Search found 70 matches
- Tue Jun 05, 2018 5:19 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: New AC Unit broken or "feezing". HVAC company says it's my fault for "running it too hard". What can I do?
- Replies: 55
- Views: 6971
Re: New AC Unit broken or "feezing". HVAC company says it's my fault for "running it too hard". What can I do?
Long story short, the HVAC guy tells me it's my fault because I ran the system too hard and it froze. That's crazy. As noted above, losing the coolant can make it not run well. That happened to mine when the maintenance person left something loose during its periodic inspection and the coolant drained out. When I called in, they said they were too busy to return (!), so I called another place that found the problem, fixed it, and became the new maintenance people. Coolant, by the way, costs a lot. You need to find a good repair person who can figure out what is wrong. I am going to guess the system is sized properly since it ran over the past year. Refrigerent is not expensive. A lot of HVAC firms are crooked and will quote crazy prices fo...
- Thu May 31, 2018 8:08 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Relationship between Living Off of Dividends and Maximizing Yield
- Replies: 13
- Views: 1337
Re: Relationship between Living Off of Dividends and Maximizing Yield
I am retired and have crossed the finishing line, I take all dividends as income to spend.
The only bond fund I would consider is the Vanguard High Yield Corporate bond fund.
By the tlme you have allowed for inflation and income tax most bond funds are loosers in real terms.
If you are emotionally able to cope with the volatility go for the S&P 500. If you are sanguine about your principal changing go for the High Yield Corporate and keep it until you die.
The only bond fund I would consider is the Vanguard High Yield Corporate bond fund.
By the tlme you have allowed for inflation and income tax most bond funds are loosers in real terms.
If you are emotionally able to cope with the volatility go for the S&P 500. If you are sanguine about your principal changing go for the High Yield Corporate and keep it until you die.
- Sun May 27, 2018 9:50 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Help Buying Mens Shoes for Work and Dating
- Replies: 97
- Views: 12239
Re: Help Buying Mens Shoes for Work and Dating
I would say as long as they are conservatively styled you will be fine. But MUST be clean and in good repair.
Also NEVER wear brown shoes with a black, gray or blue suit or you will lmmediately label yourself as a lower class person.
Also NEVER wear brown shoes with a black, gray or blue suit or you will lmmediately label yourself as a lower class person.
- Sat May 26, 2018 8:55 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Misuse of the word "technology" in finance
- Replies: 45
- Views: 4507
Re: Misuse of the word "technology" in finance
No not pedantic. Google, Amazon and Facebook use technology but they are basically the old encyclopedia, mail order and pen pal companies in modern guise. Now Boeing and Apple are real technology companies. The "technology" term is misused by Wall Street types who have no scientific education.
- Sat May 19, 2018 10:12 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Mitsubishi wall air conditioner
- Replies: 34
- Views: 3684
Re: Mitsubishi wall air conditioner
One Mr Slim in our last house.
Three Dakins in our present house.
All worked/work reliably and well but expect eye watering electricity bills.
Heat pumps much cheaper to run but do not oversize.
One ton per 650 square feet, no more as inefficient and constantly cycling on and off.
Three Dakins in our present house.
All worked/work reliably and well but expect eye watering electricity bills.
Heat pumps much cheaper to run but do not oversize.
One ton per 650 square feet, no more as inefficient and constantly cycling on and off.
- Sat May 19, 2018 8:49 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Buffett says Bonds are a terrible investment now. What should we invest in besides stocks?
- Replies: 157
- Views: 32284
Re: Buffett says Bonds are a terrible investment now. What should we invest in besides stocks?
Very interesting discussion. It seems to me that once one has enough capital (like Buffet and Bogle) then the ever present potential of the stock market to tank now and again becomes irrelevant (hence Buffet's comment) You can ignore the S&P500 fluctuations because you will always have more than enough income to cover your expenses during downturns. Once your capital reaches a certain level is there not then a case to be made for having no investment at all in bonds as inflation and taxes will kill whatever they return ? For ordinary mortals, (not B&B) if you have several million dollars available should you not invest it all in the Vanguard S&P500 or Total Stock Market and you can ignore the endless, boring arguments about asse...
