Search found 421 matches

by hq38sq43
Sun Jun 05, 2022 6:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Retirement: Income to Net Worth Ratio
Replies: 181
Views: 14567

Re: Retirement: Income to Net Worth Ratio

A provocative and fun little book on very early retirement is Cashing In On The American Dream by Paul Terhorst.
It's now out of print, but used copies might still be available from Amazon.

Harry at Bradenton
by hq38sq43
Sat Aug 01, 2020 7:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Unmotivated daughter and son in law.
Replies: 115
Views: 11574

Re: Unmotivated daughter and son in law.

Lots of good discussion discussion of "economic outpatient care" in Chapter 5 of Tom Stanley and William Danko's The Millionaire Next Door that might be useful to you.

Good luck,
by hq38sq43
Wed Feb 12, 2020 11:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Having a baby in April 2020 - Whats your best financial advice for a new parent
Replies: 102
Views: 11355

Re: Having a baby in April 2020 - Whats your best financial advice for a new parent

tenkuky wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2020 1:01 pm Congratulations.
Ensure you have adequate life insurance at a good price, aka Term life (not just work-place group term).
-!!

Best wishes,

Harry at Bradenton
by hq38sq43
Sat Nov 09, 2019 12:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: After 2 weeks on new job, I am wanting to return to my old job, this is a terrible idea right?
Replies: 74
Views: 11434

Re: After 2 weeks on new job, I am wanting to return to my old job, this is a terrible idea right?

My first lawyering job was with a federal bank regulatory agency which I left after 3 years to join a small general practice firm in central Ohio. Upon leaving I received a memo from the then chief legal officer wishing me well and inviting me to return if the new job didn't work out. It didn't, so after a year I accepted the invitation to return. Four years later, a new chief legal officer invited me to accompany her to a different regulatory agency to which she had been named a commissioner. Three years later she left for a partnership at a large business law firm in DC where I soon joined her. After deciding a year of "big law" was enough for me I rejoined the bank regulatory agency where I was soon named "acting" chi...
by hq38sq43
Sat Jan 19, 2019 8:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Myrtle Beach Restaurants
Replies: 15
Views: 1534

Re: Myrtle Beach Restaurants

Hog Heaven, 7147 Ocean Hwy, Pawleys Island, a terrific family buffet popular with both locals and visitors for good reason. Google the name for its menu of delicious, authentic southern food and prices that belie the quality of its food, service, and ambience.
by hq38sq43
Wed Oct 17, 2018 4:30 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Help me understand dividends
Replies: 146
Views: 17038

Re: Help me understand dividends

See The Essays of Warren Buffett. pp. 178-188

Best regards,
by hq38sq43
Tue Oct 16, 2018 11:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Jury duty - already booked vacation
Replies: 53
Views: 15002

Re: Jury duty - already booked vacation

When near the end of my career as a government lawyer in Washington, DC, members of the bar became subject to jury service, I was glad to be summoned and to serve. When I requested deferral for valid reason the request was always granted without quibble. Sure, jury duty is sometimes a nuisance, even a burden, but it is a essential part of our democracy. Service as a juror can also be a terrific learning experience. When my wife reported her experience whenever she served while I could not, I was awed and envious. When I eventually served (and was usually immediately elected foreman) my awe of juries and their role in our democracy grew exponentially. It is amazing how well and how seriously most ordinary people serving as jurors do their jo...
by hq38sq43
Mon Oct 15, 2018 1:38 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "Turn Off The Financial News"
Replies: 13
Views: 2363

Re: "Turn Off The Financial News"

Warren Buffett on active stock trading:
Calling someone who trades actively in the stock market an investor is like calling someone who engages repeatedly in one-night stands a romantic.

Stay the course,
by hq38sq43
Tue Oct 09, 2018 9:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What purchase saved you the most money?
Replies: 174
Views: 22840

Re: What purchase saved you the most money?

Two books purchased 40+ years ago:
Making The Most Of Your Money (Jane Bryant Quinn)
The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need (Andrew Tobias).

