Search found 3080 matches

by Mike Scott
Mon Mar 20, 2023 1:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Riding Lawn Mower
Replies: 20
Views: 888

Re: Riding Lawn Mower

Don't buy a cheap one.
by Mike Scott
Mon Mar 20, 2023 1:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VG Wellesley In My Taxable Acct: What To Do About It?
Replies: 10
Views: 868

Re: VG Wellesley In My Taxable Acct: What To Do About It?

In addition to previous suggestions is the "use shares for donations to charity or setting up a DAF" instead of using cash.
by Mike Scott
Mon Mar 20, 2023 1:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Growing family, should I buy a home?
Replies: 29
Views: 1343

Re: Growing family, should I buy a home?

Buying vs renting has a financial answer based on where you are and circumstances.
Buying vs renting is more than just a financial question.
by Mike Scott
Mon Mar 20, 2023 1:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Doing taxes each year is really hard, is it for you?
Replies: 104
Views: 7054

Re: Doing taxes each year is really hard, is it for you?

Don't forget that it's the same complexity which people complain about that also gives us the deductions and tax planning opportunities that we all love so much and use.

You can simplify your own taxes by reporting your income and paying the taxes. You don't have to take deductions and credits.
by Mike Scott
Sun Mar 19, 2023 1:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How do you save copies of your tax forms and supporting docs?
Replies: 33
Views: 3689

Re: How do you save copies of your tax forms and supporting docs?

Electronic plus paper. I sometimes look at the paper copies for information but the electronic copies just collect digital dust bunnies.
by Mike Scott
Sun Mar 19, 2023 1:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Doing taxes each year is really hard, is it for you?
Replies: 104
Views: 7054

Re: Doing taxes each year is really hard, is it for you?

I would rather spend the time to figure it out myself but there are plenty of professionals willing to help you if you want help.
by Mike Scott
Sun Mar 19, 2023 12:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any issue if baby’s last name is different from both parents’?
Replies: 26
Views: 3133

Re: Any issue if baby’s last name is different from both parents’?

Nobody cares what your name is as long as you have documents for that identity.
by Mike Scott
Sun Mar 19, 2023 12:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What to do with 30K from ROTH?
Replies: 17
Views: 1086

Re: What to do with 30K from ROTH?

You should look at the choices available in the Roth and see if any of them meet your needs or you can do a rollover to Vanguard and then do something more familiar.
by Mike Scott
Sun Mar 19, 2023 12:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 100% 75% 50% Pension Joint and Survivor Choice
Replies: 25
Views: 1902

Re: 100% 75% 50% Pension Joint and Survivor Choice

Since my pension will be our primary income for life after retirement, we have defaulted to the 100% survivor option. There would have to be a significant advantage to even consider one of the other options. The pension with survivor option does have a "pop up" feature but that is not part of the decision; just a happy little feature if spouse unexpectedly dies first.
by Mike Scott
Sun Mar 19, 2023 11:59 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Which Index/Mutual Fund to choose thru my HSA?
Replies: 2
Views: 171

Re: Which Index/Mutual Fund to choose thru my HSA?

I like the Fidelity Zero funds in an HSA. You can mix/match two or three of them to make a "balanced" fund. You can also look at Fidelity Freedom Index funds for lower expense ratio balanced funds.
by Mike Scott
Sun Mar 19, 2023 11:07 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retirees: Which safe withdrawal rate allowed you to grow your portfolio?
Replies: 52
Views: 4502

Re: Retirees: Which safe withdrawal rate allowed you to grow your portfolio?

If you can figure out the future perpetual withdrawal rate (to your own satisfaction) then you only need to withdraw less than that. The idea of growing your portfolio in retirement sort of implies that you have a portfolio larger than needed to maintain your future budget. Most of the anxiety about future modeling around here is about how to avoid the portfolio going to 0 before you die. Most models plan and reality is that most people will have a declining portfolio in retirement.
by Mike Scott
Sun Mar 19, 2023 10:53 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Market returns versus inflation
Replies: 7
Views: 607

Re: Market returns versus inflation

It would be nice to think 0 was the lowest possible net but negative numbers are certainly possible. I don't see much value in making such predictions about the future but you may as well plug in a wide range of numbers if you are doing the exercise.
by Mike Scott
Sun Mar 19, 2023 9:40 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Diversify brokerage houses?
Replies: 6
Views: 558

Re: Diversify brokerage houses?

Some people see a risk in holding everything in one place. Some people see a risk in holding multiple accounts. Pick which ever one makes you feel better but don't make it more complicated than necessary.
by Mike Scott
Sat Mar 18, 2023 10:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is the US facing major EV home charging problems?
Replies: 83
Views: 3931

Re: Is the US facing major EV home charging problems?

