Search found 885 matches

by oxothuk
Sat Mar 09, 2024 9:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Apple "Fine Woven" cases?
Replies: 4
Views: 517

Re: Apple "Fine Woven" cases?

My wife got the fine-woven case (and matching wallet) with her iPhone 15 last fall. She likes it a lot and there are no signs of wear yet (too soon to judge long-term durability).

OTOH, I have a silicone case (from Apple) for my iPhone 12, and it started peeling badly after a year or so. But I'm a guy, so I haven't replaced it.
by oxothuk
Tue Mar 05, 2024 5:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tips for Language Learning (2024)
Replies: 18
Views: 1384

Re: Tips for Language Learning (2024)

Duolingo is a waste of time IMHO. As are traditional school classes.

Pimsleur is a great way to start and get to beginner level. After that you can build up with other resources like reading and podcasts. Eventually you need to include live conversation with a tutor or other partner.
by oxothuk
Tue Mar 05, 2024 3:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Flying to London - Delta or British Airways
Replies: 58
Views: 5433

Re: Flying to London - Delta or British Airways

wingman4uz wrote: Tue Mar 05, 2024 1:20 pm I would make sure your BA price includes all taxes and fees though. UK operators tend to have egregious fees for some reason.
UK has a departure tax which applies to all airlines, not just BA; the tax is much higher for upper service tiers (premium economy or business). IIRC, however, the tax does not apply if you are only connecting through the UK.
by oxothuk
Fri Mar 01, 2024 2:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Safe to Travel to Egypt in 2024?
Replies: 17
Views: 2175

Re: Safe to Travel to Egypt in 2024?

I went there in January of this year (2024) and felt perfectly safe. Our guide said that tourist numbers were down due to people getting cold feet from the war. If so, I would hate to visit Valley of the Kings when it was REALLY busy.

Between the war effects on tourism and the Suez Canal, Egypt is taking hit right now. Go ahead now before the weather gets too warm; they'll be glad to have you.
by oxothuk
Thu Feb 22, 2024 10:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Full solar ECLIPSE April 2024!
Replies: 80
Views: 9394

Re: Full solar ECLIPSE April 2024!

Edited to add: Found an interesting study of traffic lessons learned from the 2017 eclipse. Some takeaways: Traffic was generally not bad leading up to the eclipse, as it was spread out over a couple of days. A "major, immediate, post-eclipse exodus" after the eclipse clogged up roadways leading from the path of totality all over the US. Some interstates saw traffic slowdowns for as long as 13 hours immediately afterwards, and it wasn't really any better on rural side roads either. People who left the next day still had some traffic, but much less (41% less on one example route). An estimated 5 million people viewed the last eclipse. That many people leaving afterward was likened to "71 sellout football games ending at the s...
by oxothuk
Thu Feb 22, 2024 10:43 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Trading Treasuries (nominal and TIPS)
Replies: 4107
Views: 455645

Re: Trading Treasuries (nominal and TIPS)

Kevin M wrote: Tue Feb 20, 2024 5:10 pm Not only is there no good reason not to transfer to Schwab, but Schwab almost always, if not always, has better prices for small quantities of Treasuries, including TIPS. Often the best price is for min qty 1.
Does Schwab have some kind of structural advantage that makes this possible, or is this just a loss leader for them? Are their spreads for large quantities also lower than Vanguard and Fido?

Just curious. I'm not likely to transfer my account, since my TIPS ladder is already built and the only future transactions I anticipate are yearly sales of 2033/2040 TIPS to fund auction purchases of 2034-39.
by oxothuk
Wed Feb 21, 2024 5:59 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bid/Ask spreads on Long TIPS
Replies: 4
Views: 705

Re: Bid/Ask spreads on Long TIPS

If you look at the daily quotes on the WSJ TIPS page, all of the maturities after 2040 have a spread of about 5/32, which is roughly $.30 per $100. And that would be the spread for large quantities.
by oxothuk
Tue Feb 20, 2024 4:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Thoughts on buying cheap, used, "intermediate" range EV?
Replies: 168
Views: 13620

Re: Thoughts on buying cheap, used, "intermediate" range EV?

