Search found 685 matches

by Ozonewanderer
Fri Aug 11, 2023 10:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: If/when to fly business class? (Length of flight vs. cost)
Replies: 207
Views: 27383

Re: If/when to fly business class? (Length of flight vs. cost)

hoofaman wrote: Mon Jul 24, 2023 10:48 pm I could easily afford to buy 1st class tickets anytime I fly anywhere, but I would never be able to bring myself do that, I would be thinking about the per minute upcharge cost as I sat there in the slightly better 1st/business class accommodation.

HA HA HA!

:D :greedy :oops: :(
by Ozonewanderer
Fri Jul 28, 2023 6:44 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Human capital correlation with stock market?
Replies: 26
Views: 2632

Re: Human capital correlation with stock market?

Good question and I think CyclingDuo has a good answer. In a nutshell, assuming you are a good software engineer making good money, I suggest you take a standard approach to investing. You have a good upside career and income potential but you could also lose your job to AI so you want to hedge that risk. Where can I find good sources on the correlation between different jobs (human capital) and the stock market? For example I’m a Software Engineer and would like to know my careers correlation with the stock market, so I know how to invest. Larry Swedroe writes about this in his retirement book "Successful and Secure Retirement" ... For example, tenured professors, doctors, or government employees have a greater ability to take ri...
by Ozonewanderer
Tue Apr 11, 2023 1:14 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any reason why I should keep my local savings account?
Replies: 6
Views: 1054

Re: Any reason why I should keep my local savings account?

Keep $2.5k in the account so that it stays free. You may need a personal account for access to a notary or certification services. I need access to ATM services which I get from a personal bank, not my brokerage. However, my brokerage will refund any ATM fee by crediting my brokerage account for the cost, say $3.50. I have times that I need to be able wire money from one Fidelity brokerage account owner to another Fidelity account owner but their rules require that the money cannot be wired directly. I have to transfer money into my wife's local checking account then wire it into the 2n fidelity account. I lament to loss of decent interest returns on the minimal balance in the local checking account but I have found it worthwhile for conven...
by Ozonewanderer
Tue Apr 11, 2023 12:52 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Does anyone have a solution or workaround for this? [capital gains on fund transfer]
Replies: 38
Views: 3844

Re: Does anyone have a solution or workaround for this?

Have you considered moving everything to Fidelity.? Perhaps their procedures are more flexible.
by Ozonewanderer
Thu Mar 30, 2023 5:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: camera for Grand Canyon raft trip
Replies: 84
Views: 7214

Re: camera for Grand Canyon raft trip

Get a disposable camera. Canyon raft trips are not 100% safe. I know two people who have been thrown overboard and they each thought they might die. Even the raft guide said to one of them, "I thought you were a goner."
by Ozonewanderer
Sun Feb 26, 2023 12:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Updating Family Trust Clauses and Avoiding Pitfalls
Replies: 33
Views: 4076

Re: Updating Family Trust Clauses and Avoiding Pitfalls

I could not imagine ordering a child of mine to get a prenup. If one wanted an example of "none of my business" for a definition, "dictating to an offspring the details of their relationship with their spouse" would be perfect. Excellent post afan. This idea of "make them get a prenup before including them in the estate plan" just begs for trouble. I also know some parents who completely alienated their adult kids by attempting to control them. Wanted approval of what church they attended, who they married, etc. It was absurd. Kids cut them off. Sad, but unfortunately true. As far as I know, these folks have never seen their grandchildren and have not communicated with their own kids for years. At least they h...
by Ozonewanderer
Sat Feb 25, 2023 6:52 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 2022-2023 Bear Market Is Over
Replies: 156
Views: 27264

Re: 2022-2023 Bear Market Is Over

Re: 2022-2023 Bear Market Is Over

Ha ha ha!

I predict a crash of at least moderate degree. The unemployment rate is ridiculously low yet there are too many unfilled jobs. Help wanted signs everywhere. Inflation is only slightly diminished despite eight fed rate increases in the past year. The stock market valuation is high again (21 PE ratio).

