Search found 31 matches

by Dibbels81
Thu Jan 02, 2014 9:05 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard's worst fund (also #1) in 2013.
Replies: 36
Views: 9897

Re: Vanguard's worst fund (also #1) in 2013.

VGPMX didn't even have a distribution in December, which is a head scratcher for me, since mining funds tend to have a somewhat high dividend.
by Dibbels81
Thu Jan 02, 2014 9:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: The Funniest Movie Ever
Replies: 227
Views: 27987

Re: The Funniest Movie Ever

Dumb and Dumber is the greatest comedy, bar-none. It was already mentioned, but Bad Santa is probably #2 on my list, and I have an annual viewing of it with a few select family members each Christmas holiday.
by Dibbels81
Wed Jul 10, 2013 10:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Another good reason to shop at Amazon
Replies: 19
Views: 2744

Re: Another good reason to shop at Amazon

They also have a great lost-item policy. I had $100+ worth of textbooks supposedly delivered to my doorstep, but they were nowhere to be found. I sent an email, and the next day another shipment was sent out.
by Dibbels81
Mon Jun 17, 2013 6:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wanting to spend money all of a sudden
Replies: 76
Views: 8956

Re: Wanting to spend money all of a sudden

Peruse Kickstarter. There are some very cool and worthwhile campaigns that you can be a primary donor for (not to mention the sweet and unique perks that come along with it).
by Dibbels81
Wed May 22, 2013 4:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: statins and exercise study from today's NYT?
Replies: 13
Views: 2757

Re: statins and exercise study from today's NYT?

I recommend the documentary "Statin Nation" (available on Youtube). The sooner you cease poisoning yourself, the better.
by Dibbels81
Sat May 11, 2013 9:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: tax friendly states for retirees
Replies: 97
Views: 12219

Re: tax friendly states for retirees

Come join me in Las Vegas! We have no state income tax, favorable weather, low property taxes, great entertainment and state parks, and homes that are still on clearance sale.
by Dibbels81
Mon Apr 29, 2013 12:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Your best financial move
Replies: 98
Views: 11750

Re: Your best financial move

Buying a home in Las Vegas in 2011 for less than 1/3 of the cost of what it sold for when it was built in 2005. Why are Bogleheads so anti-housing? I love my $600 a month bachelor-pad.
by Dibbels81
Mon Apr 15, 2013 5:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Home Price Appreciation in Weak Economy
Replies: 47
Views: 5488

Re: Home Price Appreciation in Weak Economy

We're getting this crazed home buying frenzy in Las Vegas, too. I was lucky enough to buy a home in late 2011 when they were selling for a 1/3 of the price from only 6 years ago. Houses in my neighborhood are now selling for 40% more than what I paid for mine, with literally dozens of offers within 24 hours of listing.
by Dibbels81
Tue Mar 26, 2013 12:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [POLL] Are zillow price estimates accurate for your home?
Replies: 62
Views: 8365

Re: [POLL] Are zillow price estimates accurate for your home

Houses in my Las Vegas neighborhood are selling about 25% above what Zillow says they're worth.
by Dibbels81
Mon Mar 25, 2013 12:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Short Sale with cash
Replies: 4
Views: 690

Re: Short Sale with cash

I made on offer on a short sale home in October of 2011, and I closed in March 2012 (FHA loan). After the buyer accepts the offer, the offer will be sent to the seller's bank, where the bank will have to approve selling the house at a deficiency (they may ask for more money). If the seller has a second mortgage, an additional settlement will have to be approved. The approval process won't be sped up by cash, and expect that to last 2-6 months. After you get the bank's approval, being a cash buyer will significantly speed things up, as you won't be using a lender on your end, and you can close the deal quickly. It's a huge pain in the butt, but in the end, I'm glad I did it, as I saved about 10% on the house cost.
by Dibbels81
Sun Mar 10, 2013 3:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Scammed [on Craigslist]: I feel like a fool (and dumb)
Replies: 14
Views: 7398

Re: Scammed : I feel like a fool (and dumb)

Hey, I bought speakers from the back of a van once for $400. I consider that a costly but effective lesson. And I guarantee you will be a much wealthier person in the long term than this scam artist.
by Dibbels81
Mon Feb 11, 2013 6:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How do things look to you young investors these days?
Replies: 87
Views: 11180

Re: How do things look to you young investors these days?

