Search found 326 matches

by fourwedge
Fri Feb 05, 2021 7:44 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Has Bogleheads lost its direction?
Replies: 325
Views: 48046

Re: Has Bogleheads lost its direction?

Just try to remember this time the next time someone complains that Bogleheads is an echo chamber, a quaking bog of groupthink, and a prison of moderator-enforced dogma. Whitman's words apply to the forum: Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.) Nope, I don't like what seems to be happening. But I think (and I try to remember to do this myself) the most helpful action to help the forum is make sure that the people with sincere questions get useful answers, and that people who innocently think it would be a great idea to invest in QQQ or ARKK because https://imgur.com/2SJ8k4u.png get exposed to the existence of Bogle's ideas--in the context of their own situation. The best way you can ...
by fourwedge
Tue Jan 19, 2021 6:10 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why isn't every indexer investing in small cap value index funds?
Replies: 372
Views: 45751

Re: Why isn't every indexer investing in small cap value index funds?

I have nearly 13% of my portfolio in SCV funds. It has under preformed the rest of my portfolio Mostly VTSAX by nearly 6% in the 6-7 years I have owned it. Maybe you have a bad SCV fund, because 100% of the outperformance of TSM on SCV over the last decade, as measured by VSIAX and VTSAX, has been since June of 2018. I own VSIAX and VTSAX. And how does most of the out performance being since June of 2018 not still add up to a huge difference in the favor of VTSAX in the last 6 years as I stated? The way you worded your statement, it sounded like your SCV funds had been underperforming for the entire 6-7 years, which should not have been the case. But as I've noted already in this thread, 30 months' of underperformance of the broad market i...
by fourwedge
Tue Jan 19, 2021 5:58 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why isn't every indexer investing in small cap value index funds?
Replies: 372
Views: 45751

Re: Why isn't every indexer investing in small cap value index funds?

willthrill81 wrote: Wed Jan 13, 2021 11:08 pm
fourwedge wrote: Thu Jan 07, 2021 1:39 pm I have nearly 13% of my portfolio in SCV funds. It has under preformed the rest of my portfolio Mostly VTSAX by nearly 6% in the 6-7 years I have owned it.
Maybe you have a bad SCV fund, because 100% of the outperformance of TSM on SCV over the last decade, as measured by VSIAX and VTSAX, has been since June of 2018.
I own VSIAX and VTSAX. And how does most of the out performance being since June of 2018 not still add up to a huge difference in the favor of VTSAX in the last 6 years as I stated?
by fourwedge
Thu Jan 07, 2021 1:39 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why isn't every indexer investing in small cap value index funds?
Replies: 372
Views: 45751

Re: Why isn't every indexer investing in small cap value index funds?

I have nearly 13% of my portfolio in SCV funds. It has under preformed the rest of my portfolio Mostly VTSAX by nearly 6% in the 6-7 years I have owned it.
by fourwedge
Sat Jun 06, 2020 2:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: FZROX or FSKAX in 401 rollover to Fidelity
Replies: 14
Views: 1853

Re: FZROX or FSKAX in 401 rollover to Fidelity

I always make it a point to discourage roll over of 401k funds into IRA plans, based on the asset protections. Do not give up those protections easily, without at least giving it some serious thought. If you do decide to still rollover to an IRA, so be it, but at least you will have made an informed decision. Too often, people feel that when the leave the job, they MUST rollover the 401k funds to an IRA. Not true. If the amount contributed to the plan (usually this amount does NOT include roll overs of other 401k / IRA funds) is at least $5000, the employer cannot kick you out of the plan. 401k funds also have access to the same funds that you get in retail, for much lower expense ratios. For example, I get VIIIX (Vanguard Institutional In...
by fourwedge
Sat Jun 06, 2020 1:42 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: FZROX or FSKAX in 401 rollover to Fidelity
Replies: 14
Views: 1853

Re: FZROX or FSKAX in 401 rollover to Fidelity

I always make it a point to discourage roll over of 401k funds into IRA plans, based on the asset protections. Do not give up those protections easily, without at least giving it some serious thought. If you do decide to still rollover to an IRA, so be it, but at least you will have made an informed decision. Too often, people feel that when the leave the job, they MUST rollover the 401k funds to an IRA. Not true. If the amount contributed to the plan (usually this amount does NOT include roll overs of other 401k / IRA funds) is at least $5000, the employer cannot kick you out of the plan. 401k funds also have access to the same funds that you get in retail, for much lower expense ratios. For example, I get VIIIX (Vanguard Institutional In...
by fourwedge
Sat Jun 06, 2020 12:42 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: FZROX or FSKAX in 401 rollover to Fidelity
Replies: 14
Views: 1853

