Search found 1030 matches

by BigD53
Sun Sep 23, 2012 6:04 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Will you get an iPhone 5?
Replies: 108
Views: 10010

Re: Will you get an iPhone 5?

I'm still using a 12 year old desktop computer with a dial-up internet connection. 10 bucks a month. :D

What's that tell ya.
by BigD53
Mon Sep 10, 2012 12:39 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Taking Some off the Table?
Replies: 69
Views: 8784

Re: Taking Some off the Table?

I spend more than $485 a month on pizza.
by BigD53
Sun Aug 19, 2012 9:43 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Penfed giving away money????
Replies: 12
Views: 5402

Re: Penfed giving away money????

protagonist wrote:Penfed offers auto loans at 1.49% APY up to 60 months. How can they do this?
That's definitely a good rate. But even better is the 0% for 60 Mos rate that Toyota and other manufactures are offing this time of year on 2012 models.
by BigD53
Thu Aug 09, 2012 12:22 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Your Best One Line of Wisdom
Replies: 238
Views: 24028

Re: Your Best One Line of Wisdom

Before you do anything else, take 10% out of each paycheck and put it away into long-term savings.
by BigD53
Mon Jul 16, 2012 12:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How Should I Split My Fixed Income?
Replies: 2
Views: 778

Re: How Should I Split My Fixed Income?

Skerrick wrote:I am very young and will be maintaining a 15% FI allocation for the next 10yrs.
Even at a young age, I would simply do a 50/50 split between Total Bond Index, and the Inflation Protected fund. Keep adding to it every payday, don't even think about it, and just let it ride... :beer
by BigD53
Fri Jul 13, 2012 1:04 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Wellesley Income Fund
Replies: 29
Views: 14505

Re: Wellesley Income Fund

I agree with above except for the pizza. I don't eat pizza because I want to live longer, to about 100 or so. Ah heck, there's always a "health nut" in the group! :D Age 80 is about my limit. Not much interested in going on after that. And the earlier I go, the happier my heirs will be! Pizza is probably the healthiest thing I eat! I get all the veggies on it. :) But the way the world's economy is going, I'd better take up drinking! Excuse me, while I look for that "cheap Bourbon" thread....... 8-) I think a simple combination of Wellesley and Target Retirement Income is a fine choice for conservative retirees. I even owned it before I was retired. I'm very conservative, have a COLA adjusted pension, and don't need to t...
by BigD53
Fri Jul 13, 2012 12:49 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 3rd California city in 2 weeks files for bankruptcy
Replies: 60
Views: 7480

Re: 3rd California city in 2 weeks files for bankruptcy

One of the financial pundits is saying the city of Riverside will be the next to flame out. (Neighbor of San Bernardino.)

And of course, the former Mayor of Los Angeles, Richard J. Riordan, is well known for saying that LA will (and should) declare bankruptcy in the next couple of years. Now that might make some waves! :shock:

In the meantime, my CA Muni Fund has gone up the past few days. :happy
by BigD53
Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:30 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Wellesley Income Fund
Replies: 29
Views: 14505

Re: Wellesley Income Fund

Time for the "Wellesley Bashers" to come out of the closet again. Every time I see the Wellesley fund mentioned, the same old stale arguments pop up: "I would never own an active fund!" "Wellesley has a lot of bonds!" "Wellesley will get hurt when interest rates rise!" "You don't have enough growth!" "Wellesley only has 60 stocks!" Poppycock. Since the inception of Wellesley in 1970, did interest rates never go up? Check the stats and see. How did the fund do? Great. Since the inception of Wellesley in 1970, did having only 60 stocks ever hurt the fund? Nope. Since the inception of Wellesley in 1970, what is the worst down year this "terrible active fund" has had? (Answer...
by BigD53
Wed Jul 11, 2012 9:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Twenty Dollar Bourbon
Replies: 39
Views: 5408

Re: Best Twenty Dollar Bourbon

A fifth of Bourbon every payday? Let's hope you're only paid once per month! :D

You might want to save that money for a future liver transplant. :shock: :beer
by BigD53
Tue Jul 10, 2012 11:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can I afford this luxury car?
Replies: 133
Views: 14403

Re: Can I afford this luxury car?

