Search found 734 matches

by eucalyptus
Sat Mar 09, 2024 7:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Golden Visa Advisors? Spain?
Replies: 0
Views: 292

Golden Visa Advisors? Spain?

Can anyone recommend a firm providing advice and assistance with respect to residence by investment programs?

I'm particularly interested in Spain, but open to European alternatives (eg Malta, Greece, others).

I've searched the site, and am generally aware of the programs and countries currently offering them.

Thank you.
by eucalyptus
Sat Dec 23, 2023 2:49 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Investing in Art
Replies: 2
Views: 782

Investing in Art

Interesting review of a recent book from Columbia Business School Publishing:

https://blogs.cfainstitute.org/investor ... th-of-art/

I wouldn't buy art as an investment, and am not recommending anyone do so.
by eucalyptus
Tue Dec 12, 2023 11:32 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: US citizen expatriating cash
Replies: 39
Views: 4195

Re: US citizen expatriating cash

Watty wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2023 11:01 am Be sure to add French inheritance laws to your list of things to research. People have posted that French laws are VERY different and may override things which are stated in your will.

People have also posted about inheriting property in other countries and what a mess it was to try to sell it. Have a clear plan for your heirs to deal with it.
Great suggestion. Do the French have a bureaucracy? ;-)
by eucalyptus
Tue Dec 12, 2023 10:41 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: US citizen expatriating cash
Replies: 39
Views: 4195

Re: US citizen expatriating cash

The area around Pont du Gard used to be relatively affordable. I used to spend the summers and sometimes the winters in a little village an hour South of Valence. These small little places there are all very similar and if you need a starting point, fly there, rent a car and spend a few days in each city. The restaurants and cafes are amazing. Back then it used to be a bit tedious to buy a house as French citizens would have a right of first refusal when real property went to market. We rented a house in St Remy earlier this year. There seemed to be some understandable resentment towards Parisians and (other? ha!) foreigners buying homes in a very difficult lodging market. We'll have to take a look at the area around Valence. You must have...
by eucalyptus
Tue Dec 12, 2023 9:35 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: US citizen expatriating cash
Replies: 39
Views: 4195

Re: US citizen expatriating cash

... I`ve been in Southern France a few dozen times when I was younger. Maybe 20 years ago. You may laugh at my comparison but today my experience there reminds me a lot of Mexico. I dont want to go into the details. Paris is a different world from the rest of France, so your milage may vary very much depending on where you are looking to buy. Paris is awesome and I love it and so is Nice or the whole Rivera but neither are even remotely cheap. And the pinnacle of financial stability, political stability, stability as a society and everything else is of course Switzerland. This however is also not a cheap place to buy. At all. And unless you have deep pockets this may not be the place for you. You could also look into Luxembourg. Small, but...
by eucalyptus
Tue Dec 12, 2023 6:00 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: US citizen expatriating cash
Replies: 39
Views: 4195

Re: US citizen expatriating cash

Thank you for all the replies! I believe I have in mind something like a financial "bug out" or "go" bag. My inspiration is the foreign investors who piled into Miami and other south Florida real estate for many years, and for all I know may still be doing so. Real estate is probably the answer. It may be that I could accomplish my goals by moving to, or buying real estate in, a US region more compatible with my personal beliefs, and that's also an option. Briefly: @anagram - Having recently returned from Copenhagen, I have in my possession some decidedly un-Euro coins. I do indeed know the definition of "Eurozone." @wingman4uz - You're correct. My goal is to have assets, liquid or not, outside the US, while re...
by eucalyptus
Mon Dec 11, 2023 7:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: US citizen expatriating cash
Replies: 39
Views: 4195

Re: US citizen expatriating cash

fuddbogle wrote: Mon Dec 11, 2023 7:01 pm This may not be exactly what you're looking for but it's a start:

https://www.my-french-house.com/guide-t ... -in-france
Thank you!
by eucalyptus
Mon Dec 11, 2023 7:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: US citizen expatriating cash
Replies: 39
Views: 4195

Re: US citizen expatriating cash

JohnG2000 wrote: Mon Dec 11, 2023 7:01 pm Just be careful, tax compliance will become complicated.
U.S. citizens are taxed on their worldwide income, you should talk to CPA to understand various compliance requirements including filing FBAR and other applicable tax forms.
My sense from the very limited reading I've done about reporting requirements, PFICs, etc, is that purchasing real estate may be the only practical way of accomplishing this goal. Thank you.
by eucalyptus
Mon Dec 11, 2023 6:52 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: US citizen expatriating cash
Replies: 39
Views: 4195

Re: US citizen expatriating cash

Sorry I wasn't clear. I'm explaining this poorly.

