Search found 118 matches
- Thu May 17, 2018 1:55 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Small caps and Micro caps
- Replies: 6
- Views: 883
Small caps and Micro caps
Any thoughts why they are doing well so far this year? IWM is +6.2% YTD; IWC is +7.9% YTD. VTI is +2.2% YTD.
- Wed Oct 19, 2016 10:50 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: New military officer. $50,000 yearly salary with no debt, no dependents, and $500 a month overhead. Thoughts?
- Replies: 15
- Views: 3422
Re: New military officer. $50,000 yearly salary with no debt, no dependents, and $500 a month overhead. Thoughts?
Hearty thanks for your service, sir. Definitely max that TSP!
- Thu Jul 28, 2016 12:27 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: The Three-Fund Portfolio
- Replies: 3115
- Views: 1954759
Re: The Three-Fund Portfolio
Great stuff Taylor, as always. I learn something every time I read your posts and threads. I don't have a TSM fund in my 457, so my 3 fund portfolio is: 55% VIIIX (.02% ER) 15% Northern Trust Collective Trust MSCI ACWI ex-US Index (.09% ER) 30% VBTIX (.06% ER) It's a simple AA, but as Dr Bernstein s...
- Fri Jul 15, 2016 11:38 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: How do I approximate Total US Stock Market Index using...
- Replies: 3
- Views: 896
How do I approximate Total US Stock Market Index using...
...S&P 500 Index + S&P 400 Index + Russell 2000 Index? Can't find this anywhere. Thanks for any help or ideas. 

- Fri Jul 15, 2016 10:45 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Can a teen's cash income fund a Roth ?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1765
Re: Can a teen's cash income fund a Roth ?
Great post by mhalley!! Documentation of the income is key here especially if it's cash. When; who paid it with specifics; for what sort of job. Also check out IRS website for more info. A Custodial Roth IRA can be opened at Schwab where you can invest in a Total US Stock Index or SP500 Index with a...
- Fri Jul 15, 2016 10:37 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: ROTH IRA Income Question
- Replies: 4
- Views: 740
Re: ROTH IRA Income Question
As long as it's earned income you can fund a Roth IRA. The money earned from gigs and tutoring would qualify. You will have to document this income though. If you are paid by a personal check, make a copy and keep it in a folder. If you are paid in cash, make a detailed record of the amount you were...
- Fri Jul 15, 2016 9:53 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Critique My Portfolio (age 26 for 2016 taxes)
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1066
Re: Critique My Portfolio (age 26 for 2016 taxes)
Everything looks fine. Shame the expense ratios in your 403(b) Plan are so high. A .41% ER for an SP500 Index fund seems quite outrageous. I have VIIIX in my 457 plan with a .02% ER for comparison. That said, you have a nice asset allocation. Best wishes.
- Wed Jul 13, 2016 9:29 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Any thoughts on REIT run up so far?
- Replies: 14
- Views: 3312
Any thoughts on REIT run up so far?
VNQ is +13.3% YTD. Is that due to foreseeable low interest rate environment after BREXIT vote? Investors chasing yield/dividends? Is there some fundamental that's driving this surge? Just wondering. I invest in the Total US Market Index, so I do have REIT exposure; I do not invest in an ETF or index...
- Tue Jun 28, 2016 10:08 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: When do YOU rebalance?
- Replies: 65
- Views: 8844
Re: When do YOU rebalance?
My 457 annually and automatically on January 2. My Roth IRA is in Vanguard Target 2035 so it rebalances on its own.
- Tue Jun 28, 2016 9:44 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: For those that "buy" during stock market downturns...
- Replies: 158
- Views: 14970
Re: For those that "buy" during stock market downturns...
I have a nice pile of cash on hand. I bought $10k of VXUS on Friday morning. I'll buy more if panic selling occurs over the next few weeks. I'll never trade it. Something for my 2 grandchildren and St Jude Children's Research Hospital 20 years down the road. VXUS is on sale. I understand it's market...
- Fri Jun 24, 2016 12:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Could John Bogle Be Right About International Stock?
- Replies: 222
- Views: 39946
Re: Could John Bogle Be Right About International Stock?
I'm like Billy Martin in the old Lite Beer commercial..."I feel strongly both ways." As we know, Mr. Bogle feels the SP500 and Total US Stock Index have a tremendous int'l footprint because so many of those companies sales occur overseas. A compelling argument. The rule of law is far more ...
