Search found 924 matches

by SquawkIdent
Sun Mar 24, 2024 7:18 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: For those of you in early retirement, what is your Asset Allocation and withdrawal rate?
Replies: 88
Views: 14038

Re: For those of you in early retirement, what is your Asset Allocation and withdrawal rate?

Yes. I'm 64 years old and have $4.5M, so I'm not worried about the long term -- I'm not in an accumulation mode (but a little bit of growth is nice :)). I still fear for a bear market recession and am in a defensive position, so I plan to get back in when the market bottoms out or it becomes clear that we're past the leading indicators of recession (see below). In the meantime, the interest rates are covering my gross expenses (living expenses + taxes + vacation budget) so I'm not worried about losing out. Unemployment is creeping back up, new jobless claims are growing, core inflation reduction has plateaued, the NY Fed 3mo Bond Equiv yield curve (9 months ago) is about to go negative, YoY Retail Sales is negative for four months straight...
by SquawkIdent
Sun Mar 24, 2024 4:20 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: For those of you in early retirement, what is your Asset Allocation and withdrawal rate?
Replies: 88
Views: 14038

Re: For those of you in early retirement, what is your Asset Allocation and withdrawal rate?

Once I retired, accumulation was no longer my goal, capital preservation and income were my goals. Right now, my portfolio earns income that is a little more than my gross expenses (which includes living expenses, taxes, and luxury vacations). I was 65/30/5 when I retired, but went to all cash in 2022, then rebuilt my bond portion to 35% back in February. The cash is earning a lot of interest right now, so I'm okay with leaving it there. So I'd start with figuring out what asset allocation gets closest to covering your total expenses and go from there. -B So you're currently 0/35/65 stock/bond/cash? That sounds like capitulation. It feels good when you do it, but it can really hurt in the long term due to being out of the market. How do yo...
by SquawkIdent
Sat Mar 16, 2024 11:44 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TSP F fund question
Replies: 16
Views: 2167

Re: TSP F fund question

Outer Marker wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 12:04 pm There's no reason to use F if you have access to G. Frankly, I'm jealous.
In the current inverted yield environment don’t be, much better choices available. Once the inverted yield environment subsides, the G Fund will be the place for fixed income IMHO.
by SquawkIdent
Tue Feb 20, 2024 11:00 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TSP Allocation and Strategy
Replies: 51
Views: 4474

Re: TSP Allocation and Strategy

While the G fund has value, in this inverted yield curve environment, it’s greatly lessened.

If it’s available you to, VGs money markets and T Bills pay more for basically the same risk. Last year 4.22% vs. 5.09%. Currently yields are 4.125% vs. 5.28%. Can get T Bills 5.38%+. CDs are an option too.

Just keep at least $200 in the TSP, to possibly return when this phase is over.
by SquawkIdent
Sun Feb 11, 2024 12:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mechanics of Social Security Bridge?
Replies: 22
Views: 1847

Re: Mechanics of Social Security Bridge?

C My bridge would start with that ending amount at age 70, which in your case is $4400. Take that amount and subtract 3% and that would be your bridge amount for age 69. Then take that amount and subtract 3% for age 68 and so on down to your retirement age. Make sense? You could use any “inflation” increase for each year (or none at all). I chose 3% to make sure I’ll have enough cash for the “go go years”. And it’s a gradual increase (and hopefully keeping up with inflation) to that ending number at age 70. Hmm. So it sounds like (a) ($2400 x 96) would make sense if I’m just trying to cover the cost of the deferral and not trying to maintain steady real income and that (c) ($4400 discounted for inflation (or about $3400 x 96)) would make s...
by SquawkIdent
Sun Feb 11, 2024 12:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mechanics of Social Security Bridge?
Replies: 22
Views: 1847

Re: Mechanics of Social Security Bridge?

C My bridge would start with that ending amount at age 70, which in your case is $4400. Take that amount and subtract 3% and that would be your bridge amount for age 69. Then take that amount and subtract 3% for age 68 and so on down to your retirement age. Make sense? You could use any “inflation” increase for each year (or none at all). I chose 3% to make sure I’ll have enough cash for the “go go years”. And it’s a gradual increase (and hopefully keeping up with inflation) to that ending number at age 70. Are the $2400/$4400 expressed in today $? One in age 63 dollars and the other age 70 dollars? (It seems like it given their ratio). Unless you use TIPS (or iBonds) for the bridge, which automatically adjust for inflation you will need t...
by SquawkIdent
Sun Feb 11, 2024 11:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mechanics of Social Security Bridge?
Replies: 22
Views: 1847

Re: Mechanics of Social Security Bridge?

