Search found 283 matches

by Spades
Wed Dec 31, 2014 8:22 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: myRA is now open
Replies: 37
Views: 6236

Re: myRA is now open

Petunia wrote:
Perhaps in the future, myRA will offer access to the other TSP funds.
I'm sure a lot of us would like more TSP in our Roth IRAs!

I think I'm going to pass on the myRA since I don't need additional TSP G fund in my Roths.

:sharebeer
by Spades
Tue Dec 30, 2014 5:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: myRA is now open
Replies: 37
Views: 6236

Re: myRA is now open

linguini wrote: And I get that $15k may not be life-changing to most bogleheads in the grand scheme of things, but when you reach that $15k you just roll the MyRA into your existing Roth IRA, which doesn't seem like some sort of onerous activity to me when you consider that half the forum is opening and closing a new IRA account every single year to squeeze a few thousand dollars of extra tax advantaged space as part of the backdoor Roth.
So once the myRA hits $15k then all of it has to be rolled over and another myRA can never be opened again? It seems odd that we can't let it cap at $15k and then tell the additional interest where to go.
by Spades
Wed Nov 19, 2014 2:00 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Banking Culture Breeds Dishonesty?
Replies: 7
Views: 1362

Banking Culture Breeds Dishonesty?

Here's a fun article summarizing the University Of Zurich research. I'm not saying it. The Swiss are saying it. Just more evidence to stay a Boglehead.

Article:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/ ... V120141119

Nature Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/va ... 13977.html

:sharebeer
by Spades
Tue Sep 16, 2014 6:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dave Ramsey: The Legacy Journey
Replies: 41
Views: 9533

Re: Dave Ramsey: The Legacy Journey

feh wrote:I consider him a huckster. Stories like the OP's only strengthen that opinion.

All the methods/info people need to get out of debt is available for free. This web site is a fine example.
I was a co-leader in a financial coaching ministry and I would say that there is a sizeable minority that need this information. Common financial sense and current financial scam prevention advice are not being teached in school or by all parents. It's a small niche advice market he's cornered I think. I think saying huckster is too far, probably more like an energetic common sense salesman (sorry for making it wordy).
by Spades
Tue Sep 16, 2014 9:02 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dave Ramsey: The Legacy Journey
Replies: 41
Views: 9533

Re: Dave Ramsey: The Legacy Journey

Johm221122 wrote:There is no need for Dave, you have Bogleheads
http://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Getting_started

John
+1

:beer
by Spades
Mon Sep 15, 2014 8:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dave Ramsey: The Legacy Journey
Replies: 41
Views: 9533

Re: Dave Ramsey: The Legacy Journey

I would say that the Legacy Journey really just focuses on Baby Steps 4 and above. It's mainly about continuing to stay out of debt, preserving and building wealth, and being a blessing to family and others. I do find that there is little content to really cover for people on these steps, because it doesn't cover saving or wise consumption. I've heard that the leadership book he put out is more worthwhile than this one. I'll probably wait to get the book when I find it at Goodwill.

:sharebeer
by Spades
Sat Apr 19, 2014 9:45 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Beware VG DOES NOT update all your account values [UPDATE]
Replies: 61
Views: 13830

Re: Beware Vanguard DOES NOT update all your account values

Livesoft,

That's a great find. While I'm with Fidelity, I sure hope Vanguard fixes this.

:sharebeer
by Spades
Thu Feb 27, 2014 7:58 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Risks and costs of Tax Loss Harvesting
Replies: 18
Views: 2049

Re: Risks and costs of Tax Loss Harvesting

kenyan wrote:I haven't ever used a TLH strategy, but I know that if/when I position myself to have taxable investments again, I will do so in a manner that will allow me to immediately repurchase a similar but not substantially identical investment. I don't personally like the 'out of the market for 31 days' method.
Kenyan,

When you are able to position yourself, I highly recommend it. It saved a significant amount in taxes for me, just this year. I think I will take Don Christy's, Livesoft's, and DBR's advice to find a way to stay in the market. I did enjoy their discussion in HOW to stay in the market while tax loss harvesting.

Right now, I'm leaning lump summing :twisted: .

:sharebeer
by Spades
Mon Feb 24, 2014 9:00 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Risks and costs of Tax Loss Harvesting
Replies: 18
Views: 2049

Re: Risks and costs of Tax Loss Harvesting

Thank you for the response DBR. I think your recommendation for not worrying about being out the market for 1/12th of the time is a good one. I would like to point out that I listed both costs and risks. The certainties are the costs, or benefits. What do you think is a reasonable opportunity for TLH?

