Search found 1534 matches

by DesertDiva
Sat Mar 16, 2024 8:03 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Great news! No more [fixed real estate] agent commission
Replies: 163
Views: 15079

Re: Great news! No more agent commission

ClevrChico wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 4:10 pm Ideally this will put pressure on the industry to become much more efficient. It seems crazy to me that such high fees are charged for sometimes so little work.
Agents may appear to do “little work” but they have an array of expenses. Licensure fees, association fees, desk fees, continuing education, insurance, advertising and marketing costs, vehicle maintenance and fuel, and more. It can be a lot of work for little results at times. As others have stated, the part-timers and poor performers will certainly fall by the wayside, but more established agents may also follow suit.

The industry will certainly change and the consequences may not become immediately apparent.
by DesertDiva
Wed Mar 13, 2024 12:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?
Replies: 207
Views: 14914

Re: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?

We keep a small amount in our wallets for emergencies. What I find odd is that when the media reports about large amounts of money found in someone’s house or vehicle, it’s viewed with great suspicion. My grandparents always had 5 figures hidden in the house. They survived the depression and wanted a plan B. They were certainly not up to anything shady.

I believe that maintaining cash at home was far more common before credit card use was socialized, and there certainly is a shift in how cash is used and perceived.
by DesertDiva
Wed Mar 06, 2024 12:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity Calls from "Palumbo Wealth Management Team"
Replies: 37
Views: 3503

Re: Fidelity Calls from "Palumbo Wealth Management Team"

When I moved to Arizona a few months ago I received a couple of voicemails introducing themselves and asking if there was anything they could do for me. I'm guessing it was triggered by me updating my address. Years ago I had someone from TD Ameritrade constantly call me and I finally told him I didn't appreciate the calls and I don't know any help in managing my account. Later I saw as an apology they gave me 10 free trades in my account (back when they were charging commissions on trades. According to LinkedIn "Joseph Palumbo - Vice President at Fidelity Investments" Easiest first step I would do if it was bothering me is to call Fidelity directly and ask why you are getting them and how you can get removed from any list assumi...
by DesertDiva
Tue Feb 27, 2024 3:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dental or medical tourism disappointments or near misses
Replies: 5
Views: 871

Re: Dental or medical tourism disappointments or near misses

Many Arizonians go to Los Algodones for dentistry. Most have no issues and are content.

I had some work done there about 15 years ago, only to require extensive corrective work later. It ended up being more expensive (and painful) in the long run. I suppose I could go back there if I was without insurance coverage and didn’t need anything complicated.
by DesertDiva
Tue Feb 27, 2024 2:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Talk me out of buying a Nissan Armada!
Replies: 29
Views: 1939

Re: Talk me out of buying a Nissan Armada!

:twisted: You could sell your current car and move to a large city where you can either walk or take public transportation.
/ :twisted:
by DesertDiva
Fri Feb 23, 2024 12:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do you live healthy?
Replies: 107
Views: 8119

Re: How do you live healthy?

I had to give up coffee and dairy. As a result, I no longer need prilosec and my stomach issues have greatly improved.
by DesertDiva
Wed Feb 14, 2024 8:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Happy Valentine’s Day! What’s your love song?
Replies: 88
Views: 4452

Re: Happy Valentine’s Day! What’s your love song?

“You Can Leave Your Hat On” - Joe Cocker
by DesertDiva
Fri Feb 09, 2024 8:09 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Income risk & money markets
Replies: 9
Views: 793

Re: Income risk & money markets

To me, it means don’t try to time the market!
by DesertDiva
Tue Feb 06, 2024 6:41 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Are any BH's not wealthy?
Replies: 165
Views: 25661

Re: Are any BH's not wealthy?

Question for Bogleheads: Assuming a 65 year old single lady has saved $1,000,000, most Bogleheads would call her "wealthy." If our lady uses her $1,000,000 to purchase a Single Premium Immediate Annuity (SPIA) from https://www.immediateannuities.com leaving her with a guaranteed lifetime income of $65,928 per month but no cash, is she still "wealthy"? What do you think? Taylor Jack Bogle's Words of Wisdom: "I probably prefer an immediate annuity which starts paying you right away." I’ll take that deal ! And yes 65k/month is wealthy ! In many areas, 65k/year would put you well above the average income of your peers. But 65k/month would definitely put you in high-income status anywhere. :D :moneybag Which brings...
by DesertDiva
Sat Feb 03, 2024 7:48 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Three ways that shareholders make money from mutual funds
Replies: 34
Views: 1907

