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by tibbitts
Wed Mar 27, 2024 8:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: help choosing between new hvac offers
Replies: 13
Views: 664

Re: help choosing between new hvac offers

44west wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 8:17 pm Designairohio

From what research I could find searching the web your opinion appears to have some validity to it. The other thing that might sway me away from Lennox is parts for repair might be harder to come by.
Any thoughts on waiting until next year to upgrade with the new refrigerant requirement coming out?
I'm not an expert but I was thinking to wait 1.5yrs ago - until my unit broke and I didn't want to pay to fix it so I replaced it with the "old" equipment. It seems like the new refrigerant was just around the corner for wide availability then but I guess there's a lot of the old equipment still around?
by tibbitts
Wed Mar 27, 2024 6:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: help choosing between new hvac offers
Replies: 13
Views: 664

Re: help choosing between new hvac offers

Those look like very good prices, in the context of the usual large hvac markup and labor charges. I don't think you could do much better unless you "have a guy."

I'll mention that for my system I ended up with a choice of one brand among the ones I researched because I wanted the unit to fit easily into the space provided. Lots of mechanical items seem to have gotten physically bigger over the years.
by tibbitts
Wed Mar 27, 2024 6:26 pm
Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
Topic: Personal Investments vs. Investing categories
Replies: 5
Views: 241

Re: Personal Investments vs. Investing categories

I just had a post moved by a moderator from Personal Investments to Investing - Theory, News & General categories. No idea why. I asked a question about using data for myself to invest better. Wasn't theoretical or related to news. Why are there even these two vague categories, with definitely significant overlap. Seems like a waste of time for moderators to be moving posts between the two. Personal Investments Have a question about your personal investments? No matter how simple or complex, you can ask it here.151323Topics1957498Posts Investing - Theory, News & General Discuss all general (i.e. non-personal) investing questions and issues, investing news, and theory.77985Topics1946333Posts I don't believe most of us even know what...
by tibbitts
Wed Mar 27, 2024 1:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Take Social Security Now?
Replies: 47
Views: 2362

Re: Take Social Security Now?

EricGold wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 1:23 pm When I thought that SS was predictable, I could venture an opinion for OP's question.
With the looming wrangling over how to delay the SS programs insolvency, I don't know.

I've decided to split the difference and claim benefits 7 months before my FRA and about 29 months before FRA for my wife. The funky timing is a result of deeming rules for the spousal benefit and the utility of claiming in January
I was surprised that opensocialsecurity doesn't show much difference in the results for optimum claiming age for me regardless of whether the looming reduction occurs or not. So for various reasons I'm waiting until 70, barring unexpected health developments.
by tibbitts
Wed Mar 27, 2024 1:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Take Social Security Now?
Replies: 47
Views: 2362

Re: Take Social Security Now?

smitcat wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 1:18 pm
tibbitts wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 1:00 pm
Johm221122 wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 11:52 am As far as the age/ exact benefits you receive and future taxes, I would 100% be concerned/prepared for change

But as far as available, I have absolutely no concerns. And the more money you have the more I would be concerned about changes
I agree that people who are deemed to "need" SS have no reason to be concerned.
Would that be the same as the ones deemed to 'need' medical insurance?
Well, if we go with the assumption that everyone needs medical insurance, then maybe the same who are deemed unable to pay (fully? partly?) for medical insurance?
by tibbitts
Wed Mar 27, 2024 1:17 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors
Replies: 137
Views: 10179

Re: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors

There is a reason Ray Dalio and successful fund managers are selective of clients; these successful managers let their work speak for itself instead of throwing sale-pitch dinner. I am trying to get on Ray's client list and was declined twice in the past due to income not meeting even the lower threshold of $300k for joint or $200k for individual. I am not sure what is the lowest limit now but I was only pulling in $100k at my regular job and $30k with my hobby-focus business, which can lose money and no write-off benefit, so Bridgewater considered that a risk rather than a supplemental income and they were absolutely right. I would say their clients are cream of the crop earners and are boglehead without needing a forum account. Are you s...
by tibbitts
Wed Mar 27, 2024 1:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Take Social Security Now?
Replies: 47
Views: 2362

Re: Take Social Security Now?

