Search found 73 matches

by bardenay
Sat Oct 28, 2023 6:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How often do you rebalance your AA, any studies showing return improvement?
Replies: 46
Views: 5417

Re: How often do you rebalance your AA, any studies showing return improvement?

I found this conclusion from Vanguard to be helpful: Conclusion Just as there is no universally optimal asset allocation, there is no universally optimal rebalancing strategy. The only clear advantage as far as maintaining a portfolio’s risk-and-return characteristics is that a rebalanced portfolio more closely aligns with the characteristics of the target asset allocation than with a never-rebalanced portfolio. As our analysis shows, the risk-adjusted returns are not meaningfully different whether a portfolio is rebalanced monthly, quarterly, or annually; however, the number of rebalancing events and resulting costs increase significantly. As a result, we conclude that a rebalancing strategy based on reasonable monitoring frequencies (such...
by bardenay
Sun Sep 03, 2023 12:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Working Couples, How Do You Structure Your Accounts?
Replies: 26
Views: 2291

Re: Working Couples, How Do You Structure Your Accounts?

We use a His/Hers/Ours model, as that works for us. As others have said, figure out what works for you and your wife.
One recommendation I will make is to not use debit cards. Not only are they difficult to recover from fraud, but with two people using them you double your fraud risk. Also, it is very hard to have two people using debit cards on the same account as there are too many opportunities for funds to not be available.
by bardenay
Mon Oct 04, 2021 12:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What is your annual bonus strategy?
Replies: 20
Views: 2325

Re: What is your annual bonus strategy?

It all goes through the "Plinko Machine":
  • 20% goes to retirement (taxable acct)
  • 60% goes to mid-range goals such as mortgage paydown
  • 20% is discretionary
by bardenay
Tue Jul 21, 2020 11:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Renting after owning?
Replies: 46
Views: 4613

Re: Renting after owning?

To me the tough part about renting is that you can't fix the little things that bother you. For some people that is a huge deal. Since this has been brought up by several people, what is an example of little things “you can’t fix”? Honestly curious. Isn’t it an advantage that you don’t have to fix stuff yourself? I hate fixing things around my house. If one has the tools, the know-how and the desire, fixing things yourself is faster and less hassle than calling the landlord, dealing with the logistics of arranging for a repair person to fix the problem and having to live with a broken item until it is fixed. I have fixed things in rentals that really should have been done by the landlord, but I didn't want to deal with the above. Some exam...
by bardenay
Mon Jul 20, 2020 1:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Renting after owning?
Replies: 46
Views: 4613

Re: Renting after owning?

My wife and I have gone back and forth owning and renting for the last 30 years as we have moved and lived in different areas of the country. Here are couple of thoughts on renting based on our experience: There is a big difference between renting from an individual, an individual via a management company, and from a corporate entity. Renting from a individual can get you better locations, more interesting homes and better prices. It can also get you smaller rent increases over time. The draw back is that you can get exposed to all kind of landlord craziness. Landlords that want to come into the unit all the time, fail to fix things, etc. Renting via a reputable management company can get help avoid a lot of landlord craziness because the m...
by bardenay
Fri Jun 12, 2020 2:29 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Rent or Sell Condo? Help Me Choose...
Replies: 12
Views: 714

Re: Rent or Sell Condo? Help Me Choose...

Being a landlord is a business. It is not something to take on lightly because if you get it wrong, it could cost you thousands of dollars. If you decide to become a landlord, I would recommend working with a law firm that understands landlord/tenant law to create a lease. That will help avoid problems in the future and they will be better able to assist you if/when you are sued by a tenant.
(Note: a management company makes all of this only slightly easier.)
by bardenay
Mon Apr 20, 2020 2:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Backdoor Roth IRA with Some After-tax Money
Replies: 6
Views: 400

Re: Backdoor Roth IRA with Some After-tax Money

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

The more I think about this, the less convinced I am that a backdoor Roth IRA makes sense for me. I am not sure how long I will be at this job and be able to participate in this particular 401(k). That means that after moving money and setting everything up to do the backdoor Roth, it could possibly be only a couple of years of backdoor Roth contributions.