The vast majority are not even thinking of buying an EV so it's hardly a crisis. Individuals may or may not need to upgrade their home service if they buy an EV but that's not a crisis either. The need to continue upgrading the infrastructure of a fairly fragile and patched together electric grid has been a thing "forever" so still not a crisis but it could turn into one if the infrastructure development does not happen.
by Mike Scott
Thu Mar 16, 2023 8:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How long should I plan for it to take for money to go from Vanguard fund to my checking account?
Replies: 25
Views: 1261

Re: How long should I plan for it to take for money to go from Vanguard fund to my checking account?

It will take about 3 business days but I would allow a few more if you are trying to make a deadline.
by Mike Scott
Thu Mar 16, 2023 7:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should we put stay off the grass sign?
Replies: 29
Views: 2358

Re: Should we put stay off the grass sign? 🛑

sign is a waste of $; you want a fence or another walkway
by Mike Scott
Wed Mar 15, 2023 8:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Trading in a car with a good interest rate loan
Replies: 13
Views: 949

Re: Trading in a car with a good interest rate loan

This would be a good time to keep the car you already have and avoid all the hassles and expense of the current car market.
by Mike Scott
Wed Mar 15, 2023 10:25 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: You're in your 20's, just made 100k profit from your business, how do you scale your wealth?
Replies: 35
Views: 2584

Re: You're in your 20's, just made 100k profit from your business, how do you scale your wealth?

Generally, you would probably invest back into your business while it is still growing. If you want to reduce the risk concentrated on the business, you should also begin investing in index funds and/or real estate etc as you desire.
by Mike Scott
Sun Mar 12, 2023 9:57 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Excess funds flowing in, unsure on strategy.
Replies: 6
Views: 672

Re: Excess funds flowing in, unsure on strategy.

Tax efficient funds in a brokerage account. Balance your desired AA across all accounts. You may get more specific advice if you post a full portfolio for review.
by Mike Scott
Thu Mar 09, 2023 5:20 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: MUST LISTEN "Bogleheads on Investing" podcast with financial historian Edward Chancellor
Replies: 144
Views: 15057

Re: MUST LISTEN "Bogleheads on Investing" podcast with financial historian Edward Chancellor

The discussion/disagreement about how much inflation protected bonds to hold is nothing new.
by Mike Scott
Thu Mar 09, 2023 10:59 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Bridge Building [income for the years before Social Security]
Replies: 20
Views: 1527

Re: Bridge Building [income for the years before Social Security]

If you have enough to buy the bridge now then you have choices to buy it all now, part of it or fund it with new money as you go. I am starting a bridge fund and it will be funded along the way as I get new funds.
by Mike Scott
Wed Mar 08, 2023 9:39 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Parents Real Estate Deal - Say something?
Replies: 130
Views: 10226

Re: Parents Real Estate Deal - Say something?

You know your parents. Are they interested in talking about it?
In any case, what matters most is what is written into the contracts.
In the real world, what would happen to the agreements if they decided they wanted to get out?
Some of these groups are fine. The worst are scams and/or cults.
We seem to attract some of the crazy ones in our part of the world.
by Mike Scott
Tue Mar 07, 2023 8:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help me decide between CD, MM, TBills, TIPS
Replies: 14
Views: 1803

Re: Help me decide between CD, MM, TBills, TIPS

I would keep some amount in a money market fund If this is your short term fund.
by Mike Scott
Tue Mar 07, 2023 7:30 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: If not Vanguard, then who?
Replies: 62
Views: 4959

Re: If not Vanguard, then who?

I have accounts at all three. I prefer Vanguard but Fidelity would be the only one that offers all the services I use if I could pick only one. Fortunately, I don't have to pick just one.
by Mike Scott
Tue Mar 07, 2023 6:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is the Boglehead way of owning a car the best way?
Replies: 58
Views: 6304

Re: Is the Boglehead way of owning a car the best way?

Anything more than basic required transportation becomes a luxury with choices. Go basic or buy/lease whatever you want and can afford. Cars are expensive however you do it and some are more expensive than others.
by Mike Scott
Tue Mar 07, 2023 5:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Sell VTSAX to avoid 6.5% Mortgage?
Replies: 38
Views: 3497

Re: Sell VTSAX to avoid 6.5% Mortgage?