Best regards,
by hq38sq43
Sun Oct 07, 2018 7:01 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Just read book RESET [Portfolio help - UK living in Channel Islands]
Replies: 12
Views: 1376

Re: Just read book RESET

Find symbols a bigcharts.maketwatch.com
by hq38sq43
Sun Jul 22, 2018 7:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Weekly reading to increase knowledge on business / tech
Replies: 12
Views: 1626

Re: Weekly reading to increase knowledge on business / tech

The Essays of Warren Buffett
Lessons for Corporate America
Third Edition (2013)


Best Wishes,
by hq38sq43
Thu Jul 19, 2018 9:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Auto Insurance, best way to compare
Replies: 13
Views: 3064

Re: Auto Insurance, best way to compare

The reason DW and I have insured with USAA for over 50 years is that on the rare occasion we filed a claim we promptly received a prompt, fair settlement. It isn't always true that "you get what you pay for," but we ae satisfied that what we get from USAA is worth its premium.

Warm regards,
by hq38sq43
Tue Feb 06, 2018 12:14 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bitcoin in Freefall
Replies: 191
Views: 29661

Re: Bitcoin in Freefall

Deleted.
by hq38sq43
Tue Feb 06, 2018 12:13 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bitcoin in Freefall
Replies: 191
Views: 29661

Re: Bitcoin in Freefall

To call someone actively trading in the market an investor is like calling someone engaging in one night stands a romantic.

-- Warren Buffett
by hq38sq43
Thu Dec 07, 2017 12:25 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Are Dividends Perceived as Moral; Capital Value Changes as Immoral?
Replies: 55
Views: 4616

Re: Are Dividends Perceived as Moral; Capital Value Changes as Immoral?

For an excellent analysis of dividends, among other investment topics, see The Essays of Warren Buffett: Lessons for Corporate America, excerpts from Buffett's annual letters to Berkshire Hathaway' shareholders. As to dividends, Buffett emphasizes that "unrestricted earnings" (earnings not needed to strengthen or main a company's competitive position) should be retained, rather than paid out as dividends, "only if the capital retained produces incremental earnings equal to, or above, those generally available to investors." In other words, dividends should be paid if the funds thus made available to shareholders would enable them to invest more profitably elsewhere. If no such equal or better alternative investment is ge...
by hq38sq43
Sun Nov 19, 2017 1:16 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Book for new college graduate
Replies: 20
Views: 2316

Re: Book for new college graduate

My favorite for such folks is Andrew Tobias's The Only Investing Guide You'll Ever Need, originally published over 30 years ago and revised somewhat every 3 or 4 years since then. Short, a fun read, and lots of very sound, useful advice on saving and investing. Available from Amazon for about $15.

And, of course, there is Fred Schwed Jr's Where are the Customers Yachts? for a dated but still humorously educational memoir of Fred's brief career on Wall Street.

Best regards,
by hq38sq43
Sat Oct 28, 2017 9:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: we're going to get hit with taxes next year, help please
Replies: 21
Views: 2993

Re: we're going to get hit with taxes next year, help please

"I like to pay taxes. With them I buy civilization."
Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr

Best wishes,
by hq38sq43
Fri Sep 29, 2017 2:20 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why do you LBYM? Why do you save and invest?
Replies: 204
Views: 22592

Re: Why do you LBYM? Why do you save and invest?

For a financially secure retirement. Done.

Best regards,
by hq38sq43
Sun Sep 17, 2017 6:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: point and shoot digital cameras
Replies: 35
Views: 3833

Re: point and shoot digital cameras

DSInvestor wrote: Sun Sep 17, 2017 11:22 am What did she decide to get?

FWIW, I have a canon powershot and an iPhone 5S. I hardly ever use my powershot. I use the iPhone camera daily and the pics are great. My daughter switched from her iPhone 4S to a low cost android phone and she said the camera is not as good as her old iPhone 4S. If one's phone includes a decent camera, there may be little need for a separate point and shoot camera.
SONY DSC-W830, purchased today at Best Buy. I know nothing about cameras, so I can only hope she's right about this one meeting her needs.

Thanks again,
by hq38sq43
Sun Sep 17, 2017 10:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: point and shoot digital cameras
Replies: 35
Views: 3833

Re: point and shoot digital cameras

Many thanks, everyone. DW did her own research and decided on a camera she believe meets her needs.

Warm regards,
by hq38sq43
Sat Sep 16, 2017 7:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Websites for last minute travel?
Replies: 5
Views: 1657

Re: Websites for last minute travel?

The cover of Andrew Tobias's Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need contains the following blurb from the New York Times: "So full of tips and angles that only a booby or a billionaire could not benefit." And it does. Chapter 2 contains dozens of tips on saving money, including on last minute air fares.
Check it out. You'll be glad you did.