I'm optimistically hoping that the current generation being born, generation Z (born after 2000) will be the next great American generation. Their parents and grandparents were dealt harsh realities, with credit card debt and expensive college degrees in basket weaving that got them nowhere. I'm hoping the lessons learned from this will be passed down, and the value of the dollar will be relearned. I've already seen some hopeful signs. [Political comments removed by admin LadyGeek]
by Dibbels81
Sun Feb 10, 2013 8:56 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Poor couple looking for retirement IRA advice
Replies: 42
Views: 9233

Re: Poor couple looking for retirement IRA advice

WHL wrote:If I'm reading your post right, and I'd like to think I am, you guys will have around 4k in the bank after receiving your tax refund.

I don't think I would invest any of that money. I would like to see your bank account (ER) built up a few thousand more before starting any additional investments. I realize people are going to say that the contribution into an IRA can be taken out in a time of need, blah blah blah - I still wouldn't do it.

Good work on wiping out the debt and past troubles. Build the ER a bit more to ensure you stay out of debt forever!
+1

Congrats on getting out of debt. You're actually ahead of the majority of people living in the US.
by Dibbels81
Sun Feb 10, 2013 1:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Boglehead Concert Goers?
Replies: 64
Views: 6553

Re: Boglehead Concert Goers?

A big bonus of being a fan of non-mainstream music is that ticket prices are much cheaper. I live in Las Vegas, and see bands like Clutch and Volbeat for 20 bucks a pop. So, essentially, change your taste in music. :D
by Dibbels81
Fri Feb 08, 2013 7:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: The perfect Boglehead car
Replies: 92
Views: 17135

Re: The perfect Boglehead car

Well, it depends where you are in your life. I'm in my accumulating phase, so I'm driving a sexy 1997 Geo Prizm. When I get to my "fun" phase, it'll be a Lexus or a Benz. :happy
by Dibbels81
Fri Feb 01, 2013 7:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: uses for old laptop?
Replies: 28
Views: 5739

Re: uses for old laptop?

I just popped a new 1gb ram stick into my 2005 HP ZV6000, which runs XP and had 512 MB of RAM (now 1.25 gb). It went from barely functional to being a serviceable laptop. I'm very pleased with the result. Try adding some RAM into yours.
by Dibbels81
Fri Feb 01, 2013 6:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's a better term for 'retired'?
Replies: 97
Views: 12219

Re: What's a better term for 'retired'?

Cat Collector?
by Dibbels81
Tue Jan 15, 2013 7:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Your most intense movie scene
Replies: 155
Views: 19885

Re: Your most intense movie scene

The opening scene to Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds. Brilliance.
by Dibbels81
Mon Jan 07, 2013 12:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What creative ways have you found to reduce monthly bills?
Replies: 66
Views: 6013

Re: What creative ways have you found to reduce monthly bill

Roommates! I rent out my spare bedroom to a friend for $500 a month, which happens to pay for the monthly total principal/interest on my newly bought home last year (Vegas)
by Dibbels81
Fri Jan 04, 2013 9:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any change to your 2013 paycheck?
Replies: 68
Views: 8399

Re: Any change to your 2013 paycheck?

I'm in the 15% tax bracket, and sure enough, the 6.2% OASDI rate has already kicked in as of today's check. I tried to explain what was happening to my knuckle-dragging coworkers, but I didn't think I got through to them. My monthly saving will drop from 40% to 38%. :(
by Dibbels81
Fri Jan 04, 2013 9:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommended Adventure PC Video Games?
Replies: 37
Views: 4464

Re: Recommended Adventure PC Video Games?

I think Portal 2 will be right up your alley. Check out a video on youtube.
by Dibbels81
Fri Dec 28, 2012 10:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Why such a big drop in Vanguard Target funds
Replies: 47
Views: 7597

Re: Why such a big drop in Vanguard Target funds

parsi1 wrote:Sorry, but where is the advantage of all these divided reinvestment that we have been hearing. The net asset stays the same before and after the dividend distribution. So you don’t have any gain due to the dividend?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but you now own 2.5% more shares than you have previously. This increase will contribute to the compound interest snowball that will accumulate, as these additional shares will now (hopefully) accumulate interest and pay dividends down the line.
by Dibbels81
Fri Oct 26, 2012 10:44 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Investing since the 2008 banking crisis
Replies: 22
Views: 2825

Re: Investing since the 2008 banking crisis

Wags wrote:That's what I really want to do is start investing as much as I can early. And figuring out how to do it smart. That's too bad you only got a gain of .88%. Though that's also how much of a return the best high yield savings accounts are giving so in a way it's not too terrible. You definitely didn't lose anything.
That .88% gain, however, is after what could prove to be the worst financial crisis in our lives. The index funds survived and are doing well. My three year return is over 10%, and since the fund's inception in 2003, it has increased annually 6.3% (which includes the recession). Point being--start investing with confidence.
by Dibbels81
Fri Oct 26, 2012 10:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Windows 8: Are you upgrading?
Replies: 67
Views: 7243

Re: Windows 8: Are you upgrading?

