Search found 242 matches

by gofigure
Mon May 27, 2019 6:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: That Frugal Thing You Do
Replies: 642
Views: 160508

Re: That Frugal Thing You Do

I think often I'm penny-wise and pound-foolish, with pound being my personal happiness --- Sometimes I cut my own hair, and it often turns out bad. I don't do a buzzcut, so it's not that easy. Will almost always make my fast food orders revolve around the dollar menu. Taco Bell's is terrible, but I still go there and order from it. Always buy the disc version of video games so I can resell them on eBay after I'm sick of them. It's unfortunate, digital games are so much more convenient and reselling discs is a bunch of hassle. Re-balance my copy of the Vanguard Target Fund manually with the ETFs to save a tiny bit on fees. I'd bet my life that the official Target Date outperforms my manual re-balances. Haven't had a girlfriend in years. It'...
by gofigure
Sat May 25, 2019 1:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: That Frugal Thing You Do
Replies: 642
Views: 160508

Re: That Frugal Thing You Do

Use a TV antenna
wash out and reuse plastic ziploc bags
I sew stuff: gloves, work pants and shirts, socks, fleece pullovers
I repair or have repaired everything eg tools, appliances, furniture etc..(within reason) It's not always frugal though
by gofigure
Sat May 25, 2019 5:54 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Reinvesting RMDs
Replies: 7
Views: 1504

Re: Reinvesting RMDs

Thanks everyone. We'll flesh out the Roth conversion in more detail. These next few years w/out SS income might be the best time to do the conversion. My sense is there won't be very much excess income until the RMDs kick in. We get a little break from US as we're both born later in the year. I'm thinking through the years the RMDs produce excess income, we'll take it in monthly installments and DCA the proceeds into broad index fund(s). The "excess income" in your pre-70 years comes from additional withdrawals from tax deferred with proper planning, to levelize your AGI. Consider someone with AGI over four years of $96k, $98k, $100k, $102k, at age 68, 69, 70, 71. At age 68 and 69, it's legal to Roth convert withdrawals from tax-...
by gofigure
Sat May 25, 2019 5:01 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Reinvesting RMDs
Replies: 7
Views: 1504

Re: Reinvesting RMDs

Thanks everyone. We'll flesh out the Roth conversion in more detail. These next few years w/out SS income might be the best time to do the conversion. My sense is there won't be very much excess income until the RMDs kick in. We get a little break from US as we're both born later in the year. I'm thinking through the years the RMDs produce excess income, we'll take it in monthly installments and DCA the proceeds into broad index fund(s).
by gofigure
Fri May 24, 2019 3:00 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Reinvesting RMDs
Replies: 7
Views: 1504

Reinvesting RMDs

Hi Everyone. I'll be 63 this year and retired and my wife will turn 65 this year and plans to retire on 10/1/19. My SS full retirement age is 66y 4 mo. Hers is 66. We both plan to begin collecting SS at full retirement age or perhaps later. My defined pension benefit is 521./mo and her's is 1425./mo Our current debt is approx. 15k. We both have approx 110k in Roth IRA assets, just under 1.9m in IRA assets and approx 70k in a NTA brokerage account. We are both in good health. We have no children but would like to leave something in the end to family and philanthropy/charity. I'm thinking ahead with how to manage RMD assets as they become available. Barring any major medical expenses it's very likely that the RMD income will produce tax liabi...
by gofigure
Tue Mar 29, 2016 2:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Updates on the status of Linux
Replies: 129
Views: 17791

Re: Updates on the status of Linux

You may find some multimedia files e.g. .wmv... won't run on linux media player... and some document sharing could be a problem as well. .. but many are willing to work around these kinds of issues... try out the Raspberry Pi 2.. for about $30.... plus the cost of an SD card, you're off to the races.
by gofigure
Sun Mar 27, 2016 11:42 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: leaving vanguard due to math errors / poor customer service?
Replies: 107
Views: 19381

Re: leaving vanguard due to math errors / poor customer service?

