Search found 393 matches
- Sat Mar 16, 2024 1:29 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: The best game-changing financial advice you ever received (or "discovered")
- Replies: 120
- Views: 11136
Re: The best game-changing financial advice you ever received (or "discovered")
Live below your means, make and live on a budget, reading A Random Walk Down Wall Street, don’t time the market (you’re not smarter than everyone else), term life insurance, avoid timeshares, Toyota and Honda, the Golden Rule
- Tue Mar 12, 2024 9:53 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: How many are holding cash right now?
- Replies: 203
- Views: 31082
Re: How many are holding cash right now?
What cash I have is in 6 month to 1 year T-Bills. Some in a money market fund.
- Tue Mar 12, 2024 2:44 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?
- Replies: 207
- Views: 14922
Re: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?
Generally no more than about $300.
- Thu Mar 07, 2024 10:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Best < $100 purchase?
- Replies: 299
- Views: 55813
Re: Best < $100 purchase?
About 25 years ago I bought a $20 Weatherproof jacket from Walmart. Still wearing it.
- Wed Feb 28, 2024 9:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What is your favorite book?
- Replies: 186
- Views: 19949
Re: What is your favorite book?
The Bible
- Wed Feb 28, 2024 7:12 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What got you out of poverty?
- Replies: 111
- Views: 12862
Re: What got you out of poverty?
Never really impoverished but, always employed, spent less than we earned, always saved money, invested the rest in conservative investments.
- Tue Feb 27, 2024 10:43 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How to deal with/spend too much money?
- Replies: 91
- Views: 8904
Re: How to deal with/spend too much money?
We have the same situation. We are paying for better schools for all the grandkids plus a college education for each of them. At some point we may upgrade our cars. Also, going on some nice vacations in better hotels. We also give to our church.
- Mon Feb 05, 2024 10:41 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: 4runner vs. Highlander?
- Replies: 109
- Views: 27751
Re: 4runner vs. Highlander?
My wife drives a 2004 Highlander FWD that we bought new. It has 235k miles on it. Still runs great. Good in the snow. Might buy another new one in a year or so. We’ll see what the car market looks like then.
- Thu Jan 11, 2024 9:45 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Oil change frequency on older Toyota (w/ 140k)
- Replies: 64
- Views: 7597
Re: Oil change frequency on older Toyota (w/ 140k)
Have a 2004 Highlander with 235k miles. Been using regular oil and changing it every 5k the whole time. Bought it new.
- Wed Jan 03, 2024 5:29 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: To those of you who slice and dice your bond allocation, what do you like other than BND?
- Replies: 55
- Views: 15964
- Sun Dec 24, 2023 11:02 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Am I the only investor allocating more towards Bonds in 2024?
- Replies: 149
- Views: 30628
Re: Am I the only investor allocating more towards Bonds in 2024?
My bond allocation is not changing, but with interest rates higher, as some T-Bills mature I am putting the capital into BND.
- Sun Dec 24, 2023 10:58 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: What is Your Biggest "Good Problem to Have"? [Financial]
- Replies: 97
- Views: 13688
Re: What is Your Biggest "Good Problem to Have"?
Having First World problems - large capital gains, high maintenance house, high real estate taxes, moving up a tax bracket, more expensive Medicare premiums, insurance and upkeep on several cars, etc. I am very Blessed and have little to complain about!
- Sun Dec 24, 2023 12:27 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Medium Duration Bond ETF Recommendation
- Replies: 12
- Views: 1541
- Thu Dec 21, 2023 7:27 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: How often do you check up on your investments?
- Replies: 81
- Views: 8851
Re: How often do you check up on your investments?
I check the portfolio most days and deploy cash as is appropriate. Almost never sell anything.
- Mon Dec 18, 2023 10:52 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Winning the game and Dry Powder
- Replies: 157
- Views: 25986
Re: Winning the game and Dry Powder
I do have some dry powder - currently in the money market and T-Bills. I sleep better.
- Sat Dec 16, 2023 9:55 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Anyone Bored in Retirement ??
- Replies: 131
- Views: 30104
Re: Anyone Bored in Retirement ??
Been retired 3 years. Not bored one minute yet.
- Thu Dec 14, 2023 10:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How did having children change your perspective of money?
- Replies: 58
- Views: 10955
Re: How did having children change your perspective of money?
It added another factor to my financial planning - providing for my kids to include a good education.
- Thu Dec 14, 2023 9:59 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Retiring at age 40 with $2.4M
- Replies: 210
- Views: 134640
Re: Retiring at age 40 with $2.4M
I would not be comfortable with that amount of capital and that withdrawal rate. I would work some more years and reevaluate. Right now there are too many variables and unknowns.