Save yourself the stress, frustration, expense, and heartaches. Don't have any kids!

Problem solved.

Now you can get yourself a new Corvette, and really have some fun! :D
by BigD53
Sun Jul 08, 2012 4:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Ally CDs rates going up within 4 years?
Replies: 32
Views: 4020

Re: Ally CDs rates going up within 4 years?

tc101 wrote:I wonder if Ally will find some way to avoid letting you bump up the 4 year CD rate. It seems to me there are too many ways for them to avoid ever letting anyone actually bump up the rate.
I agree. I wouldn't place so much faith in those "bump up your rate" gimmicks. Just because interest rates rise, that doesn't mean Ally (or any other bank) has to jack up their rates. (of course, they may lose a few customers, too.)
by BigD53
Sat Jul 07, 2012 7:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: buying a car- tell me your story
Replies: 57
Views: 7749

Re: buying a car- tell me your story

cacophony wrote:That's kind of what dealerships want and expect. You're planning their game, according to their rules, on their turf. If you really want a truly low price you should try competitive bidding.
Rest assured, I also do the "competitive bidding" process. And when I select the finalist (lowest bidder), I'll go to the dealer, and I still want to see a detailed list of ALL fees. Low bidder or not, I still want to see the details!

And out comes my red pen! (delete this, reduce this, negotiate this.....) A true Boglehead!

I'm retired, and in NO hurry. :beer
by BigD53
Sat Jul 07, 2012 2:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What would you ask of PenFed?
Replies: 22
Views: 2963

Re: What would you ask of PenFed?

Thanks, Huey. But I'm old and grumpy! :happy Why should I have to pay for a wire transfer to get my own money out?! This situation is easily solved by PenFed: Just upgrade the crummy ACH security program!

Vanguard has an excellent ACH service... for both deposits and withdrawals. Maybe PenFed needs to speak with Vanguard, and see how the pros do it! :beer

Back to snail mail with PenFed......... :x
by BigD53
Sat Jul 07, 2012 1:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What would you ask of PenFed?
Replies: 22
Views: 2963

Re: What would you ask of PenFed?

From the article Langkawi linked to, above:

"There is one issue with this new ACH transfer service. ACH transfers are limited to $5,000 per day and per transaction. In my opinion, that's a small limit. I know many readers who have over $100,000 in PenFed CDs. If they want to move their money when their PenFed CDs mature, this transfer service won't be that useful."

I'll say it's not useful! You can only ACH $5,000 a day? Back to snail mail..... :annoyed
by BigD53
Sat Jul 07, 2012 1:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What would you ask of PenFed?
Replies: 22
Views: 2963

Re: What would you ask of PenFed?

Kevin M wrote:Just have interest deposited into a savings account at PenFed, then pull with ACH from your hub bank. Kevin
Have you actually tried that with PenFed? It won't work.

I have money in a savings account at PenFed, and as of last month, I was told the only way to get it out, is to write or Fax them a letter, and they will send me a check in the mail. No ACH.

They are ridiculous. You can easily ACH money to PenFed... but they can't (or won't) ACH it back to you.
by BigD53
Sat Jul 07, 2012 11:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: buying a car- tell me your story
Replies: 57
Views: 7749

Re: buying a car- tell me your story

LadyGeek wrote:OK, I give. It's a 2012 Honda CR-V LX AWD.
Excellent choice! When I decide to buy another vehicle, the Honda CRV is on the top of my list. I'm tired of having to squeeze my 6'-4" frame into compacts. :D
I also requested that the dealer's logo be removed from the hatch door prior to delivery. I hate those things. It took them under 5 minutes to remove it and I used my own license plate frame (no dealer logo).
I do the same. First thing. Enjoy your new Honda!
by BigD53
Sat Jul 07, 2012 10:42 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What would you ask of PenFed?
Replies: 22
Views: 2963

Re: What would you ask of PenFed?

