Search found 402 matches

by KarlJ
Sat Feb 03, 2024 1:39 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: William Bernstein latest book on investing
Replies: 34
Views: 5459

Re: William Bernstein latest book on investing

I loved this book. Bernstein is a Bogle acolyte but a free thinker and thus occasionally a minor heretic (commodities (pro), value tilt (pro), dry powder market timing (pro), total bond market (against) ...Once you’ve accumulated an LMP of safe assets, you’re free to invest additional money in a risk portfolio (RP) that will benefit your heirs and charities. The risk portfolio can be 100% stocks if your LMP covers 100% of living expenses. +1 I am in the position of the RP that can be 100% stocks due to a pension that is COLA adjusted that more than covers all living expenses. When this is not the case, the LMP of laddered TIPS is probably the optimal solution for meeting living expenses. For me, this book provided answers to those with exi...
by KarlJ
Wed Jan 24, 2024 10:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What books would you recommend to someone that enjoyed A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy
Replies: 9
Views: 1398

Re: What books would you recommend to someone that enjoyed A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy

How to be a Stoic by Massimo Pigliucci is a good follow-up to William Irvine's A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy, in fact Irvine has endorsed the Pigliucci book. I have read both books in recent weeks.

I found out about the Irvine book on the Bogleheads Chapter video on Stoicism that makes the case that Stoicism has much in common with the Boglehead investment Philosophy.

Bogleheads® Chapter Series – Stoicism and Behavioral Finance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pO3Oq3aOAbo
by KarlJ
Sun Jan 21, 2024 2:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Shatter my Van Life Dreams
Replies: 65
Views: 8427

Re: Shatter my Van Life Dreams

If I was considering getting a van camper now, it would be a Mercedes Sprinter. Van camping is mostly in the rear-view mirror for me, although I still own a 35-year-old VW Westfalia with tons of memories of decades of cross-country trips that my wife and I took. Overall, the camping trips were the most enjoyable type of vacation. At Mineral King National Park, we were camping when I noted a sound coming from rear of the Westfalia where the engine is located, when I opened the engine compartment a marmot leaped out like a Jack-in-a-box. The marmots of Mineral King are noted for dining on radiator hoses and car wiring. The following link shows White Tank campground with a Westfalia like ours, where we camped a couple of times. https://www.nps...
by KarlJ
Sun Jan 21, 2024 9:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: If you love outdoors/hiking, what do you do in the winter?
Replies: 62
Views: 5766

Re: If you love outdoors/hiking, what do you do in the winter?

Winter is my favorite season for trail hiking. Winter usually means the trails are less crowded with a visually more compelling landscape especially after a snowstorm. I generally hike twice a week and last week my hikes were especially enjoyable with snow on the mountains.
by KarlJ
Tue Jan 16, 2024 1:05 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Tributes to Jack Bogle
Replies: 266
Views: 42603

Re: Tributes to Jack Bogle

Jack Bogle was a great man, RIP.

My first introduction to Jack Bogle came through the early editions of his books. Near the turn of the century, I attended a couple of Money Shows where Jack Bogle made impressive presentations highlighting the advantages of a portfolio consisting only of a single Vanguard balanced index fund.
by KarlJ
Mon Jan 08, 2024 12:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Berkshire Hathoway (BRK.B) stock
Replies: 16
Views: 2984

Re: Berkshire Hathoway (BRK.B) stock

At the 2023 Boglehead Conference Charley Ellis mentioned that he is a long-term holder of Berkshire Hathaway stock and will never sell.