- Mon Dec 11, 2023 4:15 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What is the Worst Financial Decision/Mistake You Have Made?
- Replies: 657
- Views: 133106
Re: What is the Worst Financial Decision/Mistake You Have Made?
Years ago bought an individual stock (Tellabs) based on someone’s recommendation. Took a significant loss. That was the last time I ever did that.
- Sat Dec 09, 2023 10:51 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
- Replies: 7638
- Views: 1713084
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
“Napoleon” by Roberts. Just finished it. Good book.
- Thu Nov 02, 2023 2:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: College Applications - Why is Essay Even Relevant?
- Replies: 48
- Views: 4037
Re: College Applications - Why is Essay Even Relevant?
To see if the applicant can use the English language and string together more than a single thought. Since I graduated from college I have probably written at least 1000 documents, with a lot of them read by 100s of people. It helps if you know the difference between to, two and too, in addition to the meaning of your and you’re. Communication skills are important.
- Fri Oct 20, 2023 4:36 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Just laid off - Do I take the severence?
- Replies: 45
- Views: 7891
Re: Just laid off - Do I take the severence?
I would not take the severance.
- Fri Oct 20, 2023 3:57 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Where do you buy tires?
- Replies: 70
- Views: 5820
Re: Where do you buy tires?
Discount Tire
- Tue Oct 17, 2023 10:18 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
- Replies: 7638
- Views: 1713084
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
- Tue Oct 17, 2023 10:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Best Small Drip Coffee Machine
- Replies: 77
- Views: 8396
Re: Best Small Drip Coffee Machine
Been using a 5 cup Mr. Coffee for many years. Works fine. Just clean it once in a while and buy good coffee.
- Tue Oct 10, 2023 10:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Is AAA membership worth it?
- Replies: 197
- Views: 27174
Re: Is AAA membership worth it?
We have it so each of us can call for help if needed.
- Tue Oct 03, 2023 6:51 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Home Security Cameras - Worth it?
- Replies: 67
- Views: 5816
Re: Home Security Cameras - Worth it?
Bought a Blink wireless system a few years ago. Easy to install. Works well. Allows me to check on house when out of town.
- Fri Sep 22, 2023 3:53 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How are you self-insuring for long-term care?
- Replies: 167
- Views: 21748
Re: How are you self-insuring for long-term care?
We are just self-insuring through investments.
- Fri Sep 22, 2023 3:31 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Who has the LOWEST Stock Allocation??
- Replies: 85
- Views: 9982
Re: Who has the LOWEST Stock Allocation??
When my father died he was 96 and didn’t need the money from his investments. He was about 90% stocks and had been for many years. It was mostly in the S&P500. The heirs got it all. It is helping pay for college expenses for great-grandchildren, among other things.
- Wed Sep 13, 2023 10:48 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
- Replies: 11037
- Views: 2066977
Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
The Great Waldo Pepper
- Wed Sep 13, 2023 10:40 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Is anyone buying 10-year treasuries now?
- Replies: 10
- Views: 2142
Re: Is anyone buying 10-year treasuries now?
No, but I am buying 3 and 6 month T-Bills
- Tue Sep 12, 2023 10:35 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Just for fun, what single stock do you think will see huge growth
- Replies: 174
- Views: 27397
Re: Just for fun, what single stock do you think will see huge growth
Not sure about huge growth, but I think BRK-B will continue to see steady growth.
- Fri Sep 01, 2023 10:33 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How to pay for a new vehicle with cash?
- Replies: 80
- Views: 7172
Re: How to pay for a new vehicle with cash?
I always pay cash and have generally paid with a personal check (or two). I have put $5000 of it on a credit card once. I will only discuss one number with the dealer - the total amount I write the check for (keep it simple). I tell them that if that number goes up for any reason the deal is off. One dealer tried to add a security device charge once ($250) and I got up to leave. They backed down. Do your homework first and [if possible] don’t go in needing to buy a car that day. Be willing to walk away.
- Mon Aug 28, 2023 6:16 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: If you only had the Total Stock Market and cash. How many years cash would you have? Without adding anything else.
- Replies: 102
- Views: 14708
Re: If you only had the Total Stock Market and cash. How many years cash would you have? Without adding anything else.
67 years old, retired. I currently keep 10 year’s expenses in short term bonds and cash. I just sleep better.
