Search found 759 matches

by xram
Wed Jun 12, 2013 5:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mounting xbox360 to wall
Replies: 1
Views: 510

Mounting xbox360 to wall

Setting up new play room for kids. Don't want wee little tikes to shove chips into Xbox. Anybody have any experience mounting xbox36o to wall? What Product did u use?
Thanks
Xram
by xram
Mon Jun 10, 2013 1:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Adding Bluetooth to tv
Replies: 0
Views: 454

Adding Bluetooth to tv

Anybody used any of these product?
Any opinions on good products/bad reviews?

http://www.amazon.com/SOUNDS-CS-QLINK-S ... B004T0CEBK
by xram
Sat Jun 08, 2013 11:01 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Investment Firm [Portfolio help]
Replies: 18
Views: 2199

Re: Investment Firm

Anyone ever heard of Equity Concepts based out of Richmond VA? I was taken on a nice golf outting by one of their reps (I'm the cynical type, I figure everyone who is currently invested with them just paid for my 250$+ golf outing) and given the soft sell. They offer a bunch of stuff that is usually difficult to invest in for the average investor (gold, hedge funds, commodities, etc) and advocate an unusual asset balance designed on preventing big loses more than capturing big gains, which they say is beneficial. They also offer all kinds of tax advice and estate planning, which I could certainly use, but I've always been told not to invest in something you don't understand. I might submit my numbers and have a sit down and see what they s...
by xram
Sat Jun 08, 2013 6:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Free Books / Free Stuff
Replies: 36
Views: 4064

Re: Free Books / Free Stuff

http://www.amazon.com/50-Biography-Bites-Volume-ebook/dp/B00CQ6PGF0/ref=sr_1_5?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1370690580&sr=1-5 50 Biography Bites - Volume One [Kindle Edition] Robert Mercer (Author) Be the first to review this item Digital List Price: $3.95 What's this? Kindle Price: $0.00 includes free wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet You Save: $3.95 (100%) Book Description Publication Date: May 9, 2013 This book is a unique collection of 50 short biographical sketches, ‘biography bites’, packed full of information about some of the most interesting and noteworthy people of our past, from its early beginnings to the present era. Biography bites, one-hundred-word ‘shorts’ that profile the lives of notable people, are served ...
by xram
Sat Jun 08, 2013 6:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Free Books / Free Stuff
Replies: 36
Views: 4064

Re: Free Books / Free Stuff

http://www.amazon.com/FranklinCovey-Style-Guide-Communication-ebook/dp/B008CG87GI/ref=sr_1_43?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1370690367&sr=1-43 FranklinCovey Style Guide: For Business and Technical Communication (5th Edition) [Kindle Edition] Stephen R. Covey (Author) 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews) Digital List Price: $49.99 What's this? <----------big savings on this one!!! Kindle Price: $0.00 includes free wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet You Save: $49.99 (100%) Book Description Publication Date: June 7, 2012 FranklinCovey Style Guide: For Business and Technical Communication can help any writer produce documents that achieve outstanding results. Created by FranklinCovey, the world-renowned leader...
by xram
Sat Jun 08, 2013 6:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Free Books / Free Stuff
Replies: 36
Views: 4064

Re: Free Books / Free Stuff

http://www.amazon.com/Family-Guide-Groceries-under-ebook/dp/B00703HTGS/ref=sr_1_11?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1370690157&sr=1-11 2012 Family Guide to Groceries under $250 a Month [Kindle Edition] Melissa 'Liss' Burnell (Author), Budget101.com (Editor) Digital List Price: $3.49 What's this? Kindle Price: $0.00 includes free wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet You Save: $3.49 (100%) Book Description Publication Date: January 20, 2012 Melissa “Liss” Burnell has provided an extensive frugal living resource online for over a decade and presents a 2012 Grocery guide for struggling students and families of all sizes and income ranges. The average family of 4 in the United States spends more than $700 a month on groceries alone. In ...
by xram
Thu Jun 06, 2013 3:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Free Book: Napoleon Hill - Think and Grow Rich
Replies: 6
Views: 1946

Re: Free Book: Napoleon Hill - Think and Grow Rich

I havent read it yet.
But its free.
So I put it in my "to do" pile on the kindle
by xram
Thu Jun 06, 2013 5:24 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: So my advisor says........
Replies: 51
Views: 6296

Re: So my advisor says........

Rick Ferri wrote:A few observations:

1) If the adviser was the person who got you off actively managed funds and into index funds, then he deserves to be paid for his work.

