Search found 828 matches

by EternalOptimist
Tue Dec 27, 2016 7:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Decent quality reading glasses
Replies: 21
Views: 3840

Re: Decent quality reading glasses

For me I love the $1 pairs at the a Dollar Store....wide variety, smart looking, sturdy for the price.
by EternalOptimist
Tue Dec 27, 2016 7:22 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bogleheads and stocks picking
Replies: 26
Views: 3626

Re: Bogleheads and stocks picking

Why not have some fun with a tiny portion of your money, it might help you appreciate indexing more.
by EternalOptimist
Sun Nov 13, 2016 7:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Age 92 Dad Wants to Boost stocks
Replies: 71
Views: 14103

Re: Age 92 Dad Wants to Boost stocks

My father, 92 years young, told me today that he wants to raise his allocation from 30% stocks to 50%. After talking to him again about the dangers of market timing, he's willing to moderate his stance a bit. For someone his age and with an adequate portfolio to meet his needs, do you think 50-50 is too risky? What about 40% stocks? There are very few 92 year olds competent enough to decide on their own asset allocation (Taylor Larimore is one of them obviously.) Make sure your dad is one of them before you let him monkey around with stuff like that. You've got a lot of nerve. 50/50 isn't exactly betting the farm, and it's HIS farm. +1 Incredibly prejudiced comment. What if "some people" 92 have dementia, what does that have to d...
by EternalOptimist
Wed Nov 09, 2016 10:01 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: U.S. stocks in free fall
Replies: 36221
Views: 4652194

Re: U.S. stocks in freefall

How is thread still open....it is not actionable and has become political.
by EternalOptimist
Wed Dec 31, 2014 3:54 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: BOGLEHEAD CONTEST -- November 2014
Replies: 41
Views: 7690

Re: BOGLEHEAD CONTEST -- November 2014

Finished 20th.....not bad. Happy New Year!
by EternalOptimist
Tue Dec 09, 2014 11:03 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: BOGLEHEAD CONTEST -- November 2014
Replies: 41
Views: 7690

Re: BOGLEHEAD CONTEST -- November 2014

Wow, optimism really does work :D
by EternalOptimist
Wed Jan 22, 2014 3:23 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Taylor's 90th Birthday
Replies: 272
Views: 42924

Re: TAYLOR'S UPCOMING 90th BIRTHDAY

Happy B day Taylor, you are one of my favorite posters! FYI, I'm 64 and play tennis with guys 85-90 so I know how tough you guys can be. Many, many more :happy
by EternalOptimist
Wed Jan 22, 2014 3:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: POLL: Bogleheads' Gender/Education
Replies: 12
Views: 1930

Re: POLL: Bogleheads' Gender/Education

Harold wrote:
Alistair wrote:Oh come on, at least split out the PhDs :)
Yeah, that master's degree or more selection makes no sense at all!

How is this going to become a full-blown bragging thread if those degrees are all lumped together?

(And besides, there's nothing in between college grad and master's -- so where are the JDs and MDs supposed to go? :wink: )
Oh come on, no bragging here, it's not flattering. 8-)
by EternalOptimist
Wed Jan 22, 2014 3:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: POLL: Bogleheads' Gender/Education
Replies: 12
Views: 1930

Re: POLL: Bogleheads' Gender/Education

Christine_NM wrote:
EternalOptimist wrote:What is your gender and the highest level of education you have attained?
EO - Can you tell us what you think this means?

I suggest an option for # of children (0, 1, 2, 2+) for which male/female was the primary parent.
Curious as to the makeup of this forum. Regarding you suggestion, the poll tool here is very basic, you question could be addressed in a separate. Why not try it, it's fun.
by EternalOptimist
Wed Jan 22, 2014 2:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: My First Home Purchase!
Replies: 20
Views: 2882

Re: My First Home Purchase!

