Search found 216 matches

by bigROI
Mon Dec 30, 2019 11:40 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Secure act - should I shift to taxable
Replies: 69
Views: 9421

Re: Secure act - should I shift to taxable

True that the Roth conversions look more appealing now then before however I worry that it will be the next vehicle picked don to pay taxes or prop up Social Security. For now I will balance some in deferred and some as a Roth hedging for the next "Secure Act" type change that will probably come and force another planning change.
by bigROI
Sun Dec 29, 2019 11:48 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Bond allocation
Replies: 8
Views: 618

Re: Bond allocation

It might be good to consider some tax efficient munis vs money market that has just a 250k FDIC insurance.
VTEB or something similar might be good for 500k of those funds. I don't think you are to agressive with a SS and pension backing.
by bigROI
Sat Dec 28, 2019 12:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Exit strategy from Edward Jones - Novice
Replies: 75
Views: 13295

Re: Exit strategy from Edward Jones - Novice

My EJ representative, and his assistant, have become friends. This will be very difficult for me but, I know I must make the change. You are 55. If you stay with EJ and live 30 more years they can easily siphon off half of your portfolio. I don't have any friends that good. With friends like that...... Funny that people are worried about getting comped for the account closure, that is the amount many would give up in a day to the EJ vulture fees. OP what you have heard here is sound, print off most recent statements then initiate the pull process from your new low fee brokerage of choice. Schwab, Vanguard, Fidelity should be good options. A target fund is good or you can get advisory services for around .3% if you think you would take acti...
by bigROI
Sat Dec 28, 2019 12:38 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Should I sell my farmland and buy stocks?
Replies: 65
Views: 6671

Re: Should I sell my farmland and buy stocks?

I would list it for say 1.1 million or a pretty bold price and if it sells then take the gains and invest. The rent is way off for the value and I cant imagine it barely covers the property taxes and then you are taxes on the gain from there so it may not even break even. The run up on value had a lot to do with investors buying land vs bonds and securities in the early 201x, you can see that coming down over the last few years so it may continue to decline. If it were me I would try to get better diversification vs having it all locked up in rented land with barely beat inflation return.
by bigROI
Mon Oct 07, 2019 11:38 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: New investor... Am I crazy?
Replies: 42
Views: 5275

Re: New investor... Am I crazy?

I would split the money and run a :

2mill VTI(40%), VXUS(20%), BND(30%), BNDX(10%)
and
2mill VPMAX(40%), VZICX (20%), BNDW (40%)

See what one wins.

find a good fee only CFP to help strategize a trust, tax planning, will, insurance (umbrella ect..) and all the other things you should do to preserve your capital
by bigROI
Mon Oct 07, 2019 10:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Router for Small Apartment
Replies: 18
Views: 1761

Re: Router for Small Apartment

I had a 7000 then a 7800 and now have the RAX75 ($220 from Costco on sale). And would think the 7800 for $100ish would do great for 100mbps in an apartment. ASUS also has some good options for around $100. Look for one that has the 80mhz bands for phones and MUMIMO support.
by bigROI
Tue Oct 01, 2019 10:46 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Press Release 10/1/19--Vanguard Adds To Its Active Lineup With Launch Of International Core Stock Fund
Replies: 68
Views: 9180

Re: Press Release 10/1/19--Vanguard Adds To Its Active Lineup With Launch Of International Core Stock Fund

Considering the broad scope of international funds and multitude of risk factors its probably worth having this run with some degree of active research. I may split my international half and half between the index and this core fund and monitor the outcome.
by bigROI
Thu Nov 15, 2018 2:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: My Grandmother has 80% stocks
Replies: 55
Views: 6865

Re: My Grandmother has 80% stocks

If she depends on income from this money then she should consider a rebalance, she might have been balanced 5-10 years ago but with equity appreciation she may not be able to weather the risks. Not that you should take anything over but you should have her talk with a planner at vanguard or take one of the tests for what you would do and when you need the money to be sure it makes sense.