Best regards,
by hq38sq43
Sat Sep 16, 2017 6:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: point and shoot digital cameras
Replies: 35
Views: 3833

point and shoot digital cameras

Any advice on moderately priced point and shoot digital cameras?
by hq38sq43
Sun Jun 04, 2017 1:37 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Everything keeps going up, this feels too easy?
Replies: 113
Views: 13496

Re: Everything keeps going up, this feels too easy?

"In some quarters, financial genius is a rising market and a short memory."
John Kenneth Galbraith

Best wishes,
by hq38sq43
Fri Aug 19, 2016 10:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Are you on Facebook?
Replies: 179
Views: 20912

Re: Are you on Facebook?

No. No obvious benefit to me or others I care about or who care about me.
by hq38sq43
Sat Jul 02, 2016 10:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Money vs. Happiness
Replies: 94
Views: 16806

Re: Money vs. Happiness

Google Paul Terhorst re very early retirement. Not for everyone, but to each his or her own.

Best wishes
by hq38sq43
Thu Jun 23, 2016 4:50 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What's the ideal safe retirement net worth target?
Replies: 264
Views: 67712

Re: What's the ideal safe retirement net worth target?

Very hard to beat Jane Bryant Quinn's recent book How To Make Your Money Last on this topic.

Warm regards,
by hq38sq43
Thu Jan 07, 2016 9:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What to do with my Audi A3 TDI
Replies: 54
Views: 6999

Re: What to do with my Audi A3 TDI

Bought a 2-year-old Audi in 1972 and drove it happily for 2 years. Thereafter, the steadily increasing costs of maintenance and repairs convinced me to get rid of it. Finally found a "shade tree mechanic" willing to take it off my hands for a few hundred dollars. Always thought myself lucky to have found him.

Drove a rental Audi while on vacation last year and was again impressed with performance, bells and whistles, etc., but would never buy one again. Once burned, twice shy.

Best regards,
by hq38sq43
Sun Nov 15, 2015 9:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: If I buy $20,000 of a fund, and sell it at $19,500, how much money have I lost?
Replies: 22
Views: 4196

Re: If I buy $20,000 of a fund, and sell it at $19,500, how much money have I lost?

Depends on disposition of the sale proceeds and events after the sale. The sold fund could improve or further decline in value, resulting in lost opportunity or avoidance of further real loss. Holding the proceeds pending reinvestment could similarly result in opportunity cost or avoidance of further real loss. Reinvestment could be into a better or worse performing fund. The sale proceeds could be used to avoid a worse loss elsewhere (e.g. avoiding mortgage foreclosure). The immediate loss could possibly reduce tax expense by offsetting gain in a different investment.

So, what to do? Generally, the answer, in Mr. Bogle's words, is "stay the course" (absent compelling reason to do otherwise).

Best regards,
by hq38sq43
Thu Oct 29, 2015 6:37 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Any books for how people become wealthy?
Replies: 67
Views: 10434

Re: Any books for how people become wealthy?

JustinTime wrote:Thanks a lot of good stuff. Also a lot of post about things to do to get wealthy, but this really wasn't what I was interested in just the stories of some of the successful people.
The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life: Alice Schroeder. For me, a page-turner for several reasons, one being that in the 1940's Buffett and I delivered newspapers in adjacent neighborhoods in Washington , D.C. I often relate the story in it of Kay Graham (publisher of the Washington Post) asking Buffett for a dime to make a phone call (how times have changed) and calling after him as he wandered off to find change for a quarter "Warren, the quarter will do." That's frugal.

Best regards,
by hq38sq43
Fri Oct 09, 2015 5:51 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard Target Date Retirement Funds
Replies: 31
Views: 4561

Re: Vanguard Target Date Retirement Funds

See Jane Bryant Quinn's Smart & Simple Financial Strategies for Busy People for what a widely admired writer on personal money management thinks of target date funds. Hint:, she thinks they're terrific.
by hq38sq43
Sun Oct 04, 2015 3:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where in the U.S. can I buy a house for under $250k that's a nice place to live?
Replies: 152
Views: 22185

Re: Where in the U.S. can I buy a house for under $250k that's a nice place to live?

Bradenton, Florida, to which DW and I retired from Washington DC six years ago. Forty miles north is Tampa with all the usual big city stuff. Twenty miles south is Sarasota with the culture stuff DW delights in, e.g. Sarasota Opera, Sarasota Ballet, Ringling Art Museum, Selby Botanical Gardens. Bradenton itself has plenty of what you say interests you on a smaller scale.

