Search found 9412 matches

by UpperNwGuy
Thu Mar 28, 2024 6:14 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity customer service: odd interaction re transaction fees; is this normal?
Replies: 4
Views: 114

Re: Fidelity customer service: odd interaction re transaction fees; is this normal?

Instead of selling VTSAX you should stop contributing to it and let the balance grow through market action and reinvested dividends. You should put all your new contributions into FSKAX. You will have two funds instead of one, but that's no big deal.
by UpperNwGuy
Thu Mar 28, 2024 6:09 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Thoughts on Dave Ramsey's Investments
Replies: 2
Views: 216

Re: Thoughts on Dave Ramsey's Investments

I think his strategy is flawed. All you need is a total US equity index fund and a total ex-US equity index fund. Those other categories are unnecessary slicing and dicing that could reduce your returns. His category names, by the way, reflect the names of specific investment products issued by American Funds. Those products have high expense ratios that will further reduce your returns.

Nobody gets the 10% that he talks about.
by UpperNwGuy
Thu Mar 28, 2024 4:18 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Career break to maximise time with kids?
Replies: 43
Views: 3128

Re: Career break to maximise time with kids?

You should not quit your job.

Your situation is no different from that faced by most parents. And most of the time at least one parent keeps working. Even if your current financial situation permits a break, that won't last forever, and your income will need to resume flowing to get the kids through high school and college. You've already admitted that once you get off the career train, you probably won't be able to get back on. So why take the risk?

Your kids are already in school. That means they are gone from the house for seven hours a day. Perhaps longer if there are after-school activities. You're not going to be with the kids during those times.
by UpperNwGuy
Thu Mar 28, 2024 3:58 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What happened to Vanguard's Portfolio Watch?
Replies: 14
Views: 1516

Re: What happened to Vanguard's Portfolio Watch?

You used to be able to define alternative portfolios that were subsets of your total holdings. I no longer see that feature. I used this feature less than two months ago when I did some rebalancing. I think you are referring to the ability to make custom groups. That function is still there; at least it is on my screen. Click on "Portfolio Watch." Are your custom groups displaying on the left side of the screen? Scroll to the bottom of that window and it should say "Account panel settings." If you don't see your custom groups, they might be hidden. Look to the left of where it says "Dashboard." There should be a black circle containing a black rectangle and a white rectangle. Click it to bring up your custom g...
by UpperNwGuy
Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: how to open paper milk carton "cleanly"?
Replies: 25
Views: 1675

Re: how to open paper milk carton "cleanly"?

My rule has always been: if the packaging frustrates me, I won't buy the product.
by UpperNwGuy
Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What happened to Vanguard's Portfolio Watch?
Replies: 14
Views: 1516

Re: What happened to Vanguard's Portfolio Watch?

livesoft wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 8:00 pm
UpperNwGuy wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 7:58 pm Seems like Vanguard has made changes to Portfolio Watch in the last few weeks. It has lost a lot of functionality. Has anyone else noticed?
Just now it seems the same to me as it has been for about 6 months or more.
You used to be able to define alternative portfolios that were subsets of your total holdings. I no longer see that feature. I used this feature less than two months ago when I did some rebalancing.
by UpperNwGuy
Wed Mar 27, 2024 7:58 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What happened to Vanguard's Portfolio Watch?
Replies: 14
Views: 1516

Re: What happened to Vanguard's Portfolio Watch?

Seems like Vanguard has made changes to Portfolio Watch in the last few weeks. It has lost a lot of functionality. Has anyone else noticed?
by UpperNwGuy
Wed Mar 27, 2024 6:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Which bank for checking account
Replies: 14
Views: 1020

Re: Which bank for checking account

I have checking accounts at multiple credit unions and at Schwab Bank. They're all good. I feel no need to consolidate.
by UpperNwGuy
Wed Mar 27, 2024 2:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite protein powder for shakes at home?
Replies: 75
Views: 3223

Re: Favorite protein powder for shakes at home?