Re: FZROX or FSKAX in 401 rollover to Fidelity

good reads, thanks for the charts as well. Checking it out.
by fourwedge
Sat Jun 06, 2020 12:30 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: FZROX or FSKAX in 401 rollover to Fidelity
Replies: 14
Views: 1853

FZROX or FSKAX in 401 rollover to Fidelity

I'm a long time member here but I set it and forget it. have most of my retirement and investments in the 3 fund portfolio at Vanguard auto-re balancing annually. I haven't really kept up on the ZERO fund introduction. I am opening an HSA at Fidelity to transfer a current HSA and am also getting ready to roll over my current 401K (which is several hundred K) in Fidelity Total Stock Market (FSKAX) as I am getting out of the corporate world in the next several weeks. Setting up my new funds I saw the ZERO FZROX funds. What is the thought process behind these funds? It is the lowest prices available (0%) for slightly less diversity? So this is only a retirement funds question. I see the disadvantage to the ZERO funds for tax loss harvesting pu...
by fourwedge
Wed Aug 16, 2017 2:51 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "Vanguard fund shareholders encouraged to vote as proxy campaign gets under way."
Replies: 89
Views: 32655

Re: "Vanguard fund shareholders encouraged to vote as proxy campaign gets under way."

Ridiculous, to see political correctness come to investing. I want to own the market!!!!!!
by fourwedge
Tue Jul 11, 2017 9:37 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Dave Ramsey's advice on investing?
Replies: 67
Views: 9566

Re: Dave Ramsey's advice on investing?

I actually followed Dave Ramsey's advice and got out of debt. It was actually a google search for Dave Ramsey investing advice that brought up a topic from BH forum. That is how I found the BH's. Dave's advice has changed the path my life was on. Went from in debt with a mortgage to no debt of any kind, including our house...it is good to be debt free. Now my wife and I own a very lucrative business and we are maxing out all retirement investing and piling up money on the side as well. Life is good and it all started with my wife asking me if I ever heard of Dave Ramsey. Of course his investing advice is to help out people that have no idea what they are doing. He loses a BH pretty quickly with the loaded mutual funds his advisors recommend...
by fourwedge
Thu Jun 22, 2017 10:25 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Family Business changing, choosing a new retirement plan
Replies: 7
Views: 1898

Re: Family Business changing, choosing a new retirement plan

Spirit Rider wrote:
fourwedge wrote:
Spirit Rider wrote:First, if I may ask, why did you switch from a sole proprietor to an LLC? An LLC is often a complication that is not really necessary.
We started the LLC to protect our personal assets from lawsuits against our business.
The reason I asked this is that the liability protections of an LLC are often overstated. They do not provide protection against the personal services of the owners of the business. You still need liability insurance.
too late now.
by fourwedge
Tue Jun 20, 2017 9:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Family Business changing, choosing a new retirement plan
Replies: 7
Views: 1898

Re: Family Business changing, choosing a new retirement plan

NEDriller wrote:A simple plan would probably be best for you. Then you can choose to match a percentage of what your employees put in. A SEP plan you have to give your employees the same percentage as you give yourself. So if you want to put 10% away for you then you have to give the employees 10%. With a simple plan the employees have to contribute something for you to be required to match it. At least that's how I understood it. As far as a 401k I don't have any experience there.
I think you are right. I'm going to look into the Simple IRA today!

Thank You
FW
by fourwedge
Tue Jun 20, 2017 9:28 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Family Business changing, choosing a new retirement plan
Replies: 7
Views: 1898

Re: Family Business changing, choosing a new retirement plan

First, if I may ask, why did you switch from a sole proprietor to an LLC? An LLC is often a complication that is not really necessary. A SEP IRA is usually the least advantageous for a small business with just two employees, because you generally must make the same percentage contribution for all eligible employees. However, you can exclude employees who have not been employed in at least three of the last five years and you don't end up excluding yourselves. A SIMPLE IRA can be a good choice for a very small business. There is an employee deferral with a limit of up $12,500 ($15,500 if age >= 50) and either have a 100% employer match on up to 3% of compensation or a 2% non-elective employer contribution of compensation. There is usually m...
by fourwedge
Mon Jun 19, 2017 7:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Family Business changing, choosing a new retirement plan
Replies: 7
Views: 1898

