Search found 262 matches

by md&pharmacist
Wed Jun 20, 2018 8:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much car to buy reasonably?
Replies: 86
Views: 7772

Re: How much car to buy reasonably?

Note that OP is in SoCal, so a pure manual shift transmission is painful in typical stop-and-go traffic. That will rule out some fun choices if it's a daily commuter car. No it doesn't. I live in the same area and had no problem daily driving a stick before I developed some back issues. Now I still drive it once a week or so in traffic and I never once think "gee, life would be easier if I had an automatic." I do frequently ask myself why I put up with the traffic to begin with though. On the flip side, my daily driver is auto, and a lot of times I'll be driving that and wish it was manual. Shifting is muscle memory, traffic is irrelevant. You don't think about shifting. The only time it's a problem is if you're texting and drivi...
by md&pharmacist
Wed Jun 20, 2018 7:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Merrill Edge best choice for higher net worth accounts?
Replies: 98
Views: 27183

Re: Merrill Edge best choice for higher net worth accounts?

I avoid anything having to do with BofA like the plague.

While Vanguard is imperfect (and they've driven me nuts with some of their policies recently), I too have >$1M there, doubt many places where the grass is greener or greener enough for me to bother switching. I think you should stay put but rely on your own judgement, I don't let them steer me to their funds given there are better performers out there.

I agree, they really should consider making their website more user friendly, but I think it is that way by design.
by md&pharmacist
Wed Jun 20, 2018 7:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Selling Amazon?
Replies: 17
Views: 1899

Re: Selling Amazon?

High quality actively managed technology/internet, healthcare/biotech, semiconductor, China mutual funds. Let the pro's go in and out of stocks. They do the stock research we don't. Buy the funds on market corrections.

You'll continue to way outperform the indexes barring a major market disruption.
by md&pharmacist
Wed Jun 20, 2018 7:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much car to buy reasonably?
Replies: 86
Views: 7772

Re: How much car to buy reasonably?

mountain-lion wrote: Wed Jun 20, 2018 5:38 pm
md&pharmacist wrote: Wed Jun 20, 2018 5:30 pm Why not a supercar (as long as it's not your daily driver)?
The first sentence in his messages was literally "I am looking to buy a daily car for commute and fun".
You're right. I have a BMW M6 convertible for my daily driver. Maybe that can be in the running. OP, your picks for a fun daily driver seem good too.
by md&pharmacist
Wed Jun 20, 2018 6:56 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Evaluate my finances. Young guy.
Replies: 96
Views: 16453

Re: Evaluate my finances. Young guy.

I think I am different than most people on this forum (and most people in general) in that I don't view debt as chain and shackles in a prison cell. You've never been through a recession with a ton of money on the line. Sorry to be that old guy with experience grumbling at the young guy who has only seen one side of the coin so far. :) So Homer, why put so much on the line in the stock market. Maybe OP should re-balance risk exposure? Maybe he will not feel so good when the next major correction occurs given the maturity of this bull. Perhaps someone should have cash positions to invest/diversify in...oh I don't know...maybe their personal business or commercial real estate or something. Then they'll have a really good income to serve as a...
by md&pharmacist
Wed Jun 20, 2018 5:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much car to buy reasonably?
Replies: 86
Views: 7772

Re: How much car to buy reasonably?

At 38, I purchased a sports car for $170K. Why not a supercar (as long as it's not your daily driver)? You only live once, don't settle for what you don't really want.
Get a Ferrari f430 with 15K miles for about $100K. Or maybe and Audi R8, Nissan GT-R, Bentley Continental GT, Maserati, Porsche 911 Turbo as long as they're 10-15 years old with no more than 15 K miles. You can own it for 20 years and it will barely depreciate at this point, if your lucky possibly appreciate. All the cars you're looking at depreciate much faster.
by md&pharmacist
Wed Jun 20, 2018 5:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Paper tax return filed at deadline - still no refund 7 weeks later
Replies: 27
Views: 3140

Re: Paper tax return filed at deadline - still no refund 7 weeks later

Turbotax? Paper filing? Really? The IRS is probably irritated.