CoAndy wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:07 am
UpperNwGuy wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2024 4:15 pm Why are you folk consuming protein shakes? Why not just eat more protein at meals?
It is very hard to get 200 grams of protein per day with just whole food sources. A shake with 50 grams of protein is very helpful, quick, and convenient.
Your answer, of course, gives rise to the logical follow-on question: why 200 grams of protein per day?
by UpperNwGuy
Tue Mar 26, 2024 4:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: US obligations not included in the 1099
Replies: 12
Views: 507

Re: US obligations not included in the 1099

HeelaMonster wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2024 4:16 pm
stevej wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2024 3:35 pm To the best of my knowledge the 49.3% of the Vanguard MMF invested in US obligations are not included in the 1099.
:confused I haven't seen anyone comment on this opening statement (so perhaps I am missing or misinterpreting something).... but I don't believe this is true? To my understanding, all dividends (including those from US govt obligations) ARE included on the 1099 because they are subject to federal income tax. They may or may not be subject to state income tax, as discussed in several replies.
Correct! 100% of VMFXX interest is included in the 1099. The portion related to USGO is not separately identified.
by UpperNwGuy
Tue Mar 26, 2024 4:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite protein powder for shakes at home?
Replies: 75
Views: 3223

Re: Favorite protein powder for shakes at home?

Why are you folk consuming protein shakes? Why not just eat more protein at meals?
by UpperNwGuy
Tue Mar 26, 2024 9:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity as a one stop shop
Replies: 6053
Views: 1036652

Re: Should I move it all to Fidelity?

I think you have a good arrangement now, so why change it? If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
by UpperNwGuy
Mon Mar 25, 2024 7:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors
Replies: 137
Views: 10168

Re: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors

I don't even have to attend a steak dinner to hear a presentation about annuities. One of my neighbors sells them, and he used to give me the hard sell whenever he would see me. It finally dawned on him that he was beating his head against a brick wall, and now we have normal conversations about daily life instead of sales pitches.
by UpperNwGuy
Mon Mar 25, 2024 6:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: QQQ Question
Replies: 49
Views: 2860

Re: QQQ Question

jonbkray wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 6:51 pm
retired@50 wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 6:49 pm
jonbkray wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 6:41 pm So, are you for or against adding it to a portfolio ?
QQQ is duplicative.

Everything in QQQ is already in VTSAX, and most of it is probably in FXAIX.

If you want to tilt your portfolio towards buying MORE tech, then use something like VGT.

Warning: Boglehead orthodoxy would suggest that you not do this. Owning the whole market (VTSAX) should be sufficient. Tilting toward a particular market sector doesn't always work out as one might hope.

Regards,
Thanks VGT is another option as well. Would this be a good addition, or should I stick with the VTSAX/FXAIX alone?
Stick with VTSAX and FXAIX.
by UpperNwGuy
Mon Mar 25, 2024 6:50 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Please help me organize the fixed income part of my portfolio
Replies: 130
Views: 8271

Re: Please hep me organise the fixed income part of my portfolio

retired@50 wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 6:23 pm
UpperNwGuy wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 4:19 pm
lakpr, please answer four questions:
1. How much did your Total Bond holding "lose" in 2022?
2. What portion of those "losses" did you recover in 2023 and YTD in 2024.
3. Were any of those losses "realized" or were they all "unrealized"?
4. When do you need to start withdrawing for your retirement?
viewtopic.php?p=7696248#p7696248

Regards,
I am familiar with the post to which your link leads. It does not answer all the questions.
by UpperNwGuy
Mon Mar 25, 2024 6:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Please help me organize the fixed income part of my portfolio
Replies: 130
Views: 8271

Re: Please hep me organise the fixed income part of my portfolio

While it is an error to recommend total bond as a 1-size-fits-all bond portfolio, it is at least as significant of an error to say that one needs a 7-year horizon to invest in any bond fund, regardless of duration. I think you are confusing the cause and symptom. The symptom (me rejecting bond funds) came about because of Total Bond Fund being peddled as one-size-fits-all for more than 13 years I have been on this forum (cause), and my annoyance began only in 2022, and progressed to distaste only in 2023. lakpr, please answer four questions: 1. How much did your Total Bond holding "lose" in 2022? 2. What portion of those "losses" did you recover in 2023 and YTD in 2024. 3. Were any of those losses "realized" o...
by UpperNwGuy
Mon Mar 25, 2024 4:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Please help me organize the fixed income part of my portfolio
Replies: 130
Views: 8271

