Search found 226 matches

by Saphomd
Fri Mar 08, 2024 2:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Portable generator issues
Replies: 20
Views: 2071

Re: Portable generator issues

smitcat wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2024 10:24 am
helwardman wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2024 10:08 am
Saphomd wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2024 10:01 am I was actually thinking of buying a Harbor Freight Predator 5000W generator. I dont know if anyone has any experience with this. Its definitely not 3K.
That is the exact generator that I have owned for the last 4 years. I would recommend it.
I have had them and I have had Honda/Yamaha inverter generators.
The Honda/Yamaha is well worth the price if you will really use it and hold it for a longer period of time.
Living just a little south of SF on the coast, I lose power with PGE maybe 2 or 3 days during winter. I dont think a Honda is worth the price, so I will get by w/ a Predator hopefully. Besides gas or propane and oil, I just need to read what else to do for maintenance.
by Saphomd
Fri Mar 08, 2024 10:01 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Portable generator issues
Replies: 20
Views: 2071

Re: Portable generator issues

Any small engine experts here? I have a portable generator that only runs well when its on full choke or mostly full choke. If I turn the choke off, it will bog down and shut off. Ive replaced the carburetor. Actually replaced it twice to make sure one wasnt messed up. New oil, new gas, great flow of fuel from the fuel lines, so steady stream of fuel is getting to the carb. New spark plug, new air filter. From everything I read is should be an issue with the carburetor. Also replaced gaskets around carb. I have not checked compression. Any other ideas what it could possibly be? Im close to tossing it and buying another, although all the newer generators are basically trash unless you spend $3k and get a honda, which I wont be doing. I was ...
by Saphomd
Thu Mar 07, 2024 6:27 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Age 60+ AND retired? What's your asset allocation? What type of bonds/Fixed Inc instruments do you use?
Replies: 57
Views: 8524

Re: Age 60+ AND retired? What's your asset allocation? What type of bonds/Fixed Inc instruments do you use?

63 / 63
Still working
With VG, about 70% stocks, 22% bonds
With Fidelity 401K, about the same
With local Credit Union: CDs, MMA. % ??
by Saphomd
Wed Mar 06, 2024 2:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Question about Solar panels
Replies: 92
Views: 6295

Re: Question about Solar panels

A transfer switch, depending on the type, may cost from $1,000 to $2,000 to have it installed. The actual cost of materials is low, labor is most of it. The cost of a generator is low for the convenience of having power at any time. Thanks. That's what I would expect as far as labor costs being most of it. There are a few challenges for me as to where I could locate a generator on my lot. I can only think of one place, really, which would be on my elevated backyard. Also, the natural gas line comes on one side of the house, while the electrical panel is on the opposite side. If using a natural gas generator, I would have to run a pretty long gas line, could be over 150ft. And another 150ft of electrical conduit to go to the main electrical...
by Saphomd
Mon Mar 04, 2024 12:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Question about Solar panels
Replies: 92
Views: 6295

Re: Question about Solar panels

Interesting 13 minute video on You tube, " Solar Market Crash 2024 ".
by Saphomd
Sun Mar 03, 2024 11:10 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Investing fear
Replies: 30
Views: 2833

Re: Investing fear

My Mother passed about one year ago and left me a low six figure inheritance. I put it in my Credit Union at a good rate until I decided what to do. I have some index funds with Vanguard so I put a little there and opened a couple of CDs. Just kept it simple.
by Saphomd
Sun Mar 03, 2024 10:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Question about Solar panels
Replies: 92
Views: 6295

Re: Question about Solar panels

I have researched this topic. I am quoting from memory and numbers are ball park. For a average house you need 20,000 KWH and the total cost to install will be $1.50 per KWH - around ball park $30K. Now add battery backup $30K. Total cost is $60K. If you have taxes you can reduce around $20K. Assuming you can deduct taxes.... COST OF SOLAR PANELS INSTALLED = $10k (No battery) COST OF SOLAR PANELS WITH BATTERY INSTALLED = $40k Now there is something called net metering....the excess power you can route it back to your utility provider (advantage is you do not need battery but the drawback is you are installing solar for backup and now if the power goes off the grid you are screwed). The net metering can be "taken away" after 2 yea...
by Saphomd
Sat Mar 02, 2024 1:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Question about Solar panels
Replies: 92
Views: 6295

