Search found 28 matches

by Savio
Sun May 27, 2018 10:28 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: GEICO auto rates vs. USAA: too good to be true?
Replies: 210
Views: 59956

Re: GEICO auto rates vs. USAA: too good to be true?

I'm AD military. Just ran quotes with Geico and USAA and they were about the same.

Sticking with USAA.
by Savio
Sun May 27, 2018 10:24 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Military Equity/Bond Allocation
Replies: 6
Views: 1009

Re: Military Equity/Bond Allocation

Your pension is "safe" money.

So if you are going to err on any side, err on the side of taking more risk/return with your investments.

Stay 90% or higher in equities your entire life.
by Savio
Wed May 16, 2018 3:56 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Would you be willing to temporarily change your AA?
Replies: 54
Views: 4821

Re: Would you be willing to temporarily change your AA?

My answer to the original question is....

YES!

I follow most of the BH advice. My asset allocation is 80/20 favoring stocks. The next time we lose 40-50% equities values, I will sell all of my bonds and buy diversified stocks.

I imagine doing this no more often than once every 10 years or so.

Doesn't matter if you find the exact bottom. As long as you get some gains, it should be good.
by Savio
Fri Apr 27, 2018 5:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 300k vs 500k house?
Replies: 32
Views: 6474

Re: 300k vs 500k house?

Financially, I can't imagine that buying the bigger house would be better. It is almost certain to be the worse financial choice.

But not every decision is ruled by financial "goodness".

If you and your family want the bigger house, then that should be the decider. If we all made the "right" financial decision about houses, we'd all live in tiny homes probably and we likely wouldn't be as happy.
by Savio
Fri Apr 27, 2018 5:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Extended Warranty for Honda Odyssey - worth it?
Replies: 23
Views: 12170

Re: Extended Warranty for Honda Odyssey - worth it?

My rule of thumb:

Q: "Should I buy the extended warranty for..."
A: "NO"

In pretty much every case.
by Savio
Sat Mar 03, 2018 1:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What UN-frugal thing do you do? What do you splurge on?]
Replies: 785
Views: 82861

Re: What UN-frugal thing do you do?

1. Skiing
2. About to buy a new car (instead of used)
3. ....and a new minivan
by Savio
Sat Mar 03, 2018 1:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New vehicle research
Replies: 48
Views: 5254

Re: New vehicle research

Why not a Honda Accord?

I've been doing my own research and on virtually every review the Accord > Camry.
Both good cars but the Accord drives better, has better interior, and integrates with your phone (CarPlay or Android Auto). Basically the Accord wins on just about every feature in almost every review.

Honda did really well with their recent Civic and Accord reboots.
by Savio
Sat Mar 03, 2018 1:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Thinking of getting an Apple Watch
Replies: 82
Views: 11754

Re: Thinking of getting an Apple Watch

I have series 2 (has GPS and is waterproof).

I was skeptical before getting it, but I could never do without it now. Love it.

Series 2 is great. If you run at all outside or want to feel safe around water, get series 2.

Only useful change on Series 3 is that it tracks altitude (for hikers).
by Savio
Fri Mar 02, 2018 5:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: GI Bill transfer to dependents
Replies: 5
Views: 1078

Re: GI Bill transfer to dependents

My understanding is that you have to have completed 6 years of active duty service. Then you can transfer the benefits and incur another 4 year ADSC which can be served concurrently with any other ADSC.

So no matter what, you gotta be in for 10 years at least if you wanna transfer benefits.

But if you want to transfer until you are at 7 years, then you have to serve 11 years if you wanna transfer benefits.
by Savio
Sun Feb 25, 2018 4:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's your cash position
Replies: 155
Views: 30223

Re: What's your cash position

I have ~25% as cash, but only because I have 2 car purchases and a downpayment I will be making in the next 6 months. Otherwise I would not keep more than $15-20k just for emergency fund.
by Savio
Wed Feb 21, 2018 4:02 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: The Age Old Question: Invest or Pay Down Student Loans
Replies: 8
Views: 1114

Re: The Age Old Question: Invest or Pay Down Student Loans

The power of compound interest works in your favor when investing and against you with debt.

Paying off 6% loan is financially the same as buying a 0 risk investment that will return 6%.

Since there is nowhere where you could find such a fantastic investment, I'd say pay off those loans. When they are gone, then start investing.

https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Priorit ... nvestments
by Savio
Wed Feb 21, 2018 3:57 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: <gulp> Expensive mistake
Replies: 56
Views: 11975

Re: <gulp> Expensive mistake

You should track all of your accounts on Personal Capital. You should know what 100% of your money is doing and where it is.