What would I ask of PenFed?

The same thing I've been asking them for 6 years: "Why no ACH???"

I requested monthly CD interest be sent to me. The only way they can send it is by US Mail. Well, I'm a pretty patient guy, so it's not too big a deal. I get a check about the 6th of each month from the mailman.

But wouldn't it be much more efficient (and cost effective) to transfer my monthly interest electronically (ACH)? Every other bank does it! PenFed said they've had "security problems" in the past, and discontinued the ACH transfers. PHOOEY! Why don't you fix the darn security problem?!

Needless to say, their answer didn't give me much confidence in PenFed.
by BigD53
Sat Jul 07, 2012 10:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: buying a car- tell me your story
Replies: 57
Views: 7749

Re: buying a car- tell me your story

So, what kind of vehicle did Lady Geek buy? You are keeping us in suspense. :D
by BigD53
Sat Jul 07, 2012 10:22 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: buying a car- tell me your story
Replies: 57
Views: 7749

Re: buying a car- tell me your story

There are a million different ways dealers can make money. All you should really care about is the final out the door price (including all taxes and fees). I absolutely agree. And that's why I want a detailed list of all the fees... before I agree to the sale. Usually, when you ask for the "out-the-door-price" , the salesperson will return with a sheet of paper that has a number on it, circled in red. It might be a pretty good number... but there are no details of all the fees! (They could still be charging you 500 bucks for documents and a car wash.) Poppycock! I want to see every last darn fee on that piece of paper... and then I will begin the process of negotiating each and every separate fee! And I will bring my own red pen!...
by BigD53
Wed Jul 04, 2012 11:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: buying a car- tell me your story
Replies: 57
Views: 7749

Re: buying a car- tell me your story

I did some light checking. Most new car dealers in my area still charge $500 for the Documentation Fee. However, some will lower that charge to $200 or $300. So that "fee" is definitely negotiable.

And for used cars, the "Doc Fee" at some places is only 50 bucks! Why the huge difference? They are doing the same amount of paperwork!

And I would insist they eliminate the "Dealer Prep" fee altogether... or I walk. 500 bucks to throw in the floor mats, and drive the car through an automated car wash?! No way. When I was younger (and dumber) I just blindly paid those fees. :annoyed
by BigD53
Wed Jul 04, 2012 11:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: buying a car- tell me your story
Replies: 57
Views: 7749

Re: buying a car- tell me your story

When I buy my next vehicle, I will insist on getting every last detail of the transaction in writing... not just the negotiated purchase price. In years past, I feel I did a fairly good job of negotiating the basic "price" with the salesperson. But that doesn't mean anything once you get into the next office where they write up the paperwork. That's where the dealer really makes his profit... and tacks on all that extra stuff. "Document Fees", "Transfer Fees", "Dealer Prep Fees", "Transportation Charge", "Dealer Holdback", etc, etc. Come to find out, all those items can be negotiated too! I will no longer pay 500 bucks for the documents to be typed up! (Doc Fee). I will no longer p...
by BigD53
Fri Jun 29, 2012 8:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car Dealership Repair Suggestions: Take Seriously or Not?
Replies: 43
Views: 7430

Re: Car Dealership Repair Suggestions: Take Seriously or Not

My Audi's valve covers leak like a sieve. Apparantly some valve cover gaskets have some rubberish (or maybe even cork) parts that get worn out quickly. Yes, that seems to be the case with my Camry. Poor quality gaskets (at least in my '05 model year with the V6 engine). I wandered back to the service bay area, and spoke with mechanics that weren't involved with my car or my situation. I didn't mention my leak. I just casually asked a couple of them if they've ever seen or heard of Toyota engines having oil leak problems. Both replied yes. Seems to be fairly common according to them, especially on older models. (but who knows, maybe they all lie.) I've been driving for 42 years, and have owned several vehicles. None of my cars ever burned e...
by BigD53
Fri Jun 29, 2012 10:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car Dealership Repair Suggestions: Take Seriously or Not?
Replies: 43
Views: 7430