Short of hooking up with local agents, these sites might prove useful:

http://www.zillow.com
http://www.trulia.com
http://www.homes.com
by EternalOptimist
Wed Jan 22, 2014 1:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: POLL: Bogleheads' Gender/Education
Replies: 12
Views: 1930

POLL: Bogleheads' Gender/Education

What is your gender and the highest level of education you have attained?
by EternalOptimist
Tue Jan 21, 2014 3:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Free Food
Replies: 21
Views: 3386

Re: Free Food

I posted this for seniors, it might be a bit dated.

http://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtop ... 1&t=128239
by EternalOptimist
Tue Jan 21, 2014 3:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Preparing for behavioral question style interview
Replies: 20
Views: 2478

Re: Preparing for behavioral question style interview

I've done a fair amount of hiring over the years, just relax and be yourself. Since you are being asked to come in, it is assumed you can do the job, the rest is do they see you fitting in (which you can't control). So relax, smile, be happy and do a lot of listening. Be sure not to be negative about any firm or anybody. Remember it is harder for the interviewer than the interviewee, so try to make them feel comfortable, if you can. It gets easier the more you do. Good luck :happy. PS, be sure to send a thank you note.
by EternalOptimist
Tue Jan 21, 2014 10:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Let's Go To Lunch
Replies: 43
Views: 3949

Let's Go To Lunch

If you had an opportunity to go to lunch with any financial thought-leader past or present who would it be and why? What questions/discussions would you like to have? Let's try not to pile on Buffet :)
by EternalOptimist
Sun Jan 19, 2014 4:45 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Home Equity as "Fixed Income" allocation
Replies: 64
Views: 5870

Re: Home Equity as "Fixed Income" allocation

I own my house debt free. My AA is 50 stocks/50 bonds. For what it's worth I do not count my home in my AA which could be considered conservative for my age...64.
by EternalOptimist
Fri Jan 17, 2014 12:48 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: POLL: Preferred Withdrawal Method
Replies: 31
Views: 3125

POLL: Preferred Withdrawal Method

Generally speaking, for the withdrawal phase, which of these do you feel is the best method of drawing from a stock/bond portfolio over time.
by EternalOptimist
Thu Jan 16, 2014 4:43 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Mutual Fund Purchasing
Replies: 22
Views: 2158

Re: Mutual Fund Purchasing

placeholder wrote:Are you including ETFs or just MFs and if so why the distinction?
Sure ETFs
by EternalOptimist
Thu Jan 16, 2014 4:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Work & Life balance
Replies: 12
Views: 2429

Re: Work & Life balance

No regrets, I always believed in balance and continue to be close to my 29 year old daughter. I enjoyed being there with my wife to watch her grow. No regrets here :happy
by EternalOptimist
Thu Jan 16, 2014 4:29 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Mutual Fund Purchasing
Replies: 22
Views: 2158

Re: Mutual Fund Purchasing

I bought Fidelity Select Software and Computer Services Portfolio to get a little more tech exposure.....so far so good.
by EternalOptimist
Thu Jan 16, 2014 7:35 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Mutual Fund Purchasing
Replies: 22
Views: 2158

Mutual Fund Purchasing

Thinking about the last fund that you opened, what fund was that and why did you choose to get into it?
by EternalOptimist
Wed Jan 15, 2014 3:53 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Withdrawal-based Asset Allocation
Replies: 6
Views: 1079

Withdrawal-based Asset Allocation

Let's say you are in a situation where you are in retirement and virtually all of your expenses are covered by SS, pension, annuity and are withdrawing little to nothing and expect this to go on for quite some time. Could you say that an AA of 90/10 or 80/20 would work even if you're in your 70s or 80s?
by EternalOptimist
Wed Jan 15, 2014 2:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Spring vacation ideas
Replies: 6
Views: 1190

Re: Spring vacation ideas

Caribbean cruise is fun, I've done that. Carnival is fun and has good deals.
by EternalOptimist
Wed Jan 15, 2014 2:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: percolator vs drip
Replies: 109
Views: 12072

Re: percolator vs drip

I understand that French press makes the best coffee. They said, I use a Mr Coffee drip as percolator I think isn't as good. The real key is good coffee preferably ground right at the of using.
by EternalOptimist
Wed Jan 15, 2014 7:53 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Wellington
Replies: 30
Views: 8917

Re: Wellington

Have owned some for a short while and am satisfied. Keep adding to it.
by EternalOptimist
Wed Jan 15, 2014 7:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anti-virus protection for Apple products
Replies: 3
Views: 740

Anti-virus protection for Apple products

It seems that the prevailing attitude is that Apple products (iMac, iPad, etc.) don't get viruses, malware for a variety of reasons. Was wondering what those who own these are thinking / doing? Thanks.
by EternalOptimist
Wed Jan 15, 2014 7:45 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: High Earners - What's Your Profession?
Replies: 1217
Views: 222973

Re: High Earners - What's Your Profession?