PC makes that SUPER easy. No point in waiting for quarterly statements.

Don't let something like this happen again. Take control of your own money and be its master.
by Savio
Wed Feb 21, 2018 3:52 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Three Fund Portfolio Excluding TSP?
Replies: 28
Views: 3884

Re: Three Fund Portfolio Excluding TSP?

RamblinDoc wrote: Tue Feb 13, 2018 9:48 am If most or all of bonds are in the TSP, would you suggest a 50:50 of F:G? I’ve seen that in other threads.
I am doing almost exactly what you are doing as described the OP.

I don't have anything in F because we are almost surely going to be in a rising interest rate environment for the next few years. After they have risen for a while, I will probably go 50:50.

So for now, I have only G fund.

I have bond funds in the my other accounts so I figure that I might as well take advantage of the free lunch of the G fund in the TSP. You can't get that anywhere else.
by Savio
Sat Feb 17, 2018 12:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What big item (>20k) are you saving up for?
Replies: 159
Views: 19946

Re: What big item (>20k) are you saving up for?

In the next 6 months, I will:

1. Buy a house

2. Buy a new minivan

3. Buy a car (possibly new)

4. Fully furnish the house

It's gonna cost a pretty penny. Luckily, I've been planning for it for several years.
by Savio
Sat Feb 17, 2018 12:23 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bberg: bond bulls say they'll have the last laugh
Replies: 16
Views: 2709

Re: Bberg: bond bulls say they'll have the last laugh

I worry about inflation eventually because that is 1 way to get rid of debt (especially national debt): inflate it away.
by Savio
Thu Jan 25, 2018 4:50 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Share your net worth progression
Replies: 4273
Views: 1072394

Re: Share your net worth progression

2012 - $16,101
2013 - $58,480
2014 - $85,778
2015 - $123,016
2016 - $245,449
2017 - $344,355
by Savio
Mon Jan 08, 2018 10:19 am
Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
Topic: Help me understand question-less financial status (e.g. "2 comma club") threads.
Replies: 175
Views: 22596

Re: Help me understand question-less financial status (e.g. "2 comma club") threads.

Please allow these threads. They are fun and enjoyable.

I am young and an early investor and I enjoy reading success stories. It motivates me.
by Savio
Mon Dec 18, 2017 10:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mentally loosening the strings
Replies: 36
Views: 4993

Re: Mentally loosening the strings

I've been a practicing physician since 2011 and it still irks me to pay $10/hr for babysitting so we just never go out. :)

My wife still shops at thrift stores for the kids and many of my socks have holes in them.
I know where you are coming from.

We are starting to loosen up though. Talking about it helps and also reminding myself that my savings goal has been met and not allowing myself to save anymore helps.
by Savio
Thu Dec 07, 2017 8:16 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Invest or pay off mortgage?
Replies: 77
Views: 14709

Re: Invest or pay off mortgage?

Admiral wrote: Fri Dec 01, 2017 8:47 am
Savio wrote: Fri Dec 01, 2017 8:25 am My personal plan is that if the market has been doing very well (which is has), then I will put my extra money into my mortgage.

If the market has been tanking, then I will put the extra into buying more stock every month. Eventually you will hit the bottom and enjoy the additional gains of the recovery.

No reason you can't change your strategy based on what is going on. Especially since both options are good.
So your plan is to time the markets, and you'll know when the bottom is, and when the top occurs? That's rarely a good plan.
Partially. I"ll always be adding funds to the market regardless of market conditions. Just like I will always be making a mortgage payment.

The extra is what I am talking about.
by Savio
Fri Dec 01, 2017 8:25 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Invest or pay off mortgage?
Replies: 77
Views: 14709

Re: Invest or pay off mortgage?

My personal plan is that if the market has been doing very well (which is has), then I will put my extra money into my mortgage.

If the market has been tanking, then I will put the extra into buying more stock every month. Eventually you will hit the bottom and enjoy the additional gains of the recovery.

No reason you can't change your strategy based on what is going on. Especially since both options are good.
by Savio
Mon Nov 20, 2017 10:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Better credit or larger downpayment?
Replies: 18
Views: 2520

Re: Better credit or larger downpayment?

Thank you everyone for the additional response. I have a lot to think about.

I think I will speak with a mortgage broker and see what their advice is (since I don't know who my lender will be yet).
by Savio
Fri Nov 17, 2017 6:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Better credit or larger downpayment?
Replies: 18
Views: 2520

Re: Better credit or larger downpayment?

