Search found 19502 matches

by Sandtrap
Sat Mar 16, 2024 10:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I buy a $3k camera lens or get a cheaper lens instead?
Replies: 25
Views: 1559

Re: Should I buy a $3k camera lens or get a cheaper lens instead?

I am a hobbyist photographer and am trying to decide whether I should get the lens that is considered the "best" for ~$3k or the one that most consider "good enough" for $1.5k, or about half price. Here are the specifics: I want a mid-range 2.8 zoom lens for my Sony full frame camera to take photos of sports, events, and portraits. I know I want a zoom like this because I have a similar 2.8 range zoom for my Fuji system which is my favorite lens and have used consistency over the last 3 years. Now that I primarily use my Sony camera, I would like to get a 2.8 mid-range zoom. There is a significant price difference: Sony lens 70-200 2.8: ~$3k - considered the "best" by reviews, highest resale value, light...thi...
by Sandtrap
Sat Mar 16, 2024 7:31 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Should I Keep Sacrificing or Start Enjoying Myself
Replies: 32
Views: 3560

Re: Should I Keep Sacrificing or Start Enjoying Myself

I've been sacrificing fun, relationships, travel, clothes, and anything you can think of since 2018 to put myself in a better financial position. I had almost over $300k in debt with no money. It took me 2 years until 2020 to clean my slate to $0. Since 2020, I started saving and investing 50% to 70% of my income and finally have over $200k saved and invested with no mortgage, car loans, or credit card debt. My slate is literally clean. Moral of the story, I'm 33 now and I'm addicted to being frugal and investing every penny. I still invest 50% of my income, live off 30%, and put 20% in a cash reserve for emergencies. Should i start enjoying myself and letting the gas off the pedal? My biggest fear is getting complacent with my finances an...
by Sandtrap
Fri Mar 15, 2024 11:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying an Expensive Car
Replies: 80
Views: 6391

Re: Buying an Expensive Car

Hi - have a pretty straightforward question. Recently totaled my existing vehicle (cabinet drawer fell out of the back of a truck in front of me) and received an insurance payout of 17k. Need to purchase a car, and was thinking about getting my dream car (~100k). I’m 30 years old, single, make 260k per year, with a confirmed path to 330k by 33 (vesting stock). Net worth is currently 700k, with 300k in retirement and 400k in savings. No house, and live in a HCOL, with a rent of 2600 per month. No other debt. Was going to buy the car cash - but not sure if it’s a financially ruining decision! Buying new because 1-2 years used only offers a 5-6% discount in the current market. Would appreciate any advice! :confused Subaru Forester Honda Passp...
by Sandtrap
Fri Mar 15, 2024 8:45 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Searching for Lost Contributors
Replies: 537
Views: 138180

Re: Searching for Lost Contributors

AnnetteLouisan wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 6:55 pm
curmudgeon wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2024 11:16 am I noticed "Sandtrap" has gone quiet for the past month, which is unusual for him.
He’s ok. Just busy.
Health issues increased over last 2 years then severe since may 2023. Been to mayo in scottsdale and much more. Heavy meds lower my IQ to below the average Boglehead genius level so cognition is tough. Even with HSA. Getting slowly better. Finally have a plan.
Best to all.
Aloha
jim
by Sandtrap
Fri Feb 09, 2024 6:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tubs in new build cracked, do I have a case for replacement from builder?
Replies: 13
Views: 1240

Re: Tubs in new build cracked, do I have a case for replacement from builder?

HI all, We have a new build home that we closed on in December 2022. Just two weeks after moving in, we reported to the builder a squeaky floor under the hallway bathroom tub. This was temporarily addressed by injecting foam by the builder's plumber, but the issue has since returned. More distressingly, overtime, a crack developed in the upstairs bathtub interior sidewall, leading to gushing water damage that soaked our kitchen ceiling on January 2024. We immediately reported it via the emergency warranty line. The next day, the builder's care team inspected and found a similar crack in the first-floor tub. The builder's car team temporarily remedied these issues with silicone sealant. It is abundantly clear that these temporary fixes are ...
by Sandtrap
Thu Feb 08, 2024 6:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hawaii Trip: advice
Replies: 35
Views: 3656

Re: Hawaii Trip: advice

Hapuna Beach Resort
or
Hilton Waikaloa Resort
kamuela town
big island

Waialea Resort
maui
makawao town
kula
by Sandtrap
Tue Feb 06, 2024 7:23 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Financial Planner Withdrawal Rate Goes from 3% to 11%
Replies: 24
Views: 2602

