Search found 1264 matches

by sometimesinvestor
Sat Sep 05, 2020 2:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Thoughts on condos?
Replies: 65
Views: 7781

Re: Thoughts on condos?

I own and have lived in a townhouse condominium for almost 40 years> I am happy with the lifestyle(I am not very handy and glad I don't have to fix the roof or paint the building but the property has appreciated much less than single family houses. If price appreciation isa factor in your purchase decision you should investigate this aspect of ownershIP
by sometimesinvestor
Sat Sep 05, 2020 1:29 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What single individual stock would you buy?
Replies: 186
Views: 22031

Re: What single individual stock would you buy?

silly question unless your purpose is to determine what stocks are most popular with this board. why buy one stock when any reasonable selection of 2o companies would return a little more or less than the S+P 500.MY 20 stocks would be apple amazon.microsoft and a bunch of value stocks including berkshire and verizon
by sometimesinvestor
Sun Aug 09, 2020 8:45 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Critique for a 91 year old woman
Replies: 27
Views: 3139

Re: Portfolio Critique for a 91 year old woman

Other than not reinvesting dividends but putting them in the bank if not needed to further reduce risk I would do nothing. AS noted this is a very conservative asset allocation so I don't thin your mom is in any danger of running out of money. Why create a taxable event by selling anything with a gain?
by sometimesinvestor
Fri May 01, 2020 6:31 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Even if today was not Friday, it would not be a bona fide RBD.
Replies: 25
Views: 2770

Re: Even if today was not Friday, it would not be a bona fide RBD.

A reason for not Friday is that there are often sales on Friday by traders who have short term gains because theyty are afraid of bad news over the weekend when they can't get out. Since Bogleheads are not supposed to be short term traders they ignore the sale.
by sometimesinvestor
Wed Apr 22, 2020 1:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: $50K to invest, VTI or QQQ?
Replies: 8
Views: 8009

Re: $50K to invest, VTI or QQQ?

I think its obvious and you almost certainly know it too since your thoughts are reasonable that no one knows and unless you are a a bold adventurer that you should split your investments and probably rebalance over time. THat should should not produce the best possible result but could produce the best result possible
by sometimesinvestor
Tue Apr 07, 2020 2:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What time of the day is good to buy ETF / Index funds ?
Replies: 22
Views: 5394

Re: What time of the day is good to buy ETF / Index funds ?

greenspm has explained that if you buy at any time during the period stocks are trading you get the price present when you submit the order. A possible time to buy is at 11:35 am. Basically european markets close at that time and if they have an upday our market will usually be up. SImilarly a down day for europe will often lead to a down day.A year from now the hour you buy is unlikely to matter much
by sometimesinvestor
Sun Apr 05, 2020 12:15 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What is the Essential investing reading list?
Replies: 6
Views: 601

Re: What is the Essential investing reading list?

consider the only investment guide you will ever need[/b] by definition it is pretty good
by sometimesinvestor
Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:59 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Investing in stocks in the current market conditions: how and when would you do it?
Replies: 83
Views: 7328

Re: how many Bogleheads cheating..

Cramer who haS actually praised index funds argues that quality stocks defined as those with strong balance sheets and decent prospects are better investments than index funds since the latter contains many stocks that might do badly in the current and near future. For examples would you want to invest in cruise lines. I am currently in the middle by making additional investments in sector spdrs. i.e i am investing fairly diversified but avoiding certain sectors.Energy, for example, is not on my buy list though if i chose to buy individual stocks I would rather buy Exxon than Occidental. Maybe I am just chicken' I am sure there are bargains in some downtrodden stocks but like most on this site I am unwilling or unable to do in depth research
by sometimesinvestor
Mon Mar 30, 2020 5:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: have $10k to invest right now.... whats the right move?
Replies: 12
Views: 2015

Re: have $10k to invest right now.... whats the right move?

Call Fidelity. THey will tell you what you can do
by sometimesinvestor
Sun Mar 29, 2020 2:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: If you were not "in" but going to start...
Replies: 20
Views: 1264

Re: If you were not "in" but going to start...

