Bogleheads.org

blaugranamd

Rented a car in Hawaii that had ventilated black leather seats. It was very nice especially with the top down.

blaugranamd

Show up naked. Conveys unbridled confidence and new age open-mindedness. Both essential qualities in marketing in our current culture.

blaugranamd

Lots of good advice here. IMO, if this is going to be your first "real" bike purchase, I would buy new from a good local bike shop. You won't notice the difference as a novice between a Tiagra or 105 drivetrain or at least it won't matter as much as getting a comfortable, fitted bike. Here's why: yo...

blaugranamd

If you're worried about use for non-school, just put it in your own taxable account. Spend on whatever you like.

blaugranamd

If you're in the 35% tax bracket that means current income is $400-600k assuming MFJ. A $2.5M portfolio will provide about $100k/year at 4% withdrawal rate. Are you sure you are going to be able to cut your income needs by 75+%? Especially if you are asking about whether $60k tax advantaged should b...

blaugranamd

I would do the full 50% without the slightest hesitation. It isn’t about “performance”, it is about RISK . Right now you two have horribly concentrated risk. Two thirds of your retirement portfolio and both of your jobs are dependent on one company. There were hundreds of Worldcom employees who wer...

blaugranamd

Excessive means more than necessary. The ER is more than necessary for the potential VTSMX investor when that investor can go to Schwab or Fidelity, pay less, and be invested with $1 (at Fidelity). The only argument for someone to be out of the market until that person accumulates $3,000, have to p...

blaugranamd

I am unsure why Fidelity just did not cut the expense ratio's to their existing index funds. Now anyone with capital gains may not be able to invest in the new offerings. I would assume it has to do with their internal index saving some $ potentially. They did drop their existing funds to essential...

blaugranamd

I sampled some Flor de Caña dark rum My kind of thread..... :) "Everyday" rums - Flor de Cana 5 year old "Special Day" rums - Flor de Cana 25 I'm a big fan of Flor de Caña, but for some reason it doesn't like me. Even a single shot always gives me a headache the next morning. Flor de Caña. But, onl...

blaugranamd

Or is that a form of brand loyalty/anchoring bias that behavioral economics has shown makes people more willing to shell out $ unnecessarily? Not saying everyone should dump their current funds immediately but don't just say stuck with Vanguard just cause...

blaugranamd

I'll add my $0.02 that extra mortgage payments probably aren't the best use of your funds.

As far as home cost, i'll just say that I firmly believe that one of the biggest drivers for my family's current excellent financial position is owning an inexpensive home. YMMV.

blaugranamd

Howdy all! Wife and I are planning a fairly short notice trip to the UK in about 5 weeks. Debating between doing Ireland, Scotland or both. We have 9 days, 2 of which will be travel days so really 7 total days to spend. My inclination with that short of a timeframe is pick one country to avoid wasti...

blaugranamd

There was recently another thread on this topic: https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=218396 I am certainly not an expert on how the stock market actually functions, but it seems to me the problem would be self-correcting. People are moving to index funds now because there are more arti...

blaugranamd

For those willing to swap funds for 4 no less in ER, what do you think about VG TSM (VTSAX) YTD yield of 6.74% compared to Fido TSM (FSTVX) at 6.69%? That 5 bp difference in yield covers the ER difference. 10 year differences of 10.78 vs 10.71% is a 7 bp difference, respectively so probably even co...

blaugranamd

For those willing to swap funds for 4 no less in ER, what do you think about VG TSM (VTSAX) YTD yield of 6.74% compared to Fido TSM (FSTVX) at 6.69%? That 5 bp difference in yield covers the ER difference. 10 year differences of 10.78 vs 10.71% is a 7 bp difference, respectively so probably even cov...

blaugranamd

Augie's Barbed Wire Smokehouse

blaugranamd

Take her to a jewelry store for a date and see what she likes. So glad my wife liked the $1000 ring.

blaugranamd

Those would be good options. Could also consider holding international equities in taxable for foreign tax credit. Look into it more before deciding. Otherwise shift to the portfolio you want now rather than waiting.