Re: Financial Planner Withdrawal Rate Goes from 3% to 11%

So, the 4% rule is just a rule of thumb, but I thought it was a good one, to preserve resources if you live longer than expected, for example. I got a Comprehensive Financial Plan from a professional planner that has a withdrawal rate of < 3% until age 75 > 4% after 75 > 5% after 81 > 6% after 85 >7% after 88 >9% after 92 >10% after 94 11.24 % at 95, with end of life "planned"/estimated at 95. What say you to this? :D :confused :?: Could this be a good financial plan? It has got the usual Monte Carlo with "green" success rates that say I would likely make it to die without running out of money, but I have not heard all the assumptions (rates of return, asset allocations, etc.) yet. Are you retired and working with a sim...
by Sandtrap
Sun Feb 04, 2024 5:55 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Laundry Detergent Pods Suds
Replies: 37
Views: 3555

Re: Laundry Detergent Pods Suds

Recent issues with septic tanks. Septic company said HE is least to no suds.
We use these with great results.
Image
by Sandtrap
Sun Feb 04, 2024 5:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Aftermarket Camera Battery Brands
Replies: 8
Views: 717

Re: Aftermarket Camera Battery Brands

Canon, Olympus, Sony; OEM batteries only.

j
by Sandtrap
Fri Feb 02, 2024 8:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Children unprepared to manage our trust after our deaths.
Replies: 67
Views: 7892

Re: Children unprepared to manage our trust after our deaths.

We (wife & I) created a living trust in 2014. We want to revise it soon to incorporate some updates. I'm 65, wife is 74. We listed wife's 3 children as successor trustees with unanimous decision-making stipulation. The 7 grandchildren will benefit the most from our bequests and we gave their parents (wife's kids) the ability to disburse funds for various reasons before the grandchild reaches 30 years of age whereupon the grandkid would get their full share. I have no children of my own and this is my first marriage. My relationships with wife and kids and grandkids is excellent. I proposed a family meeting to be held in November, 2022 and sent everyone a text (in July, 2022) saying there was no problem, but I wanted them to attend this...
by Sandtrap
Mon Jan 29, 2024 6:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Managing your affairs when you live alone and have no family or true friends
Replies: 133
Views: 21637

Re: Managing your affairs when you live alone and have no family or true friends

I’d be inclined to move to a CCRC or similar situation where a lot of daily issues can be managed and there is decent infrastructure available for aging out. You might face a decision on the pets but life is all about trade-offs so that may be one you have to make. +1 I have seen many instances where there were too many lifestyle and living compromises made because of a "fuzzy buddy", "Cat", "dog", etc. There's a point where, though obvious to everyone else, moving to a CCRC, etc, might have great social and medical benefits that should not be compromised. Hurry and have good luck in finding new homes for your "fuzzy buddies". j My hats off to those folks who do all they can to honor the commitment t...
by Sandtrap
Mon Jan 29, 2024 7:08 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Managing your affairs when you live alone and have no family or true friends
Replies: 133
Views: 21637

Re: Managing your affairs when you live alone and have no family or true friends

retiredjg wrote: Mon Jan 29, 2024 7:01 am
OpenMinded1 wrote: Mon Jan 29, 2024 6:45 am I wonder what the restrictions typically are on having pets at a CCRC. Maybe it varies widely. I have no idea.
I have visited a few CCRC and independent/assisted living facilities. The ones I visited all allow pets. Sometimes there is a restriction on dog size but even that seems to be flexible depending on temperament. One place mentioned if you move in with a pet, you must specify someone to call to come get the pet if needed.

To the original poster, you might see if there is a "geriatric case manager" available in your vicinity. This is not something I know anything about myself, but have seen it mentioned here in the past.
+1

outstanding
j🌺
by Sandtrap
Mon Jan 29, 2024 6:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Managing your affairs when you live alone and have no family or true friends
Replies: 133
Views: 21637

Re: Managing your affairs when you live alone and have no family or true friends

jebmke wrote: Mon Jan 29, 2024 5:37 am I’d be inclined to move to a CCRC or similar situation where a lot of daily issues can be managed and there is decent infrastructure available for aging out. You might face a decision on the pets but life is all about trade-offs so that may be one you have to make.
+1
I have seen many instances where there were too many lifestyle and living compromises made because of a "fuzzy buddy", "Cat", "dog", etc. There's a point where, though obvious to everyone else, moving to a CCRC, etc, might have great social and medical benefits that should not be compromised.