Get an accountant, or I'll go back to my cassette player and flip phone. :oops:

You're likely leaving refunds on the table. If you can't get this, how can you possibly get my higher level recommendations? :confused
by md&pharmacist
Wed Jun 20, 2018 2:14 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Oh my! Cardone says we need $10m net worth
Replies: 104
Views: 18025

Re: Oh my! Cardone says we need $10m net worth

While $10M is a more comfortable number, $10M is not as comfortable as you think. You probably can't know this until you've walked in the $10M NW shoes. You sleep a little better at night, but still plenty to worry about.
by md&pharmacist
Tue Jun 19, 2018 1:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: I feel like selling my 3 fund

Returns are calculated on investment assets, not on total assets. We don't need to account for your net worth. But, we need to account for all money available to invest. This includes the extra $1M you told the OP of this thread you're " not willing to put in the markets now ". What is an "investment asset"? All portfolio investments (e.g. not including house, personal business assets like a medical practice), and all cash that is available to invest (e.g cash in portfolio accounts) or that can be made available to invest (e.g. cash sitting in savings account that could be diverted into the portfolio if you felt markets were good for it). The idea is that it would be unfair to not account for the return (or lack of retu...
by md&pharmacist
Tue Jun 19, 2018 12:34 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: I feel like selling my 3 fund

longinvest wrote: Tue Jun 19, 2018 12:30 pm Returns are calculated on investment assets, not on total assets. We don't need to account for your net worth. But, we need to account for all money available to invest. This includes the extra $1M you told the OP of this thread you're "not willing to put in the markets now".
What is an "investment asset"?
by md&pharmacist
Tue Jun 19, 2018 12:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: I feel like selling my 3 fund

Wait, in your other thread that got locked you said: Now it's over a million? This is why no one believes you in the other thread. $277k in 401(k)/IRA account earmarked for market investing. About $1.5M in savings for all other expenses. My expenses alone are nearing %100K/month. Also have $500K unused HELOC for insurance. In other words, considering the " not willing to put in the markets now " comment, there's a $2M buying power (including leverage) waiting on the sidelines for investing opportunity that was unreported in your earlier post . As we ruled out leverage, and an emergency fund of a few months would be reasonable, this still leaves an unreported $1M on the sidelines. This breaks the trust I had put in your disclosure...
by md&pharmacist
Tue Jun 19, 2018 12:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: I feel like selling my 3 fund

OP, I have over $1M in savings accounts that I am not willing to put in the markets now for the same reasons you noted. Wait, in your other thread that got locked you said: $277,270.87 Cash for Investing Now it's over a million? This is why no one believes you in the other thread. $277k in 401(k)/IRA account earmarked for market investing. About $1.5M in savings for all other expenses. My expenses alone are nearing %100K/month. Also have $500K unused HELOC for insurance. In other words, considering the " not willing to put in the markets now " comment, there's a $2M buying power (including leverage) waiting on the sidelines for investing opportunity that was unreported in your earlier post . As we ruled out leverage, and an emerg...
by md&pharmacist
Tue Jun 19, 2018 7:38 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: U.S. stocks in free fall
Replies: 36221
Views: 4651197

Re: Anyone buying today?

Wait until after the next correction (>10%) stabilizes if you want to buy. It's the summer, a good likelihood a good opportunity will come. Which could be 12%+ higher than today's price, meaning you "missed out" by not purchasing shares when you had the means to do so :beer Per $100, if it goes up 12%, you have $112, if it then corrects 10%, you lose $11.2, so you wind up at $100.80. Not much of a gain for the risk. Also, you assume the money is not working elsewhere. I can and do use the money to pay down debt and invest in my business. These are summer months, there may be wiser places to invest short term than loading up on market risk right now, because odds are there will likely be better opportunities before another 10% run...
by md&pharmacist
Tue Jun 19, 2018 7:25 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: I feel like selling my 3 fund

goblue100 wrote: Tue Jun 19, 2018 7:13 am
md&pharmacist wrote: Tue Jun 19, 2018 7:01 am OP, I have over $1M in savings accounts that I am not willing to put in the markets now for the same reasons you noted.
Wait, in your other thread that got locked you said:
$277,270.87 Cash for Investing
Now it's over a million? This is why no one believes you in the other thread.
$277k in 401(k)/IRA account earmarked for market investing.
About $1.5M in savings for all other expenses. My expenses alone are nearing %100K/month.
Also have $500K unused HELOC for insurance.
by md&pharmacist
Tue Jun 19, 2018 7:12 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Shorting Amazon
Replies: 44
Views: 6018

Re: Shorting Amazon

Don't short Amazon.