Johm221122 wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 11:52 am As far as the age/ exact benefits you receive and future taxes, I would 100% be concerned/prepared for change

But as far as available, I have absolutely no concerns. And the more money you have the more I would be concerned about changes
I agree that people who are deemed to "need" SS have no reason to be concerned.
by tibbitts
Wed Mar 27, 2024 12:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Take Social Security Now?
Replies: 47
Views: 2362

Re: Take Social Security Now?

perhaps; Fleming vs. Nester was decided in 1960 so it certainly has been the guidance for decades now. I didn't start working until the late 60s. What percentage of us who started working in say the late 1960s or 1970s would you guess were aware of that court case at the time? What percentage would you guess regarded SS as a promise? I'll start: my guess is .01% were aware of the court case and 95% regarded SS as a promise. We were working in the 70's and never assumed that SS was a promise not to change at all over 10, 20 or 50 years. I assumed it could change, but not for benefits that had already been paid in. I looked at that $20 or whatever I had withheld from a paycheck as being like an inflation-indexed CD (although without a specif...
by tibbitts
Wed Mar 27, 2024 12:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Take Social Security Now?
Replies: 47
Views: 2362

Re: Take Social Security Now?

perhaps; Fleming vs. Nester was decided in 1960 so it certainly has been the guidance for decades now. I didn't start working until the late 60s. What percentage of us who started working in say the late 1960s or 1970s would you guess were aware of that court case at the time? What percentage would you guess regarded SS as a promise? I'll start: my guess is .01% were aware of the court case and 95% regarded SS as a promise. We were working in the 70's and never assumed that SS was a promise not to change at all over 10, 20 or 50 years. I assumed it could change, but not for benefits that had already been paid in. I looked at that $20 or whatever I had withheld from a paycheck as being like an inflation-indexed CD (although without a specif...
by tibbitts
Wed Mar 27, 2024 11:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Take Social Security Now?
Replies: 47
Views: 2362

Re: Take Social Security Now?

jebmke wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 11:41 am perhaps; Fleming vs. Nester was decided in 1960 so it certainly has been the guidance for decades now. I didn't start working until the late 60s.
What percentage of us who started working in say the late 1960s or 1970s would you guess were aware of that court case at the time? What percentage would you guess regarded SS as a promise? I'll start: my guess is .01% were aware of the court case and 95% regarded SS as a promise.
by tibbitts
Wed Mar 27, 2024 11:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Take Social Security Now?
Replies: 47
Views: 2362

Re: Take Social Security Now?

Concerned about S/S being available in the future. I have heard that for 50 years. Don't be concerned it's easily fixable. It's a political problem not a mathematical problem to fix it. Given that SS benefits have already been reduced for a large percentage of us vs. what we were promised when we started contributing, why shouldn't we be concerned that something similar could happen again? It's not necessary to speculate on exactly when or how benefits could be reduced, but it's indisputable that they already have been. I think the courts have ruled that SS is not a promise. I certainly never considered it as a promise. If courts had to be employed to decide that SS wasn't a promise, doesn't that suggest that someone (besides me, a very lo...
by tibbitts
Wed Mar 27, 2024 11:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Take Social Security Now?
Replies: 47
Views: 2362

Re: Take Social Security Now?

Johm221122 wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 11:18 am
tibbitts wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:55 am
Johm221122 wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:31 am
LaramieWind wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 8:45 am Concerned about S/S being available in the future.
I have heard that for 50 years. Don't be concerned it's easily fixable. It's a political problem not a mathematical problem to fix it.
Given that SS benefits have already been reduced for a large percentage of us vs. what we were promised when we started contributing, why shouldn't we be concerned that something similar could happen again? It's not necessary to speculate on exactly when or how benefits could be reduced, but it's indisputable that they already have been.
Reduced? Exactly how?
SS offered full benefits at age 65, and benefits were not taxed at the federal level.
by tibbitts
Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Take Social Security Now?
Replies: 47
Views: 2362

Re: Take Social Security Now?