C

My bridge would start with that ending amount at age 70, which in your case is $4400.

Take that amount and subtract 3% and that would be your bridge amount for age 69. Then take that amount and subtract 3% for age 68 and so on down to your retirement age. Make sense?

You could use any “inflation” increase for each year (or none at all).

I chose 3% to make sure I’ll have enough cash for the “go go years”. And it’s a gradual increase (and hopefully keeping up with inflation) to that ending number at age 70.
by SquawkIdent
Wed Jan 03, 2024 6:42 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Should I sell my AGTHX for VOO?
Replies: 30
Views: 3021

Re: Should I sell my AGTHX for VOO?

Is this taxable or tax deferred funds?

BTW, don’t knock yourself too much. You are way ahead of the game at your age. Great start!!
by SquawkIdent
Tue Jan 02, 2024 10:25 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How often do you redeem your credit card cash rewards?
Replies: 102
Views: 12718

Re: How often do you redeem your credit card cash rewards?

The day after the credit period ends, my statement is posted with my current bonus rewards balance. Two clicks later, the 💴 is redeemed and within 24 hours, it’s put to work.
by SquawkIdent
Fri Dec 29, 2023 2:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Balanced fund?
Replies: 15
Views: 2454

Re: Balanced fund?

Charon wrote: Fri Dec 29, 2023 2:25 pm But in a tax-deferred account like this, why not just use a balanced fund? That way you don't have to manually rebalance, and you aren't confronted with your gains vs. the gains of some other portfolio. Set and forget. Won't make much difference to your returns, and it'll better shield you from behavioral mistakes.

[Side note: yes, balanced funds won't do exactly what your three-fund is doing because of whatever personal quirks you have in your account - in your case that's no international and half of bonds in Treasuries - but these things also aren't likely to much affect your long-term returns. And there are various kinds of balanced funds, and as you point out FBALX has very little international.]
+1
by SquawkIdent
Wed Dec 27, 2023 8:53 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TSP Advice for Parents
Replies: 17
Views: 1056

Re: TSP Advice for Parents

Fortunately (or unfortunately) in this situation IMHO anything from 0-100% G and 0-100% C would be justified. Whatever your father is comfortable with (and can stick with) because anything could be appropriate.
by SquawkIdent
Tue Dec 26, 2023 10:29 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help Me Think Through This - Fixed Income
Replies: 9
Views: 1668

Re: Help Me Think Through This - Fixed Income

Different tax implications make this a more challenging picture. I’ll let you and others determine that piece of it. But, the G Fund piece versus other fixed income opportunities I think is a no brainer IMHO. Saying that you’ll “stay the course” with the G Fund I find confusing. This, along with the Vanguard MM, is paying a set rate today. Yes, it’s only today but you know exactly what it is. Tomorrow, next week, next month, etc. who knows. When I know something is paying more than another option (exact same risk IMHO), I want to be in the higher option. When that changes, I’ll adjust. Again, changing asset allocation over different tax implications complicates the picture. Tax deferred to tax deferred, taxable to taxable, etc. makes it an ...
by SquawkIdent
Tue Dec 26, 2023 9:54 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Greedy/Stupid [Retiree Asset Allocation]
Replies: 46
Views: 9219

Re: Greedy/Stupid [Retiree Asset Allocation]

You’ve won the game. Don’t push it.
by SquawkIdent
Sun Dec 24, 2023 12:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Any reason not to stuff it all into VTSAX?
Replies: 55
Views: 8870

Re: Any reason not to stuff it all into VTSAX?

Mountain Doc wrote: Sat Dec 23, 2023 9:46 pm When one asset class has outperformed for a while, it becomes very hard to see the wisdom in diversification.
+1

But this time is different…a, no it’s not.

These posts always come out in times like these (CAPE of the S&P 500 is 32.16). Let’s see what the future brings…
by SquawkIdent
Fri Dec 15, 2023 6:17 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is my cash in the right places?
Replies: 13
Views: 2242

Re: Is my cash in the right places?