In the tail end of a bull run, people sell their losers and buy the high fliers (usually mega cap tech/internet). Amazon may not deserve a more outrageous PE ratio, but the market is getting out of whack.

You are more likely than not to lose shorting Amazon.
by md&pharmacist
Tue Jun 19, 2018 7:08 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: U.S. stocks in free fall
Replies: 36221
Views: 4651197

Re: Anyone buying today?

Wait until after the next correction (>10%) stabilizes if you want to buy. It's the summer, a good likelihood a good opportunity will come.
by md&pharmacist
Tue Jun 19, 2018 7:01 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

I feel like selling my 3 fund [md&pharmacist]

[Split into a new topic from: I feel like selling my 3 fund , see below (next page) --admin LadyGeek] OP, I have over $1M in savings accounts that I am not willing to put in the markets now for the same reasons you noted. I am rather investing portions of it in my children's education, in my personal business and commercial real estate to maintain diversified investments. I'm researching exotic artwork but have not done this type of investing before. This is the tail end of a great bull run, and things look good right now, but that can change quickly. For example, I think one of the biggest risks with such a tight labor market can be runaway inflation which hasn't occurred as of yet, so what I have in the markets I am not selling unless th...
by md&pharmacist
Mon Jun 18, 2018 1:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]

Here you go. http://time.com/money/4885699/august-september-worst-month-stock-market/ Indeed, since the end of World War II, the S&P 500 index of blue-chip U.S. stocks has averaged losses in only three months of the year: February, August, and September. And over time, August and September have been the worst two months for equity market returns. Since 1945, the S&P 500 has lost 0.2% on average in August and 0.7% in September. What’s more, the second-worst ever monthly drop in equities took place in an August — back in 1998, when the S&P sank nearly 15% in just four weeks. Averaging over all the years. That doesn't predict anything for the following year. 0.2% average loss in August isn't really something one should plan invest...
by md&pharmacist
Sun Jun 17, 2018 6:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]

MD&P, I really have no problem with your investment strategy. You seem to be happy with it, and with your resources, it does not matter much anyway. I wish you luck in your endeavors. I don't really understand some of the vitriol aimed your way. I am, however, a bit curious as to what you hope to get out of engaging on this message board. Many come here to ask questions about investing, personal finance, etc. You don't seem to need, or want, such advice. Some come here to help others with some of those topics. I am not seeing where you have given any advice to help others achieve better performance like you claim to have done. Others come here to simply exchange ideas with like minded investors. In another thread asking about what BH c...
by md&pharmacist
Sun Jun 17, 2018 5:41 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]

EyeYield wrote: Sun Jun 17, 2018 8:59 am
longinvest wrote: Sat Jun 16, 2018 5:46 pm I've created a simple spreadsheet to keep track of total portfolio holdings from contributions, withdrawals, buy and sell transactions, distributions, and fees.
I understand that the OP will provide us with timely information in this thread to keep the "Transactions" sheet up to date.
I think I speak for many Bogleheads when I say, “thanks for your work”. This should be an interesting project.
TY!!!!!!
by md&pharmacist
Sun Jun 17, 2018 8:28 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]

A bunch of jabbering in this thread without any recent trades. Can the replies cease until OP actually makes a purchase/sell? OP, can your next post in this thread be just that? Thanks. I understand, all of this subjectivity drowns out the objectivity for those genuinely interested (possibly by design). It's critical for those who are interested to understand my methods so that my picks and timing are supported in advance of making them. It's not going to hurt me that others may not believe the portfolio, or believe the February 8th trade (or any other trade, even real time trades). I continue to benefit regardless. My goal is average annualized returns of 30-40%, it's not going to hurt me if I only get to 20 or 25% annualized over the nex...
by md&pharmacist
Sat Jun 16, 2018 2:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]

With your skill in investing, there aren't many on this forum that can beat your performance. Most people here are boring index investors that believe in statistics. That is, the overwhelming majority of investors cannot beat the market in the long run. The ones that can will be justly rewarded for their risk. The ones that cannot will be justly punished for their risk. I don't think you will get the advice you are looking for here. TY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think you're right, nor can I convince people who are so entrenched that picking top funds and re-balancing to stay in top sectors is not that difficult with the power of the internet. I found that a logical plan for corrections, recessions and bear markets can take away one's fear and allow ...
by md&pharmacist
Sat Jun 16, 2018 1:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]