https://retirementplans.vanguard.com/VG ... ggCalc.jsf

https://personal.vanguard.com/us/FundsInvQuestionnaire

Let her do these if she is so inclined.
by bigROI
Thu Nov 15, 2018 12:59 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Oops! Edward Jones tops Vanguard in customer survey
Replies: 50
Views: 6153

Re: Oops! Edward Jones tops Vanguard in customer survey

Edward Jones will become your best friend for about 1% of your net worth per annum. Their Assets Under Management fees are 1.35% a year, if I remember right. That also doesn't cover the expense ratios of the underlying funds, but in Edward Jones defense are cheaper funds. But still too expensive. Don't forget the 5% frontloads! Ha ha ha ha, sorry EJ not today, not ever. I will say vanguard was a bit pushy for advisory services for some questions I had about a CD ladder, I countered with knowledge, objectives and strategy and then they finally got me going to the CD department to discuss rates. They didn't want to discuss trends or anything people are doing with their fixed holdings and I thought it odd because they initially setup the acco...
by bigROI
Fri Nov 09, 2018 12:34 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Workplace 401k Fees being added
Replies: 7
Views: 1065

Re: Workplace 401k Fees being added

I am not a lawyer but you may want to have one draft a letter regarding equitable fee management for the program. There has been litigation against institutions that have implemented changes without employee input, counsel or a committee. If it cost you a hundred or two not a huge but thousands is not a fair cost to you as a participant for the fees you actually incur to the program. I would make them aware and put them on notice that you may consider a suit recouping losses if they don't look at a fair fee implementation. Again I am not your lawyer so I am just offering an option on what I would do. You are not only losing thousands up front but the compounded earnings on that capital that makes it really bad.
by bigROI
Fri Nov 09, 2018 12:13 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help - Expect to inherit relatively large sum
Replies: 12
Views: 2622

Re: Help - Expect to inherit relatively large sum

There may be one thing worse that not inheriting a large sum and that may well be inheriting a large sum. I agree, pay your loans, then find a cause and give it all away. Or use it to give your talents away to the world and work for free. That may just be the way that money can buy happyness. Sorry for the loss. Give some away when you are settled but not now with debt. For all you know the cause you are giving to may not be something the benefactor ever intended to support. Have more kids since you can afford them, expand your family, bring more good people into the world and then at the end if you have the means give some away but all seems drastic. Some causes or charities are so inefficient they are paying over 50% overhead so if you d...
by bigROI
Wed Oct 10, 2018 12:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Investment advice for a friend in her nineties
Replies: 22
Views: 2484

Re: Investment advice for a friend in her nineties

How much money and what are her expenses, does she get SSI? Does she want to leave anything left over for relatives or charity? If it is not essential she could probably put in 10 - 20% into equities with little concern and set the rest up in CD ladders for funds as needed along with high return savings. This could give her the feeling that she is investing the market and not just watching it. She would have to have the temperament to keep the asset allocation to make it worth while and not just sell when things have dropped a bit.
by bigROI
Thu Sep 27, 2018 10:59 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Preparing for My First Recession?
Replies: 63
Views: 8972

Re: Preparing for My First Recession?

You need to look at a recession as an opportunity to buy stock on sale. I would say if you had 25% in bonds you could set a benchmark for re-balance to trade those bonds for stocks on say a 20% dip, 30% dip or 40% dip to capture the opportunity while still backstopping your holdings. I like to leverage my new contributions and ROTH to buy in when I think its a good time to re-balance.
by bigROI
Wed Sep 26, 2018 10:51 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Monte Carlo Simulation
Replies: 13
Views: 1957

Re: Monte Carlo Simulation

I would try this against the montecarlo as well https://firecalc.com/ - make sure to tune it accordingly
by bigROI
Thu Sep 20, 2018 2:22 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: So new to all this it hurts!
Replies: 27
Views: 4218

Re: So new to all this it hurts!