- Wed May 16, 2018 12:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
- Replies: 79
- Views: 11290
Re: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
oh really ? Neither humorous or informative.
- Wed May 16, 2018 12:10 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
- Replies: 79
- Views: 11290
Re: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
Less risk than the Vanguard S&P 500 fund, virtually no defaults in the past 10 years, duration of of only 4.4 years, a yield of 5.5%+ and a great active manager with a proven track record who buys conservatively. Totally anti- Boglehead I know but what's not to like ? Genuinely puzzled. The reason there is almost no default is that the fund will sell bonds before they get to default. As a fund investor you have taken most of the pain of default already when the fund sells (the price will reflect the market's expectations of default). Note the NAV of this fund has been falling over the long run? In effect, you are having your capital paid out as income. If you look at the performance of this fund in 2008-09, this was not a fun ride. It ...
- Wed May 16, 2018 1:56 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
- Replies: 79
- Views: 11290
Re: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
The purpose of owning bond is for stability. Junk bonds do not share that attribute during a recession. Not always so. My investments are large enough for me to be unconcerned about stability or volatility. I want income. If the stock market tanks then the yield will probably rise as happened in 2009 thus compensating for principal loss. Then recovering, look at the price over that period, no cause for concern and more income to spend surely ? If u want income, look at Jeffery Gundlach's closed-end high yield fund. Not a recommendation per se, but I have a 3% allocation. ok thanks for the suggestion but what is the expense ratio ? I am not looking for the highest junk bond return just VWEAX which is a conservatively run Vanguard fund with ...
- Wed May 16, 2018 1:51 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
- Replies: 79
- Views: 11290
Re: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
Why ? Not helpful. Please address OP's first post.whodidntante wrote: ↑Tue May 15, 2018 10:13 pm We Bogleheads prefer to lose our money in Vanguard Total Bond Market.
- Wed May 16, 2018 1:46 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
- Replies: 79
- Views: 11290
Re: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
Just not so. The income would go up but the total return would fall.venkman wrote: ↑Tue May 15, 2018 10:07 pmAssuming no defaults, the income from the bond would remain unchanged. The yield to a new purchaser of the bond would go up, but that would be irrelevant to someone who already owned it.mikebee wrote: ↑Tue May 15, 2018 10:57 amTrue but would not the income from the bond have risen 50% so mitigating the higher tax rate ?alfaspider wrote: ↑Tue May 15, 2018 10:44 am But OP just said volatility is not an issue. At least selling equities at a loss has a tax benefit. Interest payments on a bond that has dropped by 50% in value are still fully taxable.
- Tue May 15, 2018 6:59 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
- Replies: 79
- Views: 11290
Re: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
Why would an investor care if the value drops if the investment purpose is just to receive income? With no intention to ever sell shares. An investor who took the income distributions of VWEHX in cash over its history would have cared about the long-term trend. The annual amount of cash would have increased every year from 1979 (the first full year of the fund) to 1983. The cash during 1983 would have been 6.7% more than for 1979. From 1983 to 2017 the annual amount of cash would have decreased most years. The cash during 2017 would have been 75% less than than for 1983. Nothing alarming or very surprising in this record. The 10 year treasury has been in decline since Volker raised the fed rate to 20% in 1981. Has not VWEAX paid out well c...
- Tue May 15, 2018 5:47 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Buying land in central FL
- Replies: 55
- Views: 8100
Re: Buying land in central FL
Look up Gulf American Land Corporation founded in the 1960s by Leonard and Jack Rosen. They sold thousands of subdivisions of worthless swamp land in Collier County near Naples using TV adverts.
Before this scam they sold hair restorer made from sheep wool oil and when challenged answered "well you don't see many bald sheep" !
Before this scam they sold hair restorer made from sheep wool oil and when challenged answered "well you don't see many bald sheep" !