Bogleheads® Conference 2023 - Jonathan Clements with Charley Ellis (youtube.com):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu2dl37FX6E

For my part, I hold BRK/B that is less than 5% of my portfolio as my only individual stock.
by KarlJ
Sat Dec 16, 2023 3:12 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: My Case Against Factor Investing
Replies: 93
Views: 19395

Re: My Case Against Factor Investing

Rick Ferri wrote: Sat Dec 16, 2023 2:07 pm I never threw in the towel on factor investing.
I am delighted that I was wrong.
by KarlJ
Sat Dec 16, 2023 12:00 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: My Case Against Factor Investing
Replies: 93
Views: 19395

Re: My Case Against Factor Investing

I found it distressing that Rick Ferri apparently is throwing in the towel on the Total Economy portfolio as enumerated in the second edition of All About Asset Allocation . I decided to reexamine my own portfolio that resembles the Total Economy portfolio light of this. So far, I have not been hurt by a small cap value tilt. My first position was RFV, established during the Great Recession, which despite midcap in its name is classified by Morningstar as small cap value and is up 405%. I have never rebalanced, which I view as a type of momentum system that automatically adjusts the portfolio allocation over time to reflect the best performing asset classes by increasing the percentage representation while decreasing the representation for ...
by KarlJ
Sat Nov 18, 2023 11:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 690036

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

Very late to the scene, but we watched s1e1 of Yellowstone on Peacock last night. We'll watch more. We were prompted by a WSJ story, Who Cut the Cursing Out of Yellowstone", remarking that CBS has just brought it to TV, reversing the usual TV to streaming route. The story comments that for TV the Program Practices group did a spreadsheet of cuts that had to be made for broadcast. "The spreadsheet listed 24 utterances of the F-word, 14 of the S-word and visual taboos such as blood spatter and “breast exposure and pelvic nudity.” And that was just in the first episode." https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/television/yellowstone-cbs-network-television-3aee62e5 We actually watched about half of the 1st episode last night. We'll wat...
by KarlJ
Sat Nov 18, 2023 10:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066628

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

No Country for Old Men Thought for certain I'd seen it before but remembered none of it while I was watching it. Was quite surprised by how several things turned out in it, especially its ending. Yes, " No Country for Old Men " was a terrific movie. By mid-movie, I dreaded seeing Anton Chirgurh [played by Javier Bardem]. It won 4 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor [for Bardem]. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/no_country_for_old_men 93% 86% One of my favorite movies based on a book by one of my favorite authors - Cormac McCarthy. Passed away not long ago. One of my favorite movies. I bought this on one of the Prime Video sales more than a year ago for $5. If I especial...
by KarlJ
Sat Oct 28, 2023 5:25 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Emerging Markets - thoughts on actively managed in tax advantaged?
Replies: 9
Views: 1594

Re: Emerging Markets - thoughts on actively managed in tax advantaged?

NEWFX, American Funds New World, is an actively managed Emerging Markets mutual fund that I have owned since 2018. NEWFX is load fund, but in my retirement plan the load was waived for American Funds. At Fidelity NWFFX is a no-load version of New World.

Morningstar.com calculated that in the last 5 years, NEWFX was +21.99%, while the Vanguard Emerging Market ETF (VWO) was +6.76%.
by KarlJ
Thu Oct 19, 2023 12:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone using the Fidelity Rewards Visa card?
Replies: 58
Views: 11452

Re: Anyone using the Fidelity Rewards Visa card?

UpperNwGuy wrote: ↑Thu Oct 19, 2023 12:07 amI won't apply for it because I have heard nothing but bad reports about Elan Bank's management of the card. If Fidelity would switch to a different card issuer, I would go for it. Fidelity is my primary brokerage. Hmmm, what reports are you referring too? We have been using this card for +20 years (more than half under Elan) and have never had any management issues even when our cards where compromised. Fraud teams were fast and efficient with no issues. I have a lot of experience with Elan, most of it bad when dealing with customer service. For me this means using the Fidelity Visa only for insignificant purchases. I found increasing the low Elan credit limit, way below what my other credit card...
by KarlJ
Thu Oct 19, 2023 9:58 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What would Bogle think of SGOV? [iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF]
Replies: 21
Views: 4151

Re: What would Bogle think of SGOV? [iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF]