Re: Car Dealership Repair Suggestions: Take Seriously or Not

I go to the largest volume selling Toyota dealership in the nation. It's sales and service dept win awards every year. Never had a problem with them. But I think this time, they may have taken me for a ride. I took my 2005 Camry in for factory recall work (replace a defective camshaft pulley). That was done without a problem... but then they told me they discovered leaks in the valve covers. It would be a $600 repair. The service adviser sent me pictures of the supposed "leak." (I tried to post the pictures here, but was unable to.) I called Toyota Headquartes, in Torrance, California. They are not aware of any Toyotas ever having leaks in the valve covers. She said it may just be "normal seapage" that occurs over time. ...
by BigD53
Tue Jun 26, 2012 12:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Got renewed motivation to SAVE SAVE SAVE
Replies: 7
Views: 1616

Re: Got renewed motivation to SAVE SAVE SAVE

The Dark Knight wrote:I found new motivation to just save save save more money, and that's so I can give the big middle finger to corporate America ASAP.
Right on, brother! :beer

The entire economic world is going to hell in a handbasket! :shock: Is that a political statement? You're damn right it is! :happy
by BigD53
Fri Jun 22, 2012 9:55 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Do you regret saving too much?
Replies: 74
Views: 13048

Re: Do you regret saving too much?

I don't regret saving money at all! But what I do regret a bit, is not getting out more and spending some of that money and enjoying the fruits of my labor.

Well, heck, I'm still a young(ish) man of 57. I think I will take up parachuting. :shock: :D
by BigD53
Thu Jun 21, 2012 9:22 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Car Buying: Updated with the full story
Replies: 59
Views: 18872

Re: New Car Buying: w/ trade in and timing questions

I read some great car buying tips on Edmunds.com. Written by a former car dealer manager. The biggest rip off comes on all the extra "fees" they tack on after you've agreed on a selling price. That's where the dealer makes his money. Example of ridiculous charges: the "dealer prep" charge can vary from $50 to $500! (Five hundred bucks to wash the car, and toss in the floor mats!) Same with the "documentation fee"... another 500 bucks for the financial guy to punch a few numbers into a computer. And some dealers tack on a "transportation fee", whatever the heck that is! (a tip for the truck driver that delivered the vehicle??? :D) I would make sure all these extra fees are put in writing, IN ADVANCE, b...
by BigD53
Thu Jun 21, 2012 8:44 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I feel like my friend just won the lottery...
Replies: 31
Views: 10463

Re: I feel like my friend just won the lottery...

I don't understand all the anxiety and "panic" some of these lottery winners go through. If I won a large amount like that, hardly anything would change in my life! And I sure wouldn't be running to lawyers, estate planners, financial advisers, etc. My biggest immediate concern would be the annual taxes. So first off, I would simply put all the winnings in a Vanguard tax-free money market fund , and relax! No need to rush into anything. No need to stress out over investment decisions.... In fact, I don't think I would take any risk with this money! I could live very, VERY comfortably for the next 40 years just drawing out $100,000 a year (or less). (That reminds me, I need to start buying lottery tickets again! Best of luck to you...
by BigD53
Sat Jun 16, 2012 11:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hand washing my car
Replies: 20
Views: 4632

Re: Hand washing my car

In my younger years, I used to be a car wash & wax fanatic! I think I cleaned my little Honda car more often than I showered! :P Any cheap automotive liquid car wash solution works fine. It won't strip the polish.

As you get older, there comes a point when you finally realize that a car is just a mechanical device ..... just a thing to get you from here to there..... No more obsessing over washing and detailing.

Now days, I just go down to the local car wash, and let the (soon to be legal!) immigrants do the dirty work for me. :beer
by BigD53
Fri Jun 15, 2012 6:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bogleheads with expensive hobbies
Replies: 57
Views: 7793

Re: Bogleheads with expensive hobbies

sunnyday wrote:How do you justify buying things for your hobby? My hobby is mountain biking. I don't mind spending a lot since it's healthy, I love it and do it all the time.
Sounds like a wonderful hobby.

