Search found 233 matches

by Dinosaur Dad
Thu Jan 18, 2024 11:58 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: RIP Jack Bogle (Jack died Jan. 16, 2019)
Replies: 27
Views: 3019

Re: RIP Jack Bogle (Jack died Jan. 16, 2019)

I share the same gratitude to Jack Bogle that we all feel. I'd also add: 1. Jack selflessly dedicated his life to giving the everyday investor a fighting chance in the market. I often think about the comparison between what he did and what Fidelity's leaders did...he could have made so much more money but chose this (relatively) selfless path. Investors everywhere are in his debt. 2. His legacy is multi-generational, and cascades. Because of what he taught all of us, I now am in a position not only to retire and take care of my own family, but to help others both financially and with learning the principles of saving and investing. I have been able to help multiple family members get their arms around investments and improve their financial...
by Dinosaur Dad
Fri Nov 10, 2023 10:15 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Jordan Belfort becomes a Boglehead ["The Wolf of Investing"]
Replies: 6
Views: 1832

Jordan Belfort becomes a Boglehead ["The Wolf of Investing"]

Under the heading of "you just can't make these things up," Jordan Belfort (the subject of the movie "The Wolf of Wall Street") has written a book which appears to highlight Boglehead principles. Who would've thunk it. The headline is: "The former financial fraudster made famous by Leonardo DiCaprio is now promoting index funds and leading the charge against the 'Wall Street fee machine." Of course he's promoting his book in the process... https://www.investmentnews.com/jordan-belfort-is-back-on-wall-street-and-talking-with-investmentnews-245197?hsmemberId=44240240&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=282054690&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-84BevW-F0pIXPhqIFCFszyYrQjwdmr62wpHuSJK7L9_pmzIwkERqk5_yz56wTG6-J_I9PzPZJX0ELszvb7fx7de0...
by Dinosaur Dad
Tue Jun 14, 2022 10:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite free and emailed newsletters?
Replies: 8
Views: 1199

Re: Favorite free and emailed newsletters?

Humble Dollar from Jonathan Clements.
by Dinosaur Dad
Mon Jun 13, 2022 10:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where to vacation with young child in northeast?
Replies: 30
Views: 5116

Re: Where to vacation with young child in northeast?

AnnetteLouisan wrote: Sun Feb 27, 2022 9:12 am Lake George? There are some nice family friendly resort hotels.
Yes - good option. There's an amusement park nearby, Lake George has a nice beach, family-friendly.
by Dinosaur Dad
Wed Jun 01, 2022 8:28 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: IRS NOT Letting me buy $5k additional ibonds with refund (2nd Year in a row)
Replies: 32
Views: 7437

Re: IRS NOT Letting me buy $5k additional ibonds with refund (2nd Year in a row)

Add me to the list. I have a $2660 refund, asked for $2500 in ibond, the rest direct deposit. They sent me the same letter about "we can't honor your request to purchase because the bond amount you indicated is not a multiple of $50.00." Alarmingly: when I called to ask about this, they asked about my estimated tax payments for 2021. I gave them the number, and they said "this doesn't match our records" and said she couldn't authenticate me to even talk about it. Yikes - how could that happen. So I just established an IRS account online to see if I could check...in one section of my online portal, they list what they have as my estimated tax payments. THEY ARE MISSING TWO PAYMENTS. However, in another section, you can do...
by Dinosaur Dad
Wed Jun 01, 2022 7:28 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: IRS NOT Letting me buy $5k additional ibonds with refund (2nd Year in a row)
Replies: 32
Views: 7437

Re: IRS NOT Letting me buy $5k additional ibonds with refund (2nd Year in a row)

Add me to the list. I have a $2660 refund, asked for $2500 in ibond, the rest direct deposit. They sent me the same letter about "we can't honor your request to purchase because the bond amount you indicated is not a multiple of $50.00."

