Search found 2020 matches

by FelixTheCat
Tue Jan 16, 2024 9:39 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Adios, Vanguard
Replies: 465
Views: 96133

Re: Adios, Vanguard

Gort wrote: Sat Jan 13, 2024 8:32 am
FelixTheCat wrote: Thu Jan 11, 2024 3:53 pm I love these rants. I hate Vanguard,,,,but I’ll still use their products in ETF form.
Strong wording. Why do you HATE Vanguard?
I was being sarcastic. I've never had a problem with Vanguard.
by FelixTheCat
Thu Jan 11, 2024 3:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Adios, Vanguard
Replies: 465
Views: 96133

Re: Adios, Vanguard

I love these rants. I hate Vanguard,,,,but I’ll still use their products in ETF form.
by FelixTheCat
Fri Nov 17, 2023 2:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: White elephant (gag) gift ideas
Replies: 34
Views: 17297

Re: White elephant (gag) gift ideas

I was involved in a $20 or less gift exchange. A buddy emphasized the “or less” part. A hair catch drain stopper for $2 was the gift. My twisted sense of humor thought it was funny.
by FelixTheCat
Fri Nov 03, 2023 11:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help! Drowning in spam phone calls
Replies: 23
Views: 3069

Re: Help! Drowning in spam phone calls

I have Verizon’s Call Filter app. It reduced my junk calls to one a week.
by FelixTheCat
Tue Jun 27, 2023 9:44 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Article says as people get closer to retirement they realize they need less money
Replies: 39
Views: 6816

Re: Article says as people get closer to retirement they realize they need less money

I achieved the Boglehead suggested target, Retired. Then the market dropped 20%.
by FelixTheCat
Mon Jun 26, 2023 5:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is uninsured motor vehicle insurance a good idea?
Replies: 58
Views: 5642

Re: Is uninsured motor vehicle insurance a good idea?

I was in a three-car accident and the at-fault driver had the minimum coverage allowed by state law. My uninsured/underinsured coverage protected me.
by FelixTheCat
Mon Jun 26, 2023 2:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: I wanna pay off my mortgage
Replies: 150
Views: 14912

Re: I wanna pay off my mortgage

Paying off my mortgage was the best thing I’ve done. During my working years, I never worried about market crashes, job layoffs, or covid scenarios. I took my mortgage payment and invested it in my Boglehead portfolio. My plan helped me retire early.
by FelixTheCat
Mon Jun 26, 2023 1:36 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Tell me again, why dividends are not useful ?
Replies: 1156
Views: 91995

Re: Tell me again, why dividends are not useful ?

The first thing I was told on this board when I retired was not to reinvest my dividends in my taxable account I get my quarterly dividends from VTI to pay for my expenses.

In my retirement, dividends work well.
by FelixTheCat
Mon Jun 26, 2023 1:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Iphone vs Android
Replies: 181
Views: 11125

Re: Iphone vs Android

Android reminds me of Microsoft products. People were comfortable with the flaws and rebooting was normal to them. I owned two Android phones and I had to reboot them multiple times a day to get them to work. I complained to tech support and they responded with “rebooting only takes 15 seconds. What’s the big deal?”

I’ve never had a problem with Apple. I’ll pay the extra bucks for the quality and the integration with other apple devices.
by FelixTheCat
Thu May 18, 2023 11:50 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best place for cash position at Fidelity
Replies: 16
Views: 4216

Re: Best place for cash position at Fidelity

Have you looked at t-bills? 1 month t-bills are paying 5.223%.
by FelixTheCat
Sat Mar 18, 2023 2:13 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: US treasuries and interest rates
Replies: 2
Views: 925

Re: US treasuries and interest rates

I bought 90 day Treasuries at a higher rate. The bonds have increased in value since rates have dropped.

Maybe your brokerage hasn’t updated the bond values yet.
by FelixTheCat
Sat Mar 11, 2023 3:37 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help me advise my wife regarding windfall
Replies: 81
Views: 9292

Re: Help me advise my wife regarding windfall

Inheritance is a sole and separate property in California. Check your state laws. I would advise your wife to put the money in a separate account and invest how she wants.
by FelixTheCat
Sat Mar 11, 2023 3:23 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How to buy Treasuries on Fidelity?
Replies: 17
Views: 3630

Re: How to buy Treasuries on Fidelity?

Go to Fixed income page that shows the yields. Click New Issues. Click Treasury.

Get familiar with the Treasury schedule. For example, you can purchase new 3 month treasury every Thursday.
by FelixTheCat
Sun Jan 01, 2023 4:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Investment advice for 34 year old
Replies: 5
Views: 976

Re: Investment advice for 34 year old

I thimk it was Warren Buffett that gave me my philosophy. I view VTSAX as 4,026 companies that I own. I have millions of employees globally making me money 24/7. This view helped me to tune out market noise and not panic In turbulent markets.