Try running these two tools to see how you fare for risk tolerance

https://personal.vanguard.com/us/FundsInvQuestionnaire

and for funds longevity

https://retirementplans.vanguard.com/VG ... ggCalc.jsf

They can be used in combination to get an idea of where a good 3 or 4 fund portfolio could go.
by bigROI
Thu Sep 20, 2018 2:17 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Newbie with no idea where to invest
Replies: 18
Views: 1443

Re: Newbie with no idea where to invest

Thank you Jordan. I thought I was doing okay but when I started listening to Dave Ramsey and how you can make an average of 12%/yr and I realized I had a ton of cash just sitting in a bank and did not even know the logins to my IRA or 401k accounts that my dad insisted I contribute to when I started working and was no where close to earning interest like that I started to get overwhelmed and hit a low. I'd like to think I pick up and learn stuff pretty quickly but with investments the more I'm learning the more confused I'm getting since there never is a straight answer. I like the idea of adding in a bond level. I'll look into that. Thank you for your help! Much appreciated. Its good Ramsey got you motivated but 12% per year is pie in the...
by bigROI
Thu Sep 20, 2018 1:56 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Philanthropy 101
Replies: 13
Views: 1239

Re: Philanthropy 101

I plan to give pretax direct from my retirement account when I am in my withdrawal phase to maximize the contribution, you can also have this count against RMD. If I retire early I would make my new job to mentor, volunteer help where I see I can do this most good. I hope the option to give directly from your retirement account still exists when I get there.
by bigROI
Thu Sep 20, 2018 1:50 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 40/60 allocation returns ytd
Replies: 29
Views: 5869

Re: 40/60 allocation returns ytd

I have a 55/45 custom portfolio that has returned about 1.7%ytd made up of standard cores with 20% Total International Bonds 33% Total International Stock and the rest domestic. I have a return of around 4.7% on VTMFX witch is a 50/50 balanced tax managed fund.
by bigROI
Thu Sep 20, 2018 1:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Paying off mortgage vs investing?
Replies: 20
Views: 2917

Re: Paying off mortgage vs investing?

I think of my mortgage balance as an inverse hedge against inflation or hyper inflation. Not a terrible thing to have and when young there should be plenty of time to cover it but would probably have it paid in full before retirement and use it as real estate value in my portfolio. Make sure you have enough insurance coverage for your tenants and your living situation. Some policies may want a rider or to include multi non familial parties under one dwelling.
by bigROI
Tue Sep 18, 2018 2:56 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Review, Age 31, $1.5 million net worth
Replies: 38
Views: 10019

Re: Portfolio Review, Age 31, $1.5 million net worth

I would optimize and put all bond funds into retirement accounts and keep the stocks in the taxable. Careful with who you find as a spouse with this kind of net worth. Insist on a prenup or find someone with similar fiscal stability as there could be potential for abuse. 1. Municpal bonds? I would be very careful to trust the solvency of some cities to hold up under some budget stress that they have. 2. Margin loan for emergency fund liquidity? I would keep the 6 months of emergency funds in a high yield savings account so you have near instant access as needed 3. Renters insurance? Umbrella policy? Yes get renters and 2 million umbrella policy. 4. Reminders / Automate investments with variable monthly amounts? You could setup the reminders...
by bigROI
Thu Sep 13, 2018 2:20 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard adding commission free index funds, better core replacements?
Replies: 8
Views: 1544

Re: Vanguard adding commission free index funds, better core replacements?

Thanks for the thoughts on the other funds. I will probably stay with the Vanguard selections for now unless I see something stand out. Some hedges in tech, med equity ect.. are mostly afforded by them as well with high quality options. I do think their precious metals and mining fund is not up to par so if I continue to look for something like that I will probably shop the list. It should be noted if you use or require any of the Voyager, Flagship ect... reduced cost or free services you need to have that level in Vanguard funds to qualify.
by bigROI
Fri Sep 07, 2018 9:04 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard adding commission free index funds, better core replacements?
Replies: 8
Views: 1544

Vanguard adding commission free index funds, better core replacements?