Justify? I think most people in these forums are mature enough and wise enough to live within their means. If not, they have a serious problem.

I don't think anyone needs to justify their hobby expenditures. You only live once, and you can't take the money with you! Spend freely and enjoy. :beer
by BigD53
Fri Jun 15, 2012 11:39 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Received IRS CP2000 for Child Care Credit
Replies: 25
Views: 5255

Re: Received IRS CP2000 for Child Care Credit

Re: Notices from the IRS

I received an "IRS Notice 2501" regarding my IRA CDs that I direct transferred to a PenFed IRA, three years ago. The IRS thinks I took a distribution and kept the money. They want to tax me on the full amount, fine me, pay back interest, etc, etc.

My sister received the same notice. She also did a transfer to PenFed. And her tax accountant told her that many clients are receiving these notices from the IRS. I don't understand how a simple transfer transaction can cause such a huge mess. I never had a problem with transfers in the past.

I'll let you know what it's like at Fort Leavenworth! :shock:
by BigD53
Sat Jun 09, 2012 11:33 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why do Bogleheads tend to hold more bonds?
Replies: 67
Views: 14103

Re: Why do Bogleheads tend to hold more bonds?

hoppy08520 wrote:there is still one tenet of the creed I'm having a hard time with and that is the general Boglehead dictum of having more bonds than what most of the conventional wisdom advocates.
My general consensus is:
1) Most Bogleheads are older, and very near to retirement, or have already been retired for many years.
2)They are more risk-adverse than they admit to.
3) Most Bogleheads are fairly well off, want to preserve what they have, and choose to own more bonds and less stocks. :beer
by BigD53
Fri Jun 08, 2012 6:06 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What will happen if bond interest goes up by 1%?
Replies: 13
Views: 2405

Re: What will happen if bond interest goes up by 1%?

Half in the Tips fund, and half in long-term Treasuries? :shock:

The duration of the Tips fund is 8? And long-term Treasury fund is around 12? When rates went up a full 1 percent, I think I'd be chewing on my finger nails.

But don't mind me, I'm the nervous type. :D
by BigD53
Fri Jun 08, 2012 5:40 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: We inherited $200,000 and here is my synopsis of the market
Replies: 163
Views: 15607

Re: We inherited $200,000 and here is my synopsis of the mar

What's with all the snarky comments??? Instead of writing "Withdrew post. Don't wish to participate", simply delete the thing! Hello DesertGuy. Welcome. I received the same kind of inheritance. I too was unsure where to put it, or how to invest it. And I have no clue as to what the stock or bond markets will do. But to be honest, I lost my appetite for stocks a l ong time ago. My pension and other savings covers all my expenses very nicely. So, while I'm thinking about this inheritance, I deposited the money into 2 Vanguard tax-free municipal bond funds. (One State fund, and one National fund.--Thank you Mr Larimore). I'm receiving a nice dividend check each month of about $620. The account balance fluctuates a bit, and it's obvio...
by BigD53
Mon Jun 04, 2012 9:00 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Being a boglehead = taking the hit
Replies: 31
Views: 3410

Re: Being a boglehead = taking the hit

LH wrote:If one attempts to achieve market returns by following the market, then by definition, when the market tanks, a boglehead takes the hit..... Stay the course. Take the hit if it comes. LH
That statement Bogles... oops, "boggles" the mind. I will never allow myself to "take a hit."

My #1 priority in retirement, is to preserve what I got. I keep a very conservative and cautious portfolio. That favorably lessens the chances that I will take a (large) hit.

I may or may not keep up with inflation, but my inflation fighting would be even worse if I were to suffer a loss of 20 or 30 percent! To each his own. :beer
by BigD53
Fri Jun 01, 2012 11:29 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: SEC yield on muni bond funds is a severe underestimate
Replies: 30
Views: 3861

Re: SEC yield on muni bond funds is a severe underestimate

Ok, you guys burst my "distribution" bubble. There's always a spoil-sport in the bunch! :(

For the long term, it sounds like we should be paying more attention to the SEC yield? That would be a whopping 1.89% for my CA Muni fund.

