Search found 27 matches

by pjshen
Wed Feb 06, 2019 11:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Carvana
Replies: 42
Views: 6207

Re: Carvana

I am a satisfied customer who purchased a Hyundai Elantra through Carvana last year. Like others have already posted, the process was straightforward, no-hassle, and it was a whole lot faster than buying at the dealer lot. I, too, felt that I got a good price, the staff was pleasant to deal with, the delivery and paperwork was quick & easy, the car was in pristine condition, and we're still quite happy about with it. Odds are good that I'll be a repeat customer. Oh, the thought of never having to haggle with user car salesmen again . . . .
by pjshen
Sat Sep 01, 2018 12:30 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Advice for my son - 20 years old with a spare $10K
Replies: 13
Views: 1658

Re: Advice for my son - 20 years old with a spare $10K

MotoTrojan wrote "Max the Roth at a minimum before saving for a house."

+1
Buy $5500 per year of a total stock market index fund (our teenagers buy VT).
The Roth account should be doing quite well in about 30 years when he's ready to retire early. :D
by pjshen
Tue Aug 14, 2018 8:45 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Bigger Story: Fidelity Expense Ratios
Replies: 98
Views: 14083

Re: The Bigger Story: Fidelity Expense Ratios

When that time arrives, someone else will be making the investment decisions. Will they also be sharp Bogleheads who are aware of the pitfalls of expensive investment products? Or, will they be gullible novices who will believe the friendly "advisor who only wants to help them". When this happens, and it will happen someday, Fidelity representatives will be only too happy to convince your successor to move to some very expensive products, thus providing profits for Fidelity. I have had a Fidelity account for years and I have never had an advisor contact me for anything. Many accounts moved back and forth, plenty of opportunities for them to upsell, hasn't happened once. They have tried to upsell me, however. FWIW, me too. I have ...
by pjshen
Mon Jun 25, 2018 8:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What is/ was your career and would you recommend it now?
Replies: 517
Views: 76182

Re: What is/ was your career and would you recommend it now?

Attorney (litigator) Well covered by earlier posts from fellow attorneys, so I don't have much to add. Despite the crazy hours and volume of work at BigLaw, I found the job intellectually stimulating working with really smart colleagues on tough problems and I even enjoyed the occasional adrenaline rush. No doubt it helps to be insomniac and immune to stress. High salary/bonuses -- about $200,000 to start -- but certainly not a family-friendly environment. My kids have said "no way" on following my path as they're allergic to hard work. :wink: I'd recommend the lawyer gig for those who are driven (you know who you are) and who really like law. I've met a lot of lawyers who hated the job but it's understandably hard to walk away fr...
by pjshen
Mon Jun 18, 2018 10:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are your hobbies?
Replies: 561
Views: 16699

Re: What are your hobbies?

Volunteering
Gardening (native plant enthusiast)
Jogging
Birding
Eco-travel
Camping/hiking/fishing
Reading personal investing-related books, articles, blogs (& Bogleheads)
Reading to keep up on developments in my professional field (just for fun)
Reading fiction
It would be nice to pick up the guitar again after 35 years.
by pjshen
Sun Jun 10, 2018 4:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bogleheads' College Philosophy question
Replies: 68
Views: 5110

Re: Bogleheads' College Philosophy question

Agree that premise is wrong. One doesn't have to max out retirement funding to begin funding 529 accounts. Agree that using a HELOC is much preferable to taking private unsubsidized loans. Also agree that getting a "college education is useful but it is not sufficient for success in life." However, we disagree that success is measured in dollars. If that were the case, we would simply teach our kids about investing (by reading this forum and all the Bogleheads' Guides) and upon graduating high school, handing each of them a Vanguard account funded with $100,000 in VT (Total World Stock ETF). Without adding another dollar, they should reach $2 million and FIRE (Financial Independence / Retire Early) before age 65. (We'd remind them...
by pjshen
Sun Mar 18, 2018 4:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best year round shrub/plant in Northeast for privacy
Replies: 18
Views: 2417

Re: Best year round shrub/plant in Northeast for privacy

I'd also caution against Leyland Cypress. After this month's snowstorms in the Northeast, our neighborhood is littered with Leyland Cypresses that are badly damaged -- some literally crashed to the ground. Much has been written about this tree's susceptibility to snow/ice -- just Google it -- for example https://chatham.ces.ncsu.edu/2015/02/preparing-your-landscape-for-snow. It's a hybrid of 2 Northwestern U.S. species and therefore not native to the Northeast. In fact, for a variety of reasons, Leyland Cypress appears to be on everyone's "trees to avoid planting in your yard" lists, e.g., http://www.finegardening.com/article/fast-growing-trees-to-avoid ("This tree has so many negative characteristics, its success is truly a ...
by pjshen
Sun Mar 18, 2018 2:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best year round shrub/plant in Northeast for privacy
Replies: 18
Views: 2417

Re: Best year round shrub/plant in Northeast for privacy

Eastern Arborvitae (aka White Cedar) -- cultivar Emerald Green (Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’) is widely available. Pyramidal habit, maximum height about 10 to 15 feet and 4 feet wide. Grows less than a foot per year. You're better off buying 6 or 7-foot trees to make your privacy screen immediately effective rather than waiting years for them to grow and fill in the gaps.

