Search found 277 matches
- Sun Apr 26, 2020 5:08 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Future 60/40 Portfolio has a 43% Chance of Failing with 4% Withdrawal Rate
- Replies: 622
- Views: 32842
Re: Future 60/40 Portfolio has a 43% Chance of Failing with 4% Withdrawal Rate
Once Vineviz and Willthrill81 get done trying to outsmart each other, we’re left where we’re always left on these discussions: 1. The 4 percent rule is not a rule, but a guideline. 2. Nevertheless, a 4 percent withdrawal rate has worked almost all of the time over a very long retirement period. If t...
- Sat Feb 01, 2020 2:25 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Suggestions for wife's new luxury (or non luxury) SUV???? UPDATE: Thanks everyone for your help.
- Replies: 138
- Views: 9828
Re: Suggestions for wife's new luxury (or non luxury) SUV????
Another vote for the Acura RDX, which my wife has been driving for four years. She loves it. She thought the MDX and 4Runners were too large. The RDX is now at 40k miles with no reliability problems at all. Honda reliability with Acura luxury touches.
- Thu Dec 05, 2019 8:09 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard VWIUX
- Replies: 28
- Views: 2806
Re: Vanguard VWIUX
VWIUX is an excellent choice, and it seems ideal for your situation. I have invested in this fund for many years and it has served our family well. I strongly recommend it.
- Fri Nov 15, 2019 2:09 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Larry Swedroe's Retirement book is #1 in WSJ listing
- Replies: 13
- Views: 2482
Re: Larry Swedroe's Retirement book is #1 in WSJ listing
I also placed my order today via Amazon. The great thing about Larry’s books is that they are always packed with tons of useful, actionable information - - no fluff or silliness from Larry. He does not pull any punches, and his disciplined, no-nonsense approach has always made me a better investor. ...
- Wed Nov 13, 2019 11:15 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Romantic northeast winter weekend getaway?
- Replies: 28
- Views: 3511
Re: Romantic northeast winter weekend getaway?
Stay home, light a fire in the fireplace, and snuggle up with a book by Jack Bogle. What could be more romantic?
- Sun Nov 03, 2019 4:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Does leasing make sense in this case?
- Replies: 48
- Views: 3360
Re: Does leasing make sense in this case?
The car dealers in my area (Arizona) love to lease cars. Every time I buy a new car, they do everything they can to steer me toward a lease. The level of aggression in favor of leasing us quite amazing. That’s why I never lease cars.
- Sun Nov 03, 2019 1:22 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: When someone says “X is a $120 million dollar company” what does that mean?
- Replies: 20
- Views: 2599
Re: When someone says “X is a $120 million dollar company” what does that mean?
It’s an annual revenue statement.
- Fri Sep 06, 2019 3:07 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: How do you let go of decisions that turned out to be the wrong ones?
- Replies: 63
- Views: 5566
Re: How do you let go of decisions that turned out to be the wrong ones?
I once took a senior management class on decision-making at my former employer, one of the largest and most important companies in the world. The main conclusion: virtually every decision we make in life, both personal and professional, will most likely be the wrong one. The winning player will reco...
- Tue Jun 25, 2019 6:12 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: British Columbia summer vacation
- Replies: 17
- Views: 1605
Re: British Columbia summer vacation
Another vote for Victoria, truly one of the most beautiful places in the world.
- Sat Jun 01, 2019 12:20 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How to remove minor scratches from Manufactured Hardwood floors:
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1250
Re: How to remove minor scratches from Manufactured Hardwood floors:
Buy a bottle of Old English scratch repair. Start with the light stain, which works like a charm on my manufactured hardwood floors. Within seconds, the scratches disappear. I’ve been using it for years and my floors look like new.
- Tue May 28, 2019 6:24 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Used Miata as a daily driver, terrible idea?
- Replies: 44
- Views: 2686
Re: Used Miata as a daily driver, terrible idea?
I drove a Miata as my daily driver for five years, and loved every minute of it. My commute was 38 miles each way along twisting back roads, and the Miata was a total hoot to drive. I always arrived at work, and came home from work, with a goofy smile on my face. The Miata is also far more practical...
- Tue May 28, 2019 2:11 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Do you have an allocation more conservative than 50/50 ?? What is it? Why? How Bogleheads are getting it done.
- Replies: 166
- Views: 21077
Re: Do you have an allocation more conservative than 50/50 ?? What is it? Why?