Question about Solar panels

Greetings: I live on the coast about 20 miles from San Francisco and for the past 3 years or so we experience power outages during winter. Last year we had no power for 5 days and this year for 2 days. Its not too bad compared to other parts of the country. I am considering purchasing solar panels plus a good backup battery. However, I read nothing but horror stories on the BBB website regarding companies that install panels: puncturing holes on the roof, micro-inverters not working, panels not working after a couple of months, terrible customer service, etc.. My other option is to go with a portable generator which would save thousands. Honestly when power goes out, I only need the refrigerator to run, hot water to shower, and 2 cell phone...
by Saphomd
Sat Mar 02, 2024 12:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Flea Remedies That Have Worked for You?
Replies: 40
Views: 3225

Re: Flea Remedies That Have Worked for You?

My friend has used natural remedies for fleas, but none has worked.
That being said, I picked up a feral cat years ago and came with fleas. I tried the cheaper stuff but none worked at all. So I tried Advantage which was about $40.00 and applied it to the back of the neck a couple of times. ( you need 2 people: One to hold the cat and the other to appropriately rub the gel in ). In a matter of days, all fleas dropped dead.
I now have 2 cats that are strictly indoors so I have zero problems with fleas. I did invest in a catty-o or outdoor cage which is big enough and on sunny days put my cats outside so they can breath fresh air and be outside. no problem.
by Saphomd
Sat Jul 22, 2023 11:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Bond ETF vs Money Market Fund
Replies: 18
Views: 2005

Re: Bond ETF vs Money Market Fund

Yes bonds have taken a beating, but if you have this etf for this long, I would just hang on to it. At some point, interest rates will start to decrease.
If you have extra cash right now, perhaps you can open a mma or mmf, and that way you have both. Just my way of thinking.
by Saphomd
Wed Jul 19, 2023 7:18 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How often do you check the market?
Replies: 91
Views: 7562

Re: How often do you check the market?

Since I have 3 or 4 VG bond funds which were inherited to me by my Mother about 1 month ago, I check the market everyday and read this forum daily. There is much I dont know about bond funds ( short vs intermediate vs long, etc ), so I read as much as I can after work.
However, before my new funds, I have not checked the market in years because I own VG index funds and let them do their thing. I hope this makes sense. Thank you everyone for your wisdom. :beer
by Saphomd
Wed Jul 19, 2023 6:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: New to investing - question about Franklin Templeton funds suggested by financial planner
Replies: 41
Views: 3831

Re: New to investing - question about Franklin Templeton funds suggested by financial planner

Absolutely not. Those expense ratios are high. Keep it simple with some index funds from VG or Fidelity. Read what other Bogleheads are recommending.
by Saphomd
Tue Jul 18, 2023 9:23 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: High stock market returns seem too predictable : makes me uneasy !
Replies: 23
Views: 3570

Re: High stock market returns seem too predictable : makes me uneasy !

What goes up goes down and down back up. That's how I look at it. I have never sold any VG index fund. Just DCA or lump sum and rebalance .
by Saphomd
Tue Jul 18, 2023 9:18 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Anyone still favor Vanguard?
Replies: 359
Views: 48436

Re: Anyone still favor Vanguard?

I have Vanguard for the past 30 years. I have Fidelity in my 401k because it's the only company my employer offers.
by Saphomd
Tue Jul 18, 2023 9:14 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What ratio are you stocks/bonds and how old are you?
Replies: 449
Views: 95640

Re: What ratio are you stocks/bonds and how old are you?

I am 62 and will retire in 4 years. My AA is 75/25 and quite comfortable with it.
by Saphomd
Tue Jul 18, 2023 9:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Why am I still in the bond index?
Replies: 97
Views: 8834

Re: Why am I still in the bond index?