As I mentioned in another reply, I watched for years as foreign investors bought south Florida real estate to make "safe" investments outside of their own countries.

I want to do the same, preferably in the Eurozone. That is, I'm an American citizen and resident; I want to stay in the US, but I want to legally invest in Eurozone assets - perhaps bank accounts, securities, real estate - directly. I suspect real estate is the easiest way to do that. It may as a practical matter be the only way, given US law relating to foreign bank and investment accounts.

To be clear, I want to comply with all applicable US laws.
by eucalyptus
Mon Dec 11, 2023 6:42 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: US citizen expatriating cash
Replies: 39
Views: 4195

Re: US citizen expatriating cash

Thanks for the reply. I don't intend to make any political statement and am not interested in political discussion - my question is how to expatriate funds while remaining in the US. I watched for years in south Florida as foreign investors bought real estate to do exactly that.
by eucalyptus
Mon Dec 11, 2023 5:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: US citizen expatriating cash
Replies: 39
Views: 4195

US citizen expatriating cash

I apologize if I've missed a wiki or prior threads. I'm a US citizen who wants to expatriate cash to the Eurozone (in particular, France) because I'm concerned about the political stability of the United States. I realize this will sound crazy to many/most of you. Ideally, I am in fact crazy.. If someone can point me to a wiki or prior thread, I'd be grateful. If there's anyone here doing this, I'd be interested in suggestions. I'm aware of the various "golden visa" programs. I'm generally aware of obstacles facing US citizens wishing to open foreign bank and investment accounts. Purchasing real estate seems to be the easiest way to proceed. Thank you. Oh - I'm also aware that the grass "over there" isn't necessarily gre...
by eucalyptus
Sat Jul 29, 2023 6:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Car Should I Buy If Money Were No Object?
Replies: 116
Views: 13897

Re: What Car Should I Buy If Money Were No Object?

So many choices. How about a Cayenne Turbo? You can spec it without the "turbo" insignia if you think that lowers the profile. Cayennes and Macans are common in most major cities. Not sure any SUV is "great looking," though.
by eucalyptus
Tue Dec 20, 2022 2:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are your LEAST favorite vacation destinations
Replies: 399
Views: 43305

Re: What are your LEAST favorite vacation destinations

Santorini - as a cruise ship passenger. Miserable experience. Do not get off the ship. Very different experience if you stay on the island. If you're on a ship, stay on it.

Also, Epcot.
by eucalyptus
Tue Oct 18, 2022 7:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dream Car Porsche - Should I buy it ?
Replies: 388
Views: 46027

Re: Dream Car Porsche - Should I buy it ?

If you really want one, then get one. I bought a 911 in my early 40’s and loved it. I sold it 8 years later for 10k less. It’s definitely not an investment but it doesn’t depreciate like any other car unless you put a lot of miles on it. However, it’s certainly not an investment. If you plan on working most of your life and not retiring early, then go for it. It really depends on your goals. My five years old car has just 23k miles( partially due to COVID locksdowns), however I think wen now it will be under 10k per year. Yes, I plan to work till I drop dead :happy ( really enjoy working on Trading Systems). Wow, that's impressive resale :sharebeer . Enthusiast, former collector, former racer, addict. Some thoughts: 1. In roughly your posi...
by eucalyptus
Tue Sep 28, 2021 7:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Internet Security/Privacy Advice Needed
Replies: 1
Views: 424

Internet Security/Privacy Advice Needed

Is there a consulting firm I can contact to basically conduct opposition research against me? I am fully aware that the internet is full of people who are really, really good at doxing. I'm just wondering if there are steps someone in my position should take.

My situation is that I've become involved in public debate over a local political issue. The other side is well funded and motivated to discredit people like me. I'm concerned they will attack my family and any business in which I have an interest. I have nothing to hide, but also nothing I want to share.

