I'm still using a 12 year old desktop computer with a dial-up internet connection. 10 bucks a month.
What's that tell ya.
Search found 1030 matches
- Sun Sep 23, 2012 6:04 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Will you get an iPhone 5?
- Replies: 108
- Views: 10010
- 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.
- Sun Aug 19, 2012 9:43 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Penfed giving away money????
- Replies: 12
- Views: 5402
Re: Penfed giving away money????
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.protagonist wrote:Penfed offers auto loans at 1.49% APY up to 60 months. How can they do this?
- 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.
- 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?
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...Skerrick wrote:I am very young and will be maintaining a 15% FI allocation for the next 10yrs.
- 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...
- 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!
In the meantime, my CA Muni Fund has gone up the past few days.
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!
In the meantime, my CA Muni Fund has gone up the past few days.
- 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...
- 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!
You might want to save that money for a future liver transplant.
You might want to save that money for a future liver transplant.
- 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!
Problem solved.
Now you can get yourself a new Corvette, and really have some fun!
- 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?
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.)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.
- 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
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!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.
And out comes my red pen! (delete this, reduce this, negotiate this.....) A true Boglehead!
I'm retired, and in NO hurry.
- 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! 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!
Back to snail mail with PenFed.........
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!
Back to snail mail with PenFed.........
- 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:Langkawi wrote:[color=#400000]http://www.depositaccoun ... rvice.html[/color]
"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.....
- 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?
Have you actually tried that with PenFed? It won't work.Kevin M wrote:Just have interest deposited into a savings account at PenFed, then pull with ACH from your hub bank. Kevin
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.
- 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
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.LadyGeek wrote:OK, I give. It's a 2012 Honda CR-V LX AWD.
I do the same. First thing. Enjoy your new Honda!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).
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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!...
- 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.
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.
- 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...
- 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...
- 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. ...
- 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
Right on, brother!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.
The entire economic world is going to hell in a handbasket! Is that a political statement? You're damn right it is!
- 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.
Well, heck, I'm still a young(ish) man of 57. I think I will take up parachuting.
- 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...
- 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...
- 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! 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.
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.
- 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
Sounds like a wonderful hobby.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.
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.
- 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!
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!
- 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?
My general consensus is: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.
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.
- 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?
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.
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.
- 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...
- 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
That statement Bogles... oops, "boggles" the mind. I will never allow myself to "take a 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
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.
- 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! It will buy my groceries and fill up the gas tank.
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! It will buy my groceries and fill up the gas tank.
- 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!!
I don't know, and I don't care!
Just keep giving me that 3.4% yield!!
- 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...
- 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.
- Thu May 31, 2012 1:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Thoughts On Wine
- Replies: 52
- Views: 4592
Re: Thoughts On 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.Lon wrote:Who is buying all this wine?
Women are shocked when we go into a restaurant, and they order the requisite glass of "Chablis", and I order a chocolate shake! (Gee, I wonder why I never get a second date!)
But give me a nice fresh bowl of grapes, and I'm good.
- 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?
- 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...
- 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.
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.
- 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?
- 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!!
(I need a good "Boglehead" woman!)
(I need a good "Boglehead" woman!)
- 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.
(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. )
(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. )
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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 ...
- 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.
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.)
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.)
- 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...