You may want to move $100k of the money market fund to Capital One 360 Performance Savings account. They are offering a bonus of $300 on $20k deposit, $750 on $50k deposit and $1500 bonus on $100k deposit. You have to not fall below those minimums to earn the bonus for the first 90+15 days. The bonus comes out to be 6% annualized, and the account also earns 4.35% that is very competitive with the Ally savings rate of 4.36%, for a cumulative return of 10.4%. Might as well make more money while you are unemployed... https://www.capitalone.com/bank/fall23/ Deadline to open, AND FUND, is Jan-9-2023. With stated expenses of $4700 and other cash (severance, I bonds) amounting to $31,000 I think you would not need to touch the $100k for at least ...
by SquawkIdent
Thu Dec 14, 2023 11:26 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: U.S. stocks continue to soar!
Replies: 22381
Views: 2139227

Re: All the market does is keep going up :)

TheTimeLord wrote: Thu Dec 14, 2023 11:15 am
Yesterdaysnews wrote: Thu Dec 14, 2023 11:10 am Again, 2022 was a very ugly year for both stocks and bonds. Even with this rally we are below the levels at the start of 2022.
On the bright side I think if you reinvested dividends you are likely slightly nominally positive.
With no inflation component…S&P 500 almost even.

Bond market still down about 10%.

Including inflation component…forget about it…
by SquawkIdent
Thu Dec 14, 2023 10:33 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: U.S. stocks continue to soar!
Replies: 22381
Views: 2139227

Re: All the market does is keep going up :)

bg5 wrote: Thu Dec 14, 2023 10:25 am I def agree a crash will come at some point...but as long as you dont panic it will recover over time. When Covid hit the market hard I was amazed at how fast it rallied back
And what caused that?
by SquawkIdent
Thu Dec 14, 2023 10:32 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: U.S. stocks continue to soar!
Replies: 22381
Views: 2139227

Re: All the market does is keep going up :)

stocknoob4111 wrote: Thu Dec 14, 2023 9:48 am Market is rallying due to Fed communication that they will reduce interest rates, more financial engineering that in my opinion increases the risks of severe asset bubbles, and the danger here is that asset levels are already quite inflated - be it equities or housing.
+1

CAPE = 31.92
by SquawkIdent
Mon Dec 11, 2023 12:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Lower bond percentage after you won the game?
Replies: 112
Views: 22279

Re: Lower bond percentage after you won the game?

Those of us who have been through a rodeo or two know the drill of what it feels like to sit through a 50% drop (give or take a few % points) thanks to the dot-com bust - 9/11 drop, and the financial crisis drop based on one's AA: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48575290777_20d42d9cd2.jpg OP could easily expand it all out for the $5-$7M portfolio amounts. How are the numbers in the “exposure to maximum loss” column calculated? I’m pretty sure that a 20/80 investor lost more than 5% last year. Which goes to another point: Just how accurate are these sorts of calculations when they are based on presumptions that turn out to be less than accurate? Those figures in the exposure to maximum loss column need to be higher (except the 100% stoc...
by SquawkIdent
Mon Dec 04, 2023 10:55 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Buying Treasuries - which maturity
Replies: 13
Views: 2084

Re: Buying Treasuries - which maturity

lakpr wrote: Tue Nov 28, 2023 2:38 pm
SquawkIdent wrote: Tue Nov 28, 2023 1:31 pm Capital One also has one worth checking out.
A GEM. Thank you!

10.4% APY effective yield... If only I had $100k, I would jump at this. Stock market like yield, but with no risk to the principal...

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/capital- ... 0-deposit/

Deadline is Dec 6 though...
Offer now extended until 1-9-24.
by SquawkIdent
Tue Nov 28, 2023 1:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Buying Treasuries - which maturity
Replies: 13
Views: 2084

Re: Buying Treasuries - which maturity

I would chase Bank bonuses with $100k at play. Wells Fargo for example offers $525 bonus fur $25k deposit, held for 90 days. That comes out to be just a tad more than 8% annualized yield. Even after taxes, you get much better yield than investing in Treasuries. Pentagon Federal Credit Union is also offering $150 bonus for every $10k deposited into their Savings Account, up to $750 bonus on $50k max. Money must be held in the account for 120 days. The Savings account also pays 3% interest, so with the bonus you will be earning about 7.5% annualized yield. Both are FDIC / NCUA guaranteed so no risk of loss of principal Plenty of other opportunities if you browse Doctor Of Credit website. Edit: I didn't see that you are dead set against other...
by SquawkIdent
Wed Nov 08, 2023 7:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tankless - low hot water flow
Replies: 32
Views: 3591

