Search found 44 matches

by quaternion
Mon Jan 29, 2024 3:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Direct Fidelity dividends to external bank
Replies: 16
Views: 1641

Re: Direct Fidelity dividends to external bank

Current Fido-speak for directing dividends to other accounts is Recurring Transfer of Earnings. Others have given website instructions above. A few observations: Security distributions/dividends are automatically transferred. Sale proceeds are not automatically transferred. Fully paid lending interest payments are not automatically transferred. Transfers are set up per account (vs. per security). If you want different behavior for different securities, put them in different accounts. Fidelity gets to hold your money from when it is paid until the scheduled transfer date. Even when transferring "daily" to another Fidelity account, there is one day of limbo where the money is in neither account (e.g., dividend is paid on day T, mone...
by quaternion
Sat Oct 08, 2022 2:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Marine Corps NROTC program for daughter
Replies: 67
Views: 6639

Re: Marine Corps NROTC program for daughter

First, if one is certain of a desire to serve as a military officer, a ROTC scholarship can be a good deal. It pays for an undergraduate degree, and you get (and are obligated to take) a job in the military afterwards.

Second, does an 18 year old really know they want to do? Once upon a time, I was offered a ROTC scholarship and turned it down. Instead of a military career, I went to grad school (and now do some research funded by the military). I am certain that this was the better path for me, and one I had not a clue about when I was 18.

Third, having known a female (enlisted) marine, I would emphatically discourage any woman I cared about from joining that organization. For reasons that are pretty easy to determine.
by quaternion
Mon May 16, 2022 9:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Considering Berkshire Hathaway Stock
Replies: 55
Views: 8042

Re: Considering Berkshire Hathaway Stock

  1. Buy one share of BRKB.
  2. Call GEICO.
  3. Save ~8% on your auto insurance with the affiliate discount.
  4. Invest the rest in VTI.
by quaternion
Sun Apr 24, 2022 1:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Self Driving Car for my Parents (both in their 80s)
Replies: 40
Views: 3670

Re: Self Driving Car for my Parents (both in their 80s)

The price of progress... Once upon a time, you could get drunk at the saloon, stumble over to your self-driving horse (which is just a horse), and wake up in the barn the next morning, safe and sound.
:sharebeer

Self-driving cars are indeed not yet ready, and the over-hype by certain entities is reckless and irresponsible.
by quaternion
Fri May 28, 2021 1:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Crypto Fees for International Transfer?
Replies: 20
Views: 2828

Re: Crypto Fees for International Transfer?

Here's one possible route to turn USD into EUR/GBP:
  1. You: Convert USD -> USD COIN. Free on BlockFi and Coinbase.
  2. You: Transfer USD Coin -> your foreign friend's account at Coinbase. Free from BlockFi (limit 1/month), Free on Coinbase (only when sending to another Coinbase account)
  3. Your Foreign Friend: Exchange USD Coin -> EUR / GBP on pro.coinbase.com. Probably a 0.5% fee, but possible only in some regions (presumably the EU and UK).
Using a non-stable crypto token (e.g., bitcoin) instead of a "stablecoin" (e.g., USD COIN) for the transfer would subject you to (1) exchange fees on both ends, (2) price fluctuations, and (3) possible tax implications.
by quaternion
Tue Apr 13, 2021 1:44 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Your bond fund should have barely enough for reasonable rebalancing. The rest of your fixed income should be in MYGAs.
Replies: 42
Views: 6899

Re: Your bond fund should have barely enough for reasonable rebalancing. The rest of your fixed income should be in MYGA

nisiprius wrote: Tue Apr 13, 2021 12:43 pm Can anyone explain clearly what the insurance companies are doing--what investments they are buying--that seemingly enable them to beat bonds on return without additional risk? If there is additional risk, what and where is it? (I don't think insurer insolvency is a serious risk, I'm looking for something else).
For your consideration, The TIAA General Account. They hold some things that we small frys can't, can't easily, or shouldn't:
* Private Lending
* Commercial mortgage lending
* Private equity and subsidiaries
* Direct real estate (including commercial and industrial)
* Natural resources (e.g., timberland)
by quaternion
Wed Apr 07, 2021 1:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Shoe Choice for a Walker
Replies: 33
Views: 3373

Re: Shoe Choice for a Walker

If it would suit your comfort preference, maybe consider a pair of resolable ("Goodyear welted") shoes or hiking boots. When traveling, I walk 5-10 miles/day in rubber-soled Allen Edmonds, and many others put far more miles on hiking boots. A local cobbler should be able to replace a heel for $30-40, and I recently paid about $80 (suburb of a major metro) for a full resole.

For the unfamiliar, welted shoes will feel different from sneakers. Think less "walking on marshmallows" and more "walking on avocados". And they'll need to break in (i.e., there will be some discomfort on the first wear or two), but the result is great and lasts for years.
by quaternion
Sat Mar 20, 2021 1:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Any experience with Toyota Income Driver Notes?
Replies: 316
Views: 56714

Re: Any experience with Toyota Income Driver Notes?

Ye olde GMAC Demand Notes (from before the bankruptcy) came with a checkbook and honored ACH pulls. One could then pay credit card bills from the account, making it effective and convenient for cash management. But I bailed on that when the storm-clouds for GM appeared on the horizon (well, maybe when it started to drizzle), and Ally (neé GMAC) has since ended the program.

These new Toyota and GM demand accounts appear to be clones of the old GMAC program (I think the BNY Mellon also managed the old GMAC account), but minus the checkbook. New GM Right Notes claims to support direct deposit. Has anyone tried to initiate an ACH push/pull to/from these accounts from another institution?
by quaternion
Thu May 21, 2020 5:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Alternatives to Craftsman Tools
Replies: 98
Views: 10486

Re: Alternatives to Craftsman Tools

The good ol' Craftsman tools were often rebranded industrial tools. You can still buy industrial tools... they just don't say "Craftsman" anymore. But, if it says "Made in USA/Germany/Japan/Switzerland/Spain/Italy," you can expect decent quality. Plenty of online suppliers: Harry Epstein, Tooltopia, Toolup, Frank's tools, Chad's Toolbox, german-hand-tools.com, Amazon (check the foreign sites). A few brands I like: Most Tools: Proto, SK (also: Williams, Wright, KTC, but I haven't used them personally) Pliers: Western Forge (used to make many Craftsman tools, check for "WF" stamp, now part of IDEAL/SK), Knipex, NWS Sockets: Koken Screwdrivers: PB Swiss, Vessel, Wihi, Wera Locking ("Vise-grip") pliers: G...
by quaternion
Tue Jan 21, 2020 8:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I Refuse to Pay Fidelity .42% for a Money Market Fund
Replies: 22
Views: 3697

Re: I Refuse to Pay Fidelity .42% for a Money Market Fund

+1 for ICSH when you don't need the stable NAV of a MMF.

The holdings are about 50/50 cash and short-term corporate (investment grade) bonds, so you do take a small amount of interest rate and credit risk compared to the MMF. The ER of 0.08% beats (by a couple bps) both (1) the weighted average of combining VMMXX and a short-term corporate fund (e.g., VCSH) and (2) admiral shares of Vanguard's ultra-short-term bond fund (VUSFX).
by quaternion
Sat Jul 21, 2018 4:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions About Simulating Homemade Chicken Stock
Replies: 28
Views: 2197

Re: Suggestions About Simulating Homemade Chicken Stock

Have you considered using a pressure cooker? It would be faster and cause less room heating than a stockpot, especially if using an electric cooker (which you could even run outside on a patio, garage, etc.).
by quaternion
Wed Jun 20, 2018 1:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Need new Cable Modem + Router - Please recommend
Replies: 39
Views: 3518

Re: Need new Cable Modem + Router - Please recommend

Ubiquiti (https://www.ubnt.com/) makes some nice network hardware. They have a professional/prosumer 'Unifi' line with separate boxes for each function (routing, access point, switch, pick-any-modem), and a consumer 'Amplifi' line that is the typical all-in-one box (again, minus the modem).
by quaternion
Thu May 03, 2018 5:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: A Clamp, My Kingdom for a Clamp
Replies: 6
Views: 1160

