Search found 912 matches
- Tue Jan 01, 2019 4:56 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Will you contribute the max to your IRA and then invest it all in equities for the first market day of the new year?
- Replies: 160
- Views: 10205
Re: Will you contribute the max to your IRA and then invest it all in equities for the first market day of the new year?
I initiated the purchases today, 7k in each of mine and my wife's IRA. I also initiated the max (deductible in NYS) contribution on my 529 today, another 10k.
- Fri Jan 26, 2018 7:54 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Bitcoin bubble ending with a flat top rather than a sharp drop?
- Replies: 33
- Views: 3183
Re: Bitcoin bubble ending with a flat top rather than a sharp drop?
“Stocks appear to have reached a permanently high plateau”
- Irving Fischer, October 16th, 1929
- Irving Fischer, October 16th, 1929
- Mon Jan 15, 2018 9:32 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Nostalgic about old online brokerages that no longer exist
- Replies: 43
- Views: 6681
- Wed Dec 13, 2017 2:31 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Accelerating deductions into 2017
- Replies: 5
- Views: 978
Re: Accelerating deductions into 2017
Thanks. Out of habit I tend to stay in this sub forum, so I totally missed it.CAsage wrote: ↑Wed Dec 13, 2017 12:58 pm Beat to death, and also explored well, in depth, etc:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=233726
- Wed Dec 13, 2017 12:56 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Accelerating deductions into 2017
- Replies: 5
- Views: 978
Accelerating deductions into 2017
Lets say you were interested in accelerating certain deductions from 2018 and even future years into this year. Please, lets not talk about why you might you might want to do that, as that would likely violate the forum rules. For the sake of this thread, just take it as a given that someone might w...
- Sat Nov 11, 2017 7:17 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Do you keep anything in your portfolio as a monument to your bad decisions?
- Replies: 69
- Views: 6614
Re: Do you keep anything in your portfolio as a monument to your bad decisions?
My GE stock is getting close to that point! :( Ha - GE is the only single stock in my portfolio. I bought in in 09, so the capital gains have prevented me from selling it. Based on advice from this forum, I decided several years ago to transfer it over time to a donor advised fund. So unfortunately...
- Sat Jan 07, 2017 9:47 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: REGISTRATION FOR THE 2017 BOGLEHEAD CONTEST
- Replies: 711
- Views: 47816
- Sat Jan 02, 2016 7:21 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: REGISTRATION FOR THE 2016 BOGLEHEAD CONTEST
- Replies: 667
- Views: 50513
- Fri Jan 01, 2016 2:57 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]
- Replies: 3410
- Views: 572429
Re: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]
0.5% for the year, according to XIRR.
- Sun May 17, 2015 5:45 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Best Asset Allocation if you've "won the game"
- Replies: 86
- Views: 23963
Re: Best Asset Allocation if you've "won the game"
It depends on how much you have won by. If you are just a bit above the winning point, that is one thing, and, if you are way, way above the amount you can conceivably think you will ever need, that is another. For the former, maybe 50/50 or 40/60 makes sense, but, for the later, 10/90 or 20/80 cou...
- Mon Apr 27, 2015 4:51 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: iBond partial redemption question
- Replies: 6
- Views: 904
Re: iBond partial redemption question
Thanks for the replies, all.
- Mon Apr 27, 2015 3:24 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: iBond partial redemption question
- Replies: 6
- Views: 904
iBond partial redemption question
My assumption is, if you partially redeem an iBond, you are considered to have withdrawn principal and interest in proportion to what the makeup of the total bond balance is. In other words, say you had a 10k bond with 5k of interest accrued, so the balance is 15k. You redeem 3k. I assume it is cons...
- Thu Mar 26, 2015 11:01 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Proactively replace water heater?
- Replies: 54
- Views: 10830
Re: Proactively replace water heater?
Ive had two different home inspectors say that, around here anyway, water heaters tend to last around 10 years. I moved in to a house with one that was 10 years old. I fully intended to swap it out before it went. Then it went before i got around to it. On thanksgiving night, when i had 6 overnight ...
