Search found 898 matches

by gasman
Fri Jan 26, 2024 9:51 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TIPS ETF and Tax Loss Harvesting Question
Replies: 2
Views: 280

Re: TIPS ETF and Tax Loss Harvesting Question

Or harvest the loss and reinvest in individual TIPs or SCHP- another TIPs ETF of similar duration.
by gasman
Sat Jan 13, 2024 8:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Calling all doctors….again
Replies: 110
Views: 21274

Re: Calling all doctors….again

This is not at all uncommon. I don't know if it is wise or not. My gut is to plough through the process and if she does not get in spend time trying to asses and correct what went wrong.
by gasman
Sat Nov 04, 2023 9:31 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: drop employer provided health insurance mid year?
Replies: 4
Views: 547

Re: drop employer provided health insurance mid year?

buzzz_buzzz_buzzz wrote: Sat Nov 04, 2023 9:03 am Unfortunately, a spouse gaining a job is not considering a qualifying life event, so your ability to change is going to come down to your own company's policies on change in status rules.

Also, keep in mind medical plans are not pro-rated, so if you change mid-month, you'll pay in full for both plans for that month.
Thanks. I don't mind paying for an extra month. An extra ten months are the concern. My employer is usually the least helpful as required by law.
by gasman
Sat Nov 04, 2023 8:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: drop employer provided health insurance mid year?
Replies: 4
Views: 547

drop employer provided health insurance mid year?

Currently covered by MY employer insurance for my self and DW. I pay for part of premium through payroll deduction. Mediocre plan.

My wife MAY be starting a new position in two months through which coverage for her and me is available for additional premium. Very solid plan at far less cost.


Q: Do I have the right to drop my employers plan (and stop having premiums deducted from my paycheck) just after beginning the plan year? Haven't approached my employer yet with this question.
by gasman
Sun Oct 01, 2023 6:10 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Sell IBonds with untaxed gains to buy TIPs in taxable account?
Replies: 9
Views: 1822

Re: Sell IBonds with untaxed gains to buy TIPs in taxable account?

Whakamole wrote: Sun Oct 01, 2023 5:45 pm The Finance Buff has a calculator to help make this decision: https://thefinancebuff.com/when-to-sell-i-bonds.html
Thank you. :sharebeer
by gasman
Sun Oct 01, 2023 1:43 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Sell IBonds with untaxed gains to buy TIPs in taxable account?
Replies: 9
Views: 1822

Re: Sell IBonds with untaxed gains to buy TIPs in taxable account?

Oops. Forgot about the 3.8% net investment income tax. make that 35.8%
by gasman
Sun Oct 01, 2023 1:34 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Sell IBonds with untaxed gains to buy TIPs in taxable account?
Replies: 9
Views: 1822

Sell IBonds with untaxed gains to buy TIPs in taxable account?

Title says it all. I have been dutifully buying the max of IBonds for the last decade in my and my wife's TD accounts. Almost all purchased in January of each year, so Oct. 1 is optimal timing for not losing out on three months higher interest rate. Most of these have a fixed yield of 0.0%. Thinking about selling some/all of them to buy TIPs and hold in taxable. All tax deferred space is filled with Bonds/REITs/other tax inefficient stuff. Currently in 32% bracket. Don't expect that to change for about ten years. Trying to determine if paying the tax hit now and giving up further tax deferral is worth the significantly higher yield currently available.
by gasman
Fri Aug 18, 2023 7:16 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Is 1.5-2% real return for nominal bonds/treasuries a historic norm
Replies: 14
Views: 1934

Re: Is 1.5-2% real return for nominal bonds/treasuries a historic norm

The only guide to the future is the past. Current Bond yields appear reasonable based on the last century. They appear attractive based on the past decade plus. Might they get more attractive in the next few months. Sure. Either way, I am taking this opportunity to convert a chunk of nominal bonds to TIPs and extending maturities on exiting TIPs. Don't really have a detailed plan.
by gasman
Tue Aug 15, 2023 1:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Fidelity Down? [Website]
Replies: 138
Views: 9714

Re: Fidelity Down?

boogiehead wrote: Tue Aug 15, 2023 1:51 pm Thanks for the replies... wish companies were more proactive in letting customers know when they have unplanned outages instead of leaving them in the dark.
How do you let people know in advance about an unplanned event? :-?
by gasman
Tue Aug 15, 2023 1:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Fidelity Down? [Website]
Replies: 138
Views: 9714

Re: Fidelity Down?