-Bardenay
by bardenay
Sun Apr 19, 2020 10:54 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Backdoor Roth IRA with Some After-tax Money
Replies: 6
Views: 400

Backdoor Roth IRA with Some After-tax Money

Hello! Recently I started a new job that has a 401(k) that has Vanguard funds with low fees and accepts incoming rollover contributions. This new situation gives me the option of doing a backdoor Roth IRA without having to pay taxes on my existing Tradition IRA. I have been reading about how to do this, but I have one question that I’m sure about. Hoping to tap into the collective Boglehead wisdom for some direction. Here is my situation: 35% top tax bracket. $200,000 Traditional IRA – Only Traditional IRA that I own. (note: I have two Roth IRA accounts.) Most money is pre-tax, rolled over from previous employer 401(k) accounts. $2300 is after-tax. This is a recharacterization from a 2016 Roth IRA overpayment. Here is my plan: Move my Tradi...
by bardenay
Mon Aug 19, 2019 5:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Battery powered lawn mower
Replies: 54
Views: 4537

Re: Battery powered lawn mower

Selecting a battery-powered lawn mower is as much about selecting the battery "eco-system" as it is selecting the mower. ie. you want the mower batteries to pull double duty and power other pieces of yard equipment.

We went with the Snapper 82v mower and string trimmer.
https://www.snapper.com/na/en_us/produc ... owers.html
Both the mower and the string trimmer use metal construction and feel like battery-operated versions of gas-powered tools.

Interestingly, the battery system used by Snapper is from Briggs and Stratton. The fact that a company known for making small gas-powered engines is making battery systems says a lot about the direction of the small engine market.
by bardenay
Wed Apr 17, 2019 10:25 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Financial Advisor Issues
Replies: 18
Views: 1901

Re: Financial Advisor Issues

My take on your post is that it sounds like a pretty standard financial advisor story. In order to pay for college, they invested the funds in a conservative account and charged a high fee for doing so. My point is that there is nothing shady going on. You are just unnecessarily paying for "financial services" you don't need. No need to do anything other than move on to a simple three-fund portfolio or target-date fund at a low-cost brokerage like Vanguard. One thing that did stand out to me in your story is the guilt-trip that the current financial advisor tried to use on you. "He then said something about honoring the long term relationship with the firm (as a reason I should not leave)." That alone is a motivation to ...
by bardenay
Thu Dec 21, 2017 11:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Christmas Bonus: Etiquette
Replies: 47
Views: 11594

Re: Christmas Bonus: Etiquette

In addition to being good manners, showing appreciation also falls under the adage of, “praise behavior you would like to see repeated!”
by bardenay
Thu Aug 31, 2017 5:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Beginner Mountain Bike
Replies: 59
Views: 5782

Re: Beginner Mountain Bike

Ah memories! My first mountain bike was a Stumpjumper. I loved that bike and learned a lot on it too.

What I did was start with the Sport model and then upgraded components over time. As I rode more and became a better rider I figured out what components were limiting me and upgraded them. This made me really appreciate each upgrade. One example off the top of my head was the rear deraillure. When I first started riding, it was fine. As I started to do more difficult climbs it would slip. Upgraded it and really saw the difference. That bike was the most "dialed-in" bike I have ever owned.

I would only recommend this approach if you are doing the work yourself, otherwise it can get expensive.
by bardenay
Sat Jul 01, 2017 10:28 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard upgraded my accounts - angry [Brokerage Services]
Replies: 222
Views: 39140

Re: Vanguard upgraded my accounts - angry [Brokerage Services]

TBH, I didn't know about this upgrade until I read about it here on the BogleHeads forum two days ago. Coincidentally, I received the "Upgrade Invite" email a day after reading about the upgrade.