... picking top funds and re-balancing to stay in top sectors is not that difficult with the power of the internet. I found that a logical plan for corrections, recessions and bear markets can take away one's fear and allow one to utilize these periods to enhance returns. ... What I'm mainly curious to know is: how do you reconcile your assessment--that you have a logical approach, accessible to intelligent people using public data without devoting their lives to the study of finance, that reliably outperforms the market--with the fact that a vanishingly small percentage of teams of extremely intelligent people, working full time, who have spent entire careers studying markets, manage to achieve that result? For example, do you suspect tha...
by md&pharmacist
Sat Jun 16, 2018 12:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]

I'm pretty sure the internet is not the key to achieving 30-40% returns. I'm guessing all fund managers have access to it. Access, yes (as do almost all Americans and many worldwide). Harnessing the power to accomplish what others may deem near impossible, no. If I am one day able to accomplish these ambitious long term average returns, it will be the internet that has done it for me... ...and yes, the internet is not the only thing. There's a uniquely inherent ambition and determination that drives some of us in the face of criticism and skepticism. The fund managers can run circles around me when it comes to picking stocks and timing stock purchases, so I harness their talents. But being bound by their sectors, I become the expert in sta...
by md&pharmacist
Fri Jun 15, 2018 6:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]

With your skill in investing, there aren't many on this forum that can beat your performance. Most people here are boring index investors that believe in statistics. That is, the overwhelming majority of investors cannot beat the market in the long run. The ones that can will be justly rewarded for their risk. The ones that cannot will be justly punished for their risk. I don't think you will get the advice you are looking for here. TY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think you're right, nor can I convince people who are so entrenched that picking top funds and re-balancing to stay in top sectors is not that difficult with the power of the internet. I found that a logical plan for corrections, recessions and bear markets can take away one's fear and allow ...
by md&pharmacist
Fri Jun 15, 2018 1:38 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]

If I totaled this up correctly, you have $1,580,418.24 in investments plus $277,270.87 in cash for a total of $1,857,689.11 in your portfolio? I believe in other threads you've boasted that you're in your mid 40's with a net worth of $10 million and make $1 million a year. How long have you been making doctor money? I can see why you'd want 30-40% returns based on your Portfolio to Income ratio. Thanks for your feedback. This is the size of the portfolio in tax deferred accounts. Doctor and PharmD income 17 years, started at about 1/4 of current income. I think you have a point in the psychology of why I want to, over the long term, try to achieve a 30-40% annualized average return. Given my income, smaller returns will only slowly increas...
by md&pharmacist
Fri Jun 15, 2018 12:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: can we afford to spend $20K on travel annually
Replies: 89
Views: 10207

Re: can we afford to spend $20K on travel annually

Given that you seem to agree that they "have the funds", who are you [or any of "us"] to say that, for them , "$200,000 for 10 years of vacations is too much"? It's not as though they are clearly putting other family/life goals at serious risk. Who am I? Someone giving my opinion on the very question they asked. You don't agree with me. They certainly art thinking about the wisdom of the expenditure. They may ultimately agree with me or not, but they asked. It may or may not squeeze other family goals - appears to be about 7-8% of after tax income. Factoring in mortgage, food, health care, automobiles, education costs, clothing, utilities, property and sales taxes, retirement savings, repairs, and everything e...
by md&pharmacist
Fri Jun 15, 2018 11:49 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]

Chip wrote: Fri Jun 15, 2018 11:32 am Thanks for the info!

There is some sort of minor error on DXQLX. I have a closing price yesterday of 26.98. 7,205.005 shares * 26.98 = 194,391, vs. the 194,301 shown in your list. Can you clarify?
Thank you. The 0 is next to 9 on keyboard. Just rechecked, it is $194,391.03 for DXQLX.
by md&pharmacist
Fri Jun 15, 2018 11:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: can we afford to spend $20K on travel annually
Replies: 89
Views: 10207

Re: can we afford to spend $20K on travel annually

$200,000 for 10 years of vacations is too much, even on your salary. An exotic trip to Africa, Australia, the Far East here and there is fine, but not as a routine. Definitely do enjoy life and travel if you desire.