With vanguard adding commission free index funds do you think there are better core replacements? List https://personal.vanguard.com/pdf/etfcfl.pdf Looking are replacing VTI - SCHB or IW? https://www.morningstar.com/etfs/arcx/vti/quote.html https://www.morningstar.com/etfs/arcx/schb/quote.html <-- .01 less ER VXUS - SCHF https://www.morningstar.com/etfs/xnas/vxus/quote.html https://www.morningstar.com/etfs/arcx/schf/quote.html <-- .05% less ER BND - SCHZ https://www.morningstar.com/etfs/arcx/bnd/quote.html https://www.morningstar.com/etfs/arcx/schz/quote.html <-- .01 less ER BNDX - cant find one better yet, may be the ideal International bond index fund at this time https://www.morningstar.com/etfs/xnas/bndx/quote.html Please share any othe...
by bigROI
Tue Nov 21, 2017 2:39 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard on 2018
Replies: 11
Views: 2958

Re: Vanguard on 2018

Or more, or less
flip a coin, gamble...
or just diversify and allocate/re-balance according to risk per IPS - don't get excited
how well did they do for predictions for 2017?
by bigROI
Fri Nov 10, 2017 11:10 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Do you keep anything in your portfolio as a monument to your bad decisions?
Replies: 69
Views: 7564

Re: Do you keep anything in your portfolio as a monument to your bad decisions?

Iraqi Dinar, poor country is still in shambles after the 1 trillion + the US put into it.
Some gold and silver.... Not really bad since it can be an Apocalypse hedge
Had some booze but I consumed that hedge :-)
Never hurts to have common ammo or firearms for hard currency in case of total collapse

live an learn, the loss on a mistake is the cost of tuition in the classes of life. As long as you have learned and act soundly going forward you will make good progress.
by bigROI
Fri Oct 27, 2017 12:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Index investing is boring
Replies: 63
Views: 8581

Re: Index investing is boring

There is a point where you can be active ( in some regard to timing) if you contribute to a Roth IRA. Just wait till the point in the calendar year when you think equities and or securities are most distressed and buy in a little or a lot at those times. Track the investment and see how well you did....

This is mitigated excitement in the respect of you still contributing for the long term but trying to time the market.
by bigROI
Wed Oct 11, 2017 10:46 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 2M savings investment help
Replies: 49
Views: 12138

Re: 2M savings investment help

I would not do any less risk than an 50/50 equity/security fund. Make sure to get keep all your equities on the taxable side and get as many securities into the retirement funds unless muni bonds. Keep maybe 100-200k in a ally 1.5% CD for quick access cash based on need. Good problem to have at your age, I would just see what is also available vs that garbage Abbot fund.
by bigROI
Thu Sep 21, 2017 2:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Bonds - Ugh
Replies: 26
Views: 2902

Re: Bonds - Ugh

Its when something looks bleak is when it has great potential. Don't look in the past year /5 /10 ect... put them in at a comfortable % for your age usually topping out at 50-70% when you retire. Stocks could crash to 40 cents or less on the dollar in a few months any day/month/year now so there is that, bonds should hold if not boost should that happen.
by bigROI
Thu Sep 14, 2017 1:25 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Investing parents nest egg -- any final thoughts?
Replies: 37
Views: 4196

Re: Investing parents nest egg -- any final thoughts?

I would carve it out:

50% total stock
15% international
25% total bond
10% total international bond

Try to start with 4% and see how far they can run with it for the year. Better to keep as much as you can working for them while it can be earning.

You might want to run this simulation below and show them for thoughts - looks like with 4.5% withdrawal they have about 80% chance of the money lasting 35 years, at 4% it has about a 90% chance

https://retirementplans.vanguard.com/VG ... ggCalc.jsf

Its important to be clear that they could lose 10-20-50k on a correction but if you stick with the plan it should recover in time vs selling low.
by bigROI
Fri Sep 08, 2017 8:39 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 100k taxable camp site
Replies: 10
Views: 1899

Re: 100k taxable camp site

I appreciate all the wisdom and input. I like the tax managed suggestions but it looks too leveraged in muni bonds which they are adverse to. i also appreciate the suggestion of ROTH conversion while in the 15% bracket with the extra wiggle room. I am going to keep suggesting they keep this in equities and see if they cannot allocate a certain bond percentage to balance out in sheltered accounts. I have to double check but if they have extra space in their ROTH it would be good for them to absorb some capital there and leverage in bonds. They really want to keep it segmented from their other funds to track just this portion of cash so it makes it tricky to setup. I know they are using total bond market index and total international bond ind...
by bigROI
Thu Sep 07, 2017 2:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 100k taxable camp site
Replies: 10
Views: 1899

