Search found 343 matches

by Busting Myths
Sat Sep 12, 2015 9:38 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: NY Times, Fed’s Policy Mechanics Retool for a Rise in Interest Rates
Replies: 35
Views: 2762

Re: NYTimes: Fed will use new tools to try to change interest rates

Kevin M wrote:
Busting Myths wrote: The only thing that has really changed is that they expanded who they will sell Treasuries to in order to drain cash from the system. Instead of the traditionally primary dealers they will lend to more institutions who are willing to park money at the Fed instead of lending it out themselves or keeping in it reserve.
I don't believe this is correct--at least not according to the article. The article says that the Fed will borrow from unregulated financial institutions at a minimal interest rate, not lend to them. But maybe you are using the term "lend" in a different sense?

Kevin
You are correct, Kevin. They will borrow and not lend. I edited my post and thanks for catching it! My point is still the same though.
by Busting Myths
Sat Sep 12, 2015 7:17 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: NY Times, Fed’s Policy Mechanics Retool for a Rise in Interest Rates
Replies: 35
Views: 2762

Re: NYTimes: Fed will use new tools to try to change interest rates

Would someone care to explain what new ways the Fed will try to implement these rate hikes? The Fed will pay so that people don't lend. This is not new and how the Federal Reserve has operated for a long time. When they wanted to raise rates they would sell Treasuries in order to remove cash from the money supply. In order to induce banks to give up cash the FOMC would have to provide a better rate of return than the Bank could get lending it out. The lack of cash supply in the market would then reprice costs as borrowers would be willing to pay more interest (higher interest rates) in order to have access to cash. These are called permanent market operations. The only thing that has really changed is that they will now drain cash from the...
by Busting Myths
Sat Sep 12, 2015 6:10 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: NY Times, Fed’s Policy Mechanics Retool for a Rise in Interest Rates
Replies: 35
Views: 2762

Re: NYTimes: Fed will use new tools to try to change interest rates

livesoft wrote:Binyamin Applebaum of the NYTimes reports on the new ways that the Fed will try to implement any of its expected rate hikes. I found the article well-researched, very interesting, and with some unexpected information. I hope you all will enjoy it, too. Basically, it ain't your father's Fed anymore and new things may break.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/13/busin ... rates.html

Last year, there was an interesting 12 minutes that is talked about in this report. Beware!
Would someone care to explain what new ways the Fed will try to implement these rate hikes?
by Busting Myths
Thu Sep 10, 2015 3:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Ally is threatening to close my CD
Replies: 66
Views: 9804

Re: Ally is threatening to close my CD

Have I done something wrong? I just got a letter from Ally Bank, where I'm halfway through several 5-year CDs, saying that my account "has had no activity" and so will be reclassified as "presumptively abandoned and your funds will be excheated to the state of New York." They offer me the option of returning a form to them saying "This account is not abandoned, please reactivate my account." I'm supposed to sign and date the letter and add the last 4 digits of my Social Security number. The return address on the self-addressed envelope just says "Mail Management" with a P.O. Box address. The letter has no signature or phone number or other contact details for Ally beyond the P.O. box address and a fa...
by Busting Myths
Tue Sep 08, 2015 1:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Poor man's auto navigation system?
Replies: 86
Views: 9224

Re: Poor man's auto navigation system?

new2bogle wrote:
Kosmo wrote:
Browser wrote:A poor man's replacement for a built-in nav screen.
How about a map and a passenger? If it makes you feel more comfortable, the passenger can talk in a robot voice and give hand gestures at where you're supposed to turn.
How many people under the age of 30 can read a map? I've seen some 30-32 year olds that can't!
Sorry...we will get around to it once we finish counting on our abacus, listening to music on our record players, and wasting our time on other obsolete tech.
by Busting Myths
Sun Aug 30, 2015 9:05 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 100% Equities?
Replies: 86
Views: 9648

Re: 100% Equities?

