Search found 9812 matches

by Call_Me_Op
Thu Mar 28, 2024 1:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How do YOU integrate cognitive decline with investment policy?
Replies: 33
Views: 2286

Re: How do YOU integrate cognitive decline with investment policy?

Zondarx wrote: Thu Mar 28, 2024 1:35 pm It seems to me that a major risk for the elderly these days is relative-naivety with regard to the increasingly-sophisticated, sweeping and relentless scam attempts.
And just wait and see what the crooks do using AI. It has just begun.
by Call_Me_Op
Thu Mar 28, 2024 1:42 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How do YOU integrate cognitive decline with investment policy?
Replies: 33
Views: 2286

Re: How do YOU integrate cognitive decline with investment policy?

RadAudit wrote: Thu Mar 28, 2024 8:53 am
JayB wrote: Thu Mar 28, 2024 8:44 am The more difficult part is to find someone who will honor your investment strategy.
That concerns me too. Hopefully I'll have enough so they (whomever they are) won't mismanage it to the point I'm out on the street before I go. After that it is out of my hands.
I like the one fund portfolio ideas. Thinking you will do much better than a single low-cost balanced fund is more-or-less fooling yourself.
by Call_Me_Op
Sun Mar 24, 2024 2:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Do Russian stock holders in the west have any chance of recovery?
Replies: 11
Views: 1795

Re: Do Russian stock holders in the west have any chance of recovery?

nedsaid wrote: Sun Mar 24, 2024 2:49 pm
Call_Me_Op wrote: Sun Mar 24, 2024 2:44 pm
nedsaid wrote: Sun Mar 24, 2024 1:48 pm This shows the risk of investing in Emerging Markets, stuff like this has diminished my enthusiasm for them.
There's a difference between investing in a single issuer versus a diversified EM bond fund. Stocks can go to zero too - basically the same issue.
I have two Emerging Market mutual funds, one active and the larger one is passive. I am still invested but with less enthusiasm.
I would not abandon a strategy based upon one investment going south. That is why diversification is so important. It does make one wonder about holding all of one's bonds in any one country's issues (including the US).
by Call_Me_Op
Sun Mar 24, 2024 2:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does ERISA *really* provide 401k asset protection?
Replies: 76
Views: 7223

Re: Does ERISA *really* provide 401k asset protection?

afan wrote: Sun Mar 24, 2024 2:28 pm This topic comes up frequently. I wish the experts would chime in and put it to rest.
Bsteiner?
Not an expert, but everything I have read says that the protection ends when the money leaves the the retirement account unless rolled into an IRA.
by Call_Me_Op
Sun Mar 24, 2024 2:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Do Russian stock holders in the west have any chance of recovery?
Replies: 11
Views: 1795

Re: Do Russian stock holders in the west have any chance of recovery?

nedsaid wrote: Sun Mar 24, 2024 1:48 pm This shows the risk of investing in Emerging Markets, stuff like this has diminished my enthusiasm for them.
There's a difference between investing in a single issuer versus a diversified EM bond fund. Stocks can go to zero too - basically the same issue.
by Call_Me_Op
Sat Mar 23, 2024 7:31 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard: "Unavailable shares" warning?
Replies: 6
Views: 477

Re: Vanguard: "Unavailable shares" warning?

Nothing to worry about. If you add new money you need to wait a week before deploying it outside of Vanguard funds (but you still receive interest if you have the money in your core MM account). It is a fraud prevention feature. I transferred a small chunk of money yesterday from my bank account to Vanguard via ACH, and I saw this same message. The bank gives less than 0.01% interest, so I try not to hold much of a balance there.
by Call_Me_Op
Sat Mar 23, 2024 7:11 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Talk me into/out of TIAA Traditional (and Real Estate)
Replies: 19
Views: 1509

Re: Talk me into/out of TIAA Traditional (and Real Estate)

At age ~35, I see no problem with 80-20 or 70-30. That will give you some dry powder in case stocks tumble, but still capture most of the upside if we have a long bull run. But I would keep the 20-30 liquid if possible. That might mean that TIAA Traditional and RE are not the best choices. I would put the 20-30 in a bond fund.

When you get a bit older, you will likely want to move some of your 403B into Traditional.
by Call_Me_Op
Thu Mar 21, 2024 10:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much should I leave to nieces/nephews vs. siblings vs. charity I'm passionate about?
Replies: 66
Views: 5590

Re: How much should I leave to nieces/nephews vs. siblings vs. charity I'm passionate about?