:sharebeer
by Spades
Mon Feb 24, 2014 7:50 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Risks and costs of Tax Loss Harvesting
Replies: 18
Views: 2049

Re: Risks and costs of Tax Loss Harvesting

Just a quick update since I've submitted my taxes. I'm happy to report that Tax Loss Harvesting lowered my income a decent amount this year. Hopefully, if the situation arises for more TLH this year I can move the funds into a reallocation to my Asset Allocation Plan.

:sharebeer
by Spades
Thu Nov 21, 2013 6:01 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: If you were retired, how would you spend your time?
Replies: 90
Views: 12885

Re: If you were retired, how would you spend your time?

Great thread.

1. I'm going to start a small business to keep me occupied

2. Volunteer more (church probably)

3. Spend time with family

4. Drink beer and sit on a rocking chair

:sharebeer
by Spades
Mon Oct 14, 2013 10:30 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Allan Roth Investigative Reporting -- Wow.
Replies: 18
Views: 4568

Re: Allan Roth Investigative Reporting -- Wow.

Great article. I really appreciated the thoroughness of the follow through of the author. It shows motivation and wisdom.

:sharebeer
by Spades
Sun Oct 13, 2013 7:23 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: TSP Lazy Porfolio with 4 funds
Replies: 41
Views: 7903

Re: TSP Lazy Porfolio with 4 funds

abuss368 wrote:When I read that it makes me feel better about the long term viability of the Roth IRA's in general.
So I'm trolling through old updated threads I haven't read for awhile.

+1, I didn't think about that. It makes a lot of sense that the Roth IRA will be politically protected more now since it is part of the TSP/federal retirement plan.

:sharebeer
by Spades
Tue Sep 17, 2013 7:32 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: TSP Lazy Porfolio with 4 funds
Replies: 41
Views: 7903

Re: TSP Lazy Porfolio with 4 funds

Additionally, what are fellow TSP'ers thoughts on not even using G or F funds? At 44 and 20+ years of service, aside from the first couple of years everything has been in C, S, and I, even the down years around 2008. I know there's the rule of thumb about having a bond percentage equivalent to your age, but how does a pension figure into that mix, assuming that pension will exist at retirement? If I were to retire at 62, I'd have 42 years of service (holy carp!!!), giving me 46% of my high 3 salary as pension or 41.6% with full survivor benefit. Perhaps mistakenly I look at that contribution as my bond portfolio. In other words, I can afford to be more aggressive with the C, S, and I funds due to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, ...
by Spades
Thu Sep 05, 2013 3:18 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: I just don't get this rise in interest rates
Replies: 104
Views: 10531

Re: I just don't get this rise in interest rates

I think our best guess is because everyone thinks that rates will go up when QE stops. So rates are going up because people are demanding lower prices on bonds now because they say they'll just wait till QE stops.

Nice avatar Johnny Ringo; I'm your huckleberry.

:sharebeer
by Spades
Mon Aug 26, 2013 7:35 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Risks and costs of Tax Loss Harvesting
Replies: 18
Views: 2049

Re: Risks and costs of Tax Loss Harvesting

I would have no problems doing TLH of a bond fund ... if I had a bond fund in a taxable account and it lost money. Indeed, I would not buy any fund in taxable unless I already had earmarked the fund that I would use to TLH it. For example, suppose I bought Vanguard Total Bond Market Index in taxable and it lost money. I would just exchange Total Bond Market Index fund into the Intermediate-term bond index fund. Thus, there would be no risks and no costs for doing the tax-loss harvesting. Great idea, I didn't think about that. Yeah, well I re-adjusted some time ago and then bonds fell a little bit. So I'm stuck in this situation because I invested a lot of my income directly into taxable and maxed out my ROTH IRA and not my TSP. as well You...
by Spades
Mon Aug 26, 2013 8:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Choice Of Weapon For Personal Home Self Defense
Replies: 123
Views: 11677

Re: Choice Of Weapon For Personal Home Self Defense

From the FBI:

703.2 burglaries per 100,000 people annually. So your chance is about .7%. Of those 60% are forcible entries meaning if someone is coming to burglarize you're home they are most liking bringing force and violence with them. Thus, you need the ability to respond to their force and violence.

