Search found 24 matches

by raildogg
Thu Jul 17, 2014 8:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Leo Tolstoy, a Boglehead
Replies: 8
Views: 1137

Re: Leo Tolstoy, a Boglehead

We don't really know Leo Tolstoy and even if we was a Boglehead, so what? Does that add more credibility to the term "Boglehead"? (Don't mean to be difficult :)

Also, if he was such an independent man, I doubt he would be happy to be labeled a Boglehead. If we look at the comments section of that link, it shows that interpretations are different. This is because everyone has a different motive. We humans twist other people's words, including Tolstoy's, to suit our wishes.
by raildogg
Sat Aug 17, 2013 10:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax deduction tips for small businesses
Replies: 2
Views: 480

Tax deduction tips for small businesses

Hello everyone, I was listening to Robert Kyosaki's audio book today and while this isn't the first time I've heard it, I paid more attention when he mentioned that his corporation paid for his automobiles, car payments, insurance, etc. This is obviously because the business purchased the vehicle and therefore can use it as an expense, along with the other expenses associated with it. He also mentions other categories that can be deducted, such as meals, of course, and some others. The type of business I'm in doesn't require me to purchase an automobile but I'm just curious what is everyone's tips on using extra deductions (legally). I know the usual ones, such as meals, travel expenses. But are there others that you guys deduct that might ...
by raildogg
Wed Jul 03, 2013 4:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cheap Razors
Replies: 81
Views: 11316

Re: Cheap Razors

Hey everyone, I've been using straight razors since I started shaving. I've noticed that if I don't use a more expensive razor, such as the Gillette Fusion, I don't get a close shave. Of course, a really close shave also means a somewhat drier skin for me. I really don't want to pay that much for a Gillette Fusion and most of the disposables I've used cause irritation and the quality of the shave isn't as good. So, I am not sure if a safety razor like a Merkur would be good or not. I'm also a bit hesitant due to the perceived difficulty and complicated process of it. Also, if someone here can comment on the Dollarshaveclub.com I would appreciate it. So basically, I'm trying to find something that is very cost effective yet gives a close sha...
by raildogg
Sat Mar 10, 2012 1:15 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Three-Fund Portfolio
Replies: 3895
Views: 2424184

Re: Vanguard experts saw the light ahead.

Further support for this 3-Fund approach comes from the fact that these same 3 funds form the core holdings in Vanguard's own Target Retirement Funds. With the most recent changes in the Target and Life Strategy Funds, Vanguard experts finally saw the light. :wink: Happy New Year! Taylor Each New Year brings the hope of progress -- or at least of new ideas to consider. A case could be made that the new generation of Vanguard's all-in-one funds is even better than a traditional implementation of a lazy Big Three Index Fund portfolio: * simpler * much better stability of asset ratios (apparent risk), with no manual rebalancing required (unless life circumstances change) * during 2011 at least, slightly better returns for any of the Target Re...
by raildogg
Sun Jan 15, 2012 3:44 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: From WSJ - Target Funds Miss Their Marks -- Again
Replies: 45
Views: 5034

Re: From WSJ - Target Funds Miss Their Marks -- Again

What do you guys feel about the new LifeStrategy funds compared with the Target funds?

I might be wrong but choosing a LifeStrategy fund with a constant AA rather than a Target fund whose AA shifts over time may make managing once's portfolio slightly easier - correct me if I'm wrong. My problem with the Target funds is that they are either too aggressive or shift too quickly toward a conservative AA. I am still learning but I lean more towards the LifeStrategy funds. Then again I have much to learn so I cannot really make these claims with any solid reasoning.
by raildogg
Wed Nov 30, 2011 6:31 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "Is a Single Target Retirement Fund Really OK?"
Replies: 25
Views: 5423

Re: "Is a Single Target Retirement Fund Really OK?"

