Search found 1029 matches

by BogleFan510
Wed Mar 06, 2024 10:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Let go from Megacorp at 42....can I retire?
Replies: 90
Views: 22527

Re: Let go from Megacorp at 42....can I retire?

Financially you are set. Personally, I would consider a downsized job to continue modeling a good work ethic for your young children. A local government management type position might be ideal, with reasonable hours and good benefits. I did that in my late 40s and even vested a small pension benefit with health care. It may take some time to reorient your skill set to an appropriate `barista FIRE' type job, but at your age you can work for enjoyment. Another option might be doing somethign you love like supporting a non profiit or instituion in the arts, schools or music; around something you love. These jobs come with lots of social capital. In our retirement we volunteer at music and artist venues and stay up to date on the latest live pe...
by BogleFan510
Wed Mar 06, 2024 10:02 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: can indexes have low PE and low return for a long time?
Replies: 41
Views: 3997

Re: can indexes have low PE and low return for a long time?

Yes. In the future anything is possible, even negative returns for a long time. Is it probable? That seems unlikely because investors demand a return and prices adjust accordingly. Failing companies fail and their assets provide capital for the successful companies to consume, so overall it is likely that at least some profits that create value will be created. A CEO friend of mine told me about some deep economic analysis his companies had performed on the topic of returns that suggested that the average returns of all companies should be roughly equal to the cost of capital, discounting for the constant technical and management process innovations that occur, which lead to creating new wealth. So on average the market will earn the cost ...
by BogleFan510
Wed Mar 06, 2024 9:53 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Schwab is struggling
Replies: 48
Views: 11917

Re: Schwab is struggling

livesoft wrote: Wed Jan 24, 2024 11:32 am
BogleFan510 wrote: Wed Jan 24, 2024 11:11 am Their marketing budgets dont seem to be declining. We received an invitation for free courtside NBA seats this week as a thank you for our loyalty.
Ha! Such tickets usually would go to a "top performing employee" in your local office. Or they all hate how the team is doing this season.
Probably true, but it was a great time. Courtside suite and Steph is still Steph. Glad to see an all time great.
by BogleFan510
Wed Jan 24, 2024 11:20 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: 🎁 🎉Happy 100th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎊🎂
Replies: 429
Views: 43329

Re: 🎁 🎉Happy 100th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎊🎂

Congratulations to a fine man!
by BogleFan510
Wed Jan 24, 2024 11:11 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Schwab is struggling
Replies: 48
Views: 11917

Re: Schwab is struggling

Their marketing budgets dont seem to be declining. We received an invitation for free courtside NBA seats this week as a thank you for our loyalty.
by BogleFan510
Wed Jan 24, 2024 10:50 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: can indexes have low PE and low return for a long time?
Replies: 41
Views: 3997

Re: can indexes have low PE and low return for a long time?

Yes. In the future anything is possible, even negative returns for a long time. Is it probable? That seems unlikely because investors demand a return and prices adjust accordingly. Failing companies fail and their assets provide capital for the successful companies to consume, so overall it is likely that at least some profits that create value will be created. A CEO friend of mine told me about some deep economic analysis his companies had performed on the topic of returns that suggested that the average returns of all companies should be roughly equal to the cost of capital, discounting for the constant technical and management process innovations that occur, which lead to creating new wealth. So on average the market will earn the cost o...
by BogleFan510
Wed Jan 17, 2024 11:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: No-state-income-tax states are not good for retirees.
Replies: 413
Views: 39638

Re: No-state-income-tax states are not good for retirees.

There are some chilling stories about fraud rings in Nevada taking assets from retirees by forcing legal custodians on them after a hospital stay due to corrupt nurses, judges, etc.

In some ways one gets what they pay for. No taxes may mean less services, including legal protections for elderly. But again it’s anecdotal.