Family Business changing, choosing a new retirement plan

My wife's and I's business recently changed from a Sole Proprietorship to an LLC. We are also taken on 2 employees. The first 2 years of our business we had a solo 401k (at VG). Since we can no longer contribute to the Solo 401k we need a new plan. We want to offer a retirement plan for our employees. Looking into all the options. I'm interested at providing some matching funds for both our employees (if they choose to contribute as well) and for my wife. I seriously doubt our employees will contribute. My options are a SEP, a Simple IRA and a 401k(staying with VG). My wife and I currently max out my 401k and a Roth for each of us. What are the pro's and con's for the different plans? Anything I'm missing? Thanks for the advice. FW
by fourwedge
Fri Jun 16, 2017 10:46 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Poll: 401K Match
Replies: 99
Views: 23342

Re: Poll: 401K Match

My employer matches 50% up to first 6% you put in...vested over 5 years (20% per year). Lots of Vanguard funds available.
by fourwedge
Fri Jun 02, 2017 10:33 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bitcoin knockoff
Replies: 28
Views: 5556

Re: Bitcoin knockoff

A friend of mine is a "coin Miner". He is searching for these different currencies. He says there are over 700 different ones now. None for me thanks
by fourwedge
Wed May 31, 2017 8:40 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best Vanguard fund for emergency fund?
Replies: 21
Views: 8405

Re: Best Vanguard fund for emergency fund?

I only keep my Emergency Fund in the Bank for immediate access.
by fourwedge
Tue Mar 21, 2017 1:22 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Anyone else taking less risk
Replies: 115
Views: 16068

Re: Anyone else taking less risk

Nope, staying the same. I by 90% stock and 10% bonds with every purchase and will continue.
by fourwedge
Tue Mar 14, 2017 5:49 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Thinking of transferring IRA to Vanguard? How it went for us.
Replies: 17
Views: 4853

Re: Thinking of transferring IRA to Vanguard? How it went for us.

I too have never had anything but a positive experience with VG.
by fourwedge
Mon Mar 06, 2017 2:49 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Betterment just raised their costs.
Replies: 191
Views: 30300

Re: Betterment just raised their costs.

Earl Lemongrab wrote:
fourwedge wrote:I'm so glad I just stayed the course and left it all in the same funds at VG.
Did you harvest tax losses? If not, then (as they say) You Paid Too Much!
I don't have any losses
by fourwedge
Mon Mar 06, 2017 2:42 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Betterment just raised their costs.
Replies: 191
Views: 30300

Re: Betterment just raised their costs.

I'm so glad I just stayed the course and left it all in the same funds at VG.
by fourwedge
Sat Mar 04, 2017 12:26 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Making a big bet and borrowing from 401K
Replies: 31
Views: 4693

Re: Making a big bet and borrowing from 401K

haha, Thanks for loosing us all up!!! :sharebeer
by fourwedge
Sat Mar 04, 2017 9:25 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Making a big bet and borrowing from 401K
Replies: 31
Views: 4693

Re: Making a big bet and borrowing from 401K

there is a 7 red... you mean 7 straight up...That pays 35 to 1 and has a 2.46% chance of hitting.

There is no 7 black. You must mean black. As mentioned, it isn't 50/50. There are 2 green numbers (0/00). The true odds of hitting black is 47.37%.

Both of these bets have a house edge of 5.26%.


This is my business, I'm a Table Games Manager


You are better off leaving your money in the stock market... its a lot less risky. Haha
by fourwedge
Sat Feb 25, 2017 12:51 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Please vote on the wisest decision
Replies: 50
Views: 5426

Re: Please vote on the wisest decision

BogleMelon wrote:
aristotelian wrote:Can't you do Roth and 401k?
I can, but can't maximize both of them, may be after I am done saving for my first home down payment..
1st max roth at VG for cheap
then max 401K with 100% stock

Having it saved, tax sheltered and 100% stock is better then not saving it and sheltering it at all.
by fourwedge
Sat Feb 25, 2017 10:17 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why not hedge using futures?
Replies: 54
Views: 7178

Re: Why not hedge using futures?

No way, too risky!!! Buy and hold, then buy some more! So do you simply stop buying if you are trying to "rebalance" or just let equities drop in value to get you back in balance? I'm not really sure about how buying more helps in a scenario where you are 100% stocks. If someone is 100% stocks and 0% bonds, how does one "rebalance" to get to 75% stocks and 25% bonds for example? It would require a major sell of stocks to get into that percentage of bonds (25% to be exact). If it is a one million dollar portfolio, that is $250,000 of which you may end up with a long term capital gain of 6 figures. If you can take $25,000 and short the S&P or whatever which may have 10 times leverage (or may not, I don't know, just ha...
by fourwedge
Fri Feb 24, 2017 7:20 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why not hedge using futures?
Replies: 54
Views: 7178

Re: Why not hedge using futures?

