Search found 24 matches

by ThirteenEleven
Fri Oct 09, 2015 11:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Made the phone carrier switch out of AT&T!
Replies: 19
Views: 5124

Re: Made the phone carrier switch out of AT&T!

When you reinstated the account in order to port your phone # to AirVoice, should I I assume AT&T charged for this service? After the account is reinstated in order to port the #, is it necessary to cancel the AT&T service again to prevent further charges? As far as I know, AT&T did not charge anything for re-instating but they did run a credit check. Once number is ported, AT&T account ceases to exist. I guess I'll really know only when I get my final bill, for the remaining days that I was on the billing cycle. I will need to keep a close lookout for any funny business from AT&T at that time. Why didn't you port your number to begin with? You need an unlocked phone to be able to port a number out of AT&T. But once...
by ThirteenEleven
Fri Oct 09, 2015 11:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What do you guys do on the side?
Replies: 299
Views: 39312

Re: What do you guys do on the side?

I clean houses. I only do a very small amount that are quick and pay very well. I might spend 2 to 3 hours on a house that pays $130+. I only do it for people I know very well. One of my houses is an older gentleman who retired fairly high up in my career field, he gives solid advice for free and there is something redeeming about helping someone who wouldn't be able to do it. I consider $10 a month in supplies and 6 to 7 hours a month well worth the outcome. I try my best to put most of the extra cash in my kid's 529 collage savings plans, when they get older I hope to take them with me.
by ThirteenEleven
Fri Oct 09, 2015 11:07 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: New investors: how did your first correction go?
Replies: 100
Views: 11265

Re: New investors: how did your first correction go?

I started investing in fall 2011, what a great time to start! I have tried to be very mindful that my success hasn't been due to skillful market timing but rather an impulse purchase of "A Random Walk Down Wall Street" for $5 at a Borders bankruptcy sale in summer of 2011 (so far the best $5 purchase I've made). I've stayed the course. Hard to stay positive at work, many co-workers have panicked and sold. Despite my attempts to be an evangelistic boglehead, it's easy to get drowned out by pundits on CNBC, Bloomberg & Fox Business. However, it's encouraging to come here and see everyone weathering the "storm" together. I'm no sailor, but they say ships sail through a storm more safely in groups. :sharebeer Edit: 80/20...
by ThirteenEleven
Fri Aug 07, 2015 12:16 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Energy Sector: Oil and gas
Replies: 50
Views: 5358

Re: Energy Sector: Oil and gas

I went astray from what many on this forum believe is sound investing and bought chevron in late November 2014 (Less than 10% of my AA, in range of my personal investment statement, bought in taxable account but currently not liable for short term tax, etc.... calm down everyone). I was initially drawn in by the low P/E ratio, high dividend, and what appeared to be a sale price. My only regret so far was not tax lost harvesting in late December 2014. I have recently been thinking about adding shares; however my statement keeps me anchored until my other AA areas grow. I know nothing of the future but I think it's pretty safe to assume gas prices will not stay this low forever and I'm in for a very, very long haul (I'm 26). Looking back, I w...
by ThirteenEleven
Sun Feb 15, 2015 7:58 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: CWB verses BND [Barclays Convertible Securities ETF]
Replies: 6
Views: 1092

Re: CWB verses BND

Just to make sure you've thought of some of the basics: Convertible bonds are traded on the market. Do you expect that the market, which knows everything you've listed and more, has mispriced these securities? You want to ditch conventional bonds for these. Do you also want to ditch stocks for these? Why or why not? Like most hybrid securities, these have a high correlation to the stock market, conventional bonds, or both. Bonds are included in most portfolios for diversification against equities. The behavior in a downturn may be very different for a wide variety of reasons, but just in case you haven't checked, the average monthly correlation of CWB with the US stock market (say VTI) has been 0.91 since the fund's inception. And look at ...
by ThirteenEleven
Sun Feb 15, 2015 3:49 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: CWB verses BND [Barclays Convertible Securities ETF]
Replies: 6
Views: 1092