Rick Ferri
Forever?
by xram
Wed Jun 05, 2013 10:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Rules of thumb for buying a first house?
Replies: 50
Views: 11574

Re: Rules of thumb for buying a first house?

Homes in Order, The New Way to Wealth. Discover how A Dollar Saved is Five Dollars Earned. [Kindle Edition]
Jeremy Washburn (Author)


Edit: previously free on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Wealth-Discover-D ... 97&sr=1-14

Great Book.

Great Free Calculator Online.
http://www.homesinorder.com/mortgage-pa ... alculator/

Blog by author.
http://www.homesinorder.com/category/wa ... nd-family/
by xram
Wed Jun 05, 2013 10:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Free Book: Napoleon Hill - Think and Grow Rich
Replies: 6
Views: 1946

Free Book: Napoleon Hill - Think and Grow Rich

http://www.amazon.com/Life-Changing-Lessons-Napoleon-ebook/dp/B00CUL4PIU/ref=sr_1_13?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1370487135&sr=1-13 Think and Grow Rich is a 1937 motivational personal development and self-help book by Napoleon Hill [1] and inspired by a suggestion from Scottish-American businessman Andrew Carnegie. While the title implies that this book deals with how to get rich, the author explains that the philosophy taught in the book can be used to help people succeed in all lines of work and to do or be almost anything they want.[2] Jim Murray (sportswriter) wrote that Think and Grow Rich was credited for Ken Norton's boxing upset of Muhammad Ali in 1973.[3][4] The Reverend Charles Stanley writes, "I began to apply the...
by xram
Wed Jun 05, 2013 5:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 720pete's responsible portfolio review question's
Replies: 8
Views: 1147

Re: 720pete's responsible portfolio review question's

Other more knowledgeable folks will respond but I would NOT give up/cash in a 4.35% rate on those IBONDS.
good luck
by xram
Wed Jun 05, 2013 5:02 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: VG Total International Bond Fund is open
Replies: 88
Views: 17723

Re: Adding an international bond fund?

xram: ....Even then, I would only add it to a large portfolio where it would be at least 20% of the bond allocation..... Best wishes. Taylor WIth all due respect, I completely disagree with the notion commonly expressed on this forum that it is only worth while to add something if it is a certain percentage of the portfolio because it "will not make a difference" otherwise. This is completely illogical in my opinion. Adding a fund/ETF will make a difference proportional to the size of the addition. That does not make it wrong to add a small amount of something. It just means that the effect will be small. Add a whole bunch, the effect will be larger. Take your pick. Accept the consequences. On a somewhat related note,....I also d...
by xram
Wed Jun 05, 2013 3:45 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: VG Total International Bond Fund is open
Replies: 88
Views: 17723

Re: VG Total International Bond Fund is open

This is my situation. I do not have any more "room" in 401k or Roth IRAs right now for Vanguard's International Bond Fund but would like to add it to my portfolio. Should I just wait until next year when I have another 17.5K room in my 401k and 11K in Roths (me and wife)? just thinking Have you seen the blog post by tfb on absolute vs. relative tax efficiency? Tax Efficiency: Relative or Absolute? Bottom line: at today's low rates, it could be better to hold stocks in tax-advantaged accounts and fixed income in taxable accounts. Worst case, it simply doesn't make that much difference now. Low rates are also a reason to favor decent, non-brokered CDs over any bond fund. I am not adding any of the new international bond fund to my ...
by xram
Wed Jun 05, 2013 12:32 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: VG Total International Bond Fund is open
Replies: 88
Views: 17723

Re: VG Total International Bond Fund is open

Where are folks holding the international bond fund? 401k? IRA? Taxable? xram: Taxable bonds should seldom be located in taxable accounts where dividends are taxed annually at higher income tax rates. In my opinion, it makes little difference between holding them in a 401k or an IRA. Dividends (yield) accumulates tax-free in both these tax-advantaged accounts. Best wishes. Taylor Agree with Taylor in theory. But if your non taxable investments already allocated and muni bond allocation in taxable filled up but want more international fixed income then no choice but to put in taxable and bite bullet on taxes, which is what I have done. This is my situation. I do not have any more "room" in 401k or Roth IRAs right now for Vanguard'...
by xram
Wed Jun 05, 2013 6:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help pick the right mortgage for us!
Replies: 37
Views: 5150

Re: Help pick the right mortgage for us!

Conrats.

Possible to keep shopping for rates?

A local bank just gave me 15 year 2.5% fixed with 1% origination fee.