Do you have any stock with losses or minimal gains? I would sell at least that much to reduce the mortgage by that amount with enough sold in total to get 20% or more down. I'm keeping my mortgage at 2.5% but at current rates, it would be tempting to pay the taxes and skip the mortgage. You can put the "mortgage payment" back into stocks every month.
by Mike Scott
Tue Mar 07, 2023 5:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Squeaky floor -- new construction home
Replies: 23
Views: 2126

Re: Squeaky floor -- new construction home

Yes, if glue and screws don't work you need to take it apart and see the problem. Of course, after doing glue and screws, taking the drywall out from the ceiling under is the easiest to do and then fix. Obviously, something is moving and rubbing that should not be. Our stairs do this but not enough to do anything about it yet.
by Mike Scott
Tue Mar 07, 2023 5:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Pension: to COLA or not to COLA?
Replies: 5
Views: 707

Re: Pension: to COLA or not to COLA?

There are online calculators for that and the Cola is going to win in a few years window in almost every circumstance.
by Mike Scott
Tue Mar 07, 2023 10:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to buy a car when there are none
Replies: 42
Views: 5828

Re: How to buy a car when there are none

Last year I was looking for a specific model. I found two dealers in the state who were taking orders at MSRP and got on their wait lists. After a few months, I got a call which was basically a take it or leave it decision before the call ended. All the purchase agreements were exchanged by fax and I went and picked it up a couple of days later. Interestingly, the other dealer called a few days later with another one but they had plenty of people on their wait list who wanted it. I think inventory has increased a bit since then but there are still very few new Toyotas and Hondas sitting on the lot to purchase.
by Mike Scott
Tue Mar 07, 2023 10:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Factoring in Inheritance to Financial Plans
Replies: 125
Views: 10085

Re: Factoring in Inheritance to Financial Plans

We have never expected any inheritance (other than some nostalgic items) and that continues to be a realistic expectation.
by Mike Scott
Tue Mar 07, 2023 10:28 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Married file joint or separate
Replies: 21
Views: 1330

Re: Married file joint or separate

The best way to know is to fill out the full form set for both scenarios and then decide.
by Mike Scott
Mon Mar 06, 2023 4:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Funeral you ever attended?
Replies: 62
Views: 6046

Re: Best Funeral you ever attended?

Funerals are for the living. Funerals have become the family reunion event for us during the last few decades. Everyone who can come tries to make it. The most recent was my father's funeral almost two years ago. Someone in the family hosts a family and friends potluck with way too much food at their house after the services are complete. People laugh and cry and talk and share pictures and gossip and kids do what kids do until people need to go home. There may be new tractors or whatever that need looking at. It's good to be outside if the weather is decent. We don't really do the full wake experience before the funeral because most of us don't drink that much and we are ready to go to bed much earlier than that. It's OK to be sad and happ...
by Mike Scott
Sun Mar 05, 2023 5:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How secure is self storage?
Replies: 25
Views: 2914

Re: How secure is self storage?

The local, rural self storage places seem to have a lot of theft, rodents and bugs. There is one climate controlled storage place in town that is probably more secure and clean but more expensive. Of course, these risks are what insurance is for. Same thing could happen if it was parked in your own drive or garage.
by Mike Scott
Sun Mar 05, 2023 4:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help me advise my wife regarding windfall
Replies: 81
Views: 8202

Re: Help me advise my wife regarding windfall

It could be earning 4-5% currently.
You could pay off the mortgage and save/invest the difference.
You could keep the mortgage and invest all of it.
You could save/invest the income from your part time jobs and live off the cash.
You can let it sit for a while and think about it.
by Mike Scott
Sun Mar 05, 2023 12:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any bogleheads decide to outsource their lawn care?
Replies: 58
Views: 3726

Re: Any bogleheads decide to outsource their lawn care?

I enjoy mowing. It's also part of my general activity routine.
by Mike Scott
Sun Mar 05, 2023 12:31 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Buffett in 2018: A 60/40 portfolio is "absurd" and "foolish"
Replies: 162
Views: 18494

Re: Buffett in 2018: A 60/40 portfolio is "absurd" and "foolish"

People continuing to take potshots at "60/40" only demonstrate that 60/40 has continuing relevance. It's OK to question if 60/40 works but there is much clickbait on the internet including this one.
by Mike Scott
Fri Mar 03, 2023 5:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What do you do with document management at home?
Replies: 28
Views: 2378

Re: What do you do with document management at home?

Filing cabinet. It's why they exist and you already have one.
by Mike Scott
Tue Feb 28, 2023 9:50 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Take cap gains to reduce disbursements?
Replies: 3
Views: 370

Re: Take cap gains to reduce disbursements?