Re: Three ways that shareholders make money from mutual funds

Before today, I thought that there are only two ways that shareholders of mutual funds ever make cash money from mutual funds: 1# dividends and 2# distributions from when the shareholder sells his shares himself. Today I learned of a third way that shareholders can get cash money from mutual funds. That third way is when the shareholder receives a cash money payment of a capital gains distribution from when the fund manager sells some of the investments of a mutual fund. When a shareholder receives a cash money payment of a capital gains distribution from when the fund manager sells some of the investments of a mutual fund, the shareholders total assets do not increase at all because the value of the shareholder's mutual funds go down appr...
by DesertDiva
Thu Feb 01, 2024 3:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anyone rebalancing portfolio for 2024?
Replies: 28
Views: 4135

Re: Anyone rebalancing portfolio for 2024?

Rebalancing per the asset allocation specified in my IPS.
8-)
by DesertDiva
Fri Dec 15, 2023 1:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying a home w/o an agent.
Replies: 63
Views: 12207

Re: Buying a home w/o an agent.

billaster wrote: Fri Dec 15, 2023 11:46 am
DesertDiva wrote: Fri Dec 15, 2023 6:39 am Look for a realtor with an ABR designation — Accredited Buyers Agent.
This ABR® is pure marketing propaganda brought to you by same National Association of Realtor® folks convicted of conspiracy for forcing buyer agents on real estate transactions.

Spend a few hours for an online course, answer a few questions for an online multiple choice test, pay $110 a year to the NAR® and bingo -- you are an Accredited Buyers Representative® with a registered trademark.
When I was a Realtor and obtained the ABR, I had to have documentation showing the number of transactions under my belt.
by DesertDiva
Fri Dec 15, 2023 7:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying a home w/o an agent.
Replies: 63
Views: 12207

Re: Buying a home w/o an agent.

BTW, I'm a lawyer and I'd charge a premium to someone who wasn't working with a buyer's agent. (1) Because I'm sure it would end in more work for me, and (2) it suggests a difficult, know-it-all client. But then I don't do real estate closings. Realtors charge 3%. In my budget, that's $20,000. Would your "premium" be greater than $20k? I'm guessing not. In my state, people use lawyers because they aren't using an agent. Most RE lawyers charge between $750-$5k to assist with a transaction and closing. Isn't it 6% total, and the seller pays it from the sales proceeds and then it's split between the buyer and seller agents? I'm not sure how it works in your state, but I didn't think the buyer pays a commission at all. If there's no ...
by DesertDiva
Fri Dec 15, 2023 6:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying a home w/o an agent.
Replies: 63
Views: 12207

Re: Buying a home w/o an agent.

Look for a realtor with an ABR designation — Accredited Buyers Agent.

Another option is to find a high producing agent who has a team working for them. This person exclusively works on listings to keep their name visible in their market. They will likely have a team member who exclusively works with buyers.
by DesertDiva
Thu Dec 14, 2023 1:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite suitcase?
Replies: 56
Views: 7567

Re: Favorite suitcase?

MustachianBoglehead wrote: Wed Dec 13, 2023 10:32 pm I bought an earlier version of this 10 years ago with a set of packing cubes.
+1 for packing cubes!! I won’t travel without them.
by DesertDiva
Sat Sep 16, 2023 11:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you need to carry your health insurance card?
Replies: 75
Views: 7339

Re: Do you need to carry your health insurance card?

I carry my card because my plan excludes certain health systems in my area. If I’m in an accident, I need to ensure that I’m not sent to those locations.
by DesertDiva
Tue Sep 12, 2023 2:20 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Inheritance & How It Impacted Your Money Life
Replies: 216
Views: 25542

Re: Inheritance & How It Impacted Your Money Life

I never expected an inheritance, so when I was disinherited, I was not disappointed at all.