What makes SGOV more difficult to tax-track than any other dividend paying etf? Is it just the frequency of payments? Monthly Dividends and constantly changing prices. Really the problem/difference is the instrument (really short-term T-bills) can be easily obtained in a fixed $1 NAV priced fund that removes pricing from the equation. Since price IS in the equation, unlike a MM fund, the dividends accrue during the month as increases in NAV, thus also creating a potential to turn dividend income into STCG. There also ex-dividend price changes. There is also the possibility of price movement due to changes in rates that could result in losses or gains. For detail oriented investors, this is nothing new, but for folks who are used to owning ...
by KarlJ
Tue Oct 17, 2023 5:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity CMA overdraft
Replies: 66
Views: 9241

Re: Fidelity CMA overdraft

While the Fidelity CMA account can be used with a zero balance, I have always used a minimum cash balance to avoid the possibility of an insufficient funds situation from ever happening. The cash balance is linked to FDIC insured bank(s) that pay interest monthly on the balance. When the balance drops below the minimum specified in the setup, a designated amount is automatically pulled from the linked taxable Fidelity account to replenish the CMA account back to the minimum. Fidelity uses the following banks to pay interest: 1. WELLS FARGO NA 2. CITIBANK NA 3. ASSOCIATED BANK NA 4. FIFTH THIRD BANK 5. TRUIST BANK 6. CIBC BANK USA 7. THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON 8. US BANK 9. GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA 10. BANK OF OKLAHOMA 11. CITIZENS BANK NA 12...
by KarlJ
Sun Oct 01, 2023 12:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Quicken 2019 and forward
Replies: 1061
Views: 114297

Re: Quicken 2019 and forward

The splash screen is not full screen. How much of the screen it takes up will depend on your screen size/resolution. It's a little graphic that appears in the middle of the screen as Quicken loads. It will be the default Quicken one unless you happen to have activated online services with one of a small number of financial service companies that apparently have paid Quicken money to advertise their name in the splash screen -- like Fidelity and apparently Wells Fargo. To my knowledge, Vanguard never paid for such advertising in Quicken. So you're probably seeing the default splash screen. And that's not unusual. That's what I see. Schwab also does not appear to pay for the advertising, since that is my connected broker. After updating to C...
by KarlJ
Tue Sep 26, 2023 4:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Quicken 2019 and forward
Replies: 1061
Views: 114297

Re: Quicken 2019 and forward

JBTX wrote: ↑Tue Sep 26, 2023 2:08 am
Seems to me when they go to such lengths to stress the future of Quicken classic, it is an indication that it will eventually be phased out. It is kind of a dinosaur and has a limited market.
The email announcing Quicken Classic and associated video started me wondering if this was the beginning of the end, despite the assurances that nothing had changed.

For a quarter of a century, I have used Quicken primarily to track investments and spending. There seems to be no viable alternative to Quicken that retains access to the quarter century of data in my case.
by KarlJ
Mon Sep 25, 2023 12:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards
Replies: 7041
Views: 878875

Re: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards

In my experience, I have not been able to get ebill from Fidelity to pull the statements from BoA. My solution was to add my Fidelity CMA account to my BoA profile, setup bill pay on the BoA side (ie add the two CCs to the BoA bill pay). Then set up automatic payments from each CC to pull the payment from Fidelity.
I also have two BOA CCs that could not be added after repeated attempts to the automatic bill pay of the Fidelity accounts. The resolution for me was the same as above that finally came after establishing the automatic bill pay within BoA to pull payments from the Fidelity accounts where I had previously established the links to pull from the Fidelity accounts.
by KarlJ
Tue Sep 12, 2023 12:41 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Everything to Fidelity
Replies: 112
Views: 14760

Re: Everything to Fidelity

I would agree on B&M access but I've heard some of the places such as Schwab B&M offices aren't really much of an office and is mostly a single person working there with limited or no abilities to help you. The brick-and-mortar local Schwab office with a single person, the advisor, is something I can confirm, as this was my situation for nearly a decade. The outcome of this was excessive pressure for me to become an advised client paying high fees for a managed account that was partially responsible for leaving Schwab a decade age. In retrospect, the repeated cold calls and even a request to deliver his sales pitch in our home might have meant that the advisor was fighting to keep his job, as I later heard that the advisor was tran...
by KarlJ
Mon Sep 11, 2023 10:33 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anyone ever regret leaving Schwab?
Replies: 140
Views: 21726

Re: Anyone ever regret leaving Schwab?

