Done.
Many thanks to the moderators and the incredibly knowledgeable contributors whose advice and wisdom helps so many of us.
Search found 67 matches
- Thu Dec 24, 2020 8:21 am
- Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
- Topic: Time to give to this website
- Replies: 88
- Views: 7689
- Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:45 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: How many people here literally use the three-fund portfolio?
- Replies: 102
- Views: 7637
Re: How many people here literally use the three-fund portfolio?
When I left my FA a few years ago he had me in 2-3 dozen funds. The tax advantaged accounts (IRA/401k) were easy to revamp without any tax implications. They now have 1 fund each (VBTLX/FXNAX). My 3 year-old Roth is a single fund (VFIAX). But getting the taxable accounts (at Fidelity & Vanguard)...
- Wed Nov 11, 2020 7:56 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Should I sell my classic BMW?
- Replies: 30
- Views: 2418
Re: Should I sell my classic BMW?
Easy. Keep it. I had a 1995 540i 6 speed manual that I sold after 17 years with 220,000 miles on the clock. There was some rust, some oil burning and a slipping clutch. Selling it seemed like a good idea at the time. But it was a magnificent machine, an analog joy to drive, and wonderfully built. I'...
- Fri Oct 30, 2020 1:28 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Value of Quicken?
- Replies: 75
- Views: 3991
Re: Value of Quicken?
I use Moneydance and find that it does everything I can think of. I like it. I've never tried Quicken but other forum entries mention that the two are similar (with Quicken perhaps providing more features at the cost of more complexity?). Moneydance has a free trial download and a one-time purchase ...
- Sat Sep 05, 2020 8:44 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Muni Bonds and Risk (VWIUX)
- Replies: 29
- Views: 2841
Re: Muni Bonds and Risk (VWIUX)
Yes, I pared two years of living costs to cash from VWIUX in March, when things were looking particularly dire. Just to be extra cautious. I let the funds sit in cash for four months until I decided that I was being dumb and should simply stay the course. So I moved it back. And, of course, lost som...
- Thu Aug 27, 2020 5:54 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Recommendations for wheat beer
- Replies: 43
- Views: 2905
Re: Recommendations for wheat beer
Don't forget to try some excellent Allagash White - https://www.allagash.com - from Portland, ME. Apparently available in Southern Cal.
- Sat Aug 22, 2020 10:45 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Silver candlesticks - how to determine if weighted or not
- Replies: 7
- Views: 976
Re: Silver candlesticks - how to determine if weighted or not
Given the clear marking on the bottom, I'd guess they are not weighted - I have a couple of pieces that are, and they are marked. I have to say that I'd be very surprised if they were solid - they would have been so expensive! But I only know about English silver and it was almost always weighted. ...
- Wed Aug 19, 2020 5:44 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Approach to "News" Consumption
- Replies: 82
- Views: 4720
Re: Approach to "News" Consumption
+1 to The Economist.
Two "approaches" that I (lightheartedly) observe:
- Never read anything with the word "stunning" in the headline.
- Generally avoid anything written in the first person.
Two "approaches" that I (lightheartedly) observe:
- Never read anything with the word "stunning" in the headline.
- Generally avoid anything written in the first person.
- Tue Jul 28, 2020 5:05 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Selling Silverware (all silver)
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1304
Re: Selling Silverware (all silver)
Stainless steel is mere dross compared to silver, there is no comparison. Although it took me half a century to realize. However, it needs to be looked after so isn't really suitable for a hectic family life. And if you don't use it, why have it? American silver ranges greatly in quality. English si...
- Sun May 31, 2020 6:41 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: How do you keep track your investments?
- Replies: 50
- Views: 3798
Re: How do you keep track your investments?
I've been happy with Moneydance since I started using it a few years ago. It aggregates Fidelity & Vanguard fine, along with bank accounts and credit cards. All data is kept on your PC/Mac, it does not use a cloud. Password storage is a selectable option. Full history is maintained. I guess it's...
- Fri May 29, 2020 8:50 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Pandemic buys that have improved quality of life?
- Replies: 185
- Views: 19781
Re: Pandemic buys that have improved quality of life?