I hope this source is useful:
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/cr ... e/burglary

:sharebeer
by Spades
Mon Aug 26, 2013 7:37 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Risks and costs of Tax Loss Harvesting
Replies: 18
Views: 2049

Risks and costs of Tax Loss Harvesting

Howdy All,

So I did my first round of purposeful tax loss harvesting (TLH) with my bonds. I was curious what everyone thought were the risk and costs of TLH.

Risks:
1. The biggest risk I can think of is if the investments that are sold are repurchased at a new price greater than the net tax savings.
2. Lossing some of the value of the investments sold if placed into a riskier investment than a savings account (my sale is relaxing in checking for a month).

Costs:
1. Lossing out on interest and dividends for 31 days.

So what do y'all think?

:sharebeer
by Spades
Mon Aug 26, 2013 7:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Choice Of Weapon For Personal Home Self Defense
Replies: 123
Views: 11677

Re: Choice Of Weapon For Personal Home Self Defense

I agree with the shotgun recommendations. That is a great personal defense weapon and the racking of a round will help deter people as well. I also recommend a good fixed blade knife because you might run out of ammo.

For the crazy folks like me.... get a side arm with a aiming point laser filled with Hyrda-shok rounds. Gotta focus all of the energy into the target.

:sharebeer
by Spades
Wed Aug 14, 2013 7:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: USAA disappoints!
Replies: 67
Views: 12193

Re: USAA disappoints!

Oh if the munchkin man is making comments here we must be onto something.

I still think USAA's customer service is great. I used them two days ago when the State of Georgia [messed up --admin LadyGeek] and said my insurance was expired and wanted to charge me. USAA sent my information to Georgia and it was cleared up yesterday.

Yeah they're banking and investment options [stink --admin LadyGeek]. I like their insurance and checking though.

:sharebeer
by Spades
Sun Aug 11, 2013 10:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Frugal vs. do it yourself
Replies: 41
Views: 5168

Re: Frugal vs. do it yourself

likegarden wrote:I need exercise, so I do yardwork. My doctor said that walking, bending, digging and lifting is just what my body needs, plus I breathe in fresh air, get some sunshine and do not get exposed to bad air and germs in a gym.
Hmm, health and fitness benefits. I need to think about those too, but I love my gym too much......
by Spades
Sun Aug 11, 2013 7:22 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Frugal vs. do it yourself
Replies: 41
Views: 5168

Re: Frugal vs. do it yourself

Paying someone else to do yard work is one of the most enjoyable things I spend money on. I hate yard work. I've seen plumbers work replacing water heaters and such, the things a pro can do in an hour would take me all day (and I still may not get it right). I'll fix my own computer, if my car's "check engine" comes on I'll read it with the OBD2 and may consider replacing a part that's easily accessible. Most of the time i'll pay someone else to change the oil. I don't have a good place to do it, and by the time I pay for a filter, disposal, etc.. it's pretty close to what some oil change specialty places charge :sharebeer I do have to admit that I do hire a guy to mow my lawn. I find it to be a great way of buying more free time...
by Spades
Sun Aug 11, 2013 7:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Frugal vs. do it yourself
Replies: 41
Views: 5168

Re: Frugal vs. do it yourself

stoptothink wrote: I am not handy at all, but I pretty much refuse to pay anybody to do something I am capable of doing myself even if technically my time is worth more than what I would be spending to have a "professional" handle it.

That's what I'm thinking, it's finding the unskilled chores like cleaning the house, washing the car, or mowing the lawn where we can save money by doing them ourselves, but fixing the washer and dryer, or the HVAC probably needs someone with knowledge.

I saw a quote yesterday I hadn't given too much thought into before: Penny wise, Pound foolish.
by Spades
Sat Aug 10, 2013 6:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Frugal vs. do it yourself
Replies: 41
Views: 5168

Frugal vs. do it yourself

Howdy All,

I was just wanting to try and see what ideas y'all had that were frugal in long run that focused on having other people doing the work. The idea popped in my head while I was reading The Millionaire Mind. For example, I hire a plumber to fix my water heater and all other plumbing stuff. In my reasoning, the plumber will do a much better job and cost less in the long run than doing it myself because he'll use better parts and has better knowledge.

Although, I do almost all of my minor car work because I do have the ability to do it.

So what ideas do y'all have?

:sharebeer
by Spades
Sun Jul 21, 2013 10:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is this a good rental property? Would you buy?
Replies: 25
Views: 2276

Re: Is this a good rental property? Would you buy?

