Search found 61 matches

by chuck h
Sat Jul 18, 2015 9:37 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The "No Bonds" portfolio
Replies: 100
Views: 28321

Re: The "No Bonds" portfolio

I have asked the same question a few times without an answer. Has anyone considered a defined maturity corporate bonds ETF ladder? Two companies, Guggenheim and iShares offer them. Having been in Vanguards Money Market fund in an IRA with a considerable amount for the past year because of the threat of rising interest rates, I recently built a bond ladder using the Guggenheim and IShares defined maturity bond ETF's from 2017 through 2020. My 4 ETF's (2 Bulletshares and 2 IShares) have equal investment amounts and I have calculated that they will return approximately 3.25% per year in the aggregate after subtracting out the small premiums I paid. I realize this return will be diminished somewhat in the year each ETF matures as individual bo...
by chuck h
Sat Jun 27, 2015 9:14 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What ratio are you stocks/bonds and how old are you?
Replies: 449
Views: 96092

Re: What ratio are you stocks/bonds and how old are you?

Age 68, retired for 6 years living on SS and Pension. Just rebalanced to 45% stocks, 55% cash, muni's and stable value.
by chuck h
Sat Mar 14, 2015 10:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What won't you pay with Credit Card?
Replies: 77
Views: 19655

Re: What won't you pay with Credit Card?

I was in a dollar store today and purchased an item for $1.00 plus 6% Pa sales tax or $1.06. Was going to hand the cashier 2 one dollar bills, but then realized that I do not want 94 cents in cash in my pocket, so I swiped my credit card to make the purchase.
by chuck h
Sat Feb 28, 2015 8:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How long will I l live? (mortality predictor)
Replies: 17
Views: 3085

Re: How long will I l live? (mortality predictor)

Had to laugh out loud when it asked me if I wanted to add my projected date of death to my calendar.....
by chuck h
Sat Jan 31, 2015 8:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good Wines
Replies: 54
Views: 8349

Re: Good Wines

I enjoy a red blend made by Marietta of California called Old Vine Red for about $12 a bottle
by chuck h
Sat Jan 17, 2015 9:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Retirees: Do you work part-time for pay?
Replies: 58
Views: 9067

Re: Retirees: Do you work part-time for pay?

Retired from finance and accounting 6+ yrs ago at age 62. Now I drive a delivery van on Tuesdays for beer money that is not needed, serve as a caregiver to a disabled sister on Wednesdays and Fridays to help her from avoiding a nursing home, prepare 30 or so tax returns for free for friends and family every year, and meet with fellow retirees and friends in-between for many social events.
My life is much fuller than when I worked 40 hr per week for my employer and I could never go back to the grind of working full time. I actually look forward to a day of the week when I have nothing to do.
Bottom line, for me it is not about the money working part time in retirement, but about helping others and maintaining a social presence.
by chuck h
Sat Jan 03, 2015 9:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Car is Best?
Replies: 73
Views: 9688

Re: What Car is Best?

Purchased a 2014 Honda Accord 6 months ago, replacing my 12 yr old Accord with 175,000 miles on it. Only repair on the previous Accord was a new starter. New Accord is much more technologically advanced, fun to drive and expect it to last 10 years when I will probably buy a new Accord, if things remain the same. Checked out a Honda Accord Hybrid, but calculated that it would be 8 years to recover the purchase premium using gas at $5/gallon.
by chuck h
Sat Jan 11, 2014 8:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Have you ever used your credit card's warranty extension?
Replies: 27
Views: 6149

Re: Have you ever used your credit card's warranty extension

My recent experience with a broken iPhone was almost too easy. I contacted AMEX about my phone with a cracked screen 30 days after purchase. They looked up my purchase in my account and a week later credited my account with the full purchase price. They never asked for any documentation or paperwork of any kind. A week after they reimbursed me, I purchased a new phone for a few dollars less.
by chuck h
Mon Jan 06, 2014 6:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What states offer online tax preparation?
Replies: 15
Views: 2223

Re: What states offer online tax preparation?

I have used PA's e-filing process the past few years. It is easy to use.
by chuck h
Sat Oct 05, 2013 9:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How did you/your child pay for college?
Replies: 151
Views: 15597

Re: How did you/your child pay for college?