Re: Please hep me organise the fixed income part of my portfolio

While it is an error to recommend total bond as a 1-size-fits-all bond portfolio, it is at least as significant of an error to say that one needs a 7-year horizon to invest in any bond fund, regardless of duration. I think you are confusing the cause and symptom. The symptom (me rejecting bond funds) came about because of Total Bond Fund being peddled as one-size-fits-all for more than 13 years I have been on this forum (cause), and my annoyance began only in 2022, and progressed to distaste only in 2023. lakpr, please answer four questions: 1. How much did your Total Bond holding "lose" in 2022? 2. What portion of those "losses" did you recover in 2023 and YTD in 2024. 3. Were any of those losses "realized" o...
by UpperNwGuy
Sun Mar 24, 2024 7:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [Urgent] New build | Closure in two days | Multiple issues - Suggestions
Replies: 17
Views: 1696

Re: [Urgent] New build | Closure in two days | Multiple issues - Suggestions

OP, do you have a buyer's agent? Do you have your own real estate attorney? If so, what are they advising you to do?
by UpperNwGuy
Sun Mar 24, 2024 5:47 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: short term munis acceptable?
Replies: 20
Views: 1401

Re: short term munis acceptable?

Thanks for the warning. Yeah I have never bought an individual muni. I have owned a state muni fund before and National muni fund. I’ll explore further. I’d prefer to not buy individual munis but was thinking if short-term (1-3 years) and I just hold until they mature there is no risk of loss as compared to a fund. While I prefer funds, I think with 10-20 munis with short duration I think risk is low so will purchase individual munis. You still haven't said why you want to purchase individual municipal bonds instead of a municipal bond fund. Have you ever purchased an individual municipal bond? It's a lot more complicated than buying a treasury bond, and you will be competing against professional municipal bond investors. Check out short-t...
by UpperNwGuy
Sun Mar 24, 2024 4:51 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: short term munis acceptable?
Replies: 20
Views: 1401

Re: short term munis acceptable?

boglebrain wrote: Sun Mar 24, 2024 4:31 am While I prefer funds, I think with 10-20 munis with short duration I think risk is low so will purchase individual munis.
You still haven't said why you want to purchase individual municipal bonds instead of a municipal bond fund.

Have you ever purchased an individual municipal bond? It's a lot more complicated than buying a treasury bond, and you will be competing against professional municipal bond investors.
by UpperNwGuy
Sat Mar 23, 2024 9:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Can I use copycat active ETF to do Tax-Loss Harvesting?
Replies: 13
Views: 857

Re: Can I use copycat active ETF to do Tax-Loss Harvesting?

They look like essentially the same fund with essentially the same performance (https://www.portfoliovisualizer.com/backtest-portfolio?s=y&sl=6OhEgtSwq4cGiSNFytIzLj). Their top 10 holdings are identical. I wouldn't want to defend them not being substantially identical - but wish the best of luck if you want to give it a go. but i see many people do tax loss harvesting using total stock market funds tracking different indexes. those funds also have the same top 10 holdings and their performances are also very similar. why is this allowed? Moving between total stock market funds usually means moving to a fund with a different index, a different fund manager, and a different fund company. Seems you want to move to a fund with the same man...
by UpperNwGuy
Sat Mar 23, 2024 7:31 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: VFWAX: 2023 1099-DIV reconciliation "increase to cost basis". what does this mean, exactly?
Replies: 39
Views: 5791

Re: VFWAX: 2023 1099-DIV reconciliation "increase to cost basis". what does this mean, exactly?

I had an "increase to cost basis" in my IXUS holding at Fidelity. It did not appear on any of the monthly statements for 2023, but it did appear on the year-end tax documents.
by UpperNwGuy
Sat Mar 23, 2024 6:21 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Looking for advice on unhappy experience in VG short term bond fund
Replies: 66
Views: 5582

Re: Looking for advice on unhappy experience in VG short term bond fund

OP, when do you need the money? What the fund does between now and then is not relevant.
by UpperNwGuy
Sat Mar 23, 2024 6:15 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why did Treasury MMFs change their holdings before the debt limit scare?
Replies: 12
Views: 998

Re: Why did Treasury MMFs change their holdings before the debt limit scare?