Re: Tankless - low hot water flow

Has the system ever been decalcified? Probably no. Last serviced 7 years ago. I will flush with vinegar tonight. Hopefully it is the problem. Any licensed plumber who can confirm or deny that a 1/2" copper pipe is "to code" for residential (2 to 3 bathrooms)? There are chemical solutions that are much more effective than vinegar. Vinegar will work, but take 3X the time. Also, there is likely a sediment filter on the tankless supply line. I recently flushed out 7 year old tankless for the first time. It made a significant improvement. Any suggestions of what chemical solutions that would better and quicker than vinegar? https://www.amazon.com/NU-CALGON-4387-02-VITAL-FLO-TANKLESS-DESCALER/dp/B00JH43G60/ref=sr_1_15?keywords=tan...
by SquawkIdent
Wed Nov 08, 2023 1:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tankless - low hot water flow
Replies: 32
Views: 3591

Re: Tankless - low hot water flow

DoubleComma wrote: Tue Nov 07, 2023 2:27 pm
fittan wrote: Tue Nov 07, 2023 12:34 pm
NavyIC3 wrote: Tue Nov 07, 2023 10:51 am Has the system ever been decalcified?
Probably no. Last serviced 7 years ago. I will flush with vinegar tonight. Hopefully it is the problem.

Any licensed plumber who can confirm or deny that a 1/2" copper pipe is "to code" for residential (2 to 3 bathrooms)?
There are chemical solutions that are much more effective than vinegar. Vinegar will work, but take 3X the time.

Also, there is likely a sediment filter on the tankless supply line.

I recently flushed out 7 year old tankless for the first time. It made a significant improvement.
Any suggestions of what chemical solutions that would better and quicker than vinegar?
by SquawkIdent
Wed Nov 08, 2023 8:08 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Prepaying alimony
Replies: 32
Views: 3835

Re: Prepaying alimony

I am paying alimony for the next 5 years. I really hate seeing it every month being taken out of my account. I’d rather just prepay it and be done with it. It would only be $30k. Has anyone done this? I’d hate to do it and my ex take me back to court saying “I don’t know what that 30k was for, he stopped paying alimony”. I know the financially smart way is to keep paying it monthly and let the inflation eat it away, but I’d really like to prepay it for my mental health. Has anyone done this before? Any pitfalls? I live in California. What about looking into automatic bill pay from a bank? You could set up an automated transfer from a HYSA to that account. This way, you're not thinking about it. I already have this but when I check my balan...
by SquawkIdent
Wed Nov 08, 2023 5:44 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Should I Sell T-Bills Before Maturity to Take Advantage of a Great Bank Bonus?
Replies: 21
Views: 3368

Re: Should I Sell T-Bills Before Maturity to Take Advantage of a Great Bank Bonus?

Mr.Mosfet wrote: Mon Nov 06, 2023 6:06 pm Moving money out of CapitalOne can be a hassle, had $30k stuck with them after trying to close the account. Took several phone calls, 3-weeks and a paper check sent via USPS.
Is this foolish still going in? Anyone have a similar experience?
by SquawkIdent
Wed Nov 08, 2023 5:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Prepaying alimony
Replies: 32
Views: 3835

Re: Prepaying alimony

CaptainT wrote: Wed Nov 08, 2023 5:12 am I'd be careful seeking prepayment as judge could reasonably assume you are flush with money and should thus pay more.
Instead set up a separate account with auto transfer and check it less and/or get some therapy to deal with the anger
I’d personally welcome that challenge. The alimony award was based on many known factors. If something is different then yes, I’d think about that. If nothing has changed, I’d try to make an offer.

+1 for your ending thought. However, I’d caution the OP to keep good records as to what was paid and when. You never know if you’d need that proof in the future. Hang in there. 👍
by SquawkIdent
Wed Nov 08, 2023 5:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2024 Honda CRV Hybrid mileage
Replies: 73
Views: 16153

Re: 2024 Honda CRV Hybrid mileage

bob60014 wrote: Tue Nov 07, 2023 6:15 pm Ok all you youngsters out there. Back in the day during the gas crisis, 1973-1978 ish, the speed limit on the highways was set at 55 mph. The reason, it saved gas in the era where any car getting above 15mpg was considered a fuel efficient vehicle!