I don't have a problem with it. I certainly don't want to stay on a "legacy" system. They have been doing the upgrades for sometime now, so I feel confident they have the process worked out.

I went ahead and initiated the upgrade. The cost basis didn't change on my taxable acct, so that was good. The only thing that I had to change was the setting for dividend reinvestment. It defaulted to sending dividends to the MM acct rather than reinvest them.
by bardenay
Wed Jun 14, 2017 3:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Cheap Champagne
Replies: 60
Views: 9899

Re: Best Cheap Champagne

The best values are going to be Spanish Cava (which uses the "Champaign method") or Italian Prosecco. I would recommend going to a reputable wine shop and asking for a recommendation based how you are going to use it (Mimosas? Celebrate the end of a bike race?, etc.) and and the level of sweetness you prefer.

-Bardenay
by bardenay
Mon May 08, 2017 5:16 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Job Decision
Replies: 53
Views: 6112

Re: Job Decision

This entire thread really has touched something for me. I think it because I too am experiencing some of the same frustrations. (Different situation, but similar frustrations.) A few thoughts to add to the conversation. - Passing along advice given to me at one point in my career by a Psychologist I went to see. Try public speaking. Seriously. I did The Dale Carnegie Course. (Not the book. The actual 12 week class. My company paid for it.) The Psychologist had done Toastmasters, which is also excellent. (FWIW. The Psycologist was an older Asian gentelman, who had done this when he was younger and had found it extremely helpful.) It helps with dealing with work politics as well as giving you a valuable skill and an opportunity to connect wit...
by bardenay
Sun Apr 30, 2017 11:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dealing with regret
Replies: 102
Views: 13565

Re: Dealing with regret

Looking at my own regret-inducing experiences (**cough** "real-estate-investing-in-2007" **cough**) and reading about other's investing stories, I am convinced that not only is your story familiar, but it is necessary . Everyone I know, myself included, that takes finances and investing seriously has a similar story. Something, an event, a investment that crashed, lack of starting, debt, etc. was the start of a new, wiser focus on understanding finance and investing. It really seems to be unavoidable. Even people who study finance, learn about past mistakes and try to avoid financial pitfalls get bit by something. Granted some bites are bigger than others, but they are financial bites all the same. There is a good book that I woul...
by bardenay
Sat Mar 18, 2017 3:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Want to buy a used Mini Cooper-> Talk me into it?
Replies: 45
Views: 10320

Re: Want to buy a used Mini Cooper-> Talk me into it?

A number of years back I seriously looked at a Mini Cooper and really liked it. On a lark, I called the dealer repair department to see what it would cost to do some typical repairs. At the time a front end brake job was $800! As much as I liked the car, the maintenance cost would have been hard to support with my daily commute.
by bardenay
Wed Mar 08, 2017 10:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Much in Your Emergency Fund And Is It Used?
Replies: 263
Views: 45611

Re: How Much in Your Emergency Fund And Is It Used?

Somewhere I read that an emergency fund exists to help prevent a personal tragedy from becoming a financial tragedy.

The wording of that may be a bit strong, but I think the idea is on track. Especially for those starting out. When you don't have much in savings or reserves it is easy to get into a bad debt cycle.

My emergency fund has about $15k in it. If my "emergency" went beyond that amount there are other places to access funds such as mid-range savings, next car fund, etc.

Bardenay
by bardenay
Sat Mar 04, 2017 2:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Goodbye, Wells Fargo, and hello, BECU!
Replies: 17
Views: 12592

Re: Goodbye, Wells Fargo, and hello, BECU!