I would stay where you I know the people and have a supportive community long before I would let taxes drive where I live. It’s a sad prioritizing of finances over living.
by BogleFan510
Wed Jan 17, 2024 2:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: If You Willing To Tolerate More Risk For Higher Returns Which Tilt(s)?
Replies: 26
Views: 2458

Re: If You Willing To Tolerate More Risk For Higher Returns Which Tilt(s)?

I dont think any of those factors make enough of an impact to be considered at an individual level. IMHO if you really want high upside, you need to act like Buffet and find long term undervalued companies and hold for the long run, like 20+ years. So obviously this is best done in the earlier investing years and ideally with money one can afford to lose.
by BogleFan510
Wed Jan 17, 2024 2:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I stop the interviews with this company?
Replies: 41
Views: 4421

Re: Should I stop the interviews with this company?

I am currently unemployment, but with promising rounds of interviews in different companies. I've been going through a job interview process with a specific company, and after 2 separate remote interviews with the same three employees (including the direct manager), I had what seemed to be the final interview with the company president. She mentioned that I would hear back from one of the initial three employees. However, the recruiter has now contacted me to schedule an additional interview with someone else in the department. This has me wondering about the company's interview process and potential implications for their culture. Additionally, there was a bit of discrepancy regarding travel locations I would occasionally travel to. The p...
by BogleFan510
Fri Jan 12, 2024 12:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What is the Worst Financial Decision/Mistake You Have Made?
Replies: 657
Views: 134489

Re: What is the Worst Financial Decision/Mistake You Have Made?

Writing covered calls on individual stocks I picked as high upside potential companies. I foolishly got greedy when out of the money covered calls appeared to offer a great deal (eg $7 for 9 month out $35 on stock trading at $25). Seems like a guaranteed 30% return to borrow my shares seemed good. But the stock quickly went to $60 a share within 3 months; and that stock is now trading at around $2200 per share. So I lost the upside of 2000 shares going 100x and cost myself over $4M of upside. One other stock i picked I lost my last shares also writing covered calls. I picked it as a pink sheet stock and kept selling to cash after it doubled each time. Had I not ‘cashed it profits’, my holdings would be worth about $11M today. So I smartly p...
by BogleFan510
Mon Dec 04, 2023 12:45 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Uninterested Spouse
Replies: 166
Views: 23982

Re: Uninterested Spouse

TheRoundHeadedKid wrote: Sat Dec 02, 2023 8:17 pm In Japan, it is traditionally the wife that handles the household finances. So recommend marrying a Japanese woman.
:sharebeer
by BogleFan510
Mon Dec 04, 2023 12:42 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Does efficient market hypothesis mean if a stock has a 10% odds, it give you 10X if you win?
Replies: 26
Views: 2674

Re: Does efficient market hypothesis mean if a stock has a 10% odds, it give you 10X if you win?

I understand most academics believe the market is not 100% efficient, most mostly efficient. But let's say the market is 100% efficient. And you can magically see the precise odds of success. Doe that mean if a stock has 10% chance of success we should expect it to give us a return of 10X and no more or less? If a stock has a 25% chance of success, it means we should expect it to give us a return of 4X and no more or less? Stocks are not gambling. Future prices of a share of a company are based on a complex set of unknown outcomes, fundamentally based on how the company performs at making money and building assets that can be converted to money. So the question makes no sense, as there is no mathematical formula generating odds of success ...
by BogleFan510
Mon Dec 04, 2023 12:32 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: SCHD Poor Performance
Replies: 122
Views: 19765

Re: SCHD Poor Performance

Bottom line: 1. Any holding that is less than 5% of your total portfolio is questionable as it doesn't have enough "throw weight" to impact performance. 2. Any holding under 1% of your total portfolio should definitely be removed as such a holding adds complexity without significant benefit, it is pretty much a rounding error. Huh? Where dies this come from? So my $12k investment in NVDA stock (basis $3/share) is a rounding error? Last I checked it added almost $2M to my portfolio. I can understand following a BH philosphy as a good strategy, but throwing around statements like yours as some sort of law of the land is quite silly. For the record ai hold SCHD in my 401k where the dividends dont have a tax hit, and where i want som...
by BogleFan510
Fri Dec 01, 2023 10:51 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Umbrella quote seems crazy?
Replies: 38
Views: 5839

Re: Umbrella quote seems crazy?

