Search found 37 matches

by funktor
Fri Jan 29, 2021 10:30 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Has Bogleheads lost its direction?
Replies: 325
Views: 49789

Re: Has Bogleheads lost its direction?

A few years ago, I was participating in a financial book club with a few friends who don't necessarily come here but follow a similar investing philosophy. We would read a book over the course of a month or so, meet up, and discuss. After a few books on index funds, three fund portfolio, etc, we found that we were bored. We all agreed for the most part on our investing strategy, and were largely reading stuff we already knew. We then read some books on stock analysis, options and other things, and there was a lot of fresh discussion. I still haven't bought any individual stocks or touched any options, but it was interesting to learn about and I had a good time discussing these topics and challenging my own ideas. To me not participating in ...
by funktor
Fri Aug 23, 2019 9:47 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Boglehead’s Vanguard Dogma
Replies: 31
Views: 3713

Re: Boglehead’s Vanguard Dogma

I have a schwab employer sponsored account, and I buy schwab index funds. The website is good, the customer service is great, and the funds often have a lower ER than my vanguard funds. I keep my international holdings in my Vanguard account because the Schwab international fund tracks a different index
by funktor
Thu Aug 22, 2019 4:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: American Express Personal Savings rate dropping from 2.10% to 1.90% tomorrow (08.22.19)
Replies: 19
Views: 2331

Re: American Express Personal Savings rate dropping from 2.10% to 1.90% tomorrow (08.22.19)

dardeninvestor wrote: Wed Aug 21, 2019 7:25 pm My use pattern is I have about 5 different accounts. The accounts are set-up for things I have large, fixed monthly payments that do not change and on which I can't/won't tolerate a missed or late payment.
What benefit do you get from having separate accounts per expense? I have a single account and track these things in my ledger as recurring expenses, but I've given thought to creating these "buckets". Seems somewhat burdensome though.
by funktor
Thu Aug 15, 2019 2:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Brown Bag Lunch Ideas
Replies: 70
Views: 6151

Re: Brown Bag Lunch Ideas

I meal prep on Sunday, making enough lunches for the week. Meat and vegetables, whatever is on in the freezer already, on sale, etc. Works well for me, I know how many calories are in my lunches, and I have never once paid for lunch out at work. Big savings!! :moneybag
by funktor
Wed Aug 14, 2019 10:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I wanted to teach myself computer programming.
Replies: 64
Views: 8480

Re: I wanted to teach myself computer programming.

I think Automate the Boring Stuff with Python is a fun start that can help you solve some real practical problems.
by funktor
Tue Aug 13, 2019 2:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: which stud finder?
Replies: 58
Views: 5854

Re: which stud finder?

whodidntante wrote: Mon Aug 12, 2019 7:27 pm This is a textbook dad joke even if you don't have kids.

None yet, but I'm getting ready. The arsenal of knee-slappers is ever expanding, much to the wife's chagrin.
by funktor
Fri Aug 09, 2019 10:17 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any corp programmers make the jump to remote/contract?
Replies: 5
Views: 704

Re: Any corp programmers make the jump to remote/contract?

I have an acquaintance who switched to full time remote programming. They work extremely efficiently and get a week's worth of work done in 20-30h. The rest of the time is spent pursuing higher degrees. I figure the employer is being taken advantage of, but apparently they are happy with the amount of work that is done for "40 hours of work" :oops:
by funktor
Fri Aug 09, 2019 8:55 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do You Order "the Special" at Restaurants?
Replies: 50
Views: 6093

Re: Do You Order "the Special" at Restaurants?

I usually don't order anything from the specials because the price is not made clear beforehand
by funktor
Thu Aug 08, 2019 10:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should college student major in environmental science?
Replies: 50
Views: 4250

Re: Should college student major in environmental science?

I know two ES majors. One became a science teacher, the other works in Human Resources. Neither could find a job "In the field". YMMV
by funktor
Wed Aug 07, 2019 1:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Review, 5 year plan.
Replies: 27
Views: 2486

Re: Portfolio Review, 5 year plan.

Capt. SOS wrote: Wed Aug 07, 2019 12:06 pm 12% Vanguard Small Cap Index [VSMAX] (0.05)
27% T.Row Price New Horizons [PRNHX] (0.77)
I have not read the prospectus for PRNHX but it seems you have access to lower cost funds in this account. Is there a reason you have chosen PRNHX with an ER of 0.77 over an comparable lower cost fund?
by funktor
Wed Aug 07, 2019 11:12 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Review, 5 year plan.
Replies: 27
Views: 2486

Re: Portfolio Review, 5 year plan.

Capt. SOS wrote: Wed Aug 07, 2019 11:09 am 2. I cant escape higher expense ratios in my Roth account due to poor options. There is a few others I didn't list but they all have higher expense ratios. Is this just the norm for Roth accounts?
My Roth IRA is with Vanguard, where I keep costs low. Is there a reason you can't transfer away from Transamerica?
by funktor
Wed Aug 07, 2019 9:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: which stud finder?
Replies: 58
Views: 5854

Re: which stud finder?

My wife asked me out for our first date, so I would say she did a pretty good job. Costs a lot more than $50 though!

