Search found 589 matches
- Wed Mar 28, 2018 3:13 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Thinking of getting an Apple Watch
- Replies: 82
- Views: 9502
Re: Thinking of getting an Apple Watch
I’m an Apple person, but the watch screams ‘tech-geek.’ For fitness I use a Fitbit Flex 2, at about $50. Low profile, tracks my fitness program including swimming, and vibrates if I get a call so I can pull out the iPhone. I don’t want anything flashy where I travel to, and the screen would be a lia...
- Tue Mar 27, 2018 4:17 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Anyone Deleting Facebook?
- Replies: 338
- Views: 29186
Re: Anyone Deleting Facebook?
FTC investigation but probably won’t amount to much . I hope this doesn’t go away soon in media . And people need to demand some accountability. protagonist, Thank you for the detailed response. My point is that the danger of Facebook is not because of the information that it has on any one of us—b...
- Mon Mar 26, 2018 2:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: When to Take Social Security (again...)
- Replies: 62
- Views: 6721
Re: When to Take Social Security (again...)
I plan to take SS as soon as I can, and not wait. I completely understand that idea that I could spend more of my own money from 63-70, and let the SS benefit grow. But spending down my own nest egg more than normal from 63-70, because I assume nothing will change with Social Security, is also a ri...
- Sat Mar 24, 2018 1:45 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Offshore Asset Protection
- Replies: 9
- Views: 842
Re: Offshore Asset Protection
Please provide more details.
What assets do you hope to protect, and from what? Where exactly ‘offshore?’
Has this been pitched to you, and by whom?
Do you have any experience with investing or living overseas?
_D_
What assets do you hope to protect, and from what? Where exactly ‘offshore?’
Has this been pitched to you, and by whom?
Do you have any experience with investing or living overseas?
_D_
- Thu Mar 22, 2018 9:59 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Anyone Deleting Facebook?
- Replies: 338
- Views: 29186
Re: Anyone Deleting Facebook?
I'm 35 so literally everyone I know is on facebook. I was on it for a few years, but deleted my account completely 4 years ago and haven't looked back. I genuinely think we have an impending mental health crisis due to social media and cell phone addiction. +1 It’s fascinating from a psychological ...
- Mon Mar 19, 2018 10:17 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: 2018 BOGLEHEADS CONFERENCE UPDATE 9-3-18
- Replies: 116
- Views: 32220
Re: 2018 BOGLEHEADS CONFERENCE SOLD OUT
Excellent! How long after the conference are they usually posted?Mel Lindauer wrote: ↑Mon Mar 19, 2018 12:14 pm
The videos are online right here in the wiki and have been since we started recording the sessions a number of years ago. Seek and ye shall find!
- Mon Mar 19, 2018 11:47 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: 2018 BOGLEHEADS CONFERENCE UPDATE 9-3-18
- Replies: 116
- Views: 32220
Re: 2018 BOGLEHEADS CONFERENCE SOLD OUT
Any chance of a video of the main presentations that we can view later? Especially for those of us that don't live in the States most of the time?
Add it to the Wiki maybe??
_D_
Add it to the Wiki maybe??
_D_
- Mon Mar 19, 2018 1:37 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Federal court tosses out fiduciary rule
- Replies: 60
- Views: 7324
Re: Federal court tosses out fiduciary rule
What the popular press always ignores in these articles is the underlying separation of powers issues in cases like this one. The press writes as if the judges are making a policy call. Often, the case is not about what the policy should be, but who should be making that call. The dispute here, boi...
- Sat Mar 17, 2018 9:36 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Spoke to a financial advisor yesterday - what do you think he's up to?
- Replies: 81
- Views: 9475
Re: Spoke to a financial advisor yesterday - what do you think he's up to?
I think there are a couple of big details that people are missing - a) He's offering his services for free and will provide fund selection advice in vanguard if thats what we want. In this situation, I really do think he's providing an employee with a _free_ service. If this is the case, he should ...
- Thu Mar 15, 2018 3:50 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Care by Volvo - what are your thoughts?
- Replies: 27
- Views: 3794
Re: Care by Volvo - what are your thoughts?
It's another leasing deal, lots of threads about those here. Leasing is usually not a good deal for an individual, although it appeals to those who want a new car every couple of years. You're renting it, doesn't belong to you. If you can, why not just pay cash and shop around for better insurance p...