I've been put off several times by their customer service experience. Hope someone there gets the message.
by gofigure
Sat Feb 27, 2016 11:58 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: how are taxes and exchange rate information represented in fund performance
Replies: 0
Views: 333

how are taxes and exchange rate information represented in fund performance

I've been considering rolling my 401k into VSMGX and was wondering how foreign tax and currency exchange information are reported in fund performance information.
by gofigure
Sat Dec 26, 2015 7:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: when to take SS
Replies: 1
Views: 781

when to take SS

Is there a calculator to help decide whether to draw down on tax deferred savings in order to delay taking SS?
by gofigure
Wed Dec 16, 2015 9:03 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: spending (which asset(s) to tap first)
Replies: 10
Views: 1466

Re: spending (which asset(s) to tap first)

gclancer wrote:Yes, spend taxable first. Make sure to keep the Roth as long as possible so that you can draw on it for "tax cliff" purposes if you find yourself at critical income thresholds once you start drawing from your traditional IRA/401(k) and receiving DB/SS.
10-4.. TY
by gofigure
Wed Dec 16, 2015 6:06 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: spending (which asset(s) to tap first)
Replies: 10
Views: 1466

spending (which asset(s) to tap first)

I'm retiring in about 4 months (@age 59.5) and DW plans to retire in about 2 years (@ age 63). I estimate we'll need to draw down about $25. k p/yr from savings for the first several years. That amount will decline as social security and DW's DB pension become available. We have tax advantaged and non-tax advantaged assets to draw from. $150k Non-tax advantaged account invested in broad index fund $150k in Roth IRAs invested in managed and index funds $1.7m in 401ks and an IRA invested in index funds and bonds I'm planning to move most or all our tax advantaged /non-tax advantaged assets into VSMGX as we retire. Most recommendations suggest drawing down from non-tax advantaged funds first. Given our circumstances do you agree? Thanks in adv...
by gofigure
Sat Dec 12, 2015 6:29 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Thinking of going with VSMGX
Replies: 30
Views: 16898

Re: Thinking of going with VSMGX

HI, I was going through the "going all index" thread you posted when I saw Barry Barniz's wiki links that cover the change history. I think in that same thread someone mentioned what they thought were some downsides in particular to the increased exposure to international bonds (after these latest changes). I guess my question now is on what basis does VG make these adjustments to international/domestic allocations within the LS funds. Are they using some special sauce to come up with the mix? If I purchased the individual admiral shares of each index that make up the fund, I think I save 5 basis points but I'd have to rebalance on my own of course and adjust the dom/int mix, neither of which I'm good at doing. Thanks again Pingo.
by gofigure
Fri Dec 11, 2015 7:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Thinking of going with VSMGX
Replies: 30
Views: 16898

Re: Thinking of going with VSMGX

Thanks Pingo,

I agree that the 60/40 stock/bond allocation for the lifestyle moderate growth fund is static. However my question pertains to the domestic/international characteristic within that allocation. The VG website page for the fund indicates a date when the current allocation was derived (currently 10/31/2015) which seems to imply that the allocation between domestic and international portions of the fund may change over time.

I made a call earlier in the day to VG to try to get clarification but was put on hold for more than 30 mins. and eventually gave up. I also sent email to a contact I have there who I've been working with on a possible roll over but haven't heard back yet.

CK
by gofigure
Fri Dec 11, 2015 10:35 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Thinking of going with VSMGX
Replies: 30
Views: 16898

Re: Thinking of going with VSMGX

Does the allocation of domestic and international stocks and bonds in VSMGX change or remain fixed?
by gofigure
Tue Sep 15, 2015 10:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity one-on-one financial guidance consultations
Replies: 12
Views: 1967

Re: Fidelity one-on-one financial guidance consultations

I don't find them all that helpful either. They'll walk you through their retirement planner, but IMO, you're probably better off doing that on your own anyway since it does require time to gather accurate input data to the tool.
by gofigure
Wed Aug 19, 2015 9:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Non-Retirees: Scared about retirement?
Replies: 45
Views: 8086

Re: Non-Retirees: Scared about retirement?

I had been anxious up to just a few months ago but I've become more comfortable with the notion now, have engaged in the planning of it, determined a date certain and I'm feeling very good.
by gofigure
Wed Aug 19, 2015 8:28 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: should we keep a mortgage in retirement
Replies: 17
Views: 2476

Re: should weI keep a mortgage in retirement

Thanks everyone for your input.
by gofigure
Tue Aug 18, 2015 1:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: should we keep a mortgage in retirement
Replies: 17
Views: 2476

Re: should weI keep a mortgage in retirement

I'm guessing the proceeds on the sale of the current home would be $250k. The mortgage on the new home is $180k.
by gofigure
Tue Aug 18, 2015 1:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: should we keep a mortgage in retirement
Replies: 17
Views: 2476

should we keep a mortgage in retirement

We financed 80% of the purchase of our retirement home with a 15 year fixed mortgage at 3.12% interest. We plan to sell the home we currently occupy within the next year. There's no mortgage on the property we currently occupy.