- Wed Jan 21, 2015 7:47 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Deleted
- Replies: 76
- Views: 9625
Re: I'm thinking about making very large 529 contributions A
Mine will be smaller than usual. It's kind of full already. So I won't go beyond the 10k that the state of NY subsidizes.
- Thu Jan 01, 2015 1:41 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: [Annual POLL] What was your 2014 return?
- Replies: 144
- Views: 20969
Re: [Annual POLL] What was your 2014 return?
I got 7.38% using XIRR.
I'll take it.
I'll take it.
- Thu Jan 01, 2015 1:34 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: 2015 BOGLEHEAD CONTEST REGISTRATION
- Replies: 557
- Views: 48860
- Mon Dec 29, 2014 8:26 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Bond fund holding period to guarantee known Yield
- Replies: 13
- Views: 1805
Re: Bond fund holding period to guarantee known Yield
No such guarantee exists.
at least theoretically all the bonds could default right after you buy the fund.
at least theoretically all the bonds could default right after you buy the fund.
- Wed Nov 12, 2014 9:47 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: If your net worth is over $3 million, how did you do it?
- Replies: 523
- Views: 135050
Re: If your networth is over $3 million, how did you do it?
I wasn't born to rich parents, far from it, but they valued education and the house was swarming with books. Lots of traits that help you do well in life also have reasonably high heritability (e.g. Intelligence, time preference, etc). So you can be part of the lucky sperm club even if your parents ...
- Wed Nov 12, 2014 9:14 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: If your net worth is over $3 million, how did you do it?
- Replies: 523
- Views: 135050
Re: If your networth is over $3 million, how did you do it?
High salary, LBYM, a fortuitous IPO at a young age, and Boglehead investing. Or as Dandy says - Luck. Good for you. :sharebeer Plenty of luck involved, of course. Starting with being born to the right parents in the right place at the right time, all the way through surviving 9-11 because of a sche...
- Wed Nov 12, 2014 8:21 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: If your net worth is over $3 million, how did you do it?
- Replies: 523
- Views: 135050
Re: If your networth is over $3 million, how did you do it?
High salary, LBYM, a fortuitous IPO at a young age, and Boglehead investing.
- Tue Nov 11, 2014 8:27 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, how did they finance?
- Replies: 2
- Views: 992
Re: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, how did they finance?
Hey everyone, I understand the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac bought mortgages from banks to open up credit in the market. But where did they get the $ to do so? I read that they get the $ by repackaging the mortgages and selling them out to other people, but I dont really know what that means. If some...
- Mon Nov 03, 2014 2:42 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: iBonds at zero % fixed
- Replies: 84
- Views: 12643
Re: iBonds at zero % fixed
Fortunately I maxed out my 2014 purchases when it was at 0.2%. And half of 2013s allocation as well. I feel lucky to have 30k worth at that amount.
- Mon Nov 03, 2014 12:06 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: iBonds at zero % fixed
- Replies: 84
- Views: 12643
iBonds at zero % fixed
I guess that's no surprise.
http://www.treasurydirect.gov/news/pres ... atespr.htm
(forgive me if there's a thread on this already, I didn't see one)
http://www.treasurydirect.gov/news/pres ... atespr.htm
(forgive me if there's a thread on this already, I didn't see one)
- Fri Oct 03, 2014 9:13 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Assistance with Medicare costs for lowish income seniors
- Replies: 13
- Views: 2080
Re: Assistance with Medicare costs for lowish income seniors
Thanks for all this info. There's a lot for me to investigate. I wish there was a consultant I could hire to do this... does anyone know?
(FWIW, my in-laws are in PA, not NY)
(FWIW, my in-laws are in PA, not NY)
- Tue Sep 30, 2014 7:44 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Assistance with Medicare costs for lowish income seniors
- Replies: 13
- Views: 2080
Assistance with Medicare costs for lowish income seniors
Hi All - I'm in the process of trying to help my in-laws out of some ongoing financial difficulties. They spend an extraordinary percentage of their gross income on Medigap coverage, Medicare Part D premiums, and out of pocket drug expenses. I'm trying to see what I can find in terms of less expensi...