Now that the obligatory stud finder joke is out of the way, rare earth neodymium magnets have done me well here, and they have other uses. For those who find more studs than me, a standalone piece of hardware may work better. My father just taps the wall and listens, but I don't think I have the ear for that.
by funktor
Thu Aug 01, 2019 2:46 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard promoting their Actively managed funds
Replies: 54
Views: 5907

Re: Vanguard promoting their Actively managed funds

Vanguard can promote their active products all they like - as long as they are still offering passive funds with low ER I don't mind what others buy. Maybe they can use the money from the active funds to improve things that could be considered lacking by some, like the website or customer service.
by funktor
Tue Jul 30, 2019 12:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Capital One Card > Credit Freeze
Replies: 7
Views: 1193

Re: Capital One Card > Credit Freeze

You should freeze at a minimum: Equifax, Experian, TransUnion. I also did Innovis and ChexSystems
by funktor
Fri Jul 26, 2019 4:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What is the best way to build credit for a teen/young adult
Replies: 9
Views: 1123

Re: What is the best way to build credit for a teen/young adult

In college I got a basic 2% cash back card and started using it for my day to day expenses. A few years post graduation my credit score is nearing 800, though apparently I still get reduced points for my lines of credit having a low age.
by funktor
Thu Jul 25, 2019 11:18 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Suggestions for the Wiki
Replies: 699
Views: 537562

Re: Suggestions for the Wiki

There is a typo on https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Target_date_funds

Search the page for "retirment". It is in the Criticisms section :wink:
by funktor
Wed Jul 24, 2019 2:50 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Teenage Son Wants to Start Investing
Replies: 27
Views: 2251

Re: Teenage Son Wants to Start Investing

I would focus discussion around his goals. Is this money for his future retirement? Is he hoping to use this money to pay for school in a few years? Does he understand the implications of putting the money into a Roth IRA? If he is on board, then I would personally suggest buying VTSAX and teaching him not to look at the portfolio very often. Since he may not need to contribute again until next year that is very easy and it will hopefully help quell any market timing worries.
by funktor
Wed Jul 24, 2019 2:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you buy cellphone outright or pay over 2 years?
Replies: 129
Views: 11838

Re: Do you buy cellphone outright or pay over 2 years?

Outright and usually I'm buying mid tier phones. They do everything I need for a fraction of the price as flagship. Though my next phone I would like to have NFC :greedy
by funktor
Wed Jul 24, 2019 10:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Accord approaching 100k miles, how to push it beyond
Replies: 45
Views: 6773

Re: Accord approaching 100k miles, how to push it beyond

In addition to any manufacturer recommended maintenance, depending on where you live make sure you are keeping the undercarriage clean. I have seen more cars degrade to rust due to salt than mechanical problems in my family as my dad would always hand wash the cars but not clean the bottom free of road salt.
by funktor
Wed Jul 24, 2019 9:54 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Post your Financial Milestone Announcements Here
Replies: 3617
Views: 568595

Re: Happiness

Congratulations! I will have to do the same soon except it will be for the liabilities column :beer
by funktor
Mon Jul 22, 2019 2:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What two or three financial things to do to wind up wealthy regardless if you make numerous other financial mistakes?
Replies: 85
Views: 10891

Re: What two or three financial things to do to wind up wealthy regardless if you make numerous other financial mistakes

1. Spend far less than you earn
2. Invest savings from 1 according to the Boglehead's investment philosophy

Regarding "mistake after mistake financially":

Spending mistakes can't be too egregious if they are still allowing you to LBYM.

Investment mistakes will be minimized when adhering to sound principles.
by funktor
Mon Jul 22, 2019 10:03 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Personal Capital
Replies: 21
Views: 4168

Re: Personal Capital

I use PC but have never received a call from them. Maybe I am too broke for them to be interested :wink:

I have no interest in their investment advice, i simply use their website as an aggregator and to view my asset allocation over time.
by funktor
Mon Jul 22, 2019 9:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should relative incomes be a factor in wedding gift?
Replies: 107
Views: 8625

Re: Should relative incomes be a factor in wedding gift?

The chances of the bride and groom remembering what you gave, or caring at all, is likely slim so just give what you feel comfortable with. Just to give a counterpoint - my in-laws catalog every gift for historical record, and when it comes time to reciprocate they consult the records and gift a similar amount. I see the utility in that it helps them ensure they give generous gifts to those who were generous to them in the past, but it also seems that every other major event has a "Person A only gifted $X, can you believe that??" scenario, which I find petty and ridiculous. Gifts should be gifts, give what you feel is appropriate regardless of income level. However I was raised that the gift should at least cover the cost of the ...
by funktor
Thu Jul 18, 2019 3:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Automatic Watches
Replies: 92
Views: 10195

Re: Automatic Watches

AAA wrote: Thu Jul 18, 2019 3:04 pm After further consideration, I decided to get a Seiko 5 automatic. If my current quartz ever stops working, it will probably be replaced with an Eco-Drive.
Nice choice! I rotate between a Seiko 5 automatic and an Eco-Drive. I enjoy both.
by funktor
Thu Jul 18, 2019 2:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Microwave Fire
Replies: 14
Views: 1327

Re: Microwave Fire

I don't know why I thought this was some special type of FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) that involved eating only microwavable meals like the similarly named "LeanFIRE, FatFIRE, BaristaFIRE". :oops:

Glad to hear you were given good service by the manufacturer. Was it a manufacturer warranty?
by funktor
Tue Jul 16, 2019 2:18 pm
Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
Topic: Quote only the part that you are responding to
Replies: 11
Views: 2102

Re: Quote only the part that you are responding to

dual wrote: Tue Jul 16, 2019 1:27 pm Suggestion: excerpt the part that interests you and include that in your post. Not the whole prior post.