Re: A Clamp, My Kingdom for a Clamp

https://www.mcmaster.com/ sells everything to make anything. Extremely likely that they can sell you a close replacement.
by quaternion
Tue May 01, 2018 5:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Home Theater Stereo/Speakers
Replies: 72
Views: 8984

Re: Home Theater Stereo/Speakers

+1 that speakers matter more than receiver. Bookshelf is probably better bang-for-buck than floorstanding. Pioneer, Q acoustics, and Kef have inexpensive bookshelfs that get good reviews.

If you're planning to stick with stereo, you could skip the surround receiver and get a stereo-only model. The constant updates to HDMI standards quickly obsoletes equipment, while stereo audio (SPDIF/digital) essentially reached the limits of human perception years (decades) ago. Plus, my experience is that coax/optical SPDIF are more reliable than HDMI. Onkyo 9010/9050 and Yamaha R-N301 seem like good Stereo+SPDIF options.
by quaternion
Tue Mar 20, 2018 6:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cookware Brands - Demeyere?
Replies: 43
Views: 9085

Re: Cookware Brands - Demeyere?

Commercial cookware seems to be a better value than the "premium" home brands. If it can stand abuse from harried chefs and line cooks, it'll probably last generations in a home kitchen.

Vollrath has a broad range of stainless-clad cookware. I have one of their pans and like it. Available from various restaurant supply stores/websites.

Relatedly, these 5/7 ply pans sound like marketing gibberish. You want the aluminium core for its high heat conductivity and the stainless steel cladding for its corrosion resistance. Adding extra layers won't (AFAICT) add any additional benefit, and may reduce thermal conductivity. A better metric would seem to be thickness of the aluminum layer. Am I missing something?
by quaternion
Mon Jan 22, 2018 12:02 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Brokerage Account Change to Fidelity - Pros and Cons
Replies: 20
Views: 2427

Re: Brokerage Account Change to Fidelity - Pros and Cons

Fidelity's index funds and the iShares ETFs are competetive with Vanguard. Seems like they leapfrog on ERs every couple of years.

For mutual funds in a taxable account, Vanguard may have a material advantage due to their ETF share classes which let them dispose of appreciated shares without realizing capital gains. They have a patent on this method, though it expires next year. Seems probable that Fidelity, Schwab, etc. will copy their method at that point. Or you can just hold ETFs in taxable, and it should be a non-issue.
by quaternion
Mon Jan 22, 2018 5:06 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Age 30/29- need help with allocation
Replies: 2
Views: 584

Re: Age 30/29- need help with allocation

1) I want to be aggressive at this point in my retirement savings. Looking at 100% stock allocation with 70%US / 30% International. (index funds). Any thoughts/concerns with this? 100% equities at 30 isn't crazy. For comparison, the 2050 and 2055 target date funds from Vanguard and Fidelity are both currently 90% equity / 10% bond. 70% US / 30% international is over-weighting US stocks compared to market cap, but again, both the Vanguard and Fidelity target dates funds are about this same ratio. 2) For International, considering FTIGX... is this a wise Fidelity choice? (Fidelity® Total International Index Fund Investor Class) That seems like Fidelity's best international offering. 3) For the other 70%, should I look at 1 index fund or perh...
by quaternion
Sun Jan 21, 2018 11:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TIAA and me again (and Vanguard)
Replies: 16
Views: 2131

Re: TIAA and me again (and Vanguard)

Going off your previous thread, why don't you transfer your 403(b) from your former employer (with poor fund choices) to the 403(b) with your current employer (with good fund choices)?
by quaternion
Sun Jan 14, 2018 9:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity Money Market Funds for everyday expenses
Replies: 101
Views: 24193

Re: Fidelity Money Market Funds for everyday expenses

SPRXX looks like Fidelity's highest-yield, taxable, retail MM fund. Not quite as good as Vanguard's prime money market, though.
by quaternion
Fri Jan 12, 2018 4:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Alternatives to 401K
Replies: 14
Views: 1532