To give you an idea of what your money would look like use Portfolio Visualizer. Use the investor shares VTSMX because it has a longer history then VTSAX.
https://www.portfoliovisualizer.com/backtest-portfolio
by FelixTheCat
Sun Jan 01, 2023 3:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Budgeting software?
Replies: 70
Views: 9757

Re: Budgeting software?

YNAB.
by FelixTheCat
Tue Dec 13, 2022 10:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Alert necklaces for the elderly
Replies: 38
Views: 3536

Re: Alert necklaces for the elderly

Apple Watch + cellular
by FelixTheCat
Wed Nov 23, 2022 5:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Why not do as Buffett?
Replies: 143
Views: 18648

Re: Why not do as Buffett?

climber2020 wrote: Tue Nov 15, 2022 1:40 pm Warren Buffett has 100 billion dollars.
I’m curious. What does this have to do with anything?

Bonds are safety. Equities are growth. Buffett is simply telling us have enough money in treasuries to ride out a down market and put most of your money in growth assets. His plan works for anyone that has the willpower to ride the equity roller coaster.
by FelixTheCat
Wed Nov 23, 2022 3:30 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: UTMA coming due for estranged child
Replies: 60
Views: 7775

Re: UTMA coming due for estranged child

MP123 wrote: Wed Nov 23, 2022 2:07 pm Perhaps you as custodian could move the account elsewhere and thus reset the time before it escheats to the state?
I found out I cannot move the account to another brokerage this late in the game.
by FelixTheCat
Wed Nov 23, 2022 1:39 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: UTMA coming due for estranged child
Replies: 60
Views: 7775

UTMA coming due for estranged child

I set up a UTMA for my child a long time ago with the age of majority being 25. My kid is estranged and all attempts at contact have been not returned. The brokerage firm told me the account will be closed in three years and the money will be sent to the state.

Are there any alternatives to this situation?
by FelixTheCat
Fri Sep 16, 2022 7:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: My Vanguard Experience. Moving to Schwab (looking for Schwab customer experiences)
Replies: 67
Views: 6852

Re: My Vanguard Experience. Moving to Schwab (looking for Schwab customer experiences)

Vanguard must love me. In the extremely rare occasion I need help, they answer my phone call and solve my issue. I wonder why others have issues.
by FelixTheCat
Sun May 01, 2022 10:39 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you balance your checkbook?
Replies: 200
Views: 15475

Re: Do you balance your checkbook?

bob60014 wrote: Sat Apr 30, 2022 7:59 am What's a checkbook? ;)
+1. My checkbook sits next to my cassette tapes. 😁


I use YNAB.
by FelixTheCat
Mon Mar 07, 2022 10:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Support for displaced Ukrainians
Replies: 33
Views: 4782

Re: Support for displaced Ukrainians

The center for high impact philanthropy suggests https://www.impact.upenn.edu/ukraine-c ... -574219653
by FelixTheCat
Sat Mar 05, 2022 5:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pay off niece's credit card debt or not?
Replies: 96
Views: 10663

Re: Pay off niece's credit card debt or not?

samsoes wrote: Fri Mar 04, 2022 8:06 pm Don't pay it! She needs to learn responsibility, She doesn't need to be enabled. She's an adult, soon to have a college degree.
+1
by FelixTheCat
Sat Mar 05, 2022 5:56 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: do I need a money manager after $1 million?
Replies: 157
Views: 18275

Re: do I need a money manager after $1 million?

No. Do it yourself
by FelixTheCat
Fri Mar 04, 2022 7:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Support for displaced Ukrainians
Replies: 33
Views: 4782

Re: Support for displaced Ukrainians

World Central Kitchen is in Ukraine and Poland feeding refugee. https://wck.org/
by FelixTheCat
Sun Feb 06, 2022 10:25 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Maximum years of X in Fixed Income
Replies: 254
Views: 21163

Re: Maximum years of X in Fixed Income

You are thinking like Buffett. X years in short term Treasuries. The rest in S&P 500.
by FelixTheCat
Sun Feb 06, 2022 10:16 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Purchasing fractional ETF shares - How much cash can I offer?
Replies: 28
Views: 2301

Re: Purchasing fractional ETF shares - How much cash can I offer?

I purchased fractional shares. I buy VOO for $100 during market hours. I’ll usually get $99.84. About 16 cents always sits in my cash.
by FelixTheCat
Thu Feb 03, 2022 9:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program.
Replies: 1
Views: 317

California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program.

I am a sole proprietor that received a California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant.