Gradually moved from 50/50 to 30/70. Main reason: believe that we’ve more than won the game (portfolio currently is 1,325x annual expenses). No reason to keep running up the scorecard. It’s nice to be able to sleep well at night. Ages 64/64, equity allocation is Vanguard Total Stock and bond allocat...
- Mon Apr 01, 2019 3:36 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Folks in their 60s and above. What early investment on health do you recommend.
- Replies: 193
- Views: 16010
Re: Folks in their 60s and above. What early investment on health do you recommend.
Buy a puppy and spoil it rotten. Dog owners live pretty much forever. Their dogs demand it.
- Wed Mar 20, 2019 11:53 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Role of Pensions and Social Security in Asset Allocation
- Replies: 147
- Views: 7965
Re: Role of Pensions and Social Security in Asset Allocation
Didn’t the great John Bogle maintain that a pension and Social Security should be considered when making asset allocation decisions?
- Sat Feb 09, 2019 4:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Would you eat lab grown meat?
- Replies: 64
- Views: 2190
Re: Would you eat lab grown meat?
Since this is technically an investing site, what’s the safe withdrawal rate for lab grown meat?
- Sat Feb 09, 2019 8:04 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: "Living comfortably in retirement"
- Replies: 71
- Views: 10039
Re: "Living comfortably in retirement"
1. Good book to read. 2. Fire in fireplace on cold winter nights. 3. Warm puppy sleeping on lap or by my feet. 4. Good results from latest annual physical exam. 5. 30x annual living expenses socked away in boring Vanguard account. 6. Avoid all threads on Bogleheads Forum that begin this way: - “Do I...
- Wed Jan 16, 2019 4:32 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Auto Owned By Revocable Living Trust
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1099
Re: Auto Owned By Revocable Living Trust
Our attorney told us that if we're sued as a result of an auto accident, the trust and its trustees are legally exposed regardless of whether the cars are in the name of the trust. Perhaps this is just true in Arizona, although I don't think do. Titling assets in the name of a trust can be helpful f...
- Wed Jan 16, 2019 2:56 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Auto Owned By Revocable Living Trust
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1099
Re: Auto Owned By Revocable Living Trust
Arizona also makes it easy to title cars in the name of a trust, which my wife and I have done for many years. Our lawyer recommended titling cars under the trust, although she wasn't adamant on this point. Really a matter of personal preference, she said. Arguably, it makes sense to consolidate own...
- Tue Dec 25, 2018 4:41 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard California Muni Bond safety in downturns?
- Replies: 19
- Views: 2230
Re: Vanguard California Muni Bond safety in downturns?
OP, To answer your original question about the safety of the Vanguard Calif. IT Tax-exempt fund, just go to the Vanguard website and look at the long-term and cumulative performance results for this fund. The fund lost about two percent in total return in the last major downturn of 2008. The fund al...
- Fri Nov 30, 2018 1:48 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Larry Swedroe: Munis Increasingly Risky
- Replies: 205
- Views: 20595
Re: Larry Swedroe: Munis Increasingly Risky
I currently have the majority of my portfolio invested in Vanguard's Intermediate Term Tax-exempt Fund. Even at current yields, this investment provides me with several hundred thousand dollars in (federally) tax-free income each year. Perhaps there are better muni funds or strategies; perhaps not. ...
- Sun Apr 15, 2018 7:00 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Max % of tax exempt bonds in portfolio?
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1970
Re: Max % of tax exempt bonds in portfolio?
I've had 100 percent of my fixed income portfolio in munis for the last 25 years, with no problems. I have no plans to make any changes. Vanguard Intermediate Term Tax Exempt works just fine.
- Fri Jan 26, 2018 11:47 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Pension or Lump Sum
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1224
Re: Pension or Lump Sum
Assuming you're in reasonably good health, the pension (monthly annuity payments) is your best bet. A lot of people take the lump sum because it looks like a huge amount of money, and they figure they can out-manage professional pension managers with their retirement money. I wouldn't (and didn't) m...
- Tue Nov 14, 2017 6:40 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Keurig died...what now?
- Replies: 73
- Views: 7711
Re: Keurig died...what now?
Good grief ... buy another Keurig machine and get on with your life.
- Thu May 04, 2017 11:59 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Retirement income for 50+ years?
- Replies: 167
- Views: 20570
Re: Retirement income for 50+ years?
djtino, I did extensively explore the idea of working with a "wealth manager," although I could not find a manager or firm that I viewed as reasonable in terms of expenses. Most wanted at least 1-1.25 percent annually to manage our account, and most of them also tacked various expenses ont...
- Thu May 04, 2017 11:16 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Retirement income for 50+ years?
