Search found 470 matches

by aspirit
Sat Aug 10, 2019 8:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Checking credit card statements
Replies: 52
Views: 3909

Re: Checking credit card statements

tc101 wrote: Sat Aug 10, 2019 12:08 pm I used to only use a credit card for online purchases, gas, and large purchases. Then I

How important is it to check your statement line by line? Is there much fraud or phony charges? How closely do check?
I routinely find errors. :moneybag
by aspirit
Sat Aug 10, 2019 4:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Are you a "solo ager?"
Replies: 133
Views: 22468

Re: Are you a "solo ager?"

This links input might be helpful.
"Economic theory states that full employment and low inflation cannot coexist".

http://www.oncoursefp.com/files/Vectors ... 0final.pdf

Good Luck!
by aspirit
Sat Aug 10, 2019 2:13 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "When Vanguard's Retirement Income Calculator Stopped Making Sense"
Replies: 23
Views: 5103

Re: "When Vanguard's Retirement Income Calculator Stopped Making Sense"

I support your VWR(variablewithdrawalrate) hypothesis that makes so much sense, anything else is foolhardy imho.

Say one has a withdrawal rate of inflation + 1% starting at 70yrs old.
Why take it if you do not need it!
An RMD?
Redistribute it if necessary, but to spend just "because" does not compute.
I'd suspect savers save instinctively. :oops: .

There's academia's/professionals theoretical scientific algorithms and then theres real life.
Remember LTCM? The odds its algorithmic approach would fail were( iirc ) 1 x 10 to the 24th power.
Your inputs always insightful TL!
Good Luck!
by aspirit
Fri Aug 09, 2019 7:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pretty much broke --- what would you advise?
Replies: 85
Views: 11383

Re: Pretty much broke --- what would you advise?

(they would also, no doubt, be terrified if there was a drop in equities and would lock in their losses) From the psychological angle, they should get a 1-fund portfolio that doesn't split out stocks and bonds. Again, in 2008, there was only a 6.29% loss for holding a 30% stock and 70% bond portfolio. Hardly the kind of terror-inducing loss that leads people to liquidate accounts and head for the hills. I've read statistics shmistirics. :P From 2007 to 2009, the crashes worst days were near 3/06-11/09. There was over a 50% downturn in the SP500, a tighter TSM barometer. Of that I'm sure. A downturn of over 50% of the TSM = 30% of your indexed equites. That equates to over 15%, plus BOND-FI downturns. So, I'd guess 20-25%. Good luck! Housin...
by aspirit
Fri Aug 09, 2019 5:50 pm
Forum: Spain
Topic: Retirement - Spain or Portugal?
Replies: 55
Views: 25952

Re: Retirement - Spain or Portugal?

I recall numerous white collar financial criminals preferred waiting out there 7yr statute of limitations in Portugal in the 80s, same populace, different tax terms. imho.
Good Luck!
by aspirit
Fri Aug 09, 2019 5:22 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Real Risk In Bond Funds
Replies: 18
Views: 3353

Re: The Real Risk In Bond Funds

Leesbro63 wrote: Fri Aug 09, 2019 4:56 pm In the just released September issue of Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, there is a "Reader Feedback" letter on page 8 titled "The Real Risk in Bonds". The author says he's puzzled why financial writers never seem to address how bond funds "really" operate by extensively trading bonds. He claims that some funds have a 1000% turnover and that even Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Fund (VBLIX) has an annual turn over of 53%.

Is this true? And if so is this risky? And if so why has this not been a frequent topic of discussion here and on other financial forums. Are we missing something?
https://investor.vanguard.com/mutual-fu ... file/VBLIX :oops:
Thats LT Bonds.
Review the link. Good Luck!
by aspirit
Fri Aug 09, 2019 7:24 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What to do with my money
Replies: 10
Views: 1732

Re: What to do with my money

sjt wrote: Fri Aug 09, 2019 6:49 am viewtopic.php?f=22&t=261282&p=4163494#p4163494

In your previous post, you stated that you're mid 40's. Before I suggest anything, I'm interested in how you managed to become younger.
umfan11244 wrote: Fri Aug 09, 2019 7:21 am In a previous post he also stated that he would be 68 when his wife is 60, making them 8 years apart versus the 12 years he claims now.