If I were young I would not worry about this. But I turn 74 this year so I'm maintaining 30/70 till we get through this period. The good news is that risk-free Treasury rates are high in this risky market.
by Ozonewanderer
Fri Sep 23, 2022 12:56 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Put some Total Bond Market in Treasury Notes?
Replies: 18
Views: 3376

Re: Put some Total Bond Market in Treasury Notes?

Trading a bond fund for a bond ladder does not change one's asset allocation, just the investment vehicle. Use the one that you think will give you the best risk-reward return.

And yes, I am willing to bet that interest rates will continue to go up and stay up for at least a year.
by Ozonewanderer
Fri Sep 23, 2022 12:22 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Put some Total Bond Market in Treasury Notes?
Replies: 18
Views: 3376

Re: Put some Total Bond Market in Treasury Notes?

I'm 76, wife is 65. We have substantial IRA's in a Rick Ferri portfolio; total stocks and bonds, total international stock and total real estate REITS. The IRA's and Social Security are our income. The Total Bond Market, VBTLX, has gone down, down, down. I see Treasury Notes on the secondary market maturing in one year are paying 4%. What if in my ROTH IRA I sold some VBTLX and bought some one-year notes? On the one hand, I am a long-term investor with a ten-year view. On the other hand, I don't see the total bond market recovering in one year, so why not get 4% rather than losing? This doesn't sound very Boglehead. What am I missing? R. I am 72 and that is exactly what I am doing. I plan to move money back (into something) in a year or tw...
by Ozonewanderer
Thu Sep 22, 2022 9:42 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Put some Total Bond Market in Treasury Notes?
Replies: 18
Views: 3376

Re: Put some Total Bond Market in Treasury Notes?

I'm 76, wife is 65. We have substantial IRA's in a Rick Ferri portfolio; total stocks and bonds, total international stock and total real estate REITS. The IRA's and Social Security are our income. The Total Bond Market, VBTLX, has gone down, down, down. I see Treasury Notes on the secondary market maturing in one year are paying 4%. What if in my ROTH IRA I sold some VBTLX and bought some one-year notes? On the one hand, I am a long-term investor with a ten-year view. On the other hand, I don't see the total bond market recovering in one year, so why not get 4% rather than losing? This doesn't sound very Boglehead. What am I missing? R. I am 72 and that is exactly what I am doing. I plan to move money back (into something) in a year or tw...
by Ozonewanderer
Thu Sep 22, 2022 9:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: At what point do you replace your HVAC system?
Replies: 52
Views: 5459

Re: At what point do you replace your HVAC system?

Don't worry, they only break down when you need them. You know that because you are using them.

30 years? You are a winner! Replace them know while you are ahead.
by Ozonewanderer
Fri Aug 05, 2022 9:20 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Should i reduce my Equity Allocation?
Replies: 79
Views: 5905

Re: Should i reduce my Equity Allocation?

At your young age, stay the course! Now I am age 72 and I now believe that if one has 20 years or more to retirment they could be 100% in stocks. The problem is you never know if you need the money before that time so I like your AA formula
by Ozonewanderer
Mon Jul 25, 2022 7:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Leaving for a week: shut off main water supply?
Replies: 174
Views: 19674

Re: Leaving for a week: shut off main water supply?

runner3081 wrote: Mon Jul 25, 2022 6:28 pm I don't shut down the main for three reasons.

1) Irrigation
2) Pool refill
3) The few times we have shut water off (in the past), it seemed to cause more problems with sediment and leaks after turning it on.
Re: pool refill
You can add a pipe coming off the main water line to a separate one for the pool. I had this doen.
by Ozonewanderer
Mon Jul 25, 2022 6:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Why is Google Voice a Safe Option for SMS codes?
Replies: 31
Views: 4258

Re: Why is Google Voice a Safe Option for SMS codes?