- Replies: 167
- Views: 20570
Re: Retirement income for 50+ years?
Yes, the CPA was mainly used to disentangle us from earlier investments with Merrill Lynch, MLPs, etc., before I discovered the wisdom of indexing. The CPA also was helpful as we moved from a high-tax area (NY taxes are a nightmare, especially if dealing with things like stock options). I still thin...
- Thu May 04, 2017 10:14 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Retirement income for 50+ years?
- Replies: 167
- Views: 20570
Re: Retirement income for 50+ years?
I was in almost exactly the same situation as the OP when I took early retirement about 15 years ago. Here's what I did with my money: 1. Spent $2 million on an immediate lifetime annuity for me and my spouse. Annuity is not indexed to inflation. I think annuities tend to get a bad rap, especially f...
- Tue May 02, 2017 1:36 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: "The Road Less Traveled" by John Bogle
- Replies: 31
- Views: 5609
Re: "The Road Less Traveled" by John Bogle
John Bogle is a national treasure, and Taylor Larimore is a true American hero. We sure travel with some classy people on this forum.
- Mon Feb 20, 2017 6:26 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Cost of tax preparation
- Replies: 43
- Views: 5419
Re: Cost of tax preparation
I spend about $2000 to have my federal and state taxes prepared each year by a CPA. It's the best money I spend each year.
- Mon Jan 30, 2017 8:01 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Please tell me if I can afford this Porsche
- Replies: 81
- Views: 8796
Re: Please tell me if I can afford this Porsche
Go out and buy the Porsche today. You can more than afford it, and you won't regret it.
- Fri Jan 27, 2017 6:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Growth Versus Income Investing - Master Limited Partnerships for Young, High Earners
- Replies: 4
- Views: 736
Re: Growth Versus Income Investing - Master Limited Partnerships for Young, High Earners
Also make sure you're comfortable handling the K-1 tax forms issued by MLPs, which can be an absolute nightmare.
- Tue Jan 03, 2017 9:11 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Bernstein-"To Make Money They Didn't Need".....and Pascal's Wager
- Replies: 187
- Views: 26029
Re: Bernstein-"To Make Money They Didn't Need".....and Pascal's Wager
Agree on Otar. His book, "Unveiling the Retirement Myth," is by far the best personal/retirement finance book I've ever read.
- Tue Jan 03, 2017 6:34 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Bernstein-"To Make Money They Didn't Need".....and Pascal's Wager
- Replies: 187
- Views: 26029
Re: Bernstein-"To Make Money They Didn't Need".....and Pascal's Wager
I forget the original questions asked in this thread. But I do know this: any thread that features multiple contributions by Larry Swedroe and Bill Bernstein is pretty cool. We've been treated to world-class financial advice in a single thread.
- Mon Jan 02, 2017 10:51 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Whats your number to walk away?
- Replies: 360
- Views: 58054
Re: Whats your number to walk away?
My goal also was 25x annual expenses. I retired shortly after hitting that number 15 years ago. My nest egg now totals more than 150x annual expenses. The Bogleheads philosophy really pays off -- live below one's means, use index funds, etc. We also moved from a high-cost state, Connecticut, to a lo...
- Sun Jan 01, 2017 9:44 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Bernstein-"To Make Money They Didn't Need".....and Pascal's Wager
- Replies: 187
- Views: 26029
Re: Bernstein-"To Make Money They Didn't Need".....and Pascal's Wager
rapporteur,
I'm impressed that you have a crystal ball that allows you to see clearly for the next decade or so. Where can I buy one of those?
I'm impressed that you have a crystal ball that allows you to see clearly for the next decade or so. Where can I buy one of those?
- Fri Dec 30, 2016 10:45 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Bernstein-"To Make Money They Didn't Need".....and Pascal's Wager
- Replies: 187
- Views: 26029
Re: Bernstein-"To Make Money They Didn't Need".....and Pascal's Wager
Thanks for the tip, TomP10. I will order the Clements book this morning.
- Thu Dec 29, 2016 1:14 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Bernstein-"To Make Money They Didn't Need".....and Pascal's Wager
- Replies: 187
- Views: 26029
Re: Bernstein-"To Make Money They Didn't Need".....and Pascal's Wager
Larry,
I hope that someday you write a book focused solely on the marginal utility of wealth. It's a fascinating subject, and no one writes about it with as much passion and wisdom as you do.
I hope that someday you write a book focused solely on the marginal utility of wealth. It's a fascinating subject, and no one writes about it with as much passion and wisdom as you do.
- Wed Dec 28, 2016 5:32 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: How many of you invest 100% at Vanguard?