blaugranamd

Bought a blended leather couch and loveseat for about $800 maybe 6 or 7 years ago. They have slip covers on now because the "Durablend" is all kinds of flaking apart. Admittedly it's partly our dogs fault but all she did was sleep on it. Disappointed. How long did you get out of it before it starte...

blaugranamd

I thought these kinda things just happened to me... No. I ALWAYS find a way to take a simple project and make it inexplicably harder. This project for example: attach hose, open valve, close valve, detach hose. Unscrew old rod, screw in new rod. Done. Somehow new rod falls into tank, impossible to ...

blaugranamd

I'm not sure what flushing the tank and a new anode rod is going to due to quiet the heating of the tank... If the heating element is making a lot of noise, then that should probably be replaced or serviced. Ig you are selling in a year, then a new hot water heater might help, even if just a basic ...

blaugranamd

Sorry, but I had to laugh at your post! Reminds me of when the heating element on my water heater failed, and I thought to myself "how hard can it be to replace that?". I looked up the part on-line, drove to home depot, and proceeded to shutoff the water valve above the heater. But the valve was br...

blaugranamd

I wouldn't worry about the anode rod in the tank, but I think you need to buy another one because the anode is supposed to be electrically connected with the tank a certain way and I don't think the one you dropped in there will be effective. But I generally consider tank-type water heaters have a ...

blaugranamd

Today bring my frugal self I decided to service my water heater that had been making a ton of noise while heating lately. Drained the tank, got a ton of sediment out. Pulled the anode rod, which was virtually gone. Bought a new anode rod, whole installing it, it didn't seem to seat right so I unscre...

blaugranamd

Bought a blended leather couch and loveseat for about $800 maybe 6 or 7 years ago. They have slip covers on now because the "Durablend" is all kinds of flaking apart. Admittedly it's partly our dogs fault but all she did was sleep on it. Disappointed. Our LaZBoy reclining sofas we got a few years ag...

blaugranamd

I faced a similar decision when graduating medical school. Went into school with dreams of being in an intense, demanding, prestigious, and lucrative field. Had a CV and test scores that could have put me into just about any career path I wanted. In the end I saw how little people in that field saw ...

blaugranamd

Thanks all. We're still about 15-17 years from early/partial retirement, I just couldn't search for this topic effectively to get the answer I was looking for. So, practically speaking, if you only needed enough money to not trigger any capital gains then the only difference between a Roth and taxa...

blaugranamd

Thanks all. We're still about 15-17 years from early/partial retirement, I just couldn't search for this topic effectively to get the answer I was looking for. So, practically speaking, if you only needed enough money to not trigger any capital gains then the only difference between a Roth and taxab...

blaugranamd

I've been doing some reading on draw down strategies for early retirement and trying to get a clearer picture on how a taxable account is treated at tax time. Assuming your only source of cash flow is from your taxable account, am I correct in my understanding that only the capital gains portion of ...

blaugranamd

I think you did a good job of answering your own question. Pick FFNOX, for the reasons you outlined. As you noted, ignore past performance differences. +1. FFNOX was my first fund for about 2 years until I had enough assets and knowledge to try something else. It's AA is still roughly what I use to...

blaugranamd

Have had an SP4 for a year or two now. Love it. Full laptop/Win10 functionality when you want, fully functional tablet/reader when you want it. I don't do a lot with graphic design though.

blaugranamd

So if you retire at >55 your are correct you'll have access to just about all your financial accounts penalty free. With $45k pension and something I assume around a million in savings based on your post, you should be able to sustain $80-100k in expenses. If you have no need for accessing any money...

blaugranamd

ponyboy wrote: ↑
Thu Jul 12, 2018 2:53 pm
Im curious how 2 people rack up over $350k in student loan debt?