Thank you.
by eucalyptus
Tue Sep 21, 2021 11:28 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [Vanguard may remove secure messages, members transitioning out of Vanguard]
Replies: 1334
Views: 127752

Re: Does Vanguard allow you to email them or send them a secure message?

Nate79 wrote: Tue Sep 21, 2021 7:27 am You are making a good choice to leave Vanguard regardless of your desire to trade leveraged products. The grass is greener on the other side (Fidelity, Schwab, etc).
Yes. I think the world just passed them by. They can no longer compete. We'll be closing our multi decade Flagship
account and moving the investments to Fidelity. The reminder about creating a taxable event is helpful.
by eucalyptus
Sat Jul 31, 2021 11:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you have a "man garage" away from your home?
Replies: 84
Views: 10393

Re: Do you have a "man garage" away from your home?

"waste of money" ?????

I bought a flex space unit for storage of fun and other items, kept it for three years then sold it for more than I paid. Purchase price fyi was about $275k. Where I now live, such units aren't available, or I'd do it again.
by eucalyptus
Mon Jun 14, 2021 7:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What would you do and why? [HELOC to buy used Porsche]
Replies: 83
Views: 8977

Re: What would you do and why? [HELOC to buy used Porsche]

Thanks for the post. I was thinking a turbo S but it seems they depreciate too much. I will have to research a GT3. Or perhaps a 911 S or 4S. I was thinking a 2016 or so. I have all this equity sitting in my house doing nothing so when my colleague said thats what he does I thought I'd see if there is something to it. The turbo S is an incredible car but will definitely depreciate much more than a GT car. Have you driven any/all of them? An S/4S, GT3, and turbo S are all VERY different cars despite all being 911s. I would very highly recommend going to LA or Atlanta to the Porsche experience center for a couple of cars to really get a feel for them. Costs $500-1000 per car but a very cool experience that you won’t find anywhere else. The G...
by eucalyptus
Mon Jun 14, 2021 8:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Talk me out of buying a Porsche 911 as an investment....
Replies: 151
Views: 18288

Re: Talk me out of buying a Porsche 911 as an investment....

I suggest you ask this question on rennlist.com IMO the special something the market wants and others here have referred to is usually missing from a clone. I can imagine unlikely scenarios in which a clone might have some value - Steve McQueen owned it, for example. That would make it golden. Otherwise, a clone has a limited market. Is a Singer Porsche a clone? I'd say no. In my memory - correct me if I'm wrong - collector car prices began to really soar roughly in the mid-oughts. You could buy an F40 for $450k. Cars like Ferrari 330GTCs, Daytonas, Dinos, could be bought for less than half their current values. No one cared about Porsche 964s, and even an old 911S, though recognized as special, wouldn't fetch anything like the $300k achiev...
by eucalyptus
Fri Jun 04, 2021 4:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where do I go and experience the other America?
Replies: 52
Views: 6151

Re: Where do I go and experience the other America?

"I'd like to use AirBnb or something similar to truly live with local residents and understand their point of view on a variety of topics."

Live among the savages?

Nah, just read de Tocqueville.
by eucalyptus
Thu Jun 03, 2021 12:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: how long should I keep my tax records?
Replies: 35
Views: 4430

Re: how long should I keep my tax records?

3 years is as far back as one can be audited, if no fraud is contested . There is no limit in the case of fraud. This has always confused me. If the IRS claims I've committed tax fraud, well then I need to defend myself, and for that I need my records. So it seems to me that this fraud exception pretty much obviates the 3 year limit. If you commit fraud, copies of what you sent the IRS is unlikely to help. The IRS could erroneously, or in bad faith, claim that you failed to file a return, or that you committed fraud. We've had a state tax agency repeatedly (four times) allege that we claimed deductions to which we weren't entitled. The allegation was the same in every instance. We beat them every time, though not without little bit of acco...
by eucalyptus
Tue May 11, 2021 11:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066503

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

The Visit, 1964, st Ingrid Bergman and Anthony Quinn. Recommend.
by eucalyptus
Tue May 11, 2021 11:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?
Replies: 31
Views: 3018

Re: Buying books online - Amazon alternative?