Well, as ridiculous as it sounds, I would still be pleased to be getting almost 2% every month, tax free! I'll take it! :happy It will buy my groceries and fill up the gas tank.
by BigD53
Fri Jun 01, 2012 12:41 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: SEC yield on muni bond funds is a severe underestimate
Replies: 30
Views: 3861

Re: SEC yield on muni bond funds is a severe underestimate

I don't care what they call it. And I don't care how they figure it.

I don't know, and I don't care!

Just keep giving me that 3.4% yield!! :beer :moneybag
by BigD53
Fri Jun 01, 2012 9:44 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: SEC yield on muni bond funds is a severe underestimate
Replies: 30
Views: 3861

Re: SEC yield on muni bond funds is a severe underestimate

I no longer buy the arguments about why the SEC yield is the true yield as this has been going on for a long, long time. I was confused too. The distribution yield on my CA Municipal bond fund continues to be much higher than the stated SEC yield. So I wrote to Vanguard and asked them. This is their reply: Dear Mr. ****: Thank you for taking the time to contact us. Mutual funds publish two types of yield: the SEC 30-day yield and the distribution yield. The SEC 30-day yield has been the required industry standard for advertising a fund's yield since 1988. The 30-day yield was designed to assist in fund comparisons and should not be used as an indication of a fund's actual distribution. Vanguard calculates the SEC 30-day yield on a daily ba...
by BigD53
Thu May 31, 2012 1:08 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard changes how they manage municipal bond funds
Replies: 3
Views: 961

Re: Vanguard changes how they manage municipal bond funds

Thank you Taylor. This article gives me a bit more confidence that Vanguard may be able to negotiate through the the "municipal minefield", otherwise known as California. :shock:
by BigD53
Thu May 31, 2012 1:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Thoughts On Wine
Replies: 52
Views: 4592

Re: Thoughts On Wine

Lon wrote:Who is buying all this wine?
Certainly not me! Am I the only person in the world who hates the taste (or even the smell!) of Wine? I guess it dates back to my "Alter Boy" days... and having to see (and smell) a few drunk Priests. :beer

Women are shocked when we go into a restaurant, and they order the requisite glass of "Chablis", and I order a chocolate shake! :D (Gee, I wonder why I never get a second date!)

But give me a nice fresh bowl of grapes, and I'm good.
by BigD53
Wed May 30, 2012 12:30 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How low can it go (10 year treasury edition)
Replies: 116
Views: 7652

Re: How low can it go (10 year treasury edition)

How (if any) will the sinking Treasury yield affect our municipal bond funds?
by BigD53
Sat May 26, 2012 10:07 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Media "noise"
Replies: 15
Views: 1500

Re: Yes but.....

I know Bogleheads don't care about (or even look at) "weekly" returns. So let's have a look at the much more important Big Picture. These are the longer-term performance figures for the Vanguard Total Stock Market Index fund. (figures from Morningstar) 1 Month -5.15% 3-Month -3.58% 1-Year +0.78% 3 Year +17.2% 5-Year -0.19% 10-Year +4.74% 15-Year +5.31% My retired sister, who has held Total Stock and Total International in her taxable account for many years, is not too pleased with my recommendations! Yes, she has a good supply of bonds in tax-deferred, and she can ignore the 1-month and 3-month figures... but it's those glaring (and miniscule) 5, 10, and 15 year return numbers that has her fuming! I keep telling her, " Past p...
by BigD53
Fri May 25, 2012 9:01 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How does VTSMX and VGTSX earn money in the 3 fund portfolio?
Replies: 8
Views: 2436

Re: How does VTSMX and VGTSX earn money in the 3 fund portfo

In the simplest terms?

There are no guarantees going forward that stocks will have a positive return over 5 yrs, 10 yrs, or even 20 yrs.

Remember Boglehead rule #1: Past performance means nothing! :?