My wife asked me why I was speaking softly in the house.

I said I was afraid Mark Zuckerberg was listening.

She laughed.

I laughed.

Siri laughed.

Alexa laughed.
by Ozonewanderer
Mon Jul 25, 2022 6:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Leaving for a week: shut off main water supply?
Replies: 174
Views: 19674

Re: Leaving for a week: shut off main water supply?

Yes, shut it off if you leave for any extended period. One time I came home from a trip and the bottom of my water heater rusted through. If my water had been turned on I would have come home to a swimming pool in my basement.
by Ozonewanderer
Sun Jul 24, 2022 11:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Retiring to Upstate NY
Replies: 160
Views: 23947

Re: Retiring to Upstate NY

Fayetteville-Manlius and Dewitt are Syracuse suburbs and good places to raise a family with good schools. I lived there for 40 years and retired to FL. Summers are great; winters can be long. But with global warming, this might be the best place to settle long term. The Finger Lakes are the largest bodies of fresh water in the world. But the City Syracuse itself is one of the poorest urban areas in the US and crime is getting worse. The Finger Lakes would be delighted to know that ... but the Great Lakes would be peeved ;-). I am sorry, I stand corrected. I meant to say the Great Lakes are the largest bodies of fresh water. Good catch. But note the beautiful terrain around Syracuse: Finger lakes to the west, Adirondacks to the north, and C...
by Ozonewanderer
Sat Jul 23, 2022 6:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Retiring to Upstate NY
Replies: 160
Views: 23947

Re: Retiring to Upstate NY

Good luck We’ve lived in Syracuse burb since 1991. Home of stickley furniture. Wife was an elem school teaching asst in local school system. Public Schools are top 50-100 in state. Our local girls cross country team has been named one of the top 10 sports dynasty in last decade. Kids grew up playing ice hockey and lacrosse and snow skiing and boating in finger lakes. Both played sports in college (one club, one D1). I know you don’t want to go this far upstate but if you change your mind PM me. We have moved around US in military and everything else being equal it’s a great place to raise a family. taxes are not low .. say 7K year on a 220K house. Good luck! Fayetteville-Manlius and Dewitt are Syracuse suburbs and good places to raise a fa...
by Ozonewanderer
Sat Jun 25, 2022 8:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Lump sum withdrawal from taxable or Roth?
Replies: 26
Views: 2009

Re: Lump sum withdrawal from taxable or Roth?

If you sell from the taxable account, you lose some fraction of that account to capital-gains tax. If you sell from the Roth and keep the stock in the taxable account, you lose some of the account every year to dividend tax, and will lose a larger fraction of the taxable account to taxes if you sell. So the question is whether you are likely to eventually sell the taxable account at all. If you expect to leave it to your heirs, it may be better to keep the taxable account and drain the Roth, with the expectation that your heirs will get a stepped-up basis and there will be no capital gain. If you expect to leave it to charity and you have a traditional IRA, it would probably be better to pay taxes on the taxable account, and make the chari...
by Ozonewanderer
Sat Jun 25, 2022 8:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Lump sum withdrawal from taxable or Roth?
Replies: 26
Views: 2009

Re: Lump sum withdrawal from taxable or Roth?

If you sell from the taxable account, you lose some fraction of that account to capital-gains tax. If you sell from the Roth and keep the stock in the taxable account, you lose some of the account every year to dividend tax, and will lose a larger fraction of the taxable account to taxes if you sell. So the question is whether you are likely to eventually sell the taxable account at all. If you expect to leave it to your heirs, it may be better to keep the taxable account and drain the Roth, with the expectation that your heirs will get a stepped-up basis and there will be no capital gain. If you expect to leave it to charity and you have a traditional IRA, it would probably be better to pay taxes on the taxable account, and make the chari...
by Ozonewanderer
Thu Jun 23, 2022 1:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Lump sum withdrawal from taxable or Roth?
Replies: 26
Views: 2009

Re: Lump sum withdrawal from taxable or Roth?

marcopolo wrote: Thu Jun 23, 2022 11:20 am
Ozonewanderer wrote: Thu Jun 23, 2022 11:09 am
joylesshusband wrote: Wed Jun 22, 2022 5:50 pm
Running Bum wrote: Wed Jun 22, 2022 4:45 pm $280K in cap gains is going to trigger NIIT (+3.8%) on at least some of the gains.
It would trigger IRMAA as well.