We have more than $2 million now at Schwab, but this predatory practice of talking clients into Advisory Service is making us look at consolidating at Fidelity. My 25 years at Schwab ended a decade ago when leaving was not due to any one thing but dozens of complaints, however in retrospect the trigger was probably the elimination of the sweep MM fund and pressure to become an advised client. Having settlements automatically in a MM sweep funds is important, instead of constant monitoring and manually buying and selling of a MM fund. Clearly Schwab makes money on this arrangement to the detriment of clients. In the first 15 years at Schwab there were no problems when my account balances were too small to have an assigned advisor. In the la...
by KarlJ
Tue Sep 05, 2023 5:41 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Schwab vs. Fidelity vs. Vanguard
Replies: 111
Views: 16486

Re: Schwab vs. Fidelity vs. Vanguard

Decades ago, my Vanguard mutual fund account offered no problems, although I never called customer service and my investable assets were small. Vanguard customer service seems abysmal judging from Bogleheads discussions. Bad customer service and the lack of brick-and-mortar locations discourage me from ever establishing a new Vanguard account. Most of my investable assets have been with Fidelity since my exit from Schwab a decade ago. Fidelity has been a trusted custodian where 24/7 customer service has been excellent. Fidelity Zero index mutual funds are a big plus. I get free TurboTax every year and appreciate access to Morningstar research reports on major ETFs. The Fidelity Retirement Income Planner (RIP) used to be available to clients...
by KarlJ
Sun Sep 03, 2023 3:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Are Two Brokerages Preferable to One?
Replies: 66
Views: 7392

Re: Are Two Brokerages Preferable to One?

A decade ago, after 25 years at Schwab, my frustration threshold was reached for a laundry list of reasons, including phasing out money market sweep accounts, so I transferred to Fidelity as my primary brokerage. Over the years, a secondary brokerage, currently Merrill Edge, was retained for backup in case of problems with the primary brokerage.
by KarlJ
Wed Aug 30, 2023 7:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Rethinking "Keep Your Car for Ten Years"
Replies: 466
Views: 48779

Re: Rethinking "Keep Your Car for Ten Years"

I go through cars every 6-12 months, can’t imagine keeping one 10 years. You all have a lot of willpower! I just buy things that hold their value well so I can make a little money or break even, no big deal if I lose some too but if you know the markets well for certain cars you can drive something that originally cost six figures for less than the cost of a Camey. Interests vary :happy I can afford pretty much any car on the market - I could go out right now and buy a Mercedes S class for cash with virtually no impact on our finances. However, I am more than happy with my Honda CR-V EX-L. I just prefer to spend my money on luxury travel rather than cars - I enjoy traveling in business class on international flights. Your right interests d...
by KarlJ
Sun Aug 13, 2023 2:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Shoe quality?
Replies: 55
Views: 5199

Re: Shoe quality?

Regarding hiking boots, a half century ago, after reading The Complete Walker by Colin Fletcher, I bought the author's favorite hiking boot at REI, an all-leather Italian Pivetta boot with Vibram soles. The Pivetta boots lasted for three decades before the Vibram soles started to separate from boot. Over a decade ago, I bought another all-leather Italian hiking boots with Vibram soles made by Zamberlan that are still in good shape, but my shoe size has gone up by a half size. My day hikes now do not require Italian all-leather boots suitable for multi-day backpacking, so I decided to economize with Merrell Moab recommended by Wirecutter . After a year, the Merrill Moab waterproof boots have held up well. https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/r...
by KarlJ
Wed Jul 19, 2023 8:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Grand Canyon
Replies: 41
Views: 2926

