Search found 227 matches

by sunspotzsz
Mon Jan 15, 2024 7:09 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Where does the loyalty to Vanguard come from?
Replies: 72
Views: 6420

Re: Where does the loyalty to Vanguard come from?

the_wiki wrote: Mon Jan 15, 2024 6:47 pm The site was named after the founder of Vanguard, so it fits.
Late John Bogle is a rational person tho and even he would choose Fidelity over Vanguard given choice.

Using Vanguard is irrational based on higher fees and poor customer service & technology.
by sunspotzsz
Mon Jan 15, 2024 6:46 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Where does the loyalty to Vanguard come from?
Replies: 72
Views: 6420

Where does the loyalty to Vanguard come from?

It seems that there is certain level of loyalty from this community to Vanguard and I wonder why?

Initially Vanguard was known to have low fees but now Fidelity, Schwab and other have even lower fees. "low fee" is pretty much the only thing that Vanguard has and they are poor in pretty much every other way. Fidelity for example has much better customer service and technology (app and website). Please Fidelity doesn't make value judgement for you and tell you what you can and can't invest in. Why are people still using Vanguard?

I moved everything to Fidelity and it is so much better!
by sunspotzsz
Mon Jan 15, 2024 6:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Adios, Vanguard
Replies: 465
Views: 93452

Re: Adios, Vanguard

Fidelity is a much better choice than Vanguard in every way.
by sunspotzsz
Mon Jan 15, 2024 6:29 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Leaving Vanguard For Blocking Free Choice
Replies: 22
Views: 2419

Re: Leaving Vanguard For Blocking Free Choice

I am leaving Vanguard for this reason as well. I don't want a broker to make this value judgement for me.

Plus, other brokers like Fidelity and Schwab have even lower fee funds including ZERO fee funds and their customer service and technology is much better, why Vanguard? There is no reason.
by sunspotzsz
Wed Dec 21, 2022 7:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is this a normal administrative fee for 401k plan?
Replies: 19
Views: 2013

Re: Is this a normal administrative fee for 401k plan?

I see. Thank you all.

I guess the employer probably foot the bill in my past experiences. My current employer is ok size, it is a startup with about 180 people.

I hate fees and when I saw the 0.68% fee, yikes! I will still contribute probably even though there is no match.
by sunspotzsz
Wed Dec 21, 2022 6:34 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is this a normal administrative fee for 401k plan?
Replies: 19
Views: 2013

Is this a normal administrative fee for 401k plan?

Hi all,

I just joined a startup from a larger company and noticed that the 401k plan at this company has 0.68% administrative fee. This is in addition to the expense ratio of the fund. Is this normal? I never noticed this before at various larger companies.

Thanks!
by sunspotzsz
Tue Nov 06, 2018 1:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Never thought of living in Bay Area but just got a call from Tesla
Replies: 72
Views: 9149

Re: Never thought of living in Bay Area but just got a call from Tesla

I reluctantly moved to bay area from NC for family reasons and really enjoyed it so far.

A lot of very interesting companies people, diverse foods, great weather. There are so many opportunities that you never have to move again.

The housing is expensive but as long as it doesn't drop a lot, you will be fine. Right now is a good time to move since it is buyer's market.
by sunspotzsz
Fri Oct 05, 2018 1:44 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where to park 40k?
Replies: 9
Views: 1611

Re: Where to park 40k?

capital one has $500 promotion for depositing 50k
by sunspotzsz
Sun Sep 09, 2018 5:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bay Area housing frenzy cooling
Replies: 120
Views: 22172

Re: Bay Area housing frenzy cooling

remember this time 2016? There was a cooling as well. What happened after?
by sunspotzsz
Fri Aug 31, 2018 6:32 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Expense ratios and fees - Fidelity and flip flopping advice
Replies: 61
Views: 5667

Re: Expense ratios and fees - Fidelity and flip flopping advice

Once you have your allocation, fees are pretty much only thing you can control.

