I think the Vanguards Capital Markets model has predicted five of the last zero periods of international outperformance, as they say.pascal wrote: ↑Mon Mar 04, 2024 4:30 pm This is what has me veering away from a generalist Boglehead Philosophy.
A more heavily weighted EM + a bigger concentration in bonds - both at the cost of US equities was what Qian Wang from Vanguard said in Rick Ferri's podcast would have higher returns in the coming decade. Hard to believe seeing past history but yes past history doesn't guarantee future returns. Hard to follow
Search found 549 matches
- Mon Mar 04, 2024 8:52 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Emerging Markets Stocks have been a complete disaster
- Replies: 175
- Views: 17701
Re: Emerging Markets Stocks have been a complete disaster
- Mon Jul 31, 2023 1:21 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: AZ landlord. Renter refused to pay the last month's rent. What next?
- Replies: 117
- Views: 14320
Re: AZ landlord. Renter refused to pay the last month's rent. What next?
In many states, landlords have an obligation to minimize damages by renting the property promptly.
You wrote that you began marketing the property for rental on May 24th, but it’s still not rented. In this market, something seems wrong — either the rent is too high, or you’re not advertising in the right places. I’d suggest you focus on the problem of finding a new tenant first.
Ultimately, no matter what a spreadsheet or lease says, being a landlord does not entitle you to 100% occupancy. Hopefully you budgeted for some hiccups like this in your planning.
You wrote that you began marketing the property for rental on May 24th, but it’s still not rented. In this market, something seems wrong — either the rent is too high, or you’re not advertising in the right places. I’d suggest you focus on the problem of finding a new tenant first.
Ultimately, no matter what a spreadsheet or lease says, being a landlord does not entitle you to 100% occupancy. Hopefully you budgeted for some hiccups like this in your planning.
- Thu Jan 12, 2023 8:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How to prepare for preschool admissions interviews
- Replies: 70
- Views: 7067
Re: How to prepare for preschool admissions interviews
I understand this process seems pretty ridiculous from the outside. Nonetheless, this is the process here for a certain set of preschools.
I’m really hoping to hear from parents who have gone through this process and might have any suggestions or other constructive commentary.
I’m really hoping to hear from parents who have gone through this process and might have any suggestions or other constructive commentary.
- Thu Jan 12, 2023 7:45 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How to prepare for preschool admissions interviews
- Replies: 70
- Views: 7067
How to prepare for preschool admissions interviews
It's currently admissions season for Fall 2023 preschool programs in New York City. I have a child who is currently 1 year, 6 months old, and will be 2 years old in the fall. We're applying to the 2s program at three or four private, selective preschools. The admissions application generally involves short essays from parents and two interviews: A one-hour interview with parents; and A thirty-minute "interview" with the prospective student, probably playing/interacting with a staff member. My question is: how can we make the best impression during the parent interview, and how can we best prepare our child for his interview? Our son seems very bright and inquisitive, but doesn't always complete simple puzzles (like putting wooden ...
- Mon Jan 09, 2023 12:32 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Best strategy to execute small trusts with problem family members?
- Replies: 38
- Views: 3155
Re: Best strategy to execute small trusts with problem family members?
It sounds like there are two separate, but interrelated problems: the legal form of the trust(s), and the investment option that produces a stream of income with minimal involvement.
For the second question, the Charles Schwab website has an annuity calculator..
The results for a $100,000 premium are: $1,826 per month for 5-year certain term ($109,560 total), or $1001 per month for a 10-year certain term ($120,120 total). The calculator asked for a state of residence, although I'm not sure whether that influences the numeric results.
For the second question, the Charles Schwab website has an annuity calculator..
The results for a $100,000 premium are: $1,826 per month for 5-year certain term ($109,560 total), or $1001 per month for a 10-year certain term ($120,120 total). The calculator asked for a state of residence, although I'm not sure whether that influences the numeric results.