For my education, my parents paid for me at a small private college in the 60's. I used the GI Bill in the 70's to obtains a masters degree.

My 2 boys went to ivy schools in the 90's where I paid most of the costs and they took out maximum loans. They paid for their graduate degrees.
by chuck h
Sat Aug 17, 2013 8:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: International Cell Phone for Vacation?
Replies: 23
Views: 2074

Re: International Cell Phone for Vacation?

I used ATT's International plan for phone calls and data usage for 3 weeks in Europe last fall. Infrequent calls cost $1/minute and was worth the hassle of not getting a cell phone there.
by chuck h
Sat Apr 06, 2013 6:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Traveling to Europe for the first time...need help!
Replies: 67
Views: 17881

Re: Traveling to Europe for the first time...need help!

I went with 2 friends for 3 weeks across Europe from Paris a few months ago and stayed in Salzburg for 3 nights. We had a rental car for the trip and drove to Berchtesgaden, about 15 miles away, and toured the Eagles nest one day. This was in late October and there was 3 inches of snow on the ground on the mountain; if the weather is too bad, the buses will not go to the Eagles nest. There is not a lot to see at the Eagles nest in the way of artifacts, etc, but the views from on top are spectacular. Down at ground level the area is very picturesque as someone mentioned previously. Our stay in Salzburg was one of the highlights of our trip. We were lodged in a 2 bedroom fully furnished apartment (about 125 euros per night) located on the opp...
by chuck h
Sat Jan 05, 2013 7:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: H & R Block Tax Software on sale
Replies: 30
Views: 5997

H & R Block Tax Software on sale

There is a one day sale of H&R Block tax software at Amazon. I just purchased the H&R Block Deluxe + State for 21.99, which is normally about $44.
It is on sale at this price only today.
by chuck h
Mon Jan 23, 2012 1:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Have you received your SS 1099?
Replies: 10
Views: 1276

Re: Have you received your SS 1099?

Mine came in today's mail.
by chuck h
Wed Nov 16, 2011 10:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Amerisave/refi
Replies: 6
Views: 888

Re: Amerisave/refi

I just finished an Amerisave refinance at 3 1/4% for 10 years.
The good faith estimate turned out to be slightly higher than
The actual closing costs. Very happy with the process and it was
very painless. A person came to my house for closing to
Sign all the documents. She explained everything and gave me
Several helpful hints. The only downside I can see is that they
Sell all of their mortgages.....I just received an email today
Stating that my new mortgage bank is Bank of America.
by chuck h
Mon Jul 11, 2011 10:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Question on taxes on income of a Living trust after death
Replies: 3
Views: 651

Everything is in the trust which is now terminating. The successor trustee is also the executor of the estate.
Also, even though the income and the 1099's from the annuity companies were issued after her death, the annuity income was actually earned up to her date of death and not afterward. Would that have any bearing on this issue?
Thank you .
by chuck h
Mon Jul 11, 2011 9:04 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Question on taxes on income of a Living trust after death
Replies: 3
Views: 651

Question on taxes on income of a Living trust after death

My mother passed away in June 2010. The beneficiaries of her estate are my 2 sons and I. She lived about 1500 miles from me and the executor of her estate is a friend of hers and an insurance salesperson. All of her assets are inside of a Living Trust. My question relates to her income tax filing for 2010. I am in the process of preparing it and noted that there are 3 Form 1099R's for the cashing in of 3 annuities after her death with about 12k of income reported on the 1099's. In addition there is a sale of a mutual fund which resulted in a loss, again after her death. From my reading and research, I believe the transactions that occurred after her death (but in the same tax year) should be included in a fiduciary tax return (Form 1041). C...
by chuck h
Wed Jun 01, 2011 7:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Another Question on Tipping
Replies: 11
Views: 6766

Another Question on Tipping

We recently had an interior designer plan and design furniture arrangements and accessories for a living room. We purchased the items she suggested from the store which employs her. She did an excellent job and spent a bit of time on the design and in our living room. She listened to our needs and also told us what not to purchase from her.
We are very happy with the final results and grateful for her effort.
My question is, do we give her a tip for her excellent service? I am guessing that her commission was probably 10% of the $20k we spent on furniture, etc.
If you agree on the tip, how much should it be and should it be in cash or a gift card to a nice restaurant?
Thanks in advance for your opinions.
by chuck h
Sat Apr 23, 2011 10:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Average age of all household cars for bogleheads........
Replies: 105
Views: 13461

2003 Honda Accord with 130k miles
2008 BMW Z-4 (summer car)
by chuck h
Sun Feb 20, 2011 7:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mint.com
Replies: 75
Views: 17606

I have used Mint for all my accounts, including Vanguard, for several years and really like not having to go to all my accounts individually for balances, credit card charges, etc, which saves a tremendous amount of time.