- Tue Sep 23, 2014 6:23 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Binoculars appropriate for a 6-year-old?
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1527
Re: Binoculars appropriate for a 6-year-old?
Hmmm.... Maybe a nice holiday gift for my 5 year old.
- Sun Sep 14, 2014 6:26 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Recommended World War I book
- Replies: 48
- Views: 5609
Re: Recommended World War I book
In terms of the war's aftermath, I think there is no greater work than Paris 1919: Six months that changed the world by Margaret Macmillan. (She happens to be the great granddaughter of Lloyd George, FWIW).
- Sun Sep 14, 2014 6:17 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Recommended World War I book
- Replies: 48
- Views: 5609
Re: Recommended World War I book
DesertResister wrote:This is an outstanding book.gkaplan wrote:Barbara Tuchman's The Guns of August
I think that particular book of hers is horribly overrated.
Even the abridged version of Churchill's WWI memoir offers a far superior treatment of the events leading up to the war.
- Mon Aug 11, 2014 5:39 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dealership wants to buyback my car
- Replies: 32
- Views: 6527
Re: Dealership wants to buyback my car
I bought a new car last year. About 3 weeks later I got that same letter, except it seems to have been spit out of their computer in error. In place of '2013 Fit' it said '[year, model]' and in place of my name was '[customer name]'.
- Sun Aug 10, 2014 5:19 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How do you address your inlaws and being addressed?
- Replies: 84
- Views: 7761
Re: How do you address your inlaws and being addressed?
I call my MIL by her first name. Other appellations come to mind, but would get me in trouble.
- Sat Jun 28, 2014 10:37 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Health insurance coverage question
- Replies: 2
- Views: 456
Health insurance coverage question
For two years or so, my wife and I each had family healthcare plans provided by our respective employers, paid for partially by payroll deductions. They were two distinct plans from two distinct national carriers, each covered the entire family. (ignore for now the fact that we wasted money on dupli...
- Mon Jun 09, 2014 4:27 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: 30 Yr TIPS auction 6/19: 1.25% real yield? any takers?
- Replies: 59
- Views: 6598
Re: 30 Yr TIPS auction 6/19: 1.25% real yield? any takers?
To the original question, I got my fill in February, like a always do. Last year that hurt me, this year it is helping so far.
- Mon Jun 09, 2014 7:06 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Replacement checks?
- Replies: 29
- Views: 2947
Re: Replacement checks?
I just ordered 1000 checks for 30.45 at Costco. (costcochecks.com) It incuded tax and shipping. Much cheaper than the other options. Dang, that's a lot of checks. I think a 1000 checks would last me about 50 years. I think i'll get 15 or so out of it at my current rate. But by then maybe we'll fina...
- Fri Jun 06, 2014 10:57 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Replacement checks?
- Replies: 29
- Views: 2947
Re: Replacement checks?
I just ordered 1000 checks for 30.45 at Costco. (costcochecks.com) It incuded tax and shipping.
Much cheaper than the other options.
Much cheaper than the other options.
- Fri Jun 06, 2014 5:12 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Replacement checks?
- Replies: 29
- Views: 2947
Re: Replacement checks?
Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone.
- Wed Jun 04, 2014 10:37 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Replacement checks?
- Replies: 29
- Views: 2947
Replacement checks?
Yeah, yeah, I know... 'what's a check?'
Well, I write quite a few. And I need more.
Obviously I don't care what they look like, I just want to buy them cheap and in quantity.
Any recommendations?
Well, I write quite a few. And I need more.
Obviously I don't care what they look like, I just want to buy them cheap and in quantity.
Any recommendations?
- Tue May 27, 2014 9:14 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: NYC for the day… what to do with the car
- Replies: 18
- Views: 1891
Re: NYC for the day… what to do with the car
Tarrytown is a better option than White Plains if for no other reason than the train ride has fabulous scenery. The train goes right along the Hudson, with a view of the Pallisades. You will have no problem parking on weekends.
- Thu Apr 24, 2014 7:19 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Do I take the separation package offer?
- Replies: 52
- Views: 7882
Re: Do I take the separation package offer?