As a renter, I would use the RUBs system. I like paying my own utility bills and puts responsibility on the renter. You want to encourage responsible renters going into your place. How much area is there for mowing? Renters in a duplex setting don't want to take care of a yard much. Is the area a desirable one? Is there a nearby park or beach? I'm coming at this as a renter and how attractive your place is to others.

:sharebeer
by Spades
Sun Jul 21, 2013 10:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Shoe recommendation
Replies: 20
Views: 3882

Re: Shoe recommendation

No idea. I wear boots and athletic shoes for work now, but when I was a car hop I used Rock port grandpa style shoes. I'd give Rock port a try.

:sharebeer
by Spades
Thu Jul 18, 2013 6:51 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 24 year old new to investing
Replies: 11
Views: 2264

Re: 24 year old new to investing

Kevin1989 wrote:Wow, good replies! I live in Chicago, Illinois.

Now to read up on some of these links you've all posted, and research how much Emerging Markets is included within the International fund my 401k plan has. :D
Sorry to hear you live surrounded by cubs, Go Cardinals! :twisted:

If you have any problems with looking up how much Emerging Markets, let us know and we can help. Since, I'm with Fidelity I look at the quarterly holdings reports.
by Spades
Tue Jul 16, 2013 3:37 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 24 year old new to investing
Replies: 11
Views: 2264

Re: 24 year old new to investing

ruralavalon wrote:
In my opinion your proposed allocation to Emerging Markets is way too high. Remember that Total Int'l is already 16% Emerging Markets, VTIAX, on Morningstar , (15 X .16 = 2.4), so adding that the amount of Emerging Mkts fund you propose (10%) gives you a total of about 50% of your international in emerging markets (2.4 + 10 = 12.4 emerging mkts; 12.4/25 = 49.6% of int'l in emerging mkts). This is much more than Mr. Swedroe suggests in his Model Portfolios (16% of int'l, p.166) or in his Sample Portfolios (33% of int'l, Appendix I).
Nice recommendation. I guess I need to buy a Swedroe book.....

:sharebeer
by Spades
Tue Jul 16, 2013 6:43 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 24 year old new to investing
Replies: 11
Views: 2264

Re: 24 year old new to investing

Kevin,

Sounds great. If you're looking at emerging markets here are two recent articles by Larry Swedroe you might want to read.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505123_162- ... g-markets/
http://seekingalpha.com/article/1081411 ... -for-yield

The VEMRX might be a good choice, by Swedroe specifically suggests VEIEX. I didn't compare the two, because I get lazy....., and they might be fairly similar.

:sharebeer
by Spades
Fri Jul 12, 2013 8:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 24 year old new to investing
Replies: 11
Views: 2264

Re: 24 year old new to investing

Index Allocation Strategy for next few years is… Small Cap Value 25% (Expense Ratio: 0.24) – Roth IRA Total International 25% (Expense Ratio: 0.10) – Company Roth 401k Large Cap Value 15% (Expense Ratio: 0.08) – Company Roth 401k Small Cap Index 20% (Expense Ratio: 0.06) – Company Roth 401k Large Growth 5% (Expense Ratio: 0.08) – Company Roth 401k REIT 10% (Expense Ratio: 0.08) – Company Roth 401k Howdy Kevin, So why no bonds? You're missing out on a lot of diversity in investments without them and it will possibly help stabilize your portfolio. Also, with a rising rate environment, you should be wanting to capture all of those wonderful gains in yield. I recommend looking to simplify your portfolio by removing the large cap and large grow...
by Spades
Sun Jul 07, 2013 3:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Reverse mortgages, are they good, bad or ??
Replies: 9
Views: 2145

Re: Reverse mortgages, are they good, bad or ??

My first impression would be that they are terrible and lead to the loss of your home no matter what. Why not sell the house and move into a cheaper living space that is affordable and stable? I had a family do just that by selling her home and moving into a retirement community apartment.

:sharebeer
by Spades
Sun Jul 07, 2013 3:07 pm
Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
Topic: Bogleheads Without Avatars
Replies: 197
Views: 23962

Re: Bogleheads Without Avatars

htdrag11 wrote:Done, but it's not painless.
I've heard you can't teach old dogs new tricks, but what about cats?

:sharebeer
by Spades
Thu Jun 27, 2013 6:04 pm
Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
Topic: Bogleheads Without Avatars
Replies: 197
Views: 23962

Re: Bogleheads Without Avatars

I don't know... a standard start avatar will make it more confusing to figure out who is posting to me because a lot of people will have the same avatar.

I like the way it is. Let people who want avatars to put them up. Still, it is easier when people have avatars.