- Fri Jun 24, 2016 5:24 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: International stocks in free fall
- Replies: 152
- Views: 23109
Re: International stocks in free fall
I'm buying VXUS today and in the following weeks when panic selling occurs. I'm not trading it...I'll hold it forever in my taxable account.
- Fri Jun 24, 2016 5:20 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Buying international ETFs today
- Replies: 2
- Views: 962
Re: Buying international ETFs today
I plan on doing exactly the same thing...but I'm not going to trade it. I'm buying because it's on sale this morning and I'll hold it forever. Because it's Friday, and the world is still digesting what Brexit actually means, the discounted price should be even more dramatic today. I'm buying VXUS fo...
- Thu Jun 23, 2016 1:29 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Advice for 401k plan. 31 years old. Thanks!
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1091
Re: Advice for 401k plan. 31 years old. Thanks!
Welcome to the forum! You are off to a great start. I like your 401(k) allocation very much; it's simple and very solid. Keep in mind the Total US Stock Index has a significant international footprint. You will find very strong opinions (both sides) on this forum as to whether an international alloc...
- Thu Jun 23, 2016 12:56 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: ~~ Help Choosing 401K Allocation ~~
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1834
Re: ~~ Help Choosing 401K Allocation ~~
Welcome to the forum! You came to the right place for advice. Here's my 2 bits. First come up with an asset allocation you are comfortable with that includes equities and bonds. That Blackrock target date fund is one stop shopping; it includes a mix of equities and bonds that becomes more conservati...
- Thu Jun 23, 2016 11:55 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Why are mid-caps doing so well for now?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1188
Why are mid-caps doing so well for now?
Mega-caps (SPY) are +3.09% YTD...Small-caps (IWM) are +3.45% YTD...while Mid-caps (MDY) are +8.26% YTD. Any thoughts on why mid-caps are currently doing so well? I'm quite pleased as the Mid-Cap 400 is part of my equity allocation in my 457 plan, but I can't figure it out.
- Fri Jul 12, 2013 9:35 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Can I replicate TSM with SP500, SP400 and Russell 2000?
- Replies: 1
- Views: 467
Re: Can I replicate TSM with SP500, SP400 and Russell 2000?
Never mind, I found it on Bogleheads Wiki "Approximating Total Stock Market". The recommendation is TSM = 86% SP500 + 14% Russell 2000. No parking spot for the SP400. Interesting. Oh well, thanks anyway. I suspect it's difficult to Frankenstein the TSM with funds that track competing indic...
- Fri Jul 12, 2013 8:37 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Can I replicate TSM with SP500, SP400 and Russell 2000?
- Replies: 1
- Views: 467
Can I replicate TSM with SP500, SP400 and Russell 2000?
My 457 plan recently added very low cost Northern Trust Index funds that track SP400 Index and Russell 2000 Index. I already use VIIIX as my sole equity holding in this plan. Can I replicate the Total US Stock Market with these 3 funds? What weighting? I tried searching the boards for the answer and...
- Thu Jul 11, 2013 12:15 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Anti-Boglehead book recommendations?
- Replies: 35
- Views: 5770
Re: Anti-Boglehead book recommendations?
Peter Lynch's, Beating the Street (1993)
Now that's an Anti-Boglehead title.
Now that's an Anti-Boglehead title.
- Thu Jul 11, 2013 10:35 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: US economy and Dow Transport Index
- Replies: 3
- Views: 481
US economy and Dow Transport Index
I listen closely to what Dr Bernanke says about our economy. I also listen, or read, whenever FOMC Governors or Reserve Bank Presidents speak about our economy. I respect their collective opinion. These are scholars that also have worked in the real world. Unemployment is 7.5% with concerns that the...
- Wed Jul 10, 2013 3:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Opening a Vanguard Taxable Account
- Replies: 3
- Views: 3427
Re: Opening a Vanguard Taxable Account
You are to be congratulated on your discipline in being able to save 55% of your income. Truly remarkable. I would not tap in to the checking account to invest in taxable TSM fund. I suspect the checking account is your emergency fund as well as your daily expense fund. I would get the checking acco...
- Wed Jul 03, 2013 1:16 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Merriman - Buffett is more myth than legend
- Replies: 21
- Views: 3508
Re: Merriman - Buffett is more myth than legend
Sorry Mr Merriman, you are very mistaken. Mr Buffet is a legend.