- Tue May 15, 2018 4:56 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Audiobooks and the Overdrive App
- Replies: 19
- Views: 2862
Re: Audiobooks and the Overdrive App
Yes, agree, Overdrive is just wonderful. I don't really understand why one has to wait for a title, if it's all digital, surely there must be an infinite number of copies ?
I like the sampling ability, saves time when choosing at random and getting rubbish.
Not so keen on audio books as I have found some are are abridged which I dislike.
Another criticism I have is that there seems to be at least three times as many women authors as men. Most women write trashy pulp fiction IMHOP of course.
I like the sampling ability, saves time when choosing at random and getting rubbish.
Not so keen on audio books as I have found some are are abridged which I dislike.
Another criticism I have is that there seems to be at least three times as many women authors as men. Most women write trashy pulp fiction IMHOP of course.
- Tue May 15, 2018 2:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
- Replies: 79
- Views: 11290
Re: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
By "downgrades" do you mean defaulting bonds ? Are there other causes of loss of principal apart from rising interest rates ? VWEAX has a stellar record of near zero defaults. First, how can you tell if VWEAX has had zero defaults? I will extend in 2 different ways. The past 10 years have been kind to high yield debt and defaults. Also, as have mentioned before, one can see defaults coming. Bonds start at BB, then fall to B. It is fairly easy to sell junk bonds that are falling, for portfolio managers to bury their mistakes. For your other question, it is a increasing Treasury interest rate, increasing credit spreads, increasing Option Adjusted Spread, and bankruptcy. You can see defaults by reading annual and semiannual reports....
- Tue May 15, 2018 1:31 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
- Replies: 79
- Views: 11290
Re: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
Less risk than the Vanguard S&P 500 fund, virtually no defaults in the past 10 years, duration of of only 4.4 years, a yield of 5.5%+ and a great active manager with a proven track record who buys conservatively. Totally anti- Boglehead I know but what's not to like ? Genuinely puzzled. The reason there is almost no default is that the fund will sell bonds before they get to default. As a fund investor you have taken most of the pain of default already when the fund sells (the price will reflect the market's expectations of default). Note the NAV of this fund has been falling over the long run? In effect, you are having your capital paid out as income. If you look at the performance of this fund in 2008-09, this was not a fun ride. It ...
- Tue May 15, 2018 11:37 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
- Replies: 79
- Views: 11290
Re: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
Why would an investor care if the value drops if the investment purpose is just to receive income? With no intention to ever sell shares. Only to the extent that taking the entire SEC yield from a high yield corporate bond fund means you're taking out some principle, so your remaining investment value declines over time and consequently your income from that investment also declines. The Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares (VWEAX) current SEC yield is 5.67%. This isn't the expected long-term return. Downgrades will erode the principle. To maintain principle, all else being equal, I'd recommend taking no more than a 4.5% distribution. Rick Ferri By "downgrades" do you mean defaulting bonds ? Are there other causes of...
- Tue May 15, 2018 11:27 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
- Replies: 79
- Views: 11290
Re: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
Yes everything declined with one exception. Bond payout rates rocketed so my point is valid.alfaspider wrote: ↑Tue May 15, 2018 10:58 amNot necessarily. In the 2008 crash, interest rates declined along with bond values.mikebee wrote: ↑Tue May 15, 2018 10:57 amTrue but would not the income from the bond have risen 50% so mitigating the higher tax rate ?alfaspider wrote: ↑Tue May 15, 2018 10:44 amBut OP just said volatility is not an issue. At least selling equities at a loss has a tax benefit. Interest payments on a bond that has dropped by 50% in value are still fully taxable.mikebee wrote: ↑Tue May 15, 2018 10:33 amGood idea. Just sell the equities when the market drops 50%. I dont think so.alfaspider wrote: ↑Tue May 15, 2018 10:22 am
Then why not just keep it in equities? If you want income, just sell the equities as needed.
