Bogleheads.org

drummerboy

What do the Schwab Amex Gold and Platinum offer that "regular" Amex Gold and Platinum do not offer? Especially the Plat, as that is what we currently have. Do the Authorized User fee/benefits differ? RM Actually, I'd recommend the "normal" Amex Gold (the points back was revised recently) paired wit...

drummerboy

In the Combo Amex Gold/Schwab Platinum, the Net Annual Fee is: $130 (Schwab credits $100 a yr if assets over $250k, $200 a year if assets over $1m). Basically, for me the Gold card is $30 a year, the Platinum is $100. (and that INCLUDES a $175 fee for the additional card members). I'm not following...

drummerboy

I'm currently a Chase Sapphire Reserve / Chase Freedom Unlimited User. It's been great. But, I think Amex has changed the game. (Especially if you are a Schwab customer). In the Combo CSR/CFU world, the annual fee is Net: $200 (after the $300 travel credit + $25yr for Global Entry) + ($75 a year for...

drummerboy

If you want walkable neighborhoods, definitely stay "ITP" (Inside the Perimeter). Brookhaven and Decatur are two towns with decent school districts. If you truly want walkable, you might want to look at Virginia Highlands. Anything along the eastside of the Beltline trail (Midtown, Inman Park, Virgi...

drummerboy

Bogleheads: There are many different kinds of bonds. Some risky. Some safe. YEAR--INFLATION--BOND INDEX 1976-------4.9%--------15.6% 1977-------6.7-----------3.0 1978-------9.0-----------1.4 1979------13.3-----------1.9 1980------12.5-----------2.7 1981-------8.9-----------6.3 1982-------3.8-------...

drummerboy

What Shilling really does is (gulp!) buy 30-yr strips which is (making up ballpark numbers here for illustration) something like 75-100% cap gain *assuming* interest rate goes down to 2%. I'm assuming an easy way to implement this would be to own: EDV or ZROZ. Perhaps a fixed income portfolio of: M...

drummerboy

I have actually owned 20-year TIPS--nope, didn't wait for maturity, exchanged them all for a TIPS fund in the interest of simplification--and we have a meaningful allocation to series I savings bonds. I would personally not dream of buying a 30-year nominal Treasury. I buy bonds to minimize risk, a...

drummerboy

Everytime I think I understand TIPS vs Treasuries, I confuse myself. Just to confirm: Based on the latest Auction results at Treasury Direct. If I were to purchase a 30-year TIPS at that Auction, I would have received a TIPS bond that would mature in 30-years and the Interest Rate would be 1.0%. In ...

drummerboy

Are the new I-Bonds rates announced today (May 1st)?

I'm assuming that it will be greater than the last 6 month period. I also noticed their site will be down for maintenance tomorrow morning (the 2nd).

When do they announce new rates?

drummerboy

Feel confident with Schwab. With that size a portfolio, use a few negotiating skills..... Make sure Schwab provides you with a bunch of free trades (which might be necessary as you rebalance this new portfolio) If you want to use Vanguard Mutual Funds (not just Vanguard ETFs), you should discuss wit...

drummerboy

Instead of comparing our wealth.... The beauty of the Bogleheads philosophy is that it is applicable to people at all levels of Net Worth. $3k, $30k, $300k, $30 million.... Doesn't matter. Simplicity of investments. Low fees. Live below your means. Save as much as you can. Don't time the market. Tim...

drummerboy

Two options on the Mac that have saved my faith in personal finance software: Banktivity 6 - Not that great for tracking investments, but I don't need software for that. I need software to help me itemize expenses, save it locally, and generate reports at tax time to make my filing more organized. T...

drummerboy

Plus you could take the funds Schwab suggests and eliminate the cash drag. Make sure you take the "cash" into consideration when considering the overall asset allocation and your risk profile. Yes, cash might be a "drag", but it also lowers volatility of the portfolio. Don't eliminate it and then m...

drummerboy

Here's a list of the ETF choices they use for the various asset classes. As you can see, it is a mix of ETFs from Schwab, Vanguard, Powershares, iShares and others. https://image.ibb.co/cxO8Nn/SIP_ETF_List.jpg Would it be "hard" to create this? Not really, just a lot of investments to keep track of....

drummerboy

You can slice and dice like crazy and build it yourself. I'm not sure you would see a ton of benefit.

