Search found 1701 matches

by goblue100
Sat Mar 16, 2024 9:54 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Cash or CD's Instead of Bond Funds
Replies: 61
Views: 5436

Re: Cash or CD's Instead of Bond Funds

ruralavalon wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 9:42 am
goblue100 wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 7:56 am
RetiredAL wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 9:36 am
lakpr wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 8:19 pm
I am completely soured on bond funds, and decided to NEVER INVEST A PENNY MORE in any bond fund going forward.
For me, I won't say NEVER, but I'll be very wary.
People need to quit taking the drop in bonds personally. Rates went up, bonds went down. Now we are being compensated with better dividends. My prediction is in a few years people will be complaining about the lack of returns from their stack of CD's.
The time to swear off bond funds was before the rate hikes, not after.
Yes, which I did not do. :oops: But having gone through one of the worst periods for bonds in history, I'm not going to quit playing this game now.
by goblue100
Sat Mar 16, 2024 9:02 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Cash or CD's Instead of Bond Funds
Replies: 61
Views: 5436

Re: Cash or CD's Instead of Bond Funds

lakpr wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 8:55 am
goblue100 wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 8:52 am Ok, but if I don't like the offer you have to keep paying me $6 every year until I do.
I will change my mind at the 7 year mark you see, I will may start paying you only $2 per year at that time.
Or $12, we will roll a dice or use a random number generator to see. I'm starting to like this game we are inventing.
by goblue100
Sat Mar 16, 2024 8:52 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Cash or CD's Instead of Bond Funds
Replies: 61
Views: 5436

Re: Cash or CD's Instead of Bond Funds

I am completely soured on bond funds, and decided to NEVER INVEST A PENNY MORE in any bond fund going forward. For me, I won't say NEVER, but I'll be very wary. People need to quit taking the drop in bonds personally. Rates went up, bonds went down. Now we are being compensated with better dividends. My prediction is in a few years people will be complaining about the lack of returns from their stack of CD's. Let me make an offer to you. Give me $100, I will pay you $6 every year, and at the end of 7 years I will return something other than $100. It will not be $0, it will not be $100, it depends on my fancy and mood at that time. Sounds like a deal? Take the emotions out of it. You are looking for better dividends right? I am offering the...
by goblue100
Sat Mar 16, 2024 7:56 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Cash or CD's Instead of Bond Funds
Replies: 61
Views: 5436

Re: Cash or CD's Instead of Bond Funds

RetiredAL wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 9:36 am
lakpr wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 8:19 pm
I am completely soured on bond funds, and decided to NEVER INVEST A PENNY MORE in any bond fund going forward.
For me, I won't say NEVER, but I'll be very wary.
People need to quit taking the drop in bonds personally. Rates went up, bonds went down. Now we are being compensated with better dividends. My prediction is in a few years people will be complaining about the lack of returns from their stack of CD's.
by goblue100
Fri Mar 15, 2024 7:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much should I leave to nieces/nephews vs. siblings vs. charity I'm passionate about?
Replies: 58
Views: 4136

Re: How much should I leave to nieces/nephews vs. siblings vs. charity I'm passionate about?

Gradient Descent wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 9:24 pm It could be a very long time before you die. That token amount for nieces/nephews now in their 20s/30s could end up going to 50/60-something year olds themselves.