I will be. I've read quite favorable reviews, and the price tag for upgrade is only $40. However, I'm one of the few people left in the world still running Vista, so I'm overdue for an upgrade.
by Dibbels81
Thu Oct 25, 2012 11:32 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Investing since the 2008 banking crisis
Replies: 22
Views: 2825

Re: Investing since the 2008 banking crisis

I opened my Vanguard IRA, VTIVX (TR 2045), in 2006 when I was 24 with a 1K initial investment, and it has posted a whopping gain of .88% since the meltdown in 2008. However, everything being considered, I'm perfectly fine with that (this year it is up 13%). I'm a musician making a modest living in the 15% tax bracket, and I currently have two years of living expenses in my Vanguard accounts. Feels like I'm flipping rich compared to my broke, paycheck to paycheck living friends and coworkers. When in history would someone have uttered, "I sincerely regret investing my money in the well balanced, low cost Vanguard index mutual fund?" Never. Set up an automatic investment plan with Vanguard, and invest as much as possible. When thing...
by Dibbels81
Tue Oct 23, 2012 1:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: One of the toughest decisions of my life [Employment]
Replies: 33
Views: 6001

Re: One of the toughest decisions of my life

A little off topic, but check out the field of Speech Language Pathology. You can work in a hospital helping brain injury and stroke patients. Highly rewarding and high pay, plus a dire need for males. I'm currently in a post-bacc program after 10 years in another field.
by Dibbels81
Mon Oct 22, 2012 2:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Las Vegas Trip
Replies: 56
Views: 7088

Re: Las Vegas Trip

I live in Vegas and work at the Venetian, so I'll toss my 2 cents in. I wouldn't stay at the Circus Circus. The hotel is meh at best, and it's in an inconvenient location. Plus the place is jammed with strange families that for some reason bring their kids to town that has porn peddlers on the street corners. For the same price and quality, you could stay at the Imperial Palace. It's more centrally located, and lacks scary clowns running around giving nightmares to children. However, the time frame you are coming in, early December, is considered the "dead" time in Vegas, and deals are abundant. Another 2 cents--Vegas is a bad town for doing it cheap. Things are expensive, and people who don't want to spend money walk around check...
by Dibbels81
Mon Aug 20, 2012 9:47 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How did people invest before the internet?
Replies: 48
Views: 8791

Re: How did people invest before the internet?

I'm fairly certain stock prices were inscribed on the cave walls with a sharp rock, and people would huddle around the fire attempting to discern how their mutual funds performed before heading out for the night to kill a mammoth for dinner.
by Dibbels81
Mon Jun 11, 2012 10:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Renting Vs. Owning at 22
Replies: 83
Views: 7884

Re: Renting Vs. Owning at 22

I bought my first house this year at the age of 30 at nearly a third of what it sold for in 2005 (Las Vegas). My mortgage is only $620 monthly, and I rent out a room to a friend for $500 a month. So, for me, it made financial sense to buy. I'm planning on leaving the state for two years to get a masters degree next fall, however, I could probably get 1.1k a month in rent for the house, so I'm not fretting about it. Rent prices are rising as lenders are tightening standards.

No harm would be done (minus a hard credit check) to see if you could be pre-approved for a mortgage, grab a Realtor and see what's out there.
by Dibbels81
Sat Jun 09, 2012 9:27 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Risk/Return and Young Bogleheads
Replies: 35
Views: 4029

Re: Risk/Return and Young Bogleheads

I went through a similar thought process recently. I'm 30, and currently have about 90/10 in my IRA, and 100/00 in my taxable account. I balanced the worry portion by doubling the amount of money I have in my emergency fund, figuring it would take a fairly severe crisis for me to exhaust my EF and dip into my investments for income. With that knowledge, I sleep easier at night.
by Dibbels81
Wed May 30, 2012 8:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buying a home Vs. Paying student loan debt
Replies: 24
Views: 2547

Re: Buying a home Vs. Paying student loan debt

I've been lurking on this forum for a bit, but went through the same thought process a few months ago so I want to toss my 2 cents in. I purchased a home in Las Vegas in March, a 3 bedroom, 1400 square foot beauty for 93k (30 year fixed at 3.75%). I did have enough for a 20% down payment, but that would have wiped out a majority of my savings/investments, so I went ahead and used a FHA loan. I have 12k left in student loans. My total monthly payment (including evil, evil PMI) is $622 (also a $95 HOA). I'm single and rent out the two remaining bedrooms for $450 each, monthly. I now essentially live for free. I am slowly adding furniture (craigslist!), and have very reasonable utility bills (no cable). Bogleheads are wise people, but are debt...