If the repo holdings in SNSXX is an issue for you, check out how the holdings of VUSXX changed during that same period. SNSXX looks very conservative compared to the amount of repos in VUSXX? And VUSXX is viewed as the best of Vanguard's money market funds by most Bogleheads.
by UpperNwGuy
Sat Mar 23, 2024 4:15 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why did Treasury MMFs change their holdings before the debt limit scare?
Replies: 12
Views: 998

Re: Why did Treasury MMFs change their holdings before the debt limit scare?

CarefullyCarele$$ wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 3:03 pm I saw that they suddenly switch up their mix of holdings in May 2023, right before the debt limit scare — largely eliminating pure treasury debt, and switching instead to a mix of either repos or govt agency debt or both. And then once the debt limit has been raised in June 2023, they go back to their usual mix of holdings.
How did this affect your 2023 tax returns?
by UpperNwGuy
Sat Mar 23, 2024 4:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Supermarket pizza - any good ones? Any great ones?
Replies: 174
Views: 16174

Re: Supermarket pizza - any good ones? Any great ones?

SmileyFace wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 3:57 pm
biscuit5 wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 3:15 pm What's with no cardboard circle with some frozen pizzas? I feel cheated.
I hear you.
The brand I buy used to have a cardboard circle but dropped it at some point in the last few months. I liked using the circle to slip it in the oven on a preheated stone. Now I risk injury
Which brand?
by UpperNwGuy
Thu Mar 21, 2024 10:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you tip hotel staff when checking out?
Replies: 145
Views: 6928

Re: Do you tip hotel staff when checking out?

whodidntante wrote: Thu Mar 21, 2024 5:49 pm I normally do not bother checking out. Maybe if I'm in the app anyway.
"You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave...."
by UpperNwGuy
Thu Mar 21, 2024 10:12 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Do you hold Canada fund because it is missing in your international stock fund?
Replies: 21
Views: 1814

Re: Do you hold Canada fund because it is missing in your international stock fund?

For Vanguard mutual funds, you usually have to have a Vanguard brokerage account to buy them without transaction fees. For Vangaurd ETFs, they are not suitable for people who are too busy to place trades while their brokerage accounts do not provide auto-purchase service. I see most international stock mutual funds still track MSCI EAFE Index, so I think Canada is probably underweight in global stock market. How many trades do you want to place that being too buy to place trades is a problem? I buy my international equity ETFs about four times a year. You are incorrect in saying that most international stock market funds track the MSCI EAFE index. MSCI EAFE is a developed markets index, not a total international index. Why are you limiting...
by UpperNwGuy
Thu Mar 21, 2024 10:01 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Courage to Invest in Equities
Replies: 57
Views: 4509

Re: Courage to Invest in Equities

Claudia Whitten wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2024 3:46 pm I will add to previous posts in this way: invest using a low-cost index mutual fund rather than an ETF. ETFs or anything that trades constantly during the day can scare you into selling into volatility.
Did you personally own ETFs and panic-sell them because of mid-day stock market results?

If not, do you personally know anyone who has done that?

My portfolio is exclusively ETFs, and I have never sold any of them because of what was going on in the market. Not only that, I don't know anyone who has.

Just because John Bogle said that this *could* happen doesn't mean that it does happen. Let's not perpetuate this false narrative about the dangers of ETFs.
by UpperNwGuy
Thu Mar 21, 2024 9:33 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VNQ vs VGSLX
Replies: 2
Views: 255

Re: VNQ vs VGSLX

They are the exact same fund. The fund has multiple share classes, one an ETF and the other a traditional mutual fund.
by UpperNwGuy
Wed Mar 20, 2024 10:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 40 Minutes to Connect in DFW
Replies: 61
Views: 4655

Re: 40 Minutes to Connect in DFW

lthenderson wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2024 9:26 am I find that if I have less than an hour between flights, my checked bags won't make it. I've lost my luggage several times at DFW, always due to short connection times.
This is important.
by UpperNwGuy
Wed Mar 20, 2024 10:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Largest banks with worst rates....?
Replies: 33
Views: 1805

Re: Largest banks with worst rates....?