Also, they have a very good Iphone app to check things when I am traveling.
by chuck h
Wed Jan 05, 2011 8:32 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 2011 BOGLEHEAD CONTEST REGISTRATION
Replies: 374
Views: 44260

1379
by chuck h
Mon Aug 30, 2010 8:49 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What do you REALLY do about the Prospectus?
Replies: 45
Views: 5067

If I told my non-financial thinking friends that I read a prospectus before I invest in something, they would probably think that I am weird.
It is comforting to know, after reading some of the responses, that I am not as strange as I thought I was......
by chuck h
Sun Aug 29, 2010 9:03 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 457, Self directed option?
Replies: 3
Views: 1902

PA offers the Schwab option in their 457 plan. I used it with some success when I was employed. Since retiring a year and a half ago, I have maintained the account with Schwab. Our investment choices in the Schwab account are limited to the mutual funds that they offer.....no stocks or ETF's.
by chuck h
Mon Jul 19, 2010 6:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Retirement planning books?
Replies: 14
Views: 2465

Before I retired, I enjoyed reading "How to Retire Happy, Wild and Free" by Ernie Zelinski, a practical and humorous non-financial book.
He also is the author of "The Joy of Not Working".
by chuck h
Mon Jun 14, 2010 2:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Government Pension Plan Resources
Replies: 2
Views: 830

Below is a link to a study done by the Pew Center on the under funded state retirement systems:

http://downloads.pewcenteronthestates.o ... _final.pdf
by chuck h
Mon Mar 22, 2010 8:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Poll for males: How often do you get a haircut?
Replies: 52
Views: 8118

My hair style could be called a reverse mohawk and feel that barbers should give a discount to their bald customers.

Mine charges $15, plus tip, and I go every 2 months.
by chuck h
Wed Mar 17, 2010 10:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What do you think about townhome living?
Replies: 28
Views: 5307

In the past year I purchased a single family home and moved from the townhouse I rented for several reasons, one of which was the lady next door who always sang in the shower. It might have been OK through the paper thin walls, but she could not carry a tune.....
by chuck h
Fri Mar 05, 2010 7:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Formula One
Replies: 135
Views: 21154

I have watched F1, but prefer WRC.

The HDT channel will broadcast the WRC this year.
by chuck h
Mon Mar 01, 2010 6:59 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Which stock broker are you using and why?
Replies: 43
Views: 6971

Scottrade---$7 a trade for stocks and ETF's
by chuck h
Wed Feb 24, 2010 8:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What mysteries get solved by living a long time?
Replies: 138
Views: 21637

My favorite quote is from Mickey Mantle who said, "If I knew I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself".
by chuck h
Tue Feb 23, 2010 12:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HR Block (TaxCut) 2009 has major bugs - BEWARE
Replies: 11
Views: 3064

I prepared a return for a friend who had education credits using H&R Block and the Form 8863 populated correctly.

Let us know what you hear from H&R Block on your issue.
by chuck h
Sat Feb 13, 2010 8:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bird feeding, gardening and the simple pleasures
Replies: 49
Views: 6446

Note to those who think living in the country is a piece of cake. All of the above mentioned woodpeckers have on occasion chosen to drill into our house when in the mood to do so looking for bugs or food.
I live in a developed area and have a downey woodpecker come every spring to "drum" on my spouting and gutters at 6 AM. He does this as part of the mating process to identify his territory and to let his mate know where he is. At 6 AM, he is not a welcome guest.
by chuck h
Tue Feb 02, 2010 2:37 pm
Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
Topic: Cached Version of Bogleheads.org appearing
Replies: 8
Views: 2387

I don't have this problem and my browser is Firefox 3.6
by chuck h
Sun Jan 31, 2010 4:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [Poll] Do you have all your 1099s, W-2s, etc.?
Replies: 71
Views: 16304

Waiting for a 1099 from Scottrade. Their website indicates that the 1099's for the sale of ETF's in 2009, which I did, will not be mailed until February 15th.
by chuck h
Fri Jan 29, 2010 1:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: PBS-Frontline…”The Card Game”
Replies: 27
Views: 4787

It is funny how our perception of credit has changed over time...