Also, extrapolating to other aspects of your life, make sure you don't have to spend big bucks to be happy. Fix that which makes you do this if this is the case. If not, great.

It's called lifestyle creep. In reality, you could (you have the funds), I'm more focused on the problem of should just because you could.

Better than exotic destinations, travel with extended family is more enjoyable and memorable. Shared experiences build your relationships.

Happy travels!
by md&pharmacist
Fri Jun 15, 2018 11:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Timeshare ever worth it? Please share details
Replies: 123
Views: 15672

Re: Timeshare ever worth it? Please share details

I own two, purchased a long time ago. At this point, I feels the cons significantly outweigh the pro's. Warning, they apply pressure far worse than a car salesman. They buy you lunch to make you feel obligated. You feel like you are held hostage, they call in the supervisor to double team you. They hold any free-bee's until after they convince you to buy. They are willing to waste one of your entire vacation days. They charge for exchanging weeks or locations. You have to pay property taxes in addition to regular maintenance. You get to stay at second tier hotels. Many preferred vacation dates of the year are blocked. Every time you use your timeshare for a vacation, they do it all over again pushing a whole new timeshare for several thousa...
by md&pharmacist
Fri Jun 15, 2018 10:11 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]

Hello, To be able to discuss additions to your portfolio we first need to understand what you currently have. Can you please complete the table below. - amount = shares - fund $XXX,XXX = XXX - VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Admiral) $XXX,XXX = XXX - VQNPX (Vanguard Growth and Income) $XXX,XXX = XXX - VWNDX (Vanguard Windsor Fund) $XXX,XXX = XXX - UNPIX (Profunds Ultra International Fund) $XXX,XXX = XXX - DXQLX (Direxion Nasdaq 100 Bull 2x) $XXX,XXX = XXX - FBIOX (Fidelity Select Biotechnology) $XXX,XXX = XXX - FSPHX (Fidelity Select Healthcare) $XXX,XXX = XXX - FSELX (Fidelity Select Semiconductors) $XXX,XXX = XXX - OPGIX (Oppenheimer Global Opportunties) $XXX,XXX = XXX - UGPIX (Profunds Ultra China) $1,500,000 Cash for Investing - amount = shares - ...
by md&pharmacist
Fri Jun 15, 2018 8:21 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Interesting video from Ramsey today [How Ramsey Outperforms The Stock Market]
Replies: 134
Views: 15531

Re: Interesting video from Ramsey today [How Ramsey Outperforms The Stock Market]

Certainly every case is individual, but i can definitely see circumstances where you should bypass 401-K matches to manage excess consumer debt. One can best learn when they understand statements within their context, and suppress their underlying biases to learn both what to do and what not to do.
by md&pharmacist
Fri Jun 15, 2018 7:57 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]

What is on your watch list, MDP? Here are some funds I am seriously looking at: 1- FSRPX (Fidelity Select Retailing Portfolio) currently YTD 18.52%, 1-YEAR 29.31%, 3-YEAR 22.84%, 5-YEAR 12.66%, 10-YEAR 18.21% This would help me diversify into consumer cyclicals, Top 10 Holdings AS OF 3/31/2018 69.80% of Total Portfolio AMZN AMAZON.COM INC HD HOME DEPOT INC BKNG THE BOOKING HOLDINGS INC NFLX NETFLIX INC LOW LOWES COS INC TJX TJX COMPANIES INC NEW DG DOLLAR GENERAL CORP ROST ROSS STORES INC AZO AUTOZONE INC ORLY O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE INC 49 holdings as of 3/31/2018 2- PSGAX (Virtus Kar Small Cap Growth) YTD 25.30%, 1-YEAR 42.41%, 3-YEAR 25.75%, 5-YEAR 20.61%, 10-YEAR 14.39% This would help me diversify into small cap. Top 10 Holdings AS OF 3/3...
by md&pharmacist
Thu Jun 14, 2018 9:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone regret paying off mortgage early?
Replies: 2483
Views: 291397

Re: Anyone regret paying off mortgage early?

Paid mine off within 5 years of building. I do the same thing with my commercial real estate.

For the life of me, I can't see any reason why one would regret paying off early.