Yeah, that both discounts & makes everything posted suspect.
Good luck though.
by aspirit
Thu Aug 08, 2019 10:02 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Should I start indexing NOW in current Market?
Replies: 33
Views: 5617

Re: Should I start indexing NOW in current Market?

A31YO male teacher, meet bob:
https://awealthofcommonsense.com/2014/0 ... ket-timer/

Im surprised it was not offered up sooner!
:P slackers! :P

7% fixed is outstanding as a fixed income(BOND), not variable(STOCK), income option.
Stay home and accumulate funds,..& stay focused.
bck63 wrote: Thu Aug 08, 2019 8:20 pm
Rick Ferri wrote: Tue Jul 16, 2019 6:31 am
Johnbnice wrote: Mon Jul 15, 2019 11:06 pm I’m 31 years old, a teacher.
Today's market will look cheap when your 65.

Rick Ferri



I'm 55. Hoping the same goes for ten years from now.
Thats unlikely, 34 yrs vs 10yrs is the time varying metric, as you realize I'm sure.
10yrs is sometime even an unadvised period and speculative for stocks.
Good luck!
by aspirit
Tue Aug 06, 2019 6:45 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "When Will Smart Beta Be Smart?"
Replies: 28
Views: 3026

Re: "When Will Smart Beta Be Smart?"

nedsaid wrote: Tue Aug 06, 2019 4:20 pm I am not aware that Small Value is a crowded trade. Any evidence to support this? I did have a discussion with Rick Ferri over this in another thread.
Its certainly a well analyzed indexed tilting option,.. no?

I've read of many 3 fund OPs adding a XX% (over 9%) SCV positions.
Not that that's anything other than a long term investors pure speculation.
I've no evidence you cannot find nedsaid.

I'd speculate even Taylor and other known participants on this site would agree that SCV has been beaten to death as a primary tilting option v.s say any other 'sector' to bet on outside a TSM/TBM positioning.
/shrug/
by aspirit
Tue Aug 06, 2019 2:59 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "When Will Smart Beta Be Smart?"
Replies: 28
Views: 3026

Re: "When Will Smart Beta Be Smart?"

vineviz wrote: Tue Aug 06, 2019 1:04 pm
Taylor Larimore wrote: Tue Aug 06, 2019 12:57 pm Bogleheads:

Allan Roth has published an article about "Smart Beta" beating the market. These are quotes:
Would it be impolite to ask when Allan Roth will understand "Smart Beta"?
I too believe it's a nothing other than a marketing tool.
Evidently you do not.
:happy Good luck & have a great day!
by aspirit
Tue Aug 06, 2019 1:09 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "4 Financial Worries to Cross Off Your List"
Replies: 21
Views: 5039

Re: "4 Financial Worries to Cross Off Your List"

Whenever Roth taxation gets mentioned, I just roll my eyes. It would essentially break a huge part of the retirement system and result in a net reduction of revenue over decades after it was introduced. People would adapt and put more money into 401k's, tIRA's, and HSA's and suck up near and intermediate term revenue. It would affect the high income, high saving boglehead crowd, but only about 13% of 401k plans are maxed out. RMDs may be a lot more likely. I would be surprised if there weren't RMDs on Roth IRAs at some point. +1 :oops: The more people roll over, as they so often do, being the herd creatures most are, the more likely things like this are to be considered on a legislative level. You started your ROTHS to prepare for what? To...
by aspirit
Mon Aug 05, 2019 7:56 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard brokerage account transition
Replies: 237
Views: 35998

Re: VG pop-up: “Your Account Needs to be Transitioned”

I'm putting it off as long a possible for several reasons: *The brokerage account doesn't allow us to automatically invest dividends from one fund to another like we currently do in the Mutual Fund accounts. In the brokerage account, dividends would have to be deposited into the cash account first, then I would have to manually purchase shares in the new fund the next day or later, depending on if funds go to a settlement fund firs, then cash. Majority of our portfolios are in taxable accounts, not tax-deferred. *Since i am the agent on several family member's account, we will be required to submit new paperwork for each member to continue on the brokerage account. Pain in the patootie. *Brokerage account 1099 is available much later than ...
by aspirit
Sun Aug 04, 2019 6:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Financial anxiety and next steps in relationship
Replies: 102
Views: 9854

Re: Financial anxiety and next steps in relationship

Cyclesafe wrote: Sun Aug 04, 2019 5:20 pm Your business. But you're committing financial hara-kiri here.