02nz wrote: Tue Feb 20, 2024 4:30 pm
oxothuk wrote: Fri Feb 16, 2024 6:37 pm Since EV sales have cooled off recently, you may also may want to look at lease deals on NEW EVs. My local dealer is offering a 2 year lease on a new Nissan Leaf SV+ for $149/ month.

It’s a pretty good way to get a cheap ride and buy some time while waiting for the next EV technology generation to arrive.
What next EV technology generation? There's no big leap in technology coming in the next 2-3 years.
Solid state batteries? No.
Incremental improvements that add up over time? Highly likely.
by oxothuk
Fri Feb 16, 2024 6:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Thoughts on buying cheap, used, "intermediate" range EV?
Replies: 168
Views: 13620

Re: Thoughts on buying cheap, used, "intermediate" range EV?

Since EV sales have cooled off recently, you may also may want to look at lease deals on NEW EVs. My local dealer is offering a 2 year lease on a new Nissan Leaf SV+ for $149/ month.

It’s a pretty good way to get a cheap ride and buy some time while waiting for the next EV technology generation to arrive.
by oxothuk
Wed Feb 14, 2024 4:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Boulder CO in late September?
Replies: 22
Views: 1795

Re: Boulder CO in late September?

mhc wrote: Wed Feb 14, 2024 3:41 pm You could take a look at Grand Lake. I'm not saying don't stay in Boulder, but there are other options.
Grand Lake would allow you to see the “other side” of RMNP. Just be aware that you still need to get timed entry reservations for RMNP in September.

Although Boulder is not “in” the mountains, it is right at the edge of them and there are lots of good hikes nearby. PM me if you want suggestions.
by oxothuk
Tue Feb 06, 2024 7:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: EV Charging Station at Home
Replies: 48
Views: 3469

Re: EV Charging Station at Home

I believe you will find 14-30 to be sufficient. With an overnight charge window from 9PM-6AM, you will get 240v*24a*9h = 52kWH each night you plug in. That should be enough for 150-200 miles, depending on you car's efficiency.
by oxothuk
Tue Feb 06, 2024 12:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Travel agent / tour companies / tour itineraries?
Replies: 49
Views: 4896

Re: Travel agent / tour companies / tour itineraries?

HipCoyote wrote: Wed Apr 19, 2023 1:29 am In Egypt we had armed cops (an actually arm of the police) on the bus every day...there is some danger there.
We had this experience on an OAT trip there last month. I never had any perception of danger, except when crossing the street; the armed guards were really useful then!

OP - My wife and I have really enjoyed taking self-guided walking trips to various corners of Europe.
The company we usually use is www.inntravel.uk. They make all the hotel reservations and they transport your luggage, so all you have to carry is a daypack with lunch, camera, and rain gear. The price is a bit higher than if you booked all the rooms yourself, but well worth it.
Something to consider while your are in your active years.
by oxothuk
Tue Jan 30, 2024 2:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: IRS Direct File is now live
Replies: 28
Views: 3240

Re: IRS Direct File is now live

Now maybe we can require Congress to include the necessary software changes in future tax legislation
by oxothuk
Wed Jan 24, 2024 9:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Return My New Apple Watch?
Replies: 83
Views: 6305

Re: Return My New Apple Watch?

jebmke wrote: Wed Jan 24, 2024 9:13 am for those who use Apple Pay on their Apple watch,

do the Apple Pay cards set up on your iPhone automatically become available on the watch or are the added independently?

how is ID verification handled? When I use AP on my phone, I have to use face recognition to authorize.
You have to add the cards to the Wallet app on your watch after you have added them on your phone.

There is no biometric identification on the watch; it just needs to be unlocked. You usually unlock the watch when you put it on.
by oxothuk
Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Egypt / Kenya safari in October. Thoughts?
Replies: 28
Views: 3725

Re: Egypt / Kenya safari in October. Thoughts?