Just FYI

Good luck
by xram
Wed Jun 05, 2013 6:47 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: VG Total International Bond Fund is open
Replies: 88
Views: 17723

Re: VG Total International Bond Fund is open

Where are folks holding the international bond fund?
401k?
IRA?
Taxable?
by xram
Tue Jun 04, 2013 5:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard mixup with purchasing mutual funds
Replies: 16
Views: 2052

Re: Vanguard mixup with purchasing mutual funds

House Blend wrote:
xram wrote:I had 9 dollars left over in MM. Did an "All" purchase of VTIAX just to get rid of 9 bucks.
As far as I know, the minimum for a mutual fund purchase is $100. (Automatic purchases can be smaller.)

Surprised the interface allowed that trade--unless maybe the backend also knew about the incoming $4K.
It allowed it.
I did a $2.25 purchase of VTIAX recently.
by xram
Tue Jun 04, 2013 6:53 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard mixup with purchasing mutual funds
Replies: 16
Views: 2052

Re: Vanguard mixup with purchasing mutual funds

Happened to me last week. They fixed it.

I had 9 dollars left over in MM. Did an "All" purchase of VTIAX just to get rid of 9 bucks.

Later in day decided to transfer more money from bank to MM and that money got "sucked" into to the "All" purchase of VTIAX.

Ended up with $4009 of VTIAX.

From now on instead of clicking "all" I'll enter 9 bucks etc.

It's been fixed. Money back where it should be.

Vanguard was very helpful.
by xram
Tue Jun 04, 2013 3:45 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Book recommendation - budgeting and thriftiness
Replies: 29
Views: 3028

Re: Book recommendation - budgeting and thriftiness

http://www.amazon.com/Wealth-Discover-D ... 97&sr=1-14


Homes in Order, The New Way to Wealth. Discover how A Dollar Saved is Five Dollars Earned. [Kindle Edition]
Jeremy Washburn (Author)
by xram
Mon Jun 03, 2013 3:05 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Free book: "Retiring Sooner"
Replies: 16
Views: 3747

Re: Free book: "Retiring Sooner"

Mike is being too modest...he has also graciously posted on his blog that he has made his own book, "Can I Retire?", available for free in Kindle format as well: Thanks for mentioning that! I was making a point to steer clear of the forum rule against soliciting website traffic. :) Also, for anybody interested in getting the free Kindle edition of my book, can I encourage you to use the following link instead? It has the Bogleheads Amazon Associates code included, so if you then buy any other products while on Amazon, the forum gets a modest commission. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004I6D75C/?tag=bogleheads.org-20 Can a moderator move this up higher in the thread? Otherwise people will probably click the earlier link and the boglehe...
by xram
Mon Jun 03, 2013 10:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: "this old house" money saving tricks/tips
Replies: 30
Views: 5101

"this old house" money saving tricks/tips

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article ... 28,00.html

example below

1. Shorten your dryer-vent hose. First, disconnect it and vacuum it out. Then trim the hose length so that it's just long enough for you to pull the dryer a few feet out from the wall. A short and unobstructed line makes your dryer run more efficiently.

Cost: Free.

Savings: $25 a year on electric, gas, or propane.

Bonus: Your clothes will dry about 20 percent faster.
by xram
Mon Jun 03, 2013 6:09 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: tax-loss harvesting question
Replies: 24
Views: 2982

Re: tax-loss harvesting question

Thanks

When/How do you guys/gals decide to TLH?

Is it a number value? (I.e. fund down $1000 dollars or more)?

Is it a percentage value (I.e. fund down 20% or more)?

Thanks
by xram
Sun Jun 02, 2013 11:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Homes in Order, The New Way to Wealth. Discover how A Dollar
Replies: 5
Views: 1643

Homes in Order, The New Way to Wealth. Discover how A Dollar

Homes in Order, The New Way to Wealth. Discover how A Dollar Saved is Five Dollars Earned. [Kindle Edition]
Jeremy Washburn (Author)


Edit: previously free on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Wealth-Discover-D ... 97&sr=1-14

Great Book.