I have a similar situation. What I do is keep about $1k of my emergency fund in the local savings account. It serves two purposes. First it meets a minimum requirement so I don't get hit with fees. Second it is money that I can access quickly in case of emergency.
by bardenay
Fri Mar 03, 2017 2:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Family Hounding me to Purchase SUV or Minivan
Replies: 61
Views: 7208

Re: Family Hounding me to Purchase SUV or Minivan

In 1982 our family of five, two adults and three teenagers, drove from Chicago to Key West Florida for vacation. ...In August. ...In a manual transmission 1980 Dodge Omni. ...Vinyl seats. ...No A/C. ...No radio. ...No power steering. No power brakes. I loved that trip! Lots of good memories. (I had a book of "Elephant Jokes" that my sisters paid me $0.25/hr to NOT tell them! :D ) A few years ago I laughingly asked my father some variation of, "what were you thinking?" He said that it was our newest and most reliable car so it made sense to take that one. My point in the story is that what you have today certainly meets the need. You don't need to rush out and get a new car. When it is time for the next car, certainly con...
by bardenay
Fri Feb 17, 2017 9:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I want to ditch the cable company's modem
Replies: 51
Views: 6542

Re: I want to ditch the cable company's modem

I see your point, but there is a critical part missing here. If you have a service level agreement (SLA) which sometimes exist for business ISPs but almost never for consumer/residential ISPs, then that is what contractually requires them to "fix it," fast, no matter what.
In my case there is a 4 hour SLA. The support crews are specific to the business side of the cable company. ie they are separate from the team that does residential support. Also, when they installed the service they ran a new line from the utility pole to the house because they didn't want to use the old residential cable line.
by bardenay
Wed Feb 15, 2017 3:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I want to ditch the cable company's modem
Replies: 51
Views: 6542

Re: I want to ditch the cable company's modem

If I may, I'd like to add an additional point of view to this discussion. I work from home doing a type of work that requires a reliable Internet connection. For that reason I have a business grade Internet connection and I rent the modem from the cable company. Additionally, I have the modem installed on the inside wall opposite the outside cable company termination (demarc). This limits the amount of wiring to the cable company's modem. The reason that I do this is because it makes the cable company 100% responsible for providing a live Ethernet port. If the modem goes out, they replace it. The amount of "inside wiring" is all of 4' of coax with no splitters. If there is ever an issue with connectivity, I plug a laptop into the ...
by bardenay
Sat Dec 31, 2016 10:17 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is it safe to use debit cards? Anybody here have one compromised?
Replies: 67
Views: 8721

Re: Is it safe to use debit cards? Anybody here have one compromised?

If your credit card is compromised, it just gets temperarily applied to your credit balance. You never have to pay the unauthorized charge(s). If your debit card is compromised, the money is GONE. You will get the unauthorized charge(s) refunded, but in the meantime your are out the funds which could have resulted in overdrafts. Every will be fine, but it will take some finite time. Exactly. Fraud on a credit card; the bank has to fight to get their money back. Fraud on a debit card; YOU have to fight to get your money back. To me using a credit card is a simple, easy and free way to shift risk from me to a bank. Additionally I find that debit cards wreck havoc on cash flow. My budget calls for keeping my checking account as close to zero ...
by bardenay
Mon Aug 01, 2016 2:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vacation loans
Replies: 37
Views: 6069

Re: Vacation loans

Our budget has a set amount that goes into a separate savings account each month for vacations. If there is not a lot in the account but need time off, we take a short trip such as a long weekend. If we have been really busy with work and not taking trips, we have the option to take a longer vacation.