Canadian Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), aka Eastern Hemlock. Also grows less than a foot per year but, over the decades, may reach heights of 40–70 feet!
by pjshen
Fri Feb 23, 2018 5:37 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Total Bond Market [how to allocate bond portion of AA]
Replies: 23
Views: 3888

Re: Total Bond Market [how to allocate bond portion of AA]

Our retirement savings are also now at about 50% bonds. Over the last couple of years, we've gradually moved away from 70/30 stocks/bonds as we are nearing retirement (though still about 4 or so years away, I think). I feel comfortable holding our bonds in TBM within a couple of tax-advantaged accounts in conservative Lifestrategy funds. Our taxable accounts holds a muni bond fund. We don't hold nearly as much in cash as you, but FWIW, our cash is largely in 1-year CDs earning about 1.7%. I echo others' call for simplicity.
by pjshen
Sun Feb 11, 2018 11:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Birding binoculars under $500?
Replies: 21
Views: 2542

Re: Birding binoculars under $500?

I think you have identified the best candidate: Nikon Monarch. My backup binocular is the Monarch 5 which provides a good-quality image. Of course, my high-end Leica has a slightly better image though at more than three times the Monarch's cost. Unless you have shaky hands or expect to use the binoculars a lot at dawn/dusk, I'd recommend the 10x over the 8x. That said, the 8x may be easier to use for novices because the larger field of view can allow you to find the birds even if your targeting is a bit off. Also, I'd personally opt for the Monarch 5 and save the extra $200 or so (see https://procular.com.au/nikon-monarch-5-vs-monarch-7-binoculars/). If you catch the birding bug, you could then allocate the saved funds towards a high-end ($...
by pjshen
Thu Dec 28, 2017 10:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hyundai quality and reliability
Replies: 44
Views: 7634

Re: Hyundai quality and reliability

Happy current owner here of a 2010 Elantra with nearly 170,000 miles, former owner of a 2003 Sonata, and soon-to-be owner of a 2017 Elantra.
by pjshen
Thu Dec 28, 2017 9:53 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 2018 DJIA Stock Market Predictions
Replies: 22
Views: 3012

Re: 2018 DJIA Stock Market Predictions

I predicted a dip for 2017. Of course, the market went way up . . . and my portfolio benefited to the tune of 14%. Happy to do that again :moneybag
For 2018, I predict a drop of about 15% which is about equivalent to the baked-in corporate tax cut.
DJIA = 21,000 ("But the Emperor has no clothes!")
by pjshen
Mon Nov 20, 2017 9:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What brand of used car - Hyundai vs Nissan?
Replies: 27
Views: 3333

Re: What brand of used car - Hyundai vs Nissan?

More anecdotal evidence in favor of Hyundai. We purchased new a 2010 Elantra that recently surpassed 165,000 miles. Aside from regular maintenance (oil changes, tires, wipers, brakes), we have replaced the front struts, rear shocks, a headlight, the radio and the A/C compressor. We have been very satisfied with the cost of ownership. It's been a trooper that still runs well ... going for 200,000 miles.
by pjshen
Fri Oct 20, 2017 10:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does anyone here with net worths north of $1 mil use financial advisors?
Replies: 454
Views: 86822

Re: Does anyone here with net worths north of $1 mil use financial advisors?

We don't see a need for a FA thanks to this forum. For those who have used a fee-only FA for portfolio check, retirement withdrawal strategy and/or tax strategy and felt the services were worth the fee, how much money did they save you and what specific advice led to that savings? I ask because I wonder if it's something that might not be found in the BH Wiki.
by pjshen
Tue Sep 19, 2017 10:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Calling out the not so rich bogleheads
Replies: 233
Views: 39187

Re: Calling out the not so rich bogleheads

.... I would say that the forums are generally dominated by folks who are millionaires, multi millionaires or soon to be millionaires at very young ages. This has the effect of scaring away and/or creating resentment in a lot of people who are not close to being millionaires or even just plain wealthy with a healthy emergency cushion, say around 100K-200K saved @ age 35 or 40 .... I am now one of those millionaires but hopefully not raising fear or resentment in this forum. Two decades ago, at the very young age of 31, my wife and I were just getting out of graduate school, happy but dirt poor. Little did we know that, at 35, I would be going back to school with a net worth that was still hovering around zero. A lot has changed since then....
by pjshen
Mon Sep 18, 2017 5:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Where to park $200K cash?
Replies: 27
Views: 5079

Re: Where to park $200K cash?