Just got an umbrella quote in Mass. 2 vehicles, 2 homes, 3 operators. 2 of the operators are in their late 20s and 30s but been driving <1yr. 2 homes. The 3rd operator has an extensive driving record of 20 years but had a small collision with a parked vehicle in a driveway last year (total repair claim ~10k between the 2 cars, no bodily injury) but other than that spotless driving record nary even a parking ticket. The quote was $1830 for $1mm of umbrella coverage. That kind of seems crazy to me? I get the recent accident and two of the drivers being inexperienced isn’t an ideal insurance risk but still seems nuts? The underlying policy for the two cars is $5300. Umbrellas have increase significantly in recent years for us. We have 2 x 20 ...
by BogleFan510
Wed Nov 29, 2023 8:04 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Which of the two is correct? [Do dividends matter?]
Replies: 17
Views: 2525

Re: Which of the two is correct?

Both are correct. There is no inconsistency.

Gold is a commodity and acts like commodities do. Stocks are a financial asset representing an interest in a business. Both can increase in value. Investing (or speculating) in commodities is a bit more of an advanced risk/reward and is not usually a great fit for typical retail investors, but it has its place for some strategies (usually more wealth preservation goals vs wealth growth goals).
by BogleFan510
Tue Nov 28, 2023 6:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Water Heater Replacement
Replies: 87
Views: 9830

Re: Water Heater Replacement

No idea where you are located, and where the hot water heater is installed at. However, I would STRONGLY recommend to get a hybrid heat-pump hot water heater. These are hyper energy efficient, and there are tons of rebates, and some tax deductions. The negatives: They make some noise, think the sound of a 20 year old refrigerator. Not bad, but it certainly isn't silent It requires a drain as it does yield some evaporation The recovery rate isn't as fast, so I'd suggest getting a model that is a size bigger than what you would need, Example: 75 gallon should probably be replaced by a 80+ gallon version Pros: Very energy efficient Cheap after rebates/tax deductions Hybrid models can heat using heat pump only, or standard resistance heater, o...
by BogleFan510
Tue Nov 28, 2023 11:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does anyone use professional advisors?
Replies: 57
Views: 14651

Re: Does anyone use professional advisors?

I feel that tax avoidance sales pitches by advisors is often 'the tail wagging the dog'. It is difficult to both maximize returns and minimize taxes, as the two goals work counter in many cases. Im not sure there is any case for improved returns and where the thousands in tax savings will come from seems dubious, if your portfolio is a classic 3 fund and growing.
by BogleFan510
Tue Nov 28, 2023 11:09 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does anyone use professional advisors?
Replies: 57
Views: 14651

Re: Does anyone use professional advisors?

I feel that tax avoidance sales pitches by advisors is often 'the tail wagging the dog'. It is difficult to both maximize returns and minimize taxes, as the two goals work counter in many cases. Im not sure there is any case for improved returns and where the thousands in tax savings will come from seems dubious, if your portfolio is a classic 3 fund and growing.
by BogleFan510
Tue Nov 28, 2023 11:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: CA Prop. 19/inherited property/homeowners exem.
Replies: 35
Views: 2458

Re: CA Prop. 19/inherited property/homeowners exem.

Just want to provide an update that because the property was in trust prior to parent’s death, the applicable transfer date appears to be the date of death, even if a deed was later recorded from the Trust to the OP’s husband. From the BOE FAQ: “ The administration of a trust is governed by the trust instrument itself. For properties held in trusts, Revenue and Taxation Code section 61(h) provides that a change in ownership occurs when any interests in real property vest in persons other than the trustor or the trustor's spouse or registered domestic partner when a revocable trust becomes irrevocable (also see Property Tax Rule 462.260). This typically occurs upon the death of the trustor. Thus, the date of death is considered to be the da...
by BogleFan510
Tue Oct 17, 2023 2:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is AAA membership worth it?
Replies: 197
Views: 27412

Re: Is AAA membership worth it?