I hasn't improved my quality of life but I finally broke down and purchased a decent scanner to scan the thousands of old 35mm slides, negatives and photos that I've been meaning to digitize for years/decades. What scanner did you buy? I've been thinking of doing this too. -desiboy I purchased an E...
- Fri May 29, 2020 7:09 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Pandemic buys that have improved quality of life?
- Replies: 185
- Views: 19781
Re: Pandemic buys that have improved quality of life?
I hasn't improved my quality of life but I finally broke down and purchased a decent scanner to scan the thousands of old 35mm slides, negatives and photos that I've been meaning to digitize for years/decades. It's a slow, tedious process, ideal for passing Covid hours, but wow, does it bring back m...
- Wed Apr 08, 2020 8:06 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What have you learned from this situation that you will take action on?
- Replies: 158
- Views: 15128
Re: What have you learned from this situation that you will take action on?
That managed funds do no better than index funds in bad times. Of course this is accepted BH wisdom and, having learned it, I've been shifting to a 3 fund model for the past few years. LTCG concerns prevented a wholesale shift so I still have some managed funds. Their performance has not been one wh...
- Mon Mar 30, 2020 12:11 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: garage projects
- Replies: 21
- Views: 1674
Re: garage projects
A beehive.
Lots of types to choose from. Could be complex or simple. Bee suppliers will be delivering new broods+queen during April & May.
Lots of types to choose from. Could be complex or simple. Bee suppliers will be delivering new broods+queen during April & May.
- Thu Jan 23, 2020 7:15 am
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Sad news: LadyGeek's husband has passed
- Replies: 352
- Views: 29048
Re: Sad news: LadyGeek's husband has passed
A brave post at a tragic time. My deepest condolences to you and your family.
- Mon Jan 20, 2020 6:00 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: If you could only listen to one podcast...
- Replies: 138
- Views: 12424
Re: If you could only listen to one podcast...
To select only one is tough when those mentioned so far are in the mix. But for something that I find endlessly fascinating, shining a light on geopolitical intrigues, try Arms Control Wonk "A nuclear weapons, arms control, disarmament and nonproliferation podcast." It's often poorly recor...
- Thu Dec 26, 2019 12:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Job offer at FAANG for $350k - Declining Offer
- Replies: 161
- Views: 19305
Re: Job offer at FAANG for $350k
Paying you a huge salary and then expecting you to work ungodly hours is entirely typical of the high tech industry but that doesn't make it right. They shouldn't want you because they want your life, they should want you because they want your skills. $200K for 50 hours/week - $77/hour $350K for 10...
- Sun Nov 24, 2019 9:17 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Benefits of High-Yield Bonds
- Replies: 74
- Views: 6246
Re: Benefits of High-Yield Bonds
As a newbie (and, seemingly, destined to be a newbie forever) this thread is a great learning opportunity. But one word that seems to be missing is Tax. Why is that, what am I missing? My FA (no longer used) had quite a lot of my portfolio in high yield bonds, which I dumped during the process of re...
- Mon Nov 11, 2019 7:39 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Romantic northeast winter weekend getaway?
- Replies: 28
- Views: 3510
Re: Romantic northeast winter weekend getaway?
Six hours from NYC, according to Google, is the Bretton Arms Inn, which is in the grounds of the Mount Washington Hotel. Both are historic, the former being small and more romantic, the latter being grand and impressive. It's just a few minutes walk between them so you can easily use the facilities ...
- Sat Sep 07, 2019 8:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Quebec City in October
- Replies: 23
- Views: 2190
Re: Quebec City in October
Don't forget that Canadian Thanksgiving is in October (Monday 14th this year) so that can impact opening times and prices. And allow you to catch two Thanksgivings. 

- Sun Aug 11, 2019 5:22 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What is your hobby and how did it come to be your hobby?
- Replies: 146
- Views: 17766
Re: What is your hobby and how did it come to be your hobby?
Bee keeping. - It was just something that I was always curious about. I started this year. Absolutely fascinating. A hobby that is both easy and difficult at the same time. Hives are simple to install and mostly look after themselves, but, wow, the complexities of keeping the bees alive and healthy ...
