Search found 1337 matches

by LAlearning
Sun Oct 23, 2016 3:36 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How should I increase my bond allocation?
Replies: 24
Views: 4512

Re: How should I increase my bond allocation?

TBillT wrote:Carefully.
We are in a period where the future is uncertain, some expect Fed policy shifts, some are holding more cash.
If you consider Bonds, give some thought to actual bonds, CDs, or iBonds as you can control the principal loss by holding.
If you do a 5-year CD, you can do 5% of portfolio - why not? And that reduces stock risk as well.
The future is always uncertain...
by LAlearning
Sun Oct 23, 2016 2:27 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: If the interest rates rise, won't the bond prices go down?
Replies: 22
Views: 4501

Re: If the interest rates rise, won't the bond prices go down?

yes. it will be small compared to the stocks you hold. and dont forget then they earn more.
by LAlearning
Sun Oct 23, 2016 11:45 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: quick 403(b) questions
Replies: 4
Views: 957

Re: quick 403(b) questions

no. you can max out your old plan before leaving (assuming you have sufficient funds saved).
did this for the wife who changed plans this year. 18K in a few months made her paycheck awfully tiny haha.

its pretty common.

and remember then in the second half of 2018 to max out your new 403b. then finally in 2019 you can go back to normal contributions throughout the year.
by LAlearning
Sun Oct 23, 2016 11:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Use TIRA for Graduate School
Replies: 4
Views: 1067

Re: Use TIRA for Graduate School

i dont think i would. that space is valuable as it is the money that will grow the longest.

but if you are going to be making that much money you need to either convert that IRA or roll it into a 401k (assuming yours allows it) to enable the backdoor roth. so doing it now while you are in a low tax bracket was my other thought.
by LAlearning
Sun Oct 23, 2016 11:31 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Unhappy with job, thoughts on my options?
Replies: 12
Views: 2807

Re: Unhappy with job, thoughts on my options?

ill summarize: you sound conflicted. you should find what makes you happy, because if you dont, nothing will change. good luck with the baby!
by LAlearning
Sun Oct 23, 2016 11:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medical practice (Neurology) buy-in
Replies: 28
Views: 3288

Re: Medical practice (Neurology) buy-in

to be fair you dont know anything about how their contracts are structured. so for now since you already signed, go work. if it doesn't work out, you'll leave.
most docs change jobs the first 5 years anyways.
by LAlearning
Sun Oct 23, 2016 11:14 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: New here/considering moving to Vanguard
Replies: 25
Views: 4949

Re: New here/considering moving to Vanguard

My American Funds are Target Date 2050 (AALTX, 0.76% expense ratio). I'm definitely not wedded to target date funds - thus far, just seemed like a simple comparison of "hey, if I moved to Vanguard, how much better would it be performing in a comparable setup?", but I know this is way too simplistic of a view. Just a bit of a reluctance to give up on the American Funds since they've been performing well, and looking to talk to people who actually know what they're doing to see if that fear of mine is even reasonable. Beyond the American Funds, the other funds we have at Edward Jones are things we'd be eager to move over, anyway. Thanks all! the biggest concept to understand is that you cannot control returns. and when you look at ...
by LAlearning
Sun Oct 23, 2016 11:08 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Accumulation VUL Questions...
Replies: 28
Views: 4475

Re: Accumulation VUL Questions...

probably get rid of it. but since you have had it for 8 years you need to run the specific timetable numbers to see what makes sense.
and get TERM life insurance in place before you get rid of it.

but basically its a sunk cost, a mistake. i would reset and move on.
by LAlearning
Sun Oct 23, 2016 11:05 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Please critique my asset allocation [70% VTSAX, 30% VTIAX]
Replies: 18
Views: 4634

Re: Please critique my asset allocation [70% VTSAX, 30% VTIAX]

for those that think they can stomach 100% stocks, then there is no reason to avoid funds that buy on margin or use leveraged funds......

...i hope that gave you pause...

why not just 10% in bonds. that way when volatility strikes, you have something to do.
by LAlearning
Sun Oct 23, 2016 11:02 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Who disagrees with Jack. . .
Replies: 73
Views: 11535

Re: Who disagrees with Jack. . .

i agree on a lot. and think the rest is not so hot.
thankfully most here can form their own opinion and decide what to do about it.
by LAlearning
Sun Oct 23, 2016 9:40 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can I afford a new (used) car?
Replies: 24
Views: 3523

Re: Can I afford a new (used) car?