No way, too risky!!!


Buy and hold, then buy some more!
by fourwedge
Thu Feb 23, 2017 7:28 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How to Rebalance with Rate Hikes Looming
Replies: 49
Views: 12113

Re: How to Rebalance with Rate Hikes Looming

Sell all of your bonds right before the rate hike and buy them all back after the rate hikes are done.

Or just try not market timing at all.
by fourwedge
Fri Feb 17, 2017 11:36 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Just made 2017 IRA contributions... so relaxing!
Replies: 7
Views: 1780

Re: Just made 2017 IRA contributions... so relaxing!

well done! yes it is a freeing feeling. Now max out the 401K and the rest of your options. HaHa
by fourwedge
Thu Feb 16, 2017 6:49 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Please list value funds you currently use
Replies: 62
Views: 9017

Re: Please list value funds you currently use

livesoft wrote:
fourwedge wrote:Domestic small: VTIAX
I LOVE the typo. :)
Haha, Thanks livesoft
by fourwedge
Thu Feb 16, 2017 4:22 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Please list value funds you currently use
Replies: 62
Views: 9017

Re: Please list value funds you currently use

Domestic small: VSIAX

International small: DISVX

Emerging: DFCEX
by fourwedge
Wed Feb 15, 2017 5:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: First Time Re-Balancing
Replies: 4
Views: 1081

Re: First Time Re-Balancing

I believe you are still close enough. You should look to be off at least 5% in any category before moving any money around.
by fourwedge
Sat Feb 11, 2017 3:23 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Wondering about the 7.5% return investment ad on Dave Ramsey
Replies: 30
Views: 18496

Re: Wondering about the 7.5% return investment ad on Dave Ramsey

I heard about this safe money ad from a paid infomercial. It had nothing to do with Dave Ramsey.
by fourwedge
Thu Feb 09, 2017 5:09 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: College endowments: Houghton beats Harvard
Replies: 2
Views: 925

Re: College endowments: Houghton beats Harvard

The Wizard wrote:We had previous threads on how poorly certain actively managed endowment funds did in fiscal 2016.
This NYT article explains how tiny Houghton College did quite well, although their fiscal year is three months later than Harvard's.
To be suspenseful, I'm not telling their secret here...

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/02/09/b ... turns.html
Great example of what Bogle started here and the impressive results you can get from saving money with low cost investments.!!!

Thanks for sharing.
by fourwedge
Sat Feb 04, 2017 2:13 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 100k- to invest or put toward mortgage?
Replies: 20
Views: 5284

Re: 100k- to invest or put toward mortgage?

I found myself making a similar choice. My wife and I paid off the mortgage as fast as possible. We now throw every available $ at investing. We paid cash for cars and our business. We really like the freedom that being debt free give us. Our nest egg is growing like crazy maxing out all investment options now. We sleep better knowing we don't owe anyone, anything.
by fourwedge
Tue Jan 31, 2017 9:58 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Stocks Down - My Fault
Replies: 26
Views: 5366

Re: Stocks Down - My Fault

I'm buying on the 1st whether they are up or down. I love not giving a crap.
by fourwedge
Tue Jan 31, 2017 11:00 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Are you changing your AA based on current events?
Replies: 68
Views: 6138

Re: Are you changing your AA based on current events?

No changes here, the economy is improving and even if it wasn't I wouldn't change my AA. I buy more all the time. Keep going!
by fourwedge
Fri Jan 27, 2017 3:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What do you include in your asset allocation calculations?
Replies: 43
Views: 7175

Re: What do you include in your asset allocation calculations?

Only investments that I hold. I don't count SS, 529, or HSA.
by fourwedge
Fri Jan 27, 2017 3:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Warning: Max out 401k early - lose some of the match
Replies: 46
Views: 7012

Re: Warning: Max out 401k early - lose some of the match

same here, I max out to stay just below. I usually get within $20 of the 18K and spread it out over every pay period to make sure they match every pay period.
by fourwedge
Tue Jan 24, 2017 5:04 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why is Slicing/Dicing not Working?
Replies: 37
Views: 5546

Re: Why is Slicing/Dicing not Working?

my slice and dice was up 13.5% last year... no problem.