I buy a lot of books. Often, Alibris and Abe. Rarely, Barnes and Noble, because I'm grateful a bookstore chain survives. Never, ever Amazon.
by eucalyptus
Sun Apr 25, 2021 12:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7638
Views: 1712699

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

Pagans & Christians in the City, Steven D Smith, Eerdman's 2018. Smith is a law professor who has written several books about law and religion. As virtually all reviewers remark, his style is wonderfully clear. The book can be enjoyed as an opportunity to spend time in the company of someone who's read widely and thoughtfully. I found his discussion of Christianity and paganism in Rome interesting, even though he disclaims expertise in the field. Compare Teitler's book The Last Pagan Emperor and other recent treatments. Smith's book consider's TS Eliot's thesis that there's an ongoing contest between Christianity and "modern paganism" (you need to read the book to understand Smith's use of this term). It's clear where Smith st...
by eucalyptus
Wed Apr 21, 2021 6:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Formula One
Replies: 135
Views: 21126

Re: Formula One

Glad to hear about the Miami race, but I think it's a shame the old school US tracks can't be used as a practical matter - too small, too many expensive mods needed, not located near population centers, etc. I'm thinking tracks from Laguna Seca to Watkins Glen to Sebring. F1 has curbs smaller than the bumps at Sebring.
by eucalyptus
Sun Apr 18, 2021 6:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Formula One
Replies: 135
Views: 21126

Re: Formula One

Anyone tried F1 TV Pro?
by eucalyptus
Fri Apr 16, 2021 9:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Formula One
Replies: 135
Views: 21126

Re: Formula One

What in the world is going on with Seb?

I'd love to see Perez succeed at RB, hope he has a strong weekend.

As for Mazepin, it's time for Dad to step up and buy the team.
by eucalyptus
Thu Apr 01, 2021 12:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: High spenders what do you spend on?
Replies: 257
Views: 32870

Re: High spenders what do you spend on?

Random Musings wrote: Wed Mar 31, 2021 11:41 am No one is into art/fine collectables?

RM
Fine art, in particular paintings, very much enjoy following invaluable and liveauctioneer and the various auctions they feature I find the gallery and auction worlds interesting.

But I think rockstar has an excellent point about fraud. I guess I feel that a work by a lesser known contemporary artist, purchased from a reputable gallery, is probably real. Anything else ... that hand signed Dali/Miro/Chagall/other widely recognized artist's print ...
by eucalyptus
Sun Jan 03, 2021 1:08 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Are Bogleheads dinosaurs when it comes to Bitcoin?
Replies: 270
Views: 19016

Re: Are Bogleheads dinosaurs when it comes to Bitcoin?

I too am much smarter and more knowledgeable than old people. Tesla!
pasadena wrote: Sun Jan 03, 2021 12:14 pm I think there are many parts to this. There is probably a lack of understanding amongst the "older" generations (beyond Millennials), and the non-tech average person, of what it is, how it works, what it's based on, and frankly, what problem it solves. There's also resistance to change, which is very common and gets worse as we get older. It's easy when you grow up with the new thing, a lot less when you don't. You see it all the time with things like new technology (see: Tesla). Betting on something that *might* become, because you just *believe* in its future, is hard.
by eucalyptus
Thu Dec 17, 2020 11:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pragmatic "audiophile" receiver recommendations
Replies: 105
Views: 8825

Re: Pragmatic "audiophile" receiver recommendations

You're probably already aware of audiogon.com, a fun site.

You're a wise man. I know this because you protect "audiophile" from "pragmatic" with scare quotes.

Good luck!
by eucalyptus
Fri Dec 04, 2020 2:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Importance of provenance when buying art
Replies: 2
Views: 439

Importance of provenance when buying art

Inspired by a recent thread about of buying a house without an inspection. Does anyone insist on provenance when considering the purchase of paintings by lesser known artists? Let’s take as an example an early 20th century work by a long-deceased artist for whom no catalogue is available. Assume that after light research you find the work doesn’t turn up in any publication or auction results site. Assume a price under $10,000. My sense is that most galleries simply have no records for such works and, if pressed, will tell you the piece was acquired from an estate, private collection, etc. I'd tend to rely on the gallery’s reputation in such cases, and not worry about provenance. I'd be buying for fun, not investment, and I’m not building a ...
by eucalyptus
Thu Dec 03, 2020 11:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying a 1.3M house - worried about unexpected expenses
Replies: 100
Views: 10744

Re: Buying a 1.3M house - worried about unexpected expenses

"Walk away" was my thought when my daughter told me she had to offer well over ask in a similarly hot market. Sellers received 7 offers in 48 hours. If you haven't experienced this kind of market, it's hard to understand. I wouldn't buy a house without an inspection, either, but then I don't need a house.
by eucalyptus
Thu Dec 03, 2020 11:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying a 1.3M house - worried about unexpected expenses
Replies: 100
Views: 10744

Re: Buying a 1.3M house - worried about unexpected expenses

Immelmann wrote: Thu Dec 03, 2020 12:36 am 75K can fix some pretty serious home defects.

