Search found 563 matches

by ronno2018
Wed Feb 22, 2023 11:56 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The bear market is over
Replies: 261
Views: 90224

Re: The bear market is over

secondopinion wrote: Tue Feb 21, 2023 4:34 pm
ronno2018 wrote: Tue Feb 21, 2023 4:21 pm :sharebeer I was about to congratulate myself for my October call that the bottom arrived. Then today happened and tons of negative news! BUT THE WEEK IS NOT OVER.

Who has a crystal ball or a time machine? That is the solution. :beer
I am still in the green since the start of 2022, so I am not worried.

I do not have either of these money-making tools, but I got the same idea in October (some more bonds in early November).
Yeah, all I did was realize I could switch my monthly 401k contribution to stocks from bonds without my asset allocation going haywire. So a bit of market timing to make me feel more in control, but not really. :D
by ronno2018
Tue Feb 21, 2023 4:21 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The bear market is over
Replies: 261
Views: 90224

Re: The bear market is over

:sharebeer I was about to congratulate myself for my October call that the bottom arrived. Then today happened and tons of negative news! BUT THE WEEK IS NOT OVER.

Who has a crystal ball or a time machine? That is the solution. :beer
by ronno2018
Mon Jan 30, 2023 9:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does anybody here lease cars?
Replies: 83
Views: 8125

Re: Does anybody here lease cars?

GG1273 wrote: Mon Jan 30, 2023 8:37 pm I've never done it to date...
However, thinking about it as I move into retirement just for some new experiences!

I did see a BMW Alpina over the weekend, that might be fun for a couple of years

:beer
Oh gosh! Just rent the Alpina and the 600HP for a week! No need to buy that beast! LOL! :sharebeer
by ronno2018
Mon Jan 30, 2023 9:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestion for a cheap but decent headpones
Replies: 33
Views: 2964

Re: Suggestion for a cheap but decent headpones

I tried some Monoprice $300 headphones and returned them as they did not sound as good as an old pair of Koss $39 headphones -- https://www.amazon.com/Koss-PortaPro-He ... 00001P4ZH/

But really try some different brands and maybe you have a local hifi shop that is willing to let you demo some?

Sigh. It is lame that so many retail hifi shops are gone now. Arrggh.
by ronno2018
Mon Jan 30, 2023 8:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does anybody here lease cars?
Replies: 83
Views: 8125

Re: Does anybody here lease cars?

I have had good luck leasing Kia's. A Niro hybrid and then a Kia Forte GT line.

Pretty sure I will turn in the Forte in November and get a nice electric cargo bike. Maybe a https://himiwaybike.com/products/electric-cargo-bike ?

I just wish more governments would add e-bike rebates like Denver, etc. https://www.denverpost.com/2023/01/05/e ... nver-2023/
by ronno2018
Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Simplest portfolio for recent reitiree
Replies: 62
Views: 7394

Re: Simplest portfolio for recent reitiree

ronno2018 wrote: Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:10 pm I am not sure if you are a reitiree or a retiree? :happy I like REITS! Be a REITSIREE?

Anyway I think Taylor's comments are so good! That dude needs to be in a hall of fame somewhere. What a dude! :happy

I think this is the punk rock retirement plan. Go out with a flash! Then hang on for the rest of your life!

Lots of valid comments about the guy kicking the bucket after all the fun. What about the wife/partner? Worth thinking about.

In my case I can travel really cheap using home exchanges, pet watching, airbnb, friends and family, couch surfing etc. No luxury needed. Just up close and personal learning about others in various countries.

Yes, luxury is good sometimes. But really? Give some to charity. :sharebeer
by ronno2018
Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Simplest portfolio for recent reitiree
Replies: 62
Views: 7394

Re: Simplest portfolio for recent reitiree

I am not sure if you are a reitiree or a retiree? :happy I like REITS! Be a REITSIREE?

Anyway I think Taylor's comments are so good! That dude needs to be in a hall of fame somewhere. What a dude! :happy

I think this is the punk rock retirement plan. Go out with a flash! Then hang on for the rest of your life!

Lots of valid comments about the guy kicking the bucket after all the fun. Worth thinking about.

In my case I can travel really cheap using home exchanges, pet watching, airbnb, friends and family, couch surfing etc. No luxury needed. Just up close and personal learning about others in various countries.