Even though it is small, I did switch to zero fee funds. It doesn't cost anything to move funds, why not?
by sunspotzsz
Tue Aug 28, 2018 5:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Decent compensation to move to Bay Area CA?
Replies: 290
Views: 29283

Re: Decent compensation to move to Bay Area CA?

You can just look at the cost of living.

What about the added opportunity in bay area and working with top notch people?
by sunspotzsz
Mon Aug 27, 2018 6:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can we afford to buy house in Bay Area?
Replies: 19
Views: 3659

Re: Can we afford to buy house in Bay Area?

We make less than you but bought a house in Sunnyvale last year.

It was a good decision.
by sunspotzsz
Thu Aug 09, 2018 5:34 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "Don't Obsess About Expense Ratios"
Replies: 240
Views: 29255

Re: "Don't Obsess About Expense Ratios"

Lol, now all of sudden, expense ratio is not important!

such a hypocrite!
by sunspotzsz
Wed Apr 25, 2018 5:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Traveling to Asia-need advice
Replies: 46
Views: 6286

Re: Traveling to Asia-need advice

These places are more advanced than you think and much safer than US. just give him enough money and let him go enjoy.
by sunspotzsz
Thu Mar 22, 2018 12:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: FB
Replies: 356
Views: 42995

Re: Anyone Deleting Facebook?

i deleted facebook last year and life is so much better since i waste way less time

it is sad that a lot of young smart people to work for facebook and try to get other people waste a little more of their time everyday
by sunspotzsz
Thu Mar 22, 2018 12:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon Prime Going Sideways/Weird Shipment Problems
Replies: 66
Views: 8872

Re: Amazon Prime Going Sideways/Weird Shipment Problems

Same experience. Longer shipping from amazon.

also realized that a lot of times, amazon is more expensive than walmart, target and costco as well.

I have cancelled prime and have been using other sites. Really like the google express lately since they have free second day shipping and service is great.

bye bye amazon
by sunspotzsz
Tue Mar 06, 2018 12:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is this a housing bubble?
Replies: 71
Views: 12280

Re: Is this a housing bubble?

pointless to discuss one area on a general forum.

a lot of engineers easily make 300-400k a year and that's not typical anywhere else.
by sunspotzsz
Mon Mar 05, 2018 4:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which car, Porsche Cayenne or Volvo XC90?
Replies: 71
Views: 9333

Re: Which car, Porsche Cayenne or Volvo XC90?

Love love our T5. go with cx90
by sunspotzsz
Mon Mar 05, 2018 1:01 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Torn between Vanguard, Fidelity and Schwab
Replies: 186
Views: 41151

Re: Torn between Vanguard, Fidelity and Schwab

go with schwab.

lowest fee, great web/app, and excellent service
by sunspotzsz
Tue Feb 13, 2018 5:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I bought a stock today - Redfin (RDFN)
Replies: 288
Views: 32811

Re: I bought a stock today - Redfin (RDFN)

with fee free broker like robinhood, you don't have to be rich to make your own index fund.
by sunspotzsz
Thu Feb 01, 2018 3:56 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I bought a stock today - Redfin (RDFN)
Replies: 288
Views: 32811

Re: I bought a stock today - Redfin (RDFN)

Hope the price keeps going down so that I can buy more.
by sunspotzsz
Thu Feb 01, 2018 2:34 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I bought a stock today - Redfin (RDFN)
Replies: 288
Views: 32811

Re: I bought a stock today - Redfin (RDFN)

dreamjob9 wrote: Thu Feb 01, 2018 1:25 pm Redfin partnership program???

https://www.redfin.com/partner
this is good!

redfin has the best user experiences with their site and app. i hope they can better monetize that traffic.

people who are buying homes need a lot of other services as well.
by sunspotzsz
Thu Feb 01, 2018 1:18 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I bought a stock today - Redfin (RDFN)
Replies: 288
Views: 32811