Run the sharpe ratios and see if you did better on a risk adjusted basis. Were you compensated adequately for taking on more risk in a 100% equities portfolio? For some reason, these sorts of discussion always use one-year standard deviation to measure risk and one-year sharp ratios to measure risk-return tradeoff. If your holding period is one year, then yes, one-year standard deviation is a reasonable way to measure risk. But if your holding period is 15 years, then 15 year standard deviation is what matters. Likewise for 15 year sharp ratios. Here's a simple way to see why one-year standard deviation is misleading. Suppose you have a holding period of thirty years and you buy a thirty year TIP in a tax advantaged account. This is the sa...
by Busting Myths
Sat Aug 29, 2015 11:32 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 100% Equities?
Replies: 86
Views: 9648

Re: 100% Equities?

bh7 - Does that first curve represent one lump sum invested over time? I would think that if one is continuing to invest through the up's and downs, that the curve would turn out to be a little bit more like that second graph, no? Both of the poster's examples graph a lump sum invested at the beginning of the time period. One uses CAGR and the other average annual returns. The CAGR chart correctly shows that a lump sum invested 70/30 (or even 40/60) in 1999 outperforms a 100% equity allocation lump sum invested over that limited time period. But if you use periodic contributions, like most of us do in real life, the 100% equity allocation comes out well ahead all else equal in that example. Here is a tool to analyze the results yourself - ...
by Busting Myths
Fri Aug 28, 2015 8:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Accountant failed to file for S-corp, advice and recourse
Replies: 11
Views: 3861

Re: Accountant failed to file for S-corp, advice and recourse

I am not a CPA but I will share my thoughts as a lender who reviews hundreds of tax returns a year. We had some major accountant issues in 2014. I'll try to keep the explantation as short as possible but we received multiple notices from the IRS regarding our personal return and my wife's S-corp return (sole proprietorship). Sole Proprietorships are filed on Sch. C of the individual tax return. S-Corps are similar to C-corps with the exception that the income is taxed on the personal tax return under Sch. E. Which one is it? The accountant told her that on one of her 1099's her employer paid her directly rather than to her LLC and that if her employer could fix the mistake we would save about $750. My wife called her employer and they agree...
by Busting Myths
Fri Aug 28, 2015 12:55 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [Original Research] [Theory] The Optimal Portolio
Replies: 40
Views: 5401

Re: [Original Research] [Theory] The Optimal Portolio

The large standard deviations of equities makes fining tuning/finding the optimal portfolio futile. The issue is that the Price investors are willing to pay for expected Earnings is more volatile than the Earnings themselves.
by Busting Myths
Thu Aug 27, 2015 10:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cheaper car for someone who enjoys cars?
Replies: 63
Views: 12284

Re: Cheaper car for someone who enjoys cars?

Nirav wrote:
pochax wrote:
Nirav wrote:Not a single comment in favour of Acura's?
OP asked for under $30k (granted a lot of posters here have posted cars that are well over that as well....so, in that light, have at it!)
Well, that's a year old Acura with 10k miles on it! :-)
Acura has lost their fun to drive reputation. The last two fun driving cars were the RSX and the 1st generation TSX (2004-2008). Since then Acura has focused on selling itself as a tech laden manufacturer.
by Busting Myths
Wed Aug 19, 2015 3:49 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Greenspan: we've got a bond bubble, Houston
Replies: 71
Views: 9415

Re: Greenspan: we've got a bond bubble, Houston

Grt2bOutdoors wrote:
Tigermoose wrote:I think we have all assumed that investors are rational and thus the rate rise would be managed and not dramatic. But what happens if an irrational run for the exits occurs in the bond market? How fast could rates rise if we have a panic sell? Again, this would not be rational, but an irrational reaction due to the 24/7 news media and fears of a lack of liquidity.
It happened in 2009, it could happen again. Bonds were trading for 50 cents on the dollar,ole man Potter was paying cash, and folks who panicked and sold their shares for a pittance. Those who were buying then, made a killing.
You mean 1929...and that was a movie not a documentary.
by Busting Myths
Wed Aug 19, 2015 12:13 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Greenspan: we've got a bond bubble, Houston
Replies: 71
Views: 9415