Peace of mind and contentment? Priceless.
by DesertDiva
Mon Sep 11, 2023 1:58 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Daughter and her employees have no 401K plan.
Replies: 40
Views: 2849

Re: Daughter and her employees have no 401K plan.

pizzy wrote: Mon Sep 11, 2023 1:39 pm
DesertDiva wrote: Mon Sep 11, 2023 1:24 pm
HomeStretch wrote: Mon Sep 11, 2023 1:20 pm While a low-cost 401k plan with match is great to have, how much she saves for retirement is more important than where she saves it.
The beauty of setting it up herself is that she can choose the available Investment options, instead of having someone else dictate what her choices are. Contributions matter and so do costs.
OP's daughter doesn't appear to be self employed. So the employer would still need to establish a SEP plan.
Thanks I read it wrong. Hopefully she can have some input into the process. Employees at large companies often don’t have that luxury.
by DesertDiva
Mon Sep 11, 2023 1:24 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Daughter and her employees have no 401K plan.
Replies: 40
Views: 2849

Re: Daughter and her employees have no 401K plan.

HomeStretch wrote: Mon Sep 11, 2023 1:20 pm While a low-cost 401k plan with match is great to have, how much she saves for retirement is more important than where she saves it.
The beauty of setting it up herself is that she can choose the available Investment options, instead of having someone else dictate what her choices are. Contributions matter and so do costs.
by DesertDiva
Mon Sep 11, 2023 1:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Daughter and her employees have no 401K plan.
Replies: 40
Views: 2849

Re: Daughter and her employees have no 401K plan.

Several years ago, I set up a SEP IRA for myself at Fidelity. I noted on the website that they also offer 401(k) plans.

I’m sure that other companies, such as Schwab, may have the same type of information on their website. If she has questions, I’m sure that a customer service representative at any of these firms would be happy to answer them.
by DesertDiva
Thu Sep 07, 2023 11:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help Me Convince A Friend This Annuity is Not Good!
Replies: 121
Views: 10674

Re: Help Me Convince A Friend This Annuity is Not Good!

Unless he asked for my assessment, I would just wish him well in his future endeavors.
by DesertDiva
Thu Sep 07, 2023 10:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2024 Honda CRV Hybrid
Replies: 24
Views: 10845

Re: 2024 Honda CRV Hybrid

I found local dealers don't have CRV stock -- everything coming in is pre-sold or goes out the door in a couple of days. They want a $1000 non-refundable deposit to order one and wait. Car salesmen are merely order-takers now. One local Toyota dealer has gone to on-line ordering. That seems like a logical thing to do, since you can't TD any new vehicles anyway. This is all just a little too crazy for me. I do note that the expensive brands like Audi, Mercedes, and BMW do have stock and was able to TD a couple of those. Who knew? DH just picked up a 2023 Accord hybrid. There were no CRV’s in stock and the sedans were even in limited supply. I wish he had the CRV as I prefer a liftgate over a trunk. But we do like the Accord—the ride is good...
by DesertDiva
Mon Sep 04, 2023 11:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Need investment advice
Replies: 82
Views: 7208

Re: Need investment advice

.... You are losing, if you're saving. You're losing from inflation. But, with that said, if I don't save, then I won't have anything for retirement. That's not a good thing either. You don't lose unless you sell out of fear, because at that point you have locked in your losses. Even people who stayed in the market during the Great Depression recovered, although it must have seemed painful at the time. When I see the market drop, I see if I can invest more because then I'm buying at a lower price. Even if the price continues to decline, I still own those shares and I believe that the share price will increase at some point in the future. Concentrate on your goals instead of short-term results. It sounds like you want to have money availabl...
by DesertDiva
Mon Sep 04, 2023 3:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Furniture worth 4-5K
Replies: 27
Views: 2979

Re: Furniture worth 4-5K

I bought a gently used leather sectional on craigslist for $1000. Brand new, it was $7000. FWIW, there are other options, but they may take longer to find.
by DesertDiva
Fri Sep 01, 2023 3:42 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Time to buy long-term bond or long-term treasure funds?
Replies: 47
Views: 9268

Re: Time to buy long-term bond or long-term treasure funds?

Whether this is a good idea or not has nothing to do with whether the fed has reached it's peak rate. What is your investing time horizon? Behaviorally, are you fine with >20% swings in price in your bonds? What will you do if long term bond prices drop another 30% in the next few years from where they are now? What is your overall asset allocation? How much would unexpected inflation impact your future consumption? ^^ This ^^ Without a long-term plan, you will want to change funds the next time a “promising” fund appears. Bogleheads generally avoid market timing as it doesn’t work. What you should do is develop an Investment Policy Statement and then craft a plan you can follow for the long term and stick to. https://www.bogleheads.org/wi...
by DesertDiva
Thu Aug 31, 2023 6:03 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "Market Timing: Sin a Little" - Cliff Asness, Antti Ilmanen, Thomas Maloney
Replies: 28
Views: 3665

