Search found 1740 matches

by Whakamole
Mon Mar 25, 2024 4:31 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Socially Conscious Investing 2.0?
Replies: 9
Views: 815

Re: Socially Conscious Investing 2.0?

LaramieWind wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 4:19 pm I am looking for an all in one fund that has companies that sell weapons, coal, natural gas & petroleum. Nuclear Energy would also be a acceptable.
FTWO? It's even got precious metals!
by Whakamole
Fri Mar 22, 2024 9:15 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Buy and Hold Forever
Replies: 22
Views: 3668

Re: Buy and Hold Forever

gavinsiu wrote: Thu Mar 21, 2024 7:36 pm
nisiprius wrote: Thu Mar 21, 2024 6:56 pm It's a valid point. Mutual funds were not the same thing before and after 1940. Nevertheless, it might be worth noting that you could theoretically have held the Massachusetts Investors Trust (MMITX) from 1924 through today.
Yes, I think Wellington is also from around 1929. A lot of financial firms themselves are also quite old, so it's possible to hold them until one day they die (such as Lehman Brothers). I would guess that holding Wellington or MMITX would be a lot less stomach churning than holding a single or a handful of stocks.
Dodge and Cox Balanced from 1931 as well. I think Jack Bogle even said nice things about Dodge and Cox.
by Whakamole
Sun Feb 25, 2024 12:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What email address is "okay/acceptable" to use then?
Replies: 168
Views: 18356

Re: What email address is "okay/acceptable" to use then?

If I were starting over today, I'd go with Proton Mail. I'm even fine with the 500 MB to 1 GB storage limit for a free account. However, after nearly 20 years with Gmail, the thought of changing my primary email address is daunting. In the modern age it's such an important unique identifier, it's almost like changing one's name. I'm curious, is it often a struggle to transmit your email address over the phone, like to a customer service representative, because of the .me TLD? Migrating from gmail is not that bad. You can set up auto-forwarding (or Proton can do it for you.) I've slowly switched my accounts over, and get very few emails to my gmail account nowadays. I haven't had many problems with the .me TLD, but you can also create a pro...
by Whakamole
Sat Feb 24, 2024 4:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What email address is "okay/acceptable" to use then?
Replies: 168
Views: 18356

Re: What email address is "okay/acceptable" to use then?

I use protonmail.

If someone asked if I had something to hide, my answer would be "yes, the contents of my emails."
by Whakamole
Sat Feb 24, 2024 1:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do your intra-company yearly raises keep with inflation?
Replies: 60
Views: 6333

Re: Do your inter-company yearly raises keep with inflation?

My employer didn't offer raises last year, and raises before that didn't keep up with inflation, so no.
by Whakamole
Sun Feb 18, 2024 12:58 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Advice for 53 year old single female
Replies: 52
Views: 7846

Re: Advice for 53 year old single female

ruralavalon wrote: Sat Feb 17, 2024 11:27 am All 401k plans have limited options.
Some are more limited than others. At least some Fidelity 401(k) plans offer BrokerageLink. I'm not sure if OP has that option, but it gives you access to almost everything.
by Whakamole
Sat Feb 17, 2024 10:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Job title for PhD Economist Daughter
Replies: 36
Views: 4021

Re: Job title for PhD Economist Daughter

Director, Economics Research

Director doesn't mean "directing people", and this clarifies that she's directing a program instead.
by Whakamole
Sat Feb 17, 2024 12:04 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any recommendation of a book that chronicles the downward spiral of an ordinary person
Replies: 102
Views: 9418

Re: Any recommendation of a book that chronicles the downward spiral of an ordinary person

In keeping with the Thomas Hardy recommendations, "Jude the Obscure" though I didn't like the book.