Just don't do what my uncle did - which is leave all of his assets to one nephew and nothing to the many other nieces and nephews. Is your uncle particularly close to that one nephew? He's the nephew that lives with my parents upstairs from my uncle. But still, we all grew-up together in one big house and the nieces and nephews left out do feel upset somewhat - not so much about the money but about the perceived meaning of the gesture. Understanding the feeling is easier if you think about parents leaving their estate to only one of several children. Whether the left-out children need the money or not, they are likely to feel hurt unless the parents explain the reasoning. But this particular nephew (who is sole beneficiary) has an abusive ...
by Call_Me_Op
Thu Mar 21, 2024 8:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much should I leave to nieces/nephews vs. siblings vs. charity I'm passionate about?
Replies: 66
Views: 5590

Re: How much should I leave to nieces/nephews vs. siblings vs. charity I'm passionate about?

Just don't do what my uncle did - which is leave all of his assets to one nephew and nothing to the many other nieces and nephews. Is your uncle particularly close to that one nephew? He's the nephew that lives with my parents upstairs from my uncle. But still, we all grew-up together in one big house and the nieces and nephews left out do feel upset somewhat - not so much about the money but about the perceived meaning of the gesture. Understanding the feeling is easier if you think about parents leaving their estate to only one of several children. Whether the left-out children need the money or not, they are likely to feel hurt unless the parents explain the reasoning. But this particular nephew (who is sole beneficiary) has an abusive ...
by Call_Me_Op
Wed Mar 20, 2024 12:34 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Anybody heard stories of well "prepared" retirees running out of money?
Replies: 210
Views: 23862

Re: Anybody heard stories of well "prepared" retirees running out of money?

The only well prepared retirees I have ever heard running out of money were ones who had crazy end of life costs with home and medical care. My 90 year-old uncle is going through this right now. His net worth when reaching 90 was about $1 million (including a home). However, that will be getting eaten-up quickly, as he is now bedridden (but otherwise considered healthy) and his assets will be quickly run down by (basically) 24-7 in-home care. He wants to stay at home. He does not have Medicare B or any supplemental insurance - just Medicare A. No family members are capable of doing the heavy work associated with caring for him. The PT says he will never walk again - so I am not sure what he would do with the money anyway now. He has no dir...
by Call_Me_Op
Wed Mar 20, 2024 7:55 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Anybody heard stories of well "prepared" retirees running out of money?
Replies: 210
Views: 23862

Re: Anybody heard stories of well "prepared" retirees running out of money?

The only well prepared retirees I have ever heard running out of money were ones who had crazy end of life costs with home and medical care. My 90 year-old uncle is going through this right now. His net worth when reaching 90 was about $1 million (including a home). However, that will be getting eaten-up quickly, as he is now bedridden (but otherwise considered healthy) and his assets will be quickly run down by (basically) 24-7 in-home care. He wants to stay at home. He does not have Medicare B or any supplemental insurance - just Medicare A. No family members are capable of doing the heavy work associated with caring for him. The PT says he will never walk again - so I am not sure what he would do with the money anyway now. He has no dir...
by Call_Me_Op
Sun Mar 17, 2024 12:46 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Awesome Portfolio: 20% Stocks..20% Bonds..20% Cash..20%Real Estate, 20%Gold
Replies: 52
Views: 6469

Re: Awesome Portfolio: 20% Stocks..20% Bonds..20% Cash..20%Real Estate, 20%Gold

TimeIsYourFriend wrote: Sun Mar 17, 2024 10:47 am There's hundreds of different portfolios. Backtesting these back to 1970 doesn't tell you what the next 50 years will bring. An 8% return with a max drawdown of -14% is not something I would expect from a given portfolio. That is, in effect, data mining a collection of assets that happened to do well together over the period.
It may be partly data mining - but is a pretty basic portfolio in the sense that it uses the 5 fundamental asset classes in equal proportion. I would like it better without any tilt toward REITs, as they are really stocks.
by Call_Me_Op
Sun Mar 17, 2024 9:00 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: HELP - what to invest in for 750,000 windfall
Replies: 14
Views: 2056

Re: HELP - what to invest in for 750,000 windfall

Helloall wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 8:29 pm Hi all, new to Boglehead community and investing generally. I’m expecting windfall of about 750,000. I want to use all of it to invest long term over next 15-20 years so I can hopefully retire early (currently, 38).