Re: Alternatives to 401K

It looks like the Vanguard institutional funds in the TIAA 403(b) are your best option. These are less expensive than the funds offered through the PERA 401k and probably better than you could do with the brokerage windows at TIAA or the PERA 401k via TDAmeritrade.
by quaternion
Fri Jan 12, 2018 7:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Men's MUST iron dress shirt recommendations
Replies: 49
Views: 8757

Re: Men's MUST iron dress shirt recommendations

Strong recommendation for the Lands End Hyde Park Supima Oxford. Compared to Brooks Brothers: better quality, lower price, and substantially better customer service.

I wore out a several BB OCBDs in ~1 year. Replaced them with LE Hyde Parks, which still look practically new two years later. One possible caveat: the collar on the LE shirts is smaller, and some prefer the BB look with a tie. (A tie would be quite out of place at my job, so LE wins again.)

Kamakura makes some shirts that look awfully nice, though I cannot offer any personal experience.
by quaternion
Wed Jan 10, 2018 5:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TIAA vs Vanguard Index Funds
Replies: 3
Views: 1867

Re: TIAA vs Vanguard Index Funds

TIAA's "Traditional Annuity" and "Real Estate Account" are unique and have arguable merits. Their index funds are surprisingly expensive (and you get nothing for that expense beyond feeding TIAA's inefficient bureaucracy). If you have those Vanguard funds available within your account at TIAA, then there is no reason to use the CREF funds. If your advisor told you to use the CREF fund instead of the Vanguard fund, the advisor is not acting in your best interests. It may be worthwhile to consider TIAA traditional as part of your fixed income allocation besides total bond index. Some TIAA traditional versions restrict withdrawals to over a ~10 year period, but other versions (with "supplemental" in the title) are...
by quaternion
Mon Jan 08, 2018 7:18 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TIAA real estate (QREARX) versus Vanguard REIT index (
Replies: 11
Views: 7183

Re: TIAA real estate (QREARX) versus Vanguard REIT index (

Valuethinker wrote: Mon Jan 08, 2018 5:02 pm From memory the TIAA fund limits itself to 30% gearing.
Actually, TIAA real estate holds about equal quantities of mortgage debt and bonds (presumably for liquidity), so it is effectively unleveraged.
by quaternion
Tue Dec 05, 2017 5:39 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: bitcoin - is there any real value here or is it a pure Ponzi scam?
Replies: 236
Views: 31242

Re: bitcoin - is there any real value here or is it a pure Ponzi scam?

One thing I just cannot wrap my mind around is what the rough intrinsic value of a bitcoin should be. It is confusing that its price history is so incredibly volatile... One measure would be the cost of the electricity required to mine a bitcoin on current hardware. That is the cost but I don't think that is the value. There are many things that require a lot of effort to create but are of no value at all. Yeah, that's a good point. I don't think "cost to create" is a good way to value it. You should instead value it on what you think it is worth in use. The value I see in bitcoin is as an alternative to other transaction processing networks, e.g. ACH, Visa, Western Union, courier with a briefcase, etc. We pay Visa (/affiliated b...
by quaternion
Tue Dec 05, 2017 4:08 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: bitcoin - is there any real value here or is it a pure Ponzi scam?
Replies: 236
Views: 31242

Re: bitcoin - is there any real value here or is it a pure Ponzi scam?

happyisland wrote: Tue Dec 05, 2017 6:04 am One thing I just cannot wrap my mind around is what the rough intrinsic value of a bitcoin should be. It is confusing that its price history is so incredibly volatile...
One measure would be the cost of the electricity required to mine a bitcoin on current hardware.
by quaternion
Sat Dec 02, 2017 5:10 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: bitcoin - is there any real value here or is it a pure Ponzi scam?
Replies: 236
Views: 31242

Re: bitcoin - is there any real value here or is it a pure Ponzi scam?