Either way, the trips are funded before we take them.
by bardenay
Thu Jun 23, 2016 4:55 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "5 Fees That Could Be Cutting Into Your Investment Returns"
Replies: 3
Views: 953

Re: "5 Fees That Could Be Cutting Into Your Investment Returns"

One of the things that started me on the path to being a Boglehead was my IRA'a $40/yr account fee. The idea that I had to write a check every year just ticked me off. Especially when I had to write the check in 2009. That started me paying attention to the 2% average expense ratio and poor performance against the fund's benchmark index funds.
by bardenay
Thu Dec 17, 2015 2:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Coffee maker
Replies: 38
Views: 6083

Re: Coffee maker

One general suggestion that I would make is to avoid coffee makers that brew directly into a carafe. The carafe makes the coffee maker too large or limits the amount of coffee brewed. Also it is harder to replace if the carafe breaks as you have to find the specific one for that maker. I would suggest getting a separate carafe if you want to keep the coffee hot. Can you clarify this? All the Technivorms in the link you provided brew into a carafe. I had a Technivorm that brewed into a thermal carafe and used a Zojirushi thermal carafe instead. Sometimes you can find another carafe that works. By "carafe" I mean "thermal carafe". The coffee makers that use the thermal carafe are either larger than the standard size or th...
by bardenay
Wed Dec 16, 2015 4:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Coffee maker
Replies: 38
Views: 6083

Re: Coffee maker

We have had our Technivorm for almost 10 years and it still makes a great (and fast) pot of coffee. Williams-Sonoma has them, but they are pricy. Better to purchase one at one of the online coffee retailers.

http://www.technivorm.com/products/brew ... _home-use/

One general suggestion that I would make is to avoid coffee makers that brew directly into a carafe. The carafe makes the coffee maker too large or limits the amount of coffee brewed. Also it is harder to replace if the carafe breaks as you have to find the specific one for that maker. I would suggest getting a separate carafe if you want to keep the coffee hot.
by bardenay
Fri Sep 04, 2015 3:29 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard fund to save for a vehicle?
Replies: 11
Views: 3210

Re: Vanguard fund to save for a vehicle?

A few cars ago I was able to get ahead of the curve by putting my monthly car "payment" into a savings account and then paying cash for the subsequent purchase. I plan on a 10 years cycle, which is about how long I keep my vehicles. For what it is worth I plan on using I-bonds for the first 5 years and then switching to my CapitalOne360* account for the remaining 5. (I may stick w/iBonds a longer.)

That said, you could keep it simple and just stick with the Ally account for the entire time frame.

*Similar to Ally. One of the nice things about on-line accounts is that you can have multiple savings accounts ; up to 20 in the case of CO360.
by bardenay
Wed Sep 02, 2015 12:34 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Any bad experiences with Online banking?
Replies: 37
Views: 5045

Re: Any bad experiences with Online banking?

I've been with CapitalOne 360 since (formally ING Direct) since 2003. No problems and customer support has been very good.

A couple of thoughts:
  • 1. It takes a couple of days to get money in and out. (I see this as a plus.)
    2. You can have up to 20 savings accounts.
    3. You can't wire to/from a CapitalOne360 checking account.
by bardenay
Mon May 04, 2015 5:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: DIY distance moving
Replies: 38
Views: 7531

Re: DIY distance moving

In the past we have used "POD"-type systems and they have worked wonderfully as you can take your time packing and unpacking.

Additionally, the moving company can store the PODs near your destination. This gives you time to paint, replace carpets, make improvements, etc in your new place before taking delivery of your belongings. (On one move we left our PODs in storage for a month and went on vacation.)
by bardenay
Thu Apr 09, 2015 5:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I buy extended warranty for our new Toyota Sienna
Replies: 50
Views: 37031

Re: Should I buy extended warranty for our new Toyota Sienna

Reliability engineering and system engineering are part of the development of complex systems like cars and airplanes. As part of finding weak points in the system and to determine maintenance schedules, the manufacturer calculates how and when the vehicle will 'fail'. If most failures happen at 'X' miles/years, they will divide that number in half and offer that as the manufacture's warranty. They then offer you the option to buy an extended warranty to cover the other half*. (*Not exact numbers.) All of this is a way of saying that the odds are against you needing to use the warranty. Personally I would rather use the money that goes into a warranty to pay for future preventative maintenance. Less sitting on the side of the road and warra...
by bardenay
Sat Feb 28, 2015 8:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How does one increase their typing speed and accuracy?
Replies: 70
Views: 12360

Re: How does one increase their typing speed and accuracy?