The list of Schwab ETF choices is listed on the Tax Loss Harvesting page: https://intelligent.schwab.com/public/i ... ncing.html

drummerboy

The question to ask yourself: Do you have an investment plan you can stick with?

If you do great. Build your investment statement. Stick with it.

If you have no self discipline, then consider something like SIA or SIP.

drummerboy

I'm still 13 years away from Medicare.... But I'm realizing I'm quite lacking in my knowledge of the premiums, coverages, etc. What should I be budgeting for healthcare coverage during retirement? I'll most likely be paying for: Medicare (deducted from Social Security) - $150 a month for a married c...

drummerboy

Follow the advice listed here. Take the capital gains hit now. Sell the shares. Given that you are using Schwab as your brokerage, they have many low-cost index funds you can leverage to start a 3-fund (or 4-fund) portfolio. https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Charles_Schwab You can stop worrying about ...

drummerboy

Why the need for the second brokerage account if they won't liquidate investments? There is no charge for a 2nd Brokerage account. You are correct, you could use ONE account. Just know that anything sitting in cash is a potential overdraft target. For me it is cleaner to have a 2nd account. That wa...

drummerboy

Everyone here needs to separate Vanguard (The Mutual Fund / ETF company) compared to utilizing Vanguard as your brokerage (the custodian of your assets). I'm a happy Schwab customer. I also LOVE many Vanguard mutual funds. I use Schwab as my brokerage. Yes, I utilize some Schwab ETFs for Total Marke...

drummerboy

This should be a non-issue. Setup a 2nd Brokerage account for your "Investments". This will not be linked to your Checking account. The Brokerage Account that is your "overdraft" doesn't have to be sitting in cash. Only cash (e.g. sweep) will be used for overdraft. If Schwab tries to cover an overdr...

drummerboy

Yes, TLH will counter-balance any gains you might make when selling funds. Having lower gains will lower your tax liability.

drummerboy

Long Term Treasuries had an amazing year in 2017. Everybody assumed last year was going to be the "bad year", but I do believe those poor returns are coming. Instead, you need more of a Permanent Portfolio or Dalio/Robbins option, with 5-Year Treasuries. Your returns will be lower in backtesting (be...

drummerboy

Fear of unknowns.... Healthcare Costs. Right now I have a great health plan, access to a great HSA. We are only 52. Too many years to deal with unknown future healthcare cost before Medicare. No affordable options outside of work. Sequence of Returns. The Bull has been fantastic. But, I'd feel bette...

drummerboy

[restarted thread from 2015. Check posting dates before replying - admin alex] In backtesting, the permanent portfolio looks quite attractive. It "feels" strange (so much gold and cash). BUT, it tests out well. If I use a PP+ a Variable portion.... 40% Stocks (25 US, 15 Ex-US) 20% Cash/Short Term 2...

drummerboy

I think the challenge with earlyretirementnow.... They use back-testing to prove all their theories. We are entering a very different time. We have a high-CAPE stock-market. Will it correct? Is this a new normal? Will it crash? Or will we see muted returns for the next decade? Nobody knows. Is the b...

drummerboy

Consider Global REITs instead. Domestic funds have too high a concentration in Simon PG and Equinix.

SFREX has raised my curiousty. http://www.morningstar.com/funds/xnas/sfrex/quote.html

drummerboy

I am a believer in Paul Frederick. Great shirts. True to size. Nice fabrics.

Buy when they have a sale.

$35 or so for a shirt that will fit you perfectly with great style.

drummerboy

I'm bumping this thread given our new standard deduction and tax rates. For me, it's a pretty good bet that my mortgage interest and property taxes combined won't help me get over the new itemized deduction limit for a married couple. I'm in my early 50s, I could payoff my mortgage with cash (or inv...

drummerboy

If you can get a Fiber connection to the home, it makes a huge difference. Not so much in raw speed, but in less latency. Also, AT&T Fiber will wave the setup fees if you choose their 1000MB plan (only $10 more a month than 100MB in my geography). You can always scale back to 100MB after you are ple...

drummerboy

I've got about $200k left on my mortgage (6 years left until 7yr ARM adjusts). Current Age: 52 My goal is to make Annual Extra-Principal Payments for the next 6 years to have the loan completely paid off before the first ARM adjustment. The ARM provided a good teaser rate (2.75%) so that was what we...

drummerboy

Is it safe to link your Schwab checking account with your Schwab brokerage account? Worried about someone hacking into checking and then into brokerage account. I have multiple Schwab Brokerage accounts (in addition to Schwab Checking) The Checking Account is linked to the FIRST Brokerage Account (...

drummerboy

Have you considered Delray Beach?