Re: Sin a Little

Please read Taylor's link. Stay the course and sin no more.
by DesertDiva
Thu Aug 31, 2023 3:17 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Bonds [Want to move out of bonds]
Replies: 16
Views: 1574

Re: Bonds [Want to move out of bonds]

Waterboy26 wrote: Thu Aug 31, 2023 2:30 pm I have 13 years to retirement and am debating about moving out of bonds for the next couple of years. Portfolio is setup 80/20 at the moment and looking at going to 100% for next couple of years. Thoughts?
Do you want to move out of bonds because you feel your balance isn’t large enough? If so, can you keep your current asset allocation, and contribute more? Would you be able to work an extra two years?
by DesertDiva
Sat Aug 26, 2023 6:21 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Just for fun, what single stock do you think will see huge growth
Replies: 174
Views: 27390

Re: Just for fun, what single stock do you think will see huge growth

AnnetteLouisan wrote: Sat Aug 26, 2023 5:56 pm The whole point of this site is that it doesn’t matter. You’ll benefit because you buy the index.
Ding ding. Ding. Ding. We have a winner!
by DesertDiva
Fri Aug 25, 2023 9:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bread Baking in Extreme Heat in US
Replies: 20
Views: 1078

Re: Bread Baking in Extreme Heat in US

LadyGeek recommended a Pullman pan in a toaster oven.

See: search.php?keywords=Pullman&t=235575&sf=msgonly
by DesertDiva
Wed Aug 23, 2023 10:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Laid off today. Should I still look to buy a house?
Replies: 29
Views: 3591

Re: Laid off today. Should I still look to buy a house?

You must focus on the job search.

Your job is to find a new job and keep your income as uninterrupted as possible. Then everything else will fall into place. Who knows—maybe the mortgage rates will drop when you are ready to buy!
by DesertDiva
Wed Aug 23, 2023 6:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cincinnati to Charlotte
Replies: 28
Views: 2480

Re: Cincinnati to Charlotte

Have to drive What’s the best way? Go through West Virginia or Tennessee? We did not drive in this part of country Pros and Cons please I am already being warned to be careful around Ohio for speeding.Coming from mountain west driving within 5 mph is considered ok for most part but folks tell me those unwritten rules don’t apply in Ohio. Can't speak to the route as I've never done it, but I live in Ohio (northeast part of the state) and consistently drive 6-7 MPH over the speed limit on 70MPH highways (the turnpike and most non-urban interstates) in NEO and Central Ohio and have never received a ticket or been pulled over with a warning. I remember a media analysis in Ohio, where it was indicated that the police gave a majority of speeding...
by DesertDiva
Wed Aug 23, 2023 6:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 100% Equities Because I Don't Understand Any Other Asset Class
Replies: 73
Views: 15194

Re: 100% Equities Because I Don't Understand Any Other Asset Class

I was 100% in stocks at one time, until I adopted the three-fund Bogleheads’ approach. Bonds aren’t difficult to understand.

Stocks represent a slice of ownership ( equity position) in a company. Bonds are a debt instrument that a company (or government) uses to raise capital. They are essentially an IOU.

For some good reading on this topic:

* Fernando, Jason (2023). “Bond: Financial Meaning With Examples and How They Are Priced”. Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bond.asp

* “The Little Book of Common Sense Investing: The Only Way to Guarantee Your Fair Share of Stock Market Returns” by John C. Bogle, Chapter 14

* “The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing (Second Edition) by Lindauer, Larimore and LeBoeuf, pp. 21-36
by DesertDiva
Wed Aug 23, 2023 4:41 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Feeling like the Total Index approach wasn’t the best path
Replies: 225
Views: 31677

Re: Feeling like the Total Index approach wasn’t the best path

I feel this thread where the OP was asking why Boglehead's didn't like funds like ARKK that "crushed" index funds. He never came back after ARKK tanked about 80%. https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=339971 the best part about that thread is the date that was posted. Take a look at ARKK's performance. That date on that post is the absolute APEX of ARKK's performance. Talking about buying high/worst market timing. This post we're in now reminds me of that too. Many have for a long time thought tech was overvalued (and some tech stocks did lose 50% last year though they may have recovered since then) or makes up too big a percentage of the overall market. Yet for unknown reasons (FOMO) the OP wanted to buy into these te...
by DesertDiva
Tue Aug 22, 2023 1:05 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bogleheads' Over 85 Equity Position
Replies: 64
Views: 9457