Bitcoin appears to have some value as a de-centralized transaction processing network if (1) your local currency has severe problems (a la Venezuela, Zimbabwe, etc.) or (2) you want to avoid the scrutiny of authorities who monitor traditional financial transactions. The problem with bitcoin is that transactions, by design, require significant computational work (i.e., electricity) to process. Last I read, the bitcoin network uses about the same amount of power as the entire nation of Ireland! Traditional, centralized transaction processing systems are vastly more energy efficient. For example, the Visa network probably needs a few modest-sized data centers and handles vastly higher volume than the bitcoin network. IMHO, while perhaps not wo...
by quaternion
Sun Jun 18, 2017 8:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Office Chair
Replies: 15
Views: 3350

Re: Office Chair

I second the recommendation for a used Aeron. There's a good market for used chairs and replacement parts. Plus, the pellicle mesh is easier to clean than typical upholstered cushions.
by quaternion
Thu Feb 16, 2017 2:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help with decision on Fidelity 401k
Replies: 10
Views: 1294

Re: Help with decision on Fidelity 401k

Some 401ks (the good ones) give you access to institutional share classes that have lower expenses that what you can get in an IRA. From your fund list, it looks like this may be the case in yours, though I can't quite decode the abbreviated names. If so, then it may be best to leave the money in the 401k rather than doing a rollover.

Fidelity 401Ks sometimes allow you to open a brokerage account inside the 401K (called "BrokerageLink"). If there are any gaps in the 401K funds, you might be able to fill them in this way via Fidelity's index funds and ishares ETFs.
by quaternion
Wed Feb 01, 2017 4:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Feedback on 403b distribution plan
Replies: 4
Views: 548

Re: Feedback on 403b distribution plan

Check into the details of TIAA Traditional and Real-Estate. These are unique options to TIAA that have some advantages over typical "fixed-income" and real-estate funds. Some TIAA Traditional contracts do have liquidity restrictions, though, so be mindful of that.
by quaternion
Sat Jan 07, 2017 4:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: VM or Remote Desktop solution for full screen video performance
Replies: 5
Views: 955

Re: VM or Remote Desktop solution for full screen video performance

For remote desktop or similar over-the-network approaches, bandwidth may be a limitation. If you can do a 10gig network, this should handle HD video fine, but may struggle on 4K depending on how good the compression is. If your machine can support multiple video cards, you can "pass-through" these devices to a VM (the VM accesses the hardware directly rather than through the host OS). This setup should perform almost as fast as native / on-the-metal. If your closet is within 50 feet or so of your desk, you can just get some long USB and HDMI cables to connect multiple machines to monitors / keyboards / mice at the desk. Monoprice has decent prices on active HDMI and USB cables. Another option may be an HDMI capture device (Blackma...
by quaternion
Sat Jul 30, 2016 4:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: is this wise? purchasing honda cbr 250r
Replies: 59
Views: 5865

Re: is this wise? purchasing honda cbr 250r

The only bikes that are below the 2500-3000 range (for the most part) are 90's standards which I am not all that interested in. I can't (won't) base my purchasing decision on the fact that I "will" crash/drop it. Many other posters on this forum have stated they have not dropped their bike in 30 years. Accidents happen, yes, but I do not think it is a fair assessment to base a large decision on that. Of course you should get what you want (and can afford). Just remember that you don't have to keep the first bike forever. Crashing may not be a certainty, but based on both anecdotes and statistics ( http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2012/04/17/243879.htm ), the risk for new riders is much higher. Have fun, and be smart....
by quaternion
Thu Jul 28, 2016 2:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: is this wise? purchasing honda cbr 250r
Replies: 59
Views: 5865

Re: is this wise? purchasing honda cbr 250r

First, I concur with the suggestion to take an MSF riding course. It's a great introduction and will also take care of the licensing test for you. 250cc is perfect for a commuter. I rode a '95 Honda CB250 for most of grad school. Great around town, 70MPG, but not good for the highway. The CB250 was air-cooled and carbureted, so a liquid-cooled and fuel-injected bike like the CBR250 ought to feel peppier (though paper HP numbers for CB250 and CBR250 are about the same). A 600cc sport bike would be a bit much for a beginner, though ~750cc standards/cruisers might be OK. I think $2700 is a bit on the expensive side for a (presumably used) starter bike. You /will/ drop your first bike. Don't spend so much that you will cry. Also, riding gear is...
by quaternion
Tue Jun 07, 2016 2:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestion For Plush Socks That Don't Bunch Under The Feet
Replies: 15
Views: 3465