Alarmingly: when I called to ask about this, they asked about my estimated tax payments for 2021. I gave them the number, and they said "this doesn't match our records." Yikes - how could that happen.
by Dinosaur Dad
Wed Apr 06, 2022 11:38 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anyone had a Portfolio 2nd Opinion… but with Jon Luskin?
Replies: 28
Views: 4903

Re: Anyone had a Portfolio 2nd Opinion… but with Jon Luskin?

I did a portfolio review with Rick Ferri. That worked well for me: I'm a fairly experienced Boglehead of many years, but I just think it's valuable to occasionally have an non-biased expert look over my shoulder to ensure I'm not missing anything big. With Rick's history of articles and postings, and endorsements from leading Bogleheads, I felt comfortable with him. I follow Jon Luskin closely on Twitter. By all indications, he's a proponent of the same investing principles that Rick has promoted, and also appears that his process is thorough and well tailored to client questions. So I don't have direct experience to share, but my sense is that he would be very capable. And further, my sense is that Rick wouldn't partner with someone who's ...
by Dinosaur Dad
Sat Feb 12, 2022 6:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: A Day At The Hospital
Replies: 77
Views: 11127

Re: A Day At The Hospital

So glad that Taylor has found the care that he needs. Echoing what others have written and a few other notes: 1. You have to have complete coverage...for me (I'm on traditional medicare), that includes a supplemental plan to cover what medicare doesn't cover. 2. You must do your homework as to the type of policy, coverage levels, restrictions, network requirements, etc. In particular, some strategies give you more flexibility than others in terms of provider selection. Beware of sales pitches, and locate objective sources of information. 3. this is one of those areas where you must consider the worst case scenario...a serious illness. My mother was in and out of hospitals for 10 years. And two members of my immediate family have advanced ca...
by Dinosaur Dad
Sun Nov 14, 2021 10:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bike Helmet Recommendations
Replies: 12
Views: 1054

Re: Bike Helmet Recommendations

Great source of helmet ratings is the work done by Virginia Tech:

https://www.helmet.beam.vt.edu/
by Dinosaur Dad
Thu Nov 04, 2021 12:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retirement Calculators: New Retirement, FIRECalc, Others?
Replies: 27
Views: 4576

Re: Retirement Calculators: New Retirement, FIRECalc, Others?

I think part of the answer depends on the questions you are trying to answer and the desire of the OP to spend time, work details and general skill and interest. For folks that just want a quick look at the question of "Can I Retire?" - programs like FireCalc are fine and using historical data is much better than just assuming a constant return. Note that you have to estimate taxes and include that as an expense. For folks that want to understand the best ages to claim social security, opensocialsecurity.com is amazing. For folks that want more detailed models for Roth conversion planning, but that generally assume a fixed rate of return, some choices: For some quick assessment of Roth conversions, something like I-orp.com using ...
by Dinosaur Dad
Tue Oct 12, 2021 10:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Are Your Simple Pleasures?
Replies: 313
Views: 43249

Re: What Are Your Simple Pleasures?

Riding bicycles on a beautiful, car-free Rail Trail

Walks at our local town beach.
by Dinosaur Dad
Thu Sep 30, 2021 1:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Self install gutter guards - do they work?
Replies: 39
Views: 4819

Re: Self install gutter guards - do they work?

I used to have the cheap snap-on covers, they did screen out larger leaves etc. but the dirt and smaller debris still got in there and eventually clogged the downspout. Still had to clean out gutters periodically. Net: I think these are helpful but don't eliminate the regular maintenance you need to do. One thing for sure I would not get: the screens designed to stick in the downspout itself. These just cause a bigger problem with gutter backup.
by Dinosaur Dad
Tue Sep 21, 2021 3:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Window privacy film advice requested
Replies: 30
Views: 3543

Re: Window privacy film advice requested

2. Since the reviews are all over the place, for those who have a film like this on their windows and are pleased with the product, do you have a link to the product that works? I put this on 2 front windows near ground level, it works well. I have tested it by walking outside at night to look inside w/ the light on - figures are 'blurry' and no detail can be made out etc. During the day it performs even better as its light outside. https://gilafilms.com/for-home/gila-privacy-d-cor-waterfall-window-film Install was pretty simple, I did buy their spray though some folks suggest making your own - I just wanted it done right the first time. What I like is that it is removeable - so if in 5-10 years I want it gone or a different style I can si...
by Dinosaur Dad
Tue Sep 21, 2021 3:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Estate Planning Books [“Beyond the Grave” by Jeffery Condon Esq.]
Replies: 31
Views: 4705

Re: Estate Planning Books [“Beyond the Grave” by Jeffery Condon Esq.]