My aunt and uncle, who were very conservative, purchased furniture on credit for the first time back in the 50's. This bothered my uncle and family legend has it that he would not sit on the new couch until the loan was paid in full.
Can't see that happening today.
by chuck h
Wed Jan 13, 2010 8:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sam's Club or Costco
Replies: 35
Views: 8633

Costco sells raw almonds in their stores. I know because I buy them. I don't remember what the exact price is, but I think it's around $12 for a 3 pound bag.



I just bought a 3lb bag at Costco for a few cents less than $10
by chuck h
Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2010 BOGLEHEAD CONTEST REGISTRATION
Replies: 284
Views: 38412

1241.5
by chuck h
Fri Dec 11, 2009 4:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Exercise, AM or PM
Replies: 55
Views: 7159

Early afternoon to the gym for me. Helps prevent late afternoon naps and usually tires me out enough that I go to bed in the evening about 11.
by chuck h
Wed Dec 09, 2009 7:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Duvel Beer and the undercover economist
Replies: 67
Views: 11527

One of my favorite Ben Franklin quotes:

“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
by chuck h
Tue Dec 08, 2009 7:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Over 60? Would you have retired at 50 if you could?
Replies: 56
Views: 8351

At 50, I was still contributing in my job and got satisfaction from it. I had thought about early retirement too and would have been able to swing it financially, but I was not mentally prepared. If I had retired, I would have probably become bored and would have looked for work within a short period of time.
Earlier this year, at age 62, the timing just felt right to retire and I did with 37 years in the same organization. I haven't been bored and am enjoying life.
Only you can decide what is best for your circumstance.
by chuck h
Wed Nov 25, 2009 8:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How active are you
Replies: 53
Views: 9159

Age 63 and retired in January of this year.
Go to the gym 3 times a week for an hour of moderate exercise and weather permitting, go for a 3-4 mile walk 2 or 3 days per week.
This is more activity than when I was working and I feel better, but reduced stress may also play a part in how I feel.
by chuck h
Mon Nov 23, 2009 10:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any experiences with Great-West Retirement Services ?
Replies: 16
Views: 12353

Pennsylvania uses Great West for their 457B plan and I am a participant.

I am happy with their service and they offer a decent, although not comprehensive, array of index funds to choose from. Their fees are very reasonable and the reports they offer on your financial progress are acceptable.

One of the options that the PA plan offers is to use Charles Schwab mutual funds for those that have the investment knowledge to self-direct their plan. I have done well with that and like the flexibility to invest in the funds that Schwab offers.

I retired earlier this year and have maintained my investments with the 457B plan rather than roll it over to Vanguard in an IRA.
Let me know if you have any questions about the plan PA offers.
by chuck h
Sat Nov 21, 2009 2:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: November 22, 1963: Where Were You?
Replies: 91
Views: 13702

I was a senior in high school, sitting in Math class when it was announced over the PA system. That was a very sad moment in our history and I remember radio stations playing somber music all weekend.
by chuck h
Sat Nov 07, 2009 8:55 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Most expensive colleges
Replies: 72
Views: 9852

Petrocelli wrote:
On a related note, how many posters here have Ivy League degrees besides me and Jack Bogle?

I have a graduate degree from Penn. I thought my undergraduate course work at a small private college was more valuable.
by chuck h
Tue Oct 20, 2009 7:06 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: From Paul B. Farrell at Marketwatch
Replies: 24
Views: 4523

Another problem that I have with Farrell's credibility and his gloom and doom forecast is that a future article he writes will probably tout investing using his Lazy Portfolios.

If I were thinking that our world will be changing negatively, why would I keep investing in the funds in his Portfolios?
by chuck h
Tue Oct 20, 2009 5:42 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Ally Bank Savings Account
Replies: 1
Views: 1089

I have a similar account at Dollar Savings Direct and they do not e-mail you when you request a withdrawal.