"Flowers for Algernon" is a classic and one of the most memorable things I've read.
by Whakamole
Fri Feb 16, 2024 10:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Edward Jones Refusing Disbursement of Inherited Funds
Replies: 7
Views: 1301

Re: Edward Jones Refusing Disbursement of Inherited Funds

Ask your attorney to send EJ a "lawyer letter."
by Whakamole
Wed Feb 14, 2024 1:54 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Ben Carlson : Is the stock market too concentrated?
Replies: 50
Views: 5382

Re: Ben Carlson : Is the stock market too concentrated?

It's always been concentrated, but how often has it been so concentrated in so few industries?

ITOT:
MICROSOFT CORP Information Technology 6.27%
APPLE INC Information Technology 5.61%
NVIDIA CORP Information Technology 3.70%
AMAZON COM INC Consumer Discretionary 3.18%
META PLATFORMS INC Communication 2.12%
ALPHABET INC CLASS A Communication 1.78%
ALPHABET INC CLASS C Communication 1.52%

Compared to EWU (iShares UK):
SHELL PLC Energy 8.87%
ASTRAZENECA PLC Health Care 8.02%
HSBC HOLDINGS PLC Financials 6.41%
UNILEVER PLC Consumer Staples 5.38%
BP PLC Energy 4.41%
GLAXOSMITHKLINE Health Care 3.62%
DIAGEO PLC Consumer Staples 3.46%
by Whakamole
Sun Feb 11, 2024 2:49 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Now that long TIPS yields are 60 bp off their highs I will…
Replies: 2949
Views: 622868

Re: Now that long TIPS yields are 60 bp off their highs I will…

Looks to me the I think there are two opposing forces here (correct me if I am wrong): 1. Interest rates have likely reached or are near their highs, inflation is probably pretty much under control, and the Fed. plans to start cutting rates this year- this suggests a tendency towards declining TIPS yields going forward. 2. The USA still has a massive amount of debt that it needs to sell off, and that should not resolve any time soon. This could account for persistent high yields in years to come. So, the bottom line is, it is difficult to predict the future of TIPS yields. I'm not understanding number 2. If there is large amount of debt that needs to paid off, wouldn't that indicate a desire by the government or Fed to lower interest rates...
by Whakamole
Sat Feb 10, 2024 9:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity Fully Paid Lending program - anyone?
Replies: 19
Views: 2679

Re: Fidelity Fully Paid Lending program - anyone?

I'm enrolled. DFSV (DFA small cap value) and their international SCV fund have been lent out a few times. I won't turn down extra money in my Roth. Not enlisted in taxable.
by Whakamole
Sat Feb 10, 2024 4:22 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: AVUV - PE ratio single digits [Avantis US Small-Cap Value ETF]
Replies: 104
Views: 8038

Re: AVUV - PE ratio single digits

Yesterdaysnews wrote: Sat Feb 10, 2024 3:47 pm Given the top heavy nature of VTI and current high multiple, why not put some into AVUV? Single digit multiple! Only issue is risk to small banks but JPow seemed to call it a manageable situation.
Jerome Powell also said inflation was transitory.
by Whakamole
Mon Jan 22, 2024 1:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best tours for China?
Replies: 122
Views: 11068

Re: Best tours for China?

HanSolo wrote: Mon Jan 22, 2024 1:36 am
bendix wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 12:13 pm ... be prepared that 95% of everything is paid by either WeChat or Alipay, even when dealing with officials.
What if a foreign tourist doesn't (can't/won't) install Chinese apps on their phone? Will they be able to get food and/or complete any official tasks requiring payment?

I hope starvation and/or deportation is not on the table in that case!
I used a cheap burner phone and used a special account created just for the trip.