HipCoyote wrote: Wed Jan 17, 2024 1:46 pm But I am afraid I cannot recommend going to Egypt at the moment. The area is adjacent to the on-going Israel - Hamas war. People are flooding into Egypt. The potential for attacks on Americans has increased. Per the State Dept Egypt is at a level three...reconsider travel. I'd wait and see.
I’m in Egypt right now (OAT tour) and it feels perfectly safe to me. Not sure where you read about people flooding in - from what I’ve read Egypt has shut down their border with Gaza except for a small number for emergency hospitalization.

According to our guide crowds are down a lot due to the war scares. If so I’d hate to be here when the crowds were “normal”
by oxothuk
Fri Jan 12, 2024 10:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Looking for 65" HDTV
Replies: 60
Views: 6795

Re: Looking for 65" HDTV

Last time I was in Costco they had the LG OLED C3 for $1600
by oxothuk
Tue Jan 09, 2024 5:18 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: TIPS ladder- Two strategies for dealing with 2034-2039
Replies: 72
Views: 9649

Re: TIPS ladder- Two strategies for dealing with 2034-2039

GaryA505 wrote: Tue Jan 09, 2024 4:49 pm So what's all the fuss about the missing years? We could just fill in the missing rungs over the next 5 years, no?
The fuss is that real yields right now are close to long term highs, and could be a lot lower when the missing rungs are finally issued.

Buying a mix of 2033's (or 2034''s in a couple weeks) and 2040's to later trade for the missing rungs is a way to lock in the current high yields.
by oxothuk
Sat Jan 06, 2024 6:47 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Trading Treasuries (nominal and TIPS)
Replies: 4107
Views: 455645

Re: Trading Treasuries (nominal and TIPS)

vaylie wrote: Sat Jan 06, 2024 1:13 pm I plan to buy some 30 year TIPS at auction in February in my Solo 401k. Previously on the secondary market, to buy $10k worth of TIPS, I had to pay more than $10k. Is this also the case for new issue TIPS? If so, is there a way to determine ahead of time how much it might cost?
For a new issue, original auction, you should pay very close to $10K for $10K par (so long as yields are positive, as they are now). You will get a slight discount for the difference between the auction yield and the coupon, and a slight premium for a couple weeks of accrued interest.
by oxothuk
Wed Jan 03, 2024 10:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommended Apple Watch Bands?
Replies: 11
Views: 1157

Re: Recommended Apple Watch Bands?

When I bought my braided solo loop I deliberately sized it to be a bit tight rather than a bit loose. So far that has worked for me.
by oxothuk
Sun Dec 24, 2023 11:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hour long Uber difficult?
Replies: 31
Views: 3572

Re: Hour long Uber difficult?

Probably not difficult most of the time and most places but it can really vary. I am not a heavy Uber user but have used them a fair amount and this past September I had my first issue. Landed at a major international airport around 10:30 PM on a Sunday. Tried to catch Uber and Lyft to take me to suburb about 45 minutes away. I spent 30 minutes trying both Uber and Lyft to no avail despite there being plenty of both around. Gave up and went with a cab which it turns out I should have done in the first place. It was the same price as Uber (Lyft theoretically would have been about $10 cheaper) and had my ride in 2 mins. I assume the Uber/Lyft drivers knew they'd have very low odds of getting a ride in a residential suburb at midnight on a Su...
by oxothuk
Tue Dec 19, 2023 4:03 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Exact value of Series I US Savings Bond special features?
Replies: 19
Views: 2667

Re: Exact value of Series I US Savings Bond special features?