Yes, luxury is good sometimes. But really? Give some to charity. :sharebeer
by ronno2018
Tue Jan 24, 2023 5:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Small Pickup - Ford Maverick perhaps
Replies: 43
Views: 3898

Re: Small Pickup - Ford Maverick perhaps

Sort of related to the utility trailer suggestion -- these Japanese mini trucks are cool -- https://minitrucks.net/products/1998-suzuki-carry-4wd :sharebeer
by ronno2018
Fri Jan 20, 2023 5:31 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Customer Service Mega-thread
Replies: 1514
Views: 169532

Re: Vanguard Customer Service Mega-thread

There is nothing stopping Vanguard from copying Fidelity with adding a cash management account, active trader pro software, transfer in bonuses, etc.

I think it is just too much work for too little profit. Maybe not?

Anyway I am glad I found this forum and I am happy with Vanguard in all ways. I am only moving to Fidelity so I can simplify things a bit (eliminate using Ally Bank, which has also been great).

I just wish Vanguard had a program to lure my relatives from Edward Jones, etc.. :sharebeer
by ronno2018
Wed Jan 18, 2023 4:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Why very high speed internet?
Replies: 168
Views: 13924

Re: Why very high speed internet?

For those who have high speed internet, such as 500Mbs or gigabyte, what do you do that requires such speed? The most bandwidth I see for typical use is 25Mbs for 4k video, so four simultaneous streams would only need a 100Mbs connection. Web browsing, social media, email, etc. only use a small amount of bandwidth. Gaming seems to require low latency more than bandwidth. I suppose some people regularly move massive files over the internet, but I'd think that would be rare. Podcast interviews. That's our biggest need for the highest possible speed. Plug directly in too. Ever listened to a podcast with a delay between the host and guest? It's just as miserable to record it as listen to it. Don't most people use local/cloud recording services...
by ronno2018
Tue Jan 17, 2023 8:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What is my job in the for-profit sector?
Replies: 12
Views: 1446

Re: What is my job in the for-profit sector?

Wow, amazingly great suggestions above! Good luck! :sharebeer
by ronno2018
Tue Jan 17, 2023 8:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Travel from Copenhagen in March
Replies: 24
Views: 1578

Re: Travel from Copenhagen in March

I would go to Palermo on Lufthansa for $294 round trip. Malta is also nice! Enjoy!
by ronno2018
Mon Jan 02, 2023 6:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are your LEAST favorite vacation destinations
Replies: 399
Views: 43744

Re: What are your LEAST favorite vacation destinations

Other thread got me thinking, what destination did you have high hopes for that disappointment you the most? Almost any place in the United States because I hate driving and the infrastructure forces one to be in the car for inordinate amounts of time. I prefer vacations that get me out there and active, which is why I typically head to Europe--the Alps in the nicer weather. I take the trains from city to walkable city and the wonderful buses within cities for longer distances, and that way I'm able to stay perfectly mobile without ever setting foot in a car or sitting in traffic. Nirvana. Yeah, a walkable no car needed vacation is the best! Lots of non-Euro locations (Kyoto, Tokyo, Quito, etc) for that and hopefully more on the way!
by ronno2018
Mon Jan 02, 2023 5:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Review – 42yo planning to retire at 45!
Replies: 31
Views: 5345

Re: Portfolio Review – 42yo planning to retire at 45!

Dude, I think you are set. Really I can't see how you can avoid paying the full ride for health insurance! I think it is awesome to volunteer and donate to charity. You must have some amazing skills so get on some boards and make things happen! :sharebeer
by ronno2018
Mon Jan 02, 2023 5:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What do you put in your sack lunch? And question about meal prep.
Replies: 41
Views: 4023

Re: What do you put in your sack lunch? And question about meal prep.

I can work from home recently and it definitely saves on lunch money!

But on the other hand I love the chicken katsu near the office downtown, and the soy chicken, teriyaki chicken, sushi, and Greek gyros, Pakistani vegetarian curry, sometimes the fish and chips. ETC... Yum... :sharebeer
by ronno2018
Mon Jan 02, 2023 5:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity free Turbotax 2022
Replies: 473
Views: 58546

Re: Fidelity free Turbotax 2022

I have a fido HSA and now CMA (thank you for the $150 fido!).

And I think I got $20 off turbotax by clicking on a link on their website.