Hurry and have good luck in finding new homes for your "fuzzy buddies".
j
by Sandtrap
Sat Jan 27, 2024 8:15 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to Invest 20K
Replies: 21
Views: 1852

Re: How to Invest 20K

Thanks for replying. I guess I’m currently at a standstill because I’ve always thought to invest in Mutual Funds (Aka S&P and Total Market Index) in a 401K or IRA, and to use ETF’s such as Large Cap ones which are basically the same companies as the Mutual Funds in a regular taxable account. You guys are recommending great Index Funds, so my question is what is the benefit of going with a Mutual Fund Index vs an ETF index? Also, is it smarter to invest the lump sum at once or break it up into smaller increments over time? (Sorry if the topic has been covered somewhere else) Thank you guys for the insight For such a short term, less than 5 years, and with the unknown need for immediate availability, consider a Treasury or CD Ladder with...
by Sandtrap
Fri Jan 26, 2024 9:24 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Investment Advice for the Self-Employed
Replies: 2
Views: 273

Re: Investment Advice for the Self-Employed

Vermont Farmer wrote: Fri Jan 26, 2024 9:20 am I am a 53-year-old farmer. Combined with my wife, our asset allocation is roughly as follows:
$414,000 in stock indexes (mostly in Vanguard total US stock index plus international index);
$196,000 in bonds (mostly total Bond Index)
$80,000 high-yield bank account (5.25%)
$500,000 (investment property).[/list]

Do you have any advice as to how we should fund our Roth IRA ($16,000 total)? General advice on our asset allocation would also be appreciated.

Thanks!
questions:
1
What are your annual expenses now?
2
What is your annual income now?
3
What are your annual projected expenses in retirement, projected?
4
What is your annual projected income in retirement.

j :D
by Sandtrap
Tue Jan 23, 2024 7:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Kids of wealthy parents, do they work?
Replies: 69
Views: 4740

Re: Kids of wealthy parents, do they work?

I am wondering if I am asking for too much here. Our 17 year old is in high school, excellent grades and generally a good kid. Heading to college for a computer science degree. He has never worked and I have been on him to get a job so that he learns to budget and be somewhat responsible by paying for gas and spending money. He came home today with a job selling knives 🤨. I am not too sure about this. He refuses to get anything that pays less than $15/hr. This job apparently it’s $20/hr. I really don’t care what he makes as the money it’s not that important, but rather I want him to learn to have work ethic. I do worry about this job with the knives and the type of people he’d encounter going from home to home. Yet, I’ve noticed that none ...
by Sandtrap
Tue Jan 23, 2024 8:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best tours for China?
Replies: 122
Views: 10833

Re: Best tours for China?

jplee3 wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 8:50 pm Hi

For those of you who have recently been on a tour of China, I was wondering which company(IES) you suggest going with that are on the less expensive side but still with decent accommodations and are a good value?

We are a family of four (two kids who will be 8 and 7 when we go). Priorities of places to see are - Great Wall, Beijing, Xian and Shanghai.


TIA!
Consider Taiwan over mainland CCP
Also Southeast Asia exotic

j :D
by Sandtrap
Mon Jan 22, 2024 9:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: College counselor/consultant
Replies: 65
Views: 4579

Re: College counselor/consultant

Sho wrote: Sun Jan 21, 2024 3:39 pm As the kid starts high school this year , I have some questions and hope the group would help

1: what year you should seek help ? Freshman , junior etc
2 : is it worth it ?
3: how much it usually costs ?
4: Did you use one and any recommendations?

Any other advice ?

Thank you .
Depends on interests, track, each student/person, etc.
If a medical school track to M.D. then start now.

j :D
by Sandtrap
Mon Jan 22, 2024 8:23 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can We Retire in Hawaii? Please Critique
Replies: 214
Views: 37524

Re: Can We Retire in Hawaii? Please Critique

Looking for multiple sets of eyes to review our dream retirement plan and provide guidance on how to make it happen. We are a military family that is quickly approaching early retirement with great anticipation and trepidation. I will be retiring in 28 months, and our desire is to retire in Hawaii (Big Island), buy some land and build a house. We would kindly welcome the Boglehead Community to look at our situation/portfolio and provide some much-needed input about how we should go about building a house and moving our money (or not moving) to maximize all tax benefits and fund our retirement. I think I would like to put off social security to age 70 to maximize that benefit, and would like to delay touching the Roth IRAs for as long as po...
by Sandtrap
Mon Jan 22, 2024 7:19 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: 🎁 🎉Happy 100th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎊🎂
Replies: 429
Views: 41927