Re: I bought a stock today - Redfin (RDFN)

MrNewEngland wrote: Thu Feb 01, 2018 12:47 pm
sunspotzsz wrote: Thu Feb 01, 2018 12:39 pm
MrNewEngland wrote: Thu Feb 01, 2018 12:36 pm
sunspotzsz wrote: Thu Feb 01, 2018 12:35 pm i like redfin but they have a bad business model.

they still rely on their own agents to make money and it is not very scalable. zillow has a better model.
They don’t have their own agents in my area.
that's exactly the problem. they have to hire people in each market to make money. zillow can make money everywhere.
No, they used existing agents. When I sold my house my agent worked for RE/MAX.
when do you mean? you used redfin to sell your house and the redfin agent works for Remax?
by sunspotzsz
Thu Feb 01, 2018 12:39 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I bought a stock today - Redfin (RDFN)
Replies: 288
Views: 32811

Re: I bought a stock today - Redfin (RDFN)

MrNewEngland wrote: Thu Feb 01, 2018 12:36 pm
sunspotzsz wrote: Thu Feb 01, 2018 12:35 pm i like redfin but they have a bad business model.

they still rely on their own agents to make money and it is not very scalable. zillow has a better model.
They don’t have their own agents in my area.
that's exactly the problem. they have to hire people in each market to make money. zillow can make money everywhere.
by sunspotzsz
Thu Feb 01, 2018 12:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I bought a stock today - Redfin (RDFN)
Replies: 288
Views: 32811

Re: I bought a stock today - Redfin (RDFN)

i like redfin but they have a bad business model.

they still rely on their own agents to make money and it is not very scalable. zillow has a better model.
by sunspotzsz
Fri Jan 26, 2018 5:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying a house now versus waiting (Bay Area)
Replies: 35
Views: 9259

Re: Buying a house now versus waiting (Bay Area)

TravelGeek wrote: Fri Jan 26, 2018 5:07 pm
sunspotzsz wrote: Fri Jan 26, 2018 4:54 pm When I was afraid of buying at the peak two years ago and waited. Obviously, everyone who waited ended up regretting the decision. If you can afford, i think you should buy ASAP. There are so many high paying jobs and so little inventory, I don't see it going down anytime soon.

We bought 5 month ago and it is already up 20%.
Is your salary up 20%, too? If not, how is this going to be sustainable?
no. Our collective salary went up more like 35% in last 5 month.
by sunspotzsz
Fri Jan 26, 2018 4:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying a house now versus waiting (Bay Area)
Replies: 35
Views: 9259

Re: Buying a house now versus waiting (Bay Area)

When I was afraid of buying at the peak two years ago and waited. Obviously, everyone who waited ended up regretting the decision. If you can afford, i think you should buy ASAP. There are so many high paying jobs and so little inventory, I don't see it going down anytime soon.

We bought 5 month ago and it is already up 20%.
by sunspotzsz
Fri Jan 05, 2018 12:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Optimum strategy for exiting lendingclub?
Replies: 12
Views: 5447

Re: Optimum strategy for exiting lendingclub?

my lendingclub experiment has been a disaster. losing money and paying taxes.

it will take a few years to exit.
by sunspotzsz
Thu Oct 12, 2017 5:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: SUV options with 3 little kids
Replies: 57
Views: 7557

Re: SUV options with 3 little kids

we bought the Volvo XC90 and love it
by sunspotzsz
Wed Oct 04, 2017 5:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bay Area Real Estate
Replies: 154
Views: 22609

Re: Bay Area Real Estate

I struggled with this for a long time, thinking this craziness can't possibly continue and decided to wait. It turned out to be a very bad decision since price went up significantly since then.

I now tend to think that the price will continue to go up. there are still a lot of people who want to buy. The companies in the area pay really well and have solid growth despite the size. The area doesn't have a lot of land and is a desirable place to live especially for immigrants.