Together, the present combination of your finances is awful, but you're also planning an imminent purchase of a house and immediately having children. There is absolutely no positive financial spin to put on this.

[OT comments removed by admin LadyGeek]
I somewhat concur.
Maybe your part of her new plan, maybe not :D .
See what I did there?

Heres an prior thread to read.
viewtopic.php?t=81790&start=100.

Good luck!
by aspirit
Sun Aug 04, 2019 5:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How many Years of Medical History/Records should a Patient Save?
Replies: 60
Views: 4133

Re: How many Years of Medical History/Records should a Patient Save?

How would you care for & record a 100million dollar racehorses care?
by aspirit
Sat Aug 03, 2019 4:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Companies not sending bills
Replies: 14
Views: 1461

Re: Companies not sending bills

bluebolt wrote: Sat Aug 03, 2019 11:58 am I think your theory that a company would stop sending bills /ie modify billing in order to generate more revenue is flawed.
I do not think its flawed, but that's me. :wink:

Comcast was doing this as a primary provider yrs back / https://www.doughroller.net/smart-spend ... s-forever/
Plus they bill you 1 month+ before for their service. No thx!

I've read&watched John Perkins DocuDrama" 'EconomicHitMan' series also.
Become complacent and legally scammed if you like.
by aspirit
Fri Aug 02, 2019 9:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11150
Views: 2085692

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

On utube Fall of Empires: Rome vs USA Multi-9 episode series by Mike Maloney.

Questions like these are discussed. :thumbsup :happy

The quality of a society is directly proportional to quality of its money?
Debasement of currency leads to demise of empires ?
Currency enthusiast will like it.

Additional movies:
"The 4 Horsemen" by Renegade inc. on UTube.
"The History of Money" by Niall Ferguson on Utube both are informative.

Good luck!
by aspirit
Tue Jul 30, 2019 10:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank asks for photo ID for beneficiary: is this normal?
Replies: 23
Views: 3511

Re: Bank asks for photo ID for beneficiary: is this normal?

Dottie57 wrote: Tue Jul 30, 2019 10:28 am
mptfan wrote: Tue Jul 30, 2019 10:16 am
Cheyenne wrote: Tue Jul 30, 2019 8:39 am
...I've set up a couple of accounts in the last year and I was not asked for a photo ID
+1
+2 I have set up beneficiaries and have not been asked for photo ID, or ID of any kind.
+3

I set up beneficiaries on the banks online site.
+4 :happy I said I was going to move my money eleswhere and they quickly changed their tune! Amazing how that worked. :happy

It's ridiculous, the more whoops you jump through the more they will institute. :P
by aspirit
Sun Jul 28, 2019 3:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11150
Views: 2085692

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

0n Netflix: The Great Hack :(2019) a documentary and an analysis of the data available & its online influence in todays world.

"About an online populations personal psychological profile of feelings and reactions" via Cambridge analytica's online Brexit analysis & its psychological outcome via surveys and data points.

A main theme in the movie is "How much data is freely available online", much of it via peoples personal input.

Very interesting, imo.
by aspirit
Tue Jul 23, 2019 8:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7650
Views: 1723872

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

John Perkins (EHM) Economic Hitman series. He's written a couple offerings along similar themes, all worth reading imo.
Good Luck!