Re: 🎁 🎉Happy 100th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎊🎂

Happy Birthday Taylor
best to you and family.
Aloha
jimmy
by Sandtrap
Sat Jan 20, 2024 9:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: My father (Boglehead by proxy) passed away
Replies: 35
Views: 5381

Re: My father (Boglehead by proxy) passed away

Condolences for your loss.

j
by Sandtrap
Sat Jan 20, 2024 7:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Turning Your Net Worth into Income Production
Replies: 24
Views: 4698

Re: Turning Your Net Worth into Income Production

I've always enjoyed tracking Net Worth (Accumulation) - but as I get older I also realize the other side of the house where once you were to decide to retire stopping whatever income flow you might have at whatever level, that the shift of importance goes to how you'll turn that Net Worth into Income production moving forward that you can tap into. Just like there are outlines for increasing your Net Worth (Accumulation) - it seems like the 'turning that into Income production' once retiring should have a similar outline, or do you just assume just keep doing what you've been doing all along? I mention because I saw an article discussing various things 'to do' once retiring to come up with income. Had a heavy slant about your net worth bei...
by Sandtrap
Fri Jan 19, 2024 8:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Honda CRV alternatives
Replies: 22
Views: 1979

Re: Honda CRV alternatives

My Honda Odyssey is like 100 in human years, so I'm beginning to look ahead to the next chapter. I'm thinking of a CRV-type of car, since we like the general minivan design but we don't need anything as big as an Odyssey since it' s just the two of us most times, and the days of loading up the van to move kids in and out of dorms are over. Besides the CRV, are there any models that Bogleheads have good things to say about from other manufacturers? Toyota, Kia, Hyundai, Subaru? I've generally been a Honda owner, so I haven't paid much attention to other brands. And more importantly, who should I avoid at all costs? I know I can look at Consumer Reports, but I trust the BH community to tell me what's what. (P.S. many years ago, I bought a Do...
by Sandtrap
Fri Jan 19, 2024 7:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Leave family temporarily for new job in Bay Area?
Replies: 88
Views: 8123

Re: Leave family temporarily for new job in Bay Area?

prioritize....
family...
or
money.....?


j🌺
by Sandtrap
Thu Jan 18, 2024 9:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help! How to remove perfume smell
Replies: 23
Views: 3032

Re: Help! How to remove perfume smell

Yesterday, a perfume bottle was dropped and broken on the bathroom tile floor. The smell is strong and unpleasant. Amazingly so. It has spread throughout the house, even with the bathroom door shut and the bathroom vent on nonstop. What we have tried: mop up and dispose of all residue. Scrub and mop up again. Apply vinegar and baking soda, scrub, let stand for hours, mop up and remove with paper towels until floor is dry. Bag and remove paper towels. Repeat. Repeat. I have scheduled a carpet and floor steam cleaning service for today, but they warned me that even pet urine removal chemicals may not be completely successful. Any suggestions? Ozone Odor Remover thread: https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=389918&hilit=ozone
by Sandtrap
Thu Jan 18, 2024 9:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help! How to remove perfume smell
Replies: 23
Views: 3032

Re: Help! How to remove perfume smell

Maybe an ozone generator, but read the warnings before deciding. Or, an air purifier with or without a built in ozone generator. ozone generators can be highly toxic, and add an odor to the HVAC system and home that is terribly worse than what is trying to be removed. They are sold in many variations on amazon claiming to remove odors, etc, but....can leave a home or dwelling uninhabitable and unhealthy to live in. I have tried many different types of ozone generators on various vacant apartments with results from horrible to neutral, and unable to remove the odor or effect after that. to op: suggest changing the hvac filters to carbon filters and change them often. Use pet odor remover on the floors and entire bathroom. (do not use an ozo...
by Sandtrap
Thu Jan 18, 2024 9:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dealing with "one time" or "temporary" expenses when calculating X in 25X
Replies: 33
Views: 2825