Watty wrote: Tue Dec 19, 2023 3:08 pm 2) When you eventually cash them and are taxed on the inflation adjustment there is a good chance that you will lose purchasing power to inflation after paying taxes.
This is a challenge for ALL investments. If there is significant inflation, then you end up having to pay tax on phantom gains.
by oxothuk
Thu Dec 14, 2023 9:27 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Now that long TIPS yields are 60 bp off their highs I will…
Replies: 2937
Views: 611767

Re: Now that long TIPS yields are 60 bp off their highs I will…

dcabler wrote: Thu Dec 14, 2023 4:44 am Let's see, now that they're off their highs I will.....
Not feel so bad that I built my ladder in April.
by oxothuk
Wed Dec 13, 2023 7:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Attention Walmart Shoppers
Replies: 81
Views: 12087

Re: Attention Walmart Shoppers

nisiprius wrote: Wed Dec 13, 2023 2:20 pm But now that we are back home in the Northeast, I have never seen them at Walmart.
Costco is no different. I’ve noticed lots of items that seem be “regional”.
by oxothuk
Wed Dec 13, 2023 5:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cancun travel Qs
Replies: 19
Views: 3183

Re: Cancun travel Qs

I would recommend getting pesos from an ATM soon after arrival. Try to find an ATM that is affiliated with a bank, since they usually have the lowest fees. If you have any left at the end you should be able to apply them toward your hotel bill at checkout. But, assuming we don't have a final resort bill (wife paying by CC, not sure if we can switch from CC for $ to cash pesos), can I readily exchange cash peso back (at the airport, I presume) to dollars without too much exchange rate/fee ugliness? Exchanging at the airport will be ugly. Before doing that I’d rather donate the pesos to charity (most airports and many airlines collection points). Even if your hotel bill is on a CC, I suspect you will have incidental expenses at the resort wh...
by oxothuk
Wed Dec 13, 2023 11:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cancun travel Qs
Replies: 19
Views: 3183

Re: Cancun travel Qs

I would recommend getting pesos from an ATM soon after arrival. Try to find an ATM that is affiliated with a bank, since they usually have the lowest fees. If you have any left at the end you should be able to apply them toward your hotel bill at checkout.
by oxothuk
Mon Dec 11, 2023 4:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hybrid/PHEV/Electric SUV for a 50 mile/day commute?
Replies: 92
Views: 10900

Re: Hybrid/PHEV/Electric SUV for a 50 mile/day commute?

teaman wrote: Mon Dec 11, 2023 3:38 pm Loved the Ford Mach E interiors and build, but the charging rate seems pretty low (20-80% takes 45 min).
If that’s a dealbreaker for you, then you may not want a full EV. Even if you buy one of the EVs that is capable of charging faster than that, you won’t find very many charging stations that are also capable of faster charging.

Having said that, my daughter bought a Kia EV6 last summer and really loves it. It has the 800v architecture that supports super fast charging, although she hasn’t had a chance to use it yet.
by oxothuk
Fri Dec 08, 2023 7:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Used Nissan Leaf S purchase 3rd car for kids
Replies: 13
Views: 2365

Re: Used Nissan Leaf S purchase 3rd car for kids

Pdxnative wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 3:28 pm Home charger: you’ll probably want to install a level 2 charger. There’s a 30% federal tax credit for that (I don’t think there’s an income limit). Your state or local utility might offer additional incentives.
+1
The ability to charge at home is a huge convenience win for EVs.
by oxothuk
Fri Dec 08, 2023 11:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Used Nissan Leaf S purchase 3rd car for kids
Replies: 13
Views: 2365

Re: Used Nissan Leaf S purchase 3rd car for kids

Gen 2 Leaf is solid. The S trim doesn’t have many bells and whistles, but I don’t see that as a problem for your use case.

Go for it!
by oxothuk
Thu Dec 07, 2023 6:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is 2 hours enough to clear customs and make flight in Atlanta?
Replies: 39
Views: 6723

Re: Is 2 hours enough to clear customs and make flight in Atlanta?

trustquestioner wrote: Thu Dec 07, 2023 6:08 pm I convinced my spouse to not check bags. Hopefully that lowers the stress level.
You also have to hope that the BA flight is on time. Over the past 10 days it has only been on time twice, and has been 45 minutes late (or more) 4 times.
by oxothuk
Thu Dec 07, 2023 5:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is 2 hours enough to clear customs and make flight in Atlanta?
Replies: 39
Views: 6723

Re: Is 2 hours enough to clear customs and make flight in Atlanta?