Now I just need to convince the random fido advisor I contacted to match the etrade $2500 transfer in bonus... :beer
by ronno2018
Sun Dec 25, 2022 9:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity planning tool pretty good!
Replies: 6
Views: 1520

Re: Fidelity planning tool pretty good!

i don't think you're missing anything by not having an international bond fund. since it's hedged it's likely to have similar returns to bnd with higher costs. you want the unhedged of international stocks so there's a wider dispersion (opportunity) with stocks, but bonds are not for making money (mostly) they're more for income/safety (though this year was not great for that safety). not sure what the 5% in short term treasury is either, unless you're in retirement (don't know) and that's money you'd pull from in the event that stocks (and bonds like this year) are down. short term treasury is more like the cash portion for living expenses or RMD if tax advantaged (again, don't know). I think if you edit your post to include the details o...
by ronno2018
Sun Dec 25, 2022 9:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity planning tool pretty good!
Replies: 6
Views: 1520

Re: Fidelity planning tool pretty good!

MrJones wrote: Sun Dec 25, 2022 9:15 pm I'm having a hard time understanding what your post is talking about. Could you give us some context and an adequate explanation?
Sorry! I have a Vanguard account for everything, but a Fidelity HSA and now cash management account.

So as I investigated the Fidelity account tools I found a planning tool that looks at your other accounts (via the Fidelity full view tool that you grant access to like mint.com and personalcapital.com) and it analyzes your desired risk and suggests a new portfolio using Fidelity provided stocks or ETF's.

So basically it wants to convert what you have to an asset allocation using Fidelity provided ETF's or mutual funds based on your risk profile.

What I posted was the result.
by ronno2018
Sun Dec 25, 2022 9:13 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity planning tool pretty good!
Replies: 6
Views: 1520

Fidelity planning tool pretty good!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Anyway I was just checking out the planning tool on Fidelity.

I have a mix of ETF's at Vanguard and would like to simplify a bit. I used the automated tool at Fidelity and they came up with the following --

ITOT Ishares Core S&P Total US Stock Mkt ETF 49.00%
AGG Ishares Core US Aggregate Bond ETF 25.00%
IXUS Ishares Core MSCI Total Intl Stk ETF 21.00%
SHV Ishares Short Treasury Bond ETF 5.00%
Total 100.00%

Not bad, but missing a bit of international bond like BNDX.

I have a bit of gold and REIT's too. But I think I don't need them.

Actually I am not understanding the need for SHV...
by ronno2018
Thu Dec 22, 2022 6:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Tesla [stock] still a good option?
Replies: 113
Views: 15130

Re: Tesla [stock] still a good option?

hicabob wrote: Thu Dec 22, 2022 6:29 pm
dmcmahon wrote: Thu Dec 22, 2022 5:43 pm
pmindex wrote: Mon Dec 19, 2022 7:26 pm I’m new here but really surprised to see this discussion on this forum. TSLA seems to me a case study in why index investing is better than stock-picking. (But I’ve never had money I was willing to gamble on a “genius” CEO.)
Some of us index investors are still grumbling at being made the bigger fools when TSLA was added to the S&P 500.

That’s not to take anything away from the company, the cars, or the founder. It’s just an old man grumbling at the valuation he was forced to swallow.
I know - Vanguards index funds are the biggest holders of tsla with Total Stock Market Index being the biggest fund holding so most of share the ouch.
Very true! I had forgotten about my ESGV, VTI, holdings etc!
by ronno2018
Fri Dec 16, 2022 8:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: VW Warranty Extension - 560 miles over 80,000 cap
Replies: 36
Views: 2925

Re: VW Warranty Extension - 560 miles over 80,000 cap

Yeesh. I sort of agree with the guy who says bail on it. What a cool car though! You got your $19K worth I think! I believe the car market will get better soon. Maybe this would be OK for you? https://leasehackr.com/blog/2022/11/4/holy-moly-mazda-is-offering-002-apr-on-mazda-cx-9-leases For a station wagon the car was fun, peppy and nice looking. I’ve always considered leasing unwise. I don’t know why though. A quick read of some of the deals might make it a good option. The Mazda CX-9 hasn’t been selling well compared to other’s in its class according to Dr. Google. I’m also concerned about the gas mileage. My cars have always gotten 30 mpg or more. Going into the 20’s might be more than I am willing to compromise. Thanks for the suggesti...
by ronno2018
Fri Dec 16, 2022 8:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Financial Advice You Wish You Knew
Replies: 69
Views: 10634

Re: Financial Advice You Wish You Knew

Risk

And then the day came,
when the risk
to remain tight
in a bud
was more painful
than the risk
it took
to blossom.