When I mentioned your post to DW this morning, she said "tell him about Bradenton, it's paradise."

Good luck,
by hq38sq43
Thu Sep 17, 2015 6:51 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: moving TSP funds at 59 & 1/2.... any advice?
Replies: 15
Views: 1893

Re: moving TSP funds at 59 & 1/2.... any advice?

Such decisions are, of course, personal and situational. I decided to do just the opposite. Moved all my tax qualified USAA and Fidelity money into my TSP Life Cycle 2020 account. Considered moving to Vanguard, but opted for TSP because of its G Fund, low expense ratio, and exclusive focus on federal employees and retirees. I saw no need for diversification beyond what TSP offers. Still don't.

Best wishes,
by hq38sq43
Tue Aug 11, 2015 9:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone not own a Smartphone
Replies: 76
Views: 7629

Re: Anyone not own a Smartphone

No Smartphone, no stigma I'm aware of. Just some kidding from time to time. To each his/her own.

Warm regards,
by hq38sq43
Wed Jul 29, 2015 6:45 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Jeremy Grantham: The 10 Topics That Really Matter
Replies: 4
Views: 1750

Re: Jeremy Grantham: The 10 Topics That Really Matter

Charles Krauthammer, with whom I rarely agree, recently published a little book: Things That Matter. Based on the reviews, I bought a copy, read it, and was very impressed.
by hq38sq43
Wed Jul 29, 2015 11:48 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Are equities really as risky as anyone thinks?
Replies: 271
Views: 25238

Re: Are equities really as risky as anyone thinks?

What you seem to be saying is that the fundamental returns of stocks (dividends and earnings) are more stable than the market price — which is true — but investors can't just ignore the price risk and speculative returns that are inherent in equity investing. Thanks for the chart that was illustrative. This is my central point though: if you have a long enough horizon you know that your total return will converge to the real return and the speculative return converges to 0. Also if you only withdraw dividends and don't tap into principle which a long-term investor can do, then you actually CAN ignore fluctuation in price -- it is actually a good thing because it allows you to move some cash reserves into equities or reinvest dividends. War...
by hq38sq43
Mon Jul 27, 2015 6:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Rolling over 403b to Roth IRA for 1st home purchase
Replies: 15
Views: 1343

Re: Rolling over 403b to Roth IRA for 1st home purchase

As others have suggested, useful analysis of and response to your post requires consideration of a great many variables (e.g.,personal, financial, emotional). I therefore suggest you seek out and consult a competent, reputable financial planner for further advice. Of course, finding and compensating such a planner will not be easy (for help , see The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing or Jane Bryant Quinn's Smart and Simple Financial Strategies for Busy People), but spending that time, money, and effort might spare you very considerable remorse down the road I am not a planner, just a retired government lawyer with considerable skepticism about invading retirement accounts, even to buy a first home. Buying a home obviates paying rent (while tri...
by hq38sq43
Tue Jun 23, 2015 4:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best Advice [Best single piece of advice to give a new investor]
Replies: 56
Views: 8952

Re: Best Advice [Best single piece of advice to give a new investor]

Read Andrew Tobias's The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need.
by hq38sq43
Wed Jun 10, 2015 1:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Perpetual Travelling
Replies: 80
Views: 20494

Re: Perpetual Travelling

I'm hoping and planning to retire early and prior to establishing a new home base in an area with a lower cost of living, one thing I'd like to do is stash my belongings somewhere in the US (not a big deal for me) and head out for a year, likely 2 years. I am interested in visiting parts of Europe, South America and beyond. I've got experience travelling at all class levels - free (eg hiking, camping), frugally (hostels, airline and hotel deals) and first class (you name it! LOL) and I easily adapt and can move between them and my budget will allow for some flexibility. What I'd like to know is if anyone here is familiar with a blogger who writes about this or a book author who has written about their tips for doing this and leading this k...
by hq38sq43
Mon Jun 01, 2015 7:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Thoughts on Federal Employment
Replies: 86
Views: 16480

Re: Thoughts on Federal Employment

I recently received a job offer as a Consumer Safety Officer with the FDA. I was wondering if anyone had any knowledge of this job title or thoughts on federal employment in general. The position is in the food safety specialty and career ladders to gs 12. I currently work in a similar position for local government. I had one coworker who made the jump over to federal employment (different region though) and he is very happy. I also know one person who has worked for the feds for a couple of decades and is very unhappy. I've read about the furloughs and the proposed cuts to benefits, but i'm not sure how likely any of that is to occur again. I would really appreciate any information anyone has to share on the matter, thank you. Bob: I was ...
by hq38sq43
Wed May 27, 2015 7:20 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Any impartial advocates for the other point of view?
Replies: 32
Views: 4550

Re: Any impartial advocates for the other point of view?