Are there any losses to offset gains? Are you reinvesting into the same funds or are you redirecting current gains and dividends to more tax efficient funds? More detail about the portfolio would be helpful in getting more specific answers.
by Mike Scott
Tue Feb 28, 2023 9:42 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: My current tenants want to buy my condo - Advice on Owner Financing
Replies: 35
Views: 3617

Re: My current tenants want to buy my condo - Advice on Owner Financing

Do you want to sell the property? A lease - purchase agreement sounds like a better idea and is easier for both sides to get out of if something unexpected happens.
by Mike Scott
Tue Feb 28, 2023 9:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Selling property in a far away state
Replies: 29
Views: 1919

Re: Selling property in a far away state

You need a local assessment. It really depends on the associated rights, access and location. Some property is extremely valuable but property with no access or water is worth nothing.
by Mike Scott
Wed Feb 22, 2023 11:24 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Comments on Target Portfolio
Replies: 6
Views: 714

Re: Comments on Target Portfolio

In an IRA, I would suggest picking a single balanced fund at the AA and composition you desire. I'm more familiar with the range of Vanguard Life Strategy and Target Date funds but I think there are similar funds at most brokers.
by Mike Scott
Tue Feb 21, 2023 10:36 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How are you affected by Vanguard's unique ETF/mutual fund structure?
Replies: 18
Views: 1401

Re: How are you affected by Vanguard's unique ETF/mutual fund structure?

If I understand the broad sketches, it seems to get the benefits of the etf model but I can stay in mutual funds for the convenience factor at essentially the same cost.
by Mike Scott
Mon Feb 20, 2023 11:41 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "Predicting the Past" by OZARK
Replies: 22
Views: 1717

Re: "Predicting the Past" by OZARK

Embrace the uncertainty of the future. What other choice do you have?
by Mike Scott
Mon Feb 20, 2023 9:10 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Taxable account newbies
Replies: 26
Views: 2548

Re: Taxable account newbies

Another vote for all the bonds in the TSP and only stocks in taxable. You can rebalance as needed in the Roth accounts and TSP.
by Mike Scott
Sun Feb 19, 2023 1:39 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is it worth the energy to manually reinvest dividends in taxable account? How can I most easily track my AA?
Replies: 52
Views: 4777

Re: Is it worth the energy to manually reinvest dividends in taxable account? How can I most easily track my AA?

If you do not plan to tax loss harvest, spend the $ or move it to a different fund it probably does not matter much either way.

I check accounts, reinvest or TLH in taxable accounts when I have the time and attention (approximately quarterly or when the market is noticeably up or down and specifically on Jan 1 each year to keep one consistent benchmark over time).

Most of our largest accounts are tax advantaged and each one holds a single balanced fund so the total AA stays on track without any real need for me to do anything most of the time. I use the Instant XRay tool to plug in fund tickers and balances. It takes a few minutes each time I check.
by Mike Scott
Sat Feb 18, 2023 4:51 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Guiding a Friend - Fidelity or Schwab but not Vanguard
Replies: 5
Views: 938

Re: Guiding a Friend - Fidelity or Schwab but not Vanguard

With nearby offices, they could interview advisors and look at costs at Fidelity and Schwab. I doubt that there is a lot of difference. I think Fidelity has the most complete set of services if you are trying to include banking and HSA along with investments and retirement accounts.
by Mike Scott
Sat Feb 18, 2023 9:11 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: The gold boglehead [Andorra]
Replies: 29
Views: 2887

Re: The gold boglehead

Gold tends to bring out a variety of responses from full paranoia, people who enjoy having a bit of gold and everything in between.
Gold held in various forms is one of the slices in some of the sample/model portfolios that many people hold.
I don't think of gold as an investment but people get to pick their own allocations and reasons.
If you want strong support for holding a lot of gold instead of bonds, bogleheads is probably not the place.
by Mike Scott
Fri Feb 17, 2023 7:14 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Melancholy Tale: Parents Had Pension, Social Security, SPIA & TIPS, but …
Replies: 254
Views: 33401

Re: Melancholy Tale: Parents Had Pension, Social Security, SPIA & TIPS, but …

Stereotypical people of that mindset would not do deficit spending. They would move or whatever to reduce costs. It's also not uncommon for family to help out. On the other hand, this sounds like a dream retirement for most Americans who often have even fewer resources and help and more health problems. Some of these decisions are really hard and financial literacy is rare.

Inflation and unpredictable expenses are some of the reasons I make plans for one or both of us living to 100 estimating inflation adjusted income forward about the same as our current real life budget. Will find out in a few decades if it worked or not.