- Wed Jul 03, 2013 12:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Foreign stocks as a % of your stock asset allocation
- Replies: 61
- Views: 9840
Re: Foreign stocks as a % of your stock asset allocation
I'm comfortable with 15% international (35% VIIIX; 10% Russell 2000 Index; 10% VGSLX; 30% VBMPX). Still amazed that Mr Bogle sees no need for an international fund. He reasons the SP500 or TSM have enormous global footprints. In The Investor's Manifesto , Dr Bernstein advises against the World Index...
- Wed Jul 03, 2013 10:15 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: What was your worst investment?
- Replies: 100
- Views: 12229
Re: What was your worst investment?
In 1995, neighbor who was a stock broker advised me to dump Apple Computer and Walgreens stock and buy Callaway Golf and Motorola. It still hurts to think about it. Took a $20k haircut before I dumped ELY and MOT and got back into APPL and WAG. APPL and WAG have been wonderful to me, but due to my s...
- Tue Jul 02, 2013 12:18 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Danger in bond funds?
- Replies: 33
- Views: 3189
Re: Danger in bond funds?
Thanks to all for the informative responses and replies. Indeed, Mr Swedroe and Dr Bernstein have written about this very topic. I'll keep peeling away at the onion for a while. Best to all.
- Tue Jul 02, 2013 10:01 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Danger in bond funds?
- Replies: 33
- Views: 3189
Re: Danger in bond funds?
My only bond allocation is in my 457 plan: VBMPX. Would anybody suggest I break that up a bit?
- Tue Jul 02, 2013 9:22 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Danger in bond funds?
- Replies: 33
- Views: 3189
Danger in bond funds?
Newbie question here. The talking heads on CNBC and Bloomberg Radio incessantly rant that bonds are a terrible investment right now and a crash is coming. The problem is, they never explain why or how. Is the worry that when interest rates rise, a 10-year T-Note might yield 3% at a new auction; ther...
- Sat Mar 31, 2012 9:52 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: How would you advise the 3 MegaMillions winners?
- Replies: 34
- Views: 3483
How would you advise the 3 MegaMillions winners?
Apparently 3 tickets won in Maryland, Kansas, and Illinois. The $$$ probably must be invested in taxable accounts. What investments and what allocations? I fully understand some tax lawyers, CPAs, and CFPs might be stingy with advice on this board. Just wondering.
- Fri Jan 06, 2012 2:10 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: 19 (now 20 years old) 100% stocks AA review
- Replies: 52
- Views: 4721
Re: 19 (now 20 years old) 100% stocks AA review
Congrats on a very well thought out portfolio! Very solid fund choices and allocations. Wish I was in your financial shape 35 years ago. You need bonds, sorry. They really smooth out turbulence.
- Fri Jan 06, 2012 2:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: US stocks only
- Replies: 28
- Views: 2526
Re: US stocks only
Yes, mpt, there is a person...make that a genius...who only invests in US equity index funds. His initials are JOHN BOGLE.
- Tue Jan 03, 2012 10:01 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: How did Dow beat up on VOO and VTI?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1271
Re: How did Dow beat up on VOO and VTI?
Thanks for explaining the differences in outcomes.
- Tue Jan 03, 2012 7:34 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: How did Dow beat up on VOO and VTI?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1271
Re: How did Dow beat up on VOO and VTI?
I get that small caps and financials were a drag on VTI; but, SP500 Index is all mega-caps. More financials in VOO that were a drag? DIA just crushed VOO.
- Mon Jan 02, 2012 11:13 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: The Three-Fund Portfolio
- Replies: 3115
- Views: 1954759
Re: The Three Fund Portfolio
I like that golfallday. A 2-fund portfolio. Makes life simple although there is less "diversification" although as you say, US stocks now have half their earnings abroad and probably international stocks have half their earnings here. So it may be all a wash. At least I'm going that way. ...
- Mon Jan 02, 2012 10:17 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: The Three-Fund Portfolio
- Replies: 3115
- Views: 1954759
Re: The Three Fund Portfolio
Taylor. your post inspires confidence!! The only funds I use in my 457 plan are VIIIX and VBTIX; Mr Bogle's writings and discussions have thoroughly convinced me that the SP500 has an enormous international footprint. I use VTHRX in my IRA. When $$ is leftover at the end of month it goes to VTSMX in...