- Sat Aug 13, 2022 3:21 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Arbitration agreement in brokerage terms of service: any alternatives?
- Replies: 2
- Views: 355
Re: Arbitration agreement in brokerage terms of service: any alternatives?
If an investor is self-directed and investor requests are processed through a self-help (web) interface there should be relatively few circumstances where a dispute resolution process is necessary. However, if an investor avails themselves of financial adviser guidance or any "managed" services through the broker the possibility of disputes likely increases dramatically. That's a good point. I would be a self-directed investor, I'm not worried about an advisor recommending unsuitable investments or anything like that. My biggest concern is unauthorized withdrawals. If someone managed to withdraw a large sum through technical means or by social engineering with the brokerage, who is liable? I seem to recall that some financial ins...
- Sat Aug 13, 2022 2:39 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Arbitration agreement in brokerage terms of service: any alternatives?
- Replies: 2
- Views: 355
Arbitration agreement in brokerage terms of service: any alternatives?
My brokerage has asked me to sign updated terms and conditions for a new kind of account, which led me to scroll through the account agreement. The contract includes a mandatory arbitration provision. I am worried because the details of arbitration seem less favorable in disputes than ordinary state courts would be. These are some of the bullet points from the contract: • The ability of parties to obtain documents, witness statements, and other discovery is generally more limited in arbitration than in court proceedings. • The arbitrators do not have to explain the reason(s) for their award unless, in an eligible case, a joint request for an explained decision has been submitted by all parties to the panel at least 20 days prior to the firs...
- Tue May 17, 2022 10:41 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: SMLLC Reseller: How To? [Single-Member LLC]
- Replies: 6
- Views: 454
Re: SMLLC Reseller: How To?
Presumably SMLLC means “single-member LLC”? I’ve never seen that acronym before.
- Sat Apr 23, 2022 12:26 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Number of shareholders or assets for Vanguard funds?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 885
Re: Number of shareholders or assets for Vanguard funds?
I was interested in finding a fund with a numerically small number of shareholders of record, for the purposes of limiting mailing costs when potentially engaging in shareholder activism. See my recent post for details: Vanguard would benefit from shareholder activism to address mission drift and lack of transparency
- Sat Apr 23, 2022 12:22 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Vanguard would benefit from shareholder activism to address mission drift and lack of transparency
- Replies: 3
- Views: 802
Vanguard would benefit from shareholder activism to address mission drift and lack of transparency
On its page, “Why Investors Choose Vanguard,” Vanguard writes: Vanguard is investor-owned, meaning the fund shareholders own the funds, which in turn own Vanguard. I have been a Vanguard shareholder for all my adult life, and yet I can’t remember ever exercising the voting rights that ought to come with share ownership. I've never voted for members of the Board of Directors for any of my funds, or on any question of governance at Vanguard. In practice, all Vanguard funds have boards with an identical composition, and existing directors select new directors, who are ratified by a proxy-voting process that is a mere formality. Vanguard investors (as fund shareholders) have almost zero role in the practical governance of funds and Vanguard as ...
- Sun Apr 17, 2022 1:00 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Number of shareholders or assets for Vanguard funds?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 885
Number of shareholders or assets for Vanguard funds?
Does anyone know if there is publicly available data about the number of shareholders, or the value of total net assets, for individual Vanguard funds?
I am interested in finding a Vanguard fund with a numerically small number of shareholders. If this is not available, total assets of Vanguard funds might be useful as a proxy for number of shareholders.
I am interested in finding a Vanguard fund with a numerically small number of shareholders. If this is not available, total assets of Vanguard funds might be useful as a proxy for number of shareholders.