In my 8th grade BASIC programming class the teacher suggested that, "if you think you will do anything with computers, you really should take a typing class." That small comment is one of the best pieces of advice I have ever received. (That and "Hey, check out the bogleheads.org forum!" :happy ) In high school my friends and I all took typing class and were the only guys in the room. To this day we all work with computers and type well. The key thing is to learn a formal method. There is a 'home row" where your fingers rest, each finger has assigned keys, etc. The learning process and practice are to go step step through each finger key combination. "j, J, j, J, 7, u, U......." Since you have been using c...
by bardenay
Mon Feb 16, 2015 10:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tenants won't let us show the rental: what do we do?
Replies: 60
Views: 15714

Re: Tenants won't let us show the rental: what do we do?

...when it is absolutely legal for the landlord to enter the property for whatever the reason may be after giving proper notice. The tenant has no legal ground to deny entry and it is probably a violation of the lease. This is absolutely incorrect and where many landlords get into serious trouble. In California and many other states, there is a clear list of reasons in state law for when a landlord may enter. California Civil Code 1954 WHEN CAN THE LANDLORD ENTER THE RENTAL UNIT? California law states that a landlord can enter a rental unit only for the following reasons: In an emergency. When the tenant has moved out or has abandoned the rental unit. To make necessary or agreed-upon repairs, decorations, alterations, or other improvements...
by bardenay
Sun Feb 15, 2015 5:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tenants won't let us show the rental: what do we do?
Replies: 60
Views: 15714

Re: Tenants won't let us show the rental: what do we do?

I am sorry to hear that you are going to take the legal "letter-of-the-law" approach to this situation. I suspect this was the suggestion of the lawyer. Depending on state law, if your first attempts to show the house were after hours or on the weekend, then you have already made multiple attempts at unlawful entry into the home. Following up with threats from a lawyer after a tenant stood up for their rights is harassment and is the first steps in an unlawful "constructive eviction" accusation. Please be aware that there are many absolutely legal things that the tenants can do or demand that will seriously impact your ability to sell the home: - The tenant can ask for identification from each person entering the home. -...
by bardenay
Sun Feb 15, 2015 10:13 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tenants won't let us show the rental: what do we do?
Replies: 60
Views: 15714

Re: Tenants won't let us show the rental: what do we do?

For a number of years my wife and I rented numerous homes and were involved in many different types of landlord/tenant situations. In my opinion you have three options: 1. Wait until the lease is up and then show/sell after the tenants have moved out. 2. Follow the "letter-of-the-law", demanding your rights as a landlord. 3. Negotiate terms for showing and selling the house. At different times, we were involved in rentals that involved all three options. In one case the landlord wanted the property back and used option 1 and waited for the lease to end. It was a pain because we had to move at the end of the lease, but understood that is the nature of rentals. Another time a landlord needed use of the property while we were living ...
by bardenay
Wed Jan 21, 2015 7:27 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is it safe to do tlh?
Replies: 6
Views: 1243

Re: Is it safe to do tlh?

There are several economic and investment calendars on the web. I am not sure which ones would interest you, but google will find them. Out of curiosity I did this and came across this article that talks about different calendar-based approaches to investing. http://www.pankin.com/persp064.pdf "Presidential Cycle: ...The basic idea, which is backed up by more than a century of data, is that stocks do better in the year before a presidential election and the election year than in the post-election and midterm election years." So far, so good. The section, however, ends with this gem: "2007 is a pre-election year, so now is the time to be buying stocks if one is following the presidential cycle trading method." :D -Bardenay
by bardenay
Sun Nov 30, 2014 8:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Home Improvement Discussion Board / Forum Recommendation
Replies: 8
Views: 2569