Now, i am telling my friends, buy as soon as you are able otherwise you will be priced out like we were.
by sunspotzsz
Sun Jun 25, 2017 1:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bay Area housing
Replies: 69
Views: 10208

Re: Bay Area housing

I did the same and am kicking myself.

My wife wanted to buy when we moved to bay area in 2015. I said the price is so crazy and it has to come down. Then in summer of 2016, it finally seemed that the prices started to turn lower and I thought I would buy when there is a 10-20% correction. oh, well, the prices sky rocketed this year.

part of me thinks the price is not sustainable but then if i look around at my friends, almost everyone wants to buy and there are more people coming to bay area. i think we are getting priced out.
by sunspotzsz
Sun May 07, 2017 5:38 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: health equity HSA
Replies: 9
Views: 2147

Re: health equity HSA

I am struggling with the same thing, wondering if I should move to a different HSA provider.

I am paying $3.95 monthly admin fee plus the 0.03% monthly expense ratio. I have 63K in the account so it adds up.

for high balance account, i wonder what provider would be the best choice with low fees and access to vanguard funds.
by sunspotzsz
Fri Nov 11, 2016 11:18 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: HSA contribution limits with two separate plans
Replies: 15
Views: 3273

Re: HSA contribution limits with two separate plans

I've asked the same question before and i think you are right.
by sunspotzsz
Thu Sep 01, 2016 12:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Choices for HSA after leaving current employer
Replies: 9
Views: 1469

Choices for HSA after leaving current employer

Hi,

I have my HSA with health equity through my employer. I've been maxing out HSA every year, investing the balance, and paying healthcare costs out of pocket. I now have $58k in it of which $57 is invested in 3 vanguard index funds.

Now, I am leaving my employer to join a small startup. I don't know what kind of healthcare insurance the company offers but most likely not as good as the current one.

Any suggestions on how I should deal with the HSA? If I have to leave health equity, which is the best place to for me to go so that I can invest in low cost funds cheaply.

Thanks
by sunspotzsz
Mon Apr 25, 2016 6:11 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Social Security loopholes closed
Replies: 19
Views: 3545

Re: Social Security loopholes closed

they are closing the backdoor roth as well
by sunspotzsz
Fri Sep 11, 2015 4:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Seeking help with IRA
Replies: 8
Views: 1133

Re: Seeking help with IRA

I want to report back on my earlier questions.

I started working at the new company a couple of month ago and it turns out that I can't roll the traditional IRA into my 401k. The new 401k is manged by vanguard and when I called they said very very rarely do companies allow such rollover

oh, well, too bad!
by sunspotzsz
Fri May 15, 2015 7:42 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Fidelity Passively Managed Investment Offering
Replies: 2
Views: 870

Re: Fidelity Passively Managed Investment Offering

the value add for such strategy is really re-balancing and tax loss harvesting but i don't see that here.

schwab is better but i don't like the fact that you can't build your own portfolio
by sunspotzsz
Tue Apr 21, 2015 9:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: MB vs Volvo vs. Other?
Replies: 48
Views: 6816

Re: MB vs Volvo vs. Other?

we got the xc90 and really love it
by sunspotzsz
Fri Apr 10, 2015 1:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Optum Bank HSA using Admiral shares on Vanguard funds
Replies: 32
Views: 13062

Re: Optum Bank HSA using Admiral shares on Vanguard funds

I wish my employer uses Optum Bank!