Where would you invest this money if you were me and how would you allocate it?

Thank you for your help.
I would never invest a big chunk of my money based upon someone else's suggestion. I would read-up on investing, construct an Investing Policy Statement (an IPS, a written plan), and then invest accordingly. You will never stick to a plan unless you thoroughly understand it and have bought into it. And sticking to one's plan is an important element of success.

Best of luck!
by Call_Me_Op
Sun Mar 17, 2024 8:37 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Anybody heard stories of well "prepared" retirees running out of money?
Replies: 210
Views: 23862

Re: Anybody heard stories of well "prepared" retirees running out of money?

Long-term care costs for just one spouse can cause both spouses to run out of money unexpectedly. My parents were year 2000 retires who lived frugally on SS benefits and RMDs, no LTCi and no “spousal refusal” law or spousal IRA exclusions in their state. After 21 years of retirement they could have continued to live this way for many years. Unfortunately, one parent’s long-term care (dementia) wiped out their savings and vacation home equity due to skilled nursing facility private-pay fees of $20k/month before qualifying for Medicaid LTC benefits. The late-80s parent could not be safely cared for at home anymore due to serious health conditions and extreme aggressiveness. The “well” parent was left with low SS benefits and very little asse...
by Call_Me_Op
Sat Mar 16, 2024 3:23 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Anybody heard stories of well "prepared" retirees running out of money?
Replies: 210
Views: 23862

Re: Anybody heard stories of well "prepared" retirees running out of money?

Almost by definition, if a person is well prepared, the plan should not fail.
by Call_Me_Op
Fri Mar 15, 2024 8:45 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: treasury bonds/ inflation
Replies: 6
Views: 1105

Re: treasury bonds/ inflation

Historically, 2 year treasuries have kept a bit above inflation, but that is the past - not a guarantee of the future. Why not buy TIPS - where you can lock-in about 2% above inflation for any period you want?
by Call_Me_Op
Fri Mar 15, 2024 8:42 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Bonds vs MM funds vs ETF
Replies: 7
Views: 1042

Re: Bonds vs MM funds vs ETF

sl5050 wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 8:25 pm I feel like this question is dumb but I'll ask anyway.

1) Why would anyone buy bonds at yields under 8% when you can buy a money market fund from fidelity (fisxx) or vanguard yielding ~ 5.2%. It doesn't seem like the 300 bps is worth the risk of single bond exposure.

2) I have the same question for an etf like BND versus the aforementioned money market funds. BND is yielding 3.3% right now and introduces principle risk via price fluctuation.
1.) Reinvestment risk. What if the MM and longer-term bonds are paying 3% down the road? Then you missed-out on locking in 4%-5% rates.

2.) I think you have the yield on BND wrong. What you care about is yield to maturity (YTM).
by Call_Me_Op
Fri Mar 15, 2024 8:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much should I leave to nieces/nephews vs. siblings vs. charity I'm passionate about?
Replies: 66
Views: 5590

Re: How much should I leave to nieces/nephews vs. siblings vs. charity I'm passionate about?

Just don't do what my uncle did - which is leave all of his assets to one nephew and nothing to the many other nieces and nephews.
by Call_Me_Op
Fri Mar 15, 2024 8:32 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Bond Investing
Replies: 21
Views: 3023

Re: Bond Investing

You are over-complicating it. Total Bond is fine, rebalance periodically - done. People got spooked when rates rose because they did not understand bonds.
by Call_Me_Op
Wed Mar 13, 2024 7:56 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 80 year old mother's retirement accounts
Replies: 23
Views: 2156

Re: 80 year old mother's retirement accounts

I did that for my mother. I had her call Vanguard and they took care of it. I had them put all of her IRA money into a single Lifestrategy fund. She has been happy as a clam - doing nothing but collecting her RMDs, ever since. And I can rest easy, knowing she will not be cold-called and manipulated, and is highly-diversified, paying very small fees.
by Call_Me_Op
Wed Mar 13, 2024 7:52 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: CD and callability
Replies: 14
Views: 1277