It would be easier if the quote button only included text I have highlighted. Not sure if that is possible. :confused
by funktor
Wed Jul 10, 2019 4:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommendations for binoculars
Replies: 34
Views: 3211

Re: Recommendations for binoculars

As a binocular neophyte (but very used to pro hi-def video lenses) I bought a pair of Monarchs and was a bit disappointed with the glass. If you try the Monarchs and then try a high end like Swarovsky, Leica, Zeitz the difference is quite noticeable. Monarch isn't bad for general purpose but it does have some issues with the glass. There is a quite noticeable yellow tint when you compare it to higher end glass - or even one of the mid-range products like Vortex or Leupold. The tint would not be noticeable in general use but for my purposes (birding) it would be distorting. I ended up with Leupold when I was just starting out birding. Leupold has acceptable glass quality and had some other good specs like short close-focus and a very fast f...
by funktor
Wed Jul 10, 2019 9:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Volunteer suggestions
Replies: 55
Views: 4325

Re: Volunteer suggestions

I write free and open source software to benefit communities/hobbies i'm a part of. It keeps my skills sharp and others get to use what I make, which is always fun.
by funktor
Wed Jul 10, 2019 8:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Who cuts your hair? And for how much?
Replies: 153
Views: 14877

Re: Who cuts your hair? And for how much?

I cut my own hair. Bought my Wahl clippers on July 30, 2014 for $24.99. I cut my hair roughly every fortnight. So I guess I'm down to about 20 cents per cut if my math is right
by funktor
Tue Jul 09, 2019 3:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommendations for binoculars
Replies: 34
Views: 3211

Re: Recommendations for binoculars

7eight9 wrote: Tue Jul 09, 2019 2:36 pm These may be more than you are looking to pay but the Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 is a very good binocular that you can pick up for around $240.

Amazon link --- https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-7576-MONAR ... B00C66C950
I have these binoculars and they're great. Probably would have went with a set from Vortex if I was looking to spend more.
by funktor
Tue Jul 09, 2019 8:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: (Tall) Buyer Beware: Honda Accord.
Replies: 77
Views: 15554

Re: (Tall) Buyer Beware: Honda Accord.

Just as a counterpoint, I'm also 6'4 and my 2012 Honda Accord is spacious and comfortable for me. I have the leather seats, not sure if there is a difference in comfort there.
by funktor
Tue Jul 09, 2019 8:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Having second thoughts about Personal Capital
Replies: 30
Views: 5264

Re: Having second thoughts about Personal Capital

Personal Capital allows me to check all of my transactions easily, which means I do it more often. I'm more likely to catch a fraudulent charge or billing mistake because of this. I try to minimize the downside by using 2FA and a long randomly generated password. The benefit outweighs the potential risk for me.
by funktor
Wed Jun 12, 2019 10:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which shaving cream / oil?
Replies: 58
Views: 7340

Re: Which shaving cream / oil?

I use arko shaving soap sticks, i bought a 4 pack for around $4 many years ago and I have still not used them all up.. granted I have had a beard for a couple of those years, but creating my own lather saved a lot of money when i was shaving regularly
by funktor
Thu Jun 06, 2019 10:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Attn: teachers....Daughter considering 80% teaching position. Good idea?
Replies: 64
Views: 6491

Re: Attn: teachers....Daughter considering 80% teaching position. Good idea?

My partner accepted a similar 90% position. After performing exceptionally well that year, a return offer for full time teaching for the following school year was given.
by funktor
Tue Jun 04, 2019 12:56 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: New Local Chapter on Long Island NY established
Replies: 51
Views: 18002

Re: Any interest in forming Local Chapter on Long Island NY?

Interested as well for Nassau or western Suffolk
by funktor
Tue Jun 04, 2019 8:48 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How did you all do in the month of May, 2019
Replies: 126
Views: 13331

Re: How did you all do in the month of May, 2019

I saw some red numbers when i logged in to make my 401k trades, but I didn't give it much thought
by funktor
Thu May 30, 2019 4:41 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Paid off the Mortgage!
Replies: 80
Views: 10910

Re: Paid off the Mortgage!

nepats wrote: Thu May 30, 2019 12:44 pm As they say, life happens! Long story short, we moved to a new house (read more $$$) and now I am no longer Mortgage free :annoyed . I guess the silver lining is that I have a new goal... :idea:
Congratulations on the new house.. I look forward to the next "Paid off the Mortgage!" post :wink: