: Attic fiberglass insulation - energy efficiency
I would recommend blown in fiberglass insulation for the attic. I just added an additional layer to my attic this fall. Much easier than roll insulation and it creates a seamless "blanket" of insulation in your attic. Both Home Depot and Lowes give you the machine for free if you buy 10 bales of in...
- Fri Nov 28, 2014 10:36 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Plywood R value attic - energy efficiency
- Replies: 29
- Views: 3884
Re: Attic fiberglass insulation - energy efficiency
For perspective this how much area I considering - pics of attic area in link:
http://imgur.com/a/e4PIe#XGWACJM
http://imgur.com/a/e4PIe#XGWACJM