Re: CD and callability

jebmke wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2024 6:42 am It has always been my opinion that the call premium contains all that is known about call risk. I avoid callable CDs.
I did purchase one about 3 months ago - a 10 year paying 6%. I expect it to be called soon (first call date). If you do buy one, make sure you understand the risks and benefits - and make sure you are being compensated adequately for the callability.
by Call_Me_Op
Mon Mar 11, 2024 12:04 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Treasuries - Up or Down rest of 2024
Replies: 20
Views: 1876

Re: Treasuries - Up or Down rest of 2024

investing123 wrote: Mon Mar 11, 2024 11:35 am Opinions?
Draft an Investing Policy Statement (IPS) and follow its guidance.
by Call_Me_Op
Sat Mar 09, 2024 2:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax-Deductibility of LTC
Replies: 7
Views: 912

Re: Tax-Deductibility of LTC

Thank you all. I will look at some of the past threads related to this topic.
by Call_Me_Op
Sat Mar 09, 2024 6:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax-Deductibility of LTC
Replies: 7
Views: 912

Re: Tax-Deductibility of LTC

I asked an AI engine this question, but probably either got the wrong answer or did not ask the question correctly. Your answer makes more sense - thank you.
by Call_Me_Op
Fri Mar 08, 2024 7:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax-Deductibility of LTC
Replies: 7
Views: 912

Tax-Deductibility of LTC

I have read that withdrawals from a 401k or 403b are not tax-deductible if used for LTC expenses, but withdrawals form a traditional IRA are deductible for that portion that exceeds 7.5% of AGI. Does this mean it may make sense to do an IRA rollover with a portion of one's 401k/403b for this purpose? This is purely hypothetical - for planning purposes.
by Call_Me_Op
Fri Mar 08, 2024 10:07 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: William Bernstein On the Financial Industry
Replies: 81
Views: 10164

Re: William Bernstein On the Financial Industry

That's why I only recommend Vanguard to family members (all of whom are not particularly literate with investing). I usually recommend a single Lifestrategy fund. I still trust Vanguard more than other firms not to try to mislead uninformed investors - at least for now.
by Call_Me_Op
Thu Mar 07, 2024 12:21 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Fidelity and Bank of America data lost in Infosys breach
Replies: 57
Views: 6770

Re: Fidelity and Bank of America data lost in Infosys breach

Fidelity has a Customer Protection Guarantee. Until someone comes forward with a story where Fidelity did not honor it, one should remain calm.
by Call_Me_Op
Tue Mar 05, 2024 5:43 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Aggressive savers: Reduce stocks % the closer you are to your target numbers?
Replies: 32
Views: 3662

Re: Aggressive savers: Reduce stocks % the closer you are to your target numbers?

I've lived (and invested) through all of those, but the specter of 1929 still remains. I think that when we start thinking that stocks are not really risky - that they must recover over a reasonable time frame - we are not considering the entire spectrum of possibilities - and therefore not fully considering the actual risk. OK, then how would fully considering the actual risk change your behavior? We are lucky that we are not living in some places in the Middle East and elseewhere around the world which have turned out way way way worse than 1929 in the USA. I only hold in stocks what I would be willing to lose. That may seem like an extreme position, but it allows me to have zero anxiety in the worst of bear markets - and I like that.
by Call_Me_Op
Tue Mar 05, 2024 6:56 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Aggressive savers: Reduce stocks % the closer you are to your target numbers?
Replies: 32
Views: 3662

Re: Aggressive savers: Reduce stocks % the closer you are to your target numbers?

livesoft wrote: Mon Mar 04, 2024 4:06 pm Never got below 60% equities. Once one is used to 90%, 80%, 70% equities and has lived through 1987, 2000, 2007-2009, 2016, 2020, (probably some others) then one has learned that losses are nothing.
I've lived (and invested) through all of those, but the specter of 1929 still remains. I think that when we start thinking that stocks are not really risky - that they must recover over a reasonable time frame - we are not considering the entire spectrum of possibilities - and therefore not fully considering the actual risk.
by Call_Me_Op
Mon Mar 04, 2024 1:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Advice on Paying for Care of Elderly Uncle
Replies: 62
Views: 6637

Re: Advice on Paying for Care of Elderly Uncle

I can say this. My Uncle never interacted with the medical system and made it to 90 reasonably healthy for his age. Then he had a fall and gashed his head. After 1 week in the hospital and 2 weeks in "rehab," the cut on his head has healed but he is in much worse shape - now totally bedridden. I don't think there was any rehab done in "rehab."