Down for me too.
by gasman
Thu Jun 29, 2023 8:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Jersey Shore recommendations
Replies: 23
Views: 2249

Re: Jersey Shore recommendations

Long Beach Island
by gasman
Sun Jun 25, 2023 2:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to Title Cars if Married?
Replies: 43
Views: 4293

Re: How to Title Cars if Married?

neilpilot wrote: Sun Jun 25, 2023 1:21 pm
nordsteve wrote: Sun Jun 25, 2023 1:06 pm One factor to consider is that it's generally more convenient to have one person on the title.
Both of our cars are titled and registered as "DH or DW". Why would only one of us on the title be more convienient?
Theoretically some asset protection. If I am at fault in an accident and injure/disable a young high income professional, I might face a massive judgement necessitating bankruptcy. If my spouse is also on the title, her assets might also be at risk. I title the car that I primarily drive in my name. My wife titles the car that she primarily drives in her name for this reason.
by gasman
Thu Jun 01, 2023 12:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Global Entry Card renewal - wait time?
Replies: 27
Views: 2528

Re: Global Entry Card renewal - wait time?

I applied when I got the 180 day email late September 2022. Still waiting. I also received the extension for renewals and used it recently.

My wife got hers within a few weeks of submitting.
by gasman
Thu May 25, 2023 3:55 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Now that long TIPS yields are 60 bp off their highs I will…
Replies: 2950
Views: 623348

Re: Now that long TIPS again yield more than 1.70% I will…

Sorry, I am just reading the end of this thread. The TIPS in my account (that I bought in late 2022) have all dropped in price. I can see that the YTM of TIPS that are currently for sale in the secondary market have increased, especially those maturing in the next few years. Two questions: why have the YTMs increased (what market forces), and does it make any sense to sell a TIPS at a loss and buy another with a higher YTM (with similar maturity date)? It might if you were selling an individual TIPs in a taxable account and buying in a tax deferred account. Assuming this doesn't violate IRS wash sale rules about "substantially similar" investments. Something which there is little real clarity on. Might also make a very weak case ...
by gasman
Wed Apr 26, 2023 8:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dying is Expensive!
Replies: 147
Views: 13875

Re: Dying is Expensive!

“My husband wanted to be cremated. I told him I’d scatter his ashes at Neiman Marcus — that way, I’d visit him every day.”

-Joan Rivers
by gasman
Thu Apr 13, 2023 6:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 5-day London Trip Itinerary
Replies: 41
Views: 3274

Re: 5-day London Trip Itinerary

-Churchill war room
-British Museum
-Take at least one Black Cab ride in London.
by gasman
Mon Apr 03, 2023 4:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: College Decision: Health/Pre-Med Track In-state vs Out-of-State
Replies: 71
Views: 6456

Re: College Decision: Health/Pre-Med Track In-state vs Out-of-State

I'm starting to think these are the new "Humblebrag" posts now that net worth polls are outlawed. We'll just brag about our kids instead of our money. My daughter was pre-med too, for about two weeks. That's actually the case for about 3/4 of college students that leave home thinking pre-med. Inorganic chemistry has a way of doing that to people. So don't choose a college just for the pre-med aspect. You can get a good pre-med education just about anywhere. There is no way....I repeat no way.....that it makes sense for someone to pay $80K a year for a pre-med education available for < $40K a year (<$20K in my state) at hundreds of institutions across the country. Why would someone want to start medical school (where they'll proba...
by gasman
Fri Mar 10, 2023 1:45 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is there a threshold to ditch the three-fund portfolio and put everything into Treasuries?
Replies: 24
Views: 2617

Re: Is there a threshold to ditch the three-fund portfolio and put everything into Treasuries?