Re: Home Improvement Discussion Board / Forum Recommendation

Excellent! Thanks, I'll check these out.
by bardenay
Sun Nov 30, 2014 8:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Home Improvement Discussion Board / Forum Recommendation
Replies: 8
Views: 2569

Home Improvement Discussion Board / Forum Recommendation

Does anyone have a good home improvement discussion board or forum that they would recommend for folks that like to take on their own home projects? Basically a Bogleheads.org for the "This Old House" crowd. :happy For reference, I would describe my wife and myself an intermediately skilled at home projects. (We have finished-out a basement, performed a lot of electrical work, built a deck, re-routed plumbing, installed appliances, etc.) Typically the questions that we have are about planning and approaches to projects we are considering, more than the specific how-to. Some examples of the questions we have are: 1. What kind of insulation should we use in our type of attic? 2. What is happening with the brick in this part of the g...
by bardenay
Fri Oct 17, 2014 1:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Replacing primary sump pump - how difficult
Replies: 18
Views: 3577

Re: Replacing primary sump pump - how difficult

It is not a difficult job, especially if you are replacing and existing pump. I would recommend replacing the check valve(s) at the same time. The pump switch and the check valve are two common things that fail in pump systems.

Here is a company that carries several brands of pumps and valves:

http://www.sumppumpsdirect.com/

I have not purchased from them, so I can't speak to their service level. When I am ready to purchase a battery backup system, however, I will most likely purchase from them.

-Bardenay
by bardenay
Mon Jul 21, 2014 9:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Computer Problem
Replies: 16
Views: 2679

Re: Computer Problem

If updating and changing drivers doesn't fix the issue I would suggest replacing the video card. On my last computer that I had for around 7 years I needed to replace the video card, NIC and hard drive along the way.
by bardenay
Sun Apr 13, 2014 7:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I can't figure out my current asset allocation?
Replies: 12
Views: 1365

Re: I can't figure out my current asset allocation?

Here is what I calculate:

Stocks 138,685.34 (67%)
Bonds 67,786.66 (33%)

Total 206,472.00

For the Target Date fund, go to Vanguard, find the fund and then look at the "Portfolio and Management" tab. That will show you the current percentage of stock and bonds.

-OR-

Use the Morning Star tools. :happy
by bardenay
Sat Mar 15, 2014 8:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommended Brand/Model for a Heart Rate Monitor?
Replies: 15
Views: 2724

Re: Recommended Brand/Model for a Heart Rate Monitor?

In the past I have had other Polar HR monitor and currently have an FT7. My experience is that they start out OK, but pretty quickly get flaky. For my next monitor I am going to look at Garmin and possibly others.

One feature that I must have, regardless of brand is a display that shows heart rate as a percentage of maximum. On my bike I just keep my HR between 80% and 85% of max and I can go for hours. I find it much easier than trying to keep actual target HR numbers in my head.
by bardenay
Sat Mar 15, 2014 8:47 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Random Walk Down Wall Street
Replies: 27
Views: 5065

Re: Random Walk Down Wall Street

I read the 2011 edition of A Random Walk Down Wall Street which was the first financial book I read that covered the 2008/2009 market crash. Putting that event in context with the past history of the stock market greatly helped me put things perspective and understand the market of today.

The history of Technical Vs Fundamental Analysis was extremely eye opening and helpful for me. To be honest, I never really understood what the "talking heads" on financial shows were talking about until read the section on Technical Analysis.
by bardenay
Tue Mar 04, 2014 4:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Question for Oenophiles!
Replies: 19
Views: 2331

Re: Question for Oenophiles!