CWB verses BND [Barclays Convertible Securities ETF]

I am considering transitioning some of my bond allocation (BND) to convertible bonds (CWB) for the following reasons: - I am seeking higher returns with my bond allocation. - Convertibles have historically outperformed conventional bonds. - Convertibles perform better in rising interest rate environments as we are likely to experience this summer. - Convertibles historically act much like equities but have weathered downturns more easily then stocks. However, I have some questions and I am looking for feedback: - Where would one hold convertibles (Roth, 401K, taxable, etc)? - Are there risks I am not considering? - Would the portion of my portfolio I convert to CWB become a gray area as far as asset allocation, in other words what triggers ...
by ThirteenEleven
Sat Aug 10, 2013 10:52 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where to place emergency fund as Roth IRA
Replies: 3
Views: 854

Where to place emergency fund as Roth IRA

I was planning on using this strategy to build tax advantaged space for later on when I am out of debt. http://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Roth_IRA_as_an_emergency_fund I have $5,500 to invest or 2013. I would like to start an IRA with Vanguard; however, I am having difficulty finding conservative (CDs, Fixed Assets, Short Term) funds within the $5,000 range to invest with Vanguard. It's seems that you cannot purchase CDs unless you have $10,000. My emergency fund is currently in a high yield savings account with Barclays and earns approximately 1%. I would like to continue to earn around 1%, if possible, in the Roth in order to combat inflation. Is Vanguard the best company to do this with? If so, what funds would you recommend? If not, what o...
by ThirteenEleven
Sat May 11, 2013 9:16 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 100% equities, anyone?
Replies: 149
Views: 14689

Re: 100% equities, anyone?

Ages: 24/24
80 equities
13 bonds
7 cash

Equities mostly contains small value tilt and international exposure as well as Reits
by ThirteenEleven
Sun Mar 31, 2013 11:42 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Are "Dark Pools" putting efficient markets at risk?
Replies: 32
Views: 2631

Are "Dark Pools" putting efficient markets at risk?

The New York Times recently estimated that 40% of trades now occur away from public exchanges.
So called "dark pools" provide a veil behind which hedge funds and other cooperate investors can conceal activity.
One consequence of using these pools is that prices on public exchanges may not reflect prices in the pools. The author of the NYT article states this poses significant risk to long term investors such as the Bogleheads. Wouldn't this type of trading endanger the efficient market hypothesis?

Here is a link*: http://nyti.ms/177ASLf
*At the time of this post this article was not behind a pay wall to the best of my knowledge.
by ThirteenEleven
Fri Mar 29, 2013 8:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Whart smartphone should I get?
Replies: 110
Views: 27855

Re: Whart smartphone should I get?

So today, I am leaning toward the iphone 5. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the thread. :sharebeer Not to many cellphone salespeople will point new smartphone customers away from an iPhone for several reasons: 1. 92% customer satisfaction rate with the iPhone 5. Hard to beat if you want your customer to be happy. 2. Apple's latest research suggests that the average iPhone customer buys an average of 6 accessories for their iPhone during the time they have the phone. (Your salesperson is hoping you buy most of them from him/her). 3. Apple takes care of their own customers, tech support, repairs, warranty exchanges (i.e. less work for sales rep.) I would recommend checking out the new Blackberry 10z in person before your buy an iPh...
by ThirteenEleven
Mon Feb 25, 2013 4:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Brokers Delaying 1099
Replies: 20
Views: 2373

Re: Brokers Delaying 1099

Info posted in an email I received from Company I do business with :happy Hope this helps "The IRS deadline for mailing 2012 Consolidated Form 1099s is February 15th. Due to the increased volume of information for some complex investments, the IRS allows financial institutions a 30-day extension, until March 15th, to gather information and mail tax statements to clients. This may include investments in companies that have dividend reclassification such as RICS (Regulated Investment Companies), mutual funds, and REITS (Real Estate Investment Trusts)" Toons, This is great info, thanks. I own REITS in this account which could explain why several other clients of the same brokerage received their 1099 closer to the original IRS deadl...
by ThirteenEleven
Mon Feb 25, 2013 2:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Paid off the mortgage on Friday!
Replies: 38
Views: 4741

Re: Paid off the mortgage on Friday!