Peter Foley wrote: Tue Apr 20, 2021 7:45 pm retiringwhen wrote:
The way I believe it is best to read Condon's book is to consider it a menu of worst case outcomes (not average/normal). Then look at the menu and identify the several items that are likely to arise in your own legacy. Use that ideas and guidance as a way to inform your decision making process. Don't get paranoid, get informed.
This is how I understood and used the book as well. Not so much a "how to" as a "how not to" or "think through the consequences of this approach" first.

I especially leaned from the insights into family dynamics documented in some of the cases he describes.
Agree!
by Dinosaur Dad
Sun Sep 12, 2021 8:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Electric Bike
Replies: 121
Views: 13785

Re: Electric Bike

I have a RAD, and have enjoyed it. Until my first flat tire. Try changing the rear tube in the field --- what an effort. The weight of the bike and the difficulty of a rear wheel motor with all the attachments is a pain. Look at options with the motor in the crank / bottom bracket area. This leaves you with a regular tire in the front and the rear -- so much easier to repair flats. Ask yourself: can I easily lift this bike into my car or truck if I need to. Well said Great points The last issue of weight and bulk is what finally dissuaded DW and I from Electric Bikes. We wanted to be able to transport them to various fun riding and scenic places. j🌺 Agree with this one. Hoping weight and price comes down as we get older and, ahem, the need...
by Dinosaur Dad
Sun Sep 12, 2021 8:55 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: WHY is it a good practice to convert to Roth during a market downturn?
Replies: 29
Views: 4257

Re: WHY is it a good practice to convert to Roth during a market downturn?

Simple: you're being opportunistic. Converting while the market's down re-establishes your money in a tax free classification. I did a roth conversion for about $50k in March 2020, since then that $50k is worth about $80-90k - and the increase is all tax free.
by Dinosaur Dad
Fri Sep 10, 2021 10:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Financial Prep
Replies: 21
Views: 3969

Re: Cancer Diagnosis - Financial Prep & beyond.

Two things:

1. Second opinion
2. Make use of recognized and validated sources of info for this particular cancer type. There's tons of good, reliable information and organizations if you look.
by Dinosaur Dad
Thu Aug 12, 2021 11:33 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "Vectors" - August 2021
Replies: 7
Views: 1862

Re: "Vectors" - August 2021

thanks for posting. Always looking for good common sense commentary.
by Dinosaur Dad
Mon Aug 09, 2021 3:58 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bogleheads now on YouTube
Replies: 156
Views: 48541

Re: Bogleheads now on YouTube

Wow, this is awesome. Thank you to everyone involved!
by Dinosaur Dad
Thu Aug 05, 2021 8:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Self-Insuring for Long Term Care
Replies: 189
Views: 16642

Re: Self-Insuring for Long Term Care

Some great info about LTC is frequently compiled by Christine Benz of Morningstar:

https://www.morningstar.com/articles/10 ... ic-edition
by Dinosaur Dad
Thu Aug 05, 2021 8:01 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Retirement Book Recommendations
Replies: 17
Views: 3060

Re: Retirement Book Recommendations

Dana Anspach: "Control Your Retirement Destiny." I think it does a really good job outlining the planning process.

Second the comments on Jane Bryant Quinn's book as well.
by Dinosaur Dad
Thu Apr 22, 2021 10:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Trusts
Replies: 16
Views: 1701

Re: Trusts

Sandtrap wrote: Thu Apr 22, 2021 11:40 am 1. Seek legal counsel for estate planning.
2. Read "Beyond the Grave" by Condon, to get additional insight into family dynamics and various inheritance scenarios. (while the legalities may not apply, which is why you talk to legal counsel, the scenarios of inheritance and so forth are interesting).

j :D
+1 for "Beyond the Grave" - very helpful book.
by Dinosaur Dad
Wed Apr 21, 2021 10:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Are Roth Accounts Overrated?
Replies: 145
Views: 18149

Re: Are Roth Accounts Overrated?