:(
by sunspotzsz
Fri Mar 27, 2015 9:59 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Schwab Intelligent Portfolios [now live]
Replies: 439
Views: 124473

Re: Schwab Intelligent Portfolios [now live]

so, you have to buy the recommended funds to get re-balancing and tax loss harvesting, right?
by sunspotzsz
Fri Mar 27, 2015 12:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: please help me understand this stock award
Replies: 19
Views: 1708

Re: please help me understand this stock award

thank you all so much!

now i think i understand it much better!
by sunspotzsz
Fri Mar 27, 2015 10:48 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: please help me understand this stock award
Replies: 19
Views: 1708

Re: please help me understand this stock award

Sounds like on the date of grant you will get $80,000 valued option. So say the stock closes at $20 on the date of the grant. Your award would be 4,000 shares at a $20 strike price. Since these shares vest over annual periods, the first 1,000 shares (25% of the shares granted) would vest a year after the date of grant. Once those 1,000 are vested you could exercise your option on those 1,000 shares. The remaining 3,000 will vest annually going forward the same way. Make sure you keep track of your options as they will have an expiration date and you don't want in the money options to expire. Say after a year your company stock is trading at $60 a share. Those 1,000 options have a $60,000 value and you only have to pay $20,000 - many people...
by sunspotzsz
Fri Mar 27, 2015 10:33 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: please help me understand this stock award
Replies: 19
Views: 1708

Re: please help me understand this stock award

Sounds like on the date of grant you will get $80,000 valued option. So say the stock closes at $20 on the date of the grant. Your award would be 4,000 shares at a $20 strike price. Since these shares vest over annual periods, the first 1,000 shares (25% of the shares granted) would vest a year after the date of grant. Once those 1,000 are vested you could exercise your option on those 1,000 shares. The remaining 3,000 will vest annually going forward the same way. Make sure you keep track of your options as they will have an expiration date and you don't want in the money options to expire. Say after a year your company stock is trading at $60 a share. Those 1,000 options have a $60,000 value and you only have to pay $20,000 - many people...
by sunspotzsz
Fri Mar 27, 2015 10:14 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: please help me understand this stock award
Replies: 19
Views: 1708

Re: please help me understand this stock award

thanks a lot, guys.

so this kind of option is worth far less than the $80k they claim, right? the stock of the company has gone up a lot recently and i think the upside is limited.

if another offer with same base gives a $40k cash bonus, then the cash bonus is probably better, right?

thanks!
by sunspotzsz
Fri Mar 27, 2015 10:08 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: please help me understand this stock award
Replies: 19
Views: 1708

Re: please help me understand this stock award

thanks!

let's see that I started job yesterday and the company is Cisco. How would i calculate the option?

thanks again!
by sunspotzsz
Fri Mar 27, 2015 9:53 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: please help me understand this stock award
Replies: 19
Views: 1708

please help me understand this stock award

I just got a new job and there is a stock option award with the offer. I don't really understand what it means. please help. You will be nominated to receive a one-time new hire Non-Qualified Stock Option award with a target value of $80,000. This amount uses the Black-Scholes methodology for valuing stock options. Your actual award value and number of shares granted will depend on the market price of xxx stock on the date of grant. This award vests over four years at 25% per year, beginning one year after the date of grant. This award is subject to standard plan terms and provisions as described in the Stock Option Award Agreement and approval by our Internal Stock Committee. xxx grants Long Term Incentive (LTI) awards on the first busines...
by sunspotzsz
Fri Mar 20, 2015 9:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Seeking help with IRA
Replies: 8
Views: 1133

Re: Seeking help with IRA

thank you so much, Alan!

this is very helpful. fingers crossed that Vanguard 401k will accept my ira.
by sunspotzsz
Fri Mar 20, 2015 11:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Seeking help with IRA
Replies: 8
Views: 1133

Re: Seeking help with IRA

Thanks a lot, Alan!

I just called Fidelity and re-characterized the conversion.

However, the guy told me that whether you are doing conversion or rollover with IRA, you can never be selective and it always has to be prorated. If that's the case, I cannot rollover my IRA to 401k since 401k won't accept non-deductible IRA.

He mentioned some 401k won't even accept traditional IRA and only accept rollover IRA. I've started working, so there is no way to confirm that. I do know that the 401k is with Vanguard and it says that "The Savings and Investment Plan accepts qualified rollovers.".

Oh, well, this is so complicated. :?