That said, I would also be sensitive if the vehicle loan is 0.00% from the dealer. One aspect we learned during the application process and have a much better appreciation for is the power of cash. There is an old saying and for good reason "cash is king". Keep building your cash reserves. Thanks. I am leaning toward going ahead and financing the vehicle IF we get a really good finance offer (I am hoping for 0%). I have good cash reserves, but if I don't buy the vehicle up front then I can keep it invested and hopefully continue to get a return on it while I pay 0% or very low interest rate on the car loan. I am thinking that the car loan is unlikely to hurt my mortgage rate because I should still look very safe to any lending in...
by Savio
Sun Nov 12, 2017 6:42 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Better credit or larger downpayment?
Replies: 18
Views: 2520

Re: Better credit or larger downpayment?

grabiner wrote: Fri Nov 10, 2017 11:14 pm (You do not want to pay off the car loan before buying your house, as closing the car loan may hurt your credit score.)
I had not heard that closing a car loan could hurt my credit score. I thought that it would make my credit score better because I would have a lower credit utilization %.

Can you elaborate on this?

Thanks again.
by Savio
Tue Nov 07, 2017 6:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Better credit or larger downpayment?
Replies: 18
Views: 2520

Re: Better credit or larger downpayment?

To add a few more details:

1. My choice on how much house to buy will be totally determined by personal preference rather than by bank-imposed limitation. I won't be buying a house as expensive and I know I could qualify for.
2. I am returning to my home town which is where I want to live and where I want to care for my aging parents so I will live there minimum of 20 years and possibly more.
3. If my employment didn't work out, I would get another job in the same town. As a physician in an underserved field, I can pick my town first and find ample employment opportunities.

What I don't want to have happen is that I get aa 3.1% mortgage when I could have gotten a 2.9% mortgage if I hadn't had any debt on the books.
by Savio
Tue Nov 07, 2017 6:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Better credit or larger downpayment?
Replies: 18
Views: 2520

Re: Better credit or larger downpayment?

Katietsu wrote: Mon Nov 06, 2017 10:27 am I do not see any difference in the rate you will receive between the two plans.

Thank you for your response. My concern is that I have read several articles warning about purchasing a car before a house. Even a minuscule change to the interest rate on the house will come out to thousands of dollars more in total payments over the life of the mortgage.

"Unfortunately, auto loans will affect your ability to purchase a house no matter how big or small the loan is."
http://blog.credit.com/2014/06/dont-put ... use-84409/

That is 1 article but I have read several others with similar warnings.
by Savio
Mon Nov 06, 2017 5:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Term Life - Time to cancel?
Replies: 33
Views: 4977

Re: Term Life - Time to cancel?

You are talking about Whole Life insurance. Term Life is much cheaper, and the payout doesn't change and it doesn't give you a dividend.

2 completely different things.

Better start by just getting acquainted with what Whole Life is and if you want to use it at all. I only use Term Life and I will let it expire once I have enough for my family to survive on.

I don't plan on ever using Whole Life.
by Savio
Mon Nov 06, 2017 2:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Better credit or larger downpayment?
Replies: 18
Views: 2520

Re: Better credit or larger downpayment?

I have a $15k emergency fund which I will be expanding to $20k when I go back to the States.

I haven't been out of the States long. I'm in the military and am on a 3 year assignment overseas. Readjusting shouldn't be an issue but there will be a lot of up-front costs.

As far as why we are buying a house, it is personal life choices. We are well set up to buy one, we will likely get a 15-year mortgage and pay it off fast. I will likely be getting out of the military and working as a physician so my income is very secure. So we are in the situation where we can take on some risk (such as home ownership). I am not sacrificing my retirement savings because I max my 401k and 2 Roth IRAs every year.

Plus, the wife wants a house.
by Savio
Sun Nov 05, 2017 6:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Better credit or larger downpayment?
Replies: 18
Views: 2520

Better credit or larger downpayment?

I have ~$150k in non-retirement savings. I will soon be moving back to the States and will need to purchase: 1. A first home (price range ~$400k to $500k) 2. 2 vehicles (1 new minivan and 1 used commuter car) 3. Completely furnish the house from nothing (I own almost nothing--will need bed, couches, everything) My estimated credit rating is 814 and I am very careful about keeping it high. My goal: Get the lowest interest rate on the house as I can, but not necessarily pay it off as fast as I can (I can keep the excess invested). My question: Should I purchase the new minivan (~$35k) outright and then give a 20% downpayment on the house? or Should I finance the new minivan and make a larger downpayment? ...in order to get a lower interest ra...