- Thu Feb 17, 2022 9:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Best investment and brokerage for infant’s UTMA account
- Replies: 4
- Views: 813
Best investment and brokerage for infant’s UTMA account
Hi bogleheads, I’m writing with two questions about an UTMA account for a young child. I thought an UTMA account would be beneficial, because income from the account would be taxable at the child’s rate (up to $2200). For background: Our marginal income tax rate is about 44% (combined Federal, state, and local). We are funding a separate 529 plan at about $10,000 per year, in a “conservative age-based portfolio” (currently 62.5% stocks, 37.5% bonds). Goal for the 529 is to cover 4 years at $40,000 per year (current dollars). Planned contributions to the UTMA account are around $10,000 per year. Goal for the UTMA account is to minimize family taxes, and later provide a boost in child’s early adult life. UTMA age of majority in our home state...
- Mon Jan 17, 2022 6:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Seller closing costs- is this reasonable?
- Replies: 15
- Views: 2157
Re: Seller closing costs- is this reasonable?
First time selling a home and I want to know if these estimates for escrow and title are reasonable and what I can shop for or change. Title charges: Owners’s premium for 868k- $2203 Sub escrow fee- $62.50 Wire/express- $25 Messenger - $40 County transfer tax - $954.80 Escrow charges: Settlement agent fee - $2011 Document preparation fee - $350 E-doc fee - $50 Demand process - $50 Excluding the county transfer tax, this is $4,791, which is about 0.5% of $868k. This is generally on the low side as a percentage, but I still might look for a couple more quotes from escrow/closing firms, since $2400 in closing fees is pretty high in absolute terms. (The time spent preparing for the closing doesn’t really scale with home price.) In this case, I...
- Wed Jan 12, 2022 6:36 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Qualifying for an Apartment without "Income"
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1530
Re: Qualifying for an Apartment without "Income"
Maybe a regular recurring transfer from a brokerage/retirement account to your bank account would be enough to convince them?
- Wed Jan 12, 2022 9:01 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Tire issues - who to blame?
- Replies: 43
- Views: 3373
Re: Tire issues - who to blame?
Hi friends - my car is under 10 years old and other than high mileage has been a dream. No mechanical issues other than fixes when we had a front-end accident. During inspections few years ago, my back tires failed inspection and needed replacement. Mechanic 1 said it was a camber issue, fixed it/aligned it, changed tires. Not even 10,000 miles later, it happened again. Failed inspection, this time at a different guy, for same issues. We're on round 3 in about 4 years now. What gives? Each claim to have fixed the issue, and put new tires, but how can I rectify this? Is it possible that it is not any one particular person's fault, but something more underlying with the car causing more camber issues? Do I need to address this with the last ...
- Mon Jan 10, 2022 9:48 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Fairest way to split profits on RE venture (my capital and partner's labor)
- Replies: 26
- Views: 1961
Re: Fairest way to split profits on RE venture (my capital and partner's labor)
I think you may be significantly overestimating the value of your cash that you are bringing to the table. Any contractor worth his salt these days can find projects and money anywhere. In any event, I have no idea why contractor would agree to any of this. If you’re the cash, he’s the hammer, that’s what you both bring to the table. Splitsies on everything — he doesn’t charge for labor, you don’t charge for interest, and both of your reward for taking the risk is the split of the net profit after the deal. As I said in a follow-up comment above, the GC has a personal stake in fixing up house in the neighborhood he lives in. It's not just business, it's personal for him. [...] You've mentioned this twice, but this doesn't sound realistic. ...
- Fri Jan 07, 2022 3:55 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: 3x Nasdaq ETF, split 50/50 long/short, comes out ahead?
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1947
Re: 3x Nasdaq ETF, split 50/50 long/short, comes out ahead?
The answer is in the "Allocation Drift" chart.
With no rebalancing, the value of SQQQ decays to zero, and you're left with just TQQQ.
With no rebalancing, the value of SQQQ decays to zero, and you're left with just TQQQ.
- Wed Jan 05, 2022 11:22 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Amazon Delivery Hours
- Replies: 22
- Views: 1519
Re: Amazon Delivery Hours
Here is what I see:
It's possible that I see delivery time selections because I live in a large apartment building, which is classified as a business address. (Maybe livesoft sees the same.)