One handy benefit is the ability to purchase an International Drivers License every year, for those of us early retirement types that travel and rent cars abroad.
by BogleFan510
Tue Oct 03, 2023 1:14 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Stocks are sinking, bonds are sinking.. where is the benefit of diversification ?
Replies: 102
Views: 13700

Re: Stocks are sinking, bonds are sinking.. where is the benefit of diversification ?

Cash is shrinking as well due to inflation.. so why do the pundits tout diversification as the only free lunch in investing ? Looking backwards 6 months is not investing, it is speculating. Returns from investing are a decades long exercise. In that regard, the role of equities is ideally growth of capital over inflation. The cost is a risk of losses for the period. The role of debt is generally to match inflation but to preserve capital with a lesser risk of total or significant losses. Periods where both asset classes decline versus cash are quite possible and should be considered, even over several decades. Businesses can stagnate and debt instruments can fail as well. That is the nature of investing. There are no free lunches. I lived ...
by BogleFan510
Mon Oct 02, 2023 6:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: BND exceeding my patience - need something different
Replies: 169
Views: 19909

Re: BND exceeding my patience - need something different

Asked a different way, in what way has your portfolio strategy changed such that you believe you need to reevaluate your fixed income percentage, duration or risk profile of that part of the portfolio.

The histoical performance of a BND like intermediate term diversified total bond fund hasnt really changed much at all on historical terms. Whats different? Does this business cycle not have any historical periods that were similar? What happened over the next ten years in prior similar times regarding interest rates, etc?
by BogleFan510
Sat Sep 23, 2023 11:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Quitting a high paying job and retiring early
Replies: 118
Views: 16544

Re: Quitting a high paying job and retiring early

Congratulations. There is a great light at the end of the tunnel.

While not the same path (less income, slighly less stressful jobs), my wife and I pulled a similar path and fully retired at 53. I targeted about $6M net worth (2M minimum, 10M stretch goal) as what i felt comfortable quitting with. You will need to target your own number, but commit to stopping when you hit it. That for me was the key. I also arranged a last job that privides health care until SS retirement age, so that helped the numbers. Good luck. Love retirement of travel, hiking, and concerts.
by BogleFan510
Fri Sep 15, 2023 5:38 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anyone ever regret leaving Schwab?
Replies: 140
Views: 21803

Re: Anyone ever regret leaving Schwab?

Rajsx wrote: Wed Sep 13, 2023 9:07 pm
BogleFan510 wrote: Wed Sep 13, 2023 6:37 pm
Rajsx wrote: Mon Sep 11, 2023 12:27 pm How does one change your Consultant at Schwab ?
I recently spoke to someone about this and you just need to ask. We are likely to consolidate another family member with our rep, who is very good and conscientious.
Thanks, but ask who ?
Ask our present consultant for a change to a new consultant ?
Ask the manager of the branch ?
I wish there was a system in place
I think any of the above would work. Pretty sure they dont have huge egos and are not commissioned or anything. In my case, my current rep said he could process the change, if authorized by the famiky member who wanted to be added to his 'book.'
by BogleFan510
Fri Sep 15, 2023 5:34 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help Learning to day trade on trading platforms
Replies: 40
Views: 6382

Re: Help Learning to day trade on trading platforms

Hello all! Disabled senior who can't move around much due to balance issues, trying to keep my mind active. I'm tired of crossword puzzles, and Sudoku, so I thought I would try my hand at learning Day Trading, and if I can earn a few bucks on top, that would be a bonus!. I used to design & test Hi-Capacity T1/T3 circuits and although that was intimidating to learn at first, it wasn't long before I was asked to train others. However, I have gone on a few trading platforms and I feel like someone gave me a book in an ancient language and told me to read it so I can do brain-surgery! Totally lost! I have contacted the customer service reps for 2 different platforms for assistance learning their platforms in detail, and maybe because I'm n...
by BogleFan510
Wed Sep 13, 2023 6:37 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anyone ever regret leaving Schwab?
Replies: 140
Views: 21803

Re: Anyone ever regret leaving Schwab?