Here isa non sophisticated way of timing the market that even bogleheads might say is ok. If you can invest in/at 1 week intervals tHat will make you put in what you want by the middle of September. THat will mean you invested at neither the best or the worst time.The company you invest with may have conditions that you will have to accomodate
by sometimesinvestor
Tue Mar 17, 2020 9:56 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Long Term Treasury
Replies: 48
Views: 3994

Re: Long Term Treasury

I have noticed that TLT (20* year gov) is often up on days the stock market goes down >As others have pointed out they are somewhat risky but I think 1/10 the amount of stocks into TLT would be a reasonable hedge
by sometimesinvestor
Mon Mar 16, 2020 1:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anyone Rebalancing Today, 3/16/20?
Replies: 36
Views: 2824

Re: Anyone Rebalancing Today, 3/16/20?

I would wait till there is good news on the health front (Not the market front) Until it appears things will begin to get better its hard to imagine stocks will go up much
by sometimesinvestor
Thu Mar 12, 2020 11:42 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Rebalance now or stick to the plan
Replies: 8
Views: 772

Re: Rebalance now or stick to the plan

FOr me STaying the course is not selling but I don't think you should buy because stocks are "cheap". WAit for some news on the health front. THat will be the light at the end of the tunnel. If you buy merely because stocks are down 20+ % the light at the end of the tunnel could be a locomotive.
by sometimesinvestor
Fri Feb 28, 2020 1:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: My mistake has led to timing the market perfectly.
Replies: 19
Views: 4099

Re: My mistake has led to timing the market perfectly.

Plan to buy on Tuesday . If I am wrong I am sorry but apparently the data shows markets do not bottom on friday. A critical issue is the number of new virus cases and why the person who caught the disease in california did so. It is possible the weekend will reveal all.
by sometimesinvestor
Fri Feb 28, 2020 1:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Bond quality in Price Capital Appreciation PRWCX portfolio
Replies: 6
Views: 683

Re: Bond quality in Price Capital Appreciation PRWCX portfolio

Can't help you with your question but its hard to find a balanced fund with a better record. Price is a large firm with lots of analysts so I would tend to believe they know what they are doing;.It is possible that the economic climate has changed since the data you have was released so maybe they have made changes. I would stay the course(The usual advice on this site)
by sometimesinvestor
Fri Feb 28, 2020 12:23 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: move to BND ?
Replies: 16
Views: 1212

Re: move to BND ?

At current levels capital gains in bonds will probably be non existent. Better to buy stocks paying good dividends with strong balance sheets(i.e they won't go out of business no matter how bad things get) like exxon(XOM) or AT+T (T)
by sometimesinvestor
Wed Feb 26, 2020 2:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What did you learn from the 2/24 sell off?
Replies: 327
Views: 27775

Re: What did you learn from the 2/24 sell off?

J.P.Morgan ws correct:The market will fluctuate
by sometimesinvestor
Sun Feb 16, 2020 4:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help Me Break My Love Affair With Fidelity Low Priced Stock
Replies: 93
Views: 14836

Re: Help Me Break My Love Affair With Fidelity Low Priced Stock

Tillinghast is probably a better asset allocator then you are so I suggest using his % in international stocks as a guide to i.e if he increases his share adjusting your share is probably a good idea as doing the opposite if he does that.
by sometimesinvestor
Wed Feb 12, 2020 9:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Selling CA intermediate bond fund to buy I-Bonds?
Replies: 1
Views: 410

Re: Selling CA intermediate bond fund to buy I-Bonds?

Tax considerations such as whether you have a capital loss or gain on the sale of your muni fund matter. If you have a gain its hard to imagine that the muni fund is your best source of funds. Don't you have a savings account? Also what is your fed tax bracket?. For both investments your california tax bracket is probably not relevant.
It might also be helpful to know the interest rate on both investments though I would guess the i bond rate is higher
by sometimesinvestor
Sun Feb 09, 2020 9:38 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Include 529 in overall asset allocation??
Replies: 24
Views: 2074

Re: Include 529 in overall asset allocation??

There are different risks given the different time frames for when the money will be needed. IT seems to me the asset allocation in each account may be different or the same but the only reason to combine them in your mind is so you can answer the question What is your asset allocation with one number and that does not seem likea very good reason
by sometimesinvestor
Tue Jan 21, 2020 3:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How much to hold in international equities (VTIAX)?
Replies: 248
Views: 19076

Re: How much to hold in international equities (VTIAX)?

Somewhere between 5% and 40% is probably right. If one of the people who commented in this thread sounded very good to you go with that. If it all seemed noise throw a dart . While you decision will make a difference none of us have any idea what will prove best over the next 10 years.
If I seem brilliant to you (I think I should not) my allocation is somewhere between 10 and 15
by sometimesinvestor
Tue Jan 14, 2020 4:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Magic Kingdom for a day or fun resort / hotel?
Replies: 56
Views: 4704

Re: Magic Kingdom for a day or fun resort / hotel?

Based on reading the replies I think you should go to Disneyworld In about 4 or 5 years and plan to stay 3-5 days I confess I was last there about 20 years ago and had a great time but could not see everything I wanted to in less than 2 days> I assume its more crowded now and there is much more to see .IN four years your kids will have more patience ,get less tired and will retain memories which is a major reason to make the trip
by sometimesinvestor
Sun Jan 05, 2020 4:05 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 100% total stock index funds until I retire?
Replies: 124
Views: 18806

Re: 100% total stock index funds until I retire?

Stocks often(usually ) recover within 5 years but you will worry less(which has value ) if you switch over from 100% equities at 50.I suggest 2 years of expenditures into CDs at some point in your early 50s if you feel the market is a little high (i.e)ata point when you don't feel you are selling at the low.
by sometimesinvestor
Sun Jan 05, 2020 3:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Thinking of investing in VGHCX and/or Biotech - good or bad?
Replies: 17
Views: 2946

Re: Thinking of investing in VGHCX and/or Biotech - good or bad?

Not that Jim cramer is a great authority but I agree with him that small bet of this type will help keep you interested
by sometimesinvestor
Fri Jan 03, 2020 1:54 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: With $0 commissions, I'm thinking of creating true small-value index. Please talk me out of it
Replies: 21
Views: 2476

Re: With $0 commissions, I'm thinking of creating true small-value index. Please talk me out of it

Please explain why the hours or days of research and the time needed to make 100+ trades are worth it
by sometimesinvestor
Wed Jan 01, 2020 6:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: End of Year Portfolio Review
Replies: 10
Views: 1313

Re: End of Year Portfolio Review

If T.Rowe Price capital appreciation is an available fund option in your 401k you should consider a partial investment in that fund. If you google that fund on this site you will find its well thought of in spite of the expense ratio. . The managers have a very good record of making good asset allocation decisions (and there have been several different managers
by sometimesinvestor
Sat Nov 30, 2019 9:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Yet Another Retiring to Florida Thread - Pros/Cons
Replies: 91
Views: 11870

Re: Yet Another Retiring to Florida Thread - Pros/Cons

if the weather is an important factor you have to decide if decent winters beat rotten summers .if that's not so important than perhaps taxes, being surrounded by old people and whether that's good or bad are factors to consider.. To me north carolina makes more sense.:Good things are less good
but bad things are less bad
by sometimesinvestor
Thu Nov 07, 2019 2:07 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why ever buy & hold a LT treasury?
Replies: 60
Views: 3887

Re: Why ever buy & hold a LT treasury?

DECEPTIVE TITLE. Obviously it is right to buy and hold a 30 year treasury fora long term gain if by long term we mean afew years not 30.I am quite sure a 30 year treasury purchased in Aug 81 would have outperformed stocks through the period ending in Jan 88. Incidentally the person who suggested market timing in bonds is at least as hard as market timing stocks is almost surely wrong.THe next time I can get 9% yield on a 30 year treasury I will buy it and I am pretty confident I will out perform stocks over a period somewhere in the 2-5 year range.