Johm221122 wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:31 am
LaramieWind wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 8:45 am Concerned about S/S being available in the future.
I have heard that for 50 years. Don't be concerned it's easily fixable. It's a political problem not a mathematical problem to fix it.
Given that SS benefits have already been reduced for a large percentage of us vs. what we were promised when we started contributing, why shouldn't we be concerned that something similar could happen again? It's not necessary to speculate on exactly when or how benefits could be reduced, but it's indisputable that they already have been.
by tibbitts
Wed Mar 27, 2024 8:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon "eligible for return" cost
Replies: 30
Views: 1920

Re: Amazon "eligible for return" cost

heartwood wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2024 9:49 pm Added: Yes, after the WF rejection and seeing the need to pay to ship back, she spoke with Amazon CS without relief.
So, what did CS say was the reason for the deduction from the refund?
by tibbitts
Tue Mar 26, 2024 11:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help me choose a new heating and air system - NYC (HVAC)
Replies: 28
Views: 1907

Re: Help me choose a new heating and air system - NYC (HVAC)

billaster wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2024 11:27 pm When comparing gas furnace BTUs, you also need to know the efficiency of the furnace. It would be very typical to replace an old 80,000 BTU furnace that is 80% efficient with a modern 60,000 BTU furnace that is 95% efficient.
I didn't know that efficiency was related to output; I thought it was only related to input (how much energy was necessary to produce the stated output)...? So I thought an 80kbtu 70% furnace would produce exactly the same output as an 80kbtu 95% furnace, but cost more for fuel while doing so. Whenever I had a choice, vendors would offer say an 80kbtu 80% furnace or an 80kbtu 95% furnace; vendors never changed the btu recommended, just the efficiency percentage (and the price.)
by tibbitts
Tue Mar 26, 2024 9:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Advice for 29 year old daughter
Replies: 32
Views: 2806

Re: Advice for 29 year old daughter

Rocinante Rider wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2024 9:43 pm Absolutely agree. Some, however, have extremely stable careers and earnings, and are young enough to count on more than twenty years before retiring if they want or need to work that long. There are many individual considerations. Psychological fortitude is necessary but not sufficient to take into account. I think we're probably in substantial agreement.
Agreed. Most of my career was not very stable or predictable; in fact the government job during the first portion of my career would have been considered secure by most people (and it definitely was by me)... but it turned out not to be at all, for complicated reasons. Personal experiences definitely influence your outlook on financial security.
by tibbitts
Tue Mar 26, 2024 9:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dedicated Financial Computer Master Thread
Replies: 207
Views: 9524

Re: Dedicated Financial Computer Master Thread

Neither a dedicated computer nor dedicated email will improve your security posture. A dedicated email address for financial accounts does improve security. It’s a well-meaning attempt to solve a solved problem. Password managers and 2FA address every concern supposedly handled by a separate email account without relying on a human to be infallible. Well, if you start counting from zero (certainly not the conventional terminology), a login name and password is two factors. Adding "2FA" gets you to three factors but not everyone does that. So why doesn't utilizing a not-well-known or obvious email address (vs. for example an email address you publish on public forums) improve security of an account, simply by making it more diffic...
by tibbitts
Tue Mar 26, 2024 9:25 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Advice for 29 year old daughter
Replies: 32
Views: 2806

Re: Advice for 29 year old daughter

Being 20 or more years away from retirement and decumulation seems to me like a reasonable buffer to absorb all but the most extreme and protracted declines. Of course, as I've already noted, this might require great psychological fortitude. One has to be honest with oneself about whether you'll really be able to stay the course as your wealth plummets and the news and pundits are filled with gloom and doom for months or years on end. And when in retirement or just approaching retirement, you have to decide what, if any, effect a sustained decline would have on your financial stability and lifestyle. Some people in their seventies or eighties could lose half their assets and still have way more than they'll ever need. They're investing wit...
by tibbitts
Tue Mar 26, 2024 5:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Advice for 29 year old daughter
Replies: 32
Views: 2806