HomerJ wrote:
EternalOptimist wrote:Retired a few years but my profession was marketing for major Fortune 500 companies. Though where I live $100k is barely cutting it.
Move somewhere else and be rich :)

(I know, I know... hard to move away from friends and family)
Funny you should mention that, I'm beginning to explore other areas now that my wife is retired. Been in my house 30+ years.
by EternalOptimist
Wed Jan 15, 2014 7:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: High Earners - What's Your Profession?
Replies: 1217
Views: 222973

Re: High Earners - What's Your Profession?

Retired a few years but my profession was marketing for major Fortune 500 companies. Though where I live $100k is barely cutting it.
by EternalOptimist
Mon Jan 13, 2014 5:20 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: A Simple Thank You Story
Replies: 5
Views: 1385

Re: A Simple Thank You Story

Good luck young man, having gratitude is a wonderful trait.
by EternalOptimist
Sun Jan 12, 2014 12:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Did you have a Mid Life Crisis? [Consumer related]
Replies: 103
Views: 14281

Re: Did you have a Mid Life Crisis?

Well, at about age 40 I had complete corporate burnout. I went into my own business because of it and learned a lot about life and myself....lots of tough lessons. Ended up going back into corporate life. There's a line I like "never make a major decision when you are emotionally very high or very low"
by EternalOptimist
Sun Jan 12, 2014 11:45 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When to start social security
Replies: 30
Views: 3492

Re: When to start social security

This decision has both rational and irrational components and is a very personal one. It's like telling someone which car to buy....huh?
by EternalOptimist
Sun Jan 12, 2014 11:41 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Citi Study: Rich Families Hoarding Cash
Replies: 20
Views: 3713

Re: Citi Study: Rich Families Hoarding Cash

Gleevec wrote:They don't tell you anything about the age distribution. If you are a multimillionaire retiree, with ample retirement savings, why would you take any risk.

If you've already won the game, why play again and risk losing?

Plus, increased taxes on capital gains makes the risk/reward ratio on investment in stocks less favorable; and bonds are not a safe place to park money currently with the Fed winding down
I think this is the point, this less about investing per se and more about managing wealth.
by EternalOptimist
Sat Jan 11, 2014 5:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Top 12.5% with $712,000 net worth
Replies: 34
Views: 7926

Re: Top 12.5% with $712,000 net worth

Works for me. If this is modest what about the other 87.5%
by EternalOptimist
Sat Jan 11, 2014 5:05 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Citi Study: Rich Families Hoarding Cash
Replies: 20
Views: 3713

Citi Study: Rich Families Hoarding Cash

A recent study by Citi Private Bank found that wealthy families have about 39% of their assets in cash. Guess they're in the preservation mode?

http://www.cnbc.com/id/101157290
by EternalOptimist
Sat Jan 11, 2014 4:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Midlife rent vs. first-time purchase: please help!
Replies: 38
Views: 3653

Re: Midlife rent vs. first-time purchase: please help!

Hi, I'm in opposite situation. Retired, 64 and have always owned my own home. I'm thinking of renting and am just embarking on the journey of whether to now rent for many of the reasons you cited or continue owning. Very early feelings would be to own in a downsized situation but that may change.
by EternalOptimist
Sat Jan 11, 2014 2:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anything else I should be doing at age 31?
Replies: 11
Views: 2329

Re: Anything else I should be doing at age 31?

Save, live below your means and invest wisely---64 yr old retiree
by EternalOptimist
Sat Jan 11, 2014 2:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When to start social security
Replies: 30
Views: 3492

Re: When to start social security

I'm collecting since turning 62 two years ago and my wife started this month at age 62. This works for me and there is no looking back. I believe I've read that a majority of people collect at 62.
by EternalOptimist
Sat Jan 11, 2014 10:05 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you oversave for retirement or not?
Replies: 70
Views: 9204

Re: Do you oversave for retirement or not?