My favorite sources of unbiased advise on personal finance and investing are:

Andrew Tobias's The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need
Jane Bryant Quinn's Smart and Simple Financial Strategies for Busy People and (much more comprehensive) Making the Most of your Money Now
Taylor Larimore et al's The Bogleheads's Guide to Investing

You simply can't get better, unbiased advice than is contained is those books, available for ca. $50 from Amazon. There are many books and other sources (including this forum) as good or nearly as good, but none better.

Best wishes,
by hq38sq43
Tue May 26, 2015 7:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: much ado about coasting (through life)
Replies: 256
Views: 63866

Re: much ado about coasting (through life)

Ca. 30 years ago, Paul Terhorst retired at age 35 from a major CPA firm after deciding he was working mainly to fund his assets. He liquidated virtually all the assets, bought laddered, insured CDs, wrote Cashing in on the American Dream, and since has traveled the world with his wife Vicki. The book is out of print and more than slightly out of date financially, but was an eye-opener for me when I took early CSRS retirement in 1991. I highly recommend it to anyone taking or contemplating early exit from the rat race.
by hq38sq43
Thu Apr 09, 2015 9:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I renege [on a] job offer?
Replies: 48
Views: 8937

Re: Should I renege [on a] job offer?

Alex Frakt wrote:Let me sum up what you have said so far. You like everything about the consulting job. You hate everything about the banking job. The pay at the latter is better, but the former is enough to live on comfortably and you've already accepted a position there.

Why are you even considering this?
+1
by hq38sq43
Wed Apr 08, 2015 7:32 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The $1 Million Goal: Source of Motivation or Discouragement?
Replies: 172
Views: 28293

Re: The $1 Million Goal: Source of Motivation or Discouragem

JoMoney wrote:Whether the number is right or wrong, I think having something to aim at helps with achieving any kind of goal. You have to know where you want to go or you'll just wonder around without direction and you'll never know when you get there... wherever "there" is.
If you don't know or care where you're going, any road will take you there. But, as my darling daughter says, wherever you are, there you are.

Best wishes,
by hq38sq43
Mon Mar 30, 2015 9:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Nanny in Oakland
Replies: 3
Views: 1042

Re: Nanny in Oakland

Jazztonight wrote:Do you mean late 2015 and early 2016?
Yes, thanks.
by hq38sq43
Mon Mar 30, 2015 7:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Nanny in Oakland
Replies: 3
Views: 1042

Nanny in Oakland

Daughter in Oakland CA needs for few weeks in late '15--early '16 reliable, competent, full-time nanny for 3-year-old and new baby. Anyone knowledgeable about going rates of such help there and how to find it?

Many thanks,
by hq38sq43
Sun Mar 15, 2015 7:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cruise.Com Bait and Switch Tactics
Replies: 28
Views: 5110

Re: Cruise.Com Bait and Switch Tactics

Sidney wrote:Several friends have taken river cruises with Viking and all have spoken highly of their experience.
+1
by hq38sq43
Sun Mar 08, 2015 8:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Poll: Do you consider mortgage payments an investment?
Replies: 58
Views: 6905

Re: Poll: Do you consider mortgage payments an investment?

Yes, in part.

With reasonably good luck, a purchased home appreciates in value over the long term, as with any prudent investment. Of course, while owned, a home may increase (even spike) or decline (even plummet) in value, as with any asset. A crucial consideration is that buying a home provides both current enjoyment and reasonable expectation of long term gain. Few other investments offer that double-whammy.

Best regards,
by hq38sq43
Sun Mar 01, 2015 9:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Has anyone ever voluntarily downsized their job?
Replies: 32
Views: 5916

Re: Has anyone ever voluntarily downsized their job?

I have often thought that had I remained another year or two in my senior federal government job, my pension would have been substantially higher. But I concluded then and after 20+ retirement years conclude now that the stress would likely have substantially shortened my life and degraded its quality. Life is an unending series of trade-offs to be made with fear and trembling, and hopefully a satisfactory outcome.

Best wishes,