This could be another option: one-year CD at 1.51% at amboydirect.com using offer code 601602.
by pjshen
Sat Sep 16, 2017 9:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Let's talk about your FI # and family income [Financial Independence]
Replies: 183
Views: 26595

Re: Let's talk about your FI # and family income

Household income: $225k (until recently, $400k+) Target portfolio value for FI: $2m in today's dollars (but aiming for $2.5m for extra cushion -- by age 55) I, too, disagree that expenses are wholly unrelated to income, especially when you're looking to put the kids through (top) colleges. We strive for higher income during those years when, assuming you can afford it, expenses increase dramatically. Interesting that folks with lower incomes than ours don't believe that they would reach financial independence until they surpass $2m -- too conservative (under 3%) withdrawal rate, tastes for luxury sans matching salaries, or just don't mind leaving money on the table? I'm more interested in how you plan to go from $225-400k income down to $8...
by pjshen
Fri Sep 15, 2017 10:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Let's talk about your FI # and family income [Financial Independence]
Replies: 183
Views: 26595

Re: Let's talk about your FI # and family income

Household income: $225k (until recently, $400k+)
Target portfolio value for FI: $2m in today's dollars (but aiming for $2.5m for extra cushion -- by age 55)

I, too, disagree that expenses are wholly unrelated to income, especially when you're looking to put the kids through (top) colleges. We strive for higher income during those years when, assuming you can afford it, expenses increase dramatically.

Interesting that folks with lower incomes than ours don't believe that they would reach financial independence until they surpass $2m -- too conservative (under 3%) withdrawal rate, tastes for luxury sans matching salaries, or just don't mind leaving money on the table?
by pjshen
Wed Aug 02, 2017 7:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much money do you want to retire?
Replies: 1367
Views: 207770

Re: How much money do you need to retire?

My wife and I are both 54. Firecalc shows 100% success at $2.2M. Ideally, we would want $3M (in 2017 dollars) in light of heightened uncertainties for health insurance and social security. Hopefully, we'll retire by 58 when, coincidentally, the kids are off to college and we'll likely be within shooting distance of paying off the mortgage. Interesting to read the replies to this thread showing a wide range in "the number" for Bogleheads to retire comfortably -- the big numbers are either way too conservative (<3% withdrawal rate) or are intended to fund a lavish lifestyle! :D
by pjshen
Sat Apr 01, 2017 9:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: High Earners - What's Your Profession?
Replies: 1217
Views: 222967

Re: High Earners - What's Your Profession?

Lawyer - started north of $100K in Big Law. DW is a manager PhD in megacorp.
by pjshen
Tue Jan 01, 2013 9:19 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 2013 BOGLEHEAD CONTEST REGISTRATION
Replies: 481
Views: 37369

Re: 2013 BOGLEHEAD CONTEST REGISTRATION

My guess: $1663.63
by pjshen
Thu Nov 15, 2012 3:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What would you do if USPS close down completely?
Replies: 34
Views: 2433

Re: What would you do if USPS close down completely?

RadAudit wrote:Get a whole lot less junk mail?
+1 The only snail mail I continue to receive is junk mail. The odd letter that I put in the mail could become a thing of the past, or if absolutely necessary, handled by UPS or FedEx.
by pjshen
Sat Nov 03, 2012 6:57 pm
Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
Topic: [merged donation threads] Dear Bogleheads - time to pony up
Replies: 277
Views: 25622

Re: Dear Bogleheads - time to pony up

Done -- great idea. Thank you all for the timely information, advice and edutainment!
by pjshen
Thu May 10, 2012 9:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Poll: Have you bought Life insurance?
Replies: 63
Views: 4909

Re: Poll: Have you bought Life insurance?

Yes, I have 15-year term and my wife has 20-year term (until the kids are out of college). In addition, I am 15 years into a universal life policy (dumb mistake) that I'll just hold onto now.
by pjshen
Fri May 04, 2012 7:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Binoculars
Replies: 23
Views: 3187

Re: New Binoculars

I have the Nikon Monarch 8x36 as a backup pair of binoculars, and think they are excellent (my primary is an (expensive) Leica 10x model). If a more novice birdwatcher, I'd suggest 7x, and certainly recommend against 10x.

These binocular buying tips are helpful:
http://web4.audubon.org/bird/at_home/bi ... lars.shtml
Especially note: "Don't buy binoculars until you have tried them."

Happy birding!
by pjshen
Sun Mar 25, 2012 8:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Law school
Replies: 78
Views: 6410

Re: Law school

Lots of good advice already provided but almost too much info. To help distill it, imho, she *has* to be able to articulate why being a lawyer is for her. Those who suggested that she work in a law office are spot on; living it for a couple of years before taking the plunge would be a good investment in time and money (the time being the more valuable). I have been in law for 13 years. I really like what I do (IP litigation) but my lot is the exception, not the rule. The *vast* majority of the lawyers that I've met over these years are/were dissatisfied with the job. It is no secret that the profession requires more hours than most, is stressful, and strains marriages and families. Consistent with the 24/7 nature of the practice, there is a...