If you are only considering token amounts anyway, I just wouldn’t bother.
Or do it now. 15,000 in 20+ years is not nearly as useful as 10k now, to that 20 something year old. And you will be alive to see if they spent it usefully.
by goblue100
Thu Mar 14, 2024 9:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The best game-changing financial advice you ever received (or "discovered")
Replies: 120
Views: 11067

Re: The best game-changing financial advice you ever received (or "discovered")

Few things in life are expensive as divorce. A bad marriage is one.
by goblue100
Thu Mar 14, 2024 9:25 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 5M, probably enough to retire to a frugal lifestyle
Replies: 180
Views: 15177

Re: 5M, probably enough to retire to a frugal lifestyle

TheTimeLord wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 7:50 pm
goblue100 wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 7:39 pm in the words of Warren Zevon, sung by Linda Ronstadt, "poor, poor, pitiful me". I only have 1.5 million to live on. I feel like I'm a step ahead of frugal.
Also the words of Warren Zevon "There's a train leavin' nightly called "When All is Said and Done"".
Love it! I've been listening to Warren's version of Steve Winewood's Back in the High Life. Seems to fit this thread, somehow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgs6eLCaN9s
by goblue100
Thu Mar 14, 2024 7:39 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 5M, probably enough to retire to a frugal lifestyle
Replies: 180
Views: 15177

Re: 5M, probably enough to retire to a frugal lifestyle

in the words of Warren Zevon, sung by Linda Ronstadt, "poor, poor, pitiful me". I only have 1.5 million to live on. I feel like I'm a step ahead of frugal.
by goblue100
Sun Mar 10, 2024 9:09 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: At what point did you prioritize health over money?
Replies: 53
Views: 6054

Re: At what point did you prioritize health over money?

I never felt it was a choice of health or money. For me it was healthy or unhealthy. Did I want to smoke or not smoke? I finally chose to not smoke. Did I want to be really over weight, or just a little? (or not at all, but for me it appears a little is more realistic). At some point I understood that taking care of myself was more important than not. It started to look like the old saying of "if I'd known I was going to live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself" was coming true.
by goblue100
Sat Mar 09, 2024 10:12 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [Visiting Mackinac Island, Michigan with a small child]
Replies: 19
Views: 1470

Re: Mackinac Island, Michigan

You can take a horse and carriage ride to sightsee. A 1 year old is generally ambivalent to their surroundings. The island won't be much different. Keep the child fed and rested and hope for good weather.
by goblue100
Fri Mar 08, 2024 9:03 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 16 yr old - how can I best take on high risk?
Replies: 65
Views: 5233

Re: 16 yr old - how can I best take on high risk?

There was a whole thread on this option, PSLDX:
viewtopic.php?t=305950

I put some money into this that is earmarked for my heirs. They don't know they are taking on more risk, but hopefully it will be worth it.
by goblue100
Thu Mar 07, 2024 9:30 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Age 60+ AND retired? What's your asset allocation? What type of bonds/Fixed Inc instruments do you use?
Replies: 57
Views: 8456

Re: Age 60+ AND retired? What's your asset allocation? What type of bonds/Fixed Inc instruments do you use?

1. 63/62 60/35/5 (5% cash)
2. Intermediate bond fund, AGG. I used to have TIPs but simplified out of them around 2019.
3. AGG 100%. I have some CD's in my cash allocation.

I would say the most interesting thing is I never thought I would be as conservative as 60/40, but when the job went away I became more risk adverse.
by goblue100
Thu Mar 07, 2024 7:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How do you deal with online misinformation?
Replies: 28
Views: 1738

Re: How do you deal with online misinformation?

I believe in Darwinism. People who are smart enough will soon find out the advice is bad and the others won't believe you anyway.
by goblue100
Fri Mar 01, 2024 7:57 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Retirees: at what age...?
Replies: 48
Views: 5168

Re: Retirees: at what age...?

mptfan wrote: Fri Mar 01, 2024 7:14 am
goblue100 wrote: Thu Feb 29, 2024 4:02 pm Shackles, I have a few.
But then again, too few to mention. - With apologies to ol blue eyes
You should apologize to Paul Anka, he wrote that song.
True. And he is still alive, so there is that.
by goblue100
Thu Feb 29, 2024 10:13 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: HSA question
Replies: 11
Views: 1598

Re: HSA question

sailaway wrote: Thu Feb 29, 2024 5:45 pm It sounds like your wife has and FSA, rather than HSA, based on the balance being on a debit card and the limited carryover.
I wonder if she has an HRA? The fact she can carry over $500 makes me think HRA.
https://www.metlife.com/stories/benefits/hra-vs-hsa/
by goblue100
Thu Feb 29, 2024 4:02 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Retirees: at what age...?
Replies: 48
Views: 5168

Re: Retirees: at what age...?