-Anaïs Nin
by ronno2018
Fri Dec 16, 2022 5:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gigabit Switch Issue
Replies: 16
Views: 1384

Re: Gigabit Switch Issue

Please check your network driver software too. I just rebuilt an old Dell Optiplex with Windows 11 and the TP-Link USB WiFi adapter sped up tremendously when I installed the correct driver.
by ronno2018
Fri Dec 16, 2022 5:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: VW Warranty Extension - 560 miles over 80,000 cap
Replies: 36
Views: 2925

Re: VW Warranty Extension - 560 miles over 80,000 cap

Yeesh. I sort of agree with the guy who says bail on it.

What a cool car though! You got your $19K worth I think!

I believe the car market will get better soon. Maybe this would be OK for you? https://leasehackr.com/blog/2022/11/4/h ... x-9-leases
by ronno2018
Tue Dec 06, 2022 7:40 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Getting my life together at 35.
Replies: 45
Views: 7442

Re: Getting my life together at 35.

You have done amazing I think all considered! I like the suggestion above about looking into further education while you are working. Excellent to hear you have car maintenance skills!

Some of the best jobs in Mississippi are nursing -- https://www.zippia.com/advice/highest-p ... ssissippi/

You can triple your salary if you pursue that career. :sharebeer
by ronno2018
Tue Nov 29, 2022 5:58 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Classic 60-40 Investment Strategy Falls Apart. ‘There’s No Place to Hide.’
Replies: 183
Views: 25531

Re: The Classic 60-40 Investment Strategy Falls Apart. ‘There’s No Place to Hide.’

I mean, this is an odd year for sure. My 75/25 portfolio is -14.78 and US stock is -14.72.

But really, it is so hard to draw any long term conclusions from one year.

Please spend some of your money on visiting cool places. Here is Cefalu in Sicily in July this year. Spend time loving your friends and family too.

https://postimg.cc/K1btB5QY

:sharebeer
by ronno2018
Mon Nov 28, 2022 9:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hotel recommendations: Barcelona and Madrid
Replies: 18
Views: 2120

Re: Hotel recommendations: Barcelona and Madrid

I stayed here -- https://hotelcram.com/en/ in July and the staff were super nice, rooftop breakfast cafe was excellent. Not a super fancy hotel but it has a unique design and excellent location.

Enjoy your trip! Spain is awesome! The food is so tasty! :sharebeer
by ronno2018
Sat Nov 26, 2022 1:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Staying Organized Across 10 Accounts
Replies: 17
Views: 1937

Re: Staying Organized Across 10 Accounts

Have you added your Vanguard accounts to the Fidelity Full view tool? That will help.

https://www.fidelity.com/cash-managemen ... w/overview

Also personalcapital.com or Mint.com can assist.

I have to say personal capital is not syncing very well lately. Interesting list here -- https://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/mint-alternatives/ I am now interested in Tiller. I think I will try their free trial.
by ronno2018
Sun Nov 20, 2022 8:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Finally pushed too hard at work - RETIRING!
Replies: 284
Views: 24363

Re: Finally pushed too hard at work - RETIRING!

Man, does this guy work at Twitter or what? :sharebeer
by ronno2018
Sun Nov 20, 2022 6:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Finally pushed too hard at work - RETIRING!
Replies: 284
Views: 24363

Re: Finally pushed too hard at work - RETIRING!

So after several phone call last week from my boss and then his (good cop/bad cop approach) I had several sleepless nights. Woke up yesterday morning and told my wife that’s it, I’m retiring and quick! Luckily, I think I have enough invested that I can walk away from what will be a bad environment for me. So I plan on announcing my retirement as of January 1st. Very short notice (expectation is 9 months notice) but they pissed me off. So here is my question: I have around $2,000,000 saved, no debt, home worth $600,000, two new car paid for. $96,000 is liquid cash in bank savings. I just turned 63 and my wife is 59. She intends to continue working and she covers the both of us medically. I have $730,000 in Vanguard Wellesley Admiral shares....
by ronno2018
Sun Nov 20, 2022 6:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Finally pushed too hard at work - RETIRING!
Replies: 284
Views: 24363

Re: Finally pushed too hard at work - RETIRING!