I think that there might be a very limited case for a 100% TIPs portfolio depending on individual circumstances. E.g. healthy 80 y.o. With no desire to leave an estate.
by gasman
Sat Feb 11, 2023 8:46 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Longevity - WSJ article
Replies: 105
Views: 11214

Re: Longevity - WSJ article

This is an area of much controversy, unclear data, and conflicting interpretations of data. Many people were shocked by the discovery in the 1990s that the safe withdrawal rate from an investment portfolio was only about 4% (i.e. an initial withdrawal of 4% in the first year, and subsequent increases for inflation, independent of portfolio fluctuations, for a 30-year time in retirement)--was only about 4%. And it has only become lower with subsequent studies. There has been a tendency to push back on this disappointingly low number with sophisticated versions of "life is uncertain, eat dessert first." It's OK to overspend, the argument goes, in early retirement because a) you might die before you run out--i.e. use a probabilistic...
by gasman
Mon Dec 19, 2022 4:46 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Jeremy Siegel: Blame TIPS for the Bear Market
Replies: 60
Views: 8202

Re: Jeremy Siegel: Blame TIPS for the Bear Market

FWIW, my take from the article is that the good Dr. Siegel thinks that TIPs are a solid buy compared to nominal Treasurys.
by gasman
Wed Oct 19, 2022 6:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: IRS annual inflation adjustments for tax year 2023 announced
Replies: 38
Views: 6562

Re: IRS annual inflation adjustments for tax year 2023 announced

No adjustment for the net investment income tax of 3.8%?
by gasman
Thu Oct 13, 2022 3:50 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Trading Treasuries (nominal and TIPS)
Replies: 4191
Views: 466734

Re: Trading Treasuries (nominal and TIPS)

Kevin,

Thanks for your posts. :beer

Question: Why do you keep your maturities so short? For the first time in a while, we can get real yields in the range of 1.6% on a ten year TIPs. Not a back up the truck type of moment, but the best thing that we have seen for years. What would be your criteria for extending maturities of your TIPs holdings?
by gasman
Sat Oct 08, 2022 10:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does anyone still carry cash?
Replies: 75
Views: 4258

Re: Does anyone still carry cash?

I like to pay small local businesses in CASH. Save them the 3% or so credit card transaction cost. Maybe more than that if they keep less than complete records.
by gasman
Tue Sep 27, 2022 2:08 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Time to stop buying EE bonds
Replies: 15
Views: 3156

Re: Time to stop buying EE bonds

Question for the group: If you have been buying the max of EE Bonds for the last ten years, would you sell some or all of your EE bonds given the current environment. If you would sell some of your bonds, How far back your you sell?
by gasman
Tue Sep 06, 2022 4:48 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Investing in wine
Replies: 22
Views: 1755

Re: Investing in wine

Bad investment.

Every bottle that I haver ever bought turned into urine.
by gasman
Tue Jul 19, 2022 7:07 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bonds - Throw it all on the table!
Replies: 499
Views: 93216

Re: Bonds - Throw it all on the table!!!

Given the shape of the yield curve: total bond seems counter intuitive. Sweet spot appears to be about one year for Treasurys. Short duration Treasurys actually yield more than Brokered CDs. TIPs yields are positive across much of the curve. But steep on the short end. "Tilting" a little bit to those areas.
by gasman
Mon Jul 04, 2022 1:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Non governmental 457b question
Replies: 4
Views: 494

Re: Non governmental 457b question

Thanks to all for the responses. Even if it wasn't what I hoped for. :(
by gasman
Mon Jul 04, 2022 10:49 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Non governmental 457b question
Replies: 4
Views: 494

Non governmental 457b question

I have been contributing to my nongovernmental 457b (healthcare non profit) for some time and have a substantial sum in the plan. I stopped contributions a few years ago out of concern over the long term financial health of the organization. It appears that my concerns are justified. The financials are awful. I am not concerned for my position. I am over 59 1/2 but still hope to work for them in some capacity for many years yet. The plan document in its current form does not allow for distributions while employed. Including hardship withdrawals (which I wouldn't qualify for anyway). I was wondering if the group knew if altering the plan document to allow withdrawals while still employed was possible, and if anyone had specific suggestions o...
by gasman
Mon Jun 27, 2022 9:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 31 Year Old - Is a 20 year term life insurance policy for me?
Replies: 80
Views: 6544

Re: 31 Year Old - Is a 20 year term life insurance policy for me?

Lets say you are looking at needing $3 million of life insurance. Get a $2 million 20 year and a $1 million 30 year policy. You should be partially self insured after the 20 years.
by gasman
Tue Jun 21, 2022 9:13 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Thursday's (6/23) 5 yr Tips auction, who is participating?
Replies: 97
Views: 7877

Re: Thursday's (6/23) 5 yr Tips auction, who is participating?