I think this is the most practical advice you'll get.
by eucalyptus
Sun Nov 22, 2020 5:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What charity are you donating to this Christmas season?
Replies: 145
Views: 8775

Re: What charity are you donating to this Christmas season?

Georgia Stand-Up
The Brennan Center for Justice
Fair Fight
by eucalyptus
Wed Nov 18, 2020 9:06 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Fed up With Flagship
Replies: 291
Views: 25009

Re: Fed up With Flagship

Of course, it was my parents' poor estate planning - planning to fail - that lead to my mother's unfortunate experience with Vanguard! It all makes sense! Now, I too believe. Based on my mother's experience, I wouldn't count on Vanguard to do much for your heirs. I don't want my investment company to do much. I just don't want them to take advantage of my heirs. Vanguard does not have salespeople that work on commission and who would like nothing more than to sell high expense products to the unwary. They certainly won't do much, no worries there! Here's what VG will do, while your (possibly elderly?) heirs are grieving - send the following messages: - Your assets are no longer managed. - Your adviser is no longer your adviser. - You need t...
by eucalyptus
Wed Nov 18, 2020 8:10 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Fed up With Flagship
Replies: 291
Views: 25009

Re: Fed up With Flagship

sport wrote: Tue Nov 17, 2020 9:10 pm
eucalyptus wrote: Tue Nov 17, 2020 8:30 pm Based on my mother's experience, I wouldn't count on Vanguard to do much for your heirs.
I don't want my investment company to do much. I just don't want them to take advantage of my heirs. Vanguard does not have salespeople that work on commission and who would like nothing more than to sell high expense products to the unwary.

They certainly won't do much, no worries there!

Here's what VG will do, while your (possibly elderly?) heirs are grieving - send the following messages:

- Your assets are no longer managed.
- Your adviser is no longer your adviser.
- You need to reapply to the management program.

Fidelity has never recommended - much less pushed - any investment vehicle, in our experience.
by eucalyptus
Wed Nov 18, 2020 1:27 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: About the financial news media...
Replies: 27
Views: 2449

Re: About the financial news media...

Lots of let's discredit the mainstream media rage here. I wonder where that comes from?

The quoted text seems to me to be fairly typical market commentary. Surely you can imagine that the current US political situation carries with it "massive" uncertainties that couid affect the government for months.
by eucalyptus
Tue Nov 17, 2020 8:30 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Fed up With Flagship
Replies: 291
Views: 25009

Re: Fed up With Flagship

Based on my mother's experience, I wouldn't count on Vanguard to do much for your heirs. For five years or so now, all of our new investment funds have gone to Fidelity. Very happy there. Office a mile or so away, reps very helpful. i don't know. i don't dispute that fidelity or etrade or schwab may have better customer service that vanguard at the present time. but at some point each of those companies is likely to be sold. and then i expect bad things may happen. vanguard is what it is. at least i am confident it is not going to get sold. I am also confident that if/when I lose my financial abilities, Vanguard will not try to take advantage of me by selling me expensive products. Similarly, when I am no longer around, they will not try to...
by eucalyptus
Mon Nov 09, 2020 10:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Must See Places in Southern France?
Replies: 40
Views: 3177

Re: Must See Places in South of France?

I think valuethinker's advice is spot on. But consider Hotel La Mirande in Avignon. Avignon is not a bad base for visiting many of the area's sites (San Remy for example) and the hotel's location is ideal for seeing Avignon.

Look for a couple playing Bella Ciao all day long in the shadow of the Palais des Papes. I wonder whether they're still there.
by eucalyptus
Fri Oct 30, 2020 10:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best charity to help dogs?
Replies: 29
Views: 2065

Re: Best charity to help dogs?