- Thu Aug 24, 2023 2:45 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Individual tech stocks
- Replies: 73
- Views: 6803
Re: Individual tech stocks
Most of my holdings are index ETFs - VTI, VEU, SPY, VIG, SCHD, QQQ, BND, VCSH - acquired at various times depending on market conditions and the current level of interest rates. Have owned AAPL, MSFT, and META for many years. Don't plan to sell anytime soon. They will probably be inherited by our kids. Lately, when it looked attractive, I have bought the QQQ as a long term holding. Buffett seems to think AAPL is a good idea. I have also owned BRK-B for many years. I would consider buying AAPL or MSFT again if they fell to low valuations. Would also consider GOOG at the right price. When bonds were paying very little I used META and QQQ for Covered Calls (others also but those are the tech securities I used). Worked out very well - generally...
- Thu Aug 24, 2023 2:31 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Considering buying an 18 unit rental property
- Replies: 32
- Views: 3563
Re: Considering buying an 18 unit rental property
I haven't read the whole thread, so forgive me if this has already been mentioned. Be sure and understand the local laws about eviction of tenets who are not paying rent. You may end up providing housing for free for longer than you think.
- Wed Aug 23, 2023 6:36 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: What motivated you to save money?
- Replies: 232
- Views: 28001
Re: What motivated you to save money?
Both of my parents grew up in the depression. I grew up lower middle class in New Orleans - no TV or air conditioning until I was around 12 (or so). We lived very frugally. It was just the way I was raised. Having savings provides some security.
- Mon Aug 21, 2023 11:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How much of your financials are you sharing with other family members?
- Replies: 139
- Views: 16812
Re: How much of your financials are you sharing with other family members?
My wife and I know our financial situation. No one else does.
- Sun Aug 13, 2023 3:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Is RAV4 Prime really available?
- Replies: 37
- Views: 7661
Re: Is RAV4 Prime really available?
The lot of the Toyota dealer I use has been mostly empty for a couple of years. They do sell various used cars. They tell me the new cars they get are sold before they arrive. Their service dept is very busy. The Toyotas I see advertised in the area are [mostly] for MSRP and above. I do wonder how long this will go on. We are considering replacing my wife’s 2004 Highlander. Fortunately we are not in a hurry.
- Thu Aug 10, 2023 10:23 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Career Regrets
- Replies: 114
- Views: 15446
Re: Career Regrets
Spent 20 years as Naval Officer. With your education level, if you want to join the military, I would suggest you look at officer programs.
- Sat Jul 29, 2023 9:20 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Where are you holding your cash right now?
- Replies: 75
- Views: 11365
Re: Where are you holding your cash right now?
3 and 6 month T-Bills depending on rates.
- Fri Jul 21, 2023 10:52 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What role has generosity played in your wealth building?
- Replies: 160
- Views: 13844
Re: What role has generosity played in your wealth building?
We have tithed our entire adult life. Never missed the money.
- Wed Jul 19, 2023 10:21 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?
Several times a day. I enjoy watching the markets react to current economic and financial news releases.
- Sat Jul 15, 2023 7:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Bogles in 40s and 50s, how should I spend 30s
- Replies: 91
- Views: 15116
Re: Bogles in 40s and 50s, how should I spend 30s
Don’t negligent your spouse and family. That has long lasting consequences - personal and financial.
- Thu Jul 13, 2023 10:41 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: 20 year old central a/c and furnace - should i proactively replace after summer or wait ?
- Replies: 29
- Views: 3177
Re: 20 year old central a/c and furnace - should i proactively replace after summer or wait ?
If you travel a lot in the winter, and are worried about frozen pipes, I’d replace it. Peace of mind has some value.
- Wed Jul 05, 2023 10:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Where do you bank and why? 2023 Edition
- Replies: 306
- Views: 39088
Re: Where do you bank and why? 2023 Edition
Chase - checking account only. Convenience - it is about a mile from my house.
- Wed Jun 28, 2023 10:36 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Do you read / watch the financial news? Daily? Never?
- Replies: 109
- Views: 6873
Re: Do you read / watch the financial news? Daily? Never?
Watch the financial news most days.
- Sun Jun 11, 2023 4:49 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
- Replies: 7638
- Views: 1713084
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
"The Smartest Guys in the Room" - about the rise and fall of Enron.
- Sun Jun 11, 2023 4:47 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: What are you using for Bond portion of portfolio?
- Replies: 104
- Views: 11743
Re: What are you using for Bond portion of portfolio?
Long term - BND and VCSH depending on what the interest rate environment look like. Lately I have been buying 3 and 6 month T-Bills.
- Thu Jun 08, 2023 8:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Coffee bean suggestions?
- Replies: 53
- Views: 3991
Re: Coffee bean suggestions?
illy coffee good - very smooth