I am in. Going for a very large purchase if yields don’t change significantly tomorrow.
by gasman
Mon May 02, 2022 8:21 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth
Replies: 81
Views: 11756

Re: Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth

I need more bonds. But have also been thinking about TLHing some munis. But after going through the drill (a cooling-off exercise) to identify share lots to accumulate a $3K loss (one and done for the year), decided to wait. Why? It took ~2yrs of lower rates to get us here, so assume it may take a little longer to get out. Since I'd be TLHing bonds to buy bonds, if I wait (until next year, or after): --I'll harvest a larger loss from a single TLH transaction. --I'd be adding the new loss to my existing carryover... so no need to rush (already have next year's $3K deduction banked). --Also, I'd prefer doing less work (1x TLH, instead of multiple). So for the time being, I'm just using new money to re-balance into whatever my AA says I shoul...
by gasman
Sat Apr 30, 2022 4:23 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Is it fair to say bonds, or bond funds, are on sale right now?
Replies: 20
Views: 3178

Re: Is it fair to say bonds, or bond funds, are on sale right now?

Given that real yields across much of the curve are still negative, I think that it is more reasonable to say that they are less expensive than they were a few months ago.
by gasman
Mon Apr 25, 2022 6:15 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bogleheads® Live: Submit ?s for Bill Bernstein on "Perfection is the Enemy"
Replies: 55
Views: 7650

Re: Bogleheads® Live: Submit ?s for Bill Bernstein on "Perfection is the Enemy"

It is the title of a piece that Dr. Benrstein wrote on his website about 20 years ago. Loved the analysis. Looking for an update in the current environment.

http://www.efficientfrontier.com/ef/701/cheap.htm
by gasman
Mon Apr 25, 2022 6:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Update: Issues with possession after house closing
Replies: 151
Views: 15116

Re: Issues with possession after house closing

possession after closure is very common in my state. Like everything else, it is negotiable.
by gasman
Fri Apr 22, 2022 9:47 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bogleheads® Live: Submit ?s for Bill Bernstein on "Perfection is the Enemy"
Replies: 55
Views: 7650

Re: Bogleheads® Live: Submit ?s for Bill Bernstein on "Perfection is the Enemy"

Question:

While we understand that what's expected is not necessarily what you get, My question is "What's expected? What's cheap?"
by gasman
Mon Apr 18, 2022 8:50 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Selling T-bills before maturity (risks of Tbills?)
Replies: 7
Views: 2764

Re: Selling T-bills before maturity (risks of Tbills?)

52 weeks T-bill will be yielding around 1.745% according to Fidelity. I think (and correct me if I am wrong), there are 2 inherit risks that comes with moving cash in HYSA to T-bills: 1. Rates continue to increase after buying the current T-bill 2. To sell before the 52 weeks period, whether to get the new rate or if I would need the money for unforeseen event. I have a question here, how much of interest would I lose if I cashed a T-bill earlier? How can I compare this to the opportunity cost of leaving the money in a HYSA earning only 0.5%? Example, a $50,000 in HYSA earning every month: $20.83 (minus state income tax), while if purchased Tbill I would earn: $72.71/mo (that is $51.83/mo + State income tax in lost opportunity every month)...
by gasman
Mon Apr 18, 2022 7:15 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: TIPS auction
Replies: 10
Views: 1040

Re: TIPS auction

Dude2 wrote: Mon Apr 18, 2022 6:35 am
My question would be if TIPS being sold with larger and larger negative real rates equates to greater risk elsewhere.
It means that the price of safety is very high. Risks may or may not show up.
by gasman
Sun Apr 17, 2022 1:43 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What is the bull case for nominal bonds right now?
Replies: 113
Views: 14194

Re: What is the bull case for nominal bonds right now?

000 wrote: Sun Apr 10, 2022 3:44 pm There is much bearish sentiment in the air about this asset class, so it would be good to hear the other side.