Re: Greenspan: we've got a bond bubble, Houston

In two television interviews in recent days, Greenspan said interest rates could shoot higher and derail the economy when the bubble bursts. The former Fed chairman says the current situation in the bond market is comparable to what happens in the stock market during an equity bubble. Greenspan said it was appropriate to be very afraid of the bubble. He said the bond market price-to-earnings ratio was at an “extraordinary unstable position.” http://www.marketwatch.com/story/greenspan-warns-about-bond-market-bubble-2015-08-19 Me, I've gone to the "no bonds" portfolio as I wrote about in another thread. CDs and Cash for me. Not sure if this is the time to "buy and hope" at least as far as bonds are concerned. I suppose we...
by Busting Myths
Mon Aug 17, 2015 3:25 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Is this time different?
Replies: 42
Views: 5606

Re: Is this time different?

It may not seem euphoric, but on other investment boards that I frequent, I am seeing that virtually no new investors (20 to 30-something year olds buying their Roths for the first time) are investing in anymore than a token 10% in bonds and even questioning that. Anyone considering a more balanced portfolio with around 40% bonds are immediate being shot-down as being way too much bonds. Last time I remember this type of sentiment was around 2007. Personally, I am sticking with a large bond allocation, as I learned in the last financial crisis that my risk tolerance and portfolio was about right. That problem exists on this forum as well. A lot of long term posters on this forum give equity weightings based on age/investment horizon withou...
by Busting Myths
Fri Aug 14, 2015 4:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I need a classic men's black dress belt
Replies: 58
Views: 11505

Re: I need a classic men's black dress belt

Dad wrote:The brand I will recommend is relatively expensive, but I think it is worth it. Look at Allen Edmonds brand belt. Their classic dress belts are timeless and will last you several years.
+1
by Busting Myths
Fri Aug 14, 2015 4:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cheap drugs! [Switching to generic]
Replies: 26
Views: 3055

Re: Cheap drugs! [Switching to generic]

The doctor is giving a drug would you rather get the 10 year old one or the new one that tests better? Only way for a doc to learn is from either educational seminar or a drug rep pushing them. Of course you can debate how much better some of these drugs are. A drug rep pushing the newer, much more expensive drug is, in my opinion, hardly a good source of impartial information on this matter. It also seems to me that a direct (without the 'filter' of a drug rep) review of any studies comparing the effectiveness/safety/etc. of the new vs old drug would be very relevant. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver did a great piece on marketing to doctors for anyone interested in watching. For those who have never seen John Oliver he is cut from the ...
by Busting Myths
Fri Aug 14, 2015 4:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cheap drugs! [Switching to generic]
Replies: 26
Views: 3055

Re: Cheap drugs! [Switching to generic]

packet wrote: Please don't misunderstand, I'm am not saying our doctors did anything at all wrong... they were simply out of touch with our specific insurance situation and the financial ramifications of prescribing drug 1 vs alternatives.
No, I read that as a doctor who was pushing a more expensive drug with no discernible advantages over the generic. The fact that they wavered on their initial recommendation just reinforces my belief they may not be giving you objective information. I would immediately drop my doctor if that were the case.
by Busting Myths
Tue Jul 28, 2015 12:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Divorce [financial implications]
Replies: 109
Views: 16676

Re: Divorce

Greentree wrote:I have a friend who is a divorce lawyer. He told me one time that people would save a lot of money if they would just work it out between themselves and then come to the lawyer to finish it up. So another vote for the mediator. You may not end up 50/50 but it is cheaper than battling it out with lawyers.
If they could work things out between themselves they probably would not be getting a divorce in the first place.
by Busting Myths
Wed Jul 15, 2015 12:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: The " Corolla" investment....
Replies: 51
Views: 9730