I went for work, and am happy that our travel budget was cut since it spares me coming up with an excuse not to go.
by Whakamole
Thu Jan 18, 2024 2:02 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Now that long TIPS yields are 60 bp off their highs I will…
Replies: 2949
Views: 622868

Re: Now that long TIPS yields are 60 bp off their highs I will…

It's not 2.5%, but it's good enough. I also plan to buy at the April auction for my 2029 ladder.
by Whakamole
Tue Jan 09, 2024 12:39 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: should I leave VWO out of my brokerage
Replies: 17
Views: 2539

Re: should I leave VWO out of my brokerage

I purchased VWO during March 2020 for TLH reasons, and that was a mistake. I've been considering using tax losses to sell it.
by Whakamole
Fri Dec 15, 2023 3:51 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: AVUV surges past 2021 high
Replies: 42
Views: 7989

Re: AVUV surges past 2021 high

DFSV is also at an all-time high... very happy to be holding it.

The international version DISV has recovered quite nicely as well.
by Whakamole
Fri Dec 15, 2023 11:36 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Post your Financial Milestone Announcements Here
Replies: 3617
Views: 568658

Re: Post your Financial Milestone Announcements Here

Passed $3M in investments.
by Whakamole
Wed Nov 29, 2023 4:46 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [Vanguard Class Action Lawsuit Over Target Date Funds to Move Forward]
Replies: 183
Views: 20766

Re: [Vanguard Class Action Lawsuit Over Target Date Funds to Move Forward]

I think the problem that Vanguard has been suffering is the same as for most financial businesses. They forget what their real business is, serving customers, and instead just want to get big. Success is measured in billions. Direction comes from the top and if management sets incentives that reward getting bigger, that's exactly what you will get at the expense of everything else. There are economies to scale but once you get down into the single digits for expense ratios, there's not much more point to getting bigger other than bragging rights. And if getting bigger comes at the expense of putting customers first, then customers are going to suffer. I think Vanguard may have forgotten this. At least one other person would probably agree ...
by Whakamole
Thu Nov 23, 2023 1:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: ChatGPT just wrote me a POA that is better than the attorney's
Replies: 150
Views: 21330

Re: ChatGPT just wrote me a POA that is better than the attorney's

Finridge wrote: Wed Nov 22, 2023 2:09 am Don't trust ChatGPT. I use ChatGPT daily. The output always *looks* good, even when it isn't. Unless you are a lawyer, you won't even know when it's taking down the wrong path or missing something.
That is what ChatGPT is tuned for. It is made to look good. Few people ask ChatGPT questions they already know the answer to and check it's work.
by Whakamole
Thu Oct 12, 2023 9:17 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bengen: "There is no guidance for SWR for those retiring today"
Replies: 231
Views: 21244

Re: Bengen: "There is no guidance for SWR for those retiring today"

Northern Flicker wrote: Wed Oct 11, 2023 11:42 pm From: https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/fede ... -brackets/
Additionally, on a yearly basis the IRS adjusts more than 40 tax provisions for inflation. This is done to prevent what is called “bracket creep,” when people are pushed into higher income tax brackets or have reduced value from credits or deductions due to inflation, instead of any increase in real income.
The thresholds for NIIT and the Additional Medicare tax haven't been adjusted since they were introduced ten years ago: https://taxfoundation.org/blog/obamacar ... ion-taxes/
by Whakamole
Tue Oct 10, 2023 6:32 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bengen: "There is no guidance for SWR for those retiring today"
Replies: 231
Views: 21244

Re: Bengen: "There is no guidance for SWR for those retiring today"

Unless we are talking about a Roth account, it doesn't matter. You have to pull it out of your tax-deferred bucket to use it for spending, and this is a taxable event at ordinary income rates. Hmm you lost me. Example: One year inflation is 10%. My TIPS face value increases by 10%. I increase my IRA withdrawals by 10%. Tax brackets increase by 10%. Where's the taxflation? Yes, you'll obviously be taxed some additional dollars, even if your marginal rate doesn't change thanks to the inflated brackets. What I haven't seen anyone else acknowledge is that the increased tax will be paid in inflated dollars. So I agree, I don't see any real impact from this taxflation either. You can plug this into Excel but to make an example: Say a stock only ...
by Whakamole
Tue Oct 10, 2023 4:41 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bengen: "There is no guidance for SWR for those retiring today"
Replies: 231
Views: 21244