I've had the VG Total bond index fund for years. It makes no sense to me to sell and buy another product. My guess is interest rates will probably go up until the end of the year and start to go down early next year. But what do I know?
I recently inherited my Mom's VG short term bond funds which I'm planning on holding.
by Saphomd
Mon Jul 17, 2023 9:13 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: $600K Savings - Investment suggestions for 6 months
Replies: 25
Views: 4413

Re: $600K Savings - Investment suggestions for 6 months

Can someone explain the 7 day sec yield ( Some VG MMF its around 5% ) vs the YTD which should not be used for comparison. Lets say I have $10 K to invest. In short, one is what has happened so far, and the other is a prediction of what will happen based on what is happening now. Here’s the analogy I used in another thread (don’t scrutinize it too closely, or it will start to fall apart): You’ve driven for the past two hours down a highway at 60 MPH, but now you hit rush hour traffic and things slow to 10 MPH. How far will you travel in the next 6 minutes? 6 miles based on 60 mph thus far (YTD) or 1 mile based on your current speed (7-day yield)? If you want to estimate what will happen going forward, you would use current speed (7-day yiel...
by Saphomd
Mon Jul 17, 2023 7:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: $600K Savings - Investment suggestions for 6 months
Replies: 25
Views: 4413

Re: $600K Savings - Investment suggestions for 6 months

Doctor Rhythm wrote: Sun Jul 09, 2023 11:57 pm
globalmax wrote: Sun Jul 09, 2023 9:54 pm
BolderBoy wrote: Sun Jul 09, 2023 9:13 pm Pick a Treasury Money Market Fund. Vanguard's VUSXX is such an example.
Thanks. Based on what I saw, the return on something like VUSXX should be less than a CD ( YTD RETURNS 2.42% ). Am I understanding correctly?
There’s a concurrent thread on understanding MM fund yields. Use the 7-day SEC yield to compare a MMF to a CD or savings account (don’t use YTD). Recognize that the CD guarantees the rate, and that MMF (and savings account) rates could go up or down.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Can someone explain the 7 day sec yield ( Some VG MMF its around 5% ) vs the YTD which should not be used for comparison. Lets say I have $10 K to invest.
by Saphomd
Sat Jul 15, 2023 9:04 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anyone buying Vanguard's BND Index Fund?
Replies: 19
Views: 3736

Re: Anyone buying Vanguard's BND Index Fund?

I dont own the BNd but do have the VG Total bond market index fund for many years. I know it's been down since interest rates have gone up since 2022. No one can predict the future but my guess is it will continue to increase until the end of the year. It makes no sense to me to bail out now, so even though it's lost money, I will continue to hold on for now. Maybe I'm wrong. I dunno. Does anyone know how much it has depreciated? I'm not good with " visualizers" or other instruments to plug it in. Thanks.
by Saphomd
Thu Jul 13, 2023 8:32 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Inherited VG bond funds.. Advice please
Replies: 9
Views: 753

Re: Inherited VG bond funds.. Advice please

"Will you be living off of this portfolio? Is this in an tax-advantaged account or taxable?"

No. Most likely will not take out money, and the 3 inherited bond funds were not in a tax advantaged account. So it was placed in a taxable brokerage account.
by Saphomd
Thu Jul 13, 2023 6:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: When is enough enough—and how do you spend it?
Replies: 76
Views: 11171

Re: When is enough enough—and how do you spend it?

I enjoyed reading this post. There really is not much I can add. Continue doing what you believe is right. Life is short. :sharebeer
by Saphomd
Thu Jul 13, 2023 5:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Inherited VG bond funds.. Advice please
Replies: 9
Views: 753

Inherited VG bond funds.. Advice please

Greetings My current porfolio: VG 500 Index Admiral----------------------------VFIAX VG Extended Market Inex fund Admiral-------VEXAX VG High Dividend Yield Index Admiral---------VHYAX VG Value Index Admiral--------------------------VVIAX VG Total Bond Market Index fund Admiral----VBTLX ---- In a tax advantage account VG Star Investor---------------------------- -----VGSTX VG GNMA Investor--------------------------------VFIIX------In a tax advantage account VG Inflation Protected Investor----------------VIPSX-----In a tax advantage account I inherited these three bond funds: VG Short Term Investment Grade Investor shares----VFSTX VG Short Term Federal Investor shares----------------VSGBX VG Long Term Treasury Investor shares----------------...
by Saphomd
Mon Jul 10, 2023 11:51 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Money market vs. Stocks in this climate
Replies: 17
Views: 2484