Congratulations!
- Fri Apr 11, 2014 7:20 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: heartbleed - widespread internet security problem
- Replies: 175
- Views: 37174
- Tue Apr 08, 2014 7:09 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Do I take the separation package offer?
- Replies: 52
- Views: 7882
Re: Do I take the separation package offer?
If you don't say yes to this I'm going to disguise myself as you, go into your boss' office, and say yes for you.
- Sat Mar 29, 2014 9:32 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What age did you reach 100K networth?
- Replies: 433
- Views: 95198
Re: What age did you reach 100K networth?
cflannagan wrote:A lot of 20's.
Did they all account for mortgages, student loans, auto loans, etc when calculating net worth?
I did. I had no mortgage, no student loans, and no auto loans at the time. Just assets.
- Thu Mar 27, 2014 7:14 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: IRS: bitcoins are property for tax purposes in U.S.
- Replies: 28
- Views: 4563
Re: IRS: bitcoins are property for tax purposes in U.S.
Examples of payment systems that are not US fiat, widely used already in the US, include: gift cards, paypal, frequent flier miles. People figure out how to charge & get paid in these ways, presumably not just for illicit activities (I've never heard of anyone selling dime bags for United miles...
- Thu Mar 27, 2014 2:07 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: IRS: bitcoins are property for tax purposes in U.S.
- Replies: 28
- Views: 4563
Re: IRS: bitcoins are property for tax purposes in U.S.
The biggest question is who is going to track all of this? The exchanges? The individual? Companies that take it in exchange for other goods and services? If it is truly not a form of "cash", it would make me hesitiate to accept it as a form of payment. RM To your first point, I assume it...
- Tue Mar 11, 2014 8:36 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Anti-virus for Mac?
- Replies: 80
- Views: 6858
Re: Anti-virus for Mac?
How do you know if you have a virus? It hurts when you type 'P'.
Seriously, though, thanks for the recommendations and comments all.
Seriously, though, thanks for the recommendations and comments all.
- Sun Mar 09, 2014 12:43 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Anti-virus for Mac?
- Replies: 80
- Views: 6858
Anti-virus for Mac?
There have been previous threads on this but given the speed with which technology changes I thought I'd start another to get some more recent input. What anti-virus or anti-malware programs can you recommend for the Mac? Our Macs have always gone bareback here but my wife's been nervous lately afte...
- Sat Mar 08, 2014 5:43 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: How do discount brokers make money from passive investors?
- Replies: 19
- Views: 6417
Re: How do discount brokers make money from passive investor
This reminds me of a story from years ago - a friend of mine was a trader in a small regional brokerage. They would berate the research guys over their 'hold' recommendations. His line was 'I've got buy and sell tickets, but I don't have any hold tickets'. (This was before automation so there really...
- Fri Mar 07, 2014 6:57 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: How do discount brokers make money from passive investors?
- Replies: 19
- Views: 6417
Re: How do discount brokers make money from passive investor
Securities lending. But it wouldn't be much. Then again, a passive investor shouldn't cost them much either.
- Fri Mar 07, 2014 10:45 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What was your dumbest financial decision?
- Replies: 173
- Views: 23851
Re: What was your dumbest financial decision?
Man you guys are all pretty dumb. To think I thought the Boglehead crowd was smart. 
(totally kidding)

(totally kidding)
- Thu Mar 06, 2014 12:48 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Question re deductions for cap gains on residence
- Replies: 6
- Views: 512
Re: Question re deductions for cap gains on residence
My gain was in the 7 figures - a decade of Brooklyn gentrification was very very good to me.
I know, I know - first world problems.
I know, I know - first world problems.

- Thu Mar 06, 2014 12:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Question re deductions for cap gains on residence
- Replies: 6
- Views: 512
Re: Question re deductions for cap gains on residence
Excellent - i should have avoided the word 'deduction' to avoid confusion with schedule A deductions.
I can reduce my proceeds by the amount of transfer taxes. That's good to know, saves me probably 10k in taxes!
I can reduce my proceeds by the amount of transfer taxes. That's good to know, saves me probably 10k in taxes!