Great Free Calculator Online.
http://www.homesinorder.com/mortgage-pa ... alculator/

Blog by author.
http://www.homesinorder.com/category/wa ... nd-family/
by xram
Sun Jun 02, 2013 9:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Free Books / Free Stuff
Replies: 36
Views: 4064

Re: Free Books / Free Stuff

A boglehead favorite. Top of the wiki. :happy

http://www.amazon.com/Instant-Day-Trade ... 77&sr=1-18

Instant Day Trader: Day Trade Like a Pro Right from the Start [Kindle Edition]
Ali Mudar (Author)
by xram
Sun Jun 02, 2013 6:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Free Books / Free Stuff
Replies: 36
Views: 4064

Re: Free Books / Free Stuff

http://www.amazon.com/Wealth-Discover-D ... 97&sr=1-14


Homes in Order, The New Way to Wealth. Discover how A Dollar Saved is Five Dollars Earned. [Kindle Edition]
Jeremy Washburn (Author)
by xram
Sun Jun 02, 2013 6:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Free Books / Free Stuff
Replies: 36
Views: 4064

Re: Free Books / Free Stuff

http://www.amazon.com/Recession-Proof-R ... 87&sr=1-16


Recession-Proof Retirement [Kindle Edition]
Mark J. Orr CFP (Author)
by xram
Sun Jun 02, 2013 12:52 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: tax-loss harvesting question
Replies: 24
Views: 2982

Re: tax-loss harvesting question

RNJ wrote:
xram wrote:This website

https://www.ivyvest.com/blog/posts/how- ... harvesting

Suggests

SCHE
EEM

As substitutes for VWO when TLHing.

Anybody used these?

Any problems?

Thanks
I prefer IEMG (.18 ER). It's cheaper than EEM and reaches down further into mid and small caps than EEM or SCHE. It's a holding I can live with for the long term.
And "not substantially similar" enough to cause wash sale?
Thanks


Is there not a table or list of commonly accepted fund substitutions for different MF/ETFs in order to avoid wash sale?
Thanks
by xram
Sun Jun 02, 2013 11:17 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: tax-loss harvesting question
Replies: 24
Views: 2982

Re: tax-loss harvesting question

This website

https://www.ivyvest.com/blog/posts/how- ... harvesting

Suggests

SCHE
EEM

As substitutes for VWO when TLHing.

Anybody used these?

Any problems?

Thanks
by xram
Sun Jun 02, 2013 7:40 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: tax-loss harvesting question
Replies: 24
Views: 2982

Re: tax-loss harvesting question

If an investor sells shares/lots That we're acquired as dividends but then decreased in value,, how does this affect the decision to TLH versus shares that were purchased?

Gotta pay taxes on dividends obviously? So loss must be significant to make up for tax burden?

Sorry for beginner level question. I have never yet sold shares in a taxable account and/or tax loss harvested yet.

Thanks
by xram
Sun Jun 02, 2013 6:54 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 3-fund vs 4-fund approach (reason for a REIT fund)
Replies: 22
Views: 2909

Re: 3-fund vs 4-fund approach (reason for a REIT fund)

Random Walker wrote:There is something to be said for simplicity. And there is decreasing marginal benefit to each new asset class added to a portfolio. That being said, an 8-10 fund portfolio is not significantly harder to maintain than a 3-4 fund portfolio. There is significant benefit potentially to nominal increases in portfolio complexity.

Dave
+1
by xram
Fri May 31, 2013 1:51 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: tax-loss harvesting question
Replies: 24
Views: 2982

Re: tax-loss harvesting question

House Blend wrote:
xram wrote:Could I sell the shares purchased on the dates indicated with question marks(?) without causing a wash sale?
(-and buy SCHE or IEMG right afterwards)
Yes.

As long as you sell the recent lots, dated 05/24, 05/13, 05/06, then there is no wash sale.
So, as long as I sell ALL the lots that I have purchased during the PREVIOUS 30 days and dont buy any new VWO (or substantially identical ETF) within the next 30 days, it would NOT be a WASH SALE?

Is that the take-home idea?

thanks
xram
by xram
Fri May 31, 2013 11:51 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: tax-loss harvesting question
Replies: 24
Views: 2982

Re: tax-loss harvesting question

Could I sell the shares purchased on the dates indicated with question marks(?) without causing a wash sale? (-and buy SCHE or IEMG right afterwards) Yes. As long as you sell the recent lots, dated 05/24, 05/13, 05/06, then there is no wash sale. Or as a thought experiment, you could do it in slow-motion. Sell the others, and keep the May shares, thereby creating a wash sale. Then sell the May shares a day later, and you get to claim the losses that were held up by the wash. The net effect is the same, aside from being exposed to one more day of market uncertainty. thanks Mr House Blend, or anybody else.... any ideas what would be an acceptable "not substantially identical" ETF to purchase with the funds from the sale? i apprecia...
by xram
Fri May 31, 2013 8:02 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Picked up a Tad of VEMAX [Vanguard Emerging Markets Index]
Replies: 11
Views: 1559