It's possible that I see delivery time selections because I live in a large apartment building, which is classified as a business address. (Maybe livesoft sees the same.)
- Wed Jan 05, 2022 8:35 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Amazon Delivery Hours
- Replies: 22
- Views: 1519
Re: Amazon Delivery Hours
Googling for this produces some results that seem to apply to business accounts.
You can go to "Your Account" > "Your Addresses". Then, find the relevant address and click "Edit Delivery Instructions."
When I do this, I see a way to enter begin/end times for when the address is open for deliveries. (I have an ordinary consumer account with Amazon Prime.)
You can go to "Your Account" > "Your Addresses". Then, find the relevant address and click "Edit Delivery Instructions."
When I do this, I see a way to enter begin/end times for when the address is open for deliveries. (I have an ordinary consumer account with Amazon Prime.)
- Fri Dec 31, 2021 11:12 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Putting mother-in-law on home deed
- Replies: 21
- Views: 1833
Re: Putting mother-in-law on home deed
Could a life estate qualify her for the homestead exemption? this website suggests the answer is yes: https://www.mansourtitle.com/post/real- ... -exemption
Perhaps a Texas real estate attorney could answer this question in your specific situation.
Perhaps a Texas real estate attorney could answer this question in your specific situation.
- Wed Dec 22, 2021 11:19 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Attorney and forensic investment analyst James Watkins, III, will be our next guest on "Bogleheads on Investing" podcast
- Replies: 1
- Views: 370
Re: Attorney and forensic investment analyst James Watkins, III, will be our next guest on "Bogleheads on Investing" pod
First, thank you for your great work with the podcast! I have a question for your guest. Vanguard has a 12-person board . According to one fund's "Statement of Additional Information," these twelve people serve as the trustees (board members) for 217 distinct Vanguard funds, which are trusts organized under the Investment Company Act of 1940. They also serve as the board of Vanguard, the central manager/transfer agent. My question is, does this seem appropriate? My understanding is that "Vanguard central" charges the funds for its services, and these charges constitute part of the expense ratio. In a way, it seems that Vanguard the management company has a zero-sum relationship with each individual fund, in that the Fund...
- Mon Dec 20, 2021 12:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: F.I.R.E?
- Replies: 210
- Views: 18742
Re: F.I.R.E?
All over in which way? It's- (1) Stay where I am for 13 more years (I don't think I can do this) (2) Stay where I am for the next five years until my husband retires, and then leave (3) Stay for a few years past his retirement to save more money (4) Leave where I am and get a job somewhere else while staying in the pension system (riskier, possibly higher pay/greater happiness, but no tenure) I appreciate your outside perspective. Apologies if this point has been made by others. Option 4, with potentially "higher pay/greater happiness", sounds pretty good to me. I would try looking for another teaching position in a school district near your home, with a much more reasonable commute (maybe 30 minutes or less)? Since you're very s...
- Tue Dec 07, 2021 12:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: NY Muni ETF vs. MF
- Replies: 4
- Views: 840
Re: NY Muni ETF vs. MF
Just to answer this question for anyone who comes across this thread: the VTEB income would be subject to state income taxes, and New York’s marginal tax rate can be 9 to 15% for NYC residents.
- Wed Dec 01, 2021 9:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Help to argue back my tax withhold from IRS
- Replies: 5
- Views: 839
Re: Help to argue back my tax withhold from IRS
Is the account ownership in your name or your parents’ name?
Could you simply file a federal tax return showing that the tax is not actually owed, and then get the withheld amount as a refund? Is that what you’re asking?
Could you simply file a federal tax return showing that the tax is not actually owed, and then get the withheld amount as a refund? Is that what you’re asking?