- Thu Mar 15, 2018 1:00 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: American Expat: Variable Annuity as Pension Scheme
- Replies: 7
- Views: 649
Re: American Expat: Variable Annuity as Pension Scheme
Something seems odd here. I can understand a foreign employer having a limited number of investment choices for a pension plan. However if they merely told you to check Annuity.com that would suggest either they have nothing set up, or they do but are using that site just as an example for you to st...
- Wed Mar 14, 2018 1:52 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Huge special assessment on Condo?
- Replies: 60
- Views: 7065
Re: Huge special assessment on Condo?
Its a very conservative board.. they would rather not have a special assessment. They've raised the HOA dues by 10% each year over the last 5 years to start building up the reserves. That being said, the HOA reserves are still underfunded (at 30%) at the moment according to the reserve study. Accor...
- Mon Mar 12, 2018 12:32 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Another "Should I self-insure" for LTC Question
- Replies: 119
- Views: 8518
Re: Another "Should I self-insure" for LTC Question
Paying the new, higher premium works out to her "losing" less than three-tenths of one percent return on her portfolio. Most reasonable people would think it makes sense to sacrifice three-tenths of one percent of a return on your portfolio in order to avoid losing hundreds of thousands. Why should...
- Mon Mar 12, 2018 12:53 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Estate Planning - Letter of final instructions
- Replies: 5
- Views: 833
Estate Planning - Letter of final instructions
For those highly organized Bogleheads, below is a good link to download a fairly decent template for a Letter of Final Instructions.
Anything missing?
https://boomerbaggage.com/letter-final-instructions/
Anything missing?
https://boomerbaggage.com/letter-final-instructions/
- Fri Mar 09, 2018 12:51 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Another "Should I self-insure" for LTC Question
- Replies: 119
- Views: 8518
Re: Another "Should I self-insure" for LTC Question
I don't want to sound like a broken record, but there is another alternative. If you are a 71 year old widow, and not already in a retirement community situation, you need a plan on where you are going to live out your remaining golden years. I suggest you look into CCRCs with "Life care". The comm...
- Thu Mar 08, 2018 9:16 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Another "Should I self-insure" for LTC Question
- Replies: 119
- Views: 8518
Re: Another "Should I self-insure" for LTC Question
pintail07, you are correct. There is no cap on the maximum benefit per a call I just made to my LTCi company. Can you tell me more about the cost of a one time payment for an asset based plan, with lifetime benefits, and most of the premium returned if no claims? If I renew my policy this year, unc...
- Thu Mar 08, 2018 4:00 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Dental plans
- Replies: 21
- Views: 2389
Re: Dental plans
Unfortunately, Dental plans (unless subsidized by an employer) are really prepayment schemes, much the same as the current state of LTCI. The only real difference is the size of the $ and the fact that significant commissions are paid to those that argue for (and sell) LTCI. In the past, that wasn't...
- Wed Mar 07, 2018 2:23 pm
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: [Virtual online chapter - Master thread]
- Replies: 109
- Views: 22585
Re: [Virtual online chapter - Master thread]
For those of us that live a few time zones away from the U.S will there be a way to replay it?
- Tue Mar 06, 2018 12:43 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Another "Should I self-insure" for LTC Question
- Replies: 119
- Views: 8518
Re: Another "Should I self-insure" for LTC Question
The OP can afford to post-pay LTCI, if she happens to need it. The salient facts to consider are not what has already been paid to the insurance company, but what you can avoid paying in the future if you discontinue the policy. If the maximum benefits are $450K, and you have $2.4M, why would you wa...
- Tue Mar 06, 2018 10:14 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How to Minimize Your Emergency Care Expenses
- Replies: 284
- Views: 69668
Re: How to Minimize Your Emergency Care Expenses
Interesting and detailed post. A 1-2 paragraph executive summary might be useful to stick on the refrigerator. A couple of questions: 1. Why is a Morphine shot in the ER so much more? Why should it be? 2. Why are the ER visits in the U.S. so much more than in most other first-world countries? 3. Ho...