Rajsx wrote: Mon Sep 11, 2023 12:27 pm How does one change your Consultant at Schwab ?
I recently spoke to someone about this and you just need to ask. We are likely to consolidate another family member with our rep, who is very good and conscientious.
by BogleFan510
Wed Sep 13, 2023 6:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anyone ever regret leaving Schwab?
Replies: 140
Views: 21803

Re: Anyone ever regret leaving Schwab?

I have both Fidelity and Schwab. I don't quite understanding this statement. At Fidelity, I think the default settlement fund is a good one (currently 4%+) whereas at Schwab, the default is an FDIC insured account with a minimal interest rate and I have to transfer money to a MM fund explicitly. Is there a way to use a "good" MM fund as the settlement account at Schwab? Have you found a solution to this? There isn't one, Schwab makes the interest they don't pay you, and they like it. [Unnecessary comment removed by admin LadyGeek] buy MM with any significant excess cash. It takes all of 30 seconds using the App. So basically Schwab grafts a little extra from lazy customers to fund services, but all of the brokers find money somew...
by BogleFan510
Sat Sep 09, 2023 9:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity returns???
Replies: 21
Views: 3845

Re: Fidelity returns???

massfish wrote: Sat Sep 09, 2023 3:35 pm
BogleFan510 wrote: Sat Sep 09, 2023 9:31 am It is possible that you sold oje investment and bought another, so the 'cumulative return' of the account is positive, but after buying the new investment (and realizing a gain) that the new investment is down 500 dollars?
I have never sold anything, thanks for the thought though.
I suggest that you contact your broker and ask them to explain.
by BogleFan510
Sat Sep 09, 2023 9:42 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anyone ever regret leaving Schwab?
Replies: 140
Views: 21803

Re: Anyone ever regret leaving Schwab?

I'll offer the perspective of someone who left Fidelity for Schwab. Fidelity has some features that are attractive such as auto-liquidating MMFs and fractional shares. However, optimizing your account is simply too complicated and it annoyed me. When you have to read an entire 77+ page Boglehead FAQ thread, "Fidelity as a One Stop Shop," just to make sure you are using the right settlement fund for the right type of account, knowing the nuanced differences between using a debit card linked to a brokerage account vs CMA, etc., you know you are headed in the wrong direction on the chief Boglehead principle -- simplicity. I have both Fidelity and Schwab. I don't quite understanding this statement. At Fidelity, I think the default se...
by BogleFan510
Sat Sep 09, 2023 9:33 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Schwab advantages?
Replies: 112
Views: 11625

Re: Schwab advantages?

If you have enough assets, they occasionally have seminars or speakers on topics they can be quite good (usually at their office). Theyve also been very good at helping my family manage estate issues.
by BogleFan510
Sat Sep 09, 2023 9:31 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity returns???
Replies: 21
Views: 3845

Re: Fidelity returns???

It is possible that you sold oje investment and bought another, so the 'cumulative return' of the account is positive, but after buying the new investment (and realizing a gain) that the new investment is down 500 dollars?
by BogleFan510
Thu Sep 07, 2023 2:24 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Cash is a terrible long-term investment
Replies: 369
Views: 40283

Re: Cash is a terrible long-term investment

We have strayed far from the topic of what role cash should play in portfolios.

/ end thread?
by BogleFan510
Sun Sep 03, 2023 1:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone else feel guilty retiring early???
Replies: 86
Views: 9612

Re: Anyone else feel guilty retiring early???