Re: Bengen: "There is no guidance for SWR for those retiring today"

I think the point about taxes is you can't really count on having spending 30 years of principal (providing 3.3% a year), because the inflation adjustments to keep the principal at the same level are taxable at your marginal federal tax rate (as high as 37%). Also, the higher the inflation adjustment the more likely you are to pushed into a higher tax bracket. This is the "taxflation" I believe. Most of us buy our TIPS in IRAs/401ks. Tax brackets adjust with inflation. Unless we are talking about a Roth account, it doesn't matter. You have to pull it out of your tax-deferred bucket to use it for spending, and this is a taxable event at ordinary income rates. Hmm you lost me. Example: One year inflation is 10%. My TIPS face value ...
by Whakamole
Mon Oct 09, 2023 9:55 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: I Bonds Mega Thread (I Bond Heads Rejoice!)
Replies: 6658
Views: 1240095

Re: I Bonds Mega Thread (I Bond Heads Rejoice!)

TIPSWatch is estimating 1.4%-1.7% fixed for what it's worth: https://tipswatch.com/2023/10/08/the-i- ... -how-much/
by Whakamole
Fri Oct 06, 2023 7:57 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How lower can TLT drop from here? [iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF]
Replies: 87
Views: 11147

Re: How lower can TLT drop from here? [iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF]

ExTx wrote: Thu Oct 05, 2023 6:28 pm I'll get interested starting at 5%. Buy in 100 share lots, sell calls.
You may see it today. TLT is down ~2.5% premarket.
by Whakamole
Thu Oct 05, 2023 8:35 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Sad News - LadyGeek's Mom has passed
Replies: 158
Views: 38166

Re: Sad News - LadyGeek's Mom has passed

I'm sorry for your loss, LadyGeek.
by Whakamole
Wed Oct 04, 2023 11:40 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Now that long TIPS yields are 60 bp off their highs I will…
Replies: 2949
Views: 622868

Re: Now that long TIPS have pushed past 2.50% I will…

My point was that that you can lose huge money if you don't (hit by a bus) hold to maturity. See Nedsaid's recent experience above. If I get hit by a bus, I won't care much about TIPS price fluctuations anymore, and my heirs (who will unexpectedly have millions of dollars dropped in their laps) will be OK. Not a risk I personally care about. I agree. On the other hand, splitting up mutual fund or ETFs into fractions is easier than.splitting bonds up. On buying off the secondary market, it was easy at Fidelity. There was one issue that I had to resubmit a few times. The others went through and a few times I received a price below my limit. New issues are trivial. Does anyone know whether bond purchases have to be with settled money? If I se...
by Whakamole
Tue Oct 03, 2023 9:47 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio glance - and seeking input for retirement planning
Replies: 2
Views: 452

Re: Portfolio glance - and seeking input for retirement planning

David Jay wrote: Tue Oct 03, 2023 9:19 am What do you project for annual expenses? 3% is a comfortable SWR which puts one at about $80,000 before SS.

RE: 2. One actually needs some income for ACA, if income is less than 140% of poverty line then one is placed on Medicaid.

Alternately, just pay the full insurance bill for a few of those years while making substantial Roth conversions, say from age 58 to 62 (2 years before the start of Medicare).
80k is my target. I live on less now, around 45-50k.
by Whakamole
Tue Oct 03, 2023 7:08 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio glance - and seeking input for retirement planning
Replies: 2
Views: 452