He is home now - much happier - but probably not a sustainable situation. We will see how it goes.
by Call_Me_Op
Mon Mar 04, 2024 1:50 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Talk me out of switching from Vanguard to Betterment
Replies: 16
Views: 2075

Re: Talk me out of switching from Vanguard to Betterment

I like a boring portfolio. Fortunately, that is usually synonymous with prudent and profitable investing.
by Call_Me_Op
Sun Mar 03, 2024 8:14 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Municipal bonds vs treasury bonds -- just a matter of after tax yield?
Replies: 18
Views: 1456

Re: Municipal bonds vs treasury bonds -- just a matter of after tax yield?

Right now, TBills offer higher after-tax rates (compared to munis) and less risk (of the types I care about). Hence, the bulk of my taxable bond money is in TBills.
by Call_Me_Op
Sun Mar 03, 2024 12:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Adjustable Bed
Replies: 19
Views: 1744

Re: Adjustable Bed

At this point in my life, having been a good Boglehead, the cost is not a concern at all. I realize now (even without the vertigo thing) that I have been foolish by suffering with that mattress for so long. Before the recliner sleep, I used to have numbness and tingling in my arms and hands from sleeping on them. But the recliner has its issues too. It has a sharp ledge i need to avoid, even though I want to put my feet against it. The legs are not elevated sufficiently. etc, etc, etc. I would prefer not to have to go to a showroom and try out different beds - but i am hearing I may need to do that. But I would think you really want to try out the bed for a while, so I am leaning toward a bed that has a return policy on the mattress - so i...
by Call_Me_Op
Sun Mar 03, 2024 12:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Adjustable Bed
Replies: 19
Views: 1744

Re: Adjustable Bed

four7s wrote: Sun Mar 03, 2024 10:19 am My wife and I have been sleeping on latex mattresses with adjustable capabilities for 10 years and we are very satisfied. We have two separate twin xl mattresses on a king size frame (IOW one can be up while the other can be down) I have occasional vertigo and DW has indigestion issues. We also put them up to watch TV. We researched a lot at the time and decided on pure latex mattresses. Best of luck to you. I wouldn’t wish vertigo on anyone. It’s horrible. Try the latex.
Thanks. I am pretty ignorant about mattresses. I am considering a TempurPedic because they have several local stores. I assume they offer a variety of types. The one i have now is the type with springs - but 20 years is probably much too long to keep it.
by Call_Me_Op
Sun Mar 03, 2024 7:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Adjustable Bed
Replies: 19
Views: 1744

Re: Adjustable Bed

Last year we got a replacement Tempurpedic mattress, and tried their adjustable base while choosing a mattress. Ended up getting the adjustable base and I will never go back. I sleep easier and better than ever before. Strongly recommend trying it given your situation. Tempurpedic removed the old mattress and installed the new setup. We did the same - it was pricy but we have never slept better At this point in my life, having been a good Boglehead, the cost is not a concern at all. I realize now (even without the vertigo thing) that I have been foolish by suffering with that mattress for so long. Before the recliner sleep, I used to have numbness and tingling in my arms and hands from sleeping on them. But the recliner has its issues too....
by Call_Me_Op
Sat Mar 02, 2024 7:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Adjustable Bed
Replies: 19
Views: 1744

Re: Adjustable Bed

snic wrote: Sat Mar 02, 2024 7:16 am Would a wedge pillow work? Might be worth a try. It's a lot cheaper than a new adjustable bed. E.g.:

https://www.amazon.com/Forias-Sleeping- ... B09L7PQ9FC
I have thought of that. It may not be a bad idea - at least as a bridge. I think that wedge (on my bed) might be more comfortable than the recliner and might even allow side sleeping - although there still might be too much hip pressure. Worth a try though. Thanks for the suggestion!
by Call_Me_Op
Sat Mar 02, 2024 7:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Adjustable Bed
Replies: 19
Views: 1744

Adjustable Bed

Greetings, I have been sleeping in a not-so-great recliner for the past year because of a balance issue. When it started, I could not lie flat without severe vertigo. That has improved quite a bit but I would still like the option of sleeping with my trunk at an angle of 30-45 degrees. The recliner is not that comfortable and has lots of issues with hard edges, feet not raised high enough, etc - that are difficult to mitigate well. Also, my bed if flat and the mattress is 20 years old and in disrepair (several cracks held with duct tape). When I tried to sleep in my bed recently, I felt a lot of pressure on my shoulder and hip - and did not stay in the bed for long. (I can't sleep flat on my back because it is hard to breathe.) I am sure th...
by Call_Me_Op
Fri Mar 01, 2024 6:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TIAA Traditional and Bond Fund Questions
Replies: 24
Views: 2227