Re: 100k taxable camp site

I suggested that re-balance approach for the best tax efficiency however they want to keep this amount segregated and accountable in and of itself. I think if its used for a family purchase(s) down the line they know how much it has earned and how much has been used so they can keep it segregated from their other funds.
by bigROI
Thu Sep 07, 2017 2:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 100k taxable camp site
Replies: 10
Views: 1899

100k taxable camp site

A family friend around 40 in the 15% tax bracket have 100k (after tax) worth of proceeds for a sale. They are looking to camp this money (10-20yrs?)and are considering some of Vanguards balance funds vs. a slice and dice to keep it simple and contained. From what they described they are set with funding of their retirement finances pre and post tax and Roths at work are effectively factoring this out seperately in their long term planning. A few funds considered have been (listed in order conservative to more moderate): Target Retirement Income (about 70/30 bonds/stock US and international) https://personal.vanguard.com/us/funds/snapshot?FundIntExt=INT&FundId=0308 Wesllesley Income (about 60.5/38/1.5 bonds/stock/cash) https://personal.v...
by bigROI
Wed Aug 30, 2017 9:14 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: First time with a 403b
Replies: 8
Views: 819

Re: First time with a 403b

Dont roll into Creff - use Vanguard for a Roth if/when you do one
For choices the equity index and Traditional are about as good as you get from them. Try to appeal to your employer to add Vanguard institutional index to the bucket of choices. Its important to note that their funds are a hybrid active/index mix. I would do a simple 80/20 mix of EI/Traditional for now. Also you may want to adjust your withholding more to get under the 25% marginal rate and save 10% on pre-tax.
by bigROI
Thu Aug 17, 2017 11:13 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Which Audible book for Mom to convince her to get away from Raymond James
Replies: 19
Views: 2651

Re: Which Audible book for Mom to convince her to get away from Raymond James

Compute the sum of the annual fees with the 1.25% adviser and the .3% VG service, compound this over 10 or 15 years to show how much she is throwing away. Keep the argument simple and focused, get Vanguard on the phone to discuss the service so you have a 3rd party making the case. Funny as family members don't always get trust, but the "professionals" sometimes get the favor.
by bigROI
Tue Jul 18, 2017 12:14 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Need investing advice
Replies: 23
Views: 3138

Re: Need investing advice

With 6 kids you will need a fair amount for expenses. I would not be in a rush to invest a lot of the money pending the outcome of the job search. Passive income on 280k will be peanuts and don't plan for marriage expenses when you are without a job and almost 50. Kids getting married can figure out their own college and weddings, some support of food, moving help, supplies are nice to give when you can. I would camp the money in a high yield savings like Discover bank or the sort and see how the next few months pan out before taking action to invest. Trim out all the fat expenses now (cable, pricey phones, eating out, misc memberships) if not done already. If you are without unemployment and a job for a couple of years you will have very l...
by bigROI
Thu Jun 29, 2017 12:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you buy phone outright or pay it off monthly...
Replies: 63
Views: 9455

Re: Do you buy phone outright or pay it off monthly...

new $150-$200 phone 1 or 2 gen behind is just fine these days. have a $30-$40 burner around in case you have issues and need warrany or need to shop for another. $700 for a phone with marginal improvements is laughable.
by bigROI
Wed Jun 28, 2017 2:52 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: New to Investing. $25,000 to Invest.
Replies: 20
Views: 3214

Re: New to Investing. $25,000 to Invest.