Portfolio glance - and seeking input for retirement planning

I'm a tech worker just north of 50. I have a good position now, but also know that it gets a lot harder to stay in the industry as you age. I have some portfolio ideas that I'd like to present. Questions : 1. I've been reading about TIPS ladders, and running the numbers. I can afford to buy a TIPS ladder in my pre-tax account that would start in five years, and would give me ~$40K a year until FRA. My expected FRA SS will be in the upper $40s. Upping the ladder to $50K and even starting it sooner is still possible, though I'd be locking the bond portion of my 401k (except the inheritance) into a TIPS ladder, and would need to make my portfolio more conservative, perhaps as much as 65-35. I see pros and cons. Pros is that I've at least parti...
by Whakamole
Mon Oct 02, 2023 12:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity as a one stop shop
Replies: 6053
Views: 1036566

Re: Fidelity as a one stop shop

Sure you can, that's what this thread is about. Does Fidelity have an easy view to see what future income (dividends and interest) is expected to be based on holdings? Not something that I care about, but there does appear to be a "Dividend View" that shows stock/ETF dividends, and a "Estimated Cash Flow" page on the monthly statement that shows interest and dividends. Thanks. I will look for it. For me, it's helpful to manage clash flows and meet expenses in retirement. Schwab's is quite nice. I don't think the Dividend View is going to give you exactly what you want. It only shows the next dividend payment date, amount per share, and estimated annual income. ETrade had a better monthly view that had a bar chart of wha...
by Whakamole
Sun Oct 01, 2023 9:28 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Year 2000 vs current cycle
Replies: 21
Views: 3245

Re: Year 2000 vs current cycle

billaster wrote: Fri Sep 29, 2023 5:55 pm You seem to have some bad data which is going to skew your conclusions.
...
You might want to reconsider your information sources if they are feeding you false data and doomsaying.
What is the source of your data? For all we know, it may also be false.
by Whakamole
Sun Oct 01, 2023 9:24 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Year 2000 vs current cycle
Replies: 21
Views: 3245

Re: Year 2000 vs current cycle

stocknoob4111 wrote: Sat Sep 30, 2023 11:36 am Not sure what numbers you are using for debt... this chart here https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/GFDGDPA188S shows that we're at 120% of GDP right now, we were at 55% of GDP in 2000.
FRED is an excellent data source.

The Congressional Budget Office is also projecting that debt interest as a share of government spending will continue to increase:

Image

The Peterson Foundation's write-up of their projections is here: https://www.pgpf.org/blog/2023/09/why-i ... rld-war-ii.
by Whakamole
Sun Oct 01, 2023 1:25 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Investment club LLC in Fidelity
Replies: 5
Views: 1011

Re: Investment club LLC in Fidelity

Be certain to have better accountants than the Beardstown Ladies:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB114596682916135186
Their first book's jacket claimed the group had averaged 23.4% returns annually from 1984 to 1993, nearly double the Dow Jones Industrial Average's returns during the same period. But in 1998, Chicago magazine noticed that the group's returns included the fees the women paid every month. Without them, the returns dwindled to just 9%, underperforming the Dow. An article in the Wall Street Journal led the ladies to hire an outside auditor, which proved they had indeed misstated their returns.
by Whakamole
Fri Sep 29, 2023 1:27 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Larry Swedroe: Stocks Have Been a Poor Inflation Hedge
Replies: 69
Views: 11026

Re: Larry Swedroe: Stocks Have Been a Poor Inflation Hedge

GP813 wrote: Fri Sep 29, 2023 11:56 am Published before a huge and prolonged bull run in equities.
And before inflation was under control.

Image
by Whakamole
Thu Sep 28, 2023 8:31 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Don't growth stocks (low dividend/higher capital gains) have huge advantage tax wise/inheritance?
Replies: 16
Views: 1621

Re: Don't growth stocks (low dividend/higher capital gains) have huge advantage tax wise/inheritance?