I've read david99's suggestion above also (Prostrate hoax) and endorse his ideas about the PSA controversies.
Very interesting indeed.
by aspirit
Mon Jul 22, 2019 4:39 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: we need much less money to retire
Replies: 50
Views: 8255

Re: we need much less money to retire

Twenty+ years from now it might be common place for many to spend on self-driving autos, 'eons better health care after initial traumas, etc. and what else has become the norm since twenty or thirty years ago. That all costs extra money. Then theres inflationary considerations. :moneybag

Good luck to you!
by aspirit
Sun Jul 21, 2019 10:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Financial Movies and Shows
Replies: 80
Views: 9063

Re: Financial Movies and Shows

LEGENDS OF TRADING, the story of Jesse Livermore’s life on utube 20min presentation. There’s a multiple of his short stories....interesting imo. :happy
by aspirit
Sat Jul 20, 2019 6:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Insurance for Horse farm
Replies: 5
Views: 671

Re: Insurance for Horse farm

Horse farming/boarding always had special tax treatment. I'd explore it w/the insurance query. https://www.horsecouncil.org/wp-content ... 2018-1.pdf

Good Luck!
by aspirit
Sat Jul 20, 2019 3:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What do I need to know about becoming a teacher in California?
Replies: 32
Views: 4368

Re: What do I need to know about becoming a teacher in California?

An upper echelon public school teachers union representative I know constantly bemoans that teaching anything outside the current curriculums party line is immediately suppressed. School doctrine only or teachers are sanctioned & if it continues fired! Teaching or thinking outside the box is not allowed.
Good luck!
by aspirit
Wed Jul 17, 2019 4:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fiat money vs Gold Standard
Replies: 62
Views: 21917

Re: Fiat money vs Gold Standard

Why are we reviving a 12 year old thread? New folks, seems this OPs reading older wisdom filled posts and not just asking about the same old thing, actually using the search box in the upper right corner condensing their inquiries? Did not sscritic exit into Korean soaps partly because of same old questions on BHs.org? :shock: Whats that give/teach a man to fish dogma. Aristocracy.= The 1%ers or entertainment celebrities acting* like the 1%ers :wink: Bureaucracy.= Contacting the RMV/DMV, IRS, SSA or a States D.O.Revenue or similar operations. Places, usually .gov run where you have to go to 1,1.5, 2, then 3, etc. to ultimately get to your goal* of 10 seems like an appropriate analogy. Capitalist class= some upper middle class folks. An Est...
by aspirit
Tue Jul 16, 2019 7:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buying a home; Very HCOL Area
Replies: 40
Views: 5429

Re: Buying a home; Very HCOL Area

From the tone of your OP, not directly addressing your inquiry,
I'd suggest that you read the free sample of writing in this book w/its AMZN kindle sample offering,.... or more if you like its tone.

Book: "How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World" : A Handbook for Personal Liberty by Harry Browne.

Conforming to an artifical "American Dream" as you describe can be costly :moneybag .
Good Luck....

Best2U...
by aspirit
Fri Jul 12, 2019 6:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I Buy a Motorcycle?
Replies: 59
Views: 5816

Re: Should I Buy a Motorcycle?

Heres a true story. In the NewEngland area you could get a MC Lic. @ 15 in the 70s. I know a kid that rode his MC to H.S. in the snow. A couple H.S kids actually. Dirt bikes, ..why not right? Going to cape cod there's always sand on the sides of the roads, in one of his first accidents street tires transferring to sand creates unexpected issues, an accident ensued. He went over the guard rail and down 4 stories, was in a coma 3months, & given last rites and less than 50/50 odds of survival. He had numerous accidents 15-20yrs old. He had Honda's & Kawasaki's, a KZ1k was the largest street bike, & always paid cash. These days he's no longer able to ride MCs, and prefers HP modified vehicles. If you're in a densely populated enviro...
by aspirit
Thu Jul 11, 2019 5:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7650
Views: 1723872

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

Additional "Harry Browne" literature, he's plausible, pragmatic, and timeless. imho. :happy
by aspirit
Mon Jun 24, 2019 1:07 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Dollar General
Replies: 26
Views: 3322

Re: Dollar General

This looks spent* imo/. https://www.google.com/search?client=sa ... 8&oe=UTF-8

It's doubled (70-140) in the last 2yrs!