- Tue May 15, 2018 11:06 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
- Replies: 79
- Views: 11290
- Tue May 15, 2018 10:59 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
- Replies: 79
- Views: 11290
Re: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
But why worry about the correlation with stocks as long as the income stream from the bond fund is sustained and even increasing ?DarkHelmetII wrote: ↑Tue May 15, 2018 10:47 am Key reason I personally am not interested in junk bonds is medium-high correlation to market (as others have pointed out). Looking at long-term treasures or corporate bonds ... they of course have the increased interested rate sensitivity but much lower market correlation. So long-term bonds in that sense are not necessarily "safe" but the very low market correlation makes them an attractive (in my opinion) addition to further diversify a portfolio.
- Tue May 15, 2018 10:57 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
- Replies: 79
- Views: 11290
Re: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
True but would not the income from the bond have risen 50% so mitigating the higher tax rate ?alfaspider wrote: ↑Tue May 15, 2018 10:44 amBut OP just said volatility is not an issue. At least selling equities at a loss has a tax benefit. Interest payments on a bond that has dropped by 50% in value are still fully taxable.mikebee wrote: ↑Tue May 15, 2018 10:33 amGood idea. Just sell the equities when the market drops 50%. I dont think so.alfaspider wrote: ↑Tue May 15, 2018 10:22 amThen why not just keep it in equities? If you want income, just sell the equities as needed.mikebee wrote: ↑Tue May 15, 2018 10:21 amNot always so. My investments are large enough for me to be unconcerned about stability or volatility.Tyler Aspect wrote: ↑Tue May 15, 2018 10:04 am The purpose of owning bond is for stability. Junk bonds do not share that attribute during a recession.
- Tue May 15, 2018 10:52 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
- Replies: 79
- Views: 11290
Re: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
I assume we are talking about VWEHX? How did this fund hold up in 2008? Oh that's right, it dropped about 30% in the market crash. Now that is some stability right there..... VWEAX dropped the same amount a 60/40 portfolio did. Actually, it dropped slightly less. A 60/40 portfolio dropped -30.72% while VWEAX dropped -28.76%. Do we go around telling people that a 60/40 portfolio isn't a good idea? In any case, the OP didn't really give any indication what she actually meant. Maybe she means to go 100% VWEAX instead of having any TSM. Or maybe she means to go 60% VWEAX + 40% TBM. No indication of investing strategy was actually given, so it is hard to know what to say. Maybe she plans on buying 140% VWEAX on margin? Going by Sharpe ratio, 10...
- Tue May 15, 2018 10:41 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
- Replies: 79
- Views: 11290
Re: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
From a recent post on this forum : I should have noted that the link I posted with comments by Rick Ferri was posted in March 2008. It is very interesting to read the thread in that context and there are also a number of comments by Larry Swedroe. Rick Ferri made a projection of 7.2% for future returns in the fund. I just checked Morningstar and the ten year return is shown as 6.91%. The 0.3% difference in annualized 10-year return between my 7.2% projected and 6.9% actual was the roll-down in return on income reinvestment over the past five years as interest rates fell. It was not due to greater defaults. Going forward, we may see that reverse as rates rise. Hence, a fair projection for VWEAX over the next ten years is approximately 4.0% ...
- Tue May 15, 2018 10:33 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
- Replies: 79
- Views: 11290
Re: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
Good idea. Just sell the equities when the market drops 50%. I dont think so.alfaspider wrote: ↑Tue May 15, 2018 10:22 amThen why not just keep it in equities? If you want income, just sell the equities as needed.mikebee wrote: ↑Tue May 15, 2018 10:21 amNot always so. My investments are large enough for me to be unconcerned about stability or volatility.Tyler Aspect wrote: ↑Tue May 15, 2018 10:04 am The purpose of owning bond is for stability. Junk bonds do not share that attribute during a recession.
- Tue May 15, 2018 10:31 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
- Replies: 79
- Views: 11290
Re: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
VWEAX. I did not claim it was stable. So the principal dropped, yes but recovered fast. Stable over the long term surely ? Do not make the mistake of confusing loss of money with volatility. The income at that time was very stable, actually increased.