Re: Picked up a Tad of VEMAX [Vanguard Emerging Markets Inde

“Yes, the often useful habit of treating one dollar differently from another has a dark side, too, with consequences far more significant than increasing your willingness to make crazy bets at roulette tables. By assigning relative values to different moneys that in reality have the same buying power, you run the risk of being too quick to spend, too slow to save, or too conservative when you invest—all of which can cost you. Just think about the way people value earned income as opposed to gift income. That is, we’ll spend $50 from Mom (or $50 we find in the street) with less thought than $50 we’ve earned on the job. In fact, studies suggest that we’ll spend $50 we’re given as a bonus at work more easily than $50 we’ve been told was owed t...
by xram
Fri May 31, 2013 8:00 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: tax-loss harvesting question
Replies: 24
Views: 2982

Re: tax-loss harvesting question

Thanks
by xram
Fri May 31, 2013 7:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ready to buy a house....
Replies: 58
Views: 10874

Re: Ready to buy a house....

Thank you for all the info....
Just an Fyi..


We closed on our house yesterday.
2.5% fixed 15 year loan with 1% origination fee plus about 700 bucks in other fees from bank

Excited
Proud
Happy

Rent goes from 2250 to mortgage 1300.
Much much smaller place...;from 6000 to 2500 sq ft.
(edit: also...wife loves the house as well....VERY IMPORTANT....and I am very lucky that we agree on saving money etc)
Feels more like the type of home I grew up in and want my kids to grow up in...
Will save money on electric, bills etc.....
950 homeowners insurance for the year
1600 taxes per year

So saving money for sure.

But more excited about having a "home" for our kids.
Neighborhood has lots of houses. Kids can ride bikes etc
Very excited.
by xram
Thu May 30, 2013 10:40 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: tax-loss harvesting question
Replies: 24
Views: 2982

tax-loss harvesting question

Code: Select all

2013-05-24		VWO		?
2013-05-13		VWO		?
2013-05-06		VWO		?
2013-04-12		VWO		
2013-04-12		VWO		?
2013-04-04		VWO		
2013-04-03		VWO		
2013-03-28		VWO		?
2013-03-21		VWO		
2013-03-19		VWO		
2013-03-15		VWO		?
2013-03-04		VWO		?
2013-02-28		VWO		?
2013-02-25		VWO		?
2013-02-22		VWO		?
2013-02-21		VWO		?
2013-02-04		VWO		?
2012-12-27		VWO		?
2012-10-10		VWO
I have never tax-loss harvested before.

The "30 days before" portion of the rule is confusing to me.

Could I sell the shares purchased on the dates indicated with question marks(?) without causing a wash sale?
(-and buy SCHE or IEMG right afterwards)

Also, what is a good substitute for VWO? This account is held in taxable at Vanguard.
SCHE?
IEMG?

Thank you very much,
xram
by xram
Wed May 29, 2013 9:04 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Bad day for REITs
Replies: 63
Views: 10683

Re: Bad day for REITs

livesoft wrote:?.....So it was time to rebalance anyways, so folks sold.

Perhaps a stupid question. But when someone sells, someone has to buy, right?

So were people selling off or buying up today?
by xram
Wed May 29, 2013 6:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Bad day for REITs
Replies: 63
Views: 10683

Re: Bad day for REITs

InvestorNewb wrote:
Scooter57 wrote:People are waking up to the realization that rates are going up sooner, not later. When rates go up, it puts pressure on real estate prices and organizations that buy real estate, making them less profitable.
I wonder if I should sell... I won't "lose" any of my original principle if I do.
I bought a little SCHH today. Why would u sell? Why not buy?
by xram
Wed May 29, 2013 9:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: damaged couch
Replies: 4
Views: 880

damaged couch

Hello, We will be moving out of our rental house and into our newly purchased house in the near future. Unfortunately, one of my kids made a good bit of pen markings on one of the couches that was included in the rental house. I told the realtor about it today and sent him a few pictures and asked him to talk to the owners and see how they want to handle it. They are nice leather couches....but most certainly older and "used" and "lived on" before we got here. The family before us (i.e. the owners) had kids and pets etc. I don't think there is any good way to get the markings out. My wife googled it etc. Any idea? Any idea what to expect as far as damage money? I'm hoping they keep a few hundred bucks of our deposit. :D ...