Re: Dealing with "one time" or "temporary" expenses when calculating X in 25X

We made a list of the lumpy expenses, the current cost, and expected timing and frequency. This included items like cars, appliances, major house repairs/remodeling, medical (eyes and teeth) as mandatory, as well as major travel (i.e. safaris), gifts, and other discretionary items. For the minor household repairs, we budgeted 1% of value annually. For auto repairs we had better historical history, so looked at % of value for budget. For medical, we used our medical history as well as older family member experiences. For domestic travel we budgeted an annual line item. We annualized most of these as a single "fat" line item in our annual retirement budget to estimate "X". So, in "normal" years, we come in "...
by Sandtrap
Thu Jan 18, 2024 8:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dealing with "one time" or "temporary" expenses when calculating X in 25X
Replies: 33
Views: 2825

Re: Dealing with "one time" or "temporary" expenses when calculating X in 25X

We have several one time expenses that seem to come constantly that make it hard to calculate our "true" yearly expenses. For example, in 2022 we paid 42k for a new car and in 2023 we paid 25k for changing carpet to hardwood floors. We have several other, somewhat smaller, one time or temporary expenses year after year. Should we just accept that this is never ending and going forward our true yearly expense is going to be probably some average of the last few years?? large lumpy expenses deduct from the total then divide by 25 for an amount of available funds in retirement that is not deceptive. Add in a substantial margin because to error would be damaging. example: we bought 2 new cars lst year, total wa over 100k. So adjusted...
by Sandtrap
Thu Jan 18, 2024 8:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What men's perfume do you recommend as a favorite
Replies: 63
Views: 5917

Re: What men's perfume do you recommend as a favorite

What men's perfume do you recommend as a favorite? I'm planning to gift my father-in-law a nice perfume in September. He has always been a fan of Davidoff Cool Water, but due to cost-of-living adjustments, he's been using Old Spice and Brut purchased at Walmart for the past year. Unfortunately, my mother-in-law doesn't like the smell of these options. So, I'm looking for a different, high-quality perfume as an alternative to Cool Water. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Nothing beats the simple smell of clean. humor I used to tell my sons when they were teenagers and wore all these stinky smells to "get noticed", a girl is interested that you notice how "she smells", not how "you smell". I notice t...
by Sandtrap
Wed Jan 17, 2024 9:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: "Floor" squeaks coming from wall?
Replies: 9
Views: 1270

Re: "Floor" squeaks coming from wall?

In one high traffic area of our house, there is SERIOUS floor squeaking. House built in 1990s, area has good carpet and pad. Squeaking had long been an issue, and in the process of having this carpet replaced, ~10 years ago, I had the installers add a LOT of screws to the floorboards. The squeaking continued and has intensified. I *suspect* that it is not caused by rubbing of the floorboards, but rather, by the adjacent wall. i.e. Where the studs join to the walls, it's probably nailed, not screwed, and movement of the studs against each other and/or the nails causes the noise. But I'm not certain of this (read about this phenomenon once, seems to explain the problem). I think the issue extends 4-6' along this wall (that terminates in a do...
by Sandtrap
Wed Jan 17, 2024 8:32 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wood floor installation questions
Replies: 33
Views: 2835

Re: Wood floor installation questions

The first paragraph is for background information only and I am not asking for medical advice. Based on my doctor's opinion, I have allergy. (Well, I guess so does many people.) I will talk to my doctor next time about testing and finding the source. Looking at my living space, one possibility is the carpet/dust. It is 25 years old that is seldom vacuumed. (Imagine you going into your teenager's room and yelling at them to clean up.) I am thinking regardless of whether the carpet is the issue. After 25 years, it maybe time to replace it this spring. The first obstacle is to prepare for the installation. This means I have to organize and throw out junks that I have accumulated . The second obstacle is the willingness to spend money. I can a...
by Sandtrap
Tue Jan 16, 2024 9:43 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Choosing between DIY and Financial Advisor
Replies: 67
Views: 6731

Re: Choosing between DIY and Financial Advisor

I intend to retire later this year, and I’m now deciding between managing my own investments or using an advisor. My portfolio is based on the bogleheads approach with a few additional ETFs. One advisor quoted 1.35% aum which is higher than I want to go. So here are my questions for the DIY folks and others: Is 1.35% a standard rate for ‘professional’ management? Approximately how much time do you devote each month to managing a relatively uncomplicated bogle-inspired portfolio? Id like to limit the time spent so it doesn’t become a time consuming ‘job.’ Would a roboadvisor be a good alternative? Which ones would you recommend? Thank you to op: 1. COntact Vanguard VPAS and have a chat. Can you do that? 2. Read all of the forum wiki, all of...
by Sandtrap
Tue Jan 16, 2024 9:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Trust or not?
Replies: 55
Views: 5781

Re: Trust or not?

livingalmostlarge wrote: Mon Jan 15, 2024 11:47 pm Do you guys have a trust? If so what kind? Why did you do it? What are the benefits and the cons? Did you do it before death?