- Sat Dec 31, 2011 5:48 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Supplement portfolio with REIT Index?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1253
Re: Supplement portfolio with REIT Index?
Thank you for your kind replies. Happy and healthy 2012 to all...Cheers!!!
- Sat Dec 31, 2011 10:02 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Supplement portfolio with REIT Index?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1253
Supplement portfolio with REIT Index?
Very grateful for the help the members have given me on these boards. Everytime I visit the site, I learn something new....indeed, I'm an amateur at this. I use VIIIX and VBTIX in my 457 plan; I use VTHRX for my Roth IRA. (I try to keep it simple!) Total portfolio is currently 73% stocks and 27% bon...
- Fri Dec 30, 2011 11:01 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: How did Dow beat up on VOO and VTI?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1271
How did Dow beat up on VOO and VTI?
Looks like Dow Index is going to beat the hyper-diversified SP500 Index and Total US Index by almost 6%. What gives? Is it there are just many more banks in the latter 2 which was a huge drag? All 3 indexes have a substantial international footprint, so that can't account for the 6% difference. I kn...
- Fri Oct 14, 2011 2:54 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Whose portfolio has the lowest expense ratio?
- Replies: 30
- Views: 5363
- Wed Sep 28, 2011 8:00 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: No alarm by Bogleheads over Grecian debt crisis?
- Replies: 62
- Views: 7084
No alarm by Bogleheads over Grecian debt crisis?
Personally, I'm terrified about what will happen when Greece defaults on their soverign debt obligations. Very little transparency as to who those bondholders are and how much exposure US has to the worthless paper. Some alarmists see global runs on banks and SP500 tanking >50% when the floor-trapdo...
- Wed Jul 13, 2011 7:58 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: VSMAX (Small Cap fund) or VEXAX (Extended Mkt fund)?
- Replies: 14
- Views: 4850
- Wed Jul 13, 2011 7:05 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: VSMAX (Small Cap fund) or VEXAX (Extended Mkt fund)?
- Replies: 14
- Views: 4850
VSMAX (Small Cap fund) or VEXAX (Extended Mkt fund)?
Which do you prefer for a small cap allocation? These are Admiral Class funds with .17 and .16 ERs. Vanguard's Small Cap Growth and Small Cap Value funds don't offer Admiral shares.
- Wed Jun 29, 2011 2:28 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: 23 yr male / full-time / looking to max-out 401(k) + more
- Replies: 41
- Views: 3479
- Fri Apr 22, 2011 1:39 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: What would you do with 15m?
- Replies: 52
- Views: 8192
- Thu Apr 21, 2011 11:10 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Inflation Protected Bonds in Total Bond Index?
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1469
- Thu Apr 21, 2011 9:41 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Inflation Protected Bonds in Total Bond Index?
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1469
Inflation Protected Bonds in Total Bond Index?
Does the Total Bond Index have inflation protected bonds? Any rule of thumb as to what portion of bond portfolio should be dedicated to inflation protected bonds or is the Total Bond Index enough?
Thanks. Sorry if this has been discussed before; I have trouble narrowing my searches for some reason.
Thanks. Sorry if this has been discussed before; I have trouble narrowing my searches for some reason.
- Mon Mar 21, 2011 1:43 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: best way to use 200k gift?
- Replies: 28
- Views: 4043
The donor is responsible for paying federal Gift Tax. Certainly, the donee may agree to pay it. Great advice has been given. I'd invest it. Since it wll have to be invested in a taxable account, you might want to talk to some people at Vanguard. They'll come up with something that mitigates the tax ...
- Mon Mar 14, 2011 6:57 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: I am embarrassed and need a great deal of help
- Replies: 62
- Views: 9532
Wow! Great job saving. Call Vanguard; they will certainly formulate a plan consistent with your risk tolerance. In fact, they will RUN to the firepoles to help you considering the amout of $$ here. Wouldn't be surprised if one of the big-shots in Valley Forge ended up with the call. I agree that you...
- Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:20 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: how are you rebalancing your 401K?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 3635
- Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:07 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Total Market Index Funds--What experts say.
- Replies: 64
- Views: 12661
- Tue Mar 08, 2011 3:31 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Can mutual funds outperform the indexes?
- Replies: 45
- Views: 5942