Pull from the Roth and be happy!
Help. What is NIIT? What triggers the extra 3.8% tax? My income level or the amount of capital gain?

Also what is NIIT?

Thank you, all
NIIT = Net Investment Income Tax.

it is triggered at MAGI of $200k for individuals, $250k for couples filing jointly. At incomes above that, investment income pays the extra 3.8% tax.
Thanks. I might be close to this trigger.

I made a typo and also meant to ask what is IRMAA?
by Ozonewanderer
Thu Jun 23, 2022 11:09 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Lump sum withdrawal from taxable or Roth?
Replies: 26
Views: 2009

Re: Lump sum withdrawal from taxable or Roth?

joylesshusband wrote: Wed Jun 22, 2022 5:50 pm
Running Bum wrote: Wed Jun 22, 2022 4:45 pm $280K in cap gains is going to trigger NIIT (+3.8%) on at least some of the gains.
It would trigger IRMAA as well.

Pull from the Roth and be happy!
Help. What is NIIT? What triggers the extra 3.8% tax? My income level or the amount of capital gain?

Also what is NIIT?

Thank you, all
by Ozonewanderer
Thu Jun 23, 2022 10:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Lump sum withdrawal from taxable or Roth?
Replies: 26
Views: 2009

Re: Lump sum withdrawal from taxable or Roth?

McDougal wrote: Thu Jun 23, 2022 10:41 am At 72, does an RMD (if you are required to take it) play any part in this situation?
Not specifically, I don't think. I have begun taking my RMD's, and I am paying income tax on the whole amount of withdrawals. If I take out more than my RMD, then I will just pay income tax on that incremental amount. I rejected this option out of hand because it creates the highest tax burden.
by Ozonewanderer
Wed Jun 22, 2022 9:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Lump sum withdrawal from taxable or Roth?
Replies: 26
Views: 2009

Re: Lump sum withdrawal from taxable or Roth?

Well, I guess if the answer was easy and obvious, I wouldn't be asking all you smart people. I am glad I did!

You have given me a lot to think about and research. Thanks!
by Ozonewanderer
Wed Jun 22, 2022 4:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Lump sum withdrawal from taxable or Roth?
Replies: 26
Views: 2009

Re: Lump sum withdrawal from taxable or Roth?

I am 72 and have had the Roth for a long time.

niagra_guy, can you explain your thinking here:
"Sounds like 42k in taxes if you sell the taxable. I think I would sell the taxable over pulling from Roth"

This was one of my conclusions, but then I asked my accountant, and he said his guideline is to defer paying taxes whenever you can so he suggested taking the money from the Roth.

I guess one of my options is to take half from each account.

I could take a mortgage on the property and I also could take out a home equity loan on my principal residence in FL which has no mortgage. (I did not mention that this condo would be a 2nd home to be near the grandchildren in summer).
by Ozonewanderer
Wed Jun 22, 2022 3:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Lump sum withdrawal from taxable or Roth?
Replies: 26
Views: 2009

Lump sum withdrawal from taxable or Roth?

I want to buy a condominium that costs roughly $400k. I have more than that amount in a taxable account and in a Roth IRA individually.

The taxable account is mostly index funds of which 70% are capital gains. If I withdraw the money from the taxable account I would have to pay 15% long term capital gains tax immediately. If I withdraw the money from the Roth IRA, I don't have to pay any tax. However, I will be losing on the tax-free compounded growth of the withdrawal in that Roth IRA.