Anyone do a special needs trust? If so why?
Legacy trust with provisions for special needs etc.

Seek highly qualified legal counsel to specifically address all of your needs to your satisfaction, without exception, and regardless of cost.

j :D
by Sandtrap
Tue Jan 16, 2024 8:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Picking contractor for roof replacement
Replies: 14
Views: 1787

Re: Picking contractor for roof replacement

I got three bids for a roof replacement. One of them didn’t even come out to see the roof and just gave me an estimate based on software pulling the sizes of the roof. The two other bids are about $5k apart in difference after taxes. One roofer uses Malarkey and the other uses CertainTeed. Both are well known shingles brand. However the more affordable company is a local guy who is a sole proprietorship and he’s bonded and insured but I know nothing about the crew he uses. He has been in business for 4 years and other community members have recommended his work. He gives a 20 year workmanship warranty but the company is him and his wife and whatever crew they hire. The other company is a family company with 3-4 crews, 35 years in business....
by Sandtrap
Tue Jan 16, 2024 8:49 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Private investment opportunity
Replies: 37
Views: 4072

Re: Private investment opportunity

Hi Bogleheads - I have an opportunity through my employer, a very reputable private equity firm, to coinvest on deals alongside the funds. The fee on the funds are typically very high (think 2 and 20) but I’d have access with no fee. Additionally, there is a program for me to obtain leverage ($2 of leverage for every $1 I put in) at a prime +1% rate (currently works out to about 7-8%). Lastly, participating in this would complicate filing taxes. I currently do my taxes myself but doing this would result in $2-3k in tax preparation costs a year. About the investments, they’re illiquid investments with 5-10 year investment periods. The funds typically have 20-30% IRR. the strategy I'm interested in is a biotech fund that is largely uncorrela...
by Sandtrap
Tue Jan 16, 2024 8:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cleaning up a flooded basement/ mold remediation
Replies: 9
Views: 1105

Re: Cleaning up a flooded basement/ mold remediation

During a recent storm, water flooded the basement in a vacant home that is part of an inherited estate. The basement does not have a history of flooding and I believe we corrected the entry point of the water for future storms. Servpro and similar restoration services could not come out for an estimate while we were there (the home is not located near us). We don't have experience with water in basements, so we did the following: -Purchased N95 respirator masks, disposable gloves, and heavy duty 42 gallon trash bags. (all clothes were washed immediately in hot water when we finished cleaning) -Bagged all saturated items from the basement floor and moved them (temporarily) to the garage to get them out of the living space. -Used wet/dry vac...
by Sandtrap
Sun Jan 14, 2024 6:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Combo car jump starter/air compressor rec
Replies: 25
Views: 2787

Re: Combo car jump starter/air compressor rec

fsrph wrote: Sat Jan 13, 2024 11:19 am Looking for recs on a quality rechargable car combo jump starter/air compressor. Anyone know of a solid unit that'll last a while? Had a Bolt but need to replace it. Thanks.

Francis
Car Jump starting need absolute reliability without compromise.
Highest rated: year after year.
Clore: Jump n Carry
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000J ... =UTF8&th=1
Highest rated output for 12v compressor.
Powerful enough tu jump start large V8 trucks, smell/medium diesil tractors in winter.
Heavy

Vair 85P.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036 ... =UTF8&th=1
Also carry a flat fix kit (not gel or fill, just plugs).

j :D
by Sandtrap
Sat Jan 13, 2024 5:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Adjacent Land Purchase
Replies: 8
Views: 1334

Re: Adjacent Land Purchase

Hello all, sorry for the long winded post but I am seeking some advice. My wife and I built a house five years ago in a rural area. The property next to ours is fairly dilapidated. The house has caught on fire (but still standing), the septic tank does not work, and it is uninhabitable. It sits next to our property and is a continual eye sore. The house was recently purchased on back taxes and foreclosed. Currently, a property company owns the title and is trying to sell it. My wife and I are pondering the purchase, however, we don’t have the cash outright. Here are our statistics: 100k income per year in stable industries Around $125k in home equity - 3.5% mortgage and we’re not moving, likely ever $50k in liquid investments (IRA/401k) I ...
by Sandtrap
Sat Jan 13, 2024 11:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is financial leverage a good approach at this stage?
Replies: 26
Views: 3198

Re: Is financial leverage a good approach at this stage?