I cannot find any information on whether California will send me a 1099. Does anyone have any information?
by FelixTheCat
Thu Jan 20, 2022 1:51 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Is 100% VTSAX good for early twenties?
Replies: 94
Views: 8552

Re: Is 100% VTSAX good for early twenties?

You are going to get a lot of different opinions on this board regarding bond funds, investing in international, etc. Bogle and Buffett are of the same philosophy of investing in domestic equities. Bogle said “invest up to 20% max in international if you must”. I went with their opinion and stuck with domestic equities only. You will do fine with the S&P500 index fund or the total stock market index fund as a core investment in your portfolio.

You are already doing great thinking about investing in your twenties. What’s next? Budgeting?
by FelixTheCat
Thu Dec 30, 2021 9:49 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: I never rebalance
Replies: 121
Views: 14933

Re: I never rebalance

Thanks for the video. Loved Jack’s quote of “The less you rebalance the more you will have because you are always selling the better performing assets.” It’s the same philosophy as Warren Buffett.
by FelixTheCat
Wed Mar 17, 2021 7:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How quickly did you receive your 2020 tax refund?
Replies: 437
Views: 50274

Re: How quickly did you receive your 2020 tax refund?

Paper filed on 2/16 (I qualified for a Sole Proprietorship Covid adjustment).
Waiting...
by FelixTheCat
Thu Mar 11, 2021 10:45 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Schedule C Sole Proprietor-Roth IRA Contributions
Replies: 9
Views: 814

Re: Schedule C Sole Proprietor-Roth IRA Contributions

I'm a Sole Proprietor. Open a Solo 401K for the business.

I max out my Roth IRA.
I max out my Roth 401K as an employee.
I contribute profit sharing money as an employer.

I have two 401Ks at Vanguard https://investor.vanguard.com/small-bus ... -solo-401k

I use this link to calculate how much profit sharing I can contribute https://obliviousinvestor.com/solo-401k ... alculator/
by FelixTheCat
Tue Mar 09, 2021 6:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's It Really Like to Work With Vanguard's Personal Advisory Service?
Replies: 179
Views: 26906

Re: What's It Really Like to Work With Vanguard's Personal Advisory Service?

daleddm wrote: Tue Mar 09, 2021 12:57 pm Also, the specificity of withdrawal strategies was lacking, even evasive.
I had a meeting with PAS specifically for the tax savvy withdrawal strategy. I was told PAS has a cost basis category called "Tax Efficient" in addition to what we have Spec ID, LIFO, FIFO and AVG Cost. I was told Taxable, Tax Deferred and Roth was the sequence for the withdrawal.

I told PAS my Fidelity brokerage account has the Tax Efficient category. It makes wonder if I should transfer my assets to Fidelity when I retire.
by FelixTheCat
Tue Mar 09, 2021 1:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Would you lump sum right now?
Replies: 57
Views: 5341

Re: Would you lump sum right now?

I use Buffett's philosophy. Invest the money and get back to work.
by FelixTheCat
Fri Mar 05, 2021 5:50 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Buffett on Bonds bleak future
Replies: 28
Views: 5201

Re: Buffett on Bonds bleak future

White Coat Investor wrote: Fri Mar 05, 2021 5:04 pm You know this isn't a new position for Buffett, right? He's never been a fan of bonds, even when yields were higher.
+1
by FelixTheCat
Fri Mar 05, 2021 5:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is my Financial Advisor's advice sound?
Replies: 69
Views: 8067

Re: Is my Financial Advisor's advice sound?

Good afternoon all! I am in my early twenties and have been doing all of my investing through my TSP (aka 401k) in low cost index funds. I invest about 15% of each paycheck into my Roth TSP/401k. I also have $400k of term life insurance through my employer. Why do you have term life insurance? Are you married or have children? I just talked to a First Command financial advisor and she recommended that I start investing in FAGAX (5 star Morningstar rating) in a brokerage account for needs before retirement and to grow my money. The expense ratio is too high. Look at VTSAX for broad based domestic stock index fund She also recommended whole life insurance. Run Forrest Run! Whole life insurance is not advised. I just wanted a second opinion (...
by FelixTheCat
Fri Mar 05, 2021 12:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much Umbrella Insurance?
Replies: 57
Views: 10726

Re: How much Umbrella Insurance?