If you think investing in the markets is best because returns are generally higher than mortgage interest, the reality is anything can happen in the markets, or you can lose your job or become ill and the manageable monthly payment is suddenly no longer manageable. If you pass away, you leave your kids a costly liability, who knows if they will be able to afford to service the debt or the property will go into foreclosure.

You can never be underwater.

You'll sleep better at night.
by md&pharmacist
Thu Jun 14, 2018 7:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]

In the end, whether I am 0% cash or 99.99999% cash, the reality is that if someone wants to consider my techniques, timing and/or holdings - they will not have the same cash positions as I. Ignore the noise, that's all it is. This is not true. Knowing what percentage you held in cash at various points is important in determining what risk you took on. About 13% of my portfolio is in cash, and most of that was funded in March for the April tax deadline. Now watch what an incredibly big deal the noisemakers make of that. That smokescreen will likewise clear, and you and the other objective observers, I'm sure, won't be misguided. Thank you for this detail. In all future transactions please do remember to disclose what portion you are adding/...
by md&pharmacist
Thu Jun 14, 2018 6:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]

I agree that this would be a very interesting thread if you are willing to follow through with the kind of detail it takes to make it verifiable. The only way for that to happen is to get some ground-rules and stop with the complaints about the thread and bashing the OP. Let's have some actual discussion about the test. If past results are needed, discuss how to do that. Also when and how to report future moves. Earl, you are a good man. Like you, those here with reasonable posts or just watching and declining to post (out of fear, sadly), are objective with genuine interest. The others, with hostile posts, are so afraid that my well performing portfolio can still be improved further. It won't matter that the majority of my funds will well...
by md&pharmacist
Thu Jun 14, 2018 5:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]

I'm not 50% cash. But, with 50% cash, a 1 year return of 13.7% in this under-performing market! Wow, that means the funds are collectively at 27.4% 1 year even with my sleepers, and in this lazy market where the DOW hasn't seen it's high in months. You can see how it's been so good in a normalized market like 2017, where my best performer hit over 105% 1 year return (my second best hit 80%, and yes they were all pretty much doing great). Your help with the fine tuning as we go we can create a spectacular portfolio together! I'm talking to the quiet and objective observers here. They get it. As someone else has said, returns for the last year have been very good. There are many non-leveraged growth funds that have seen returns well in exces...
by md&pharmacist
Thu Jun 14, 2018 1:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]

I'm not 50% cash.

But, with 50% cash, a 1 year return of 13.7% in this under-performing market! Wow, that means the funds are collectively at 27.4% 1 year even with my sleepers, and in this lazy market where the DOW hasn't seen it's high in months. You can see how it's been so good in a normalized market like 2017, where my best performer hit over 105% 1 year return (my second best hit 80%, and yes they were all pretty much doing great).

Your help with the fine tuning as we go we can create a spectacular portfolio together!

I'm talking to the quiet and objective observers here. They get it.
by md&pharmacist
Thu Jun 14, 2018 12:04 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]

Whats your IRR of your entire portfolio (Stocks, Bonds, Cash) over the last 12 months, 3 years, etc.? Wouldn't that be more important than how one of your many funds performed well. That would be like me bragging about how my Amazon stock has gone up x% over the last few years even though its just a portion of my total stock fund and doesn't represent what my total portfolio did. Not sure if you saw it earlier in the string but I already posted all the funds. Yes, I would like to see you discussing Amazon and other great performers because I would take a company (in my case funds) with good fundamentals into consideration. I don't need all of your holdings to consider one of them. Honestly, if one of your holdings is in an under-performing...
by md&pharmacist
Thu Jun 14, 2018 8:01 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]

Based on the ECB's comments this morning, I do not believe Europe is ready for serious consideration. Still weakness, however, given the ECB is still buying bonds and holding interest rates steady, they are a year or two behind the US and should ultimately see prosperity improving at some time over the next 12-18 months. Also, don't focus in on just my leveraged holdings. Most of my holdings are not leveraged funds. A lot of talk here about DXQLX, so far up a very healthy 24% YTD, if this pace continues, extrapolated it could be up over 50% in 2018. Nasdaq is tech heavy, and I see tech continuing to be one of the strongest and largest sectors of the US economy. Chinese tech/internet also appears to be very strong. Several of my funds have a...
by md&pharmacist
Wed Jun 13, 2018 12:18 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]

hawkfan55 wrote: Tue Jun 12, 2018 12:24 am
I hope the OP is as dedicated to his patients as he is to his financial and investing pursuits. If yes, his patients are fortunate. :D
The patients are the precise reason I have not bothered with the RE in FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early). I struggle very much with the term Physician on FIRE. Guess one can still volunteer, but that's not the undertone.