I don't get the question.
Did you want confirmation you can spend 30k? Go for it.
Oh, and cash.
by LAlearning
Sun Oct 23, 2016 9:36 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Emulating Vanguard total stock market
Replies: 10
Views: 2274

Re: Emulating Vanguard total stock market

You can Google it. It's in the wiki. Approximating total stock...
by LAlearning
Sat Oct 22, 2016 10:26 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: New here/considering moving to Vanguard
Replies: 25
Views: 4949

Re: New here/considering moving to Vanguard

I doubt those funds are doing better. Run, don't walk.
by LAlearning
Sat Oct 22, 2016 9:39 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How to know phone call from mutual fund company is legitimate?
Replies: 18
Views: 2830

Re: How to know phone call from mutual fund company is legitimate?

I wouldn't talk to anyone. Ever. If they need to reach you there will be a message in your account. And I would call the main # to confirm anyways.
by LAlearning
Sat Oct 22, 2016 9:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Financial Planner - Spouse has no interest in investments
Replies: 43
Views: 7194

Re: Financial Planner - Spouse has no interest in investments

Gill wrote:How about a revocable living trust with yourself as trustee and a corporate trustee named as your successor.
Gill
Sounds expensive...
by LAlearning
Sat Oct 22, 2016 6:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Question re: biicycle pump for car tires
Replies: 16
Views: 3899

Re: Question re: biicycle pump for car tires

I don't think it matters.
by LAlearning
Sat Oct 22, 2016 6:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: transfering portfolio
Replies: 8
Views: 1214

Re: transfering portfolio

It is an IRA. It can be transfered immediately. The funds are a mess.
You should then look into a lawyer as 6%/yr is criminal.
by LAlearning
Thu Oct 20, 2016 12:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How do you track your portfolio's performance?
Replies: 40
Views: 5851

Re: How do you track your portfolio's performance?

i dont get it...each company will track your assets there....
so you dont need to do anything but add and subtract from each site...
by LAlearning
Thu Oct 20, 2016 12:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retired, what is the best way to start taking money out of funds?
Replies: 11
Views: 2278

Re: Retired, what is the best way to start taking money out of funds?

nope your right.
consider putting off SS if possible
take the dividends, distributions as cash to spend.
then sell taxable assets as needed (starting with losses if you have any but prob not after 20 years....)
dont forget roth conversions until 70
then RMDs after that.

this was a pretty good talk on exactly what you are looking for from Vanguard:
https://advisors.vanguard.com/VGApp/iip ... ntSpending

rinse, repeat, enjoy.
by LAlearning
Thu Oct 20, 2016 12:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: quick question [Investing in a taxable account]
Replies: 6
Views: 979

Re: quick question

that was the point of my question :beer

look into it. do it. then use the rest of your money for taxable.
by LAlearning
Thu Oct 20, 2016 12:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is Roth 401k better than Pre-tax 401k in our situation?
Replies: 20
Views: 2097

Re: Is Roth 401k better than Pre-tax 401k in our situation?

option 1 is likely the best.

if you have left over tIRAs, simpleIRA, SEPIRA etc, then you need to roll those either into your employer 401ks, or just convert them all and take the tax hit. it could be very well worth it to get (unknown) years of rIRA contributions.

this all depends on how much you have......
by LAlearning
Thu Oct 20, 2016 11:54 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: quick question [Investing in a taxable account]
Replies: 6
Views: 979

Re: quick question

why not a roth IRA?
by LAlearning
Tue Oct 18, 2016 9:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: credit card rejections - related to ? tax returns
Replies: 3
Views: 843

Re: credit card rejections - related to ? tax returns

is your credit frozen? did you check your reports?
by LAlearning
Thu Oct 13, 2016 5:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Target retirement date fund okay for all accounts?
Replies: 21
Views: 3957

Re: Target retirement date fund okay for all accounts?

I would vote everything except taxable.
by LAlearning
Mon Oct 10, 2016 6:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Beginner Boglehead
Replies: 30
Views: 5133

Re: Beginner Boglehead

While you grapple with AA, cost is by far a more important indicator of success. Therefore moving your IRA would be my first priority. You can stick with the TDF at Vanguard until you sort everything.
by LAlearning
Sun Oct 09, 2016 9:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Nissan Navigation Update
Replies: 16
Views: 2871

Re: Nissan Navigation Update

That's why you use your phone.
by LAlearning
Sun Oct 09, 2016 8:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: tax 401K vs paying down mortgage
Replies: 13
Views: 2271

Re: tax 401K vs paying down mortgage

You only roll over the after tax. If it's for retirement, that's my vote. Otherwise taxable vs mortgage debate.
by LAlearning
Sun Oct 09, 2016 8:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Nissan Navigation Update
Replies: 16
Views: 2871

Re: Nissan Navigation Update

KlangFool wrote:Folks,

I know I could use my phone for navigation. I just trying to find out whether I could update my Nissan navigation once in 2 years. If that is possible, it might be worthwhile for me to update.