I would keep at least 15-20k highly available, perhaps the Ally CD or the like and max out the 401k till you use up the other 5-10k then dial it back and keep the course with whatever you prefer. An 30 80/20 seems pretty good. I would keep it simple with 60% VINIX 20 % VTRIX and maybe a split 10%/10% of PIM TOTAL RT INST (PTTRX) - Bonds MELLON STABLE VAL - Bonds . Down the line when you have 100k or so you can slice and dice to match medium and small business percentages of the market along with international bond diversification. This will all open up when you have more assets in your Roth to work with and you can leave your core in the 401k for just the ones that have the lowest ER (probably VINIX & VTRIX).
by bigROI
Wed Jun 28, 2017 8:17 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Financing Engagement Ring/ Credit Score Potential Consequences
Replies: 39
Views: 4753

Re: Financing Engagement Ring/ Credit Score Potential Consequences

Going to give you a tip on diamonds, anything you find in the store will be 100-200% more than you can pay for one online from a reputable dealer with a return policy. I got a stone that had a rappaort for 8-10k for $1500 and put it in a $500 setting. For 2500 you could probably find a 1ct SI2 or better, good cut and symmetry, good polish, with a G-J color and even have it mounted in a solitaire setting for $1500 or less.
by bigROI
Tue Jun 27, 2017 2:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Realtor fee negotiations
Replies: 27
Views: 4211

Re: Realtor fee negotiations

If Criag, Zillow/Trula do no good consider a flat fee agent to get it in for a couple hundred bucks and you can pay whatever buyer broker commission you want.
by bigROI
Tue Jun 27, 2017 2:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can we/should we afford a $2M house?
Replies: 96
Views: 21232

Re: Can we/should we afford a $2M house?

Net worth of 900k considering a 2m house? I would say no, sure you have good income to afford it and 25% down but you are putting an enormous chunk into one asset on one region. Can you get it partially unfinished and complete that later when you have cash to pay it outright? Perhaps that might be a middle ground for leaving a level unfinished and maybe sparing 100k on landscaping till a savings recharge. I would proceed with caution but then I like to live as if we have 1/2 the income we do so I can fast track retirement and do what I want later on.

Does that 500k savings wipe out all your cash reserves? or are you planning to put down 400k and keep at least 100k in the bank?
by bigROI
Tue Jun 27, 2017 2:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Need help to sell family farm.
Replies: 41
Views: 6808

Re: Problems with sale of property. Please help.

I would try to avoid an agent for this sort of sale. If they are trying to get 6% you will toss 60k to them. If the suggestion of contact to the top 10-15 subsidy receivers in the region yields no offers or bids then maybe a flat fee listing might be something more economical and spend some on the proper RE attorney to be sure its all done well. I would let the current lessor know that you will be considering bids when you look for thier offer. Sometimes in the farming community an obligation is felt to give a good deal to a person paying cash rent over the years. This is up to you and the other owners, I would look purely at the value and soundness of the offers you receive.
by bigROI
Thu Jun 22, 2017 11:20 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Trying to Help a friend w/ 401K Fund choice
Replies: 4
Views: 749

Re: Trying to Help a friend w/ 401K Fund choice

Can you do an in service distribution since they are changing? If not then my allocation would be:

20 % - Principal Global Large Cap S&P 500 Index Expense Gross - 0.18%
7% - Principle Global Investors Midcap S&P 400 Expense Gross - 0.18%
3 % - Principle Global Investors Smallcap S&P 600 Expense Gross - 0.18%
10% - Principle Global Investors International Equity Index - 0.35%
60% - Mellon Capital Bond Market Expense Gross - 0.25%

Augment the domestic bonds with a Vanguard ROTH and consider BNDX to get about 25% of your holdings internationally. That .99% ER for Templeton is a killer.
by bigROI
Thu Jun 22, 2017 10:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Siblings in disagreement over mom's house.
Replies: 241
Views: 35319

Re: Siblings in disagreement over mom's house.

Something that the two sentimental siblings may benefit from is knowing a new family is going to make good memories in the home too vs letting it sit to rot. Not sure what the options are to sell the equity for cash but it could be used as leverage in mediation that you will do so and a new tenant in common that has no concern for the house will peruse the liquidation of the asset on their terms which may be aggressive and rapid. I don't know if the 3 that wanted to sell did this and a new party had a majority share if they could force it or. Check with your lawyer on that one. I hope it works out, sorry to hear of the troubles.
by bigROI
Tue Jul 29, 2014 2:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Please help me fight for index funds!
Replies: 37
Views: 3906

Re: Please help me fight for index funds!