I retired 3 years ago when I thought I had enough because I hated my job. My wife retired recently, we are both in our early sixties. Life is too short to crunch numbers constantly after all there are no guarantees. Like anything in life, if it feels right it probably is. Oftentimes life is not about money. You could always get a job doing something, retirement is not fatal, just believe in your decisions.
by EternalOptimist
Sat Jan 11, 2014 9:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: The Winter Blahs
Replies: 48
Views: 5167

Re: The Winter Blahs

carolc wrote:Volunteering for AARP (tax prep) through mid April. And a few hours for the local food shelf.
But the summers are mine alone.

carolc
Good ideas
by EternalOptimist
Fri Jan 10, 2014 2:50 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Swedroe - Tilt & Biotech
Replies: 19
Views: 3152

Re: Swedroe - Tilt & Biotech

I do a very little bit of that with small cap and tech, it's been fine so far (+43% in '13). I probably should do more but since I'm retired I better not.
by EternalOptimist
Fri Jan 10, 2014 2:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: The Winter Blahs
Replies: 48
Views: 5167

Re: The Winter Blahs

I see two camps here: winter lovers or planners for warmth, guess that's what makes the world go 'round
by EternalOptimist
Fri Jan 10, 2014 10:32 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: The Winter Blahs
Replies: 48
Views: 5167

Re: The Winter Blahs

lucky3 wrote:Don't lose sight of what's really important in life...

... just found out a co-worker of mine has stage 4 liver cancer.

Lucky3
Sorry.....amen
by EternalOptimist
Fri Jan 10, 2014 10:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How do I establish a retirement "number"?
Replies: 47
Views: 6978

Re: How do I establish a retirement "number"?

There are many different retirement calculators around (many on this forum) that will give you an indication of what you need. I used a bunch of them and looked for a convergence of the estimates and essentially used that to guide me. I'm retired for 3 years and so far, so good. Obviously there are no guarantees and one must use a lot of common sense. At the end of the day, only you know your life's needs.
by EternalOptimist
Fri Jan 10, 2014 10:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: The Winter Blahs
Replies: 48
Views: 5167

Re: The Winter Blahs

sperry8 wrote:This must be a thread for you Northerners... in Southern California it's beautiful as usual :happy
Yes I've heard :D
by EternalOptimist
Fri Jan 10, 2014 9:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: The Winter Blahs
Replies: 48
Views: 5167

Re: The Winter Blahs

I'm getting ready to 'snowbird' it in Florida for the month of February, it should be great!
by EternalOptimist
Fri Jan 10, 2014 9:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: The Winter Blahs
Replies: 48
Views: 5167

The Winter Blahs

Now that the holidays are over and winter is in full bloom (so to speak), what do you do to cheer yourself up and deal with the blahs.
by EternalOptimist
Fri Jan 10, 2014 9:10 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Asset Allocation for Middle Age
Replies: 32
Views: 7251

Re: Asset Allocation for Middle Age

I'm 64 retired for 3 years and am at 50/50 and plan to stay there for quite a while. There doesn't appear to be a huge outcome difference until you move markedly from that level.
by EternalOptimist
Thu Jan 09, 2014 4:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Free Online Concerts
Replies: 8
Views: 1419

Re: Free Online Concerts

Calm Man wrote:I saw the movie American Hustle last week. In it, they played the song Delilah by Tom Jones. I just found it and listened to it on the net. It is not to be confused with a more recent song that includes Delilah in it (I never heard of it). I derived great pleasure listening to it -- its only 2 minutes.
Loved the movie
by EternalOptimist
Thu Jan 09, 2014 4:03 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: My 30-year Forecast
Replies: 63
Views: 9156

Re: My 30-year Forecast

Thanks Rick......lots of single digits.
by EternalOptimist
Wed Jan 08, 2014 2:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Free Online Concerts
Replies: 8
Views: 1419

Re: Free Online Concerts

Stumbled upon this, hope it's useful:

http://www.moviesfoundonline.com/music.php
by EternalOptimist
Wed Jan 08, 2014 2:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Had to go back to work
Replies: 31
Views: 3482

Re: Had to go back to work

Thanks to those who defended me although I really don't need it. My goal is to not only raise my level of financial intelligence but that of others who may be fearful of raising questions, it is never to criticize or degrade others. I guess you are entitled to criticize my posts although positive suggestions would be more useful.