Re: TIAA Traditional and Bond Fund Questions

crefwatch wrote: Fri Mar 01, 2024 3:52 am Having just lived through over 10% losses in Total Bond, I give a lot if value to the no-loss character of TIAA Traditional, as well as interest near the 10-year Treasury rate. I figure if TIAA goes belly up, we will have a lot worse things to worry about than state guarantee associations. I own a lot of it.

I should point out that TIAA Trad is not a fractional ownership product (as is a mutual fund), which might bother someone worried about insurance company failure.
Can you elaborate on that last sentence?
by Call_Me_Op
Fri Mar 01, 2024 7:53 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The recent surge: stand pat or "sell high?"
Replies: 54
Views: 6563

Re: The recent surge: stand pat or "sell high?"

Nothing wrong with a bit of trimming if consistent with your IPS - but I never make big moves. I also avoid selling in taxable unless at a loss.
by Call_Me_Op
Wed Feb 28, 2024 8:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Advice on Paying for Care of Elderly Uncle
Replies: 62
Views: 6637

Re: Advice on Paying for Care of Elderly Uncle

BarbBrooklyn wrote: Tue Feb 27, 2024 8:14 pm OP, I hope today's meeting went well and was productive.
Thanks for asking Barb. Hopefully, some benefit will come out of it. They sent a nurse and a trainee. They asked a lot of questions. The purpose was to assess the needs and make recommendations. They did not examine my uncle in any way - just asked questions.
by Call_Me_Op
Tue Feb 27, 2024 6:41 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retirement in the market
Replies: 5
Views: 1426

Re: Retirement in the market

I have about 20K that I want to invest into something. I have my ROTH maxed, HYSA, 401K, Brokerage, Crypto holdings etc. Can I put down a 20K down payment with a long-term financing provider at a typical mortgage interest rate, and take the 80% financing + principal and purchase index funds and pay off the interest over time? I feel like it would eventually outpace the interest (10-30 years from now) with the compounding interest via S&P 500, the larger base enables that compared to if I just put 20K into the market. Basically I'm looking for a legit way to get a mortgage but in the stock market instead of buying a physical house, is that crazy? roasts are welcome... Bad idea. This would be an unsecured loan, so you will pay a high int...
by Call_Me_Op
Mon Feb 26, 2024 7:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Advice on Paying for Care of Elderly Uncle
Replies: 62
Views: 6637

Re: Advice on Paying for Care of Elderly Uncle

BarbBrooklyn wrote: Mon Feb 26, 2024 7:43 pm
Call_Me_Op wrote: Mon Feb 26, 2024 7:08 pm There is a consultant visiting my parents tomorrow from a non-profit elderly care organization called Ethos. Hopefully, that starts some positive things happening.
Are you able to be there to hear what is actually said? I found that my mom (with a somewhat similar profile to your mom) often heard something very different from what was actually being said by doctors, lawyers etc.

It might be well to have another set of ears, even just on a speaker phone.
My dad and a brother will be there.
by Call_Me_Op
Mon Feb 26, 2024 7:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Advice on Paying for Care of Elderly Uncle
Replies: 62
Views: 6637

Re: Advice on Paying for Care of Elderly Uncle

So what to do? I don't know. I think the uncle needs to experience a lack of care for a day or so to show him that no, he's not independent enough to stay home. He needs to go to a nursing home. I agree. Unfortunately, in my family that is viewed as a big no-no. It's a real problem. My mom is very head-strong, a strict catholic, and driven by guilt. But at some point, I plan to try to talk to her about it. i will tell her she can spend the whole day by his side if that's what she wants, but she really is unable to handle his care. Just curious - is your uncle the oldest son in your mother’s family? Because in that generation, sometimes the oldest son in the family is treated like a minor deity. Can do no wrong; his wish is others’ command....
by Call_Me_Op
Mon Feb 26, 2024 7:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Advice on Paying for Care of Elderly Uncle
Replies: 62
Views: 6637

Re: Advice on Paying for Care of Elderly Uncle

HomeStretch wrote: Mon Feb 26, 2024 7:21 pm
Call_Me_Op wrote: Mon Feb 26, 2024 5:57 pm … I believe that my mom has durable power of attorney for uncle's revocable trust. …
I don’t believe a DPOA is valid for a trust. The RL trust document should specify the trustee (likely your uncle) and successor trustees, if any.
Hmmmm...I know that all of his assets are titled to a revocable trust - and that my mom has DPOA. I assumed that the DPOA applied to the trust assets, because there aren't any other assets to my knowledge - unless the DPOA refers only to the small checking account.