No. While each case is different, the Roth is underrated. I think there are many more cases where people should have done them but didn't than there are cases where people did them but shouldn't have. +100 If people took appropriate advantage of Roths, we wouldn’t have to keep calling them to their attention . Tax law (and tax brackets) change about every 10 years. It is best to pay the taxes in the years when your tax bracket is lower, either due to tax law and/or your own circumstances. When you are starting your first job, you probably aren’t thinking about retirement, but that is the perfect time to contribute to Roth, because you tend to be in a low tax bracket and have lots of time for the account to compound. As your work experience...
by Dinosaur Dad
Wed Apr 21, 2021 2:39 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: .
Replies: 100
Views: 19490

Re: Do simple index fund-only portfolios (e.g., 3-fund, 5-fund, etc.) work for the ultra wealthy (say, $20+ million)?

off topic a bit, but this fact - that Jack Bogle chose a path to benefit the average investor when he could have made an immense fortune (see Fidelity's founders) - just blows my mind every time it comes up. Warren Buffett put it this way in his letter to shareholders in 2017: "If a statue is ever erected to honor the person who has done the most for American investors, the hands down choice should be Jack Bogle. For decades, Jack has urged investors to invest in ultra-low-cost index funds. In his crusade, he amassed only a tiny percentage of the wealth that has typically flowed to managers who have promised their investors large rewards while delivering them nothing – or, as in our bet, less than nothing – of added value. In his earl...
by Dinosaur Dad
Mon Apr 19, 2021 7:50 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: .
Replies: 100
Views: 19490

Re: Do simple index fund-only portfolios (e.g., 3-fund, 5-fund, etc.) work for the ultra wealthy (say, $20+ million)?

Say you've got 5 million worth of investable assets. I think many Bogleheads would believe a pretty simple portfolio of low-cost index funds would be the best way to invest it. Perhaps 3-fund. Maybe add a small value tilt if you want, add a chunk of REITS, whatever. But definitely stick with low cost index funds. What about 20 million worth of investable assets? Or 200 million? Would a "good Boglehead" continue to use only widely available index funds for the entire portfolio? Or, at some point, does great wealth open up investment options (just guessing: venture capital, hedge funds, who knows what else?) that a good Boglehead should consider diversifying with? Just curious. Thanks for any thoughts! Look no further than Where di...
by Dinosaur Dad
Sat Apr 10, 2021 10:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA advice Jane Quinn How to Make Your Money Last
Replies: 62
Views: 6974

Re: HSA advice Jane Quinn How to Make Your Money Last

AnEngineer wrote: Sat Apr 10, 2021 8:28 am
livesoft wrote: Sat Apr 10, 2021 5:41 am
Dinosaur Dad wrote: Fri Apr 09, 2021 10:22 pmThe issue about "being out of the market" is important ... this will be a much bigger consideration when I roll my two 401ks into IRAs.
If "being out of the market" is a big negative for one and the Account-to-be-Moved cannot be transferred in-kind, then it has been suggested many times to do a double-exchange as follows:

1. Account-To-Be-Moved -> Cash
2. Same day, in a A-Different-Tax-Advantaged-Account Bonds/Cash/Fixed_income -> whatever assets Account-To-Be-Moved had
3. Move the Account-To-Be-Moved
4. Undo Steps #2 and #1.
This is a good method.