I'm going to not answer your question but instead propose a new direction. You've decided that you're done. That's a big decision and it's now behind you. Here's my proposal: Don't retire. Instead, change your work habits to your advantage. Arrive late. Do the things YOU want to do. Take long lunches. Leave early. My question is: what are they going to do, worst case? Fire you? So what? My reasoning from your description is that they are treating you badly. Is it because they want to push you out for your age? (that happened to me) So let them pay your salary until THEY can't take it anymore. Pushing someone out is low risk for them. Having to terminate someone is much more risk if their reasoning isn't solid. Why? Because you may prevail ...
by ronno2018
Sun Nov 20, 2022 6:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Decent experience loading cash into Paypal (Ally Bank user)
Replies: 1
Views: 730

Decent experience loading cash into Paypal (Ally Bank user)

I sold a Niu stand up scooter for $450 recently on Craigslist (will apply proceeds to a Himiway Big Dog bike https://himiwaybike.com/products/electric-cargo-bike and maybe earn some money with Door Dash on the weekends).

Anyway I tracked down a CVS near me and they did a great job taking the cash and putting into my Paypal account (needed to give them a QR code from the PayPal mobile app).

It all worked out and now I can transfer the cash to my Ally savings account. There was a $3.95 fee from CVS and maybe a fee for the transfer from Paypal, not sure yet...

I really only have rare events to move cash to my bank so I am glad I found a decent way to do it now. Ally has been pretty optimal and error free for me so far. :sharebeer
by ronno2018
Sun Nov 20, 2022 6:13 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Portfolio advice 20 year old (France)
Replies: 9
Views: 1707

Re: Portfolio advice 20 year old (France)

wow this is interesting and i wonder how many french people are into this sort of investment vis a vi the traditional pensions and social support in old age...
by ronno2018
Tue Nov 08, 2022 12:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Plan to take $100k in 401(k)/403(b) loans
Replies: 27
Views: 2676

Re: Plan to take $100k in 401(k)/403(b) loans

JoeRetire wrote: Tue Nov 08, 2022 11:41 am
HMSVictory wrote: Tue Nov 08, 2022 10:01 am Option C.

Delay construction finishing until you can save up the $100k you need to finish the job.

Your spending money you don't have to do something you don't have to do. Slow down and do the project with cash. You have 5/6 of it now.
IMHO, this is the correct answer. Living within your means and such...

I don't know, if you have a good reliable contractor, keep them working! Also after our house total remodel I asked for the cost to finish the basement -- was $44K in 2012 and I thought wow that is a lot. Well I we never did it and now it would cost at least $150K I think.

Every time I head to the laundry room in the basement I think I should have spent the money. :sharebeer
by ronno2018
Thu Nov 03, 2022 12:30 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard not serving investors with this new dog? [Active ESG stock fund]
Replies: 68
Views: 6734

Re: Vanguard not serving investors with this new dog?

I think the bulk of my holdings are now ESG and I am ok with the results (VCEB has been bad lately, but not too far off BND I think). That being said I think the criticism that if you just go with lower expense ratio total market ETF's and use the savings to send charitable donations to your preferred ESG NGO's then you are being more efficient.

I guess I will keep doing both though. :sharebeer

I have thought about a battery ESG recently, so maybe I am interested in this new expensive Vanguard Global Environmental Opportunities Stock Fund???
by ronno2018
Mon Oct 31, 2022 4:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's the favorite thing or most important thing you have learned here? [Personal finance]
Replies: 191
Views: 17273

Re: What's the favorite thing or most important thing you have learned here? [Personal finance]

I think the notion of an https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Investm ... _statement was the best thing for me. I was a policy sci major (and geography!) and it just makes so much sense to have open and discussed policy in government and business, so why not for how to live your financial life? :beer
by ronno2018
Mon Oct 31, 2022 4:13 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: WSJ: Public REITs Are Down, Nontraded REITs Are Up. Which Is Right?
Replies: 67
Views: 8666

Re: WSJ: Public REITs Are Down, Nontraded REITs Are Up. Which Is Right?

For me my plan needs some alternatives to stocks and bonds so I have some https://investor.vanguard.com/investmen ... rofile/vnq (and a gold ETF) and plan on keeping it for a long time. Doesn't seem worth worrying about if it is optimal relative to other REITS, peer to peer options, etc. :sharebeer
by ronno2018
Fri Oct 28, 2022 7:29 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Simplicity vs complexity
Replies: 97
Views: 11391

Re: Simplicity vs complexity

few thoughts (I find any discussion with Imanen also very interesting): 1. Jack had ample evidence that most investors don't even get the return of the market (for many reasons) so why bother with trying to beat the market when most aren't even matching the market first? And if Bogle helps investors just match the market (by buying and holding the market rather than panic selling, chasing performance, etc) then he's helped investors improve their returns. mission accomplished. 2. Jack knew that there will always be different strategies that come out forever. Some are technical analysis, some are ways to improve fundamental analysis, some offer factor tilting and so on. Thing is, Jack also knew that while an academic can show what might hav...
by ronno2018
Fri Oct 28, 2022 6:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Seeking recommendations for a new credit card
Replies: 32
Views: 3585