Re: Suggestion For Plush Socks That Don't Bunch Under The Feet

Take a look at "Darn Tough" socks. They make a range of cushion amounts. Plus, they use a machine washable merino-nylon blend that is far more comfortable and pleasant than cotton.
by quaternion
Mon May 16, 2016 2:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Will it hurt my desktop pc if I have it sleep when not in use for 5 minutes?
Replies: 33
Views: 3631

Re: Will it hurt my desktop pc if I have it sleep when not in use for 5 minutes?

If you have a mechanical hard disk, then increased power cycles (spin up, spin down) might increase the risk of early failure. Will your particular drive fail before obsolescence? Who knows... (corollary, always back up!) This should be less of an issue for laptop (2.5 inch) hard drives as those are designed more power cycles and probably not an issue at all for SSDs.
by quaternion
Sat May 14, 2016 3:52 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help with my TIAA retirement plan
Replies: 5
Views: 1718

Re: Help with my TIAA retirement plan

What makes TIAA Access S&P 500 Index Fund better than TIAA Access Large-Cap Growth Index Fund. The Growth index focuses on a particular style of stocks, "Growth" stocks (obviously enough). The 500 index is just the 500 largest stocks and better approximates the market as a whole. Here are a couple takes on "Growth" vs. "Value" stocks: https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Stock_basics#Style https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/investment-products/mutual-funds/growth-vs-value-investing Can you elaborate on what makes TIAA Traditional a unique and nice vehicle? TIAA Traditional is not a fund of publicly traded bonds like can buy from most fund companies; it is a contract between you and TIAA. TIAA guarantees t...
by quaternion
Thu May 12, 2016 11:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Endorsement: Henckels knives
Replies: 32
Views: 5681

Re: Endorsement: Henckels knives

Indeed, good service from Henckels. IMHO, however, for most uses, Japanese knives are superior to the German options.. The Japanese knives use harder steels that get sharper and keep an edge longer, and they are lighter (meaning more nimble), too. Rockwell hardness for Japanese steels (e.g., VG-10) runs 60+ HRC while forged western knives ( X50CrMoV15 steel) are 57-58HRC and stamped 55-56 HRC. The Rockwell scale is logarithmic, so the typical Japanese knife my be 20-50% harder than a German one. Check out Tojiro for an amazing value: harder, shaper, and lighter than Henckels and Wusthof for half the price. The only downside is the harder steels are more brittle, so I do also keep a Victorinox Fibrox (another amazing value) for beating on sq...
by quaternion
Wed May 11, 2016 3:20 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is it worth switching from actively managed to index funds, given cap gains impact?
Replies: 13
Views: 1939

Re: Is it worth switching from actively managed to index funds, given cap gains impact?

grabiner wrote: You need to add the extra tax costs of the active fund,
A good point that realized capital gains and non-qualified dividends raise the cost of owning the active fund.
grabiner wrote: and multiply by the holding period; paying a 10% tax on the capital gain to save 1% per year for 10 years is break-even.
That method of estimating would neglect the increase in basis from realizing capital gains today. Paying the capital gains tax on the current gains now saves you from having to pay it later, but paying the tax today means you lose future dividends on the amount paid in tax (the reverse of tax-loss harvesting).
by quaternion
Mon May 09, 2016 2:21 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is it worth switching from actively managed to index funds, given cap gains impact?
Replies: 13
Views: 1939

Re: Is it worth switching from actively managed to index funds, given cap gains impact?