- Tue Mar 06, 2018 7:57 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Emergency Medevac - costs and options
- Replies: 35
- Views: 3748
Re: Emergency Medevac - costs and options
We therefore also add MedJetAssist. We use the annual policy although there is a "per trip" policy. This kicks in if you are admitted as an inpatient (not ER or Observation) at least 150 miles from home. Thus, the annual policy for us, as it then includes all trips (at least 150 miles) for business...
- Mon Mar 05, 2018 10:00 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Reuters-" Special Report: Fidelity puts 6 million savers on risky path to retirement"
- Replies: 48
- Views: 7417
Re: Reuters-" Special Report: Fidelity puts 6 million savers on risky path to retirement"
Reuters is known for clickbait articles, usually from one end of the spectrum. They want to attract you to read. Nothing particularly newsworthy in the story, just an eye-catching headline. Each of us is responsible for our own 'path to retirement,' not one brokerage house, no matter how they struct...
- Mon Mar 05, 2018 1:39 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Has the home we wanted just become 20% more expensive due to tax reforms?
- Replies: 62
- Views: 7472
Re: Has the home we wanted just become 20% more expensive due to tax reforms?
At the same time your after tax income is now higher, so you should be able to afford the higher payment. Or you can think about it another way. Your home price/costs did not change, but your taxes did. Your SALT deductions are down, but your tax rates/brackets have adjusted favorably. Whether your...
- Mon Mar 05, 2018 1:04 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: dad insists on gifting me all his money- help!
- Replies: 23
- Views: 4709
Re: dad insists on gifting me all his money- help!
Kudos to you for trying to sort through options, as you try to do the right thing. It sounds like your Father is a man of some means. As such he shouldn't need to worry about things like trying to get Medicaid (taxpayers) to pay for his possible nursing home care. That's a well-known type of scam an...
- Fri Mar 02, 2018 10:45 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How to Minimize Your Emergency Care Expenses
- Replies: 284
- Views: 69668
Re: How to Minimize Your Emergency Care Expenses
Interesting and detailed post. A 1-2 paragraph executive summary might be useful to stick on the refrigerator. A couple of questions: 1. Why is a Morphine shot in the ER so much more? Why should it be? 2. Why are the ER visits in the U.S. so much more than in most other first-world countries? 3. How...
- Thu Mar 01, 2018 3:55 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Chase sapphire reserve versus BOF premium rewards
- Replies: 48
- Views: 7409
Re: Chase sapphire reserve versus BOF premium rewards
Every experience I've had with BofA in the past 30 years has been negative, so it would take a great deal to try them again for anything. My CSR has been fantastic for the reasons already stated, travel credit, points, Global Entry, and especially Priority Pass. Priority Pass alone is worth the card...
- Tue Feb 27, 2018 12:41 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: The Flexible Retirement Planner
- Replies: 23
- Views: 3925
Re: The Flexible Retirement Planner
Just tried to use it (downloaded version) on a Mac. It prompted some unusual security certificate warnings and a Java warning about the product requesting 'unrestricted access' which the warning said would also include the webcam and microphone. Not sure why that would be, but it caused me to decide...
- Sun Feb 25, 2018 1:32 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Atlantic Article: This Is What Life Without Retirement Savings Looks Like
- Replies: 26
- Views: 5179
Re: Atlantic Article: This Is What Life Without Retirement Savings Looks Like
Thanks for the article, although it seems to be a somewhat boiler-plate heart-string play. Also, not sure there are really more in this situation than in previous generations as implied. Doubt it. This could be included in a portfolio of articles for the 20-30 year-olds to read about the consequence...
- Sat Feb 24, 2018 12:10 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Long term care insurance
- Replies: 149
- Views: 9564
Re: Long term care insurance
I found this article very helpful in illustrating some of the considerations: http://www.theretirementmanifesto.com/why-we-arent-buying-long-term-care-insurance/ If all long-term care policies were like the policy described in that article, then I would "self-insure" too. Fortunately, most LTCi pol...
- Fri Feb 23, 2018 1:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Long term care insurance
- Replies: 149
- Views: 9564
Re: Long term care insurance
I tried to re-create your numbers and I believe what you plunked in was a policy that paid a 5 year payout @ 200/day with an ACI of 5%, but you only got benefits for 2.2 years. If you want to compare apples to apples, you may want to pick a policy that pays out closer to your 2.2 year estimate. Not...