KlangFool
I don't understand.. You don't ever have to update it.
by LAlearning
Sun Oct 09, 2016 3:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Paying off Loans vs. Investing and Capitalization of Debt
Replies: 6
Views: 1008

Re: Paying off Loans vs. Investing and Capitalization of Debt

Are you in a PSLF program? If not you need to refinance stat. Then pay them off.
by LAlearning
Sun Oct 09, 2016 3:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Backdoor Roth IRA - option closed for me?
Replies: 7
Views: 1667

Re: Backdoor Roth IRA - option closed for me?

You can still do a backdoor Roth. It's the prorata rule that will get you.
by LAlearning
Sun Oct 09, 2016 3:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: AA question with lousy 401(k)
Replies: 17
Views: 1881

Re: AA question with lousy 401(k)

Need to see the options. What do you mean both IRA and Roth?
by LAlearning
Sun Oct 09, 2016 1:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Nissan Navigation Update
Replies: 16
Views: 2871

Re: Nissan Navigation Update

Use your phone. Then you never have to pay for it.
by LAlearning
Sun Oct 09, 2016 1:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Physician in need of help
Replies: 27
Views: 5350

Re: Physician in need of help

I do not qualify for a student loan interest deduction due to my MAGI being over 80k. I guess there is no reason not to pay off the remaining 28k. I was under the impression that the money could be used for investment purposes instead of paying off a low interest student loan, but given the money is just sitting there and I have a consistent stream of income from my job, the 28k should not impact me too much. It looks like the backdoor Roth is the way to go but there are some opposing arguments here. All opinions are appreciated! I was also thinking about opening a taxable mutual fund account with Vanguard and contributing at least 10k in the Total Intl Stock Index Fund so I can benefit from the foreign tax credit. Bob No one is opposing t...
by LAlearning
Sun Oct 09, 2016 1:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Surprised at how good 3D PC gaming is without a graphics card
Replies: 10
Views: 1670

Re: Surprised at how good 3D PC gaming is without a graphics card

Agreed. A 12 yo game is not really a relevant benchmark. It'll run on win98...What matters is you have the hardware to do what you want.

Now back to Witcher 3 :beer
by LAlearning
Sun Oct 09, 2016 11:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Controlling high blood pressure
Replies: 16
Views: 2480

Re: Controlling high blood pressure

In before the lock.

But practically sounds like you are doing the right things. After a proper workup, it's meds.
by LAlearning
Sun Oct 09, 2016 10:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best car for night driving
Replies: 47
Views: 14736

Re: Best "cars" for night driving

daveatca wrote:Uber
Lyft
by LAlearning
Sat Oct 08, 2016 11:25 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How To Retire Comfortably With Just $500,000
Replies: 44
Views: 13848

Re: How To Retire Comfortably With Just $500,000

That was worthless. Good luck when your 500K gets cut to 250K 2 years into retirement.
by LAlearning
Sat Oct 08, 2016 11:14 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Physician in need of help
Replies: 27
Views: 5350

Re: Physician in need of help

Agree per above.

Except sawhorse, that comment makes no sense. :oops: :annoyed :shock:
by LAlearning
Fri Oct 07, 2016 3:13 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Trying to beat the market
Replies: 18
Views: 3498

Re: Trying to beat the market

What the WEAT?!
by LAlearning
Wed Oct 05, 2016 4:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What's going on with REITS this week?
Replies: 26
Views: 7706

Re: What's going on with REITS this week?

The market will fluctuate...
by LAlearning
Tue Oct 04, 2016 9:11 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Where is Livesoft?
Replies: 94
Views: 25669

Re: Where is Livesoft?

In before the lock!
by LAlearning
Tue Oct 04, 2016 7:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: temporarily cashing out ?
Replies: 55
Views: 8396

Re: temporarily cashing out ?

You should do it. Let us know if your gut is right. Then let us know when you buy back.