Shackles, I have a few.
But then again, too few to mention. - With apologies to ol blue eyes

My biggest shackle is the ACA subsidy and Roth rollovers and keeping the agi under 55,000. Luckily I'm able to spend some after tax money. I feel like the shackles will really come off in two years when we are on Medicare and don't have to worry about ACA.
by goblue100
Tue Feb 27, 2024 11:00 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA Contribution
Replies: 13
Views: 1675

Re: HSA Contribution

I found two useful IRS publications for anyone interested in this topic. I'll document them here on the off chance a forum search turns up this thread.

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4942.pdf
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p969.pdf
by goblue100
Mon Feb 26, 2024 4:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA Contribution
Replies: 13
Views: 1675

Re: HSA Contribution

CFM300 wrote: Mon Feb 26, 2024 9:33 am
But I think what you're really asking is whether you have to have earned income to contribute to an HSA, and the answer is no.
This was the crux of the question that I was intending to ask. So IF I have a qualifying plan I could put money in and reduce my AGI?
And, I thank the other posters for trying to ensure I had a qualifying plan. As I said, I had assumed it was a qualifying but now I'm not sure and I'm leaning towards no.
by goblue100
Mon Feb 26, 2024 2:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA Contribution
Replies: 13
Views: 1675

Re: HSA Contribution

The deductible would qualify for 2023, as long as the plan provides no coverage under the deductible. So be sure there are no co-pays or $25 Dr. visits or anything like that. Generally a plan that is HSA qualified will have "HSA" in the plan name. If yours doesn't then you should probably assume that there is some disqualifying feature unless you are certain there is not. Thanks for the feedback. I had assumed (making an ass out of me) it was a HDHP but I can't find anything in the plan documents that says that. I guess I've been ok because I haven't made any new contributions since I left my job. I guess to be safe I shouldn't put anything in for 2023 and make sure to get a qualifying plan next open enrollment. To the person tha...
by goblue100
Mon Feb 26, 2024 10:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA Contribution
Replies: 13
Views: 1675

Re: HSA Contribution

Take5Man wrote: Sun Feb 25, 2024 6:34 pm Does your current HSA plan have a deductible of $1,600 single, $3,200 family?
It is actually 1500/3000. It is BSW Premier HMO.
InMyDreams wrote: Mon Feb 26, 2024 9:17 am And...you're not on Medicare, right?
No, not on Medicare.
Mike Scott wrote: Sun Feb 25, 2024 5:21 pm Do you have a qualifying health insurance plan?
I believe it is.
by goblue100
Sun Feb 25, 2024 5:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA Contribution
Replies: 13
Views: 1675

HSA Contribution

So my wife and I are both 62 and retired. We had no earned income other than capital gains, dividends, interest and IRA to Roth rollovers. Can I contribute some of the dividends and interest into our HSA to lower our AGI? We ended up with a little higher income than I expected and losing $4850 of AGI would help but wanted to make sure it is allowed.
by goblue100
Tue Feb 20, 2024 8:04 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help me understand my Fidelity 401(k) plan fees
Replies: 8
Views: 1087

Re: Help me understand my Fidelity 401(k) plan fees

cacophony wrote: Tue Feb 20, 2024 2:05 am I'm considering rolling a pretty large amount from my Vanguard IRAs to my Fidelity 401(k) plan

If there's a possibility they could add up to .2% after increasing my 401(k) holdings then doing the reverse rollover probably isn't a good idea.
I think its a bad idea. You have money in an IRA with no restrictions, why subject it to the whims of the 401k plan coordinator? If you want it at Fidelity just roll it into an IRA there.
by goblue100
Mon Feb 19, 2024 4:20 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is it Too Late to Invest in VTI?
Replies: 126
Views: 19018

Re: Is it Too Late to Invest in VTI?