Re: Grand Canyon

For someone of the 70+ cohort, what works for me is to discuss with a ranger at the South Rim visitor center what hikes will be appropriate. The ranger will make a judgement based on age and physical condition. In my case, the recommendation was the South Kaibab to Ooh Aah Point (1.8-mile) or Cedar Ridge (3-mile) since trails were icy, where stair step trails were safer than the Bright Angel where slipping was more of a danger. I have resigned myself that a Rim to Rim is off the table, as even in my 50s going to the 3-mile mark and back on the Bright Angel was my limit.
by KarlJ
Wed Jul 12, 2023 2:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Go go, slow go, no go years in retirement
Replies: 87
Views: 9812

Re: Go go, slow go, no go years in retirement

I just turned 60 and have had enough sugar in my life to kill 3 horses and was well on my way to all the metabolic issues. Everyday I ask myself is sugar and carbs in general really worth the price I pay in reduction in quality of life. The older I get the higher the price becomes. I have found that the more meat, eggs, and seafood, and conversely, the less starch and sugar consumed, the more I lose weight and keep muscle. My research has alleviated concerns about saturated fat and cholesterol which are necessary, and focused them over to reduction in mindless consumption of low nutrition carbohydrates, including fruit, and the insulin resistance that is behind modern metabolic syndrome. I still have days where emotions and the sugar addic...
by KarlJ
Mon May 22, 2023 8:04 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What's in Rick Ferri's portfolio?
Replies: 132
Views: 34461

Re: What's in Rick Ferri's portfolio?

I really enjoyed the video and have been following the Total Economy portfolio since purchasing the All About Asset Allocation book.

A PFFD allocation seems a kind of black box I do not fully understand, set up to accomplish a specific purpose of high income with some tax advantages within a taxable account. Information on preferred stocks in general and PFFD in particular is hard to find. Would it be better to follow conventional wisdom to use a municipal bond fund instead?
by KarlJ
Sun Apr 30, 2023 3:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Solo Ager: who would you trust with your financial POA?
Replies: 109
Views: 12233

Re: Solo Ager: who would you trust with your financial POA?

I don't believe I'd trust someone I don't know at all as much as some of the people I do. You don't have anyone you know who would, even maybe reluctantly, handle these matters for you? This question probably should be directed to the OP, but in my case, I have met the person named on the financial POA and I trust her. The difference between her and a neighbor is that that the fiduciary would bill for her services while the neighbor would be free. I did some checking into what being named on a financial POA would mean for a neighbor, or anybody else. First off, the person named on the financial POA would need the ability to access my financial accounts to pay bills, which is a complicated process of doctors certifying that I was mentally i...
by KarlJ
Sat Apr 29, 2023 6:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Solo Ager: who would you trust with your financial POA?
Replies: 109
Views: 12233

Re: Solo Ager: who would you trust with your financial POA?

How can I arrange for some trusted entity to handle these matters for me, to whom I should grant a POA? I'm sure there are others out there who have faced or are facing the same issue My situation is similar to yours. My lawyer recommended naming a fiduciary for the POA. The legal fiduciary would designate a financial fiduciary handle my finances in the case that multiple doctors certified that I was mentally incompetent. In my case, I would not trust any of my neighbors or distant relatives to handle my financial affairs. A few years ago, I missed a payment to a credit card company that prompted me to put all credit cards, as well as all utility bills on autopay. Recently I started using exercises on the BrainEQ website that is said to im...
by KarlJ
Sat Apr 29, 2023 5:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Plumbing issue. Who to call?
Replies: 18
Views: 2746

Re: Plumbing issue. Who to call?

The snow has melted and we have a pipe burst. Looks like I need to replace this thing below. What is it and do I call the sprinkler people or the plumber? In my area, last winter was the worst for snow in my memory in the last two decades. Apparently, the freezing temperatures cracked the homeowner turnoff valve behind the water meter that resulted in a spike in water company bills. The water company recommended that I get bids from landscapers to fix the valve problem since plumbers would charge twice as much. Having a licensed and bonded company was recommended by the first landscape company to bid, where an experienced manager told me that his company required a three-man crew and four hours minimum, so I would be better off with a lice...
by KarlJ
Sat Apr 08, 2023 8:58 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I Bonds and Bill Bernstein's Maxim
Replies: 115
Views: 22926