:sharebeer
by Spades
Sun Jun 23, 2013 2:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Holding onto bonds. You agree?
Replies: 34
Views: 5610

Re: Holding on bonds. You agree?

pteam wrote:The fed has said that they will continue buying bonds til at least the fall of this year and not raise interest rates til next year . The drop you are seeing in bonds is from everybody panic selling, not interest rates.
It could also be that people who are buying are saying, sell to me at this rate or I'll just wait till the Fed stops buying at low rates.

:sharebeer
by Spades
Sun Jun 23, 2013 2:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: "Why yes, yes I am."
Replies: 39
Views: 7935

Re: "Why yes, yes I am."

mickeyd wrote:After reading hundreds (thousands?) of successful Bogleheads post here over the past half dozen years or so, I think the common thread that occurs in all of their tales of success is that they started saving/investing early and often. It's not magic; just common sense.
Agreed.

Assumer, I think you are talking to a selective audience too. There are not going to be many people on this forum that are not savers, thus we don't have their opinion. I think starting early with saving no matter how little pays off in the long run by teaching wisdom and gaining in financial knowledge.

No, delaying to start saving is a bad idea.

:sharebeer
by Spades
Thu Jun 20, 2013 6:37 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: U.S. stocks in free fall
Replies: 36221
Views: 4653075

Re: U.S. stocks in freefall

ofcmetz wrote:
Rick Ferri wrote:Darn! My US total stock market index fund is only up 12% for the year now. How can I live on that? :wink:

Rick Ferri

Stop putting things in perspective :oops:

This thread is about running for the hills to avoid the doom!
+1 for both of y'all

:sharebeer
by Spades
Tue Jun 18, 2013 8:06 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Survivorship bias essay
Replies: 3
Views: 764

Re: Survivorship bias essay

nisiprius wrote:There are literally thousands of stock indexes, and there must in fact be indexes that have been discontinued... and index funds and ETFs that have been discontinued.
Here's one I just found.

http://www.indexuniverse.com/sections/n ... onday.html

It looks like the fund owners are chasing returns in other indexes versus making a whole new index.

I found an old post about E-trade discontinuing their ETFs, but I don't think I totally understand why they did it.

Do you see any other examples?
by Spades
Tue Jun 18, 2013 7:29 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Survivorship bias essay
Replies: 3
Views: 764

Survivorship bias essay

I read an interesting eassy on Survivorship bias here: http://youarenotsosmart.com/2013/05/23/ ... ship-bias/

Any ideas on how we can collect data on bad index investing strategies to make ourselves better?

:sharebeer
by Spades
Mon Jun 17, 2013 6:55 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bond Funds Tanking
Replies: 99
Views: 11216

Re: Bond Funds Tanking

PS56k,

How did you get the legend from your chart to show? Are you using M*? It's very interesting to see the change in your graphs when May began. Did something happen in May?

:sharebeer
by Spades
Sun Jun 16, 2013 7:35 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bond Funds Tanking
Replies: 99
Views: 11216

Re: Bond Funds Tanking

Alright here goes my first attempt to put a M* chart on here....

Image

Nikkei 225 (blue) vs. Tanking Bond Market (VBMFX) (yellow)

Anyone know how to get the legend to show up?

:sharebeer
by Spades
Sat Jun 15, 2013 5:43 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bond Funds Tanking
Replies: 99
Views: 11216

Re: Bond Funds Tanking

Another thing I'd like to add. It is always a puzzle. I have posted before on the "two-humped camel," bond interest rates go through cycles that are so slow that there have only been two complete cycles since 1900. Certainly one cannot ignore the likelihood, the seeming certainty that one secular trend is about to end and another is about to begin. However, one really needs to keep in mind that nobody ever thinks the present time is normal. It is only the past, that delusional golden era, that was "normal." The present is always seen as being turbulent, chaotic, and befraught with peril. One of the absolute constants of investing is that if you say you intend to stay the course, there are always people telling you that ...
by Spades
Thu Jun 13, 2013 10:32 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Frontline--The Retirement Gamble
Replies: 325
Views: 58990

Re: Frontline--The Retirement Gamble

Interesting. Hard to believe that lower compensation correlates with poor 401k investment choices. I think you're implying that lower-paid employees are less educated and therefore make poor choices because of that. But i think it's more likely that the correlation isn't due to education but rather risk aversion. Regarding my coworkers who I know a bit about their 401k investments, what you noted holds true but from our discussions my feeling is that the lesser-paid ones feel they can't risk losing what they have so they lean towards safer investments like bond funds and Stable Value, while the ones who make more definitely buy more smaller cap and foreign funds. Yet another reason the rich get richer, and in my view probably the main reas...
by Spades
Wed Jun 12, 2013 8:26 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Frontline--The Retirement Gamble
Replies: 325
Views: 58990