The large banks retain customers because: 1. Safety deposit boxes. For some bizarre reason many people think they need one. 2. Ability to walk into a local brick and mortar branch and talk to a banker. 3. The prestige factor ("I bank with JPMorganChase and my guy there takes care of my needs.") 4. The hassle of changing banks and setting up all the direct deposits, bill pays, and brokerage links. 5. People assume that a savings account must have a decent interest rate, but they fail to check to see if it is true. 6. People like to use special services like wiring money or getting medallion guarantees. I'm sure there are more reasons that others can add to this list. As for me, I haven't had an account at a commercial bank since 20...
by UpperNwGuy
Wed Mar 20, 2024 4:45 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Active fund for international equity allocation?
Replies: 34
Views: 2605

Re: Active fund for international equity allocation?

OP, have you investigated ex-China emerging markets funds? There are quite a few.

Have you investigated an India equity fund?
by UpperNwGuy
Mon Mar 18, 2024 5:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: NYC This Year or Wait? Has it sufficiently recovered from Covid?
Replies: 54
Views: 4713

Re: NYC This Year or Wait? Has it sufficiently recovered from Covid?

Valuethinker wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 4:49 am It's always time to go to New York.

Even in the 1970s and 1980s, when the City was deeply troubled and unbelievably squalid compared to now, New York was special.

New York is the city of the 20th Century. Maybe the greatest city of the mid 20th century. It retains that sheer, full on, zest for life - even now.
These words were written in the true New York spirit!
by UpperNwGuy
Sun Mar 17, 2024 7:36 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Access to Morningstar's X-ray?
Replies: 16
Views: 1636

Re: Access to Morningstar's X-ray?

Why do you want access? I see no value there. Just ask your questions here.
by UpperNwGuy
Sun Mar 17, 2024 7:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare: Getting Part A and D only
Replies: 89
Views: 4985

Re: Medicare: Getting Part A and D only

I'm kicking this around. I know I'm not getting any younger and may change my mind, but for most of the years of my life, I've gone to a Dr once a year, for a physical. Typical Dr office costs are in the $200-400 range (a physical would probably be somewhat more). I'd pay more per year in just a few months of Part B. Thoughts? Too risky? Too something else I'm not thinking of? For most of my adult life I went to my primary care physician every five years and to an optometrist every 3-5 years. That was the extent of my interactions with the medical community. When I reached age 65 I considered not enrolling in Part B. My then 95 year old father sat me down and walked me through his medical bills and my late mother's medical bills. Part B wa...
by UpperNwGuy
Sun Mar 17, 2024 7:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: NYC This Year or Wait? Has it sufficiently recovered from Covid?
Replies: 54
Views: 4713

Re: NYC This Year or Wait? Has it sufficiently recovered from Covid?

Two weeks seems like it might be too long a visit. Why not go for one week? If you like it, you can return the following year for another week. The only cost difference between one two-week trip and two one-week trips is the extra airfare.
by UpperNwGuy
Sun Mar 17, 2024 9:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions around Dulles-IAD Arrival
Replies: 16
Views: 1640

Re: Suggestions around Dulles-IAD Arrival

As soon as you clear customs, take an Uber from Dulles to one of the hotels around BWI. Use that hotel as your base of operations while hanging out in nearby Ellicott City. Fly home from BWI.

You do not want to spend the night near Dulles and then deal with the morning rush hour traffic from Dulles to BWI. That would be painful in the extreme. Get to BWI that same night.
by UpperNwGuy
Sun Mar 17, 2024 5:56 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Bond Investing
Replies: 21
Views: 3022

Re: Bond Investing

lakpr wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 2:42 pm
LarryDavid wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 12:11 pm Can you help me understand this statement better: "If you value safety in your "fixed income" and not see it evaporate 13% (intermediate term bond fund) to 30% (long term bond fund), stick to I-bonds."