Re: The " Corolla" investment....

at ease wrote:An update on one of my better investments...My 2003 Corolla just went over 380,000 miles and just keeps on pleasing.....low-low maintenance, good on gas, never had any of the dealer suggested mileage servicing so it still has the 2003 spark-plugs that it came with... i did however just spend $440.00 to have both rear wheel bearings replaced because they began to sing a little... anyway, i'm beginning to think it could go over 500,000....but i may have to replace those plugs to get there....
380k on the original spark plugs...wow. I believe the Toyota (the manufacturer) recommended spark plug changes at 120k. I would love to see what shape they are in.
by Busting Myths
Tue Jul 14, 2015 12:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Truck Stolen
Replies: 30
Views: 4135

Re: Truck Stolen

surfhb wrote:My beloved 93 Toyota Pick Up was stolen from the lot in Huntington Beach, Ca on Sat. while I was surfing for an hour. Being so close to the Mexican border isnt ideal either. It had 516,000 miles and the only vehicle Ive ever owned....Im 46. :sharebeer My phone, wallet and $3000 hearing aids went with it.

Has anyone here had this experience with a positive outcome? Namely in the So Cal region? I wonder if there are statistics available on stolen vehicle recovery?

I'm hoping it was for a joyride and it might turn up somewhere. I figured I'd give it a month of car rentals and see if it shows up.
I guess HB is not as safe as it is cracked up to be. If they do find it will likely be stripped for parts.
by Busting Myths
Tue Jul 14, 2015 11:23 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: So Few Generals, So Few Top Fund Managers
Replies: 5
Views: 1118

Re: So Few Generals, So Few Top Fund Managers

[OT comments removed by admin LadyGeek]
by Busting Myths
Fri Jul 10, 2015 7:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Lake Michigan Credit Union
Replies: 60
Views: 22630

Re: Lake Michigan Credit Union

I'm local to LMCU. My wife and I have separate Max Checking accounts (each account earns 3% on the first 15k). Monthly requirements for each Max Checking account to earn 3% are: 1. One direct deposit into the account each month 2. 10 debit card purchases per month 3. 4 internet account logins per month 4. Sign up for electronic statements We've been happy with the service at LMCU. The LMCU website makes it easy to track if you have met your monthly requirements for the 3%. It's been pretty painless for us to make the 3% on 30k (15k x 2 accounts) for several years. We are both working and have monthly pay checks deposited. The direct deposit can also be an ACH transfer from one bank to LMCU. So if I transfer some funds from Ally Bank to LMC...
by Busting Myths
Thu Jul 09, 2015 3:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Lake Michigan Credit Union
Replies: 60
Views: 22630

Re: Lake Michigan Credit Union

Rooster1 wrote:I'm local to LMCU. My wife and I have separate Max Checking accounts (each account earns 3% on the first 15k).

Monthly requirements for each Max Checking account to earn 3% are:

1. One direct deposit into the account each month
2. 10 debit card purchases per month
3. 4 internet account logins per month
4. Sign up for electronic statements

We've been happy with the service at LMCU. The LMCU website makes it easy to track if you have met your monthly requirements for the 3%. It's been pretty painless for us to make the 3% on 30k (15k x 2 accounts) for several years. We are both working and have monthly pay checks deposited.
The direct deposit can also be an ACH transfer from one bank to LMCU.
by Busting Myths
Mon Jul 06, 2015 12:59 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Jesse Livermore on indexing--OK, not really, but amusing
Replies: 1
Views: 758

Re: Jesse Livermore on indexing--OK, not really, but amusing

Livermore had a lot more in common with indexers then you would think...
Jesse Livermore wrote: “Money is made by sitting, not trading.”
“It was never my thinking that made the big money for me, it always was sitting.”
“Nobody can catch all the fluctuations.”
One of the main reasons why Livermore failed spectacularly is that he failed to adhere to his rules (i.e. IPS). As I recall sticking to your IPS is one of the pillars of the bogleheads.
by Busting Myths
Sun Jul 05, 2015 8:23 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Chinese Move to Stabilize Stock Market
Replies: 41
Views: 8228