Re: Frontline--The Retirement Gamble

Good article. I agree the Frontline piece was trying to scare it's viewers, but that was probably to keep them watching and interested. The author is right in that Frontline could have expanded how Americans can start saving, why we save so little, and how to involve that with retirement plans. I'm glad the author concluded with praising the piece. Now only if we could make being a boglehead exciting to the masses....

:sharebeer
by Spades
Tue Jun 04, 2013 6:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: The Boglehead Car -- What is It?
Replies: 150
Views: 17304

Re: The Boglehead Car -- What is It?

Ugh, how often have we argued on this?! I'm a conflicted man.... I want an H1 and a prius.....

:sharebeer
by Spades
Sun Jun 02, 2013 7:38 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: New to investing *military *TSP
Replies: 40
Views: 2545

Re: New to investing *military *TSP

You also need a short-term-needs fund for other upcoming expenses like a new car, grad school, fancy vacation, house down-payment, etc. Depending on when you will need the money you can use the above accounts and maybe add a short-term bond fund like ( VBISX ) Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund Investor Shares (0.22%) in taxable. Normally you don't want taxable bonds in taxable, but this is for short-term needs so it's acceptable. This is also not part of your retirement portfolio. I do a similar option for my emergency fund/short term savings by putting it into a short term bond index. You just need to calculate how much you need to sell out of it for taxes and you're set. What other questions are thinking about? Have you given considera...
by Spades
Sun Jun 02, 2013 7:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: France - Paris / Nice - Must do List
Replies: 92
Views: 16960

Re: France - Paris / Nice - Must do List

IIRC, there's a Rodin museum in Paris as well that is exquisite. I recently visited Normandy and that was a blast, but you ain't heading that way. Mont St. Michel is must up there after the D-Day beaches.

:sharebeer
by Spades
Sat Jun 01, 2013 11:22 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Top 1% Control 39% of World's Wealth
Replies: 5
Views: 859

Re: Top 1% Control 39% of World's Wealth

makes sense that people who figure out how to retain wealth have a larger portion of it

eh, no big deal to me

:sharebeer
by Spades
Sat Jun 01, 2013 11:20 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: New to investing *military *TSP
Replies: 40
Views: 2545

Re: New to investing *military *TSP

Mustaine, Don't rush yourself, make a plan together, and execute it. Now, if I were you... I'd transfer those CDs as fast as possible with minimal fees to Vanguard to start building your roths. I'm in the Army and I love the TSP. It is a great way to do index investing (which is what we on this forum prefer). The TSP has some of the lowest expense ratios and there is a roth option now. I'm glad to see someone already put up emergdoc's military investing thread up for you. If you are able to live on your income and 30% of your wife's, then putting that 70% of her income into investing is a good idea. I would do a hybrid plan of trying to max the roth TSP and putting some into taxable investments. The reason being is this puts wealth into a t...
by Spades
Wed May 29, 2013 8:19 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: If I pay off my mortgage... I can save more...
Replies: 43
Views: 4672

Re: If I pay off my mortgage... I can save more...

As for "I can save more..." that doesn't make any sense. Suppose I have a savings account with $100,000 in it and mortage balance of $100,000. That means I have a net position of zero. You can save more from your paycheck by taking the mortgage payment from your $100,000. So let's say payment is $1,000. So you take $1,000 from savings and pay monthly mortgage and then you take $1,000 from paycheck and put it back into savings. I hope you can see that you still have $100,000 in savings. You have not saved any more. So you can increase your contributions to 403(b) and Roth without paying off your mortgage. Just use the money in savings to increase your 403(b) and Roth. Interesting idea. That would be useful if you're not able to ma...
by Spades
Wed May 29, 2013 8:07 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Investing: Is it an art or science?
Replies: 47
Views: 3762

Re: Investing: Is it an art or science?

Abe wrote:I know the author is plugging his fee only service, but I thought this article was interesting regarding the art and science of investing

http://www.centralpennbusiness.com/arti ... ng-be-both?
I believe investing is more art than science, because we cannot predict what our investing will do, unlike science/physics where we can accurately predict actions.

I do think that the study of investing is important though and much wisdom can be gained.

:sharebeer