What is the better option?

Thanks.
by Ozonewanderer
Wed Jun 16, 2021 4:02 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "Total Return Investing"
Replies: 37
Views: 6061

Re: "Total Return Investing"

I’m not sure that I am making myself clear. If one only spends dividends, I do not consider that a "Total Return" strategy. To me that's a dividend strategy. Yes. But there is no difference with any other strategy; you are spending a certain % of your capital, regardless of the way you withdraw the cash. In fact, to implement a dividend strategy one preferentially loads up on that subsector of the market which pays higher dividend. In a total return strategy, one simply replicates the market. Finally, In a dividend minimization strategy, one again loads up on a subsector of the market (non-dividend paying stocks), but at least they get a clear tax advantage. That is an interesting perspective, and perhaps more accurate. So in you...
by Ozonewanderer
Wed Jun 16, 2021 3:41 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "Total Return Investing"
Replies: 37
Views: 6061

Re: "Total Return Investing"

Yes this is the problem with the Total Return strategy. One is taking a huge leap of faith that things will be OK in the long run. In my case, I told myself that if I started to deplete my principal I would just cut back on spending. I don’t understand how “total return” is a “huge leap of faith”. If you only ever spend dividends, your portfolio may need to be very large to support your spending. If you have a portfolio that large, you likely would be not taking that much long-term risk by going the “total return” route and supporting your spending by dividends plus sales of shares. I would guess that by forcing yourself to spend only dividends you: a) work longer than you need to, to accumulate a larger portfolio b) now rely on companies ...
by Ozonewanderer
Tue Jun 15, 2021 5:34 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "Total Return Investing"
Replies: 37
Views: 6061

Re: "Total Return Investing"

My personal Total Return strategy included "Total Withdrawal." I did not specifically target withdrawing dividends, capital gain or principal. I used the 4% guideline to set an upper limit to my annual spending budget. Having no pension or social security income for ten years, I lived off of my personal savings. When I needed money, I would take it from whatever account would have the least tax impact. With this approach I was able to keep in a low tax bracket most years and converted money to a Roth IRA. It was very fortunate that both the stocks and bonds did well over this period. Like I said, the Total Return strategy requires a huge leap of faith. I agree completely! And that's with the benefit of the Trinity Study, and all ...
by Ozonewanderer
Tue Jun 15, 2021 4:53 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "Total Return Investing"
Replies: 37
Views: 6061

Re: "Total Return Investing"

Yes this is the problem with the Total Return strategy. One is taking a huge leap of faith that things will be OK in the long run. In my case, I told myself that if I started to deplete my principal I would just cut back on spending. Except that selling shares has exactly the same effect as non reinvesting dividends on your portfolio's health. True, but if you've already set your sights on spending those dividends, its the selling of shares *in addition to* the dividends that is the concern, not that shares are spent *instead of* the dividends. The concern is really just that the withdrawal rate might too high. Spending only dividends was a crude way to approximate a safe withdrawal rate, without thinking of it so explicitly in that way. T...
by Ozonewanderer
Mon Jun 14, 2021 6:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ear Buds - problems
Replies: 34
Views: 3717

Re: Ear Buds - problems

I guess we all have the same problem on this thread. Me too. I bought fancy, expensive B&W earphones and one of them kept falling out. Apple earphones do not stay. I found earphones that works for me with the smallest earpiece: Monoprice True Wireless Earphones Bluetooth 5 (https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=42010) They work great for my purposes which is mostly riding my bicycle and listening to Planet Money podcasts. I don't use them for high quality music because I have a fancy, expensive stereo system, but they sound good anyway. And guess what? They cost $14.99! You cannot go wrong just trying them out: 30 Day Money Back Guarantee, Free Shipping, and1 Year Replacement Warranty. I guess I sound like an ad, but I am just that imp...
by Ozonewanderer
Mon Jun 14, 2021 6:18 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "Total Return Investing"
Replies: 37
Views: 6061