Today even with all the improvements, when the Hondas (and my own Rav 4 hybrid) are driven above 60-65 mph, the mpg noticably drops. The OPs experience and observation is not unusual.
Plus other factors come into play…wind, rain, etc. all affect your gas mileage.
by SquawkIdent
Wed Nov 08, 2023 1:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Prepaying alimony
Replies: 32
Views: 3835

Re: Prepaying alimony

I am paying alimony for the next 5 years. I really hate seeing it every month being taken out of my account. I’d rather just prepay it and be done with it. It would only be $30k. Has anyone done this? I’d hate to do it and my ex take me back to court saying “I don’t know what that 30k was for, he stopped paying alimony”. I know the financially smart way is to keep paying it monthly and let the inflation eat it away, but I’d really like to prepay it for my mental health. Has anyone done this before? Any pitfalls? I live in California. What about looking into automatic bill pay from a bank? You could set up an automated transfer from a HYSA to that account. This way, you're not thinking about it. I already have this but when I check my balan...
by SquawkIdent
Wed Nov 01, 2023 12:30 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: TSP G Fund rate 3.00% (Nov 2023)
Replies: 231
Views: 38388

Re: TSP G Fund rate 3.00% (June 2022)

MrNister wrote: Wed Nov 01, 2023 12:09 pm nps,

I totally believe you but do you have a link?

MrNister
Here you go…

https://www.tspfolio.com/tspgfundinterestrate
by SquawkIdent
Mon Oct 30, 2023 4:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to get the IRS to answer their phone
Replies: 22
Views: 3394

Re: How to get the IRS to answer their phone

quencher wrote: Mon Oct 30, 2023 2:52 pm Some people have had success selecting Spanish for their language, then speaking to the bilingual person who answers within a few minutes.
+1
by SquawkIdent
Sun Oct 29, 2023 11:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: FERS Retirement...Have done everything right (I think) and still nervous..
Replies: 56
Views: 9764

Re: FERS Retirement...Have done everything right (I think) and still nervous..

retiredjg wrote: Sat Oct 28, 2023 8:05 pm Welcome to the forum. :happy

Yeah, maybe it would be nice to have close to $1 million, but it appears you are going to spend little of your TSP anyway. You don't actually "need" to have $1 million to maintain the lifestyle you are accustomed to. Remember, you can and will have SS coming in some day.

If you are ready to leave, you should. In some things, enough is just enough.
+1

Very well said. 👍
by SquawkIdent
Sat Oct 28, 2023 1:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Improving the TSP [for current participants]
Replies: 587
Views: 92803

Re: Improving the TSP [for current participants]

HueyLD wrote: Sat Oct 28, 2023 1:14 pm I can think of two reasons to keep money at TSP:

(1) Better liability protection, and

(2) Partial state tax exemption for my state. YMMV.
Agreed, YMMV. Everyone needs to take into account all aspects of each type of account and make their own mind up, which is best for them.

That said, retiring and doing a rollover was almost a no brainer for me. The pluses and minuses of each account were both taken into consideration and it wasn’t even close which came out ahead (especially in this inverted yield environment).

Let’s see what the future brings but it’s great to still have both options available.
by SquawkIdent
Sat Oct 28, 2023 12:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Improving the TSP [for current participants]
Replies: 587
Views: 92803

Re: Improving the TSP [for current participants]

I really find it hard to see any reason to keep money (other than the placeholder $200 to keep the account open) in the TSP once you’re retired.

Better and cheaper options are available elsewhere. Even the G fund is a dud now. T Bills at 5.5% and money markets at 5.4% are putting it to shame. One the inverted yield curve ends, maybe it’ll be time to get back into the G Fund. But for now, it’s sooo nice dealing with a professional brokerage instead of the TSP.
by SquawkIdent
Tue Oct 24, 2023 9:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to get credit card interest waived
Replies: 26
Views: 3014

Re: How to get credit card interest waived

theplayer11 wrote: Tue Oct 24, 2023 7:36 am If it's 1st time, state so and ask for a 1 time courtesy waive of the fee.
+1