Where is the fight? Grab the prospectus of the Vanguard Total Market fund Institution class (you are getting a great ER at .02%, I only pay .04 :( ) then compare it against the standard of the large cap blended market - its right where it should be. Plain bland and simple Come armed with this: Anyone can cherry pick to back test future picks to make them look smart Anyone who tells you they know what is going to happen is a liar, and if they had this ability then they would not waste time working Ask them if they are Fiduciary and what interest they have in any of the selections they are pushing PIMCO is crazy and you have to watch out, we have some bond holdings but they actually take a negative cash position and get leverage but at more r...
by bigROI
Thu Apr 25, 2013 3:59 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help w/ a $55M portfolio?
Replies: 51
Views: 9290

Re: Help w/ a $55M portfolio?

If I had this level of funds I would probably use 2 or 3 passive approaches for conservative growth and wealth mait.

1. Standard age in bonds (80TBM 20TIPS) not to exceed 70% and the rest split between domestic and international equities with maybe a 5% position in RE ($15mil)
2. CD ladder for 45% split the rest with domestic and international equites
3. The permanent portfolio (25% cash - short term investment, 25% metals, 25% long term treasury, 25% equities) ($15mill)
4. 10mill working capital for investing at will - seems like you have a knack and a handle on this
by bigROI
Thu Apr 25, 2013 1:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Investment suggestions [On behalf of child (adult)]
Replies: 5
Views: 731

Re: Investment suggestions [On behalf of child (adult)]

Wellington perhaps

https://personal.vanguard.com/us/funds/ ... IntExt=INT

has tax exposure though. Perhaps a separate buy in using your name and then use the money to over fund your retirement/Roth to cover it. You could explain your method with your MOM or MIL so they know the reason behind it. Ideally a Roth in their name would be best and you have 2 years + of contributions ready to go but they must not be ready for that.
by bigROI
Tue Apr 23, 2013 12:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Inheriting money, don't want to [mess] anything up
Replies: 48
Views: 7348

Re: Inheriting money, don't want to [mess] anything up

I would move to Washington before you take distribution and commute to work, you will save 20k of income tax this way on each distribution if the account is from pretaxed funds Otherwise live like you have lived, invest in 25% bonds 75% equity portfolio if you like a little more risk and max out your Roth and 401k. You might just consider the Wellesley Income fund (if kept in tax advantaged form) for a one stop place to park the funds while you decide what you want to do. https://personal.vanguard.com/us/funds/snapshot?FundId=0027&FundIntExt=INT Another thing I would do when you are in receipt of funds is to roll all your existing retirement into bonds and the taxable stuff into equities or as much as you can respecting your risk toler...
by bigROI
Wed Oct 19, 2011 10:46 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Financial Advisors going door to door
Replies: 7
Views: 2110

Re: Financial Advisors going door to door

Had my neighbor do this. I said sure I will look at what you have then called him on all front loaded Templeton crap and said I am not willing to toss 5% in the garbage can when I can get the same fund that will track the index I want without fees. He then wanted to sell me on some Muni Bonds, I passed and told him to have a good day.
by bigROI
Fri Oct 14, 2011 10:34 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Better Alternatives to Low Yield Savings/MMA accounts?
Replies: 6
Views: 1391

I bonds or Rainbow savings account from Willshire state bank.
by bigROI
Thu Oct 13, 2011 12:52 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Maybe Meredith was correct? [Harrisburg PA bankruptcy]
Replies: 21
Views: 3314

I don't think it is so much timing as it is true credit quality representation. When I think AAA bond I think the only chance I am not getting paid is if we all go under or the establishment is dissolved. However with municipalities that cannot happen. I think people should look heavily on the balance sheet to see how much debt may be on the table and if it is just getting staved off or progress is seen. I would not keep my reserves in these types of bonds.
by bigROI
Fri Oct 07, 2011 4:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: EF growing too big
Replies: 15
Views: 2457

10k is a rainy day fund, no emergency fund. 6 months of your pay is what you should have regardless of how easy or fast you think you can get a job. If you are put some out as investment consider a Roth or I bond. You can always cash out a roth and not pay tax on principal.