Re: Seeking recommendations for a new credit card

Good recommendations above -- I am tempted to move everything to Fidelity at some point, but the Chase Sapphire Reserve card with lounge access has been great so far, but really only nice for people who travel frequently. :sharebeer
by ronno2018
Thu Oct 27, 2022 3:29 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: diversification vs. stock picking using META as the example
Replies: 37
Views: 3391

Re: diversification vs. stock picking using META as the example

All I can add is that I am not feeling great about my small holding of https://investor.vanguard.com/investmen ... rofile/vug that made me happy during the pandemic. Every dog has its day as they say, so maybe I hope for the best... :sharebeer
by ronno2018
Tue Oct 25, 2022 3:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Need advice: Ally vs I-Bonds
Replies: 9
Views: 1476

Re: Need advice: Ally vs I-Bonds

Someone in a another recent thread mentioned https://investor.vanguard.com/investmen ... file/vblax having great yields now. Maybe too much risk for you though?
by ronno2018
Fri Oct 21, 2022 6:04 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [Early 2010s interview with] famous investor Paul Tudor Jones [on 200-day moving averages]
Replies: 18
Views: 1818

Re: Interesting interview with famous investor Paul Tudor Jones

Holy heck is the Wikipedia article about that guy a mess of a mess....

Reading it makes me think he is either a saint or a sinner!!! :oops: :sharebeer
by ronno2018
Fri Oct 21, 2022 5:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any way to buy a decent refrigerator these days?
Replies: 137
Views: 23634

Re: Any way to buy a decent refrigerator these days?

Our 10yo Samsung is still working but the front display failed in the first year. Freezer is icing up too. Now it is making odd noises. I guess I better save up $1500 for a replacement???
by ronno2018
Fri Oct 21, 2022 5:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: why does Clark Howard hate Chase?
Replies: 107
Views: 10351

Re: why does Clark Howard hate Chase?

I bank with Chase and they do have some absurd restrictions on their accounts otherwise you get hit with $12/mo "service" fees if they are not met.. plus their savings rates are pathetic like most of the big banks. They also have high ATM fees at non-Chase machines. I stay with them because their app is excellent and easy to move $$ around and I have CC's from Amazon and Chase's Freedom which are integrated into the app seamlessly so it's all conveniently in one spot. They also have physical locations near me, although some have shutdown and have limited hours now. I have the chase amazon and reserve cards and did have a checking with them, but as soon as I saw the ally bank debit card worked fine in Europe I dropped the chase ch...
by ronno2018
Fri Oct 21, 2022 5:23 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Are Some People Better Off With A Financial Advisor?
Replies: 48
Views: 3659

Re: Are Some People Better Off With A Financial Advisor?

Holy heck are (many) people better off paying a fee for some financial advice.

Just like in politics where so many have no idea about the three branches of government (USA), the federal reserve, policy regarding any subject (taxes, housing, transportation, etc) people are just too busy with family, friends, work to be aware of what to do.

I wish more people would spend time here on this forum, but alas they do not. :sharebeer
by ronno2018
Fri Oct 21, 2022 5:16 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How often do you check the market?
Replies: 91
Views: 7626

Re: How often do you check the market?

I enjoy following it everyday but I resist the temptation to do anything. I certainly feel better when my portfolio goes up in a day, but I ascribe down days (years?) to just randomness and not my policy statement and allocation to bonds and stocks. LOL. :sharebeer
by ronno2018
Wed Oct 19, 2022 8:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Who do you bank with and why? (2021)
Replies: 180
Views: 20862

Re: Who do you bank with and why? (2021)

manlymatt83 wrote: Wed Oct 19, 2022 7:56 pm
ronno2018 wrote: Wed Oct 19, 2022 7:53 pm Well maybe I should check on that but as far as I know if I use the debit card in a foreign ATM I do not get hit with that! I could be wrong though! :beer
https://upgradedpoints.com/finance/best ... -atm-fees/
Well lucky for me I have only used AllPoint ATM's, as far as I know! I randomly ended up using them? Maybe most EU ones are in that system? I will be sure to check next summer! https://youtu.be/657TZDHZqj4 :sharebeer