Re: I Bonds and Bill Bernstein's Maxim

What’s a TD Trust account and how do you set it up? Does it somehow make it easier for your beneficiaries to access your I Bonds? Instructions for setting up a TD Trust account are here: https://thefinancebuff.com/buy-more-i-bonds-treasury-direct-trust.html In my case, a lawyer that specializes in Elder Law is setting up a Trust that includes everything including brokerage accounts, TD holdings, home, and cars. Everything is done except for Treasury Direct which I expect will be completed this year. Converting taxable brokerage accounts to Trust accounts involves submitting paperwork to the brokerage firm and usually takes a few days to process. Treasury Direct works differently in that an empty TD Trust account is created on the TD websit...
by KarlJ
Sat Apr 08, 2023 12:52 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I Bonds and Bill Bernstein's Maxim
Replies: 115
Views: 22926

Re: I Bonds and Bill Bernstein's Maxim

I recall ordering a download of The Intelligent Asset Allocator from the Efficient Frontier website that was a password protected Word file, starting my journey years later into the land of the TIPS Ladder, where I constructed a 10-year ladder where the last rung expires next year. The expiring rungs financed RMDs that were redeployed into I-Bonds, because my Cola adjusted pension covered all living expenses. I once calculated that spending could be 45% higher and still be covered by the pension income, so the TIPS ladder was not needed. My 30-year career as a government computer programmer led to the pension, but my goal during those 30 years was to retire based solely on investments. I viewed it as a race between my investments and the pe...
by KarlJ
Thu Apr 06, 2023 5:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I Bonds and Bill Bernstein's Maxim
Replies: 115
Views: 22926

Re: I Bonds and Bill Bernstein's Maxim

There must be a happy medium between autopilot and manually piloting a passenger jet (TD). I hope I can find that.
For more than a decade, the TD website has been the most user-unfriendly interface I have ever used, although I-Bonds uniquely fit into my lifelong financial goals, so I will stick with manually piloting the TD jet!
by KarlJ
Thu Apr 06, 2023 1:45 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best Fidelity Money Market (in New York)
Replies: 36
Views: 6743

Re: Best Fidelity Money Market

FDRXX 7 Day Yield 4.51%
by KarlJ
Fri Mar 31, 2023 3:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?
Replies: 2851
Views: 225856

Re: Bird watchers – what birds are you seeing?

Just witnessed two mourning doves mating on a pine tree in my backyard, where after "billing" a few times, the male mounted the female's back.
by KarlJ
Fri Mar 31, 2023 10:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is Costco meat worth it?
Replies: 79
Views: 16065

Re: Is Costco meat worth it?

Prime sirloin and NY steaks at Costco used to be my favorite, although the local Safeway supermarket and Sam's Club have become better options. Sam's Club will sell individual selected steaks wrapped by a butcher instead of the huge packages at Costco. Whole Foods does not indicate whether the steaks are choice or prime, but choice steaks at much lower prices at the local Safeway supermarket seem just as good to me.
by KarlJ
Wed Mar 29, 2023 3:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Treasury Direct and Citibank
Replies: 23
Views: 2460

Re: Treasury Direct and Citibank

TD is by-the-book where you do not have the book. An account is locked, an online transfer is denied all without explanation, all leading to long delays. My guess is that TD thinks revealing the triggering criteria would enable hackers.

I have experienced all the TD hassles mentioned, although the hassles are not enough to do something not in my best financial interest. An objective analysis of my financial situation showed that staying with TD was my best financial option long-term. Near-term pain for long-term gain.
by KarlJ
Sat Mar 25, 2023 5:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Treasury Direct and Citibank
Replies: 23
Views: 2460

Re: Treasury Direct and Citibank

You can buy US Tsy bonds from literally thousands of brokers. Savings bonds are not a required part of anyone’s portfolio.
Cashing out generates a big tax bill and one is also losing a unique taxable space that is tax deferred. If none of the I-Bonds mature within one's lifetime, this is essentially a tax-free for one's lifetime. After cashing out, the proceeds would be in a taxable account where the best substitute for I-Bonds is probably TIPS, where "Phantom Income" makes taxes a nightmare. Having no IRA space makes it an easy call for me: don't cash out.
by KarlJ
Sat Mar 25, 2023 1:47 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Fidelity advisors keep calling me
Replies: 33
Views: 5494