Congratulations! :beer
You give those who are still paying their mortgage hope.
by ThirteenEleven
Mon Feb 25, 2013 1:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Brokers Delaying 1099
Replies: 20
Views: 2373

Re: Brokers Delaying 1099

The last three years of brokerage forms from Vanguard Brokerage Services have been issued February 13 or February 14 Wow, thats the kind of service I'm looking for. I'm also annoyed by this with TradeKing. First, we had problems with this from Zecco in 2011. At least they had a better online trading platform. Now, they sold out to TradeKing, and TK is sending 1099's as late as March 15. That still gives a month to file the return, but it's annoying. UPDATE: I just checked and TradeKing has posted 1099's online, dated 2/20/2013. Don't know if there will be revised 1099's sent, like Zecco did in 2012. I was willing to deal with TradeKing's sub-par trading platform because their customer service was always on point. A couple of TradeKing reps...
by ThirteenEleven
Mon Feb 25, 2013 11:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Brokers Delaying 1099
Replies: 20
Views: 2373

Brokers Delaying 1099

My broker has delayed releasing my 1099 until March 15th after promising several times to have it complete by February 15th.
After looking at other threads, I have noticed I'm not the only one waiting on my brokerage to release my 1099. FYI, I am over the $10 requirement. Vanguards website seems to suggest that their clients received their tax documents in early February.
For those of you who use Vanguard, has that largely been the case? What other brokerages have been on time that members of our online community use?

I am unhappy with TrakeKing and looking to switch to a reliable online/discount broker.
by ThirteenEleven
Mon Feb 11, 2013 11:58 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Death to ING Banking.... dang you Capital one....
Replies: 46
Views: 13427

Re: Death to ING Banking.... dang you Capital one....

I just switched to Barclays new online u.s. bank. 1.0% apy. It's basic and simple. No app yet. I was with ING for years but the apy kept going down and I bailed once Capitol one took over.
by ThirteenEleven
Fri Jan 25, 2013 12:06 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Advice for first credit card
Replies: 16
Views: 1504

Re: Advice for first credit card

My situation (and credit score) was identical to yours when I signed up for Chase Freedom. I love the card. We got $100 in rewards for spending at least $300 in the first two months. Three months into using the card they offered me $150 dollars for opening a checking account with them. All I have to do to avoid the fees is keep a deposit of $1,500 for six months. That's a 10% return for six months in a FDIC insured account! Chase's promos are hard to find elsewhere.

Best luck OP.
by ThirteenEleven
Thu Jan 24, 2013 11:34 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Update: The Incredible Shrinking Market
Replies: 87
Views: 12892

Re: Update: The Incredible Shrinking Market

One thing to keep in mind is that many companies begin with a business plan that aims at being specifically acquired by a larger company rather than going public. For example google alone as bought six tech start ups this year alone. See here: http://www.infoworld.com/slideshow/60342/the-6-companies-google-has-bought-in-2012-so-far-199816#slide4 It seems that the value of some of these companies is absorbed into larger companies that are some of the largest, historically speaking. As a result, we may have fewer companies to purchase but stronger ones. If this holds true, buying and holding a total stock market fund or etf with low fees still affords broad exposure at minimal risk compared to selecting specific stocks. After the failure of t...
by ThirteenEleven
Fri Jan 18, 2013 8:27 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How are you investing your tax refund?
Replies: 51
Views: 4408

How are you investing your tax refund?

Bogleheads!