Re: "Total Return Investing"

Yes, they clearly and effectively explain how the income approach, traditionally viewed as a "safer" strategy than a total return approach, could actually lead to far higher risks than anticipated. However, they completely ignore the elephant in the room: fears that a total return approach might lead to premature portfolio depletion. Where is the risk assessment or analysis showing how a total return approach, coupled with a prudent withdrawal rate, won't lead to financial ruin? If they are trying to convince folks they don't have to reach so far for yields that they take on too much risk, they really should show why dipping into the principal isn't as risky as they might think. That's the other half of the decision, and Figure 9...
by Ozonewanderer
Mon Jun 14, 2021 3:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good Modern Science Fiction
Replies: 766
Views: 150988

Re: Good Modern Science Fiction

I can tell you what I don't recommend: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. He is the author of The Martian which was made into a great movie with Matt Damon, so I thought this book would be good too. But unfortunately this plot is preposterous, and, worse, the author's language is so stilted It drives me crazy.

Every sentence is short. They all sound the same. You will want some variety. He really needs a ghost writer.

Get the idea?
by Ozonewanderer
Mon Jun 14, 2021 2:24 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "Total Return Investing"
Replies: 37
Views: 6061

Re: "Total Return Investing"

Thank you, Taylor. This is pretty much what I have been doing since I retired in 2007 without specifically targeting this approach. I kind of evolved into it, I think at least partly because of the market crash right after I retired. My portfolio was primarily comprised of bond funds, US Total Market Index and International Index adhering to a moderately aggressive AA based on my age. Very simple stuff. With the tremendous growth in the stock market over this period it has worked well for me. Going forward, I wonder if we have hit a wall in stock growth with the market being at a record high. However, I would like to believe that I have a sufficient capital base that at least I will not run out of money before I die. Only the kids will lose...
by Ozonewanderer
Sun Jun 13, 2021 9:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Securing a VPN (Virtual Private Network)
Replies: 81
Views: 8999

Re: Securing a VPN (Virtual Private Network)

I read the same AARP article and actually subscribed to a VPN after reading this thread. Then I noticed this from Norton;:
Do you need a VPN if you’re logging onto the internet from your home?

Probably not. When you established your home Wi-Fi network, it is likely that you protected your network with a password. Because of that, you may not need the added security of a VPN to shield your online activity.
Fortunately there was a 30-day trial period for my VPN so I have requested to cancel.
by Ozonewanderer
Sun Jun 13, 2021 9:45 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: One Bogleheads idea I have a hard time understanding...
Replies: 108
Views: 17212

Re: One Bogleheads idea I have a hard time understanding...

You are right. You can't be sure for all the reasons you cited.

But if one does not know what to do, for sure, then what should one do? It is believed that the Boglehead investment strategy will most likely work well for most people who want moderate risk and have a long time to invest. This is based on a review of historical performance and common sense factors (e.g., lower expenses should yield better results all else being equal).

But to be pretty secure in this outcome, I believe one should have at least a 20 year investment horizon. That's why it is suggested to move more into bonds as one gets older because the confidence factor decreases.
by Ozonewanderer
Mon May 24, 2021 10:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Prenup - Handling future gains in a residence
Replies: 19
Views: 2790

Re: Prenup - Handling future gains in a residence

If they spend a lot of time and energy on the prenup I would say that's a bad sign.
by Ozonewanderer
Thu May 20, 2021 10:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Easy Photo Correction software
Replies: 15
Views: 1309

Re: Easy Photo Correction software

The basic Windows Photos app has all the basic corrections he is using and is easy to use. It's free with Windows. I use it a lot even though I have DXO Photolab and NIK.
by Ozonewanderer
Thu May 20, 2021 3:31 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Jack Bogle's ghost warns about 401(k): Marketwatch article claims to use Bogle forecast model
Replies: 13
Views: 1982

NASDAQ 100 - How did I miss this?