What are the percentages?
Those are the losses experienced by Total Bond fund and Long Term Treasury Bond fund, respectively, in 2022.
But if you extend your analysis to include 2023 as well as 2022, how did those funds do?
by UpperNwGuy
Sat Mar 16, 2024 10:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I buy a $3k camera lens or get a cheaper lens instead?
Replies: 25
Views: 1688

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

Go for the best lens. You will be a happier photographer. If you go for second best you will wish you had spent the extra money.
by UpperNwGuy
Sat Mar 16, 2024 9:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Am I Only One Who Hates Having Left Over Pennies
Replies: 53
Views: 4496

Re: Am I Only One Who Hates Having Left Over Pennies

It does not bother me in the least to have loose change in my settlement fund. The amount is nearly always less than $100, and that's an insignificant amount compared to my overall portfolio.

The fact that so many people seem bothered by loose change in their settlement funds actually worries me, because it tells me that many of the members of our forum have irrational obsessions.
by UpperNwGuy
Sat Mar 16, 2024 9:24 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Solicitation From Advisor--Privacy of Account
Replies: 16
Views: 1583

Re: Solicitation From Advisor--Privacy of Account

I have brokerage accounts at Fidelity, Vanguard, and Schwab. I keep all my funds invested. My settlement fund rarely has more than $100 in it. Nobody from the brokerages ever calls me.
by UpperNwGuy
Fri Mar 15, 2024 9:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where to keep emergency funds?
Replies: 23
Views: 2477

Re: Where to keep emergency funds?

Tdubs wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 9:44 pm If you can tolerate the 1-year lockup, how about I bonds? 1.3% real return right now.
That one year lockup is an absolute deal breaker for me. I will not use Series I Bonds for my emergency fund.
by UpperNwGuy
Fri Mar 15, 2024 3:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Student loan "refinance" with credit card balance balance transfer?
Replies: 15
Views: 900

Re: Student loan "refinance" with credit card balance balance transfer?

mhadden1 wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 3:55 pm
tashnewbie wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 3:45 pm At most you're looking at $1000 interest rate arbitrage, before taxes. After taxes, you'll have what? Maybe $700.
I do this kind of thing when it suits me, and I get a favorable CC offer. I don't care about my credit score, and it does go down when I get new credit cards etc, but it seems to bob right back up. I like to get $700. I realize that for many people, $700 is just rounding error, not worth stopping the car if it blows out the window.
If you don't care about your credit score, then you can chase after $700. Most of us do care about our credit scores, and most of us consider $700 to be a small amount compared to our portfolio value.
by UpperNwGuy
Fri Mar 15, 2024 3:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Student loan "refinance" with credit card balance balance transfer?
Replies: 15
Views: 900

Re: Student loan "refinance" with credit card balance balance transfer?

YoungDoc88 wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 3:18 pm I didn't think about lowering my credit, that's a good point. Does it lower it more than have a student loan debt?
Yes.
by UpperNwGuy
Thu Mar 14, 2024 6:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: how to disable "See results closer to you?" - Chrome
Replies: 25
Views: 2265

Re: how to disable "See results closer to you?" - Chrome

Seems likely that Google rolled out a new money-making feature two weeks ago.
by UpperNwGuy
Wed Mar 13, 2024 9:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mental health or Money: navigating the OMY question
Replies: 48
Views: 4968

Re: Mental health or Money: navigating the OMY question

frugalecon wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2024 12:10 pm The responsible thing is just to suck it up for 52 more weeks (a period during which I will have 63 days of vacation and holidays available to me, plus my 7+ months of accrued sick leave). But mentally I have made the shift and am just done. What would you do in my shoes?
Suck it up for 52 more weeks.
by UpperNwGuy
Wed Mar 13, 2024 6:32 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What Platforms are DIY Investors Using to Manage Portfolio
Replies: 26
Views: 2667

Re: What Platforms are DIY Investors Using to Manage Portfolio

I use Fidelity, Vanguard, and Schwab brokerage accounts for my self-managed portfolio. I don't own mutual funds, only ETFs that I can own anywhere for no cost. It doesn't get any easier or any cheaper than this.