- Tue Jul 23, 2019 7:55 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: DCU digital credit union Massachusetts
- Replies: 25
- Views: 2393
Re: DCU digital credit union Massachusetts
Heck, 31 years. All the old DECcies, I guess. :-) Anyway, the DCU doesn't support Direct Connect - which would allow Quicken etc. to directly access & download financial transactions. But it does support export of transactions into the following file formats: Excel (.csv) OFX Quicken (.qfx) Quic...
- Thu Jun 20, 2019 8:28 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Where to stay in Hong Kong
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1355
Re: Where to stay in Hong Kong
Well, if you decide to completely blow your budget you could try a once-in-a-lifetime night in the Ritz Carlton. The hotel occupies floors 102-118 of the building, with the reception on the 103rd floor and the bar on the 118th.
It's quite the experience.
It's quite the experience.
- Fri May 31, 2019 10:09 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Downloadable Social Security Benefit Estimator
- Replies: 149
- Views: 20152
Re: Downloadable Social Security Benefit Estimator (2019 Update)
As far as I can tell it's just a matter of being able to alter the 90% bend point PIA calculation to a different percentage. With WEP, the 90% number reduces by 5% per year for every year fewer than 30 "substantial earnings" years. So, if you only have 29 substantial earnings years (and a ...
- Fri May 31, 2019 7:46 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Downloadable Social Security Benefit Estimator
- Replies: 149
- Views: 20152
Re: Downloadable Social Security Benefit Estimator (2019 Update)
I'd be interested to know how to modify this excellent spreadsheet to deal with WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision). Such as adding an input cell for the WEP percentage.
- Mon May 06, 2019 7:00 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Retiree Portfolio Model
- Replies: 1054
- Views: 331751
Re: Retiree Portfolio Model
Buy a copy of Excel for Mac for $105. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H4XBM1R Anything else will cause more grief than it's worth.... (and Excel is a good product by any measure) I really don’t want to buy MS products. Is anyone using LibreCalc successfully on a Mac with RPM? Yeah, I didn't either (I'...
- Mon May 06, 2019 6:26 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Retiree Portfolio Model
- Replies: 1054
- Views: 331751
Re: Retiree Portfolio Model
Buy a copy of Excel for Mac for $105.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H4XBM1R
Anything else will cause more grief than it's worth.... (and Excel is a good product by any measure)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H4XBM1R
Anything else will cause more grief than it's worth.... (and Excel is a good product by any measure)
- Mon Apr 29, 2019 6:28 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: EXTREMELY frugal things from our parents and grandparents
- Replies: 110
- Views: 10801
Re: EXTREMELY frugal things from our parents and grandparents
My grandfather would turn off the car engine to free wheel down long hills and save gas. (Long before the days of steering locks!)
- Sun Mar 17, 2019 4:45 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Paris - Is It Safe?
- Replies: 143
- Views: 10846
Re: Paris - Is It Safe?
I took the Eurostar train from London to Paris on March 2nd (two weeks ago) and it was perfectly fine, if you don't count the hundreds of young school kids enjoying themselves during the trip (hint: get first class tickets!). I was in Paris for a few days and it too was absolutely fine. I steered cl...
- Fri Mar 08, 2019 5:31 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Things to do in Maine
- Replies: 72
- Views: 7593
Re: Things to do in Maine
Take the ferry from from Port Clyde or New Harbor to Monhegan Island and spend the day there. On a nice day it's a little slice of heaven.
- Sat Feb 23, 2019 3:45 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Safe Harbor Rule and Uneven Income
- Replies: 29
- Views: 2138
Re: Safe Harbor Rule and Uneven Income
Somewhat tangentially, I believe that there's an additional get-out-of-jail-free card if you retired in 2017/2018 and were over 62 years old. But I have no idea how this is entered on Form 2210. My H&R Block Tax software has no way to select this option as far as I can tell. It also seems to vag...
- Fri Feb 15, 2019 10:53 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Need advice on personal situation [may return to Europe]
- Replies: 21
- Views: 2606
Re: Need advice on personal situation
Well, per The Clash: Darling you got to let me know Should I stay or should I go? If you say that you are mine I'll be here 'til the end of time So you got to let me know Should I stay or should I go? Perhaps Darling is NYC. :-) You mention that you've been in the US five years and would possibly re...
- Thu Jan 24, 2019 8:18 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Has anyone see an inheritance not go as planned? I would like to hear stories from others of what can go wrong.