- Tue May 15, 2018 10:24 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
- Replies: 79
- Views: 11290
Re: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
I am sure you are right but this is not an index fund so the manager's conservatve investing might reduce the pain.drk wrote: ↑Tue May 15, 2018 10:07 amI reckon that that might have something to do with the fact that the last ten years have seen the second-longest economic expansion in US history. Corporate leverage is high, the Fed holds about $4 trillion in assets and intends to push the risk-free rate higher, and the Treasury is issuing record amounts of debt to fund expansionary policy. At some point, those junk-issuing companies can expect a ruder greeting in the debt markets.
- Tue May 15, 2018 10:21 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
- Replies: 79
- Views: 11290
Re: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
Not always so. My investments are large enough for me to be unconcerned about stability or volatility. I want income. If the stock market tanks then the yield will probably rise as happened in 2009 thus compensating for principal loss. Then recovering, look at the price over that period, no cause for concern and more income to spend surely ?Tyler Aspect wrote: ↑Tue May 15, 2018 10:04 am The purpose of owning bond is for stability. Junk bonds do not share that attribute during a recession.
- Tue May 15, 2018 9:53 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard Junk Bond fund
- Replies: 79
- Views: 11290
Vanguard Junk Bond fund
Less risk than the Vanguard S&P 500 fund, virtually no defaults in the past 10 years, duration of of only 4.4 years, a yield of 5.5%+ and a great active manager with a proven track record who buys conservatively.
Totally anti- Boglehead I know but what's not to like ?
Genuinely puzzled.
Totally anti- Boglehead I know but what's not to like ?
Genuinely puzzled.
- Tue May 08, 2018 4:36 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Can you recommend a good mouse trap?
- Replies: 49
- Views: 5211
Re: Can you recommend a good mouse trap?
yes abtraps from Amazon (sorry cant see how to attach an image). It's a small cage with a flap that comes down when the mouse eats the cheese at the other end. We were pestered with mice and fruit rats and have caught many. I drive them a mile or so and let them go.
- Tue May 08, 2018 2:54 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: What Percentage CASH are you?
- Replies: 168
- Views: 24686
Re: What Percentage CASH are you?
100 % Cash (prime money market)
Two houses, 3 cars all paid for. Zero debt.
Made a bundle earlier this year by market timing. Dont want to make any more as I would get into highest tax bracket, amt, extortionate medicare premiums etc
Made a bundle in 2009 by timing.
Both pure luck of course.
Now very nervous. Waiting for S&P to go down to 2600 and 10 year to hit 4% then I will go 50% in Vanguard Total Stock Market and 50% into High Yield Corporate Bond.
Then hanging up my boots, I will be done with investing until I die.
Two houses, 3 cars all paid for. Zero debt.
Made a bundle earlier this year by market timing. Dont want to make any more as I would get into highest tax bracket, amt, extortionate medicare premiums etc
Made a bundle in 2009 by timing.
Both pure luck of course.
Now very nervous. Waiting for S&P to go down to 2600 and 10 year to hit 4% then I will go 50% in Vanguard Total Stock Market and 50% into High Yield Corporate Bond.
Then hanging up my boots, I will be done with investing until I die.
- Tue May 01, 2018 11:00 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Fiber cable on front lawn
- Replies: 44
- Views: 7227
Re: Fiber cable on front lawn
Where we live Comcast standard procedure is to connect you up from the box near the road and lay the cable across your lawn to the house. A few days later a trenching team arrives and buries the cable about a foot down. Maybe your cable company does the same thing ?
- Mon Apr 30, 2018 9:21 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: If you really like the CR-V, you should check out the [_____]
- Replies: 89
- Views: 13617
Re: If you really like the CR-V, you should check out the [_____]
Buy a sedan, all SUVs are inherently dangerous and roll over on sharp curves.
- Fri Apr 27, 2018 12:41 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Learning to drive a stick [car with manual transmission]
- Replies: 126
- Views: 11764
Re: Learning to drive stick
Very amused at the posts. I am an Englishman living in USA for last 10 years. The emergency brake is called a handbrake in England and you cannot do a hill start any other way than letting the handbrake off while you let the clutch in. It really is easy once you get used to it after a few tries You never double declutch, that went out 70 years ago with the advent of synchromesh gearboxes but a good driver will use the accelerator pedal to bring the engine revs up for a smooth change when going down a gear. I never drive an automatic, we have three cars all manuals and I would never buy an automatic as I always like to be in the right gear at the right time. Driving on the left (UK only, all other European countries drive like the US, on the...