Does anybody really think I am wrong about that investment?
by sometimesinvestor
Sun Nov 03, 2019 5:02 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is there a typical age (or years until retirement) where Roth IRA stops making sense vs pre-tax (401k)?
Replies: 17
Views: 2873

Re: Is there a typical age (or years until retirement) where Roth IRA stops making sense vs pre-tax (401k)?

My own view is that its an income thing.. If you are in the 30+% The traditional is clearly right, If you are in the 20's split or decide on other factors . Below 20 go for Roth.If you retire at or below age 70 consider roth conversions if they make sense.A trap to avoid is having RMD's help put you in your highest ever tax bracket
by sometimesinvestor
Sun Oct 13, 2019 7:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Office etiquette - gift to ex boss?
Replies: 10
Views: 1010

Re: Office etiquette - gift to ex boss?

I like a letter or note now and a gift at retirement(the retirement of your ex boss)
by sometimesinvestor
Wed Oct 09, 2019 5:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hotel mini bar - rude to use for own stuff
Replies: 42
Views: 8555

Re: Hotel mini bar - rude to use for own stuff

ASk the hotel when you check in. I think most would say ok
by sometimesinvestor
Sat Sep 21, 2019 7:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Currently invested in 100% stock
Replies: 138
Views: 18959

Re: Currently invested in 100% stock

Sometime in your 40s you may wish to decide that stocks are overvalued.At that point move to 80-20
by sometimesinvestor
Wed Sep 04, 2019 1:00 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "I Embrace Dumb Beta"
Replies: 10
Views: 1364

Re: "I Embrace Dumb Beta"

I have trouble understanding the praise of ALL of this advice and I would ask in particular why a person in a high tax bracket should have no more than 20% of his/her money in tax free mini funds .Does he mean that person should emphasize individual bonds or stocks or taxable cash or real estate or all of these.I would certainly like to read arguments in favor of this position
by sometimesinvestor
Thu Aug 22, 2019 5:59 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: New money, 401k vs I-bonds
Replies: 5
Views: 941

Re: New money, 401k vs I-bonds

i bonds look like a reasonable place to invest at this time when you compare yield and risk to 10 year bonds
by sometimesinvestor
Sat Aug 10, 2019 8:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I'm 31, and 95% stocks. Given economy indicators, would moving 20-30% to BND be "timing"?
Replies: 67
Views: 7810

Re: I'm 31, and 95% stocks. Given economy indicators, would moving 20-30% to BND be "timing"?

It might be a good decision and it might not work out. If you are nervous about the market reduce your risk.You will sleep better and it might make it easier to stay the course. The only thing puzzling is to make the move in a taxable account and generate capital gains. Why not do it in an IRA, 401k or Roth
by sometimesinvestor
Wed Aug 07, 2019 5:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Social Security -- Take it at 62, 67 or 70
Replies: 452
Views: 57012

Re: Social Security -- Take it at 62, 67 or 70

To all who are single without young kids your dr. is a better adviser than your cfp
by sometimesinvestor
Tue Aug 06, 2019 2:09 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Is anyone running 50/50 stock bond who is younger?
Replies: 45
Views: 6380

Re: Is anyone running 50/50 stock bond who is younger?

At this time investing in a high % of bonds seems to ignore most measures of value. %0% cash and 59% equities I certainly understand
by sometimesinvestor
Thu Jul 11, 2019 6:46 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Asset Allocation of the Ultra-Wealthy, can I copy their portfolio with index funds?
Replies: 63
Views: 6941

Re: Asset Allocation of the Ultra-Wealthy, can I copy their portfolio with index funds?

