Search found 18 matches

by markelp
Sat Oct 07, 2023 5:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Banff / Lake Moraine + Glacier 2024
Replies: 12
Views: 1931

Re: Banff / Lake Moraine + Glacier 2024

We visited Banff and Lake Louise this summer (August, 2023). I was terribly crowded, especially in the towns and major sightseeing locations. We did not go to Lake Moraine, but did see the stream of tour buses and shuttles headed that way. I believe you can get sunrise tickets, but plan/buy ahead. We also saw people struggling to walk/hike there or back... not recommended. We stayed at Fairmont Lake Louise for two nights. It was overpriced, but felt the benefit of waking up and enjoying the lake before it got too overrun was worth the extra cost. Most visitors stay on the path along the lake, so we hiked along the lake and up to Beehive/Agnes/Teahouse. It was also crowded but gave you beautiful views and some solitude. If you go, bring plen...
by markelp
Mon Oct 05, 2020 8:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How accurate are Zillow on house prices estimates?
Replies: 38
Views: 5781

Re: How accurate are Zillow on house prices estimates?

Any item is only 'worth' what someone is willing to pay for it.

We just sold our house and I kept track of the Zestimate. It was $362K they day before we listed. Then it immediately dropped to the listing price when we put it up for sale ($345K). Then it dropped again to exactly the sale price ($325K) once the house closed. All within the space of about 60 days. I doubt we could find a buyer for our house at the initial $362K Zestimate. But I *know* it was worth the $325K on the day we sold, because that was the highest a buyer was willing and able to pay.
by markelp
Mon Feb 19, 2018 6:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Seeing Yellowstone National Park
Replies: 24
Views: 3335

Re: Seeing Yellowstone National Park

I've been to Yellowstone multiple times (March, May, June, July and August) and early May is by far my favorite time. There are far fewer crowds than June-Sept and far more access to the animals. Additionally, the animals are just coming out of winter, hungry, and starting to explore. Last year I saw 10 bears (grizzly and black) and a dozen wolves along with coyote, fox, moose, big horn sheep, elk, bison and pronghorn. Seriously, if you drive slowly and keep your eyes open you will be amazed by what you can see just from your car, let alone hiking off the road. Dawn and dusk in Lamar Valley are best for wolves and bear. Some of my pics from last year: https://www.flickr.com/photos/21202451@N00/albums/72157680647887863 https://www.flickr.com...
by markelp
Sat Aug 19, 2017 11:14 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: New to 401k. How is this Match?
Replies: 14
Views: 2367

Re: New to 401k. How is this Match?

I read it as this: 1) the company will match up to $1000 each year. Assuming she contributes the full amount ($18500) for 2018, that's a 5.4% match. If she just contributes $1000, it is a 100% match... 2) She is eligible to contribute to the company starting in 2018 assuming she works for 1000 hours between now and then. Given that she is in a 'full time job', she should have no problem hitting the hour limit. Assuming she will be starting the job ~August 2017 and she has to wait a year, you can budget the first half of 2018 to make sure she can contribute at least $1000 between August 2018 and December 2018 (since they allow up to 100% of her paycheck and can change deferrals easily). This will ensure she gets the maximum $1000 match in th...
by markelp
Mon Feb 06, 2017 6:46 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How the Bogle Model Beats the Yale Model
Replies: 28
Views: 5837

How the Bogle Model Beats the Yale Model

Comparison of a simple Vanguard 3-fund portfolio vs College Endowment funds that "try to invest in only the best money managers – utilizing both the public and private markets – to find the very best investment opportunities. They’re well-staffed and well-educated. They have access to the best and brightest minds in finance and are able to invest in funds that are reserved only for those with many millions or even billions of dollars and the right connections."

http://awealthofcommonsense.com/2017/02 ... ale-model/

Spoiler: Vanguard has better returns in virtually all short and long term horizons and when compared to endowment size ($25M to over $1B)
by markelp
Thu Nov 17, 2016 6:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Computer Backup Ideas
Replies: 51
Views: 8070