- Fri Feb 23, 2018 1:21 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Long term care insurance
- Replies: 149
- Views: 9564
Re: Long term care insurance
I tried to re-create your numbers and I believe what you plunked in was a policy that paid a 5 year payout @ 200/day with an ACI of 5%, but you only got benefits for 2.2 years. If you want to compare apples to apples, you may want to pick a policy that pays out closer to your 2.2 year estimate. Not...
- Fri Feb 23, 2018 11:33 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Long term care insurance
- Replies: 149
- Views: 9564
Re: Long term care insurance
Still scratching my head about these LTCI policies. It was suggested that one of the best available now are group policies, such as what is available to Federal employees or former workers. Makes sense as a measuring stick. Most private plans are likely not as good. Just took a look at that website ...
- Wed Feb 21, 2018 1:29 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Expat Living
- Replies: 58
- Views: 7548
Re: Expat Living
Has anyone here retired outside of the U.S.? If so, what have been the pros and cons of doing so? Learning about your experiences would be very interesting. I encourage you to read expat forums for practical information about places you may be interested in. I've been an expat for a dozen years and...
- Sat Feb 17, 2018 9:56 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: USAA 41% More For Car Insurance
- Replies: 43
- Views: 3546
Re: USAA 41% More For Car Insurance
What I really like about USAA is how amenable they are to folks living overseas. I'm only in the States a couple of months per year. They easily change the auto policy to a 'storage policy' when the vehicles are on trickle chargers when I'm away, and it's a fraction of the normal rate. Not sure if G...
- Sat Feb 17, 2018 9:45 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Do you see a meaningful change in your income with new Tax Bill?
- Replies: 266
- Views: 25638
Re: Do you see a meaningful change in your income with new Tax Bill?
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has resulted in the most significant tax savings I have seen in longer than I can remember.
It's great!!
It's great!!
- Sat Feb 17, 2018 9:38 am
- Forum: Non-US Investing
- Topic: Retiring abroad. Move taxable/checking accounts to Schwab?
- Replies: 36
- Views: 5010
Re: Retiring abroad. Move taxable/checking accounts to Schwab?
How did Vanguard know that you were living abroad? Couldn't you just use a US address and then a VPN from abroad? Vanguard had some trouble with my account (missing assets) and was calling my US address which was the telephone number on record. My brother's wife didn't like the calls because of a s...
- Sat Feb 17, 2018 3:56 am
- Forum: Non-US Investing
- Topic: Retiring abroad. Move taxable/checking accounts to Schwab?
- Replies: 36
- Views: 5010
Re: Retiring abroad. Move taxable/checking accounts to Schwab?
Also I would recommend getting a local currency bank account wherever you go and use a company like Transferwise to move cash. Much better rate than letting the bank do it in most cases. This is a good idea. Have you also looked at Interactive Brokers? They're easy to deal with as an expat and also...
- Sun Feb 11, 2018 10:29 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Driving a rental car in Western Europe
- Replies: 46
- Views: 2143
Re: Driving a rental car in Western Europe
I’ve driven for some years in Central and Eastern Europe as an expat. If you are talking about a few week vacation, it’s not worth it to see the larger cities usually visited by tourists. Also not the way to go to travel between those cities, as the trains or budget airlines are far more convenient....
- Sat Feb 03, 2018 9:31 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: CCRC advice needed [Continuing Care Retirement Community]
- Replies: 28
- Views: 2115
Re: CCRC advice needed
You are about to sign a complex legal contract affecting: (1) your medical care for the rest of your life, (2) your housing for the rest of your life, and (3) all or most of your financial assets & income for the rest of your life. Sign NOTHING without first consulting with a good lawyer who specia...
- Sat Jan 27, 2018 2:37 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Age-based allocation when you don't need the money?
- Replies: 22
- Views: 2112
Re: Age-based allocation when you don't need the money?
Good thoughts. Well, currently I’m at 65/35. Reasonable to continue into my 60’s? Spending more isn’t an option as I’ve found I don’t want more stuff, and already travel a great deal. The suggestion to move more into Roth’s is good, but my tax bracket makes that a wash at best. Goals? Recently nearl...