Also note that indirect rollovers may be faster than direct transfers (though limited in frequency).
thank you for your advice
by Dinosaur Dad
Sat Apr 10, 2021 10:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA advice Jane Quinn How to Make Your Money Last
Replies: 62
Views: 6974

Re: HSA advice Jane Quinn How to Make Your Money Last

The issue about "being out of the market" is important ... this will be a much bigger consideration when I roll my two 401ks into IRAs. If "being out of the market" is a big negative for one and the Account-to-be-Moved cannot be transferred in-kind, then it has been suggested many times to do a double-exchange as follows: 1. Account-To-Be-Moved -> Cash 2. Same day, in a A-Different-Tax-Advantaged-Account Bonds/Cash/Fixed_income -> whatever assets Account-To-Be-Moved had 3. Move the Account-To-Be-Moved 4. Undo Steps #2 and #1. Thank you Livesoft for this excellent suggestion. I need to do a bit more research on 401k rollovers to IRA...specifically, whether I can move only part of the 401k at a time. I have a mix of tradi...
by Dinosaur Dad
Fri Apr 09, 2021 10:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA advice Jane Quinn How to Make Your Money Last
Replies: 62
Views: 6974

Re: HSA advice Jane Quinn How to Make Your Money Last

livesoft wrote: Fri Apr 09, 2021 5:05 pm
Dinosaur Dad wrote: Fri Apr 09, 2021 5:03 pm I had an HSA at my old company (left 5 years ago)...am letting it grow in place. There are some fees, ....
So why not switch to a custodian with no fees like Fidelity? It is extremely painless and hassle-free to switch, so there is probably no excuse to pay fees.
Appreciate the suggestion, am looking at this as we speak...fees are pretty minimal, but I want to consolidate two hsa's from two different companies.

The issue about "being out of the market" is important ... this will be a much bigger consideration when I roll my two 401ks into IRAs.
by Dinosaur Dad
Fri Apr 09, 2021 5:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA advice Jane Quinn How to Make Your Money Last
Replies: 62
Views: 6974

Re: HSA advice Jane Quinn How to Make Your Money Last

I had an HSA at my old company (left 5 years ago)...am letting it grow in place. There are some fees, but overall I believe I'm better off as the money grows completely tax free and then is still tax free when I make withdrawals, which could be 10 years from now. Mine is now worth $50k so I guess that qualifies as substantial (thus the fees aren't as big a deal).

Agree with other posters that you have to look at your situation before applying broad advice/guidelines.
by Dinosaur Dad
Mon Apr 05, 2021 10:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Retirement calculators : missing features
Replies: 17
Views: 2542

Re: Retirement calculators : missing features

Like you, I had been cooking up my own spreadsheet, then I found the Retiree Portfolio Model available here for free on Bogleheads and stopped my attempts as it was much more well developed than I was ever likely to achieve. I noticed a few areas where I was having to make simplifications in RPM, so I looked into other programs and ultimately bought Pralana Gold. Certainly taxes are a strength in Pralana Gold. It lets you set the cost basis of your existing taxable accounts, takes into account complexities like NIIT, IRMAA, AMT, SS taxation, deduction phaseouts, QCDs, changes in asset allocation, etc. I've got a stretch inherited IRA and some after-tax money in tax deferred and it handles those smoothly as well. It has its own SS claim dat...
by Dinosaur Dad
Tue Feb 02, 2021 10:30 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Pralana Gold
Replies: 32
Views: 9899

Re: Pralana Gold

I've been licensing Pralana Gold for two years. I had been trying out a number of online calculators over time, but all fell short at some level...really felt like black box. I too found the reference to Pralana on the "Can I retire yet?" website, including Darrow Fitzpatrick's articles. I had played with my own Excel spreadsheets for a long time, and what Pralana does is so far beyond what I could do on my own. It allows me to drill into the numbers and really see the impact of various paths I could choose (my particular decisions right now are around Roth conversions). I like how it lays everything out so you can look at the actual year-by-year projected impact. No tool can predict the future, but I think this one really gives y...
by Dinosaur Dad
Tue Jan 26, 2021 10:30 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Happy 97th Birthday, Taylor Larimore
Replies: 146
Views: 12472

Re: Happy 97th Birthday, Taylor Larimore

Happy Birthday Taylor! I've said it before: what you initiated in this forum - a place where the average person can get reliable information about how to save and invest - has made an enormous difference in my life and in the lives of countless others. That cascading legacy continues as each of us pass along the smart strategies and values you have embodied, and help others manage their financial lives more effectively. Thank you.
by Dinosaur Dad
Mon Jan 04, 2021 9:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any multimillionaire's (more than 2mm) out there still mow their own lawn?
Replies: 341
Views: 33740

Re: Any multimillionaire's (more than 2mm) out there still mow their own lawn?