Re: Chinese Move to Stabilize Stock Market

sawhorse wrote:
supernova wrote:From what I understand, a lot of Chinese people took out loans and such to get higher returns. This could end very badly.
Yep. They haven't been through a stock market crash and ensuing depression. They remind me of the Americans in the late 1920's who borrowed heavily
Yes they have (at least about the stock market crash). Four times in the last 25 years the Shanghai Composite has fallen 65% or more. The most recent episode was in 2007-2008 when the market dropped 75% over a 13 month period.

Here is an article from 2008 that sound familiar to what is written about today's day traders chasing gains in China.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/02/busin ... d=all&_r=0
by Busting Myths
Sun Jul 05, 2015 8:21 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Chinese Move to Stabilize Stock Market
Replies: 41
Views: 8228

Re: Chinese Move to Stabilize Stock Market

sawhorse wrote:
supernova wrote:From what I understand, a lot of Chinese people took out loans and such to get higher returns. This could end very badly.
Yep. They haven't been through a stock market crash and ensuing depression. They remind me of the Americans in the late 1920's who borrowed heavily
Yes they have. Four times in the last 25 years the Shanghai Composite has fallen 65% or more. The most recent episode was in 2007-2008 when the market dropped 75% over a 13 month period.

Here is an article from 2008 that sound familiar to what is written about today's day traders chasing gains in China.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/02/busin ... d=all&_r=0
by Busting Myths
Sun Jul 05, 2015 12:38 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Chinese Move to Stabilize Stock Market
Replies: 41
Views: 8228

Re: Chinese Move to Stabilize Stock Market

Though the current bear market is certainly impacting local Chinese investors, the reality is that most foreign investors (including those of us invested in diversified emerging market indexes) are much less affected. Most foreign investors still don't have full or even partial access to Chinese mainland listed equities, due to their current quota system — which is probably a good thing at this point, until the mainland markets become more stable and liquid and less government-controlled. In fact, the new benchmark for Vanguard's Emerging Market Stock Index Fund includes only a 5.6% allocation to Chinese mainland A-shares — and this transition won't begin until the third or fourth quarter of 2015, according to Vanguard . Chances are good t...
by Busting Myths
Thu Jul 02, 2015 10:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Auto Loans getting out of control?
Replies: 16
Views: 4672

Re: Auto Loans getting out of control?

Saw this on the WSJ today: http://blogs.wsj.com/totalreturn/2015/06/30/loose-car-lending-practices-trouble-a-regulator/ If you're not a subscriber, Google "Loose Car Lending Practices Trouble a Regulator" and follow the link to get around the paywall. I didn't know this was a thing, but apparently car loans that far exceed the value of the car have become common place. You literally start your loan underwater. So here's my thought. If I can get a $20,000 loan for a $10,000 car at 3%, I can use the leftover $10,000 to pay off one of my 6.55% student loans. Is this crazy? Is this even worth looking into? This has been going on for 2-3 years now. In the new car market they usually will not give you cash back but rather they will all...
by Busting Myths
Thu Jul 02, 2015 10:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Lake Michigan Credit Union
Replies: 60
Views: 22630

Re: Lake Michigan Credit Union

Another rewards checking account holder here. I have been with LMCU for a couple of years now and have never had a problem with their service. I am in California so I have only used their online services which has worked without issue. If you are looking to put less than $15,000 in the CD you are better off with there reward checking account as it returns 3%.
by Busting Myths
Fri Jun 19, 2015 9:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone have A/C fail on an older Honda CRV?
Replies: 54
Views: 24417

Re: Anyone have A/C fail on an older Honda CRV?