Re: Advice for 29 year old daughter

100% equity is definitely the flavor-of-the-week on Bogleheads, but of course everybody now is coming out of the woodwork saying they've been 100% stock since forever. 100% equity is more like the flavor of the century. Between 1973 and 2022 stocks averaged 10.24% annually and 10-year Treasuries 6.12%. Similar differential over past 100 years. Of course, 100% equities sometimes requires tremendous intestinal fortitude, the psychological ability to stay the course, and a willingness to glide into bonds as one gets older. I advise my thirty-something year old kids, both of whom have very good and stable incomes and both of whom understand how to start gliding, to stay 100% equities until they get within 15 to 20 years of retirement. How do y...
by tibbitts
Tue Mar 26, 2024 2:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dedicated Financial Computer Master Thread
Replies: 207
Views: 9524

Re: Dedicated Financial Computer Master Thread

Neither a dedicated computer nor dedicated email will improve your security posture. A dedicated email address for financial accounts does improve security. It’s a well-meaning attempt to solve a solved problem. Password managers and 2FA address every concern supposedly handled by a separate email account without relying on a human to be infallible. Well, if you start counting from zero (certainly not the conventional terminology), a login name and password is two factors. Adding "2FA" gets you to three factors but not everyone does that. So why doesn't utilizing a not-well-known or obvious email address (vs. for example an email address you publish on public forums) improve security of an account, simply by making it more diffic...
by tibbitts
Tue Mar 26, 2024 2:33 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Looking for advice on unhappy experience in VG short term bond fund
Replies: 66
Views: 5591

Re: Looking for advice on unhappy experience in VG short term bond fund

PS, back to "Looking for advice..." Virtually my entire fixed-income position is in this VG Short Term Bond fund, which has been underwater since 2022. The 2x duration - 1 is useful, but what happens if rates make a run higher while waiting for the formula to bring you back to even? If I change horses now I lock-in the current losses, and if I stand-pat waiting for the formula to work I may compound it. Is eat-the-loss-and-move-on still the only sure-fire way escape this dilemma? This is the core of my ongoing unhappiness with this investment. Knowing more than I did a few years ago, my current thinking is that it's not 2n-1 per SE, but 2n-1 AFTER rates start going up. As such, you'd better really understand that bond fund before...
by tibbitts
Tue Mar 26, 2024 1:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Advice for 29 year old daughter
Replies: 32
Views: 2806

Re: Advice for 29 year old daughter

windaar wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2024 11:48 am
tibbitts wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2024 11:30 am 100% equity is definitely the flavor-of-the-week on Bogleheads, but of course everybody now is coming out of the woodwork saying they've been 100% stock since forever.
There is certainly a bias at play currently, with “100% stock” posters congratulating themselves. When the next 2008 hits, those posts will dry up and we’ll start to see those awful capitulation posts instead.
Oh yes, I remember all the Plan B discussions.
by tibbitts
Tue Mar 26, 2024 11:30 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Advice for 29 year old daughter
Replies: 32
Views: 2806

Re: Advice for 29 year old daughter

I'm recommending that she put all of her new Roth IRA money in VTSAX. I'd love to hear thoughts from the forum about this. What would be the plan to eventually add fixed, if ever? 100% stock is the craze lately here because of a nice run-up and market highs. It is not at all mainstream BH philosophy which advises to never take too much or to little risk, and to make such a decision with a realistic risk assessment. I just figured as young as she is it would be best to go heavy on stock and maybe 10-15 years from now start transitioning to a 3 fund portfolio. Maybe that should be the strategy sooner. Thanks for all the input. 100% equity is definitely the flavor-of-the-week on Bogleheads, but of course everybody now is coming out of the woo...
by tibbitts
Tue Mar 26, 2024 10:58 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Advice for 29 year old daughter
Replies: 32
Views: 2806

Re: Advice for 29 year old daughter

doctormike wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2024 10:23 am Being that she has a 40 year window...
I'd say 40 years is too long to expect continuing contributions to retirement but too short for a lifespan, so I'm not sure what the 40 years is referring to. Unless you're saying there's a medical condition or something that indicates a shorter-than-average lifespan.