I liked the suggestion that if you can't buy private equity and you probably should not.(I think its like the rule about IPOs : of you are offered the opportunity to buy into an IPO before it goes public you probably shouldn't as that suggests the "smart money was not enthusiastic) but as noted you could buy Berkshire.I am not sure the 3 fund portfolio + Berkshire will work out but a disaster seems unlikely .I myself I myself like the 5 fund portfolio (Total stock total bond,Total international + cash (so you have assets if the market goes down and what Cramer calls mad money like a stock or sector fund you think will work out. That latter investment may not work out but it will encourage paying some attention.
by sometimesinvestor
Wed Jul 10, 2019 1:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Prime Money Market or Total Bond Market
Replies: 63
Views: 9909

Re: Prime Money Market or Total Bond Market

I agree with the majority of comments. Its a time frame problem In the next few years no one knows.Over a long period of time greater risk (the bond fund) should result in greater reward. If you reinvest the interest payments and and interest rates go up the net asset value of the bond fund will go down but you will own more shares and it all should work out ok eventually.
by sometimesinvestor
Mon Jul 08, 2019 8:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: My asset allocation for an agressive 29 yo - any thoughts?
Replies: 19
Views: 2266

Re: My asset allocation for an agressive 29 yo - any thoughts?

unlike some i think 5% in bonds at least gives youa fund source if the market drops about 8%


While 25% may be too much in Reits its impossible to forecast the future so it could work out. Bottom line: its not what I would do but its rational.
by sometimesinvestor
Sat Jul 06, 2019 10:42 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: LTC insurance -- where do the premiums go?
Replies: 8
Views: 823

Re: LTC insurance -- where do the premiums go?

insurance COMPANIES DIDA POOR JOB ON ESTIMATING HOW TO CALCULATE RISK HENCE RECENT rATE INCREASES.The older the policy you have the more likely it is to be a good one. One error the companies made was incorrectly estimating how long people would keep their policy before cancelling.They overestimated how often people would cancel their policy. This is very profitable for the companies as they would have collected premiums and never paid out
by sometimesinvestor
Sat Jul 06, 2019 8:44 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VALIC 457 options - which to potentially choose?
Replies: 16
Views: 1218

Re: VALIC 457 options - which to potentially choose?

Surprised there is no stable income fund. Did you include all funds or just the funds you felt were worth while
by sometimesinvestor
Tue Jul 02, 2019 5:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Bond Allocation Doesn’t Fit In Tax-Deferred Accounts
Replies: 16
Views: 1720

Re: Bond Allocation Doesn’t Fit In Tax-Deferred Accounts

Are you from California.? IF so it seems likely that you should have tax free bonds from California . Your Portfolio seems large enough that you are ina bracket where tax free isa good idea.OF course if we knew the stock market will continue to up a do nothing strategy will work best but of course we don't know that.i
by sometimesinvestor
Wed Jun 26, 2019 7:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any insurance beating USAA?
Replies: 48
Views: 6974

Re: Any insurance beating USAA?

Most people who have USAA are generally pleased as are most people with Amica
by sometimesinvestor
Sat May 18, 2019 3:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I don't even know how to categorize this... help?
Replies: 28
Views: 2866

Re: I don't even know how to categorize this... help?

A significant reason for the underperformance by emerging market funds over the period you named is the strength of the dollar. A strong dollar is doubly bad for emerging markets as it increases the cost of borrowing by these countries and the NAV is first computed in local currency which looks bad when converted to dollars. AS suggested by some don't invest in emerging markets or do so if you read articles about the dollar weakening
by sometimesinvestor
Sat May 11, 2019 7:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Changing State Tax Question on 401K
Replies: 5
Views: 567

Re: Changing State Tax Question on 401K

Duckie's info is correct but if you area govt employee in NYS near retirement you probably know this.
by sometimesinvestor
Sat May 11, 2019 7:38 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What's my next step? (Edited / Updated with portfolio details)
Replies: 15
Views: 2060

Re: What's my next step?

I think your responses are minimal because you have not told us enough.Do you have retirement accounts, , an emergency fund how much capital gains in your taxable account . What are the choices in your retirement account etc,etc,etc





As a first step go toa library and find out what value line thinks about your individual stocks. It may not be right to sell your individual stocks but to do your diversification elsewhere