It is fairly walkable, has an artsy vibe, and definitely has some bohemian/younger elements.

I would also consider the Hyde Park area of Tampa. Tampa is young, Hyde Park is walkable, still alive to be with working people.

drummerboy

Just use OpenDNS. Much more history. Biggest security footprint in the industry. https://www.opendns.com/home-internet-security/ Free service, stops malware callbacks, ad-malware, and blocks adult content. Just change it on your home router and you are done. OpenDNS has been out for over 7 years. Bi...

drummerboy

If you are a Vanguard customer (hold your assets at their brokerage), then use Vanguard funds. If you are a Schwab customer (hold your assets at their brokerage), you might want to consider SCHB. You can buy/sell with no commission and the spreads are low. The low ER on the Schwab account is to attr...

drummerboy

I've done it with Schwab. Very simple. It's basically an on-line transfer between accounts (and they send you all the required forms later in the tax year).

drummerboy

It's not you....

The software company (IGG) that makes Banktivity sent out a note today regarding Yahoo for quotes. They got shut-off too!

Yahoo shut down the API. I guess this is a new part of the Verizon takeover!

drummerboy

Eero

www.eero.com

Simple, reliable, great coverage, no antennas.

It just works

drummerboy

Eero’s update came out today.... hopefully most routers get patched over the coming days.

drummerboy

Great article: http://www.kevinoninvesting.com/2015/11 ... art-3.html

drummerboy

Thank you for all of the responses.

It is becoming obvious that perhaps a 50/50 mix of TIPS and a CD ladder would be better than a TIPS / LT Treasuries combination.

The yield premium on LT Treasuries can’t justify the duration risk.

drummerboy

In my 401k, I maintain some of my "safe" portfolio. This typically consists of taxable bond funds, TIPS funds, etc. This is part of my LP. Larry would of course recommend TIPS or ST Treasuries as part of this allocation. I recognize that TIPS are to protect from "unexpected" inflation. Of course, th...

drummerboy

SIP still seems incomplete to me, but it has many potential benefits. Pros of SIP: Makes a complex tilted portfolio easy to manage Good Returns when backtested Cash Drag can potentially be a benefit if we are about to enter a bond-bear market. Cash isn't zero, it will earn something. And I believe t...

drummerboy

First of all, many luxury cars are not "bought", they are leased. Many people that drive Mercedes, BMW, etc can't afford to buy them, but they fall for the trap that they can afford the monthly payment. When I was in my thirties, I fell for the trap of the latest BMW, Mercedes, Lexus. I know it was ...

drummerboy

People generally backtest their portfolio against their parent's investing world. They would be far better off to test against their grandparent's investing world when it comes to bonds. So is there a potential benefit to Schwab's SIP large cash positions? Protection from bond-bear and a form of em...

drummerboy

Check out eero.....

Mesh wifi. Flawless and easy to configure. They just came out with version 2 which is faster and less expensive.

https://eero.com/

drummerboy

Interesting comments about Vanguard vs. Schwab - I'm guessing there is plenty of conversation on this forum about that elsewhere, but what do you mean by "low touch" - I tend to gravitate toward tech, and do like more "controls." I've been leaning toward Vanguard, but have read reviews that seem to...

drummerboy

I recommend this blog post as part of your education!

http://jasonzweig.com/five-myths-of-bond-investing/

drummerboy

several family members with them and they're offering a reduced rate for legacy accounts, and the advisor comes highly recommended from some people who are really active in their accounts and tend to understand things. Figure it's worth exploring at least. Good that you are doing your homework. But...

drummerboy

Basically, tell him NOT to do it. He'll get killed in taxes. Did he start a new job? Can he roll over his 401k from his previous employer to his new employer? Does his new 401k provide the ability to take out a loan against his 401k? I recognize there are times of financial hardship, but it's better...

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