No guilt. Love early retirement.
by BogleFan510
Sun Sep 03, 2023 1:00 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Cash is a terrible long-term investment
Replies: 369
Views: 40283

Re: Cash is a terrible long-term investment

gammalaser wrote: Thu Aug 31, 2023 10:53 pm A great video by Ben Felix on why cash is a terrible investment for the long term
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdzOlRRHOU8

Key points: Cash has low expected returns in the long run due to not carrying any risk premium. And even in a high interest rate environment, stocks/bonds have superior long term expected returns.

My conclusion: Stick to your stock/bond allocation. Don't try to tactically change to cash even in the short term unless you actually need to spend that cash soon or as an emergency fund!
Terrible is relative to goals and situation.

A person with $50M and modest needs dies not need risk and a steady decline of purchase power for a guaranteed income might be the best strategy. Horses for courses.
by BogleFan510
Sat Sep 02, 2023 7:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Who has left the Bay Area?
Replies: 86
Views: 8822

Re: Who has left the Bay Area?

A bit more pondering while watching premier league with my coffee: I don’t like the inertia right now, been in the same place 20 plus years. Wanderlust and mid life crisis is definitely kicking in. Validated with a conversation with DW today: confirmed if it wasn’t for kids tying us to this area, we would have moved by now. Especially considering the Covid wandering opportunities. I am always thinking opportunity cost. What am I missing out on? When is the right time to make a big move? When is it too late to make a move? I wonder if anyone here is brave enough to share a regret of *not* moving in time, as marcopolo describes above his good timing. If you do share regrets, I’m sure we can all learn something. To summarize, inertia is one o...
by BogleFan510
Sat Sep 02, 2023 3:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Who has left the Bay Area?
Replies: 86
Views: 8822

Re: Who has left the Bay Area?

EddyB wrote: Sat Sep 02, 2023 3:19 pm
CZjc1330 wrote: Fri Sep 01, 2023 9:44 pm moved to So Florida … great weather
It seems I’m always reading about the great weather doing billions of dollars in damage in Florida. Never having lived someplace with that issue, I wondered whether it tempers residents’ views on “great weather.”
Great weather is in the eye of the beholder. If people like Florida's climate i say go for it. Plenty of friends and family live there. We prefer the med. climate of northern California.
by BogleFan510
Sat Sep 02, 2023 3:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Who has left the Bay Area?
Replies: 86
Views: 8822

Re: Who has left the Bay Area?

As a differing perspective, we are happily retired and living here. A lot of the frustrations become greatly mitigated in retirement. Retiree life is amazing in the bay area, eg: + Endless outdoor oportunities (we hike 4 days a week, thousands of trails, with a group) + Best climate around + Endless live music and cultural events to attend (we volunteer and see free concerts etc.) + Great produce and sources for home cooking (cheap and good) + Nice people to socialize with (when retired you avoid the jerks at work and can select your tribe) + Bad bay area traffic mostly dissappears as we choose when to drive or shop + Housing costs reasonable as one doesnt need to live near highest cost areas or home paid for + Wine country and vineyards fo...
by BogleFan510
Wed Aug 30, 2023 5:52 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 77, $1,130,000 all in cash(+assets) what should I do?
Replies: 62
Views: 9872

Re: 77, $1,130,000 all in cash(+assets) what should I do?

livesoft wrote: Sun Aug 20, 2023 5:38 pm I actually do not think the worst is doing nothing. You could have gambled it all away or even worse had it all scammed away by well-known people asking for donations, so congrats that you have done nothing.
I agree with this. Given your situation you could do much worse than just holding money market funds, treasury bills and similar very conservative investments. Spend down for what you need and dont worry about whether your children inherit $500k each or $3M each. They will be fine.

A conservative 3 fund approach might fit you, with maybe 20% stocks and 80% cash and bonds.
by BogleFan510
Wed Aug 30, 2023 5:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Would You Buy a House Right Now?
Replies: 39
Views: 7018

Re: Would You Buy a House Right Now?