My State Farm agent told me "The amount of assets you have."
by FelixTheCat
Thu Mar 04, 2021 5:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Advice for daughter on financial adviser
Replies: 36
Views: 4494

Re: Advice for daughter on financial adviser

Most of us on this board learn how to invest. If your daughter has no interest in reading the Boglehead board, then I suggest Vanguard's Personal Advisor Service https://investor.vanguard.com/advice/fi ... r-services
by FelixTheCat
Thu Mar 04, 2021 12:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Victim of Unemployment Fraud -- in multiple states!
Replies: 19
Views: 2999

Re: Victim of Unemployment Fraud -- in multiple states!

brian91480 wrote: Mon Mar 01, 2021 6:45 pm
FelixTheCat wrote: Mon Mar 01, 2021 6:35 pm Have you locked down your credit? https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Credit_freeze
I froze my credit a few weeks ago.. after the first case of fraud appeared with Minnesota.

But that really helps for things for like... people applying for loans or opening up credit card accounts. I'm not sure what helps with fraudulent unemployment claims?
Someone has your information. Do you think they will stop at unemployment claims?
by FelixTheCat
Thu Mar 04, 2021 12:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to invest Emergency fund money?
Replies: 22
Views: 2402

Re: How to invest Emergency fund money?

Emergency fund needs capital preservation. Money Markets, CDs, T Bills.
by FelixTheCat
Mon Mar 01, 2021 6:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where to put my bonds?
Replies: 7
Views: 1224

Re: Where to put my bonds?

I talked to PAS. It was the PAS software that rearranged my account. The PAS advisor agreed with BH philosophy.
by FelixTheCat
Mon Mar 01, 2021 2:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where to put my bonds?
Replies: 7
Views: 1224

Re: Where to put my bonds?

You guys invest like I do. I'll post their response when I have my meeting later today.
by FelixTheCat
Mon Mar 01, 2021 1:02 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where to put my bonds?
Replies: 7
Views: 1224

Where to put my bonds?

My Plan
I've always have been told to put Total Stock Market Index in my Roth IRA so it will grow tax free. I don't have enough money in my tax deferred accounts to put all of my bond money so I have California Municipals in my taxable space.

PAS Plan
I went for my free PAS evaluation. Their recommendation is reversing the concept. Total Bond Market Index in my Roth IRA and Total Stock Market Index in my taxable.

Which plan seems right to you?
by FelixTheCat
Mon Mar 01, 2021 12:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Parents gifting my infant son $10k. What's the smartest way to invest it?
Replies: 45
Views: 5398

Re: Parents gifting my infant son $10k. What's the smartest way to invest it?

Custodial accounts age of majority is 18. In some states it is 25. How would you feel if your darling son is not the mature 18 year old you hoped? He could spend the money on what ever he desired. Personally, I would open another brokerage account in your name and fund it with VTSAX. You pay the taxes on dividends and capital gains. This way you can give him the money when you feel it is right to do so. You’re missing the point it’s the child’s money. The parent has no right to do what you describe. Gill The parent is the custodian. They have the choice to put the money in a UTMA, 529, Taxable account. Most 18 year olds would spend their money on frivolous things. My proposal allows the parent to determine when the child is ready for the f...
by FelixTheCat
Wed Feb 24, 2021 5:37 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Parents gifting my infant son $10k. What's the smartest way to invest it?
Replies: 45
Views: 5398

Re: Parents gifting my infant son $10k. What's the smartest way to invest it?

Custodial accounts age of majority is 18. In some states it is 25.

How would you feel if your darling son is not the mature 18 year old you hoped? He could spend the money on what ever he desired. Personally, I would open another brokerage account in your name and fund it with VTSAX. You pay the taxes on dividends and capital gains. This way you can give him the money when you feel it is right to do so.
by FelixTheCat
Wed Feb 24, 2021 12:50 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best way to withdraw money during earlier retirement
Replies: 32
Views: 3581

Re: Best way to withdraw money during earlier retirement

I think the best way is to have zero cash and have one's taxable portfolio 100% invested in equities. Why zero cash? Some threads on this board have two-to-three years in cash. Their philosophies are 1) There's no taxable events in spending cash. 2) If the market tanks, then you don't have to sell equities at a severe loss. I want to sell equities in my taxable account when they have a loss in an act of tax-loss harvesting. I do not have a Loss Aversion Bone in my body. Any cash just reduces my tax-loss harvesting opportunities and in the long term, cash is probably the lowest performing asset class. I think the folks who have 2-to-3 years in cash fear losses. They are not me. I am not them. Thanks for explaining. The tax-loss harvesting s...
by FelixTheCat
Tue Feb 23, 2021 7:13 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best way to withdraw money during earlier retirement
Replies: 32
Views: 3581

Re: Best way to withdraw money during earlier retirement

livesoft wrote: Tue Feb 23, 2021 5:59 pm I think the best way is to have zero cash and have one's taxable portfolio 100% invested in equities.
Why zero cash? Some threads on this board have two-to-three years in cash.

Their philosophies are 1) There's no taxable events in spending cash. 2) If the market tanks, then you don't have to sell equities at a severe loss.