Funny you should ask this. I ran a tax drag calculation based on the most recent numbers for several Vanguard ETFs. Emphasis on "recent": US stock dividends are low historically, and much lower than international. This is the best we can do. In high tax brackets, the tax cost of growth ETFs is significantly lower than even a broad based market fund. My calculations based on 35%/15% + NIIT: VTI 0.303% [Total Market] VOO 0.293% [S&P 500] VV 0.281% [Large Cap] VUG 0.117% [Large Cap Growth] VIOV 0.452% [Small Cap Value] MGK 0.096% [Mega Cap Growth] In a 24%/0% tax bracket, these rates are much lower: VTI 0.028% VOO 0.013% VV 0.011% VUG 0.008% VIOV 0.132% MGK 0.000% That doesn't mean these are the best funds to invest in. MGK is we...
by Whakamole
Wed Sep 27, 2023 11:25 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What did work in the late 60's?
Replies: 82
Views: 13927

Re: What did work in the late 60's?

dcabler wrote: Wed Sep 27, 2023 6:03 am
Whakamole wrote: Tue Sep 26, 2023 8:53 pm
solaris17 wrote: Tue Sep 26, 2023 6:09 pm Are there any studies about how Treasury inflation protected securities (TIPS) would have performed in this time period had they existed?
Credit Suisse found a negative correlation between inflation-indexed bonds (UK gilts, started in 1981) and inflation.

https://www.credit-suisse.com/about-us- ... 02302.html, page 37.
As a returns instrument held in a TIPS ETF or Mutual Fund, this is likely correct. However, had they existed at the time, if purchased as a TIPS ladder instead, then this likely would have done quite well as an inflation protected income stream.

Cheers.
I agree. It's becoming apparent that bond funds are not the same as bonds.
by Whakamole
Tue Sep 26, 2023 8:53 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What did work in the late 60's?
Replies: 82
Views: 13927

Re: What did work in the late 60's?

solaris17 wrote: Tue Sep 26, 2023 6:09 pm Are there any studies about how Treasury inflation protected securities (TIPS) would have performed in this time period had they existed?
Credit Suisse found a negative correlation between inflation-indexed bonds (UK gilts, started in 1981) and inflation.

https://www.credit-suisse.com/about-us- ... 02302.html, page 37.
by Whakamole
Tue Sep 26, 2023 8:39 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: I Bonds Mega Thread (I Bond Heads Rejoice!)
Replies: 6658
Views: 1240095

Re: sell ibonds? Bought Nov 2021

statman wrote: Tue Sep 26, 2023 4:18 pm The interest rate for an Ibond bought in Nov 2021 (fixed rate 0%) dropped from 6.48% to 3.38% on June 1. The current rate is below market rates for safe investments (e.g. Treasuries, TIPS and many CDs). Selling loses the last 3 months interest - that is, the interest for June/July/August. That's just $96 as all three months were ar the 3.38% rate. I would certainly sell and reinvest.
Not the person who asked, but it hurts to sell when you're in a high tax bracket. It's still very tempting.
by Whakamole
Sun Sep 24, 2023 12:03 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Long real recovery periods for stocks
Replies: 172
Views: 17585

Re: Long real recovery periods for stocks

The massive bull run we've had this last decade has made people tilt their portfolios in possibly dangerous ways to chase performance. The S&P 500 is only half of the global equity market. My grandfather was all in on stocks and retired in 2008. He's still working to this day because of how badly that timing happened to be. That was barely 15 years ago. We have threads on this forums during that time too. Sorry to hear this. Every Boglehead should read this. Actually, probably importantly, every non-Boglehead should read this. Although if we get a 1966 period, bonds won't help much either, if at all. TIPS. Might be the best investment opportunity on the market today. What scares me about TIPS however is the non-zero chance that a futur...
by Whakamole
Sat Sep 23, 2023 1:16 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Now that long TIPS yields are 60 bp off their highs I will…
Replies: 2949
Views: 622868