My sister is the successor trustee, but I don't think she has any power while uncle is alive.
by Call_Me_Op
Mon Feb 26, 2024 7:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Advice on Paying for Care of Elderly Uncle
Replies: 62
Views: 6637

Re: Advice on Paying for Care of Elderly Uncle

TN_Boy wrote: Mon Feb 26, 2024 7:03 pm I have to hone on this a bit, what do you mean " He does not have a physician?"

He only sees a doctor at the hospital when he falls and gashes his head?
That's correct. He has always had a pathological aversion to conventional medical care. I do not think he has ever seen a doctor - until this recent fall when he gashed his head. Strangely, the doctor (at the hospital recently) told my mother "He is in good health." I found that hard to reconcile, when he has an enormous untreated hernia and cannot walk or even sit up in bed.
by Call_Me_Op
Mon Feb 26, 2024 7:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Advice on Paying for Care of Elderly Uncle
Replies: 62
Views: 6637

Re: Advice on Paying for Care of Elderly Uncle

There is a consultant visiting my parents tomorrow from a non-profit elderly care organization called Ethos. Hopefully, that starts some positive things happening.
by Call_Me_Op
Mon Feb 26, 2024 6:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Advice on Paying for Care of Elderly Uncle
Replies: 62
Views: 6637

Re: Advice on Paying for Care of Elderly Uncle

Jack FFR1846 wrote: Mon Feb 26, 2024 6:16 pm
So what to do? I don't know. I think the uncle needs to experience a lack of care for a day or so to show him that no, he's not independent enough to stay home. He needs to go to a nursing home.
I agree. Unfortunately, in my family that is viewed as a big no-no. It's a real problem. My mom is very head-strong, a strict catholic, and driven by guilt. But at some point, I plan to try to talk to her about it. i will tell her she can spend the whole day by his side if that's what she wants, but she really is unable to handle his care.
by Call_Me_Op
Mon Feb 26, 2024 6:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Advice on Paying for Care of Elderly Uncle
Replies: 62
Views: 6637

Re: Advice on Paying for Care of Elderly Uncle

Watty wrote: Mon Feb 26, 2024 6:10 pm
It would also be good to check to make sure your uncles empty house is still insured too. Often there are clauses in home insurance policies which limit coverage after a house has been vacant more than a couple of months.
Many years ago, uncle made the brilliant unilateral decision to discontinue his homeowner's insurance. His house has been vacant for 12 years and had a pipe burst a few years ago causing quite a bit of damage. the only reason the is worth ~$750k is the land.
by Call_Me_Op
Mon Feb 26, 2024 6:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Advice on Paying for Care of Elderly Uncle
Replies: 62
Views: 6637

Re: Advice on Paying for Care of Elderly Uncle

delamer wrote: Mon Feb 26, 2024 5:41 pm Sounds like your dad is the innocent party in this mess. Support him as much as you can.
Yes, and a better man you cannot find. He has done everything for his in-laws and never asked anything in return. My dad has never had an unkind word to say about anyone.
by Call_Me_Op
Mon Feb 26, 2024 6:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Advice on Paying for Care of Elderly Uncle
Replies: 62
Views: 6637

Re: Advice on Paying for Care of Elderly Uncle

There is in many states a complex infrastructure for services and support for this kind of situation. If you can afford private pay for in home care, and are willing to get someone to clean his home and temporarily relocate some of his library, it may be doable. The trick is getting a really good aide agency. So shop around. Another trick is making the psychological adjustment away from deferring to him on all decisions, to making hard decisions with his best interests in mind. For example, his need to stay home may be more important than his wish not to have his books touched. If he wants, you two can go through the books together to select which ones get a temporary new home. Does he have a medical and financial POA? We could never go th...