How are you planning to invest your 2012 tax refund?
by ThirteenEleven
Sun Jan 13, 2013 12:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Struggling with when to get in
Replies: 74
Views: 7707

Re: Struggling with when to get in

Do Canadians have the ability to use tax loss harvesting or some other equivalent strategy with American ETFs?
If so, gradually rolling out a conservative investment may serve the OP well. Let's assume the OP invests fixed amounts on a quarterly basis and tracks performance. Tax loss harvesting would enable him to have more confidence in his AA and allow him to strategically rebalance.
Just a friendly reminder - There is no free lunch on Wall Street. Best luck to you.

See the Wiki here: http://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Tax_loss_harvesting
by ThirteenEleven
Sat Jan 05, 2013 1:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: I sold all my mutual funds and stocks on December 20th
Replies: 72
Views: 12671

Re: I sold all my mutual funds and stocks on December 20th

OP, I appreciate the transparency. I would advise you to meet with a reasonable fee only advisor to consider your risk tolerance and subsequent asset allocation. You would also benefit from a written investment plan and philosophy. I advise you do this soon given that we are likely to face uncertain times that are highly publicized.

Best Wishes
by ThirteenEleven
Sun Dec 30, 2012 7:21 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bogleheads 2013 Hedgefund Contest
Replies: 151
Views: 23831

Re: Bogleheads 2013 Hedgefund Contest

Madoff Capitol Mismanagement

Long:
Home Depot (HD)
Citigroup (C)

Short:
Apple (appl)
Sprint Nextel (S)
by ThirteenEleven
Sun Dec 23, 2012 2:18 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 529 Plan Not So Great?
Replies: 14
Views: 1885

Re: 529 Plan Not So Great?

I agree that there are great tax credits for education and one should use them to the full extent of the law. OTOH, the higher education I am paying for leaves plenty of room to use all the tax credits plus 529 plan money. As for going to an expensive college, I have always said that 529 plans are for the wealthy. There are some phase-outs for those education benefits provided by the Federal government, so the wealthy need those 529 plans. No family should contribute to a 529 plan unless they are making the maximum possible contributions to retirement accounts which could be upwards of $57,000 a year to 401(k)/403(b)/457/IRA/RothIRA plans. Bottom line: No reason not to use all available tax-advantaged benefits for college. So being that I ...
by ThirteenEleven
Wed Dec 12, 2012 8:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: New to indexing, AA help for new 401k
Replies: 2
Views: 469

New to indexing, AA help for new 401k

I am 23 and have just started a new job. I plan to contribute at least 6% to the 401k and gradually increase the amount when possible. I have picked out three no load, minimal fee, index style funds in order to maintain an simple strategy. All funds are passively managed by BlackRock. The three funds I like are: - A total index fund which tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index/ fee .02% - A total international fund which tracks the MSCI All Country World Index excluding US/ fee .04% - A total bond fund which tracks the Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index/ fee .46% Some of the other index funds offered are: - Small and Mid cap fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Completion Total Stock Market Index/ .03% - Large cap fund tracking t...
by ThirteenEleven
Sat Dec 08, 2012 7:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sprint Credit Union discount
Replies: 2
Views: 1005

Re: Sprint Credit Union discount

I worked for Sprint up until last week, I now work for another company. If you have a business or personal account and have a checking or savings account with a credit union, take documentation (i.e. Debt Card, Account statement, or letterhead) to your local Cooperate Owned Sprint store and ask for a NVP Discount Verification Form. The form typically is a physical copy of http://delivery.sprint.com/m/p/nxt/dev/verify.asp?ECID=vanity:verify this site. The form will ask you for your 1.) Sprint Account Number 2.) PTN or Phone number with area code 3.) Discount verification code 4.) Personal Email Address and 5.) Company Name (i.e) Credit Union Name As of Nov 2012 the discount code for the Credit Union Program was NACUC_ZZM. If any of the 5 thi...