What are the pros/cons of keeping the mortgage and investing the proceeds from the sale of the current home?

Pros:

The combination of the mortgage deduction and the potential of earning more than 3.12% by investing the proceeds.
May be able to postpone/reduce withdrawals from tax advantaged accounts

Cons:

less general peace of mind
by gofigure
Sat Aug 15, 2015 11:35 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: withdrawl strategies across tax and non-tax advantaged assets
Replies: 14
Views: 2339

Re: withdrawl strategies across tax and non-tax advantaged assets

the strategy that makes the most sense is one that looks at the income tax rate of the individual (or couple) throughout one's anticipated years of retirement. Well said. General tax info from someone who is not a tax person. From Fairmark.com: http://fairmark.com/general-taxation/your-tax-bracket/ The Q & A is informative, as are the links. For Married Filing Jointly (MFJ), for this year, you and her each get a deduction of $4000, and the MFJ exemption of 12,600 so you can have 20,600 of income and owe no tax. The next 18,500 is in the 10% bracket up to (20,600 + 18,500) but you only owe the 10% on the last 18,500. The 15% tax is on income from 39,100 to (20,600 + 74,900), then the 25% bracket starts. You do not owe any tax on cap gai...
by gofigure
Fri Aug 14, 2015 8:50 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: withdrawl strategies across tax and non-tax advantaged assets
Replies: 14
Views: 2339

Re: withdrawl strategies across tax and non-tax advantaged assets

I'm likely going to direct the proceeds (interest, div and gains) from all but the Roth accounts into a MM twice annually. This will likely exceed the required amount we'll need to generate from savings and in that event we'll let the balance accrue and be there for the down years.

Neither of us have the head for modeling or predicting the behavior and the dynamics of all these moving parts but I think we have enough to keep us from making big mistakes.

We may have to learn how to spend more in order not to die the richest folks in the graveyard.

Thanks all for you input and the links (I went over them all).
by gofigure
Fri Aug 14, 2015 8:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: withdrawl strategies across tax and non-tax advantaged assets
Replies: 14
Views: 2339

Re: withdrawl strategies across tax and non-tax advantaged assets

I'm trying to put together a plan to create an income stream from our investments. Approx 11% of our portfolio is in non-tax advantaged assets invested in equity mutual funds and the remainder Is in tax advantaged IRAs and 401Ks. As I understand it, there's two principals to follow for withdrawals and to this novice, they seem to be somewhat in contention in our particular situation. The two principals as I understand them is to draw down on assets in the non-tax advantaged account first and the other being to draw down as much as possible on the interest and dividends generated by the portfolio, leaving the principal intact. The interest and dividends generated by the non-tax advantaged account won't be enough to meet our income needs. My...
by gofigure
Fri Aug 14, 2015 9:49 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: withdrawl strategies across tax and non-tax advantaged assets
Replies: 14
Views: 2339

Re: withdrawl strategies across tax and non-tax advantaged assets

While there are some principles that might be followed, withdrawal strategies are not so rigid as to suggest that one size fits all. For individuals who have a mix of assets sufficient to meet their needs spread across taxable and tax advantaged accounts, the strategy that makes the most sense is one that looks at the income tax rate of the individual (or couple) throughout one's anticipated years of retirement. What is your current tax bracket? Have you started Social Security? Do you have a lot in tax deferred accounts that will push you into a high tax bracket when RMDs begin? In your taxable accounts do you have a lot of long term capital gains? For example - if you are recently retired and in the 15% tax bracket you might want to take...
by gofigure
Thu Aug 13, 2015 2:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: withdrawl strategies across tax and non-tax advantaged assets
Replies: 14
Views: 2339

withdrawl strategies across tax and non-tax advantaged assets

I'm trying to put together a plan to create an income stream from our investments. Approx 11% of our portfolio is in non-tax advantaged assets invested in equity mutual funds and the remainder Is in tax advantaged IRAs and 401Ks. As I understand it, there's two principals to follow for withdrawals and to this novice, they seem to be somewhat in contention in our particular situation. The two principals as I understand them is to draw down on assets in the non-tax advantaged account first and the other being to draw down as much as possible on the interest and dividends generated by the portfolio, leaving the principal intact. The interest and dividends generated by the non-tax advantaged account won't be enough to meet our income needs. My ...
by gofigure
Mon Jun 22, 2015 9:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: holding a mortgage in retirement
Replies: 14
Views: 2428