Has that person been in the same place every time the question is asked? Let's stipulate that the answer is yes. Life has been, at the risk of flippant terminology, stably unstable. Agree that a home is an expense, not an investment, so this is completely a life style decision. This has been a perpetual point of argument. I don't know enough, to take a concerted position. But if we pardon the recency-bias, has there been any investment class, that has done better than owner-occupied single family houses, over the past 4 years? I am not counting greater-fool-theory "investments", or lucky picks in individual stocks. Since 2019 the S&P has returned about 83% with dividends reinvested. So: yes. But, that said, a home is in fact ...
by BogleFan510
Wed Aug 30, 2023 5:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Advice - Getting Conflicting Opinions. Thank you in advance.
Replies: 21
Views: 1738

Re: Portfolio Advice - Getting Conflicting Opinions. Thank you in advance.

Welcome to the forum.

Dont think there is anything all that bad about your current schwab fund based portfolio. Im not sure a major change will enhance performance much over where you are. I imagine the international and bonds have recently held you back a bit, but for all we know they could lead the charge in coming years.

I would stick with your portfolio as it is, because it isnt bad at all and focus on income and your job, plus managing your budget. Stress over trying to chase a percent of performance here or there that washes out over time is usually not productive.
by BogleFan510
Tue Aug 29, 2023 9:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Would You Buy a House Right Now?
Replies: 39
Views: 7018

Re: Would You Buy a House Right Now?

Agree that a home is an expense, not an investment, so this is completely a life style decision.

While the type of recommended financing used might be a discussion, when to buy should be life driven and market based factors shouldnt be used to decide IMHO.

To respond to the above hypothetical, an uncertain work location situation would drive me to perpetually rent and invest the cost difference.
by BogleFan510
Tue Aug 29, 2023 9:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Exotic Cruise recommendations
Replies: 52
Views: 4310

Re: Exotic Cruise recommendations

billc23 wrote: Sun Aug 27, 2023 10:32 am Not sure what you are looking for but Silversea has small (100 pax) to medium size (700 pax) and does many unique sailings to all parts of the world. They offer a luxury experience if that is what you desire. Look at their website for details. River cruising is a great experience also and we have been happy with Uniworld.
Azamara also has smaller ships (refurbished somewhat old school small ex-Princessl and somewhat more exotic locations. They recently spun off from the NCL Group by a private VC and are rebuilding the brand, so some offers are very competitive. Think Oceania food, smaller ship so some smaller ports are open, efforts to include a bit more local experiences, but still American Style cruise experience.
by BogleFan510
Tue Aug 29, 2023 9:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Exotic Cruise recommendations
Replies: 52
Views: 4310

Re: Exotic Cruise recommendations

Loved our Viking Northern Lights cruise. Also took a Holland America one to Arctic Circle and Back. Long days on one and long nights the other. Both were fun.

As mentioned, cabins on freight or ferry boats can be 'cruise like'. We took a ferry from Ushuaia (Tip of South America up through interiorfjords) and it was a very interesting experience.

https://worldlynomads.com/ushuaia-argentina-2/
edit corrected link to wrong info
by BogleFan510
Sat Aug 26, 2023 3:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare Advantage Plan / Dr. Ordered Test "Denied"
Replies: 102
Views: 9491

Re: Medicare Advantage Plan / Dr. Ordered Test "Denied"

I went on Medicare last Feb. July my Doctor ordered a Heart MRI/CT Scan because he feared I had some blockage after a high "Calcium Scan Score". I scheduled the procedure and contacted my new Advantage Plan provider (well known national Insurance co.) for Pre-Approval per their rules. The CT Scan was denied based on a "Review of my Medical Record" by a 3rd party screening done by a outfit called Evicore. My Doctor even called the Insurance Co. to get clarification, yet to no avail... still denied. My out of pocket cost for the CT Scan would be almost $3K! :shock: I'm in the process of changing my Advantage Plan Insurance co. Anybody else experience this... and what did you do? Thanks Basically these cost focused claim d...
by BogleFan510
Tue Aug 22, 2023 5:42 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What do Bogleheads think? [Portfolio Help]
Replies: 105
Views: 10206