I'm surprised a 29-year-old wants to be involved in rental real estate, unless it's part of a career strategy.
by tibbitts
Tue Mar 26, 2024 10:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dedicated Financial Computer Master Thread
Replies: 207
Views: 9524

Re: Dedicated Financial Computer Master Thread

Since the vast majority of the financial hacks seem to be phishing and social engineering I don’t see how a seperate pc stops any of this. If the fbi calls and you give your social and info to them the people will just do it from their end. Doesn’t matter that you have a separate finance computer that’s hardwired only and you disconnect the network cable after use. I have a dedicated email address on a dedicated pc that I use exclusively for finance purposes. I don't share that email with anyone. If somebody wants to send me a phishing email, they first have to hack into my financial institution and get my email address. I wonder how everyone would rate the relative importance of a dedicated computer/vm vs. dedicated email address? I'd gue...
by tibbitts
Tue Mar 26, 2024 10:24 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dedicated Financial Computer Master Thread
Replies: 207
Views: 9524

Re: Dedicated Financial Computer Master Thread

OK, thanks, I will re-double my efforts to look for those threads. Thanks! I'm not sure how I'd search for them, but the theme is whether vendor diversification is worth it vs. the arguable loss of simplicity. And being a Vanguard forum, most of the posts are about whether it's safe to have all your funds at Vanguard. This isn't a Vanguard forum. Just search at the top of this page for "multiple brokerages" and several of those posts and discussions come up. https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=411425 https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=323518 https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=362058 https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=402552 That's a good search suggestion... but I'm still gue...
by tibbitts
Tue Mar 26, 2024 10:07 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: QQQ Question
Replies: 49
Views: 2861

Re: QQQ Question

jonbkray wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2024 6:43 am So, from what I'm understanding here, it *might* make sense to have a MAJORITY portion of a portfolio in VTSAX/FXAIX/VOO and then, maybe a small allocation into VGT/QQQm ?
Sure, VGT along with investing a similar small amount in maybe small cap value, utilities, EM, ex-US real estate,... maybe commodities?
by tibbitts
Tue Mar 26, 2024 1:21 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors
Replies: 137
Views: 10179

Re: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors

Retired in CA wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 9:12 pm This may be a naive question, but how do they know you're retired and a likely mark potential customer? I've been retired for a few years and have never been invited (for which I shall be eternally grateful.)
I'm glad somebody else here never gets invited either. Oh, besides the solar panel dinners, I was invited to one funeral preplanning dinner, but didn't attend any of those.
by tibbitts
Mon Mar 25, 2024 11:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help me choose a new heating and air system - NYC (HVAC)
Replies: 28
Views: 1907

Re: Help me choose a new heating and air system? (HVAC)

You wrote "Trane or Lennox Furnace + Heat Pump." The indoor unit is an air handler, and the outdoor unit is the compressor. With a furnace, the indoor unit typically has a gas fired furnace + fan. With a Heat pump, the indoor unit uses the same set of coils used in the summer to cool, but they heat. There is no furnace. A heat pump is an air conditioner running in reverse. Although it's possible to have a standalone heat pump, the heat pump in my home worked in conjunction with the gas furnace. Basically the heat pump functioned at some intermediate temperatures, below which the gas furnace provided heat. At least until very recently(?) I don't believe heat pumps functioned effectively in zero or below temperatures; the one in my...
by tibbitts
Mon Mar 25, 2024 10:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help me choose a new heating and air system - NYC (HVAC)
Replies: 28
Views: 1907

Re: Help me choose a new heating and air system? (HVAC)

You wrote "Trane or Lennox Furnace + Heat Pump." The indoor unit is an air handler, and the outdoor unit is the compressor. With a furnace, the indoor unit typically has a gas fired furnace + fan. With a Heat pump, the indoor unit uses the same set of coils used in the summer to cool, but they heat. There is no furnace. A heat pump is an air conditioner running in reverse. Although it's possible to have a standalone heat pump, the heat pump in my home worked in conjunction with the gas furnace. Basically the heat pump functioned at some intermediate temperatures, below which the gas furnace provided heat. At least until very recently(?) I don't believe heat pumps functioned effectively in zero or below temperatures; the one in my...
by tibbitts
Mon Mar 25, 2024 9:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Would you do a house upgrade?
Replies: 49
Views: 3550

Re: Would you do a house upgrade?