- Fri Jan 26, 2018 1:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: When to claim Social Security: two reasons not to wait
- Replies: 108
- Views: 16369
Re: When to claim Social Security: two reasons not to wait
I stumbled upon this article today in my web travels: http://danielamerman.com/va/BenefitAge.html Making optimal decisions about when to claim Social Security benefits is of vital importance. For a person of retirement age with average savings, this choice may be more important than any other aspec...
- Fri Jan 26, 2018 12:19 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Stats on When People Take Social Security
- Replies: 198
- Views: 17901
Re: Stats on When People Take Social Security
True, but by waiting to claim SS at 70, while meanwhile spending more of your own portfolio, you are choosing to be more dependent on future government payments.
Some may not like that, for various reasons.
Some may not like that, for various reasons.
- Fri Jan 26, 2018 9:08 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Age-based allocation when you don't need the money?
- Replies: 22
- Views: 2112
Age-based allocation when you don't need the money?
Much of the prevailing wisdom has an increase in the bond percentage of a portfolio as you approach retirement. Some advocate 'keeping your age in bonds.' This must be customized to many factors. But if you have other stable inflation-adjusted income (pension, other annuities, etc) that cover say 15...
- Wed Jan 24, 2018 11:51 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Which tropical Island to Retire to ?
- Replies: 61
- Views: 6004
Re: Which tropical Island to Retire to ?
Depends on your priorities. Being from CA, I would never think of retiring anywhere there. Taxes, taxes, and only going to get worse. I have chosen to maintain a presence in a zero income tax state, while living most of the time overseas. Gives one time to figure it out. Rent where ever you go firs...
- Tue Jan 23, 2018 1:45 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Work-out schedule for those in 60s
- Replies: 78
- Views: 7546
Re: Work-out schedule for those in 60s
Trying to ramp it up a bit.
Currently swim 2x wk 2200 - 2500 meters in outdoor 50 meter salt water pool
Run 3x wk 8-10k
Weights and elliptical 3x, 2 double with run
Walk minimum 12000 steps a day. I live in a coastal city so it’s amazing how easy that is.
Long hike in the mountains every 2 weeks.
Currently swim 2x wk 2200 - 2500 meters in outdoor 50 meter salt water pool
Run 3x wk 8-10k
Weights and elliptical 3x, 2 double with run
Walk minimum 12000 steps a day. I live in a coastal city so it’s amazing how easy that is.
Long hike in the mountains every 2 weeks.
- Tue Jan 23, 2018 1:29 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Which tropical Island to Retire to ?
- Replies: 61
- Views: 6004
Re: Which tropical Island to Retire to ?
Depends on your priorities. Being from CA, I would never think of retiring anywhere there. Taxes, taxes, and only going to get worse. I have chosen to maintain a presence in a zero income tax state, while living most of the time overseas. Gives one time to figure it out. Rent where ever you go first...
- Mon Jan 22, 2018 12:32 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: New tax law and changes to paycheck
- Replies: 20
- Views: 2307
Re: New tax law and changes to paycheck
Looking at making changes to the quarterly payments. Following the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, my bill will decrease about $5K!
Nice! It will go back into the business, but still very positive and significant.
Nice! It will go back into the business, but still very positive and significant.
- Sat Jan 20, 2018 6:06 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Stats on When People Take Social Security
- Replies: 198
- Views: 17901
Re: Stats on When People Take Social Security
It's simple really, when I look at my specific cash needs right now and my short-term income streams. It's all about matching. The income stream from SS will be very useful to me now, and in the future. It meets my needs. Better than the alternatives. But the incremental monthly payments from waiti...
- Mon Jan 15, 2018 1:47 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Stats on When People Take Social Security
- Replies: 198
- Views: 17901
Re: Stats on When People Take Social Security
It’s amusing to hear the theory that those that take SS before 70 do so because they “don’t get it.” There are many BH’s who certainly “get it” and still plan to have at least one of the couple take it at 62 or FRA. In my case, having my spouse claim at 62 will enable us to continue minimal reductio...
- Sat Jan 13, 2018 10:19 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: How does everyone keep track of your portfolio?
- Replies: 171
- Views: 21079
Re: How does everyone keep track of your portfolio?
Excel seems a bit too cumbersome for me, and I don’t plan to use something like Personal Capital where they would have my account info. I have had good luck with Financial Engines, https://financialengines.com/ You can get access through various means, including Schwab or Fidelity, even if you aren’...