Probably a professional/advanced degrees. Private undergrads can also add up fast.

blaugranamd

Keep it simple. You said you are just learning, so use the target date fund that matches your planned retirement date closest. Spend a year or two learning. More control of a portfolio is often more dangerous than advantageous early on. You will not miss out on anything substantial during that time.

blaugranamd

I don't either. Where I have this dilemma is part service restaurants where someone brings your food to the table but you have to order at a counter and get your own drinks. If I'm getting my own drinks, condiments, etc I'm not tipping.

blaugranamd

VMMXX is paying out about 2% you won't find much better options without taking on some kind of extra risk. There's plenty of other essentially equivocal options too. But you're splitting hairs over things paying differences in the $10-100/year range depending on your e fund size.

blaugranamd

The three-fund portfolio is an investing philosophy that emphasizes a simple, low-cost, diversified strategy. There is nothing special about the number three. As others have said, you could follow the same philosophy with a different number of funds. Precisely. For us: Retirement allotment: TSP C, ...

blaugranamd

As everyone else has said, get fitted for the right size bike frame! Nothing worse than not being able to get a full power stroke or awkward body position because your bike geometry is way off for your body size. You'll be more efficient, more comfortable, and enjoy cycling more

blaugranamd

Does anyone keep their emergency fund in this fund? I retain all of my cash reserves in PMMF now that the SEC Yield pays over most online savings accounts APY. I do not have an "emergency fund," but my cash reserves serves the same purpose. I do the same. No emergency fund, but cash reserves are no...

blaugranamd

Doomsday Boglehead threads are so entertaining.

blaugranamd

Messy_Orchid_51 wrote: ↑
Sun Jun 24, 2018 12:33 am
4. Run a tablet of “Affresh” through the “tub clean” cycle on the machine-cheap at Amazon or hardware stores

This. Those tabs really make a difference when used with a "clean" cycle. Haven't had an issue with my Samsung front loader.

blaugranamd

Dunno what was recommended before but look at the actual maintenance schedules these days, unless the "check XXX" parts are wearing out prematurely there's very little other than oil and filters that needs done. With a nearly 20 year old car, sure you're gonna be getting cracked boots, lines, worn w...

blaugranamd

I only ever had Volvos until recently switching to a Toyota. One thing to look out for with Volvos, especially if you plan on keeping the car for a long time, is high maintenance costs. Is this also true for the first 3 years? This is the prime reason I dont want to own a Volvo long-term; i would l...

blaugranamd

Not sure if this was already brought up but the XC90 T8 Hybrid qualifies for $5,000 tax credit: https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxevb.shtml Also, the Volvo, if bought new, then Volvo's Overseas Delivery Program will pay for TWO round trip airfare to Sweden, 1 night in a hotel in Gothenburg, insuran...

blaugranamd

tibbitts wrote: ↑
Tue Jun 19, 2018 11:38 pm
It's just sad that we're so pleased to see 2% - still at/below inflation, especially after taxes.

Beats the fractions of a percent we were getting a few years back.

blaugranamd

depending on if and when I get promoted to O-6. O-6 is insanely hard to achieve in certain branches/areas/career fields. If you make that in 20 years, that will be fairly impressive. I believe doctors start at O3 or O4 so it's not as difficult. It is though. The promotions through O-5 are all but g...

blaugranamd

Don't own any personally but my parents own 5 weeks in Kauai. My mother always talks about wanting to go to Europe but they never do because my dad can't stomach the loss in exchanging. That alone has turned me off

blaugranamd

I assume then it could go as capital gains (I'm in the 12% tax bracket so no cost there after a year). But I'm trying to simply to LifeStrategy in all funds accross the board (except cash) and wonder if iShares Short-Term National Muni Bond ETF (SUB) isn't as simple as I may want it. Cody 12% tax b...

blaugranamd

Yes go. If your only goal is to see wildlife in a preserve you might be disappointed. If you want to experience one of the most unique and wild continents then you'll be rewarded. Wife and I spent a month in Swaziland doing medical work and just seeing the cultural and ecological differences was wor...

blaugranamd

Im thinking I can sell now and get into something more stable until we are at the bottom of a bear market again. I feel like we are at the peak and a downturn is coming. Why go In now and watch my portfolio value decline over the next few years when I can just go in at the next bottom or as close t...

Search found 537 matches