- Fri Apr 27, 2018 12:19 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Amazon to raise Prime membership in US to $119 from $99
- Replies: 145
- Views: 16805
Re: Amazon to raise Prime membership in US to $119 from $99
Greedy Bezos, you'd think the guy was making enough money already.
Only part I use is the fast delivery. Most of the movies that are not junk you have to pay extra for anyway.
I shall be cancelling.
Only part I use is the fast delivery. Most of the movies that are not junk you have to pay extra for anyway.
I shall be cancelling.
- Wed Apr 25, 2018 12:27 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Do you have a car w/o ABS?
- Replies: 53
- Views: 4243
Re: Do you have a car w/o ABS?
ABS isn't the only safety feature an older car doesn't have. Key active safety systems include: Automatic emergency braking (AEB): Brakes are automatically applied to prevent a collision or reduce collision speed. Forward-collision warning (FCW): Visual and/or audible warning intended alert the driver and prevent a collision. Blind-spot warning (BSW): Visual and/or audible notification of vehicle in blind spot. The system may provide an additional warning if you use your turn signal when there is a car next to you in another lane. Rear cross-traffic warning: Visual, audible, or haptic notification of object or vehicle out of rear camera range, but could be moving into it. Rear automatic emergency braking (Rear AEB): Brakes are automaticall...
- Wed Apr 25, 2018 6:33 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Vanguard Surveys
- Replies: 49
- Views: 7455
Re: Vanguard Surveys
I was never offered a gift card just a $10 credit at Amazon which I redeemed easily.
It's clear that there may be more than one survey involved. I was emailed in advance by Vanguard that a survey was coming. No doubt in my mind that it was genuine and my Amazon credit was redeemed as promised by Vanguard.
It's clear that there may be more than one survey involved. I was emailed in advance by Vanguard that a survey was coming. No doubt in my mind that it was genuine and my Amazon credit was redeemed as promised by Vanguard.
- Wed Apr 25, 2018 6:27 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Vanguard Surveys
- Replies: 49
- Views: 7455
Re: Vanguard Surveys
Typically surveys like these are a standard operating procedure for businesses today and are done on a random sampling basis. The info gathered is used to assess products and services and provide direction for future business decisions. Check with Vanguard if you are concerned. I am not at all concerned. It was Vanguard. I am not naive and can discern a valid communication from Vanguard from a scam. I was merely wondering whether others here had received them. I also thought it slightly humorous that Vanguard would be interested in getting opinions regarding future economic measures, and the level of confidence in such opinions. The survey I took had no questions about my opinions on economic policy. The thrust of the questions was about e...
- Tue Apr 24, 2018 4:03 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Vanguard Surveys
- Replies: 49
- Views: 7455
Re: Emailed Vanguard Survey from "GfK". Possible spam or phishing?
Did the survey.
Got a reward code from Ipsos.
Cashed it in with an Amazon purchase.
No problem.
Got a reward code from Ipsos.
Cashed it in with an Amazon purchase.
No problem.
- Mon Apr 23, 2018 2:17 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Need to cut the cable cord - is there an alternative?
- Replies: 42
- Views: 6230
Re: Need to cut the cable cord - is there an alternative?
We watch the three C-SPAN channels 7 to 9 ET every morning (Washington Journal) and weekend book reviews and interviews. In our opinion C-SPAN is way ahead of any other tv channel, no adverts and aimed at adult intelligent viewers. I understand that it comes, as a collective effort, from the cable companies, does that mean if we cut the cord we cannot access C-SPAN ? That would be a complete no-no for us.
- Thu Apr 19, 2018 2:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Buying BRK.B to save $94 annually on insurance?
- Replies: 29
- Views: 8052
Re: Buying BRK.B to save $94 annually on insurance?