Why have commodities at all?
by fourwedge
Fri Jan 13, 2017 10:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What to consider while purchasing an existing business?
Replies: 66
Views: 13168

Re: What to consider while purchasing an existing business?

renter wrote:Not signing a non-compete is an obvious red flag and deal breaker. If she is agreeing to it anyway, why wouldnt she sign?? I would assume if she decides she hates being someone's employee, and when she sees from the inside exactly how to run a business successfully, she will have no barrier to setting up a competing place esp when she has 50k in the bank. Payments to her should be spread out over 12 months or so and each payment installment conditioned on her not violating the non compete.
This deal fell through with the sister in law. We bought a completely different shop and its been going great for 18 months.
by fourwedge
Thu Jan 12, 2017 7:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What to consider while purchasing an existing business?
Replies: 66
Views: 13168

Re: What to consider while purchasing an existing business?

Yea, actually her sister in law. Her brother is married to her....crazy!!!
by fourwedge
Thu Jan 12, 2017 6:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What to consider while purchasing an existing business?
Replies: 66
Views: 13168

Re: What to consider while purchasing an existing business?

Interesting thread! I was getting really worried about the crazy woman staying on as an employee and no one cautioning against it. That would have been a nightmare and enough reason to walk away. But it has turned out quite well. Congratulations to you and especially your wife on successful entrepreneurship. I am also glad that the manicurists make such good money in your area. Employees were abused and underpaid in so many shops in New York that the state is now inspecting all nail shops on a regular basis. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/01/nyregion/nail-salon-sweeps-in-new-york-reveal-abuses-and-regulatory-challenges.html Oh my.... That is a shame. Thanks for the article. We get inspected at least 2 times a year. I'm glad the states are...
by fourwedge
Thu Jan 12, 2017 6:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What to consider while purchasing an existing business?
Replies: 66
Views: 13168

Re: What to consider while purchasing an existing business?

fareastwarriors wrote:Keep it up!

Just want to add one thing, please don't neglect your online presence. Definitely be up to date on Yelp with basic info like hours and phone number and try to get some good 5 star reviews.

You might even want to get a Facebook page/Instagram account, if you're feeling ambitious.
So far we haven't advertised at all yet. All we are doing is a Facebook page where the Mrs. posts pictures of nice designs and she runs specials in a FB swap shop group. It has worked well so far. We haven't created a webpage or anything else yet. FB has a good system for reviews too.

Thank you for the suggestions, I will look into the others as well.
by fourwedge
Thu Jan 12, 2017 5:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What to consider while purchasing an existing business?
Replies: 66
Views: 13168

Re: What to consider while purchasing an existing business?

Just posting an update. My wife and I have owned the business for 18 months now. Our business is slightly slower then the original business we looked at but we paid 30K instead of the 50K for the original. Business has grown at about 18% (total sales) YOY. That is pretty good but still getting better. We beat every month but 1 for store sales this year and were able to upgrade our shop with new chairs.

Thanks again for all the great information I got from BH!
by fourwedge
Sun Oct 30, 2016 3:46 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How much international?
Replies: 80
Views: 15860

Re: How much international?

My wife and I are 46/34

We are 40% international
by fourwedge
Sun Oct 02, 2016 7:11 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: SS as a Bond
Replies: 46
Views: 10112

Re: SS as a Bond

longinvest wrote:(Rhetorical) How do I rebalance SS with stocks, during a downturn? Do I sell part of my future SS payments on some shady market* to raise the cash to buy stocks? :wink:

* As far as I know, it's illegal to trade one's SS income stream. I could be wrong.
This exactly, I've never understood why someone would want to count the SS in there retirement portfolio unless it is to make them feel safer about a more risky portfolio.
by fourwedge
Sat Jun 18, 2016 11:45 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: When to exit cash and embark upon Target Retirement Fund "set it and forget" strategy
Replies: 34
Views: 5412

Re: When to exit cash and embark upon Target Retirement Fund "set it and forget" strategy

You say you have realized you can't time the market. So I would suggest not waiting for a pull back which is exactly what market timing is....

Put it in as soon as you can and forget it.
by fourwedge
Mon May 23, 2016 5:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buying Whole Life using your RMD
Replies: 28
Views: 4158

Re: Buying Whole Life using your RMD

danny9m wrote:
fourwedge wrote:Whole life is a terrible product. Why would you spend tons more money instead of just buying level term insurance? You can use the money you saved to buy something else worthwhile.

Those guys must sell whole life insurance..... That is my guess.
I'm not selling the product, I'm just relaying what was said on the radio and what is being pitched.
I meant the radio program advisors must have that product for sale. Just a guess. Whole life sucks, the insurance is much more expensive and the "invested" or cash value builds up so slow. You can have the expensive insurance for decades and if you cancel it you have almost no cash value built up.