It was entertaining reading everyone's take on this.

I am now over $2M in net worth, starting from zero years ago. My wife plants a beautiful flower garden, and I don't mind mowing the lawn or raking leaves here at my small Boglehead house - no mortgage :). We both basically enjoy being out in the yard.

I think the point is if you're frugal and follow Boglehead principles, you can build your savings to the point where you can do whatever you want. Those little tricks like cutting your own lawn or keeping a car longer than average and what got me here.
by Dinosaur Dad
Tue Dec 29, 2020 5:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Shopping for an Estate Planning Lawyer
Replies: 34
Views: 2701

Re: Shopping for an Estate Planning Lawyer

Took us about 6 months start to finish. One tip: The lawyer will help you execute your plans, and to an extent, can help you think through the options. But you have to think things through re: your goals before you have that conversation...to at least have a place to start. Depends of course on your family situation, assets, etc.. I thought mine was relatively simple until you learn about how things can go south under various scenarios... Invaluable for us was a book "Beyond the Grave" by Jeffrey Condon. Highly recommended, really helped me draw up some potential scenarios and what could go wrong (and right). A good attorney should also be completely up to date on changes in the law. As an example, you really have to think through...
by Dinosaur Dad
Tue Dec 15, 2020 3:17 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Taylor Sends His Best to Fellow Bogleheads
Replies: 334
Views: 34467

Re: Taylor Sends His Best to Fellow Bogleheads

Hard to put into words how much your efforts in creating this forum have helped me, and countless others. You are a great example and an inspiration. Get well soon!
by Dinosaur Dad
Wed Dec 09, 2020 10:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Does a cheap road bike really exist?
Replies: 244
Views: 24750

Re: Does a cheap road bike really exist?

1. Fit is crucial, bad fit = makes everything more difficult and less enjoyable.
2. Match the bike to the type of riding you'll do. We have trail bikes with straight handlebars that work well on the crushed stone and hard packed rail trails in our area, but we also have road bikes with drop handlebars we use on anything asphalt. There are some bikes that are designed to work on either...get what you need based on your plan.
3. don't forget helmet, gloves, good sunglasses, maybe shoes/pedal system which multiplies your efficiency and output.
by Dinosaur Dad
Wed Oct 28, 2020 9:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car Batteries
Replies: 127
Views: 8747

Re: Car Batteries

Kenkat wrote: Tue Oct 27, 2020 10:32 am If you are a AAA member, in our area at least, they will come and install a battery for you in your driveway. The batteries come with a good warranty and I have had good longevity out of them.
+1
by Dinosaur Dad
Sun Aug 30, 2020 9:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Shopping for an endurance (comfort) bicycle
Replies: 3
Views: 703

Re: Shopping for an endurance (comfort) bicycle

This year I looked at the Specialized Robaix and the Trek Domane. I went with the Trek...responsive and handles well, but also feels really good on longer road rides. Shimano 105 group is quick and reliable.

I'm very partial to carbon fiber frames at this point. Definitely test ride first!
by Dinosaur Dad
Fri Jul 17, 2020 9:51 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Jack and Vanguard Faithful Considering Fidelity Index Funds for Zero Minimum Investment
Replies: 103
Views: 10543

Re: Jack and Vanguard Faithful Considering Fidelity Index Funds for Zero Minimum Investment

I have Fidelity for my 401k and Vanguard for most of everything else. I find Fidelity's reporting and service to be somewhat better, but not so much as to make me want to switch. I had one snafu with my mother's estate when I was getting everything transferred, but I think in those cases you have to watch like a hawk anyway. I have long-term funds with big unrealized capital gains at Vanguard so sort of stuck there, even if I wanted to switch. Ultimately though, the fact that Vanguard is owned by its funds (us) to me is a big difference...Fidelity had to be dragged into lower expenses once they realized how much they were losing. Time will tell about the long haul - their management structure hasn't changed. I also know it's smart to be obj...
by Dinosaur Dad
Mon Jul 13, 2020 11:25 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: About Fees
Replies: 1
Views: 427

