Bogleheads.org

mbenz1997

I just sorta stumbled across this when I was doing some reading; does anyone here "invest" in CRP land? I use the term loosely since it just sorta seems like a government bribe to not farm your own land...Anyone with insight on this?

mbenz1997

I thought this was a market-timing thread too! I figured it was an indication to ramp up my index fund buying. fwiw, I use cc as often as I can no matter how big the purchase is. I like the rewards and I like being able to see where my money has gone every month - it's a good way to see a trend, and...

mbenz1997

I use 5% to invest in speculative stocks - it paid off with TSLA, but it isn't always going to be like that. I use 5% because even if I lose the entire amount (not likely to happen in 1 year, but not impossible), the amount lost will not set you back significantly (especially if the company goes und...

mbenz1997

"Deem sum" at Yank Sing is something I forgot to mention. They wheel around carts filled with Chinese delicacies you've no doubt never heard of. You point to what you want, they plop on your table. Again, best for lunch, and close to your tour. As you point to stuff and order off the carts, they ma...

mbenz1997

Anyone know of a good place that will do some repairs for rock chips at a reasonable price in Houston? I was driving down the highway and this big truck didn't have their back gate sealed correctly - the jerk just pelted the entire left side of the highway with rocks for who knows how many miles. I'...

mbenz1997

what would be the equivalent on fidelity?

mbenz1997

As a relatively new grad from all the training hoopla, I can tell you I have mixed feelings about it. 4 years medical school (200k or so in expense), 5 years internship/residency (40-50k income), 1 year fellowship (60k income). As an attending now, I feel threatened by nearly everything - declining ...

mbenz1997

http://www.amazon.com/Influence-Psychology-Persuasion-Business-Essentials/dp/006124189X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402425778&sr=8-1&keywords=influence+the+psychology+of+persuasion I agree with the poster about Cialdini's book: Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion. Very interesting read, hopefully it...

mbenz1997

Diablo 3. Been hooked since it came out. Working up to inferno mode

mbenz1997

As a physician who finished residency recently, be very wary of the presentations and free dinner meetings you will inevitably get from financial planners. If anyone tries to sell you on whole life insurance, RUN!!! I agree with the above - attack that debt first. Medicine is changing and not in a g...

mbenz1997

I disagree with the last statement. There are many people who make in the realm of a million dollars per year and still end up bankrupt. It's a matter of spending vs earning. Doesn't matter your income level

mbenz1997

I was planning a trip to brazil; probably sao paulo. Any recommendations on an inexpensive way to fly there? The closest intl airport to me would be George Bush in Houston. I'm looking at flights on TAM and the flights are over 1k. Was wondering what people regularly use around here.

Thanks!

mbenz1997

Hello all,

I was just wondering what percent of your portfolio you allocate to emerging market? I have been dollar cost averaging into FSIVX, which is not much in the way of emerging markets (0.04%). What funds with Fidelity would you recommend?

Thanks!

mbenz1997

Congratulations!!

mbenz1997

The other factor - you have to put judgement into the player and their agents ability to negotiate their contract...or you could end up investing in a Latrell Sprewell, whose career ended when he turned down a 3 year $21 million dollar contract because "it wasn't enough to feed his family" (paraphra...

mbenz1997

Buying into pro teams would be a different story; less risky than an individual player and probably a decent return on investment over time. Then again, why would an owner want to share profits if their team is making them money?

mbenz1997

Personally, I think bogleheadism feels more like a philosophy of life, rather than just managing money. Saving money and spending below your means not only bolsters your investment accounts and protects your future lifestyle, but teaches humility and self-discipline. 8 years ago, I had 5k in my bank...

mbenz1997

Hello all, I was thinking about splurging a little and taking my siblings to the world series if the cardinals made it. Obviously I'm not a die-hard fan to be asking this question, but what would be the best way to get tickets? I really hate getting ripped off from places like stubhub and haven't a ...

mbenz1997

50% of the the time, the market goes up 100% of the time

mbenz1997

Thanks for the responses. I think we are going with the Utah plan.

mbenz1997

Thanks for the information. Would love to hear from anyone who does this without nasty letters from the IRS on a consistent basis

mbenz1997

Thanks Grt2bOutdoors and livesoft! Also - what is the max contribution an individual can give? i.e. gift taxes apply beyond 14,000 per person, so a couple can give 28,000 correct? Any another family member can also give up to that amount correct? Based on the site, it looks like they will accept con...

mbenz1997

It is sounding more and more like the Utah plan is a reasonable choice with low expense ratios...I also just got off the phone with people over at the Utah plan, and she confirmed the same information - back in 2001, they stopped requiring receipt submission, but you need to keep a careful record in...

mbenz1997

http://www.collegesavings.org has a nice little comparison page which shows the breakdown of each. Here is the one for Texas plans: http://www.collegesavings.org/planComparisonResults.aspx?resultsId=493177 They have some prepaid tuition plans as well as a direct sold 529 plan. Per the comparison sit...

mbenz1997

Anyone in TX with any experience setting one up here? I'm doing further research on this, and it's hard to sift between what is legitimate information and what is someone trying to sell me something.

mbenz1997

Thank you for the feedback...when I heard "advisor", I cringed as well, and thus ended up here. I looked through the prospectus, but couldn't find anything about fees, which I was planning to ask about first and foremost. Knew in advance it would be a bad deal though. We live in Texas. I think I kno...

mbenz1997

Hey all, I was just getting ready to help some family members start a 529 plan for their child - she is about 4 months old. They are looking at some paperwork through their advisor about CollegeAmerica. I was wondering what the veterans who have been through this recommend...has anyone used this? If...

mbenz1997

I saw it also, and upon researching, noticed the same thing...lol, it seemed especially silly because they made it sound so exciting and innovative!