Inspired by this post I think now to sell around $210 worth of my Total Stock index fund (setting in my Vanguard Roth IRA) and buy an individual 1 share of BRK.B so only get Geico discount. I only have Auto insurance with them (renter insurance is through another company that is way cheaper), so i asked them on how much I would save, they said "$47/6 months" or roughly 7% of my current premium. My thoughts: Cons: - It would take about a whole 2.5 years to break even with the cost of the share (including Vanguard commission) Pros: - I still have the share that could appreciate and/or pay dividends during this period, so I shouldn't really look at the break even, I am not completly wasting the $200 bucks after all to just buy the d...
- Mon Apr 16, 2018 10:24 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Which would you choose if you were me ?
- Replies: 29
- Views: 4460
Re: Which would you choose if you were me ?
EITHER $6,000 per month for 15 years (joint annuity from PIA) Premium $2M (half my net worth). I am 76, wife is 60. The monthly income is COA. OR Income from the $2M invested in VWIAX (Vanguard High Yield Corporate Bond Fund) VWEAX yielding 5.54%. No concern about principal loss as investment would stay until we both die. No heirs. All remaining funds after we both are dead would go to charities. Two homes. No debts of any sort. Seems to me two risks : Option 1 PIA goes under or Option 2 massive defaults by many US companies. Bogleheads expertise would be very much appreciated. I’m confused: 6k/month is 72K/year which is 1.08 million What happens after 15 Years? Is cost of living adjustment thst substantial? The policy is for my wife and m...
- Sun Apr 15, 2018 6:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Removing oil stains on garage floor
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1939
Re: Removing oil stains on garage floor
Cement, dry of course, I don't mean concrete. This is what they always use at motor racing tracks if there is an oil spill. Put the cement powder on the stain and rub it in with a gloved finger.
- Sun Apr 15, 2018 5:52 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: New HVAC system
- Replies: 15
- Views: 3469
Re: New HVAC system
I was told by a service engineer I trust that Trane are the best.
I would clean the condenser and the evaporator with coil cleaner from Home Depot. About $8. See utube for details. It's easy.
Don't replace until absolutely necessary is my philosophy.
My fan motor stopped so I replaced a capacitor and the motor myself with mail order parts. Saved hundreds.
I would clean the condenser and the evaporator with coil cleaner from Home Depot. About $8. See utube for details. It's easy.
Don't replace until absolutely necessary is my philosophy.
My fan motor stopped so I replaced a capacitor and the motor myself with mail order parts. Saved hundreds.
- Sun Apr 15, 2018 2:46 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: We crush stock indexes, Yale claims
- Replies: 129
- Views: 25787
Re: We crush stock indexes, Yale claims
Naturally, it's not what you know in this life, it's who you know.
- Sun Apr 15, 2018 1:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Which would you choose if you were me ?
- Replies: 29
- Views: 4460
Re: Which would you choose if you were me ?
The main problem with high yield corporate bonds is that when that risk shows up, it shows up at the same time your equities are being hit. So, they're risky assets, and they are highly correlated with equities. Not as big a change from 100% equity as you think. I see your point. Both may well go down simultaneously but would I not still be getting 5% + monthly payout from VWEAX whereas your stock fund would still be paying out less than inflation after tax ? I would remind you that Vanguard rate VTSAX as riskier than their high yield corporate bond fund VWEAX (4 against 3). Are you saying the Vanguard assessment is wrong ? No, I'm not saying that. I sort of think of risk in a different way. Yes, stock funds are more volatile than bonds, a...
- Sun Apr 15, 2018 11:47 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Options to a Bose Wave Radio
- Replies: 26
- Views: 6722
Re: Options to a Bose Wave Radio
Logitech U E smart radio.
They are like gold dust. Why Logitech discontinued them is beyond comprehension.
We have four for our two houses, all bought on ebay now becoming rarer and higher priced.
The best model has the "UE" logo above the big circular tuning knob. I believe these were the last models made.
Internet streaming only from 6 preset buttons, great sound quality and a push mute button to kill the ads.
They are like gold dust. Why Logitech discontinued them is beyond comprehension.