- Replies: 177
- Views: 17935
Re: Has anyone see an inheritance not go as planned? I would like to hear stories from others of what can go wrong.
This topic would likely be shorter if it discussed inheritances that *did* go as planned. I haven't seen too many. My experiences sum up to: 1/ People don't die in the order that inheritance plans expect them to. 2/ Blood is much much *much* thicker than water. 3/ Blindly considering all children e...
- Wed Jan 23, 2019 12:15 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Has anyone see an inheritance not go as planned? I would like to hear stories from others of what can go wrong.
- Replies: 177
- Views: 17935
Re: Has anyone see an inheritance not go as planned? I would like to hear stories from others of what can go wrong.
Oh, and two more:
5/ People fail to update their wills when circumstances change.
6/ If a will can't be found it can't be executed. And if there's only one copy, well, it can mysteriously disappear......
5/ People fail to update their wills when circumstances change.
6/ If a will can't be found it can't be executed. And if there's only one copy, well, it can mysteriously disappear......
- Wed Jan 23, 2019 12:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Has anyone see an inheritance not go as planned? I would like to hear stories from others of what can go wrong.
- Replies: 177
- Views: 17935
Re: Has anyone see an inheritance not go as planned? I would like to hear stories from others of what can go wrong.
This topic would likely be shorter if it discussed inheritances that *did* go as planned. I haven't seen too many. My experiences sum up to: 1/ People don't die in the order that inheritance plans expect them to. 2/ Blood is much much *much* thicker than water. 3/ Blindly considering all children eq...
- Wed Jan 02, 2019 9:07 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: REGISTRATION FOR 2019 BOGLEHEAD CONTEST [Entry deadline has passed]
- Replies: 701
- Views: 22804
Re: REGISTRATION FOR 2019 BOGLEHEAD CONTEST
2599.12
The wisdom of crowds. My quick scan makes this the average so far, ignoring the 10 lowest and 10 highest guesses. 280 guesses.
The wisdom of crowds. My quick scan makes this the average so far, ignoring the 10 lowest and 10 highest guesses. 280 guesses.
- Sun Dec 16, 2018 10:14 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Personal Adventure - recommendations
- Replies: 97
- Views: 7485
Re: Personal Adventure - recommendations
How about taking a look at:
"A History of the World in 500 Walks" by Sarah Baxter.
https://www.amazon.com/History-World-50 ... 162686554X
A friend gave it to me for a present and I've been in a crisis of decision ever since.
"A History of the World in 500 Walks" by Sarah Baxter.
https://www.amazon.com/History-World-50 ... 162686554X
A friend gave it to me for a present and I've been in a crisis of decision ever since.

- Tue Dec 04, 2018 12:04 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Retirement itch- when did you get it?
- Replies: 145
- Views: 16675
Re: Retirement itch- when did you get it?
Well, here's the thing - I never got the itch. It was the calendar that did for me. For the majority of my career I was doing something that I loved, at least at a strategic level if not always at the day-to-day level. And the vast majority of my friends were at work (not an ideal situation, but it ...
- Sun Nov 18, 2018 1:38 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Ed Slott & Roth Conversions
- Replies: 45
- Views: 4077
Re: Ed Slott & Roth Conversions
I'm also struggling with the convert or not convert question because I have a large LTCG. If I convert the LTCG will cross the NIIT threshold. If I don't convert, it won't. So, essentially, the conversion is going to cost an extra 3.8%. Bumping the 12% rate to 15.8% isn't so bad. But bumping the 22%...
- Wed Oct 31, 2018 7:59 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Planning first international trip - London/Paris
- Replies: 74
- Views: 5325
Re: Planning first international trip - London/Paris
The tradeoff is one of actually enjoying these cities versus visiting as many tourist attractions as possible in them. These are often at odds with each other, just the same as any great American city (NYC, San Francisco, etc). Struggling with a huge crowd to see the Mona Lisa or visiting Harrods ca...
- Wed Oct 17, 2018 7:44 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: What tools do you use to track your finances?
- Replies: 80
- Views: 7616
Re: What tools do you use to track your finances?