Re: Money market vs. Stocks in this climate

That article by Larry Swedroe is excellent. :beer
by Saphomd
Sun Jul 09, 2023 11:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Still trying to believe in bonds
Replies: 214
Views: 47856

Re: Still trying to believe in bonds

When it comes to investing you have to do what you are comfortable with unless you've had a history of doing poorly with investments. I've tried bonds a few times and just never cared for investing in them. Right now I have a bunch of treasuries and the rest in stocks and ETFs. I invest my money that I will use until social security kicks in, very conservatively in treasuries or maybe less than 20% in stocks (I'm currently retired). My other money is also somewhat conservatively invested in stocks, ETFs and treasuries. At most 60% in stocks. Obviously when rates are increasing, bond funds won't do well, but when they went down (mostly from 2000-2020) they did well. -------------------- Question: I find bonds complicating,. If interest rate...
by Saphomd
Sun Jul 09, 2023 10:42 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is it too late for me to get started?
Replies: 59
Views: 11168

Re: Is it too late for me to get started?

Like other Bogleheads have said, its never too late !
Vanguard Target funds are a good option. If you plan to retire around age 60, consider the Target retirement 2045 Fund. I believe right now its about 84% stock and almost 14% bonds. The nice thing is you can open up this fund with only $1000.
Keep it simple. Good luck.
by Saphomd
Sun Jul 09, 2023 11:09 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How many Retirees 65 y/o PLUS are going into Retirement with 70% - 80% PLUS in STOCKS??
Replies: 128
Views: 17194

Re: How many Retirees 65 y/o PLUS are going into Retirement with 70% - 80% PLUS in STOCKS??

Greetings

I am 62 years old and plan to retire in 4 years when my mortgage is paid off. For the past 30 years, my portofio with Vanguard has consisted of mainly stock and bond index funds. My stock AA has always been high and have not been afraid to take some risk. Currently I am at 84% stocks and 16% bonds. In the very near future my plan is to increase my bond percentage to 30% or so. Hopefully when I retire, I will keep my AA aprox. 65/35. My reason is at retirement I would still like stocks to increase in value and still have a little cushion with bonds. Of course, who really knows what will happen with the stock market in the future.
by Saphomd
Sat Feb 27, 2021 2:20 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Warren Buffett - BRK Annual Letter
Replies: 78
Views: 11662

Warren Buffett says.....

[Thread merged into here --admin LadyGeek]

Mr. Buffett said in his annual shareholder meeting that bonds is not the place to be these days. IF there is a market correction or a bear market in the near future ( who knows when ), then what other alternatives are there to use as cushion if stocks do go south besides savings, MMA, or CDs?
by Saphomd
Wed Feb 17, 2021 6:17 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Am I doing the right things?
Replies: 32
Views: 3508

Re: Am I doing the right things?

abuss368 wrote: Sat Feb 06, 2021 4:07 pm
jimkinny wrote: Sat Feb 06, 2021 9:16 am Buy some Boglehead Guide books: the Guide to Investing and the Guide to Retirement. Taylor Larimore wrote a Boglehead book about the three fund portfolio. You can get all on Amazon. I may be wrong but I do not think any of the authors/contributors receive any money. If some one knows otherwise please correct me.
The two books I read take 2-4 hours and you can also pick and choose chapters based upon your immediate interests.
I have learned from The Bogleheads books and I often recommend them. Investors would be wise have all of them on their bookshelf.

Tony

A book that I am currently reading is "Enough" by Mr. Bogle and should also be on everyones bookshelf. :sharebeer
by Saphomd
Thu Feb 11, 2021 9:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Question about DCA into Roth IRA
Replies: 5
Views: 564

Re: Question about DCA into Roth IRA

anon_investor wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 7:38 pm
Saphomd wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 7:32 pm
placeholder wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 7:14 pm Do you mean the cash you funded it with?
I already funded the roth ira funds. I mean new money I want to put into roth funds.
You can only contribute $6k ($7k if age 50+) per tax year if your modified adjusted gross income is below a certain cut off. So if you have already contributed the max for 2021, you cannot contribute more...