In addition to the good advice in this thread I'll add my two points: The first is to keep an open mind about varietals. The same qualities you like in Pinot Noir may be found in a different varietal or region. For example, you may like the wines of Burgundy which are made with Pinot Noir grapes (old world wines reflect the location not the grape.) (The best example of this is with sparkling wine. Folks that like Champagne, which is French know that they can get Cava from Spain or Prosecco from Italy at a fraction of the price. There also may be certain Cabernet Sauvignons that you like that are much more consistent at a lower price. (Pinot Noir can be fickle; one bottle is great, the next is 'meh'.) The second is to find a place to buy you...
by bardenay
Sat Feb 08, 2014 7:29 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Yikes! Took a Good Look at My WF Expenses. Portfolio Help
Replies: 38
Views: 6249

Re: Yikes! Took a Good Look at My WF Expenses. Portfolio He

Group hug!
Ha! Too funny.

Thanks guys for the input.

Bardenay
by bardenay
Sat Feb 08, 2014 6:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Yikes! Took a Good Look at My WF Expenses. Portfolio Help
Replies: 38
Views: 6249

Re: Yikes! Took a Good Look at My WF Expenses. Portfolio He

What you should really be asking yourself is why you want to change you allocation. You picked your original one for a reason. What has changed that makes you feel the original AA isn't good enough anymore. That, more than anything, is what would concern me. Fair point, and the reason that I wanted to discuss before making changes. The changes I made last year were to get out of the high cost managed funds and into low cost ones, which I completed. At the time my thought on International was: The 10% number is based on "The Bogelhead's Guide to Investing". I do see that most of the Target Date funds have 20% and greater. To be honest, I haven't fully decided on what I am comfortable with in this asset class. My thought is to star...
by bardenay
Sat Feb 08, 2014 9:55 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Closets etc for new home
Replies: 27
Views: 7215

Re: Closets etc for new home

My spouse worked in closet design for many, many years and has worked for a number of closet companies. There is a huge difference between closet companies. The main difference is in materials, installation methods and service. Materials Thickness of the material. Cheap companies use thinner material. Finish. Are the edges squared off cheaply or are the shaped? Is the finish durable? Composition. What is the closet material made from? Is it particle board, MDF or something else? (True story. One client's old closet was made of particle board from Mexico that included trash like boxes and newspapers, in the mix!) Drawer slides. Are they using silent slides or cheap rails? Knobs/pulls/hinges. What options do you have? What is the quality? Ins...
by bardenay
Sat Feb 08, 2014 9:18 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Yikes! Took a Good Look at My WF Expenses. Portfolio Help
Replies: 38
Views: 6249

Re: Yikes! Took a Good Look at My WF Expenses. Portfolio He

First a sincere, 'thank you' for everyone's help getting me on the right path. I am very grateful for the depth of insight that I received on my financial planning. Update: I did close my WF account and move it into a Vanguard Traditional IRA. (It took awhile because the transfer was done by check between institutions.) I also changed my 401(k) out of bonds and into stocks with a plan to hold bonds outside of my 401(k) due to its poor bond options. I closed my Fidelity target date fund and moved it to mix of Spartan funds. All of my accounts now have sub .24% expense ratios with the exception of my 401(k) stock funds at .54%. Here is what I moved into for the Vanguard IRA: Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares Vanguard Total...
by bardenay
Tue Oct 29, 2013 5:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Spices for Cooking - Cost, Duration, etc.
Replies: 28
Views: 3853

Re: Spices for Cooking - Cost, Duration, etc.

. Does anyone sell really small jars for really affordable cost? Even though I cook very frequently, I agree that it is hard to use up all of the spices on a timely basis. What I do is to purchase most spices in the smallest containers from Penzey's Spices. In MOST cases, I can use that amount in 1-3 years. http://www.penzeys.com/ I've used Penzeys for years. Their small jars are great for infrequently used spices such a sage and thyme, the standard size is good for common things such as basil and garlic, the refill bags are good for bulk spices such as pepper and chili powder. I usually buy spices once a year and plan on spending about the cost of going out for a nice dinner. If you are close to a store, I recommend a visit. They have the...