Re: Bogleheads' Over 85 Equity Position

Not many 85 year olds would participate here, mainly because this is a place to help prepare for life at 85, not necessarily what you should do to prepare for 105. That's the funny part of participating on this forum I know how to plan for retirement but I have no idea what to do when I reach it. I'm with @rockstar I can't imagine making it to 70 let alone 85 so I'm trying not to think about it much ;) I know of only one guy to make it into his 90s. He passed away last year. I doubt either of my parents will make it to 80. My first roommate died of COVID in his 40s. One of my friends who did mountain rescue died of cancer in her 60s. Living much past 80 seems like a pipe dream. But I should definitely get LTCi sooner than later. Going back...
by DesertDiva
Mon Aug 21, 2023 9:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to accept payment for a private vehicle sale
Replies: 148
Views: 11639

Re: How to accept payment for a private vehicle sale

Another vote for: Meet at the bank. Verify that the cashier’s check or the cash came from the teller’s window.

Otherwise, you don’t know if the check or cash is fake.

If you want to take cash and you don’t meet at the bank, consider getting a counterfeit bill detector pen from your local office supply.
by DesertDiva
Sun Aug 20, 2023 1:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite Easy Meal?
Replies: 127
Views: 14350

Re: Favorite Easy Meal?

Core an apple, cut it into slices.
Slice some cheese from a block.
Toast some bread and butter it.
Arrange all 3 items on a plate.
by DesertDiva
Fri Aug 18, 2023 5:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Home Insurance during construction
Replies: 12
Views: 1189

Re: Home Insurance during construction

That would be a good question for your insurance agent
by DesertDiva
Fri Aug 18, 2023 3:18 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: should I sell or should I wait?
Replies: 30
Views: 3418

Re: should I sell or should I wait?

iginv wrote: Fri Aug 18, 2023 1:17 pm I will leave it as it is. Thanks for your advice. Since I'm new to the investing world, I had this question because that's what some people and financial advisors do when a stock drops. I just wanted to know what more experienced people do. Thanks again.
Just learn to tune out the noise, and you will be better prepared for the next alleged drop.
by DesertDiva
Fri Aug 18, 2023 12:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [You are Invited] - Food and Finances
Replies: 28
Views: 3528

Re: [You are Invited] - Food and Finances

MrBobcat wrote: Wed Aug 16, 2023 4:17 pm Nothing is "free" and listening to a sales pitch is way too high of a price for me.
+1. My time is worth far more than the food.
by DesertDiva
Thu Aug 17, 2023 9:48 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How much gold should you hold in your portfolio?
Replies: 195
Views: 17948

Re: How much gold should you hold in your portfolio?

Gaston wrote: Thu Aug 17, 2023 2:14 pm
birdog wrote: Thu Aug 17, 2023 1:44 pm Take physical gold as an example. If we actually get to a place in this world where whether or not you have physical gold matters, then we are likely in a pretty bad place.
Yup, and depending what risk you are trying to mitigate, it might be better to invest in a second passport than physical gold.
Or ramen noodles.
by DesertDiva
Thu Aug 17, 2023 12:08 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: ALLEGO
Replies: 2
Views: 350

Re: ALLEGO

descathm wrote: Thu Aug 17, 2023 10:56 am Could ALLEGO (ALLG) be a valuable long-term investment proposition (EU based though US traded)?

Profile: https://www.allego.eu/

Summary: https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/st ... 922198/#AL
The vast majority of us avoid stick picking. Try posting on reddit.
by DesertDiva
Thu Aug 17, 2023 9:59 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Crash predicted - should I temporarily reduce contributions to 403b?
Replies: 99
Views: 11552

Re: Crash predicted - should I temporarily reduce contributions to 403b?

tesuzuki2002 wrote: Wed Aug 16, 2023 8:18 pm YOU NEED TO BE PUTTING MORE IN!!!!
+1. Exactly!
by DesertDiva
Wed Aug 16, 2023 5:59 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How much gold should you hold in your portfolio?
Replies: 195
Views: 17948

Re: How much gold should you hold in your portfolio?

Fat-Tailed Contagion wrote: Wed Aug 16, 2023 4:56 pm Jack Bogle mentioned 5% allocation as a hedge.
… for institutional investors.
by DesertDiva
Wed Aug 16, 2023 10:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bloomberg Why the rich don’t feel rich.
Replies: 164
Views: 18616

Re: Bloomberg Why the rich don’t feel rich.