Re: Computer Backup Ideas

My backup system: 1) Constant Time Machine backup to a USB drive that is always connected except when on vacation. 2) Monthly second Time Machine backup to a USB drive that is removed and stored in a fire proof safe. 3) Dropbox Basic (2GB free) account mirrors all 'important' documents on their server (and makes them available on my other devices). 4) Backblaze backup ($5/mo) of everything on their cloud storage. So two local backups and 1.5 cloud backups. I never backup apps, music, movies, etc since those are large and can be recovered pretty quickly. I find Time Capsules too expensive and too 'fixed' for my tastes. If the drive fails or I need more space I can easily get a large, new USB drive for far less than a Time Capsule. Also, sepa...
by markelp
Fri Sep 16, 2016 7:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best iPhone warranty value
Replies: 15
Views: 2732

Re: Best iPhone warranty value

kjvmartin wrote:
One nice thing about AppleCare is they cover the cord. The cords are generally garbage anyway, they wear out pretty regularly. I've walked in and swapped out several.

kjv
Great point. With Apple, accessories that are provided with the device are covered as well. This includes chargers, cables/cords and headphones. They will also cover service and support for an Apple-branded wifi device (AirPort or TimeCapsule) if purchased within the last two years and used with the covered product.
by markelp
Fri Sep 16, 2016 7:01 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best iPhone warranty value
Replies: 15
Views: 2732

Re: Best iPhone warranty value

The accidental damage is limited to 2 occurrences and has a $29 deductible each time. The $29 accidental damage service fee is for screen damage only: AppleCare+ for iPhone extends your coverage to two years from the original purchase date of your iPhone1 and adds up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage, each subject to a service fee of $29 for screen damage, or $99 for any other damage, plus applicable tax. The term 'deductible' is for insurance. AppleCare+ is not considered insurance in the US even though it has some elements similar to insurance. It is important to review the state specific terms as well as they modify the other terms. Here's another interesting thing about these contracts. You can cancel at any time and recei...
by markelp
Fri Sep 16, 2016 6:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best iPhone warranty value
Replies: 15
Views: 2732

Re: Best iPhone warranty value

Apple provides 90 days of phone, chat or email support with every device they sell. You can get more personal support even past the 90 days if you make an appointment with a Genius at the Apple Store. In the US, Apple provides 1 year of LIMITED WARRANTY for manufacturer's defects in materials and workmanship with every device they sell. Other countries/regions have different lengths of the warranty as required by law. AppleCare+ extends the phone, chat and email support from 90 days to 2 years and the warranty coverage from 1 year to 2 years in the US. It also adds accidental damage coverage for two years (with a service fee for each claim) and battery coverage if the battery doesn't hold a charge past a specific %. If you want the peace of...
by markelp
Sun Sep 27, 2015 12:17 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Should You Buy On The Dips?
Replies: 45
Views: 5991

Re: Should You Buy On The Dips?

Wow, this whole article is about not timing the market. Basically, don't panic when the market is going down. Hold on to your investments, because after a 10% drop the market is likely to recover. I think you missed the most important quote earlier in the paragraph: "Unfortunately, for market timing to work, investors have to be right twice, not just once. You not only have to sell at the right time, you also have to decide when it is again safe to buy, thus running the risk of missing out on the next rally." And this at the end: "While it’s only human to be concerned with recent market volatility, you’re best served by developing a well-thought-out investment plan that reflects your need, ability and willingness to take risk...
by markelp
Thu Apr 30, 2015 11:28 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Total Bond Market Index [Exp.Ratio] now only 0.07%
Replies: 28
Views: 9808

Re: Vanguard Total Bond Market Index fund is now only 0.07%

R2D2 wrote:What's the Tina Fey connection?
The OP posted an animated image of Tina Fey being showered with money. Mods removed it.
by markelp
Thu Apr 30, 2015 11:02 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Total Bond Market Index [Exp.Ratio] now only 0.07%
Replies: 28
Views: 9808