It seems like some of the comments aren't considering that unlike for most of us, moving isn't an issue because you won't even have to pack a box, your stuff will just materialize at the new house. And there won't be any of the increase in time and effort for upkeep and maintenance that most of us would have to expend with a larger home. So factors that would apply to most of us making a similar (if much smaller-scale) move won't apply at all to you.
by tibbitts
Mon Mar 25, 2024 9:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help me choose a new heating and air system - NYC (HVAC)
Replies: 28
Views: 1907

Re: Help me choose a new heating and air system? (HVAC)

You wrote "Trane or Lennox Furnace + Heat Pump." The indoor unit is an air handler, and the outdoor unit is the compressor. With a furnace, the indoor unit typically has a gas fired furnace + fan. With a Heat pump, the indoor unit uses the same set of coils used in the summer to cool, but they heat. There is no furnace. A heat pump is an air conditioner running in reverse. Although it's possible to have a standalone heat pump, the heat pump in my home worked in conjunction with the gas furnace. Basically the heat pump functioned at some intermediate temperatures, below which the gas furnace provided heat. At least until very recently(?) I don't believe heat pumps functioned effectively in zero or below temperatures; the one in my...
by tibbitts
Mon Mar 25, 2024 8:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors
Replies: 137
Views: 10179

Re: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors

I personally don't understand the desire to attend these dinners if you are not interested in the pitch/product/information they are providing. Several reasons (hopefully no one takes this personally - I am not trying to offend anyone - just sharing my own philosophy): - I have no interest in wasting my time. A free meal isn't worth it to me. - Some of these salesmen make a living doing this and believe in their products. Let the folks that might buy take the seats. - If I need a free meal - I know my local senior center can provide me with free information regarding local charities and food banks that can help. - Someone said you lose boglehead points. Being a boglehead means living below your means and making wise investment choices. I d...
by tibbitts
Mon Mar 25, 2024 7:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors
Replies: 137
Views: 10179

Re: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors

I personally don't understand the desire to attend these dinners if you are not interested in the pitch/product/information they are providing. Several reasons (hopefully no one takes this personally - I am not trying to offend anyone - just sharing my own philosophy): - I have no interest in wasting my time. A free meal isn't worth it to me. - Some of these salesmen make a living doing this and believe in their products. Let the folks that might buy take the seats. - If I need a free meal - I know my local senior center can provide me with free information regarding local charities and food banks that can help. - Someone said you lose boglehead points. Being a boglehead means living below your means and making wise investment choices. I d...
by tibbitts
Mon Mar 25, 2024 6:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dedicated Financial Computer Master Thread
Replies: 207
Views: 9524

Re: Dedicated Financial Computer Master Thread

MoneyIsTime wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 5:55 pm OK, thanks, I will re-double my efforts to look for those threads. Thanks!
I'm not sure how I'd search for them, but the theme is whether vendor diversification is worth it vs. the arguable loss of simplicity. And being a Vanguard forum, most of the posts are about whether it's safe to have all your funds at Vanguard.
by tibbitts
Mon Mar 25, 2024 5:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dedicated Financial Computer Master Thread
Replies: 207
Views: 9524