I know this is an old thread but I it should be ok to revive it :D . I am glad to be here on this forum as the advice is very forthcoming. As my current portfolio is growing, my asset allocation is very off course from my proposed percentages. However, purchasing an Target Retirement fund could bring me much closer to my desired AA. Would it just be better to accept an AA that is way off course early on and then when the portfolio (hopefully) grows, it will balance because the funds will be placed accordingly. The reason I am hesitant to purchase a TR fund is because I also have a taxable account. To me, it seems easier to just keep bonds in Roth while having stocks in taxable. Anyway, another nice thread.
by raildogg
Thu Nov 17, 2011 12:56 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Better way to manage my Asset Allocation?
Replies: 10
Views: 1263

Re: Better way to manage my Asset Allocation?

Thank you for answering my questions and concerns. I hope to contribute at least $1K per month for a while so my taxable account should grow much larger than the retirement account. This is what is a bit tricky to a noobish investor like myself. I am trying to keep funds in different accounts primarily based on their tax efficiency. Since the portfolio size is not large at this time, I like the suggestion of holding a conservative Target Retirement fund in the Roth to bring AA closer to desired level. I am leaning towards the TR 2025, 2020 or the 2015 as you suggested. Is it a good idea to have a bond fund along with the TR Funds in the future if my AA calls for it? I guess when the time is right for additional diversification, I'll come ba...
by raildogg
Thu Nov 17, 2011 11:35 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Better way to manage my Asset Allocation?
Replies: 10
Views: 1263

Re: Better way to manage my Asset Allocation?

retiredjg, The SEP IRA, if and when it is opened, will likely be at Vanguard. I have a Roth Ira that has 3K and a taxable with an equal amount. Aptenodytes, I just opened the taxable with a 3K fund so that would drop me below the minimum required for it. Would it be OK to just simply wait a couple more weeks to bring things in order? Like I mentioned above, the Roth Ira will be maxed in a few weeks. The reason for opening the taxable account is that I would like to save more than the current max of my retirement account, which is 5K. Until I have another retirement account option, I would like to contribute to the taxable account. Currently my AA is 50/50 but hopefully the equities portion will increase shortly and will bring me closer to t...
by raildogg
Wed Nov 16, 2011 7:45 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Better way to manage my Asset Allocation?
Replies: 10
Views: 1263

Re: Better way to manage my Asset Allocation?

Here it is. Sorry I did not do this earlier:

Emergency Fund: Yes
Debt: No debt
Tax Filing status: Single
Tax rate: 25% Federal
Age: 26

Desired Allocation: 80/20

Current Portfolio:
Just started last month and will likely have the Roth maxed by next month. Portfolio size is not large by any means. I am possibly in the process of setting up a SEP-Ira.

50/50 AA

Roth IRA - 100% Total Bond Market Fund
Taxable - 100% Total Stock Market Fund
by raildogg
Wed Nov 16, 2011 6:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Better way to manage my Asset Allocation?
Replies: 10
Views: 1263

Better way to manage my Asset Allocation?

Hi all, I am new to investing. I have retirement and taxable accounts at Vanguard that I started recently. My current AA is 50/50 between stocks and bonds and my desired AA is 80/20. My plan is to use the retirement account solely (for now) for the Total Bond Market Index Fund while solely (for now) having the Total Stock Market Index Fund in the taxable account. Since my first priority is to max out the retirement account, my AA will be off for a little while. I plan to bring it back to the desired AA by pouring funds into the taxable account but as the funds grow larger (hopefully), there will be a problem. Is there a better, more efficient way to manage my AA than what I have outlined? I was thinking of maybe having the TSM in the retire...
by raildogg
Wed Nov 16, 2011 5:25 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard mutal fund account or brokerage account?
Replies: 8
Views: 1705

Re: Vanguard mutal fund account or brokerage account?

Thanks, is an "Individual" account and it shows as being taxable in my portfolio. I have invested in a Total Stock Market Index Fund in there. Looks to be OK so far.