In response to the suggestion to look at taxes from cap gains vs savings in fees... Is this a valid way to think about it, considering that he will have to pay cap gains tax sometime anyway? It's probably difficult to determine if/when he will sell to support retirement needs. However, even if he never sells them, whoever inherits them will be faced with the same decision - transfer vs keep in place. I'm not sure if I'm thinking about this correctly, though. If your father sells the funds (eventually), then yes, he has to pay capital gains tax (eventually). However, if he leaves the funds to an heir, then the cost-basis is stepped up to the inherited value, i.e., the capital gains your father would earn over his lifetime will be tax-free t...
by quaternion
Sun May 08, 2016 11:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is it worth switching from actively managed to index funds, given cap gains impact?
Replies: 13
Views: 1939

Re: Is it worth switching from actively managed to index funds, given cap gains impact?

A quick and dirty estimate: Is what your father expects to earn on the portion of the investments that would be due in capital gains tax more or less than the amount he would save on expenses in an index fund? (Is what he's earning from Uncle Sam's share enough to pay the higher expenses?) Mathematically:

(cap_gains_rate) * (current_value - cost_basis) * (expected_return) >? (current_value) * (active_er - index_er)
by quaternion
Sun May 08, 2016 10:38 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help with my TIAA retirement plan
Replies: 5
Views: 1718

Re: Help with my TIAA retirement plan

Your choices seem pretty reasonable. Some comments:
  • As already suggested, use " TIAA Access S&P 500 Index Fund" instead of "TIAA Access Large-Cap Growth Index Fund"
  • A little in "TIAA Access Small-Cap Blend Index Fund" would bring you closer to approximating the total stock market.
  • Your fixed income allocation of 10% (IMHO, TIAA Traditional qualifies as fixed income) at age 35 is on the aggressive side, but not unreasonable.
  • You might consider using TIAA Traditional for the bulk of your fixed income allocation, depending on the details of your contract regarding the guaranteed rate and liquidity restrictions. TIAA Traditional is a rather unique and nice vehicle.
by quaternion
Wed May 04, 2016 11:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity or Vanguard
Replies: 93
Views: 14434

Re: Fidelity or Vanguard

IMHO, both Fidelity and Vanguard offer good products at comparable cost, and one can do well with either company. I keep accounts with both of them. Here is my take on their relative advantages: Pro Vanguard: If you need hand-holding, Vanguard staff will encourage low-cost investing, while Fidelity staff may steer you towards high cost products. If you choose to slice-and-dice, Vanguard has more low-cost options available as mutual funds compared to Fidelity. Fidelity still covers all the bases, but some (e.g., small-cap value, corporate bonds) are only available as ETFs. Vanguard's investor-owned organizational structure inspires more confidence than the continuing beneficence of the Johnson Family (Fidelity's majority owners), but in all ...
by quaternion
Sun May 01, 2016 5:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dress Pants
Replies: 13
Views: 2810

Re: Dress Pants

Lands' End is often an excellent value, especially if you can wait till their one of their 30-50% off sales rolls around (40-50% is usually holiday sales, 30% is pretty frequent). I imagine Lands' End is able to offer better value due to lower overhead (sounds familiar...) from being mail-order only. Jos A. Bank is also quite decent and a bit more dressy than Land's End. However, keep in mind that their perpetual sales business tactic, where "full price" is some fictitious number and the actual price is 50-75% off (or buy one, get three free). For cotton pants, though, I think they only offer treated/wrinkle-free, which some people find less comfortable than untreated cotton. If you are under 30 (or want to dress like you are), Un...
by quaternion
Mon Apr 25, 2016 6:50 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Least bad Tiaa-Cref option
Replies: 10
Views: 1342

Re: Least bad Tiaa-Cref option

TIAA offers a couple of unique options that are hard to duplicate elsewhere: TIAA Real Estate offers direct real-estate ownership and has in the past been much more stable that REITs. The listed ~.87% expense ratio is not a fair comparison with REITs since REITs have "hidden" expenses within the management companies while the TIAA figure includes this management cost in the .87% figure. TIAA Traditional (not sure if available in your plan) offers a guaranteed return with no possibility of loss (subject to TIAA's claims-paying ability, which appears quite sound). The closest analogs are stable value funds and the TSP's G Fund. Current rates (>3% in most cases) are very attractive compared to other fixed-income options. If you can h...