Re: Dedicated Financial Computer Master Thread

MoneyIsTime wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 5:45 pm On a related note I was even contemplating having my retirement money at 2 firms. For example, half at Vanguard and half at Fidelity. If a hack ever happened to a firm, it likely wouldn’t be both at once, so I’d have some breathing room. I’ve searched the BH forum and haven’t come across that thread of thinking. Anyone else thinking this or come across that? I realize it sounds very “sky is falling” but if all your money disappears (or frozen for a long time) it would be a big deal for sure. I imagine the big retirement firms are a juicy target...
There have been hundreds - probably thousands - of posts on the forum about this. As with most things, there's no universal agreement.
by tibbitts
Mon Mar 25, 2024 5:13 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors
Replies: 137
Views: 10179

Re: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors

PatrickA5 wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 2:38 pm I've recently been to a couple of attorney seminar basically selling Trusts. The first one was worthless, only offered cookies and coffee. Didn't learn anything. The second one had some decent information, but all I got was a cup of coffee. Basically, learned enough (mainly on my own) to know I don't need a trust. I'd say the second one was worth my time.
I found the attorney presentations interesting and informative - or at least the q&a part was, although I can't remember any specifics now. Only cookies and coffee.
by tibbitts
Mon Mar 25, 2024 2:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: To buy or not to buy a big SUV
Replies: 42
Views: 3492

Re: To buy or not to buy a big SUV

cashboy wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 1:30 pm if I already had a vehicle that I know and trust, then I would rent. Or, I would consider buying or renting a towable trailer (attached to my existing vehicle) for storage space for luggage, etc.
Considering we're seeing comments about driving a full-size vs. smaller SUV, towing would be off-the-scale more difficult and inconvenient. And more expensive thanks having to register and maintain the trailer (if you buy it), plus toll roads. Between the roof and rear end you can add a fair amount of storage without more wheels so I would definitely try that first.
by tibbitts
Mon Mar 25, 2024 1:56 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors
Replies: 137
Views: 10179

Re: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors

simplesimon wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 1:38 pm
tibbitts wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 12:37 pm I haven't gone to any of the solar panel dinners either but it sort of violates Boglehead principles to refuse to go. So we lose a few Boglehead points by not attending. Sort of like if you didn't open that Fidelity account a few years ago for... what was that, $50?
How many points lost for not signing up for the Robinhood 3% offer?
Depends if taking advantage of it costs you BoA credit card bonus points.
by tibbitts
Mon Mar 25, 2024 12:37 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors
Replies: 137
Views: 10179

Re: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors

articpineapplecorp- Have you ever been to a timeshare presentation? You literally are trapped for 90 minutes unless you want to refund Hilton, Westin, or Marriott Vacation clubs for the cost of your very discounted holiday. We've done 4 of these and it's 90 minutes of torture which I have vowed to never do again. But they're about 90 minutes as you say, and the question becomes where else can a retired person earn say $200/hr or more (in the case of a timeshare with discounted stay) for doing nothing but sitting for 90min? I don't believe anyone would consider that "torture." Well, if I needed the $200/hr that badly, I would not have retired. I have never been to one of these and don’t intend to begin doing so. I haven't gone to ...
by tibbitts
Mon Mar 25, 2024 12:25 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors
Replies: 137
Views: 10179

Re: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors

goingup wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 12:17 pm articpineapplecorp-
Have you ever been to a timeshare presentation? You literally are trapped for 90 minutes unless you want to refund Hilton, Westin, or Marriott Vacation clubs for the cost of your very discounted holiday. We've done 4 of these and it's 90 minutes of torture which I have vowed to never do again.
But they're about 90 minutes as you say, and the question becomes where else can a retired person earn say $200/hr or more (in the case of a timeshare with discounted stay) for doing nothing but sitting for 90min? I don't believe anyone would consider that "torture."
by tibbitts
Mon Mar 25, 2024 12:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors
Replies: 137
Views: 10179

Re: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors

I never receive any such invitations. I do receive occasional invitations for solar panel dinners.
by tibbitts
Mon Mar 25, 2024 11:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: SERIES E savings bonds
Replies: 11
Views: 789