Browser wrote:The A/C went out on my 2002 Honda CRV with 170K miles during a long trip. A search on the internet indicates that CRVs may be prone to this problem and might require the entire A/C system to be replaced. I'm scheduled to have it seen at a local garage now that I've finally reached my destination driving in the frying heat. Doing my homework in the meantime and just wondering if anyone has experienced this problem with their older CRV and what you can tell me about it. I'm concerned this could be an expensive proposition to repair. I've always thought my CRV was pretty bulletproof but now I'm wondering...
14 years and 170k miles...what more do you expect? Are you finally going to buy a new car or continue your car purchase odyssey?
by Busting Myths
Mon Jun 08, 2015 3:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car dealer wants me to compensate for underpayment
Replies: 182
Views: 27318

Re: Car dealer wants me to compensate for underpayment

bertie wooster wrote:This doesn't strike me as something they can enforce. They've asked and if you don't comply what are they going to do? I assume there is signed documentation that they sold you the car at price x. If they want x + 1500 that is their problem.

I wouldn't respond to their requests and see what happens.
It sounds like it is the other way around...the contract states X but the final invoice said X minus $1,500.00. Unless the final invoice states payment in full then the OP owes the money.
by Busting Myths
Thu Jun 04, 2015 10:46 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Warning Signs [Economic health indicators]
Replies: 283
Views: 58077

Re: Warning Signs

So it's still too early to say for sure, but indicators of economic health are deteriorating. Let's start with the FRED recession probability which has been rising lately: 2015-03-01 3.54 2015-02-01 2.12 2015-01-01 1.30 2014-12-01 0.52 2014-11-01 0.02 2007 Pattern: 2008-02-01 50.78 2008-01-01 28.10 2007-12-01 12.98 2007-11-01 3.66 2007-10-01 2.74 2007-09-01 0.86 2007-08-01 0.58 2005 Pattern: 2005-09-01 16.86 2005-08-01 4.02 2005-07-01 1.04 2005-06-01 0.22 2005-05-01 0.10 Oh wait, let's add a few more months. 2005-11-01 0.00 2005-10-01 0.20 2005-09-01 16.86 2005-08-01 4.02 2005-07-01 1.04 2005-06-01 0.22 2005-05-01 0.10 No reason to think that a small jump in the FRED recession probability is anything but statistical noise. September 2005 m...
by Busting Myths
Wed Jun 03, 2015 11:59 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "Do You Know How Much You're Paying?"
Replies: 49
Views: 11280

Re: "Do You Know How Much You're Paying?"

TradingPlaces wrote:Actually, this is a very good point.

Imagine receiving a statement every month, and every month, it shows what they are taking out.

I think that would be an excellent idea.

This would be just a matter of passing one law in congress. Bogleheads should spearhead this campaign.
Or they could just read the prospectus that breaks down what the expenses are and gives a hypothetical of 1,3,5 year expenses based on a 10,000.00 investment. An interested investor can then extrapolate the expense based on their investment amount. No need to create additional paperwork which only adds to expense ratios.
by Busting Myths
Mon Jun 01, 2015 7:27 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Are you middle class?
Replies: 21
Views: 3974

Re: Are you middle class?

mindboggling wrote:Call me old fashioned, but I always thought that middle class was a house in the suburbs, a late model car, a nice vacation once in a while, college for the kids. Now it seems that if you're not on welfare, you're middle class. As with many things, it's been defined down.

steve
"middle class" is mostly a political term to appease the masses. I will not elaborate for fear of having the thread locked.
by Busting Myths
Mon Jun 01, 2015 7:09 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Are you middle class?
Replies: 21
Views: 3974

Re: Are you middle class?

$100,000 range for my county. Trust me when I say the $47K household and the $147k household are not in the same class.
by Busting Myths
Tue May 12, 2015 2:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much can I spend on a car?
Replies: 157
Views: 37188

Re: How much can I spend on a car?