People are infinitely more important than finances.
by md&pharmacist
Tue Jun 12, 2018 11:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]

Homer, Genius is still name calling! Since I no longer want to pick my own stocks and want to attain out-sized fund returns, I have also been called naive in this same string! So if you all still want to call me names, I think the most accurate is confused! :? Besides if you keep calling me "not a genius", when I have never used that term....makes we wonder what you're really thinking. To clarify, I do NOT believe I am a genius and this is the only context where I will use that term. I have already called myself below average in this very string, and others have concurred I am accurate in my assessment. OK Homer, you're right. I was dumb to be out of the markets in 2008-2011 where I bothered to put my money into something as ridic...
by md&pharmacist
Tue Jun 12, 2018 11:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]

I removed an off-topic post. As a reminder, see: General Etiquette This is a moderated forum. We expect this forum to be a place where people can feel comfortable asking questions and where debates and discussions are conducted in civil tones. ...At all times we must conduct ourselves in a respectful manner to other posters. Attacks on individuals, insults, name calling, trolling, baiting or other attempts to sow dissension are not acceptable. Please state your concerns in a civil, factual, manner. That being said, let's help the OP follow-through on his quest to track his portfolio from this point forward. We have precedent, see: A different approach to asset allocation , a 29+ page discussion by Market timer, Sep 16, 2007. LadyGeek, appr...
by md&pharmacist
Tue Jun 12, 2018 7:47 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]

Here's the issue. You say you are worth $10 million. You have 15% of your net worth in stocks. That's $1.5 million. You claim to be averaging 30-40% returns. You've been investing for 20 years. $8,000 over 20 years at 30% (your low end) is $1.5 million. So either you are the worlds greatest investor and have turned $8k in $1.5 million, or you are a 15 year old who is trolling the forum. :sharebeer I don't claim to be averaging 30-40%, I want help getting there. I'd say I'm just an average or below average investor (at this time I'm not even comfortable picking my own stocks). I'm 45 y.o. I don't have $1.5M in stocks, I have close to $1.6M in mutual funds, but they hold some cash positions so I'm not sure exactly how much is in stocks as it...
by md&pharmacist
Tue Jun 12, 2018 7:37 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]

Beezquimby, no special insights. Just the same information that is available to everyone...combined with a strategy in corrections - strategic buying (low) and cash reserves to take advantage of the opportunities that correction presents. I figure corrections and bear markets are there, why not utilize their advantages? Put differently, If I buy low and it goes even lower, it's better than buying high and arriving at the same bottom - I'll get back to break even and profitability faster.

Thanks.
by md&pharmacist
Tue Jun 12, 2018 7:27 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]

slayed wrote: Tue Jun 12, 2018 5:06 am Is this trading happening in a taxable account? If so then where are the taxes due coming from when you realize a gain?
No. But if it was, income and savings can cover.
by md&pharmacist
Tue Jun 12, 2018 7:25 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]

MSO4PRN wrote: Tue Jun 12, 2018 2:52 am ortho or derm?
Ha!

FP with employed providers and wife is PharmD.
by md&pharmacist
Tue Jun 12, 2018 12:16 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]
Replies: 198
Views: 19410

Re: MD&P just purchased X / sold Y [md&pharmacist]

What did you sell to purchase OPGIX? (It surprises me that I have to ask.) And what was your last trade before that? You can see where I’m going with this. May as well, this is gonna be a lot of foreplay and not much action otherwise. Not every purchase has to be preceded by a sale. Well, I'd have to pull out years of transactions, though not sure if I have transactions from 20 years ago. Not like I have to manage patients or anything. :happy You're missing a very important point. I do not trade short term, most of my funds I have owned for years, so the exact date and purchase price doesn't matter when you look at the strong long term performance over those years. I'm human and not infallible, but constantly studying and improving my retu...