Re: SERIES E savings bonds

I'm not familiar with bonds that old. I'd investigate what if any penalties might apply for not paying taxes to this point, and given how many years have passed I'm not even sure how'd you'd go about doing that.
by tibbitts
Mon Mar 25, 2024 11:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: To buy or not to buy a big SUV
Replies: 42
Views: 3492

Re: To buy or not to buy a big SUV

Just to clarify, your current vehicle has 44" of legroom? Or is this primarily a quest for more legroom? If not, would adding storage on the roof and/or rear of the existing vehicle help?
by tibbitts
Mon Mar 25, 2024 11:02 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dedicated Financial Computer Master Thread
Replies: 207
Views: 9524

Re: Dedicated Financial Computer Master Thread

MGBMartin wrote: Sun Mar 24, 2024 8:05 pm Being a software developer is how I ended up with 6 laptops scattered around the house upon retirement.
During my developer days we would use disk images to quickly roll back to standard configuration during our testing processes.
Someone had to constantly build new images, though, or else install the image and then update it from an internal source before it was let loose on the internet.
by tibbitts
Mon Mar 25, 2024 10:29 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard TDF -- Why are there International Bonds?
Replies: 8
Views: 763

Re: Vanguard TDF -- Why are there International Bonds?

DavidJack wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 9:56 am Why then do all the Vanguard target date funds include international bonds?
Because not every expert agrees on the best approach to bonds. Somewhere there's probably an expert who'd approve of my only bond funds being EM, HY, and floating rate.
by tibbitts
Mon Mar 25, 2024 8:55 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to avoid getting ripped off on urgent home repairs?
Replies: 47
Views: 3569

Re: How to avoid getting ripped off on urgent home repairs?

Every home owner should maintain a relationship with the following vendors, having selected those that are honest, reliable, competent, fairly priced and available for emergencies: - electrician - plumber - HVAC tech - roofer - tree trimmer - handyman for everything else Optional but nice to have - carpenter / woodworker - painter - drywall person - pool / jacuzzi person? Just as an example, the previously-long-established electrician, plumber, HVAC company, roofer, and handyman I had relationships with all went out of business within a 15-year span. So I don't think it's practical, given the limited demands of a single residence, to "maintain" a relationship when services are only needed occasionally. You're at least somewhat li...
by tibbitts
Mon Mar 25, 2024 8:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Reasonable sized smartphone: does such a thing exist in 2024?
Replies: 39
Views: 2536

Re: Reasonable sized smartphone: does such a thing exist in 2024?

Aren't pockets likely to expand to at least an appropriate size for whatever phones are popular?
by tibbitts
Sun Mar 24, 2024 8:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: To buy or not to buy a big SUV
Replies: 42
Views: 3492

Re: To buy or not to buy a big SUV

We need a big SUV when we travel. We travel two to four times a year, about four to seven days per trip. We can rent or buy. I am thinking we will rent or buy a Suburban or equivalent, gently used or new. If we buy, we will be replacing our midsize SUV, which is probably worth $25k. Should we buy or rent? I am thinking we should rent. We can afford either choice but we still want to do the "right" choice as we have a young family. (P.S. The need of a bigger SUV is not a question. We really do need it when we travel. Minivans are not an option, unless there is one that has an AWD and really really long front legroom of 44 inch or longer. ) These large SUVs usually go somewhere around a $100 a day where I live plus all sorts of ext...
by tibbitts
Sun Mar 24, 2024 8:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: To buy or not to buy a big SUV
Replies: 42
Views: 3492

Re: To buy or not to buy a big SUV

We need a big SUV when we travel. We travel two to four times a year, about four to seven days per trip. We can rent or buy. I am thinking we will rent or buy a Suburban or equivalent, gently used or new. If we buy, we will be replacing our midsize SUV, which is probably worth $25k. Should we buy or rent? I am thinking we should rent. We can afford either choice but we still want to do the "right" choice as we have a young family. (P.S. The need of a bigger SUV is not a question. We really do need it when we travel. Minivans are not an option, unless there is one that has an AWD and really really long front legroom of 44 inch or longer. ) 41" of legroom is not enough? You must be tall! Is legroom is a standardized measuremen...