Have you heard of the new "5Below", as in, Under5bucks stores?
I'd stick to indexing or LT sector bets.
Good luck!
by aspirit
Sun Jun 23, 2019 6:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Minimizing financial risk in case of disability
Replies: 12
Views: 1587

Re: Minimizing financial risk in case of disability

Was discussing insurance with wife recently and she asked "what happened if you're disabled, either physically or suffering from serious health issue (i.e. cancer)"? That got me thinking...I think I have most bases covered (term life, umbrella, retirement savings). But the worse case scenario for her and children would be a serious health problem leading to loss of job and high medical expenses. My question to fellow BH is, besides social security, are they any other products/insurance/"things to do in advance" to mitigate this "worse case" risk? I just checked and social security says it will pay out $2500/month in case of disability. Although that is very nice, it is definitely not sufficient. Also, COBRA I ...
by aspirit
Sat Jun 22, 2019 10:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11150
Views: 2085692

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

Unfair: Exposing the IRS by Judd Saul. W/AMZN prime its free.
by aspirit
Sat Jun 22, 2019 7:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Frugal or cheap?
Replies: 106
Views: 10780

Re: Frugal or cheap?

jebmke wrote: Sat Jun 22, 2019 5:45 pm
aspirit wrote: Sat Jun 22, 2019 4:49 pm Sure, :annoyed "happy wife - happy life" :annoyed is a foolish maxim that's as outdated as horse & buggy.
along with "the wife"

I have never heard myself referred to as "the husband"
I've heard both sexes refer to each others significant other in endearingly deprecating terms when in groups of the same sex. Like locker room talk. :wink: Thats life!


PS, additionally to inquiry, it does not sound optimally profitable.
GOOD LUCK!
by aspirit
Sat Jun 22, 2019 7:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone knew the answer where the money is
Replies: 29
Views: 5274

Re: Anyone knew the answer where the money is

I've had many versions of this experience over the years, maybe half a dozen times, maybe ten. The thing that's troubling is that the front-line people, the people who talk to you on the phone, have never known and never succeeded in finding out "where the money is." So they fob you off by inventing some period of time, and saying "should be there before the end of the week." I don't think they know. The worst case involved a transfer, at Fidelity, from my Fidelity-managed 401(k) to my Fidelity rollover IRA. And it took three weeks. Each time, the rep (different one each time) would say "Oh, yes, I see where the problem is. OK, I've taken care of it. You should see it before the end of the week, if you don't please...
by aspirit
Sat Jun 22, 2019 4:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Frugal or cheap?
Replies: 106
Views: 10780

Re: Frugal or cheap?

Wife and I have steady stable income of 235k combined. We are 32 and were diligent to pay off our 180k home in 6 years. We have been working for 9 years and have 430k in retirement accounts and 180k in a brokerage account. Wife wants to do a 100k addition to our home. I am struggling to spend as we have been focused on saving. Is this crazy or am I crossing past frugal and becoming too much of a tight wad? Appreciate advice and thoughts In my opinion, you can certainly spend the 100k on your house. "happy wife - happy life" Sure, :annoyed "happy wife - happy life" :annoyed is a foolish maxim that's as outdated as horse & buggy. As dm200 points out, if you wife is clueless, ..you should be also. I'd suspect that cont...
by aspirit
Thu Jun 20, 2019 8:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7650
Views: 1723872

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

"The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins. I liked it and other similar unconventional viewpoints.

There is a YouTube presentation also. I liked the book better.
Good Luck!
by aspirit
Thu Jun 20, 2019 8:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to ensure POA is acting in best interest of grantor?
Replies: 77
Views: 8155

Re: How to ensure POA is acting in best interest of grantor?

The other 3 siblings have become increasingly concerned because of things that have occurred in past, such as POA putting herself on account as joint owner with mom, and apparently not disclosing all the accounts that mom had. (The planner agreed with us that was not needed, since she had POA.) But more recently, while sister suggests there is no money in budget for some items such as home maintenance, at the same time that I see charges of 2-5,000 on mom's account for expenses that appear to be vacation expenses for sister. Given the circumstances as you've described, I find it worrisome your sister has placed herself as a joint owner on your mother's bank account and, presumably, other undisclosed bank accounts. As a joint owner, it is m...
by aspirit
Wed Jun 19, 2019 5:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11150
Views: 2085692

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

abuss368 wrote: Mon Jun 17, 2019 10:11 pm “Vice” on Hulu. Enjoyed it.
I'd second abuss368 w/ "Vice" w/Christen Bale as VP Cheney, it was great presentation imo.