We have four for our two houses, all bought on ebay now becoming rarer and higher priced.
The best model has the "UE" logo above the big circular tuning knob. I believe these were the last models made.
Internet streaming only from 6 preset buttons, great sound quality and a push mute button to kill the ads.
- Sun Apr 15, 2018 10:29 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Which would you choose if you were me ?
- Replies: 29
- Views: 4460
Re: Which would you choose if you were me ?
Now rethought my IP to be as follows : European VEUSX $1/2M income $12,000 US Total Stock VTSAX $1/2M income $9,000 US Total Bond VBTLX $1 1/2 M income $45,000 Berkshire-H B shares $1/2M income zero I am a Buffet fan and the well diversified, well run busineses appeals to me. I can always sell a few shares after a year at low cgt rate for unexpected needs. I would also have $100,000 in PMM for ready cash. Above gives an income of $66,000 plus $24,000 pensions totals $90,000, more than our needs. Does this sound like a good plan ? It's a pretty solid plan. Here's how I would tweak it: 20% to 25% - VTIAX - total ex-US stock 25% to 30% - VTSAX - total US stock 40% to 50% - VBTLX - total bond 0% to 10% - Berkshire-H B shares (There is some wig...
- Sun Apr 15, 2018 10:14 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Which would you choose if you were me ?
- Replies: 29
- Views: 4460
Re: Which would you choose if you were me ?
I see your point. Both may well go down simultaneously but would I not still be getting 5% + monthly payout from VWEAX whereas your stock fund would still be paying out less than inflation after tax ? I would remind you that Vanguard rate VTSAX as riskier than their high yield corporate bond fund VWEAX (4 against 3). Are you saying the Vanguard assessment is wrong ?woof755 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 14, 2018 11:18 pm The main problem with high yield corporate bonds is that when that risk shows up, it shows up at the same time your equities are being hit.
So, they're risky assets, and they are highly correlated with equities. Not as big a change from 100% equity as you think.
- Sat Apr 14, 2018 10:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Which would you choose if you were me ?
- Replies: 29
- Views: 4460
Re: Which would you choose if you were me ?
Now rethought my IP to be as follows :
European VEUSX $1/2M income $12,000
US Total Stock VTSAX $1/2M income $9,000
US Total Bond VBTLX $1 1/2 M income $45,000
Berkshire-H B shares $1/2M income zero
I am a Buffet fan and the well diversified, well run busineses appeals to me. I can always sell a few shares after a year at low cgt rate for unexpected needs.
I would also have $100,000 in PMM for ready cash.
Above gives an income of $66,000 plus $24,000 pensions totals $90,000, more than our needs.
Does this sound like a good plan ?
European VEUSX $1/2M income $12,000
US Total Stock VTSAX $1/2M income $9,000
US Total Bond VBTLX $1 1/2 M income $45,000
Berkshire-H B shares $1/2M income zero
I am a Buffet fan and the well diversified, well run busineses appeals to me. I can always sell a few shares after a year at low cgt rate for unexpected needs.
I would also have $100,000 in PMM for ready cash.
Above gives an income of $66,000 plus $24,000 pensions totals $90,000, more than our needs.
Does this sound like a good plan ?
- Sat Apr 14, 2018 10:19 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Which would you choose if you were me ?
- Replies: 29
- Views: 4460
Re: Which would you choose if you were me ?
$2M (half my net worth). Income from the $2M invested in VWIAX (Vanguard High Yield Corporate Bond Fund) VWEAX yielding 5.54%. I would suggest: (a) Looking at the whole portfolio as one (not an 'income producing' portion and a separate stock portion). (b) Looking at capital appreciation and dividends as being roughly equivalent, apart from tax treatment. The Bogleheads wiki has relevant info: https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Behavioral_pitfalls#Mental_accounting https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Bogleheads%C2%AE_investment_philosophy That said, junk bonds are (slightly) underrated. They aren't some toxic/anomalous asset class like penny stocks (or crypto?), yet they're often treated like one and as something to be avoided in every situation. ...