- Fri Nov 26, 2021 10:21 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: [Vanguard may remove secure messages, members transitioning out of Vanguard]
- Replies: 1334
- Views: 128685
Re: Vanguards current policy statement on Secure Messages
. Obviously they wouldn't share examples for privacy reasons, but I bet they get a lot of secure messages that aren't stellar examples of English composition either and that are either incomprehensible or trivial questions. Or, really phone-phobic customers will put some super urgent request in a secure message and then get irate when it hasn't been read by 9:05am the next day. Well, thinking back to my exchanges of secure messages, the replies from Vanguard aren’t stellar examples of responsiveness or specificity. I can recall submitting two detailed bug reports about the vanguard website, with requests for clarification about what I was seeing (eg Is the site showing shares or lots for the current market?). The replies were generic, than...
- Mon Nov 22, 2021 11:46 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: W2 job + LLC consulting - Tax Strategies
- Replies: 12
- Views: 1090
Re: W2 job + LLC consulting - Tax Strategies
Just curious, what kind of consulting business is this?
- Thu Nov 18, 2021 6:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Where to park large payment needed in a year
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1107
Re: Where to park large payment needed in a year
I have a very similar "problem."
If you want to keep it as cash, you can ensure you are fully insured under FDIC limits by (a) managing accounts co-owners or beneficiaries and (b) splitting among two institutions (e.g. Ally Bank and Marcus).
I don't think you can expect REIT funds to track residential real estate values in your community. VNG has a 5-year market beta of 0.86, so I'd say you should expect its returns to reflect general stock market returns.
If you want to keep it as cash, you can ensure you are fully insured under FDIC limits by (a) managing accounts co-owners or beneficiaries and (b) splitting among two institutions (e.g. Ally Bank and Marcus).
I don't think you can expect REIT funds to track residential real estate values in your community. VNG has a 5-year market beta of 0.86, so I'd say you should expect its returns to reflect general stock market returns.
- Wed Nov 10, 2021 4:34 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Job conundrum: Raise lower than expected, no bonus
- Replies: 34
- Views: 4818
Re: Job conundrum: Raise lower than expected, no bonus
You might get better feedback if you could share some info about what job you’re doing, and what field the company is in (e.g. “I do real estate tax accounting at an insurance company.”)
Sometimes employees or functions in non-core areas are seen as “cost centers”, and it can be harder to get a raise under those circumstances.
I also wonder whether your skills are really as non-transferable as you think, especially in this job market.
Sometimes employees or functions in non-core areas are seen as “cost centers”, and it can be harder to get a raise under those circumstances.
I also wonder whether your skills are really as non-transferable as you think, especially in this job market.
- Sun Oct 31, 2021 1:57 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How to lay out a repayment schedule for a loan to the kids?
- Replies: 86
- Views: 5673
Re: How to lay out a repayment schedule for a loan to the kids?
I agree with this: it’s much simpler if you let your children obtain loans directly, and avoids some potential ill feelings (despite any hopes to the contrary) if things don’t work out.
Is the goal of this exercise to teach about compound interest or recapitalization or anything like that?
If you do issue a direct loan, I’d suggest simple terms like 0% interest while in good standing, and payments of $500 per month.
- Wed Oct 27, 2021 11:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Asked to change job title - what to pick?
- Replies: 14
- Views: 2253
Re: Asked to change job title - what to pick?
What is the field of endeavor here? As in engineering, software development, marketing, or something else?
- Wed Oct 27, 2021 5:24 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Moving Up on the Property Ladder (Young Family with High Income and High Debt)
- Replies: 22
- Views: 2168
Re: Moving Up on the Property Ladder (Young Family with High Income and High Debt)
I’m not sure I’m following the budget either, but it seems like you have a 1-month or 1.5-month emergency fund?LawyerMom wrote: ↑Wed Oct 27, 2021 2:18 pm Hi all! Looking for feedback on moving up on the property ladder – details below and thanks in advance for any replies and advice.
Relevant Facts:
[…]
-We net about $23,000 a month (again, not counting bonuses).