As well as Niall Fergusons (Money & Banking 1*& 2*) as well as his other presentations including a "Hidden .gov Related Networks" movie about operations like Fannie & Freddie, & The Fed.etc. Fergusons opinions seem forthright & plausible.
by aspirit
Tue Jun 18, 2019 4:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to ensure POA is acting in best interest of grantor?
Replies: 77
Views: 8155

Re: How to ensure POA is acting in best interest of grantor?

FIREchief wrote: Tue Jun 18, 2019 3:55 pm I once read that giving a person POA is the same as giving them the legal right to steal from you.
Yes,.. yes it is.

And the legal systems no help at all.
Good luck!

PS, I've seen it more than once.
It's also been used by famlies to relieve elder individuals of their funds to qualify for medicaid nursing homes also.

Look back period,.. shmook back period.., I even notified the MA.states medicaid fraud dept. w/canceled checks over 50k.
:annoyed They shrug it off and do not pursue it.
by aspirit
Mon Jun 17, 2019 7:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Extend MacBook Battery Life by plugging in as much as possible?
Replies: 49
Views: 5447

Re: Extend MacBook Battery Life by plugging in as much as possible?

Keeping one of mine plugged in its needed a battery once since 2011 to 2019.
Under 500 cycles. I believe it extends the life of the battery.
Keeping it "mostly'' plugged in.
Good luck!
by aspirit
Sun Jun 16, 2019 8:04 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How have your homes as investments done?
Replies: 211
Views: 28016

Re: How have your homes as investments done?

JonnyDVM wrote: Fri Jun 14, 2019 12:36 pm I’m kind of surprised more bogleheads weren’t able to capitalize on the must depressed real estate prices in generations.
I recall traditional 2 to 6 families, needing finishing work, going for 15k/20k in Bostons suburbs like Brookline, Hyde Park, West Roxbury, Roslindale area of Ma. in the 70s.
by aspirit
Sun Jun 16, 2019 4:48 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: John Bogle gives tips for life on Father’s Day
Replies: 20
Views: 4630

Re: John Bogle gives tips for life on Father’s Day

Underscore this nugget from Jack in the article: “And never forget the important role of luck in your life. Never, never, never, never say, ‘I did it all myself.’ Nobody does it all themselves. And when somebody has the temerity to tell me they did, I say to them: ‘That’s wonderful. I’m not sure I’ve ever met anybody who did it all themselves, but could I ask you one question: How did you arrange to be born in the United States of America?’ Ain’t no such thing as a self-made man. Or woman. I'm impressed by this description. I was impressed, of course, by his business success — titan of finance, sheriff of Wall Street — and his many accomplishments and contributions. But I admired him because of his character, because he was militantly hone...
by aspirit
Sat Jun 15, 2019 12:20 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "John C. Bogle Quotes" by Rick Van Ness"
Replies: 7
Views: 1134

Re: "John C. Bogle Quotes" by Rick Van Ness"

Great info as always, I'd add I've read Rick's 2014 "Why Bother with Bonds" book a time or two and found its insights quite compelling sparking my interest in state specific construction bonds.

Heres a link for this sites AMZN purchase methodology. The book is a modest 5bucks. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Bogleheads+r ... nb_sb_noss
by aspirit
Fri Jun 14, 2019 11:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: my physical therepy collect upfront of $30 even i have medicare insurance
Replies: 11
Views: 1929

Re: my physical therepy collect upfront of $30 even i have medicare insurance

Speciality cosmetic / hospital affiliated / hand&foot extremities dr. I know only takes cash.

Terms are different.
by aspirit
Fri Jun 14, 2019 5:02 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How safe are pensions in the U.S.?
Replies: 87
Views: 12093

Re: How safe are pensions in the U.S.?