Re: Fidelity advisors keep calling me

In my experience, Fidelity never does "cold calls" like most brokerage firms that call at least quarterly with a sales pitch. Fidelity assigns an advisor that will not call unless you call Fidelity first to schedule a meeting, usually by phone for one hour. After a meeting, Fidelity sends an email questionnaire to rate the advisor. In theory, the meeting is to focus on the topic you specified when scheduling the meeting, but it usually ends up be about sales. One advisor described the incentive system that is based on what is sold, at the low end is moving more money to Fidelity, and at the high-end is a managed account. The high-end advisors that meet you in person at branch offices, focus on account management. The call center a...
by KarlJ
Tue Mar 21, 2023 11:11 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Treasury Direct and Citibank
Replies: 23
Views: 2460

Re: Treasury Direct and Citibank

I think testing a new TD Trust account with a small transaction may have been a mistake. According to the following website: https://thefinancebuff.com/buy-more-i-bonds-treasury-direct-trust.html A transaction in the receiving account will result in a one-year delay before any transfer can be completed. I am in the middle of the process where the desired end result is a TD Trust account housing all my I-Bonds. I have avoided making any kind of transaction in the receiving account until the transfer is completed. I figure based on my first transfer that this will take 16 weeks for my second transfer. Getting a Medallion is a hassle where I live, where the Chase bank that issues Medallions does not appreciate that I only have a Chase credit c...
by KarlJ
Fri Mar 17, 2023 5:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Bing [Microsoft search engine]
Replies: 30
Views: 3987

Re: New Bing

I'm getting a Bing workout here. Here is more Bing information specific to Chrome: Set your default search engine & site search shortcuts https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95426 1. On your computer, open Chrome. 2. At the top right, click More Settings. 3. Click Search engine. 4. Next to "Search engine used in the address bar," click the Down arrow . See more Overview You can use the address bar (omnibox) as a search box. It automatically uses Google, but you can set another default search engine instead.If you notice unexpected changes in you… See more Add, edit, or remove site search shortcuts 1. On your computer, open Chrome . 2. At the top right, click More Setting… 3. On the left, click Search engine Manag… 4. To c...
by KarlJ
Fri Mar 17, 2023 5:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Bing [Microsoft search engine]
Replies: 30
Views: 3987

Re: New Bing

News reports are that getting on the waitlist is no longer required. I did a second Bing search, this time being more specific as to what I wanted: So you want to use Microsoft's new AI-powered Bing search engine — here's how to do it Go to Bing.com/new in your internet browser. Microsoft / Bing Click the blue button that says "Join the waitlist." Microsoft / Bing To get on the list, you'll first need to login to your Microsoft account. ... After you sign in, you should see a message saying, "Great! ... You should see two steps. ... The first task requires setting your default search engine to Bing. ... More items Here's How to Use Microsoft's New Bing: Steps With Photos www.businessinsider.com/bing-microsoft-how-to-use-the-n...
by KarlJ
Fri Mar 17, 2023 4:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Bing [Microsoft search engine]
Replies: 30
Views: 3987

Re: New Bing

I joined a waitlist to gain access, although news reports say the new Bing is now available to all. Here is what Bing says:

Here's what to do, according to Microsoft:

Go to Bing.com/new and sign in.
If you're already on the waitlist, you should see a big blue button that says "Access the new Bing faster." Click it.
Click "Microsoft Defaults." ...
Download the Bing app to your Android or iOS device and sign in using your Microsoft account.
Here's How To Get Access To Microsoft's New Bing Chat AI Preview
www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/heres ... r-AA17dKOv
www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/heres ... icrosofts-
by KarlJ
Fri Mar 17, 2023 3:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Bing [Microsoft search engine]
Replies: 30
Views: 3987

New Bing [Microsoft search engine]

Recently I have been using the new AI-driven Bing for searching, where the results have been way better than Google searches at finding what I was looking for. The new Bing search results go right to the information that answers the questions that prompted the search in the first place. A summary directly answers the question, complete with links to sources. The included links in the search results can be used for exploring more detailed information.