Re: holding a mortgage in retirement

Thank you all so much for your insights and references.
by gofigure
Mon Jun 22, 2015 3:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: holding a mortgage in retirement
Replies: 14
Views: 2428

Re: holding a mortgage in retirement

I'm 58 and the Mrs. is 60. Plan to retire next spring.
Her pension and SS = approx 3k p/mo
My pension and SS = approx 2.5k p/mo
combined 401k/IRA plus non tax advantaged liquid assets approx 1.925m as of today
Real Estate assets owned approx. 400k.
No kids.
Of the assets listed, approx 160k in taxable liquid assets.
No other major debt.
by gofigure
Mon Jun 22, 2015 2:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: holding a mortgage in retirement
Replies: 14
Views: 2428

holding a mortgage in retirement

We just purchased our retirement home w/ a 15 year fixed mortgage at 3.12% interest. We're beginning to prepare our current home, for which there is no mortgage, for sale. We're considering the advantages and disadvantages of investing the proceeds from the sale of our current home and keeping the mortgage on the new home but I'm not sure we understand all the consideration there are to make.

I've done some research on the topic and in some instances at least, keeping a mortgage makes sense. Here are some:

Increased liquidity in case of emergency (eg. medical)
Mortgage deduction.
Potential gains generated by the invested asset.

Your thoughts please.
by gofigure
Fri Dec 05, 2014 11:52 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: shedding cap gains liability
Replies: 7
Views: 1064

Re: shedding cap gains liability

cheese_breath wrote:And don't forget too even if your LTCGs are taxed at 0% themselves, they may increase the percentage of your SS that is taxed.
Thanks... I didn't consider this ...but it may be that there's a window where SS won't be in the picture.
by gofigure
Fri Dec 05, 2014 11:18 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: shedding cap gains liability
Replies: 7
Views: 1064

shedding cap gains liability

My understanding is that cap gains liability is associated with income. It's very likely that our income in the first few years of retirement will be below the cap gains income limit (federal tax on LT cap gains is $0. on income < approx $73k for married filing jointly). I plan to re-invest these asset.

Can I shed the tax liability by selling the asset and re-investing it if our combined income is below the federal limit of $73k
by gofigure
Fri Sep 05, 2014 8:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax liability on farm rental income
Replies: 4
Views: 716

Re: Tax liability on farm rental income

Jared... I think I have a clearer understanding of my situation now. I skimmed both Sched E and The Farmer's Guide and my first take on it is that this arrangement is essentially a rental. The leasee must operate in accordance with MOFGA guidelines (organic) I've been mowing some around the perimeter of the fields to keep the weeds down but I'd be mowing regardless of the farming activity so I don't consider myself engaged in any farming here.

Thanks so much.
by gofigure
Thu Sep 04, 2014 3:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax liability on farm rental income
Replies: 4
Views: 716

Tax liability on farm rental income

This is our first year of a three year lease of some farmland we own in Maine. It's also the first time we've leased any property. I have no experience with the possible Federal and State tax liabilities associated with the income from the lease. Any help with identifying these liabilities and the tax forms etc. would be appreciated.