About Fees

Recently I've been able to help several of my relatives with financial planning. After looking at their mutual funds and 401k accounts, I was staggered to see how much they were losing in fees. What a ripoff. I found this New York Times article in yesterday's edition. It does a good job of explaining this to those you may be trying to help. Thought I would share. And as so many have said: I'm grateful I found this forum years ago, and for the leadership Mr. Bogle showed in improving the situations for individual investors. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/11/business/401k-advice.html?surface=home-living-vi&fellback=false&req_id=991639946&algo=identity&imp_id=719965269&action=click&module=Smarter%20Living&pgtype=Ho...
by Dinosaur Dad
Wed Jul 01, 2020 9:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: YoutubeTV subscription now $64.99/month
Replies: 174
Views: 21421

Re: YoutubeTV subscription now $64.99/month

this is starting to defeat the purpose of cutting the cord. But YTTV's unlimited DVR is a huge thing for us - we rarely watch things live. And I do value having all the local networks in one package...but I wonder if we'll soon have to assemble all that ourselves versus getting an integrated package from one supplier.

Also happy to be rid of cable, although the cable company is still my internet provider. I need more competition in my local area!
by Dinosaur Dad
Thu May 14, 2020 2:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: AARP now offering annuities
Replies: 11
Views: 1521

AARP now offering annuities

This is intriguing: AARP's 38 million members can now buy income annuities and fixed-rate annuities on a platform powered by fintech firm Blueprint Income. The article (link below) shows that AARP is launching a service to make these available to members. Given their size and scope, and that they're already involved in areas like Medigap, seems logical. But as this article notes, there are a lot of hurdles to consumer understanding and ultimately willingness to purchase. Personally, I'm already doing a lot of reading on the "good" annuity options, from a variety of trusted sources (including Bogleheads). One would hope that any person looking at the AARP option this will get sound guidance ... these can be tricky even for the best...
by Dinosaur Dad
Sat May 09, 2020 12:05 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Long-term planning gone awry
Replies: 34
Views: 3354

Re: Long-term planning gone awry

You plan and prepare for the unexpected. 1. Live well below your means. If you are a two-earner household, live and spend as though you are a single-income household. Living well below your means accomplishes three things. It frees up funds for you to save and invest. It allows you to weather unexpected financial setbacks much more comfortably. And by having a more modest standard of living while you are accumulating, the amount of wealth you will need to have built by the time you retire to maintain the same or better standard of living will be much less than if you spend most of what you earn. 2. Save for a rainy day. Have an emergency fund sufficient to cover three to six months expenses. 3. Set your asset allocation according to your w...
by Dinosaur Dad
Tue May 05, 2020 11:49 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Tell me what I don't know about retirement?
Replies: 55
Views: 5956

Re: Tell me what I don't know about retirement?

One thing I've just heard about (I'm not retired just yet): If you go to a medicare advantage plan, and later want to switch to "regular medicare" with a supplement plan, my understanding is that you are not necessarily going to be accepted e.g. if you have developed a health condition, etc. Worst case scenario: you develop a serious condition, decide that Medicare Advantage is somewhat restrictive or not satisfactory and you want the fewer restrictions of straight medicare, and you want to switch out for that reason. So would seem that's something to think about right off the bat. As I said, I just heard about this, others may have further insight into that watch-out. Some states mandate that you have the ability to do the switch...
by Dinosaur Dad
Wed Apr 29, 2020 9:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Podcast - Wade Pfau: The 4% Rule Is No Longer Safe
Replies: 186
Views: 16580