Also add something like…you’re a xxx year customer, you love using the card, blah blah blah. You get the idea.
by SquawkIdent
Sat Oct 21, 2023 3:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Refrigerators. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.
Replies: 115
Views: 14433

Re: Refrigerators. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

All brands have issues. Nowadays, if you can get 5-7 years out of one without major repairs consider yourself very lucky. Many causes of this, including being made to be Energy Star certified. Gone are the days of appliances lasting 10 years plus. Good luck. I just bought a new refrigerator from a trusted local appliance store. They told me that most refrigerators last 5-7 years now regardless of how much you spend. Given that, I bought the cheapest one with the appropriate size and desired color. Still cost $2K. It is much easier to find good deals if you want stainless vs. white. I’ve had the same advice from several “experts” in the field. And I did the same exact thing as you just did. Given the reliability of these appliances, maybe i...
by SquawkIdent
Sat Oct 21, 2023 3:49 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Which version of 60/40 is less risky?
Replies: 23
Views: 2865

Re: Which is version of 60/40 is less risky?

Option 1 - Rebalanced daily VBIAX - Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares This index fund offers investors an easy, low-cost way to gain exposure to stocks and bonds. The fund invests roughly 60% in stocks and 40% in bonds by tracking two indexes that represent broad barometers for the U.S. equity and U.S. taxable bond markets. Option 2 - Rebalanced once per year 60% SP-500 and 40% total bond market Just assume both options would hold nearly the same stocks and bonds. The main difference would be the rebalancing frequency. During a decades long accumulation phase (ages 20 to 60), which would perform better? During a decades long decumulation phase (ages 60 to 100), which would perform better? Would one option perform better with a be...
by SquawkIdent
Fri Oct 20, 2023 3:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Refrigerators. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.
Replies: 115
Views: 14433

Re: Refrigerators. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

All brands have issues. Nowadays, if you can get 5-7 years out of one without major repairs consider yourself very lucky.

Many causes of this, including being made to be Energy Star certified. Gone are the days of appliances lasting 10 years plus.

Good luck.
by SquawkIdent
Fri Oct 13, 2023 9:57 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Feds: how to fix a TSP issue? Thriftline has been useless
Replies: 5
Views: 985

Re: Feds: how to fix a TSP issue? Thriftline has been useless

KellyT wrote: Wed Oct 11, 2023 5:17 am Contact your congressman for assistance - they can work on getting this resolved.
+1
by SquawkIdent
Thu Oct 12, 2023 2:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Improving the TSP [for current participants]
Replies: 587
Views: 92803

Re: Improving the TSP [for current participants]

They should be, but I would rather pay a few dollars more than go backwards in ease-of-use, security and customer service. We already have gone backwards in website features such as loss of calculators with just a little improvement in graphical design during the last 16 months since the new Accenture site went live. Reports are the contractor did not offer jobs to experienced call center support and brought in lower paid call center staff, but I suspect that learning curve is mostly over so they have adequately trained staff at lower pay than the more experienced staff that were not hired on the new contract. So at this point we are paying for something that is supposed to be "new and improved" but is actually not an improvement...
by SquawkIdent
Thu Oct 12, 2023 11:14 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Improving the TSP [for current participants]
Replies: 587
Views: 92803

Re: Improving the TSP [for current participants]

I would prefer the TSP keep the current ER and use the money to improve the usability of the website, improve customer service, and improve security. I follow many of the FRTIB meetings and can assure you that system and account security is the single most discussed topic. It’s also subjected to constant in-house and outside audits. That said, I disagree that the FRTIB should maintain its current expense ratios. In my honest opinion, the TSP ERs should be lower than those of Vanguard’s and Fidelity’s largest index funds. MichDad They should be, but I would rather pay a few dollars more than go backwards in ease-of-use, security and customer service. We already have gone backwards in website features such as loss of calculators with just a ...
by SquawkIdent
Thu Oct 12, 2023 5:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Rear-ended, minimal(?) damage, should I file police report / insurance claim?
Replies: 34
Views: 3932

Re: Rear-ended, minimal(?) damage, should I file police report / insurance claim?