Re: Vanguard Total Bond Market Index fund is now only 0.07%

It's also nice to see Total Bond Market II reduced from .12 to .10. This is the bond fund used in fund-of-funds. Don't expect those fund-of-funds to come down in price though--even the bond heavy ones--as the increase in the more expensive international funds is likely to make it a wash. See my previous comment about TBM II and fund-of-funds. These would include Target Retirement and Life Strategy among others. Help me to understand why is this the case. I don't see any of the International funds held in the Target Retirement funds-of-funds increasing their ER. Was there an earlier change? Looking at VTTHX prospectus, the ER has held pretty consistent over the last 5 years. It dropped from .19% in 2011 to .18% in 2012. Is historical data f...
by markelp
Thu Jul 31, 2014 12:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mortgage on owned home
Replies: 6
Views: 909

Re: Mortgage on owned home

Only up to $100,000 unless it has been less than 90 days. Here are examples from pub 936. You should read it. Thank you very much for this reference. I find that locating the correct IRS document and the section to review to be very difficult, but once it is found they are usually quite clear. Why do you need (or how much) semi-accessible funds do you need if you have no bills like a mortgage? Great question and perhaps it is more for peace of mind than anything else. I'd rather have a small mortgage and better liquidity than have the funds tied up in a house. If you couldn't finance a few months ago, how could you do so now? Long story. Credit issues and documentation divorce mainly. Big nationwide bank was unable to work with us before t...
by markelp
Thu Jul 31, 2014 11:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mortgage on owned home
Replies: 6
Views: 909

Mortgage on owned home

A few months ago I purchased a home outright. For a variety of reasons, I couldn't finance it at that time, so I sold some investment assets. Now, I am considering getting a mortgage against the home and replenishing my investment accounts with the proceeds.

I realize the investment returns may not equal the cost of the mortgage (even with current low rates), but having the flexibility of semi-accessible funds in investments is important to me.

Would this loan would qualify for the Mortgage Interest Deduction if I don't use the funds to pay off a previous loan or for home improvement?

What else should I consider when thinking about this?

Thanks
---Mar
by markelp
Sun Jan 12, 2014 10:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dumb Mac Question [Adobe reader problem]
Replies: 30
Views: 2875

Re: Dumb Mac Question [Adobe reader problem]

I just ran into this exact problem on a friend's computer. The problem was that she installed the Adobe application (and the associated PDF plug-in for Safari) but never accepted the terms of service for the Adobe application.

Sounds like you fixed it, but for future reference, simply quit the browser and launch the Adobe application (Reader or Acrobat) then accept the terms of service. Quit the Adobe application and relaunch your browser. The PDF plug-in will work correctly.
by markelp
Tue Nov 19, 2013 8:00 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 3-Fund Portfolio - Morningstar Video
Replies: 34
Views: 3969

Re: 3-Fund Portfolio - Morningstar Video

Rick,
Nice video, but what do you mean by "But superior investing doesn’t mean outperforming the markets, it means outperforming your neighbors."?

I'm not trying to best my neighbors for a bigger portfolio or better car, I am trying to reach my goals (retirement, quality of life, etc).

Mark
by markelp
Wed Nov 28, 2012 7:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: NetFlix vs Amazon Prime vs Hulu Plus
Replies: 40
Views: 13103

Re: NetFlix vs Amazon Prime vs Hulu Plus

One method to make this decision would be to search for your favorite shows on http://www.clicker.com or similar search engine to see if they are available and on which service.

---Mark
by markelp
Mon Aug 06, 2012 6:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good fitness site in the spirit of Bogleheads?
Replies: 27
Views: 10327

Re: Good fitness site in the spirit of Bogleheads?

My approach to exercise is pretty much the opposite to my personal finance approach:

Finance: Save more than you spend.
Fitness: Exercise (spend) more than you eat (save).

Or put another way: Move more, eat less.