Public sector pensions are not protected by PBGC. Their relative security varies widely, depending on the location and whether it is a city, county, or state pension. There are several examples of places where promises outstrip the localities ability to pay since they can only raise taxes so far. Detroit springs to mind, as does California since CALPERS got in trouble back in the Great Recession. But this varies a lot by location. The NC public pension fund was recently ranked 3rd strongest in the country at 93.9% funding which compares favorably with many private company pension's funding rates. In addition to the localities "ability to pay", which as you indicate is really their ability to tax, there may be differences in the a...
by aspirit
Thu Jun 13, 2019 6:27 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How Bad was 2008, really?
Replies: 407
Views: 64137

Re: How Bad was 2008, really?

How bad? Citibank from $50 went to 99 cents, bad. Neighbors who were doctors were abandoning their homes bad. Everyday I was losing more money in the market than I was earning bad. I had no motivation to work. Scary times, but it was a great opportunity hindsight. Both parent companies trade on the New York Stock Exchange, but CIT Bank has a ticker symbol of CIT and Citigroup has a ticker symbol of C. It's complex. My C shares, common stock purchased in 2008 became worthless in 2009. I received the notice. Bankruptcy reorganization. Thats why the winners re-write history. Thats what happened no matter what the internet's recording of history says. Believe what you want. I saw AIG go to .33-.36 cents. I no longer hold single equites.
by aspirit
Thu Jun 13, 2019 5:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which car to buy?
Replies: 29
Views: 3278

Re: Which car to buy?

OP, What does your sex have to do with the decision to waste money on purchasing new? Curious how that justification works? I recommend worrying about a new car when you hit 150k miles otherwise just splurge on what will bring you the most joy that you can afford to buy in cash. No further justification necessary if you can afford it. hmm...thinking about data, odds, and historically speaking, the majority of females in the USA know less about autos than the majority of males. Correct? Not to ignore reality. Some buy cars for joy as you say, others for other reasons like transportation, reliability, prestige?, or many other particularities like they like the color. New autos usually have warranties covering this, that, or everything bumper...
by aspirit
Tue Jun 11, 2019 6:48 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Do Fidelity Offices/Advisors Add Value?
Replies: 88
Views: 8933

Re: Do Fidelity Offices/Advisors Add Value?

FinTruth wrote: Tue Jun 11, 2019 3:25 pm I visited the local Fidelity office once (5 minutes from my home). I went in to ask for their offerings for fixed income. To me that meant CD's, Bonds, etc. To the advisor, that somehow was interpreted as an opportunity for a sales pitch for their advisory services. I have no idea how he made the connection. I have never returned.
And you expected otherwise from a uncompensated fiduciary ? Walking in off the street and all?

Should you have been his "client" you might have received other advice, ...but maybe not.
by aspirit
Mon Jun 10, 2019 6:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anything you wish you had spent money on when you were younger?
Replies: 73
Views: 8943

Re: Anything you wish you had spent money on when you were younger?

Another travel lament. In college, I had an opportunity to go to China with a good friend who is Chinese. My friends who went were able to see the country in a way I could not hope to now even if I had the time for a multi-week trip. Instead, I went home for the summer to work for $10/hr :oops: Same here. Last summer in college I had a chance to stay in France all summer for free if I could get myself there. Mom (who has never been out of the country, even now) said, you can't afford that, so I worked at a gas station all summer. My mother gave me some pretty cr@ppy advice when I was young, at one point advising me to enlist in the military. Just a warning to any young people on here. You should consider "that's all she knew". Pe...
by aspirit
Sun Jun 09, 2019 6:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5993
Views: 699604

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

"Whistleblowers" :happy Fri nites.
by aspirit
Sat Jun 08, 2019 1:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tell us your side hustle success stories.
Replies: 73
Views: 13057

Re: Tell us your side hustle success stories.

No ones actually going to disclose their "magic". Heres why. :oops: "No matter how good you are, if what you’re doing is very profitable, others will copy you and will be “good enough” to impinge on your game. Which is why the best investments are those with moats – companies that are so good at something that their abilities and assets literally act as a barrier to those who would follow and imitate. These competitive advantages you build won’t necessarily keep crowds off the mountain trail, but if you can build them to be formidable enough, they should dissuade enough of the horde to follow other trails elsewhere." I've heard of friends kids that made millions selling gourmet food internationally. You do not really thi...