Thank you. The VG representative told me I could. Thanks again.!
by Saphomd
Thu Feb 11, 2021 7:32 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Question about DCA into Roth IRA
Replies: 5
Views: 564

Re: Question about DCA into Roth IRA

placeholder wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 7:14 pm Do you mean the cash you funded it with?
I already funded the roth ira funds. I mean new money I want to put into roth funds.
by Saphomd
Thu Feb 11, 2021 6:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Question about DCA into Roth IRA
Replies: 5
Views: 564

Question about DCA into Roth IRA

Greetings to everyone:

I DCA into my VG 500 index fund which is in a non-taxable account every month. I have 3 VG funds in my Roth IRA which I opened up years ago the backdoor way because of my income. My question is: am I able to DCA into these 3 funds from my VG settlement account directly regardless of my income? I did call VG this morning and they said yes. I just want to be sure so I dont get hit with any tax penalties.
Thank you in advance. Be safe. :sharebeer
by Saphomd
Wed Feb 10, 2021 6:52 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Are Bogleheads still investing at Vanguard?
Replies: 131
Views: 14412

Re: Are Bogleheads still investing at Vanguard?

I have been with Vanguard for over 20 years and my funds are mostly index. I cant recall having any problems with their customer service. I called them about 3 times within the past 3 or 4 months and have been put on hold for over 30 to 45 minutes. If I need to call, I do it at 5am left coast time and get thru within 5 minutes. I dont have any plans to leave Vanguard . :sharebeer
by Saphomd
Wed Feb 03, 2021 4:42 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Home Renovation - Where to hold $$ for one year?
Replies: 12
Views: 1158

Re: Home Renovation - Where to hold $$ for one year?

If this is money you need in one year, I would not risk it buying stocks, mutual funds, etfs, etc.
A CD is fine and a low risk investment. Thats what I would do.
by Saphomd
Mon Feb 01, 2021 7:42 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity sector ETFS
Replies: 4
Views: 603

Fidelity sector ETFS

Greetings Bogleheads

Compared to Vanguards ETFS, especially sector ETFS, why are Fidelity's sector ETFS NAV much lower?
Thanks for educating me.
by Saphomd
Fri Jan 29, 2021 9:18 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Avoiding market timing is HARD
Replies: 58
Views: 5721

Re: Avoiding market timing is HARD

The responses to the original post are excellent. That's why I learn from this forum.
by Saphomd
Fri Jan 29, 2021 5:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: If you need another reason NOT to time the market
Replies: 58
Views: 6296

Re: If you need another reason NOT to time the market

My AA with VG is just where I want it to be. However, my 403B I am 80 percent stocks and 20 bonds. The market will go back up. Sticking with it. Couple bad days but no one can predict the future.
by Saphomd
Fri Jan 29, 2021 8:22 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Question about ETFs
Replies: 4
Views: 309

Re: Question about ETFs

Vanguard does not support fractional share buying. Oh well.
by Saphomd
Fri Jan 29, 2021 7:21 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Question about ETFs
Replies: 4
Views: 309

Question about ETFs

Greetings Bogleheads

Suppose I purchase one ETF for $100/share. Am I correct or not that I am unable to DCA every month ( lets say $50 ) to that ETF? Dont you have to figure out how much the ETF you want will cost and that is why DCA is not possible like an index fund? Or is it simpler to just follow the market and if there is a small dip in price, then buy a couple of shares?
Thank you in advance. :confused
by Saphomd
Thu Jan 28, 2021 4:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard Balanced Index Fund (VBIAX) as ETF?
Replies: 15
Views: 4915

Re: Vanguard Balanced Index Fund (VBIAX) as ETF?

How about the Star fund ? (VGSTX). It invests in other Vanguard funds and the minimum to invest is $1K. :sharebeer
by Saphomd
Thu Jan 28, 2021 8:55 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Todays Market..
Replies: 59
Views: 7662

Re: Todays Market..

TropikThunder wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 11:06 pm
Saphomd wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 9:55 pm I DCA every month regardless if the market is up or down. I bought more shares today after work but probably won't get the lowest price today because of after trading?. Thats ok. Will find out 2moro.
So you didn't actually buy, you just put in an order? Mutual fund or ETF or individual stock? What if it goes up tomorrow before your order goes through?