[…]
-Emergency fund: We keep about $20-30K in checking/savings accounts at any given time
My first suggestion would be expanding this to three to six months of actual expenses. If Spouse #1 lost his/her job, about half the income would be gone, and the family would need to incur additional health insurance costs ($700/month) under Spouse #2’s plan.
- Mon Oct 25, 2021 11:15 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What defines a sports car?
- Replies: 18
- Views: 1452
Re: What defines a sports car?
What defines a sports car? If you look at the Chevrolet Corvette, the 0 to 60 times weren’t consistently in the mid 5 seconds until the 90s. Today, the Honda Accord Sport has a 0 to 60 time of 5.5 seconds. In other words, I could have the same performance in a family sedan today that could only be had in a Chevrolet Corvette 30 years ago. If it is really about performance, why not just go with a Tesla in Ludicrous mode that has a 0 to 60 time of 2.5 seconds? I guess there are a few distinct things that would make a car “sporty”. Engine character (e.g. torque, presence of turbo) and engine noise Straightline acceleration, e.g. zero-to-sixty time. Handling and steering feel Manual or “manumatic” transmission, or automatic transmission config...
- Fri Oct 22, 2021 9:20 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Rat/mouse hole behind Subzero fridge...
- Replies: 67
- Views: 8136
Re: Rat/mouse hole behind Subzero fridge...
In an old thread, you wrote: I didn't know he left his doors open - we only came less than a handful of times when I noticed that he left them open and this was after closing escrow. So either he knew there was a problem and was picking up the droppings after seeing them before/during escrow, basically hiding the issue, or he was that oblivious... I, along with the pest guy, suspect that the prior owner simply left the French door open all the time. The times we visited the home the door was cracked open and the time I went over while the guy was there he had the garage entry door wide open. I'm positive the things were dragging all those materials in with the doors open like that. You mentioned that the old owner may have left the doors op...
- Tue Oct 19, 2021 6:29 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: business name containing own last name, good idea?
- Replies: 21
- Views: 2138
Re: business name containing own last name, good idea?
One thing to think about: if you ever wanted to sell the business, the buyer would presumably want to keep the name and the reputation/goodwill it has. Would you be okay letting a new owner run “Anderson’s Mobile Painting Service,” or would it bother you to have your name on the building after selling?
There’s also a privacy aspect. For example, if your name is unique, people in your personal life might link your name or your children’s names to the business.
There’s also a privacy aspect. For example, if your name is unique, people in your personal life might link your name or your children’s names to the business.
- Sat Oct 16, 2021 4:10 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: My Entire Roth Account is Missing Online
- Replies: 35
- Views: 6638
Re: My Entire ROTH Account is Missing Online
Perhaps you could send Vanguard a Secure Message to inquire about this?
- Sat Oct 16, 2021 10:08 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard 401k account disappeared
- Replies: 30
- Views: 3597
Re: Vanguard 401k account disappeared
Have you tried sending a secure message to Vanguard?
- Mon Oct 11, 2021 9:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Picking out of 2 Pension Options: Constant vs Leveled for 62
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1403
Re: Picking out of 2 Pension Options: Constant vs Leveled for 62
You’re fortunate to be well-positioned with retirement assets and this pension, whichever you choose. It looks to me like the constant pension and deferred social security would cover your fixed expenses at age 70, which might be a very nice feature. Assuming 15 years of inflation at an average rate of 2%, the real payout of the pension at that point will have decreased by 35%, and combined with the social security, it would be roughly matched to expenses. (This assumes that expenses and SS payments grow with inflation, and that the $100k of expenses includes income taxes, as mentioned in the OP.) I think many people would be *very* happy to know that SS and a pension are covering their anticipated expenses. You could simply plan for withdr...
- Sat Oct 09, 2021 10:47 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Desktop/bookshelf stereo recommendations?
- Replies: 3
- Views: 634
Desktop/bookshelf stereo recommendations?