I don't find "because I hold stocks" to be a persuasive bull case because that's not even about the bonds themselves.
That the Fed will not be able to tighten very far as the conventional wisdom tells us...economy slows...Recession...Inflation falls...fed eases...lower interest rates.
by gasman
Wed Apr 13, 2022 2:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Physicians - retiring early
Replies: 230
Views: 31822

Re: Physicians - retiring early

stacato wrote: Wed Mar 16, 2022 9:17 pm Any physician thinking of early retirement? If so, what is the main reason for early retirement?
It is far less enjoyable than it used to be.
by gasman
Sun Apr 03, 2022 2:39 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: liquidity as happiness
Replies: 135
Views: 14358

Re: liquidity as happiness

Kin to storing food.
by gasman
Fri Mar 04, 2022 10:11 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Ray Dalio: The Changing World Order
Replies: 45
Views: 6456

Re: Ray Dalio: The Changing World Order

My take on the video:

If there was an actionable investible message, it would be anticipate more inflation and move away from the dollar.
by gasman
Wed Feb 23, 2022 11:00 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Have you helped your kids financially?
Replies: 158
Views: 14006

Re: Have you helped your kids financially?

I am a physician and make a good income. We paid full freight for private school, Pre K-12, Music and Sports Lessons and summer camps. We paid full freight for name brand private colleges with the proviso that they get a degree in something that they could reasonably expect to earn a living at. They were not thrilled and absent that constraint would have chosen other majors. They are also both gainfully employed and off the payroll except for incentives. Biggest one is that we fund a Roth IRA if they max their 401Ks. We keep them on our cellphone plan because $10/month is nothing to us and the cost of them establishing their own plans would be more. They use our cable/netflix passwords. A few bucks for Birthdays, moving expenses, down payme...
by gasman
Wed Feb 23, 2022 10:12 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: TLH and resetting cost basis with ETFs
Replies: 7
Views: 573

Re: TLH and resetting cost basis with ETFs

But it is reasonable to aggressively harvest losses and flip to highly correlated positions if you are in a relatively high tax bracket and believe that you will harvest those gains when you are in a lower bracket. Or that you will never harvest those gains and they will be stepped up at death so you can pass on more to your heirs. Granted there are a few assumptions going on there.
by gasman
Wed Feb 16, 2022 1:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity DAF v. Vanguard DAF
Replies: 43
Views: 3524

Re: Fidelity DAF v. Vanguard DAF

There have been numerous threads comparing the various DAF's. At your level of giving, I would think you'd be happiest with Vanguard's offering which is what I do personally. You mentioned liquidating your gift after you transfer it to the DAF. Just to clarify, this is nothing you do. It is done by the fund and the assets are no longer yours after you make the gift. Gill Thanks, Gill. I understand that the gift is no longer mine (the DAF is the charity). But on your point about the liquidation being nothing I do, are you saying that you can't keep the investments inside the DAF until you choose to direct the DAF to give? The DAF automatically liquidates the investments? I had thought some people left the investments in there to grow. The D...
by gasman
Sat Feb 12, 2022 3:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: HSA Provider Recommendation
Replies: 32
Views: 2747

Re: HSA Provider Recommendation

PersonalFinanceJam wrote: Sat Feb 12, 2022 3:17 pm Fidelity +1
+2
by gasman
Wed Feb 09, 2022 6:50 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Upcoming Bogleheads podcast guest is Eduardo Repetto, Ph.D.
Replies: 35
Views: 5504

Re: Upcoming Bogleheads podcast guest is Eduardo Repetto, Ph.D.

Why is Avanti's approach to factor investing superior to firms that do similar things? E.g., DFA, Wisdom Tree, Funds that use RAFI strategies?
by gasman
Fri Jan 28, 2022 9:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When do young adults become "digitally" independent?
Replies: 84
Views: 6674

Re: When do young adults become "digitally" independent?

Costs $10 per month per kid to keep on cell phone plan. Fine they can stay. Costs nothing to use our Netflix and other digital passwords. Fine they can use them.
by gasman
Tue Jan 25, 2022 3:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: bank/CD vs short term treasury (taxable)
Replies: 3
Views: 556

Re: bank/CD vs short term treasury (taxable)

you don't owe state and local taxes on income from Treasury securities. You do on CD income.
by gasman
Wed Jan 19, 2022 2:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Would you retire? [in my situation]
Replies: 33
Views: 4376

Re: Would you retire? [in my situation]

yes, assuming that I had a plan for health insurance.