I will be the first to admit I don't check bags so I could be wrong but if OP is on two separate PNRs (I don't believe this has been clarified) and is checking baggage I don't think they can just drop the bags off after customs because the bags won't be through checked (BA will not interline on separate PNRs even on their own metal). I think they are going to have to go out into the terminal and drop the bags off at Delta check-in. Now if they aren't checking bags or are on one PNR then things are better. I'll say I do a fair amount of separately ticketed connections and never with checked baggage and while two hours will probably be ok if nothing goes wrong it doesn't leave much of a buffer and is less than I personally would feel comfort...
by oxothuk
Wed Dec 06, 2023 9:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car Prices Flat Since 1996?
Replies: 99
Views: 14451

Re: Car Prices Flat Since 1996?

rockstar wrote: Tue Dec 05, 2023 12:43 pm I don’t think electric bikes should be driven on sidewalks. I see it a lot by me. It’s an accident waiting to happen.
Our cities were built for two modes of movement - streets for high-speed heavy vehicles, sidewalks for slow light-weight pedestrians. Now we are introducing additional modes that don't fit comfortably either on streets or sidewalks. And in most cities, we don't have space to add dedicated paths for these new modes.

We will work this out eventually, but the transition will be messy.
by oxothuk
Mon Dec 04, 2023 7:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Couple buying 1 business class seat and 1 economy seat
Replies: 49
Views: 7887

Re: Couple buying 1 business class seat and 1 economy seat

vinhodoporto wrote: Mon Dec 04, 2023 7:08 pm
oxothuk wrote: Mon Dec 04, 2023 6:51 pm Another option (if this is a trip to Europe) is to purchase business class eastbound and economy westbound. That lets you sleep on the leg where it really matters.
The problem is this often means you have to buy one way tickets. One way business class tickets to Europe are almost as expensive or as expensive as round trip.
Maybe this is airline-dependent. I know that BA lets you choose a different cabin for each leg.
by oxothuk
Mon Dec 04, 2023 6:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Couple buying 1 business class seat and 1 economy seat
Replies: 49
Views: 7887

Re: Couple buying 1 business class seat and 1 economy seat

Another option (if this is a trip to Europe) is to purchase business class eastbound and economy westbound. That lets you sleep on the leg where it really matters.
by oxothuk
Mon Nov 06, 2023 4:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: cross country drive in a 10 year old vehicle, thoughts?
Replies: 87
Views: 8470

Re: cross country drive in a 10 year old vehicle, thoughts?

Before you commit to driving your own car it might be worthwhile checking the price of a one-way rental. I got a really good deal last week, $185 for 2.5 days between cities 1000 miles apart.

Unless you really WANT to drive both ways.
by oxothuk
Thu Oct 26, 2023 3:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommendations for Hiking in Europe for first timers
Replies: 31
Views: 3886

Re: Recommendations for Hiking in Europe for first timers

My wife and I have taken numerous trips over the past decade with this company, and highly recommend them. http://www.inntravel.co.uk They make all the hotel arrangements for you, and carry your luggage between stops. You get a set of very detailed route notes for each hike, along with a GPX track in most cases. The hotels they use are usually small to medium sized properties, often family-run, and always clean and well-kept. They have itineraries in many European countries and the UK, at varying levels of difficulty. They are very flexible, so you can consider any of their published itineraries as a starting point - adding or subtracting days is not a problem. If you find one that you like but which has a particular day that's harder than ...
by oxothuk
Tue Oct 17, 2023 8:15 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Optimizing Investments for IRMAA
Replies: 12
Views: 1620

Re: Optimizing Investments for IRMAA

It also helps to be a homeowner. If you are a renter, then the additional cash income you need to cover the rent may push you into (or further into) IRMAA territory.
by oxothuk
Sun Oct 01, 2023 9:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Traveling to Tel Aviv in October 2023
Replies: 71
Views: 12756

Re: Traveling to Tel Aviv in October 2023

There’s a lot to see in Israel that’s not on your list. Masada and the Dead Sea are must-see’s IMO. Tel Aviv is a nice city on the beach but not that much to see. If you want just one base to stay at I would suggest Jerusalem instead.