Do you need a car? How many miles do you drive a year? How handy are you to fix issues? Where does having a car rank among: Moving out of your parent's basement, down for a house, retirement, other hobbies/interest?
by Busting Myths
Sun May 03, 2015 1:50 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: New [marketing approach] by Fidelity, 401K custodian of many
Replies: 23
Views: 5584

Re: New, potentially colossal scam, by Fidelity, 401K custodian of many

I think it is a bit much to call this a scam. A scam is a fraudulent, dishonest, scheme. This is an attempt to sell you something. Annoying? Certainly. This is what is called "marketing". Annoying attempts to sell you something you probably don't really need. Madoff was scamming people. I think it is a scam because products are sold where Fidelity would make a lot of money... Certainly you have a narrow definition of a scam. Pepsi costs a few cents to produce. Is a bottle of Pepsi a scam? Does it need to be clearly stated that, "This bottle contains valueless sugar water that has greatly contributed to the obesity epidemic in the US"? Some people actually do need help managing their money. Some people would be better of...
by Busting Myths
Thu Apr 23, 2015 4:24 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What is a Boglehead?
Replies: 55
Views: 7411

Re: What is a Boglehead?

Judgmental Pessimistic Miser
by Busting Myths
Wed Apr 22, 2015 3:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What age did your Net Worth first equal 10,000x your Weight?
Replies: 48
Views: 6835

Re: What age did your Net Worth first equal 10,000x your Wei

denovo wrote:Bogleheads has officially jumped the shark.
I figured we hit that when Bogleheads started created acronyms to describe their unique situations and tried to pawn it off as some type of movement (thanks Twitter...).
by Busting Myths
Sat Apr 18, 2015 11:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What do you drive, and why?
Replies: 255
Views: 43777

Re: What do you drive, and why?

Him: 2012 VW GTI 4 Door bought new in Sept 11. Fun to drive, practical, able to haul kids or a big screen TV.

Her: 2006 Volvo V70 bought with 65k miles in November 2013. Built like a tank and excellent safety ratings, able to haul kids and a big screen TV, more storage space and better handling than a similar sized SUV, excellent long distance cruiser.
by Busting Myths
Thu Apr 02, 2015 12:21 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bernanke's Blog: why are interest rates so low?
Replies: 52
Views: 10857

Re: Bernanke's Blog: why are interest rates so low?

Agree - it's one thing to label a group, it's quite another to try and smear that label on "the" expert on the topic in question. I'll say this much, had he followed the typical playbook of the Fed back in the '30's, we likely would not be having this conversation today, many of us would be living under a bridge with a tarp over our heads and don't confuse luck with outcome. You have no idea how close we really came to going over the cliff, let me give you a hint, it was millimeters, not inches and certainly not feet. As for Greenspan, while he is not entirely to blame for the mess, he certainly played a leading role. The Fed forgot their true role in regulating monetary policy and they failed to use their toolbox in an appropria...
by Busting Myths
Tue Mar 31, 2015 9:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car Engine Immobilizer Issue
Replies: 11
Views: 2877

Re: Car Engine Immobilizer Issue

Have you tired posting your problem on the nicoclub forum? (http://forums.nicoclub.com/) They are a Nissan/Infiniti owner's forum who should be able to give you a good assessment of your mom's situation and her specific vehicle.
by Busting Myths
Mon Mar 16, 2015 9:27 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Is There a Next Jack Bogle
Replies: 37
Views: 5794

Re: Is There a Next Jack Bogle

No, there will not be a next John Bogle. He is one of a kind and in many ways a product of his times. He grew up in the 1930's and 1940's which no doubt helped shape him. He saw the Great Depression and World War II. The time period showed that things could not only go wrong but very badly wrong. So it brought in a conservatism towards money and a frugality that many of his generation and the generation just behind him had. He also had a work ethic that never quit. Right...let's just gloss over his pro active management stance until he got fired from Wellington, then as Chairman, for underperforming while trying to chase performance. Had a different decision been made about keeping John Bogle at Wellington we would not be having this conve...
by Busting Myths
Fri Mar 13, 2015 1:04 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: U.S. Stock Valuations — Making History?
Replies: 46
Views: 7950