I'm happy with fidelity, but that just seemed kinda ridiculous.

mbenz1997

I'm saving for the day when my monthly income/dividends from investments exceeds my current salary. That will be a damn good day. Then I will truly be master of my own fate.

mbenz1997

It doesn't matter...Stay the course.

You can't control what the market does, and it's incredibly challenging for the "experts" to anticipate a crash, nevermind a layperson. The only thing you can control is how you react. So have a plan, and stick with it.

mbenz1997

I remember reading about Charlie Munger who in his early 30s was divorced, broke, and had just suffered a devastating lost of his son to leukemia, and then moved on from that to re-building his financial life throughout his 30s. One of the things Munger has emphasized in his speeches is moving on e...

mbenz1997

Here's an alternative perspective - if she decides to go to medical school, admissions committees will eat up a candidate with a double major in non-science fields (assuming she has the prereqs or goes back and does them later). Not to derail the thread too much (I didn't see the OP say his daughte...

mbenz1997

Here's an alternative perspective - if she decides to go to medical school, admissions committees will eat up a candidate with a double major in non-science fields (assuming she has the prereqs or goes back and does them later). I think the double major in 4 years will do her much more good than har...

mbenz1997

I haven't had cable in 11 years...when I compare the costs, I've probably saved about 7-8k, which has been put to work in investments. I think most TV is pretty stupid, and with the advent of so many reality tv shows, I have no desire to pay for that garbage. I use netflix, hulu, crackle, amazon pri...

mbenz1997

I test drove a model S last week - exhilarating to say the least! Lots of fun to drive, and the pickup is incredible - no jerking of a transmission, and when I mashed the accelerator even going about 20-30 mph, it still slammed me to the back of the seat. The technology was incredible. I picked up s...

mbenz1997

Anyone with any insight on this topic? I was interested as well...

mbenz1997

I am curious about what you do as well... If you love what you do, then why quit? For myself, when my assets generate an income similar to my salary in monthly dividends, that's probably when I would think about quitting. But not because I want to do nothing all day; I want to take that time to try ...

mbenz1997

The fact that a very smart adult is enjoying reading a child's publication. The adult is simply appreciating the deeper themes and social commentary. PJW An enrichment opportunity! :happy I agree...ever read Calvin and Hobbes? Bill Watterson is incredibly clever with his approach...I'm happy to say...

mbenz1997

I've been reading "Stop acting rich...and live like a real millionaire" by Dr. Stanley. I just finished his other book "The millionaire mind". I read his original "The millionaire next door" about a decade ago. Well worth reading, if you haven't read it. Most bogleheads probably follow his philosoph...

mbenz1997

Thanks everyone. I think I will use some combination of FSEVX, FSTVX, and FUSVX for my US based index funds.

mbenz1997

I was just looking through the wiki on bogleheads and fidelity funds: http://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Fidelity I was comparing FSTVX, FUSVX, FSEVX and was curious which funds you all used the most...FSEVX seems to have the best return over the past 10 years. FUSVX has had the best return over its "li...

mbenz1997

At the risk of sounding naive, is there any underlying risk to these CDs? Most, even the ones by foreign banks, are FDIC insured.

mbenz1997

So I just got off the phone with fidelity and they told me the yield is after the expense ratio is taken out. For fmoxx, that means that your yield is 0.01% after they take their expense ratio, so you aren't losing any of your capital. To OP- good catch. I've had a fidelity account for 8 years and n...

mbenz1997

Houston most definitely feels like a bubble.

Houses are being sold within days of listing and over listing price. These are houses in the 800k+ range, especially in the city proper. Some people are going to pay a big price when all is said and done.

mbenz1997

I was thinking the same thing, I was surprised to see the market up as much as it is. The economy shows signs of slowing, so the market goes up because the fed intervention will continue in an effort to improve the economy. But if the economy were improving, the market would sell off, because in the...

mbenz1997

I woul let family and friends know what happened...someone could easily name drop you and/or Sean's name in a scam for money...

mbenz1997

To Bacchus - Not all advanced degrees are created the same. Getting an MD is useless if you don't complete at least 3-6 years of residency and/or fellowship. So, 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school, followed by residency/fellowship, during which time your salary averages $10-20 per hour (4...

mbenz1997

I believe it was about 3 years ago while I was still in residency at the age of 29. Rounding the 400k mark this summer. Wish I had learned of bogleheads years ago, probably would have crossed these marks 1-2 years sooner. Live and learn.

mbenz1997

I rarely have over $5 in my pocket, unless I know I'm going somewhere I know I'm going to need the cash.

I like cc because:

-I get cash back.

-It's easy to keep track of what I've spent my money on and how much I've spent.

-I hate change.

mbenz1997

My splurges:

Ipad
Lexus
Movies on Netflix, Amazon Prime
An occasional nice dinner out

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