I am writing to ask if anyone has any recommendations for midrange to high-end desktop or “bookshelf” stereo system?
More specifically, the things I’m looking for are:
Budget would be $250 to $1000.
More specifically, the things I’m looking for are:
- Footprint similar to Bose Wave radio, but detached speakers could be okay
- CD player, for legacy classical music collection
- FM radio (digital radio a plus)
- Bluetooth capability
- Aesthetically nice design, as this would sit in the middle of a side table
Budget would be $250 to $1000.
- Tue Oct 05, 2021 11:38 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: HOA responsibility for snow removal in common areas
- Replies: 83
- Views: 6500
Re: HOA responsibility for snow removal in common areas
Are you saying that you have felt obligated to shovel snow, because the previous owner agreed to do it and then sold you his unit?
Maybe you could phone a couple snow removal companies, and bring two quotes for a seasonal/annual contract to the next HOA meeting? You could think of it as one or two hours of phone work now, that could save you from hours of cold, hard work this winter.
Maybe you could phone a couple snow removal companies, and bring two quotes for a seasonal/annual contract to the next HOA meeting? You could think of it as one or two hours of phone work now, that could save you from hours of cold, hard work this winter.
- Mon Sep 27, 2021 9:31 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Chase branch declines signature guarantee for TreasuryDirect form
- Replies: 91
- Views: 21220
Re: Chase branch declines signature guarantee for TreasuryDirect form
I understand this suggestion, and it might help, but I’m really hoping to get my Marcus account linked to TreasuryDirect.
Unfortunately, no reasoning was provided.
For the record, the TreasuryDirect form just needs a “signature guarantee” stamp, not the full Medallion.
- Sun Sep 26, 2021 12:34 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Chase branch declines signature guarantee for TreasuryDirect form
- Replies: 91
- Views: 21220
Chase branch declines signature guarantee for TreasuryDirect form
I have a long-standing TreasuryDirect account, and the only bank account linked to TD is a defunct, closed account. I need to add a current bank account in order to buy Savings Bonds at TD in 2021. I completed TreasuryDirect’s FS Form 5512 , which requires a signature guarantee stamp or seal. I listed my Chase Bank savings account and another account at Marcus (Goldman Sachs Bank) on the form. I took this to my local Chase Bank branch, and the banker there politely explained that he would need to submit it to the legal department for approval. After about a week, the banker called to inform me that after consideration, they must “decline” to perform the signature guarantee. I have emailed an request for reconsideration to the local branch b...
- Tue Sep 14, 2021 10:22 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: I told him to Retire! - How to Convince A Friend It's Too Early To Retire
- Replies: 75
- Views: 9180
Re: How to Convince A Friend It's Too Early To Retire
I agree. You reminded your friend of the need to purchase health insurance, which is a great service.Doom&Gloom wrote: ↑Tue Sep 14, 2021 10:19 am It sounds as if you have spoken your piece. I would call it a day and keep my friendship.
- Mon Sep 13, 2021 4:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How to calculate my Marginal and Effective tax rates
- Replies: 6
- Views: 949
Re: How to calculate my Marginal and Effective tax rates
I suppose "effective tax rate" is your total tax paid (in dollars) divided by total income (or maybe adjusted gross income); see Form 1040 lines 9 and 24.
For the marginal rate, you could re-compute your taxes after increasing your income by a small amount (say, $100), then determining the increase in total tax. This would correctly account for tax credit phaseouts etc.
A cruder, but simpler way is to refer to the Tax Computation Worksheet for Line 16 (instructions page 78), and look at the multiplication amount in column (b). Note that this can be incorrect if your income is within some tax credit phaseout window.
For the marginal rate, you could re-compute your taxes after increasing your income by a small amount (say, $100), then determining the increase in total tax. This would correctly account for tax credit phaseouts etc.