Re: Now that long TIPS have surged past 2.25% I will…

One thing I'm curious about is how tips would perform in a rising rates environment like the 1970s. The federal funds rate rose from around 5% to near 20% but inflation did the same. So the change in real yields wouldn't be as dramatic as the change in nominal yields. Meaning tips would be less impacted in a rising rate environment compared to nominal bonds. Is there any historical data for real yields going back this far? But in a taxable account, taxation (with 20% inflation) would clobber after tax yield and act more like a wealth tax for larger investors. TIPs ETFs aren't taxed anymore than normal bonds since its all income. If we get a 70s situation where inflation is consistently higher than expected, sure TIPS etfs will be taxed mor...
by Whakamole
Sat Sep 23, 2023 9:11 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [Revised] Delta Skymiles Program
Replies: 32
Views: 4654

Re: [Revised] Delta Skymiles Program

dukeblue219 wrote: Sat Sep 16, 2023 7:57 am It IS frustrating, but clearly the economics of becoming credit card affiliates who happen to fly planes is appealing to airlines.
This reminds me of GE, which for a time was a financing company that happened to sell washing machines.
by Whakamole
Thu Sep 21, 2023 12:25 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Now that long TIPS yields are 60 bp off their highs I will…
Replies: 2949
Views: 622868

Re: Now that long TIPS have cracked 2.00% again I will…

My bid for this auction was filled at $93.66.

This was my first bond purchase. I wish I bought more.
by Whakamole
Sun Sep 17, 2023 5:12 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Seattle Area Chapter Meetings - Master Thread
Replies: 260
Views: 115193

Re: Seattle Area Chapter Meetings - Master Thread

Nice to meet everyone!

Links:

2008 stock market discussion thread: viewtopic.php?p=297409

https://bogle.tools

https://www.tillerhq.com
by Whakamole
Sun Sep 17, 2023 11:56 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Seattle Area Chapter Meetings - Master Thread
Replies: 260
Views: 115193

Re: Seattle Area Chapter Meetings - Master Thread

I'm planning to attend as well.
by Whakamole
Wed Sep 13, 2023 9:25 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Berkshire Hathaway and Dividends
Replies: 92
Views: 9042

Re: Berkshire Hathaway and Dividends

GP813 wrote: Wed Sep 13, 2023 8:29 am Buffet has been one of the very best allocators of capital. Why would he return it to shareholders in the form of check when he can successfully as his track record has proven, acquire more of or wholly acquire productive businesses.
Buffet (and many other shareholders) would also start paying a large amount of tax if BRK paid dividends.
by Whakamole
Thu Jul 27, 2023 1:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit
Replies: 1772
Views: 196873

Re: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit

I don't trust the laws not to change, and begin requiring active coverage to opt-out. That's the only reason why I have not canceled.
by Whakamole
Sat Jul 22, 2023 10:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where do you backup financial files?
Replies: 90
Views: 6496

Re: Where do you backup financial files?

I've found most normal online storage providers like Google and Microsoft do not have a lot of support for what happens if the account owner dies. I've heard too many stories about loved ones being locked out of the account.

https://www.fidsafe.com/ is a Fidelity service that gives you enough storage for financial records and supports sharing documents to your trustee and heirs. It's not a lot of storage (5GB), but that is more than enough for recent financial statements, tax returns, etc.

For my own records, which includes EOBs for future HSA reimbursement, I use Proton Drive.
by Whakamole
Sat Jul 15, 2023 12:02 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: AI - Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) or another? - if you believe in AI?
Replies: 39
Views: 3555

Re: AI - Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) or another? - if you believe in AI?

Language models are not AI. I'm curious why you think so. I do agree that the term AI is now so vague as to be effectively meaningless - in fact most of statistics could be called AI in that case. LMs are neat, but they're very good at fooling people into thinking it's "intelligent." See the old "therapy" program called ELIZA that convinced people back in the '60s. We also have old tech using Markov chains that can generate readable speech given sufficient inputs. They're algorithms but these algorithms are just processing blocks of letters without understanding. A famous example outlying why processing text does not imply intelligence is John Searle's Chinese Room thought experiment. What happened recently with OpenAI ...