Re: U.S. Stock Valuations — Making History?

ogd wrote:Or we could be witnessing the demise of CAPE as a reputable measure.
It never was. It is the same type of investment porn that bogleheads thumb their noses at when they see it on cnbc or bloomberg. The only difference is that because it comes from "academia" there is a false sense of superiority.
by Busting Myths
Thu Mar 12, 2015 5:21 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 86% of investment managers stunk in 2014
Replies: 22
Views: 6212

Re: 86% of investment managers stunk in 2014

But did bogleheads beat 86% of investment managers in 2014? The big deal around here is that Bogleheads are happy to get the market return but never post their actual performance vs. their target benchmark. I am curious how bogleheads really do given all the active "self" management that goes around here. Pretty sure there is a thread every year in Dec/Jan titled something to the effect of "what was your return last year" Most of us don't have a target benchmark because it would be identical to our portfolios, its like saying 1=1. Yes but did they really match the benchmark? The 2014 return had 145 posts but the mention of performance relative to benchmark was rare. There are also a lot of slice and dicers and tilters o...
by Busting Myths
Thu Mar 12, 2015 4:57 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 86% of investment managers stunk in 2014
Replies: 22
Views: 6212

Re: 86% of investment managers stunk in 2014

But did bogleheads beat 86% of investment managers in 2014? The big deal around here is that Bogleheads are happy to get the market return but never post their actual performance vs. their target benchmark. I am curious how bogleheads really do given all the active "self" management that goes around here.
by Busting Myths
Wed Mar 11, 2015 6:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What are some common misconceptions found in this forum?
Replies: 209
Views: 26907

Re: What are some common misconceptions found in this forum?

Murray Boyd wrote:That stock markets are for raising funds for investment.
+1
by Busting Myths
Wed Mar 11, 2015 2:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What are some common misconceptions found in this forum?
Replies: 209
Views: 26907

Re: What are some common misconceptions found in this forum?

DaftInvestor wrote:
Busting Myths wrote:That bogleheads are topic experts on everything. I cannot believe some of the bad and outdated advice given around here that is treated as gospel by bogleheads.
Wow - I'm surprised you are still here then :)
What I found in the threads I read - is as soon as someone has "bad or outdated advice" several others sweep in to offer an alternative view. Most of the discussions seem to be balanced having several points of view (with references to additional reading oftentimes) allowing the reader to take away what they will.
I read occasionally but do post as often...you should see some of those marriage/personal life threads.
by Busting Myths
Wed Mar 11, 2015 11:35 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What are some common misconceptions found in this forum?
Replies: 209
Views: 26907

Re: What are some common misconceptions found in this forum?

That bogleheads are topic experts on everything. I cannot believe some of the bad and outdated advice given around here that is treated as gospel by bogleheads.
by Busting Myths
Thu Mar 05, 2015 9:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2015 Honda CR-V vibration problems
Replies: 40
Views: 13519

Re: 2015 Honda CR-V vibration problems

ABC7 news http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&jsonp=vglnk_14253206930817&key=e0f4d5b76756fc288c9c1e5986e97af4&libId=i6s74q6x01000b4v000DA6w2lmsez&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.crvownersclub.com%2Fforums%2F14-problems-issues%2F63138-2015-honda-cr-v-vibration-idle-69.html&v=1&out=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wjla.com%2Farticles%2F2015%2F02%2Fowners-of-best-selling-2015-honda-cr-v-complain-of-vibration-problems-111800.html&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.crvownersclub.com%2Fforums%2F14-problems-issues%2F63138-2015-honda-cr-v-vibration-idle-70.html&title=2015%20Honda%20CR-V%20Vibration%20at%20idle%20-%20Page%2069&txt=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wjla.com%2Farticles%2F2015%2F02...ms-111800.html Do you own one? Or just feel like posting about it?...