+1 for Moneydance. I started using it late last year after seeing good reviews here in the forum. I previously used several homegrown spreadsheets of varying complexity. I've never tried Quicken or MS Money (which, at the time, people didn't seem to be too happy with due to cost or support issues) o...
- Sun Jun 03, 2018 7:51 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: 6 hour layover on Heathrow
- Replies: 54
- Views: 6824
Re: 6 hour layover on Heathrow
First, check the weather. If it's raining, stay in the airport. I would keep it very simple. Heathrow Express to Paddington. Then just walk: - Perhaps to Portobello Market and the Notting Hill area. Lots of fun. or: - Down to Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. Then down into Knightsbridge and visit H...
- Sun Jun 03, 2018 7:11 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: June in Paris: What to (or not to) wear, see and do?
- Replies: 53
- Views: 4072
Re: June in Paris: What to (or not to) wear, see and do?
Re: ....I would appreciate some suggestions for some offbeat things to see or do. Have dinner at Nos Ancêtres les Gaulois at 39 Rue Saint-Louis en l'Île (https://www.nosancetreslesgaulois.com/en) I've been a couple of times, although not for several years, and, yes, it's clearly a tourist & afte...
- Sat May 26, 2018 9:13 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: 3 days in Boston with an 8 year old
- Replies: 32
- Views: 3119
Re: 3 days in Boston with an 8 year old
For great views of the city (50 floors up) have lunch at the Top of the Hub in the Prudential Center. Amazingly, lunch there doesn't have to be wickedly expensive. For a cheap thrill take the ferry from the Aquarium to Charlestown. Takes under 15 minutes and gives a fun view of the city, especially ...
- Wed May 23, 2018 7:46 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How long does it take for SS to fix earnings record?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 2266
Re: How long does it take for SS to fix earnings record?
I think it's a matter of getting to talk to the right person. Like your wife, I too was missing an entire year of earnings on my SS record, and I had the W2 & Tax return. After initially going to my SS office and handing everything over, several months passed by and nothing happened. I had to go...
- Wed May 09, 2018 7:06 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Breaking Up and Staying On Good Terms with an Advisor
- Replies: 42
- Views: 5784
Re: Breaking Up and Staying On Good Terms with an Advisor
I did this, for the same reasons as you, on perfectly good terms. Simply identify a personal life deadline and tell him you'll be meeting it shortly. In my case I told my FA, several months before I retired, that after I retired I would have the time to manage my portfolio and planned to do so. So w...
- Sun Apr 29, 2018 12:47 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: BH travel tips?
- Replies: 193
- Views: 25683
Re: BH travel tips?
Well, (having not read the entire thread) here are two simple ideas that have served me well: 1/ On the flight out put the airline's blanket all over you prior to the meals, so it acts as a huge napkin. Then, when you've inevitably spilt wine/food all over yourself before you've even got to your des...
- Fri Apr 27, 2018 1:47 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Learning to drive a stick [car with manual transmission]
- Replies: 126
- Views: 10521
Re: Learning to drive stick
There is a driving school near me that offers a 2 hour lesson for $180. They provide the car. Reviews suggest that at the end of the 2 hours, people feel comfortable enough that they could drive stick now, albeit not perfectly. Would this be a reasonable plan of action? Don't overthink this. Drivin...
- Mon Apr 23, 2018 7:09 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: New retirees: so whatdayathink ?
- Replies: 119
- Views: 24359
Re: New retirees: so whatdayathink ?
For those of you who have retired within the past year or so, how is it? Have there been any major surprises or adjustments you've had to make. Anything you need help with? Retired last year at 67. How is it? It's very pleasant. I am calmer in myself, kinder to other people, and more interested in ...
- Wed Mar 28, 2018 4:18 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Mac Office 2016 download on Ebay - how so cheap?
- Replies: 23
- Views: 6297
Re: Mac Office 2016 download on Ebay - how so cheap?
Unless you need Outlook, why not choose Home & Student rather than Home & Business?
Microsoft Office Home and Student for Mac (download) is currently $115 on Amazon. Provides Excel, Word, Powerpoint and OneNote. Full license with no monthly subscription.
Microsoft Office Home and Student for Mac (download) is currently $115 on Amazon. Provides Excel, Word, Powerpoint and OneNote. Full license with no monthly subscription.