I would like to use my cash as 20% down, and leverage out to invest in assets (real estate or others, where leverage is availably), service debt over a period of time, in hopes to make a larger return than parking my $250k in VTI/VOO. VTI's 10 year annual return is currently 11.44%. You get that without lifting a finger to fix a clogged toilet, paying to replace a broken furnace, screening tenants, or spending a minute of time dealing with renters. As someone who tried rental real estate, let me tell you -- I wish I had put every penny into VTI and just lived my life. I would have made a better return AND had far fewer headaches. Real estate can be a great way to get rich slowly. Other Peoples' Money - OPM. You can leverage it quite highly...
by Sandtrap
Sat Jan 13, 2024 11:01 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Water heater recirculating pump question
Replies: 9
Views: 835

Re: Water heater recirculating pump question

We have had a Watts installed for over a year. We purchased it because it took too long and wasted a lot of water waiting for our main br at back of the house to get hot water. Our water heater is in the garage at the front of the house. It has been cold by Bay Area standards, low thirties overnight. If for whatever reason, hot water has not been used in that main br for a week or so, can that cause the pump to seem like it stopped working? It took a couple minutes or more to get the water to turn hot and we thought the pump stopped working. Last night after a couple days of running the water way too long, the water got hot much quicker. Assuming the same happens today and the wait is not long, I just was curious about the reason because I...
by Sandtrap
Sat Jan 13, 2024 8:46 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Investment advisors - what is the mandate
Replies: 36
Views: 3769

Re: Investment advisors - what is the mandate

My mother in law passed away in August 2023, and with her passing, the majority of my father in law’s estate will likely eventually go to my wife or our kids (he lives frugally on basically social security alone, if that). He has an investment advisor who earns the standard 1% on AUM. This week, my wife disclosed to me the general breakdown of my father in laws’ traditional and Roth accounts, which allowed me to identify a potentially significant tax saving Roth conversion strategy that could preserve up to 10% more in any future inheritance (based on our marginal rates and my father in laws’). When I told my father in law about the strategy, I also conveyed to him my disappointment that his advisor didn’t identify the strategy before 12/3...
by Sandtrap
Sat Jan 13, 2024 8:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good quality Air Compressor for car and bike tires, etc
Replies: 58
Views: 5606

Re: Good quality Air Compressor for car and bike tires, etc

Parkinglotracer wrote: Thu Jan 11, 2024 4:10 pm Can anyone recommend an AC portable air compressor for use around the house / garage to inflate care tires, bike tires, riding lawn mower tires, etc? No desire for it to be battery powered or have an air tank. I would like it to be able to fill a 90 psi tire. I have an old black and decker small compressor that really labors once it gets to 45-50 psi. Being an almost 63 yr old crusty boglehead I’d like a good quality one.
to op:

what is your budget?

100$
1000$

California Air Tools. (very quiet)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07N5 ... =UTF8&th=1

j :D
by Sandtrap
Sat Jan 13, 2024 8:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Does Anyone Play GO?
Replies: 20
Views: 2490

Re: Does Anyone Play GO?

RJC wrote: Sat Jan 13, 2024 7:24 am Hi friends,

Recently learned about the board game called GO and I want to learn more. Anyone on this forum play? How did you get started?

I also watched this excellent documentary called AlphaGo (2017) where Google's DeepMind AI played the world's best player at the time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXuK6gekU1Y

I get the general basics; however, I have no clear strategy.

Thanks!
Is there an "Asian" (culturall diverse PC) area near you with a courtyard where people play "Go", just go and listen and watch. Don't interrrupt. It's not social, just watch. In person and physical experience is not like online or digital. Go is in person. Hear the pieces going down.

j
by Sandtrap
Sat Jan 13, 2024 8:24 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is financial leverage a good approach at this stage?
Replies: 26
Views: 3198

Re: Is financial leverage a good approach at this stage?