[Thread merged into here --admin LadyGeek] I have been a pretty loyal Boglehead investing primarily in index funds/ETFs that cover Total Stock Market, International, and Bonds. I must have been so complacent with my simple trustworthy portfolio that I missed a 10-year 20% annual return from the NASDAQ 100?! I kind of ignored FANG because I thought it was too concentrated and against Boglehead principles, but did Bogleheads consider NASDAQ 100 funds sufficiently diverse to belong in one's sleep-well-at-night portfolio? Did a lot of you buy into the NASDAQ 100 over the past ten years? I feel like I was asleep at the wheel! From: Opinion: Jack Bogle’s ghost warns about 401(k)s - MarketWatch https://www.marketwatch.com/story/jack-bogles-ghost-...
by Ozonewanderer
Wed May 19, 2021 6:17 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How should I use an IRA investment that guarantees 3%?
Replies: 31
Views: 3695

Re: How should I use an IRA investment that guarantees 3%?

Thanks for the suggestion to be diligent. I did call TIAA and they confirmed there are no special withdrawal restrictions like a 10-year rule. I can use it like a tax deferred savings account.
by Ozonewanderer
Wed Mar 24, 2021 8:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Men's Cologne
Replies: 120
Views: 12801

Re: Men's Cologne

I have never worn cologne. I'm asking women: do you like it? Do you think men should?
by Ozonewanderer
Mon Mar 15, 2021 10:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car suggestion for 70+ year-old mom
Replies: 160
Views: 11835

Re: Car suggestion for 70+ year-old mom

A Tesla with self-driving features. That would be the safest if she can figure out how to maintain and run it.
by Ozonewanderer
Fri Feb 26, 2021 4:14 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How should I use an IRA investment that guarantees 3%?
Replies: 31
Views: 3695

Re: How should I use an IRA investment that guarantees 3%?

I have had three conversations with TIAA and they all confirm 3% guaranteed, full liquidity and flexibility. It sounds too good to be true. They had to keep convincing me.

I guess this is what happens when you have the weight of the State of NY negotiating a plan for all its teachers...
by Ozonewanderer
Fri Feb 26, 2021 12:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How should I use an IRA investment that guarantees 3%?
Replies: 31
Views: 3695

Re: How should I use an IRA investment that guarantees 3%?

CheeseHeadInParadise wrote: Fri Feb 26, 2021 6:50 am Make sure to read the fine print. Many of the TIAA traditional products have a 10 year withdrawal period.
I am not sure what you mean by a 10 year withdrawal period. I have to withdraw the funds within 10 years? Or I may not be allowed to withdraw for 10 years?

I know I do have to take RMDS.

Anyway, thus discussion so far has been helpful in that there seems to be some question as to what is allowable in this plan, so I will not commit more money to it. I was told I could roll over tax deferred IRA money from another account into this TIAA Traditional plan. I will leave it as it stands and just use it as a cash allocation.
by Ozonewanderer
Fri Feb 26, 2021 12:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How should I use an IRA investment that guarantees 3%?
Replies: 31
Views: 3695

Re: How should I use an IRA investment that guarantees 3%?

I referred to it as an "IRA" because it acts like an IRA for my purposes, and I assume many are not familiar with the TIAA Traditional plan. Also, this plan will work differently from other accounts with the same name depending on the original contract between TIAA and the employer.

There are no restriction on withdrawals on the TIAA Traditional account in my SUNY plan.

My question is, given this period of generally very low interest rates, but with rates suddenly rising, would you use this guaranteed 3% fund as a substitute for bonds? If so, to what degree (proportion)?
by Ozonewanderer
Thu Feb 25, 2021 10:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How should I use an IRA investment that guarantees 3%?
Replies: 31
Views: 3695

Re: How should I use an IRA investment that guarantees 3%?