TIA>
by gofigure
Mon Jun 02, 2014 2:37 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: does it make sense to buy our retirement home now
Replies: 16
Views: 2786

Re: does it make sense to buy our retirement home now

Zabar wrote:
Sidney wrote:I wouldn't buy until 1-2 years AFTER retiring to a community. Things change, places change and they (and you) are often not the same as what you think they are when you are just a visitor/vacationer.
+1 Since you have no current mortgage and very little debt, the worst that could happen is that your heirs get a little less when you're gone. Rushed real estate deals are never to the advantage of the buyer.
We're in no rush... but we are being influenced by current market conditions.
by gofigure
Mon Jun 02, 2014 2:36 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: does it make sense to buy our retirement home now
Replies: 16
Views: 2786

Re: does it make sense to buy our retirement home now

Sidney wrote:I wouldn't buy until 1-2 years AFTER retiring to a community. Things change, places change and they (and you) are often not the same as what you think they are when you are just a visitor/vacationer.
Thanks.. We have reasons for choosing this area but your point is taken.
by gofigure
Mon Jun 02, 2014 2:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: does it make sense to buy our retirement home now
Replies: 16
Views: 2786

Re: does it make sense to buy our retirement home now

MrManlyMister wrote:
gofigure wrote:This is probably my primary concern. We wouldn't be living in the home but renting is an option we'd consider.
Ok, then - do you want to be a landlord?
Think of this as a business venture.
no.. not really.. but Riverstwo's suggestion to use an agent to manage it as a rental property might be an option. I also share his reservations about building new. The Mrs. wants something in town...my preference is something older.
by gofigure
Mon Jun 02, 2014 8:32 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: does it make sense to buy our retirement home now
Replies: 16
Views: 2786

Re: does it make sense to buy our retirement home now

We've settled on our retirement destination and the real estate market in this area is clearly a buyer's market right now. We have 2-5 years before retirement and we're considering buying our retirement home now. Does this make sense? We plan to finance most of the purchase and roll over the proceeds from the sale of our primary residence to pay off this home. We have no mortgage and very little debt. TIA. I wouldn't do it with that much time until retirement. But also remember, once you retire, it may be difficult to qualify for a mortgage if your pension and SS don't meet the bank's debt to income requirements. For the next 2-5 years who's going to maintain the second home? Where is there a buyers market right now in real estate ? While ...
by gofigure
Mon Jun 02, 2014 8:19 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: does it make sense to buy our retirement home now
Replies: 16
Views: 2786

Re: does it make sense to buy our retirement home now

MrManlyMister wrote:
gofigure wrote:We've settled on our retirement destination and the real estate market in this area is clearly a buyer's market right now. We have 2-5 years before retirement and we're considering buying our retirement home now. Does this make sense? We plan to finance most of the purchase and roll over the proceeds from the sale of our primary residence to pay off this home. We have no mortgage and very little debt. TIA.
Will you be living in the home part-time or renting it out prior to retirement? If so, then it may make sense. If not, then it's probably not a wise idea to purchase a home which would stay vacant for up to 5 years.
This is probably my primary concern. We wouldn't be living in the home but renting is an option we'd consider.
by gofigure
Mon Jun 02, 2014 4:31 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: does it make sense to buy our retirement home now
Replies: 16
Views: 2786

does it make sense to buy our retirement home now

We've settled on our retirement destination and the real estate market in this area is clearly a buyer's market right now. We have 2-5 years before retirement and we're considering buying our retirement home now. Does this make sense? We plan to finance most of the purchase and roll over the proceeds from the sale of our primary residence to pay off this home. We have no mortgage and very little debt. TIA.
by gofigure
Sun Jun 01, 2014 4:59 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Challenge of Funding Retirement -Robert Merton
Replies: 16
Views: 4967

Re: The Challenge of Funding Retirement -Robert Merton

thanks for posting this...found it helpful with my perspective of risk relative to income and accumulation goals and HECMs as a component of low risk income.
by gofigure
Mon May 12, 2014 5:17 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Should I Consider Market Timing w/ Index Fund Share Buy?
Replies: 28
Views: 3405

Re: Should I Consider Market Timing w/ Index Fund Share Buy?

I doubt you'll hear too many arguments in favor of any consideration toward valuations when entering the market. Any notion of market timing is a pejorative here on bogleheads. I'm afraid you'd likely get the same response if the CAPE ratio were at 55. The CAPE is not at 55 or 35 ...but equities are beginning to get pricey and interest rates will likely rise. Your concern is justified. You can put your money in gradually over time, you can try to buy on the dips, you can just go all in, you can leave your money in cash, you could buy into an annuity..... We all time the market in some sense... adjusting AA by age.. purchasing annuities later in life .. Know that Investing is a lifelong effort that takes discipline and commitment. Good luck ...
by gofigure
Sat May 10, 2014 5:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tillers & Cultivators
Replies: 21
Views: 3040