CloseEnough wrote: Wed Aug 16, 2023 7:19 am
DesertDiva wrote: Tue Aug 15, 2023 5:19 pm
Wanderingwheelz wrote: Mon Aug 14, 2023 8:32 pm
JoMoney wrote: Mon Aug 14, 2023 8:25 pm I'm always curious if people include their retirement accounts in their "net worth"... and if you do, does that mean someone with a pension can include the discounted value of that income stream? If someone is getting a $40k/yr inflation indexed military pension, are they effectively "a millionaire" ?
His heirs would say no, since there’s no principal to pass down...
“Heirs” have nothing to do with one’s net worth.
True, but "Hairs" does have something to do with one's net worth. The less "Hairs" one has, the greater their net worth.
I see what you did there. :twisted:
by DesertDiva
Tue Aug 15, 2023 6:38 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How much gold should you hold in your portfolio?
Replies: 195
Views: 17948

Re: How much gold should you hold in your portfolio?

GRP wrote: Tue Aug 15, 2023 6:23 pm 5 to 10% if you want a diversified portfolio.

0% like most Bogleheads if you want to be undiversified.
Fidelity Total Market Index Fund - 3,956 holdings
Fidelity International Index Fund - 808 holdings
Fidelity Total Bond Fund - 6,572 holdings
= 11,336 holdings

So... if I buy Gold as an investment, I will have 11,337 holdings, with 1 of them in a standalone single asset class (precious metals), which will make me more diversified. Got it! 8-)
by DesertDiva
Tue Aug 15, 2023 6:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bloomberg Why the rich don’t feel rich.
Replies: 164
Views: 18616

Re: Bloomberg Why the rich don’t feel rich.

His heirs would say no, since there’s no principal to pass down... “Heirs” have nothing to do with one’s net worth. That statement had to have been written by someone without heirs. There are 9 people listed as heirs in our trust. They have no bearing on our net worth. Your children and their children have had no bearing on your net worth? Perhaps they have lessened it to some extent... :mrgreen: My point is that our assets take care of us. Everyone in our trust is an adult and should ultimately be responsible for their well-being. Anything they may eventually inherit will be a bonus. I grew up with parents who didn't believe they needed to save for retirement because, as one of them said, "our inheritance will be our retirement."...
by DesertDiva
Tue Aug 15, 2023 5:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bloomberg Why the rich don’t feel rich.
Replies: 164
Views: 18616

Re: Bloomberg Why the rich don’t feel rich.

Wanderingwheelz wrote: Tue Aug 15, 2023 5:34 pm
DesertDiva wrote: Tue Aug 15, 2023 5:19 pm
Wanderingwheelz wrote: Mon Aug 14, 2023 8:32 pm
JoMoney wrote: Mon Aug 14, 2023 8:25 pm I'm always curious if people include their retirement accounts in their "net worth"... and if you do, does that mean someone with a pension can include the discounted value of that income stream? If someone is getting a $40k/yr inflation indexed military pension, are they effectively "a millionaire" ?
His heirs would say no, since there’s no principal to pass down...
“Heirs” have nothing to do with one’s net worth.
That statement had to have been written by someone without heirs.
There are 9 people listed as heirs in our trust. They have no bearing on our net worth.
by DesertDiva
Tue Aug 15, 2023 5:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Warren Buffet's Estate Plan vs BRK
Replies: 18
Views: 1866

Re: Warren Buffet's Estate Plan vs BRK

toddthebod wrote: Tue Aug 15, 2023 5:31 pm
mander75 wrote: Tue Aug 15, 2023 4:01 pm If we discount the risk associated with VOO compared to BRK then 10% in "cash" sounds to be a safe approach for asset allocation.
Anything is "a safe approach to asset allocation" when you have over a hundred billion dollars in assets.
^^^ This ^^^
by DesertDiva
Tue Aug 15, 2023 5:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bloomberg Why the rich don’t feel rich.
Replies: 164
Views: 18616

Re: Bloomberg Why the rich don’t feel rich.

TomatoTomahto wrote: Tue Aug 15, 2023 6:41 am I try to find a coherent response to a $30k sneaker collection and come up empty.
“If you buy things you do not need, soon you will have to sell things you need.” :sharebeer