A cruder, but simpler way is to refer to the Tax Computation Worksheet for Line 16 (instructions page 78), and look at the multiplication amount in column (b). Note that this can be incorrect if your income is within some tax credit phaseout window.
- Sat Aug 28, 2021 9:17 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Landlord won't fix contaminated water in the apartment
- Replies: 188
- Views: 19723
Re: Landlord won't fix contaminated water in the apartment
What is the monthly rent you pay for this unit? Would you mind sharing the state, as landlord-tenant law is state-specific.
I ask because you mentioned owing $6k if you leave immediately with nine months remaining in the lease.
In New York State, as an example, landlords cannot collect the entire lease balance if a renter moves out—they have a duty to mitigate their damages by finding a new renter, and then can attempt to collect the actual losses from the previous tenant.
This is to say that the $6k figure they quoted may not be supported by the law in your state.
I ask because you mentioned owing $6k if you leave immediately with nine months remaining in the lease.
In New York State, as an example, landlords cannot collect the entire lease balance if a renter moves out—they have a duty to mitigate their damages by finding a new renter, and then can attempt to collect the actual losses from the previous tenant.
This is to say that the $6k figure they quoted may not be supported by the law in your state.
- Thu Aug 26, 2021 6:19 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Am I Paying too Much for Health Insurance? Any boglehead recommendations?
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1120
Re: Am I Paying too Much for Health Insurance? Any boglehead recommendations?
In which state do you live?
- Tue Jul 27, 2021 8:34 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: One month, still no counteroffer [job]
- Replies: 79
- Views: 7318
Re: One month, still no counteroffer
Did you raise pay or other benefits as part of your counteroffer proposal?
If your current company can’t make the new job official, when you are already performing that kind of work, and you have a pending offer from a competitor, it sounds like there is some kind of dysfunction.
If your current company can’t make the new job official, when you are already performing that kind of work, and you have a pending offer from a competitor, it sounds like there is some kind of dysfunction.
- Wed Jul 14, 2021 12:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Should I finish my engineering degree?
- Replies: 71
- Views: 6379
Re: Should I finish my engineering degree?
Are you a full-time or part-time student? Do you also have full-time professional commitments (e.g. an engineering job)?
- Thu Jul 08, 2021 3:31 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Treasury Direct [granting transact rights to spouse]
- Replies: 6
- Views: 851
Re: Treasury Direct [granting transact rights to spouse]
I am still hoping to recover transaction rights for myself on my own TreasuryDirect account.
- Fri Jun 11, 2021 11:42 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard Voyager phone number?
- Replies: 14
- Views: 2251
Re: Vanguard Voyager phone number?
I called Vanguard's main number, and according to the person I spoke to, the special Voyager phone numbers were eliminated in early 2020.
This person also helped me complete my business with Vanguard in a very professional and efficient manner, so I was quite satisfied with my phone support experience, even without the mystique of an exclusive number.
This person also helped me complete my business with Vanguard in a very professional and efficient manner, so I was quite satisfied with my phone support experience, even without the mystique of an exclusive number.
- Fri Jun 11, 2021 9:53 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard Voyager phone number?
- Replies: 14
- Views: 2251
Vanguard Voyager phone number?
Reading threads here about Vanguard's Voyager and Voyager Select status, the consensus seems to be: there are no advantages to these status tiers, except perhaps a special phone line to reach Vanguard.
Well, as a Voyager client, my time has finally come: I need to call Vanguard, and I'm looking for that special phone number. I'm expecting a metaphorical red carpet and velvet ropes as I wait on hold.
The trouble is, I can't find any reference to it on Vanguard's site. Has Vanguard removed the one tangible benefit associated with these status tiers?
Well, as a Voyager client, my time has finally come: I need to call Vanguard, and I'm looking for that special phone number. I'm expecting a metaphorical red carpet and velvet ropes as I wait on hold.
The trouble is, I can't find any reference to it on Vanguard's site. Has Vanguard removed the one tangible benefit associated with these status tiers?