I don’t believe it’s possible to visit the Gaza Strip, except to peer in from outside.
by oxothuk
Fri Sep 22, 2023 5:50 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: All my TIPS are presently in negative territory
Replies: 50
Views: 6622

Re: All my TIPS are presently in negative territory

JayB wrote: Wed Sep 20, 2023 2:16 am As a practical matter, in the rear-view mirror, I see that I could theoretically have timed many of my Treasury purchases to garner an extra 50-100 bp per year of yield
That same rear view mirror shows that the nominal bond funds I sold in order to build my TIPS ladder have also gone down in price. So it’s probably a wash as to whether I would have come out ahead by waiting.
by oxothuk
Thu Sep 21, 2023 10:31 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Deflation protection with TIPS
Replies: 40
Views: 5098

Re: Deflation protection with TIPS

I keep hearing the term “deflation protection”, but there’s really nothing to protect against. TIPS maintain their real value through either inflation or deflation.

What folks are calling “deflation protection “ is the opportunity to score a windfall in real terms in the unlikely event of prolonged deflation (like 1929-1933).
by oxothuk
Sun Sep 17, 2023 1:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Colorado to Nova move beneficial?
Replies: 58
Views: 6415

Re: Colorado to Nova move beneficial?

I made the opposite move 30 years ago and have never regretted it. Life is more competitive in DC and everyone is wound up about two clicks too tight. ‘Good schools’ is just another way of saying that most of the population is middle or upper middle class.

I’ve been back to visit NOVA a couple of times since I left and traffic which was bad then is worse now. The competitiveness I mentioned earlier really comes out when people get on the highway.

My advice is don’t do it.
by oxothuk
Fri Sep 08, 2023 1:55 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Buying TIPS at Fidelity vs TreasDirect
Replies: 5
Views: 1388

Re: Buying TIPS at Fidelity vs TreasDirect

What is the difference in buying TIPS thru Fidelity or VG vs TreasDirect? It looks like TIPS from TD are only available few months of the year, is this correct? If I buy through Fidelity will I pay a higher cost? Are there any etf/MF that hold TIPS? The main (only?) advantage of buying at TD is that you can buy units of $100, rather than units of $1000. Big disadvantage is that you cannot use TD to purchase TIPS for your 401k/IRA/Roth, all TD accounts are taxable. If you are buying TIPS at auction (available several times per year), then the cost is the same at TD or Fidelity. If you buy on the secondary market at Fidelity then you will pay more (bid/ask spread) but you have a much wider selection of maturities and you can buy anytime. Ano...
by oxothuk
Tue Sep 05, 2023 4:24 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: TIPS ladder- Two strategies for dealing with 2034-2039
Replies: 72
Views: 9649

Re: TIPS ladder- Two strategies for dealing with 2034-2039

For a concrete example of what toddthebod is saying, consider the TIPS maturing on 1/15/30, 1/15/31, and 1/15/32

These are the closing prices from today from the WSJ page.

CUSIP Maturity Bid Price AskPrice YTM
912828Z37 01/01/30 $88.37500 $88.46875 2.001%
91282CBF7 01/01/31 $86.87500 $87.00000 2.039%
91282CDX6 01/01/32 $85.31250 $85.40625 2.032%
All of these have a coupon of 0.125%, which makes the comparison easier.

As you can see, you can sell $100 of 912828Z37 plus $100 of 91282CDX6 for at total of $173.6875 and buy $200 of 91282CBF7 for $174.00. That's about as close to even as you can get on a trade.
by oxothuk
Sun Sep 03, 2023 1:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Experience with Aeromexico to South America?
Replies: 20
Views: 1580

Re: Experience with Aeromexico to South America?