I should not have made it so complicated :lol

Thanks for all the help.
by raildogg
Wed Nov 16, 2011 11:37 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard mutal fund account or brokerage account?
Replies: 8
Views: 1705

Re: Vanguard mutal fund account or brokerage account?

I emailed Vanguard about needing some clarification. I find it somewhat funny that opening a taxable account can be so confusing. If, for example, I chose the option "Retirement" when asked what type of account you want to open, the various options of IRAs opens up. Additionally, there is an option for "Taxable account" there. Unfortunately, I chose the option "General savings" and the only options I got afterwards were Individual, Joint or Trust. Since I already have a retirement account, I figured to not choose the "Retirement" option. Now looking at it, maybe that may have been the right choice to open the taxable account. Just waiting for an email to affirm that I didn't make too much of a mistake...
by raildogg
Tue Nov 15, 2011 7:02 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard mutal fund account or brokerage account?
Replies: 8
Views: 1705

Re: Vanguard mutal fund account or brokerage account?

I set this account up on Vanguard's website; unfortunately, I did not do this over the phone.

I am just going to assume this is a regular taxable account since it says "Individual account" when I log into my portfolio.

Thank you all.
by raildogg
Tue Nov 15, 2011 2:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard mutal fund account or brokerage account?
Replies: 8
Views: 1705

Vanguard mutal fund account or brokerage account?

Hello all, I am fairly new to investing and would just like some feedback. I have a Vanguard retirement account and just opened an investment account. It was a bit tricky at first since there was no option for this like there is for the brokerage account. I was considering opening a brokerage account but since opening a mutual fund account is adequate for me, I chose that instead. I know this is simple but I am not sure if I made the right choice. When it asked me what kind of account I wanted to open, I chose the "Regular savings" account option since the other two options were Retirement (which I already have) and College. I was just a bit concerned since it said "Regular savings" but I am to assume this is a regular m...
by raildogg
Sun Nov 06, 2011 5:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How should I move from one Vanguard TR to another?
Replies: 24
Views: 2323

Re: How should I move from one Vanguard TR to another?

This is a great thread, thanks for posting it. I am also in a similar situation in that I recently transferred from the TR 2050 fund to the TR 2030 fund. I am debating whether to switch to the 2025 fund since I'm almost going to max my Roth soon and then would likely get an equity fund in my taxable account. By starting out with a $3000 equity fund in the taxable account, this may bring the AA to a desired 80/20. Thanks.
by raildogg
Fri Nov 04, 2011 2:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Adding a Bond Fund to a Roth IRA?
Replies: 5
Views: 865

Re: Adding a Bond Fund to a Roth IRA?

Would you guys think there might be another reason to own more bonds than the TR 2050? Its asset allocation is the following: 1. Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares 62.7% 2. Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares 27.1% 3. Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Fund Investor Shares† 10.2% This looks diversified in that the TSM fund is 63%. Many Bogleheads and Mr. Bogle himself recommend 80% TSM if only two funds are available (TSM and Total Bond). By having some International Index fund in there, it might potentially lower the short term risk if the US markets fall. (The international markets may also decline due to the US). I do agree that 10% in bonds is a bit low. Since my Roth is in its initial stag...
by raildogg
Thu Nov 03, 2011 4:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Adding a Bond Fund to a Roth IRA?
Replies: 5
Views: 865

Adding a Bond Fund to a Roth IRA?

Hi everyone,

I have a Roth IRA that I recently started with a Target Retirement Fund 2050 that has around 90% in stocks. I was thinking of adding a bond fund to the IRA in the future to have some kind of balance. Some have suggested that choosing a more conservative allocation of the TR Fund would be simpler.

Here is some information that might be useful:

-I plan on being a long term investor
-I don't believe I will get too nervous during market down periods

Based on this limited information, would be better to just leave the TR Fund the way it is or to add more bonds? I personally don't mind a 90/10 stock/bond ratio at this time. However, I am learning about investing so that might change.