Very much appreciate this post and replies, hope to see more. We are doing estate planning and considering the Animal Welfare Institute, obviously not devoted to helping dogs only.
by eucalyptus
Fri Oct 30, 2020 8:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to find the cheapest motel along an interstate?
Replies: 60
Views: 4716

Re: How to find the cheapest motel along an interstate?

Once walked away from a nonrefundable reservation at a big chain motel in south Florida: police car with cop in parking lot, bullet hole in reception area window. As someone else said, life is short. Cheapest is fine in some places, not in others. Interstate cognoscenti will know the motel pecking order - though quality tends to depend on the age of the property. Some of the Hilton Garden Inns are getting pretty shopworn. If you are looking for absolutely lowest price, I have no suggestion. But, pick a good mid priced brand and call or do a search. Oh, BTW...probably not going to get the full breakfast buffet in these COVID days, but they will give you a plastic wrapped donut. Just need a room to spend the night between 2 days of a road tri...
by eucalyptus
Thu Oct 22, 2020 11:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Washer / Dryer recommendation [stackable units]
Replies: 15
Views: 1693

Re: Washer / Dryer recommendation [stackable units]

Bogle7 wrote: Tue Dec 17, 2019 9:16 pm Miele.
Buy the best.
Costs more than you want to spend. Too bad.
An excellent choice. We do have the TwinDos version.

No trouble in two years.
by eucalyptus
Fri Oct 16, 2020 2:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help for wife after I pass away
Replies: 54
Views: 9913

Re: Help for wife after I pass away

My father had the same concern. Immediately after my mother informed Vanguard of my father's death (2019), Vanguard notifed my mother that their adviser could no longer assist her and she would have to reapply for the advisory program. Vanguard greatly magnified my mother's distress at a time when she already felt overwhelmed. It was despicable. Based on my experiences, I would never trust Vanguard to help a survivor and will make other plans for my own family. I seem to recall we've seen this issue here before here. Was the deceased an existing PAS client but not the beneficiary? Not sure I'm answering your question, but: my father and mother had joint accounts. Edit - multi-decade clients, Flagship. Mid 80s, undergoing chemo at the time....
by eucalyptus
Fri Oct 16, 2020 1:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help for wife after I pass away
Replies: 54
Views: 9913

Re: Help for wife after I pass away

My father had the same concern.

Immediately after my mother informed Vanguard of my father's death (2019), Vanguard notifed my mother that their adviser could no longer assist her and she would have to reapply for the advisory program.

Vanguard greatly magnified my mother's distress at a time when she already felt overwhelmed. It was despicable.

Based on my experiences, I would never trust Vanguard to help a survivor and will make other plans for my own family.
by eucalyptus
Thu Oct 15, 2020 11:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Applying for mortgage with "no income"
Replies: 39
Views: 5547

Re: Applying for mortgage with "no income"

I second crazygrow's post above.

Loan underwriting is irrational. We had enough on deposit with Wells Fargo to immediately repay a proposed mortgage - didn't matter. Our downpayment equaled 74% of the purchase price - didn't matter. No debt of any kind, credit ratings into the 800s, didn't matter. Exhaustive investigation of our income. You're a deadbeat until proven otherwise.

Some of the private banks used to treat people rationally, understanding the value of offsetting assets. I don't know whether they still do.The regular banks are more or less twits. It's not your parents.
by eucalyptus
Sun Oct 04, 2020 1:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Electric vehicles, end of competition?
Replies: 7
Views: 1000

Re: Electric vehicles, end of competition?

All cars will never be the same.

Even when they become completely self-driving, and even if they more or less look alike from the outside, cars will be designed for every price point. Your cube might say "Rolls Royce," while mine says "Trabant."
by eucalyptus
Fri Oct 02, 2020 8:06 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Jack and Vanguard Faithful Considering Fidelity Index Funds for Zero Minimum Investment
Replies: 103
Views: 10483

Re: Jack and Vanguard Faithful Considering Fidelity Index Funds for Zero Minimum Investment

Though I understand your respect for "Jack," Vanguard, as you surely know, is not emotionally attached to you. The shareholder
ownership means very little; Vanguard will act in its own interests and against yours if the need arises. As, of course, will Fidelity.