I can only say that my one experience on AM from Cancun to Rio was a good one. At the time I could get a daytime flight both ways, so I didn’t need to sleep on the plane.

Over a period of years I took 8 or 9 trips to Brazil on several different airlines, wherever I could get a daytime flight. AM and LATAM were the best, Copa was in the middle, and Avianca was the worst. YMMV.
by oxothuk
Tue Aug 29, 2023 8:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: RMDs and QCDs
Replies: 13
Views: 1728

Re: RMDs and QCDs

The only wrinkle is that to qualify as a QCD you must wait until on or after the actual date you turn 70.5.
by oxothuk
Tue Aug 29, 2023 6:34 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Trading Treasuries (nominal and TIPS)
Replies: 4107
Views: 455645

Re: Trading Treasuries (nominal and TIPS)

Yes, nominals would outperform TIPS in deflation because you are guaranteed a positive yield, but the upside is limited in deflation whareas the downside is limitless in inflation. In my very extreme example above, if you had purchased nominals instead at 5% you would get $525K instead of $500K at the end of the year.... 5 more houses. As a matter of mathematics, the deflation upside of nominal bonds is just as unlimited as the inflation downside. As a matter of history however there are many examples of hyperinflation and to my knowledge none of hyperdeflation. I often see posters fretting about TIPS not having “deflation protection”, but that is really inaccurate framing. TIPS are guaranteed to keep their value in real dollars regardless...
by oxothuk
Tue Aug 15, 2023 6:53 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Now that long TIPS yields are 60 bp off their highs I will…
Replies: 2937
Views: 611767

Re: Now that long TIPS have cracked 2.00% again I will…

One risk I have not seen mentioned with combining two or more TIPS funds / ETF''s to replicate a "non-rolling" ladder is what happens to a fund or ETF if the Treasury stops issuing new TIPS bonds during your 20–30-year duration? If you purchase a ladder of individual bonds, you will know what will be paid at maturity in real terms and you can reasonably expect the Treasury to honor that commitment even if they stop issuing new TIPS bonds. If my intent was to create a LMP type non-rolling ladder of TIPS, I would stick with individual bonds. If the Treasury stops issuing new TIPS that will create similar issues regardless of whether you hold individual TIPS or TIPS ETFs. For instance, how do I manage the 2034-2039 “black hole” whic...
by oxothuk
Mon Aug 14, 2023 10:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Purchase < $1000?
Replies: 231
Views: 28459

Re: Best Purchase < $1000?

HipCoyote wrote: Sun Jul 30, 2023 10:30 am I purchased a whole house fan for a little less than 1000 bucks and installed it myself. It is like a miracle. When the house is hot from the daytime heat but the night is starting to cool, I open the window and turn on the fan. It sucks cool air through the house and also cools off the attic. If it is 65 degrees outside, it will be 65 degrees inside the house in about 10 minutes. The dramatic energy savings over AC, fresh air, comfortable sleep!
We also have a whole house fan and love it, but ours doesn’t “equalize with outdoor temp in 10 minutes”. But running it overnight will drop the indoor temp from 80 to 68, which is usually enough to keep the house livable without AC.
by oxothuk
Mon Aug 14, 2023 1:06 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Trading Treasuries (nominal and TIPS)
Replies: 4107
Views: 455645

Re: Trading Treasuries (nominal and TIPS)

exodusing wrote: Mon Aug 14, 2023 12:45 pm I guess I could just leave money in the settlement fund, with a higher fee, but the amounts are small.
That’s what I would do.
by oxothuk
Mon Aug 07, 2023 12:43 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Now that long TIPS yields are 60 bp off their highs I will…
Replies: 2937
Views: 611767

Re: Now that long TIPS have cracked 2.00% again I will…

Stormbringer wrote: Mon Aug 07, 2023 10:55 am When TIPS crack 3% we will all be crying over our beer. :)
But my ladder will still provide me the real dollar returns that it promised when I bought it.