Bad choice of words on my part. Put in "order" to buy. Likely not at what it closed, but still lower.
by Saphomd
Wed Jan 27, 2021 9:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Todays Market..
Replies: 59
Views: 7662

Re: Todays Market..

I DCA every month regardless if the market is up or down. I bought more shares today after work but probably won't get the lowest price today because of after trading?. Thats ok. Will find out 2moro.
by Saphomd
Wed Jan 27, 2021 7:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Todays Market..
Replies: 59
Views: 7662

Todays Market..

Greetings Bogleheads.

Is anyone taking advantage of todays market going down by buying more shares?
I decided to buy more into one of my Vanguard index funds. Of course, who knows what will happen tomorrow. :sharebeer
by Saphomd
Mon Jan 25, 2021 4:56 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What do People on this Forum Expect for Return (Basing on book, Serious Money)
Replies: 45
Views: 4914

Re: What do People on this Forum Expect for Return (Basing on book, Serious Money)

My wife and I have been investing with VG the past 30 years, mostly index funds. Buy and hold. Honestly whatever the market does is good for me. :sharebeer
by Saphomd
Mon Jan 25, 2021 3:08 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: A lot of bubble talk lately...how would you invest?
Replies: 21
Views: 3741

Re: A lot of bubble talk lately...how would you invest?

I will continue to invest if the market crashes. Its painful but buying shares on the cheap is a good thing. Eventually the market will come back.
by Saphomd
Sun Jan 24, 2021 5:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Want to move money from VFIAX to VTSAX (or even VTWAX)
Replies: 9
Views: 942

Re: Want to move money from VFIAX to VTSAX (or even VTWAX)

Many years ago, I had the same thought. I invested into VG extended market index fund to complement my VFIAX. Own the entire market..
by Saphomd
Sun Jan 24, 2021 12:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Any boring investors left?
Replies: 222
Views: 17991

Re: Any boring investors left?

:sharebeer
by Saphomd
Sun Jan 24, 2021 12:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Any boring investors left?
Replies: 222
Views: 17991

Re: Any boring investors left?

I’m totally boring. I do however have some Vanguard Wellington, which I believe is actively managed. Other than that, it’s all just things like VSMGX, VTSAX, and BND. Whoops, caught myself in a lie, as I have a little Wellesley in taxable. Our taxable investing is relatively new, so conditioned to think in terms of retirement accounts. I don't think it's fair to dox based on currency exposure in foreign mutual fund holdings, or a mortgage, or REITs. Happy to turn over custody of the list to somebody more qualified, just like seeing the friendly faces. Thanks everybody. It’s all good. It’s a good thread, and I enjoy seeing the answers as well. Threads like these come up from time to time. Sort of checking how many people really pass the Bog...
by Saphomd
Sun Jan 24, 2021 9:17 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where to invest money that is maturing from CDs
Replies: 46
Views: 4526

Re: Where to invest money that is maturing from CDs

Call_Me_Op wrote: Sun Jan 24, 2021 7:53 am Rambling,

Safe assets are offering practically nothing right now. If you want more than a few tenths of a percent, you will need to take increased risk. If you want to stay super safe, you will need to accept a low return right now. There is no free lunch.

This type of ultra-low interest rate environment entices investors to take on risk they often do not understand, in the quest for yield or higher return. It often ends badly.

I agree.
by Saphomd
Sun Jan 24, 2021 9:13 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Do bond funds price in market expectations like equity funds do?
Replies: 27
Views: 1819

Re: Do bond funds price in market expectations like equity funds do?

Bonds have always been confusing to me. All I really know is their relationship with interest rates. Never messed with individual bonds, instead have some Vanguard bond index funds and let them do their thing.
by Saphomd
Sun Jan 24, 2021 9:04 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Any boring investors left?
Replies: 222
Views: 17991

Re: Any boring investors left?

I'm boring as they come. I only have index funds with Vanguard, my employer403B, emergency fund, couple CDs, and 3 individual stocks.
Boring is good. :sharebeer