Thanks.
by raildogg
Wed Oct 12, 2011 6:02 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Need guidance on investing
Replies: 19
Views: 2211

I have looked at the figures and estimate my MAGI to be below the maximum allowed.
by raildogg
Wed Oct 12, 2011 4:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Need guidance on investing
Replies: 19
Views: 2211

Janet, I believe I am in the income range to qualify for a Roth if one is to go by the adjusted gross income.

I am in the 25% tax bracket and single.
by raildogg
Wed Oct 12, 2011 4:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Need guidance on investing
Replies: 19
Views: 2211

interplanetjanet, I think the traditional IRA seems to be the best choice. As for the 401K through Employee Fiduciary, that is a very good suggestion. Thank you. So by opening a traditional IRA, I cannot deduct the contributions since I'm an employer? Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it the Roth where deductions cannot be claimed since its after tax money? I've been reading various websites regarding businesses and retirement accounts; it seems that some mention the Roth IRA being available to business owners as well. I may sound confusing asking this but since me opening up a Roth IRA is independent of my business, will that be acceptable according to the IRS? Taylor, thanks for the clarification. I will go ahead and open some sort of re...
by raildogg
Wed Oct 12, 2011 2:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Need guidance on investing
Replies: 19
Views: 2211

Ok, after taking a more thorough look at my situation, I'm not sure if opening a retirement account for me is ideal at this very moment. Since I have employees, the SEP-IRA would require me to distribute the investment among them at the same rate as I would for myself. At this time, I'm not sure if I can handle that. I cannot open the Roth since I run a small business. My options are limited at this time for opening a tax efficient account. I guess at this time I'm left with just opening a regular investment account. Any suggestions as to what tax efficient funds to include in that account? Taylor recommended the three Index funds but I'm not sure if they were meant for the retirement account or the taxable account or both. Once again, than...
by raildogg
Tue Oct 11, 2011 4:18 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Need guidance on investing
Replies: 19
Views: 2211

Sorry guys, I did not post information that I needed to. I am self employed so I don't have access to a 401K or 403. My tax bracket is 25%. I'm not currently invested in the stock market. I am going to a long term investor. I don't mind going 75-80% stock and 20-25% bond. I am not going to touch the IRA money if I can help it. I believe I can handle the market fluctuations without constantly having the urge to sell the investment. If I feel differently later, I can shift the balance, right? I have read the Boglehead's philosophy on investing and like the idea. It recommends two Index funds, stock and bond, that should be the core of a portfolio. In regards to this, would these two funds be suitable for a new investor like myself? And would ...
by raildogg
Sun Oct 09, 2011 1:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Need guidance on investing
Replies: 19
Views: 2211

Thanks. I'm going to read that information. As far as the fund in the Roth, do the expenses matter enough to choose one fund over the other? I am going to consider the different types of investment funds mentioned but I have some questions regarding them and some others. The Target Retirement fund seems to me as being very long term. Also, it seems like its a "set it and forget it" type of fund. It has had 1.09% growth since its inception. I like the LifeStrategy fund as well. Its expense ratio is low as well. It has averaged 6.89% growth since its inception. The other funds that I'm curious about are the Wellington and the Star. Their expenses, especially the Star, are higher than the first two funds I mentioned. These two are di...
by raildogg
Sat Oct 08, 2011 5:22 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Need guidance on investing
Replies: 19
Views: 2211

Need guidance on investing

It is great to be here! I am new to investing and looking for some guidance. I am looking to open up a Roth IRA very soon and had some questions regarding it. During the past few days I've been reading a lot of material concerning mutual funds and investing in general. I have a lot of learn. Since I'm going to go with Vanguard, I was wondering what would be a good mutual fund to include in the Roth IRA. I've seen the Star fund and Wellington mentioned quite often along with the Target Retirement funds. I'm kind of uncertain as to which is more suitable for me. I don't want to be too hands on but don't mind some management if need be. I don't plan on touching the Roth IRA account if I can help it. This will be a long term investment. I am al...