That "random walk" may just kill ya. :shock:
by BigD53
Fri May 25, 2012 8:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: More Confusion about Ally Bank CD
Replies: 12
Views: 2286

Re: More Confusion about Ally Bank CD

After taxes and inflation, do you guys have any profit left on your 3mo, 6mo, and 1yr CDs? Is it even worth it? :?
by BigD53
Thu May 24, 2012 12:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 50 things to do before the Sun goes down
Replies: 32
Views: 5743

Re: 50 things to do before the Sun goes down

I would finally like to meet one good woman... that's not nuts, psycho, irresponsible, a spend thrift, a liar, or a cheater!! :beer

(I need a good "Boglehead" woman!)
by BigD53
Thu May 24, 2012 12:32 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Emergency fund never feels large enough
Replies: 33
Views: 5151

Re: Emergency fund never feels large enough

For a young person, In this crazy economy? I'd say 24 months is a good minimum to have. :moneybag

(And when I get elderly, I'll never blow my life savings in a Nursing Home! If I ever reach that point, I'd rather just go take a long walk off a short pier.... and allow my heirs to inherit my millions. :D )
by BigD53
Wed May 23, 2012 10:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Civic or Corolla or Elantra.
Replies: 50
Views: 7213

Re: New Civic or Corolla or Elantra.

Consumer Reports (April car issue?) listed the 2012 Civic as "not recommended."

Toyota is coming out with a new re-design for the Corolla. A full redesign of the Corolla is due sometime in late 2013. If this picture is accurate, it's a very nice looking car! (similar to the current Hyundai?)

http://www.newcarsreleasedate.com/2013- ... eneration/

If that's what the new Corolla will look like, I may just have to sell my 2005 gas-guzzling V6 engine Camry! What a nightmare that car has been.
by BigD53
Wed May 23, 2012 10:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I'll Never Figure out these Dang Computers
Replies: 17
Views: 2193

Re: keyboard

Maybe next time, you can simply unplug the keyboard before cleaning. :beer
by BigD53
Mon May 21, 2012 1:08 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How do you pros ignore the noise??
Replies: 52
Views: 5048

Re: How do you pros ignore the noise??

Actually, I think I spend too much time on this forum reading about a lot of things (perhaps this condition has a name!), though there is quite a bit of noise to filter through too!! Bingo! Once a person gets the investing bug, and then starts visiting websites such as this one (and Morningstar) it becomes addicting. People deny it, but I don't buy it. Maybe money becomes an (unhealthy) obsession? And you are absolutely correct... reading all these threads can increase the "noise." It can become confusing as all heck, and temp a person to start tinkering with their money, and cause an investor to turn his simple portfolio into an unnecessary complicated one! And many people do just that. I usually check in every day, but for the ...
by BigD53
Sun May 20, 2012 12:40 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Low Tax Bracket & Int. Term Tax Exempt
Replies: 13
Views: 1226

Re: Low Tax Bracket & Int. Term Tax Exempt

I like the Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt fund (Admiral shares.) And when I looked at the "distribution yield" for the past few months (what the fund actually paid out) I like it even more. :D

I'm sticking with Munis, because I'm tired of paying large tax bills every April. I'll take my chances, and keep a keen eye on the Municipal news (especially for my State fund.)

(If you're skittish about interest rates going up, you can always put 1/2 into the Limited-Term fund.)
by BigD53
Fri May 18, 2012 7:22 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Thoughts on current market climate
Replies: 46
Views: 5693

Re: Thoughts on current market climate

Kinda hard to turn a blind eye to things. Tune out the "noise"? I haven't quite mastered that yet. :? I guess I just like to keep up on current events, financial news, world events, etc. Well, I know my limitations and my loss-tolerance is very clear. So that's why I remain on the side of caution and have always held a very conservative portfolio, especially in retirement. Those words "keep what you have" is bouncing around in my head. German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said turmoil in the financial markets caused by Europe’s debt crisis may last another two years, as Group of Eight leaders prepared to discuss Greece and its impact on the global economy. Merkel and fellow European leaders face pressure from their...