- Replies: 118
- Views: 12522
Re: How many of you invest 100% at Vanguard?
100 percent Vanguard after a few years of paying crazy high fees for virtually no service at Merrill Lynch. When I went to close my account at Merrill -- an account which at that time was worth more than $10 million -- my Merrill account rep said, "I'm sorry, but I'm not familiar with your acco...
- Thu Dec 15, 2016 2:27 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How will you tip this Christmas?
- Replies: 51
- Views: 6182
Re: How will you tip this Christmas?
My wife and I are extremely generous tippers, especially during the holiday season. Where we live, a large percentage of service workers are students and/or single mothers. They really need the money. Over the course of an entire year, and perhaps over an entire lifetime, such generous tipping is me...
- Wed Nov 30, 2016 6:49 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Negotiating New Car Purchase
- Replies: 34
- Views: 6092
Re: Negotiating New Car Purchase
1. Go to Edmunds.com or kelley Blue Book to research dealer cost of vehicle. If you don't know much about cars, go to Consumer Reports (they don't know much about cars, either, but they mean well and their numbers are more or less in the ballpark). 2. Go to dealership, pick out car, offer this price...
- Wed Nov 30, 2016 6:27 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Feeling like you've "made it"
- Replies: 107
- Views: 14415
Re: Feeling like you've "made it"
I have a business associate who has a great expression about people who think they have it made. She says: get over yourself, and move forward. So get over yourself, and move forward.
- Wed Nov 30, 2016 6:23 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What level of wealth will get the attention of an estate attorney?
- Replies: 39
- Views: 7617
Re: What level of wealth will get the attention of an estate attorney?
If you are capable of fogging a mirror, you can gain the attention of an estate lawyer.
- Wed Nov 30, 2016 6:13 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Edward Jones Guided Solutions
- Replies: 109
- Views: 19940
Re: Edward Jones Guided Solutions
Dump Edward Jones immediately. Run. Do not look back.
- Wed Nov 30, 2016 6:09 pm
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: livesoft is almost at 50,000 posts...
- Replies: 75
- Views: 11317
Re: livesoft is almost at 50,000 posts...
Livesoft has provided an incredible amount of sound investing advice over the years. He also has challenged investors to do their own research and reach their own conclusions. In addition, he has a great sense of humor. This guy is golden.
- Mon Nov 28, 2016 5:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Time to buy a vehicle - New vs Used Math Sanity Check
- Replies: 24
- Views: 4981
Re: Time to buy a vehicle - New vs Used Math Sanity Check
Buy new, pay cash, do not buy extended warranty. Repeat every decade or so.
- Mon Oct 03, 2016 2:43 pm
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Where is Livesoft?
- Replies: 94
- Views: 24097
Re: Where is Livesoft?
Livesoft finally snapped after reading, for a millionth time, a post asking: "Do I need umbrella insurance?"
- Thu Sep 22, 2016 3:15 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Help understanding the attraction to W & W [Wellington/Wellesley]
- Replies: 38
- Views: 6579
Re: Help understanding the attraction to W & W [Wellington/Wellesley]
If you're into active management, it's hard to beat W&W. You get strong, professional management teams at rock-bottom fees. As active managers, they maintain the asset allocations advertised by the funds. My wife's retirement money has been invested in Wellington for more than 25 years, and her ...
- Mon Jul 25, 2016 5:44 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Any retirees here who have been life-long renters?
- Replies: 140
- Views: 16813
Re: Any retirees here who have been life-long renters?
I've been a long-term renter and then a long-term owner. As an owner, I gained millions of dollars in gains on my properties, over and above maintenance and other costs. From strictly a financial perspective, owning property has worked well for me. I also like the emotional aspects of home ownership...
- Fri Jun 03, 2016 3:42 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Should I try to pay off mortgage aggressively?
- Replies: 25
- Views: 7421
Re: SHould I try to pay off mortgage aggressively?
Yes, you should pay off your mortgage aggressively.
- Fri Jun 03, 2016 3:39 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Dividends Useless?
- Replies: 154
- Views: 12772
Re: Dividends Useless?
Dividends are not useless. In fact, they're quite valuable. But they are not "free money," as many investors seem to think. Dividends are just part of total return, and are relatively inefficient from a tax standpoint. Warren Buffett figured this all out a few decades ago, opting for total...
- Fri Jun 03, 2016 3:15 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What TYPE of books do you like to read?
- Replies: 48
- Views: 4254
Re: What TYPE of books do you like to read?
American history, which provides a great framework for investors.