Re: Curious. What do you know [about stocks META and PLTR]

Both businesses are large and complex, so analysis of their balance sheet assets plus future revenue is more difficult than a smaller and more focused company. Brand and human habitual behaviors are important to both, which can be very profitable and 'sticky' assets, though also subject to sudden shifts. The initial large growth period for their core business has happened, so I suspect the '100x growth era' type of investment opportunity is past them, so I would be looking for single or double digit growth stories from `new business areas' for upside. If diving into strategy documenst carefully consider if their traditional competitive advantages will pkay well in the new markets or if they are reaching outside of their expertise. Both rely...
by BogleFan510
Wed Aug 16, 2023 10:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Crash predicted - should I temporarily reduce contributions to 403b?
Replies: 99
Views: 11633

Re: Crash predicted - should I temporarily reduce contributions to 403b?

I predict a market boom over the next 2 years. Time to increase stock buys?
by BogleFan510
Tue Aug 15, 2023 12:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity services
Replies: 33
Views: 4271

Re: Fidelity services

DW received an inheritance in the form of two Fidelity accounts, one an inherited IRA and the other a standard stock account. The funds have been languishing there, mostly in money market funds. (Not enough money to qualify for Fidelity's high end wealth managment.) Based on our track record and lassitude, we've decided we might like Fidelity to help us, perhaps for a fee. We'd like to understand the universe of things that we can ask (and/or pay) Fidelity to do with these accounts, to help them grow toward retirement in 8 - 10 years. We'd like to know more about what to discuss with Fidelity when we speak to our point of contact there, our account specialist/point of contact. Between the extremes of doing nothing (as now), and Fidelity's ...
by BogleFan510
Mon Aug 14, 2023 8:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What does Schwab do better than Fidelity?
Replies: 305
Views: 50278

Re: What does Schwab do better than Fidelity?

One added item, Schwab is publicly traded and owned while Fidelity is privately held. This offers some compliance and oversight benefits. The flip side is a need to consider their shareholders for long term investments. Thye are more financially transparent though, for this reason. This is a benefit to owners if Schwab and Fidelity, nothing to do with customers of them. I don’t understand why this topic is brought up all the time. Any safety you hope to be enforced in your broker’s practices is audited and enforced by the SEC, and private mutual fund auditors that have no difference in standards whether the broker or fund manager is public or private, they are looking for best practices and reg violations that apply to all forms of corpora...
by BogleFan510
Mon Aug 14, 2023 8:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Maui Visit - Planning Considerations
Replies: 120
Views: 18357

Re: Maui Visit - Planning Considerations

I am shocked and heartbroken beyond words to see the devastation of the beautiful town of Lahaina, Maui. I love that place, the people, and the aloha culture. I have an upcoming trip planned to Napili (located about 10 miles north of Lahaina, and only accessible through Lahaina) in early September, and I was hoping to get insight from more seasoned travelers as to what planning steps I should take now. This is unchartered for me. Of course I will continue to monitor events. My airfare can be credited for a future flight, so that’s easy. As for my AirBnB rental (already paid) - I have no idea how that works in terms of cancellation/refund. As for a rental car, i have a reservation but consider there will be none available (perhaps they will...
by BogleFan510
Sat Aug 12, 2023 11:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What does Schwab do better than Fidelity?
Replies: 305
Views: 50278

Re: What does Schwab do better than Fidelity?

One added item, Schwab is publicly traded and owned while Fidelity is privately held. This offers some compliance and oversight benefits. The flip side is a need to consider their shareholders for long term investments. Thye are more financially transparent though, for this reason. This is a benefit to owners if Schwab and Fidelity, nothing to do with customers of them. I don’t understand why this topic is brought up all the time. Any safety you hope to be enforced in your broker’s practices is audited and enforced by the SEC, and private mutual fund auditors that have no difference in standards whether the broker or fund manager is public or private, they are looking for best practices and reg violations that apply to all forms of corpora...