Re: Tillers & Cultivators

I've kept a veg garden for most of the past 57 years. About 10 years ago I bought a new MTD front tine tiller for $100. at Walmart. It was a floor model or a return so it wasn't exactly new but close. I kept the mark down price tag on it for many years...wore it like a badge, The veg garden is 24x24 and takes a few hours to turn over by hand but w/ the tiller it takes 10 minutes. I use manure for fertilizer which should be worked into the soil either by turning or tilling. My understanding is the front tine tillers are a bit more to handle than the rear tine but there's a big delta in cost. If you take it easy though, you should be able to manage the front tine. Rocks will throw you off your stride so be careful.
by gofigure
Sun Jan 05, 2014 11:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: NYT Article: You can't take it with you ...
Replies: 22
Views: 4433

Re: NYT Article: You can't take it with you ...

used this rationale to buy a small farm...I'll never make money but I'm having a blast!!
by gofigure
Sun Jan 05, 2014 7:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Non-retirees: Envisioning Retirement
Replies: 62
Views: 7778

Re: Non-retirees: Envisioning Retirement

I think of retirement as a time that I can take life at my own pace, do the things I want to do. That's not how life is now for me and so I look forward to it being that way.
by gofigure
Sun Jan 05, 2014 7:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What states offer online tax preparation?
Replies: 15
Views: 2223

Re: What states offer online tax preparation?

NJ has a free online state income tax return also. The only reason I can think of to use a commercial online service is to keep both state and federal returns/records online and in one place.
by gofigure
Thu Jan 02, 2014 2:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Investing in Physical as well as Financial Health
Replies: 39
Views: 4112

Re: Investing in Physical as well as Financial Health

Several years ago while fixing up our summer place I exposed myself to something that I believe introduced a chronic sinus infection. It's taken all this time for the infection to finally begin to subside (knock on wood) ...so my words of wisdom on this topic is that maintaining your quality of life involves more than just diet and exercise. Be careful out there.
by gofigure
Thu Jan 02, 2014 2:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What does a Bogle TV look like?
Replies: 78
Views: 8408

Re: What does a Bogle TV look like?

It took two burly hulks with body harnesses to deliver our 51" rear projector TV about 10+ years ago. It will have to be removed in pieces I'd imagine. No cable. I do the antenna to an HD HomeRun up in the attic that connects over Ethernet to a small PC that sits atop the TV that runs Window media center that connects to the TV audio/video input.
by gofigure
Wed May 08, 2013 8:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: keeping a percentage of your holdings in cash
Replies: 10
Views: 1457

keeping a percentage of your holdings in cash

I'm sure many if not most bogleheads will reject this idea but here goes.

I'm considering putting some money aside in a tax advantaged or after tax MM account or fixed income fund in order to buy equities in a bear market.
by gofigure
Wed May 08, 2013 8:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Reallocation with Lousy Bond Market
Replies: 12
Views: 1685

Re: Reallocation with Lousy Bond Market

I'm 56 with approx. a 75/25 AA. I have some concerns also about increasing my bond allocation at this time. My concerns stem mostly from a lack of understanding of the mechanics of all that is involved with owning bond funds and how they work. Here's what I think I know and could use help with: Currently yields are low and there seems to be some risk of increasing inflation in the mid term which will negatively impact the value of bond fund shares. Many bond funds have a monthly payout interval and in an environment of rising interest rates, reinvesting these monthly proceeds can (by buying additional shares at a lower price) help to offset any drop in value of the shares purchased earlier. If my understanding so far is correct, and I was c...
by gofigure
Mon May 06, 2013 6:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When you reach your number and keep working
Replies: 71
Views: 9182

Re: When you reach your number and keep working

The recent MMM discussion got me wondering what you would do if you reach your "number" and for whatever reason, continue working. I can think of several possibilities and would like to know the Boglehead's thoughts and/or experience on these (or others). 1. Carry on as usual. Keep being frugal, keep saving, keep AA as is. You will just have more of a cushion. 2. Adjust AA to fewer stocks and more bonds as savings increase. Theoretically more bonds will require a higher "number" to achieve the same SWR, but risk will be lower. 3. Stop being so frugal, and start spending more now, while you are still working 4. Increase your expected SWR due to larger asset base; ie expect to spend more than originally planned in retirem...