Re: Podcast - Wade Pfau: The 4% Rule Is No Longer Safe

I like to always assume good intent - he has done a lot of analysis and concluded that the products that he recommends are appropriate. He is a very sharp, knowledgeable guy who can figure out which types of life insurance and annuity products are good and which are bad. I think his error is in assuming that the average person can figure this out for themselves (or with an advisor), which is highly unlikely. The chapters on variable annuities and fixed index annuities in "Safety-First Retirement Planning" contain an upfront caveat (literally, a big box labeled caveat) that says that he is "making an implicit assumption that the annuity is competitively priced." Perhaps he should have said "the casual reader can ski...
by Dinosaur Dad
Wed Apr 29, 2020 4:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Podcast - Wade Pfau: The 4% Rule Is No Longer Safe
Replies: 186
Views: 16580

Re: Podcast - Wade Pfau: The 4% Rule Is No Longer Safe

I like Wade and I know he spoke at past bogleheads conferences, but I found a new piece of info on Don MacDonald's podcast last week in which he questioned any possible relationship between Wade promoting annuities to ensure a truly safe withdrawal rate and the financial institution who sponsored some of Wade's research...Lincoln Financial (life insurance company, provider of annuity products). https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=wade+pfau%27s+paper+sponsored+by+lincoln+life Is there a conflict of interest? Yes, he got caught doing this in the past and seems obvious he is at it again. I didn't have a problem with him recommending SPIAs. Several other researchers and many well respected posters here have made good argum...
by Dinosaur Dad
Wed Apr 15, 2020 5:18 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Future 60/40 Portfolio has a 43% Chance of Failing with 4% Withdrawal Rate
Replies: 622
Views: 41268

Re: Future 60/40 Portfolio has a 43% Chance of Failing with 4% Withdrawal Rate

I think many of us here are thinking about this issue...and that was before all of the recent market issues. We're all susceptible to market conditions...particularly low bond yields...so what are the ways to mitigate the many risks here? I think each of us has our own approach. For me, as a soon-to-retire 64 year old, steps I'm taking: (1) already delayed retirement, am still working; (2) plan to delay social security for me and my wife until 70; (3) potentially some Roth conversions before RMDs and Social Security start to lower tax rate; (4) reconsidering whether purchasing that vacation house makes sense; (5) keeping some investments completely separate from my retirement income plan, just in case! I've read a good book on this subject:...
by Dinosaur Dad
Wed Apr 01, 2020 2:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: GOOD RX...What Is It?
Replies: 37
Views: 4551

Re: GOOD RX...What Is It?

For what it's worth...also check out Blink for prescriptions. We found it less expensive than GoodRx.
by Dinosaur Dad
Tue Mar 10, 2020 9:09 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Are any early accumulators thankful for the current correction?
Replies: 185
Views: 13573

Re: Are any early accumulators thankful for the current correction?

So I'm a year out from retirement so I don't qualify as an "early accumulator." But what I'm thankful for is recently going to 65/35 from my recent 80/20 allocation ... at a time when everyone was so optimistic, everything's sunny, etc.etc. Because I mitigated that risk I have plenty of lower risk assets I can tap without selling...and I might just rebalance a bit depending on what happens.

Yet one more example that nobody knows nothin', and that you can't possibly anticipate what might happen.

Thinking back to my "accumulator" self, I don't think it would have mattered. I was the "tortoise" versus the hare, invested regularly over decades, so the various corrections didn't matter in the long run.
by Dinosaur Dad
Thu Mar 05, 2020 9:08 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Am I being lead down a bad road- Fixed Index Annuities
Replies: 44
Views: 3776

Re: Am I being lead down a bad road- Fixed Index Annuities

Turn around and run. My brother in law is an annuity salesman. He has a 600k+ home, luxury cars and spends like a drunken sailor. It's very hard for me to refrain myself when he talks about hitting his year end goal so he can get a free vacation from his employer. If I open my mouth and call him a thief in front of family, my wife will be mad at me forever. She also knows how much of a thief he is but we get over it. I get tortured seeing how smug he is knowing that he is ripping people off. A boglehead and an annuity salesman in a room together, can you imagine? That's me a few times a year. Good luck. +1 lostdog, that's about the best articulation I've heard in a long time of the inherent conflicts of interest that cost people so much! M...