Is this an IRA (Individual Retirement Account) or some other workplace retirement account?
If this really is an IRA, can anyone open an IRA at TIAA? Seems like this "guaranteed 3%" account would be pretty popular with the currently poor rates available.
Apparently TIAA makes special agreements with educational institutions and the terms are set at that time. My plan came through the State University of NY (SUNY) and is very generous. The taxpayers must pay for it!
by Ozonewanderer
Thu Feb 25, 2021 6:20 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How should I use an IRA investment that guarantees 3%?
Replies: 31
Views: 3695

How should I use an IRA investment that guarantees 3%?

I just found out that I can put tax deferred money into a TIAA Traditional account that guarantees a minimum of 3% annually and has no restriction on withdrawals! Of course, I will have to pay income tax on withdrawals, and I am subject to RMDS s which I will begin this year since I turn age 72. I am retired. I have a comfortable amount of assets that should support me and my wife for the rest of our lives. My target AA is 40/50/10 and that's where my holding are. My equities are mostly Total Market Index and International Index. My bonds are in Fidelity Total Bond Fund (FTBFX), an intermediate term diversified bond fund. I have a lot of money in this fund. My cash is in MM, CDs, and US savings bonds. Naturally, I can use the TIAA Tradition...
by Ozonewanderer
Thu Feb 25, 2021 5:58 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help explain TIAA Traditional to me
Replies: 21
Views: 5222

Re: Help explain TIAA Traditional to me

I just found this great article about TIAA Traditional: The Mysterious TIAA Traditional Annuity https://penobscotfa.com/blog/the-mysterious-tiaa-traditional-annuity/ A key point in this article is that TIAA Traditional plans are not all the same: "The most important thing to understand about the TIAA Traditional Annuity is this: Your TIAA Traditional Annuity may very well be DIFFERENT from your neighbor’s TIAA Traditional Annuity. What it earns and how you can take your money from it is not the same from retirement plan to retirement plan, among contracts within a plan, and, often, across different participants in the same contract type!" I just found out that I can exchange my TIAA RA plan into a TIAA Traditional account that gua...
by Ozonewanderer
Sat Nov 14, 2020 8:51 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Burton Malkiel Interview
Replies: 14
Views: 2496

Re: Burton Malkiel Interview

UpperNwGuy wrote: Sat Nov 14, 2020 7:03 pm Why do you suppose Burton Malkiel is dispensing such poor advice these days? Is anyone here trying to follow it?
Burton Malkiel has become a market timer. I loved his book "Random..." when I first read it. Since then, he has changed his mind on several strategies. I don't like that. I may as well get a financial advisor who pitches active investing. That's what he's doing now.
by Ozonewanderer
Thu Mar 19, 2020 3:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Disturbing experience with Ally Bank
Replies: 221
Views: 35706

Re: Disturbing experience with Ally Bank

I'm in the middle of a problem with Ally and had to vent and (hopefully) get advice from other folks who have had this problem before. On Monday I initiated an ACH transfer from Ally (my hub account) to pull $50k from my Marcus account and deposit it in my Ally savings account. Yesterday, I logged in to Ally to see if the transfer was complete and to move a couple of thousand to a different account. Lo and behold, the money was not there and there was no trace of the transfer. You are not alone. I had a CD of over $150k mature March 5 and arranged for ACH transfer to my Fidelity brokerage account. It never got there. I called Ally, I called Fidelity. Fidelity had no record of ever having received any transaction. Ally said they do not know...
by Ozonewanderer
Wed Mar 04, 2020 6:00 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Three fund portfolio question
Replies: 8
Views: 663

Re: Three fund portfolio question

You say you have been making money for the past half year. That's your problem: you are looking. After you have thoughtfully decided on an asset allocation that's suitable for your age, do not look at your portfolio except annually to rebalance.

I know this sounds crazy, but it is correct. Watching your investments is like trying to decide if global warming is real by looking at today's weather.

I imagine you are relatively young (under age 50) so you can take - and probably should - take all the risk you can stomach. Just don't look at it frequently and think about what Warren Buffett would do. :)