This might sound little different from the norm, but I feel I have no financial leverage at the moment and would like to use some to make myself more gainful financially, if possible. Goal: Use leverage available for my credit and income, and to make larger than normal capital gains be it cash flow or future appreciation, with managed risk. Let's assume: One is financially prepared for retirement savings (maxing out accounts for decade+) Saving a decent amount in taxable brokerage eligible for pension in next decade Has no debt So far, decent income and cashflow after all expenses and savings Has somewhat ok job security (pubsec jobs) Have experience (not handy) in managing rentals for 10+years. Have $250k cash to invest Can assume calcula...
by Sandtrap
Sat Jan 13, 2024 6:51 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pre-marital house and commingling questions
Replies: 26
Views: 3542

Re: Pre-marital house and commingling questions

Hi, I am planning to get married in Massachusetts (equitable distribution state), bringing a pre-marital house into the marriage (purchased at $500K, worth about $650K now, with mortgage balance about $300K). Assuming I don't add my spouse's name to the deed, what's likely to happen in case of a divorce in the following scenarios? 1) If I continue to pay the mortgage with wage income (marital property), is spouse then entitled to half of the full $350K home equity (650K - 300K mortgage) or only half of the appreciated value above $650K after marriage (plus half of the additional equity acquired through new mortgage payments)? 2) If I set aside pre-marital funds to pay the mortgage, property tax, and insurance during marriage, will I contin...
by Sandtrap
Sat Jan 13, 2024 6:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tropical Fish
Replies: 22
Views: 2854

Re: Tropical Fish

I was thinking if I move into my rental property if my tenant doesn't accept my new offer (I'll know by 1/22) that I might get a fish tank. Was thinking of something not too big, perhaps a 20 gallon or 29 gallon. Does anyone have a fish tank ? If so what size ? are they a lot of work ? what are some good community fish ? Are they expensive with all the equipment you have to buy ? like filter, heater etc. I had tanks when I was a kid back in the 70's, but I don't remember a lot of how to maintain etc. Water to fish is like the air we breathe. Water is different everywhere, chlorinated, highly mineralized, highly neutral, PH this or that. This is normally why tripical fish which are harvested from tropical streams and ponds with mountain str...
by Sandtrap
Sat Jan 13, 2024 6:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best approach for fascia and soffits?
Replies: 10
Views: 2449

Re: Best approach for fascia and soffits?

The wood trim on our newly purchased brick "forever" home is in need of repair/repainting. The wood trim on the house has significant peeling, with exposed wood and some rotting in the shaded areas. We have extensive hands-on home renovation experience, but we are no longer able to safely perform this type of work. So we are entertaining bids to have wood repairs done, and one reputable contractor suggested wrapping all the fascia in coil, changing the soffits to vinyl, and wrapping porch header in PVC board, with the last step being installation of vinyl siding over the two small gables located at each end of the house. Our house is mostly brick; if the house had a substantial amount of exterior wood we would install Hardi Plank...
by Sandtrap
Fri Jan 12, 2024 6:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: mailbox won't stay closed - gizmo is too soft
Replies: 19
Views: 1977

Re: mailbox won't stay closed - gizmo is too soft

Several years ago I forked out for a beautiful, custom painted mailbox from an Etsy seller. It is great, with one exception. The painting is fine and has lasted. The exception is for the last couple of weeks I find the mailbox door open every few days and often the mail is soaking wet since it has been windy and raining. I tried adjusting the gizmo on the inside of the door to be higher, which is what I had to do (once) when the mailbox arrived, but this time that did not work. I found that the gizmo is surprisingly soft now. I can actually bend it with my fingers, no pliers necessary, so I think that although I adjust it, just a few openings and closings of the door get it too low to hold the door. Is there some way to fix this? Amazon ha...
by Sandtrap
Fri Jan 12, 2024 6:16 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: How to transition from wealth managers to self management
Replies: 7
Views: 1646

Re: How to transition from wealth managers to self management

Hi! Having recently absorbed the wisdom from Jack Bogle's "The Little Book of Common Sense Investing," I find myself reevaluating my investment strategy. It has become clear that entrusting my investments solely to a wealth manager is a bad idea. Currently, I have a significant amount invested across various funds managed by a wealth manager. Motivated by Bogle's principles, I'm eager to shift towards a more index-based approach. At this juncture, I turn to the collective knowledge of this forum for guidance. Should I consider cashing out and dollar-cost averaging my way into an index, or would it be more prudent to transfer my portfolio to another self-managed broker and commence investing in indexes going forward, while maintai...