For many decades, Google was my go-to search engine as the Google search almost always turned up more relevant information than the old Bing. Now the situation is nearly the opposite, where Google is the search engine I am avoiding. I would be interested in what others think of the new Bing.
by KarlJ
Fri Mar 17, 2023 11:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to maximize Chase Freedom 5% category?
Replies: 20
Views: 2193

Re: How to maximize Chase Freedom 5% category?

For groceries I always use the AMEX card to get 6%. My Chase card has not been used to charge a purchase for over a year. I considered closing the Chase account until I found that the card can be used as an account credential to get a medallion stamp at a JP Morgan Chase office.
by KarlJ
Fri Mar 17, 2023 10:35 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Using Fidelity Account for US Treasury Direct
Replies: 19
Views: 2753

Re: Using Fidelity Account for US Treasury Direct

As with others posting, I never had a problem as Fidelity makes it easy to access the numbers, but apparently many TD customers in general do have this problem. When I was on hold for an hour waiting to talk with TD, the recording repeatedly urged adding a new bank account to the TD account while on hold.
by KarlJ
Tue Mar 07, 2023 1:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is the Boglehead way of owning a car the best way?
Replies: 58
Views: 7268

Re: Is the Boglehead way of owning a car the best way?

I have never bought a used car or leased, what has worked for me buying new and keeping the vehicle as long as possible. My 35-year-old VW Westfalia was purchased for $20,000 with maintenance costs running about $25,000 total for the first 23-year period of ownership. The Westfalia has about 250,000 miles, and I have no intention of ever selling, despite numerous unsolicited requests to buy the Westfalia. GoWesty sells completely refurbished Westfalia campers similar to mine for $100,000. Our other vehicle was a $50,000 2002 Mercedes midsize SUV that we kept for 15 years and about 170,000 miles, until it developed mechanical problems that would cost more to fix than the trade-in price, so we purchased a new Mercedes midsize SUV that is now ...
by KarlJ
Wed Mar 01, 2023 4:21 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Buffett's 2022 Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder Letter
Replies: 76
Views: 12136

Re: Buffett's 2022 Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder Letter

Buffett's letter discusses his concern for interests of the shareholders amounting to a fiduciary relationship, without the high fees typically charged by advisors for a managed portfolio. Berkshire's portfolio of diverse companies seems like enough diversification to me for an investor holding only a small percentage of BRK as a value holding. As far as performance, page 1 says it all, with an excellent long-term record versus the S&P 500, albeit with subpar performance in recent years. When Buffett discusses the justified trust that shareholders have in the management of the portfolio, it rings true. Everything about Berkshire seems above board, including the annual meeting where shareholders are invited to ask their toughest questions.
by KarlJ
Wed Mar 01, 2023 1:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Photography Gear - Feedback Needed
Replies: 161
Views: 10302

Re: Photography Gear - Feedback Needed

Back In 2015 the Outdoor Photographer magazine had an article about David Muench, famous for 4x5 film photography, had gone to handheld digital with the Panasonic LUXIX DHC-FZ70. I owned several books of the landscape photographs of David Muench and admired his view camera work. Muench would backpack 80 pounds of gear into the wilderness on multiday trips to get his landscape images. The idea that a light digital camera would be good enough for Muench planted the idea of one day owning a Panasonic myself for my photography on hikes. A few weeks ago, I was reading in the Wirecutter website that the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX10 was their #1 pick for a point-and-shoot camera. The sensor larger than the one in a smartphone can take better pictures ...
by KarlJ
Thu Jan 26, 2023 6:47 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Can you express your investing philosophy as a Haiku?
Replies: 79
Views: 6801

Re: Can you express your investing philosophy as a Haiku?

Simply hold passively
thou raging waters rise
calm waters await the wise