Just be aware that "minor bumper damage" may end up being 5x the initial impression. Been there and I did not regret having police report and going through insurance. Repair bill was around $2,000 IIRC. And, why would your deductible matter? Insurance would pay that since you are not at fault. Your insurance company can then go after the party at fault. They have no insurance? That's their problem. Sell their pants/house/firstborn. +1 I’ve seen situations like this go from bad to horrendous very quickly. Trust me, the damage to the car is basically unknown until it’s taken apart. Damage visual now, could be only the start of it. That’s why the police report and insurance company participation is needed. You need protection. My de...
by SquawkIdent
Wed Oct 11, 2023 10:16 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Synchrony Online Savings Account New Limits
Replies: 16
Views: 5506

Re: Synchrony Online Savings Account New Limits

Thanks for the heads up. I’m gone.
by SquawkIdent
Thu Oct 05, 2023 10:42 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where is the excitement about higher bond yields?
Replies: 84
Views: 11445

Re: Where is the excitement about higher bond yields?

watchnerd wrote: Thu Oct 05, 2023 10:05 am
alex_686 wrote: Thu Oct 05, 2023 8:44 am The curve is inverted. The forecast is for interesting times ahead. This strongly implies that rates will fall. The Fed has been signaling this.
Huh.

I don't interpret the Fed's comments that way at all.

I interpret that Fed as saying they'll stay higher, longer, until they feel inflation is beaten down.

And the bond vigilantes are driving up the long end of the curve, for fiscal reasons amongst others, so it's not as inverted as it was.
+1

But it’s still inverted. Just ask someone sitting in the G Fund…
by SquawkIdent
Thu Sep 14, 2023 12:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Retired Fed pension question
Replies: 5
Views: 694

Re: Retired Fed pension question

Trust me, they know when to stop it and it will stop automatically.

That is, if it isn’t effected by the earnings test prior to that. You’re away of that, correct?
by SquawkIdent
Mon Sep 04, 2023 2:51 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TSP G Fund or VMFXX?
Replies: 18
Views: 1940

Re: TSP G Fund or VMFXX?

notmyname wrote: Mon Sep 04, 2023 1:53 pm
HeelaMonster wrote: Mon Sep 04, 2023 1:12 pm For those contemplating a move back and forth (i.e., out of TSP and then back in), have things improved recently with the transfer process? The only times I have transferred funds out (e.g., moving from TSP to Rollover IRA, 1-2 times per year over past 3 years), the process was so cumbersome and archaic that I couldn't imagine willingly doing a repeat! But perhaps things have changed with recent process improvements?
When I transferred out to Vanguard last month, was able to do everything on the TSP website in a few minutes. The actual transfer took about 8 days. Hopefully transferring back in to TSP will go smoothly too.
+1 Same thing here…8 days to get into my Vanguard account after the withdrawal from the TSP.
by SquawkIdent
Mon Sep 04, 2023 2:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TSP G Fund or VMFXX?
Replies: 18
Views: 1940

Re: TSP G Fund or VMFXX?

Tdubs wrote: Mon Sep 04, 2023 8:19 am I don't know why I haven't already done this myself. In fact, I'm going to do this this week. I see zero downside. Can always move back later if G starts to over perform.

Whether you should have all of your Bond allocation in G is a different issue (I don't).
+1 Nice move… :moneybag.
by SquawkIdent
Sun Sep 03, 2023 3:04 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TSP G Fund or VMFXX?
Replies: 18
Views: 1940

Re: TSP G Fund or VMFXX?

notmyname wrote: Sun Sep 03, 2023 3:00 pm Last month I transferred out my G fund holdings to a new traditional IRA at vanguard, placing in vmfxx and 3mo and 6mo tbills. If it works out, I should come out several thousand ahead with the current >1% difference in rates. When things change, making the G fund more attractive, I'll move back. Will be interesting to see how things go.
+1
by SquawkIdent
Fri Sep 01, 2023 4:59 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Cash is a terrible long-term investment
Replies: 369
Views: 40283

Re: Cash is a terrible long-term investment

I've won the game in the 3rd quarter and there will be plenty for my heirs. Why should I invest in anything other than T-bills or money market accounts? I hear you and I tend to agree. What about inflation? That’s what makes me think a modest allocation to stocks is needed. The fear of inflation. I do have a small amount (1.6% of our investment portfolio) in I-bonds. Probably enough for 1.5 years living expenses if including my pension. That's my inflation hedge. If inflation rises enough to become a personal black swan then we're talking 1929-level calamity and I'll be wrangling for food in the street along with everybody else I guess. You’ve “won the game” if you have enough for the future. You’ve really “won the game” if you have enough...