Most of the people on this forum are investing 6 or 7 figures in VTI every day that they don't sell. Maybe Bill Gates. He is not talking about new investment he is talking about the investment you already have. Basically not selling is like buying everyday from a practical perspective because you are deciding to hold $X of that investment. I know, just having a little fun based on the way it was worded. :happy Its not the first time I've been accused of making things confusing. TheTimeLord has my meaning correct. There is no difference between someone making an initial investment or additional investment in something or holding that amount. You "buy" your portfolio every day that you don't sell it. And 6 figures could be $1,000.00
by goblue100
Mon Feb 19, 2024 10:12 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is it Too Late to Invest in VTI?
Replies: 126
Views: 19018

Re: Is it Too Late to Invest in VTI?

Most of the people on this forum are investing 6 or 7 figures in VTI every day that they don't sell.
by goblue100
Thu Feb 08, 2024 8:38 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Are any BH's not wealthy?
Replies: 165
Views: 25625

Re: Are any BH's not wealthy?

KlangFool wrote: Tue Feb 06, 2024 2:29 pm OP,

1) Average American saves less than 5% of their gross income.

2) Average BH saves a lot more than that.

3) Hence, average BH is wealthy.

4) What is your saving rate?

5) It is not about income. It is about Live Below Your Mean (LBYM).

KlangFool
This is an interesting perspective that has been highlighted for me over the past week. Spending 2 weeks in Mazatlán Mexico with my sister in law who is still working and 66. My wife and I are 62 and have been retired two years. My sister in law has:
A life coach.
a naturopath
a stylist
a therapist

We have a paid off house.

Who is wealthy? Some will pick A, some will pick B.
by goblue100
Sat Feb 03, 2024 9:45 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Do Bogleheads "Buy the Dip"?
Replies: 136
Views: 12632

Re: Do index investors "Buy the Dip"?

We feel good when we can buy something on sale, provided we can muster the courage to actually act when things are going poorly. But if we really hold cash, for say 3 or 4 years while waiting for the sale, we will likely find that our sale price is more than the entry point would have been 3 or 4 years ago.
by goblue100
Thu Feb 01, 2024 8:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do you retire when you love your work?
Replies: 163
Views: 12982

Re: How do you retire when you love your work?

Artful Dodger wrote: Thu Jan 25, 2024 10:19 am I’ll go a step further and applaud you for staying in your career, following your Hippocratic oath, and benefiting others. You put a lot of time into your medical education and I think it’s great you continue finding your work rewarding.

You’re still young. Possibly you can find some ways to introduce a little more flexibility into your career and take a little more time off.
The surgeon that replaced my knee was 70, looked 60, and I had a wonderful result. I'm glad he didn't fire. OP, it's your life. Don't retire until you are ready.
by goblue100
Thu Feb 01, 2024 8:20 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Asset allocation strategy
Replies: 37
Views: 3756

Re: Asset allocation strategy

60% equities and about 40% fixed income. It has not changed since a few years before we retired and will not change going forward. I chose about 60% equities because I can compare portfolio performance to many 60/40 target risk funds. I check the portfolio composition as described in this thread: https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=150267 Of course, what I do is personal to me and should not affect what you decide to do for yourself. Others may come along shortly and describe Larry Swedroe's "ability, willingness, and need to take risk." Now that I'm retired, I evaluated my need, ability and willingness to take risk and I also landed on 60/40 (actually 60/30/10). Early 40s, retired. 80-90% equities and 8-10 years of ...
by goblue100
Wed Jan 31, 2024 4:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Concerned my elderly parents are spending too much of retirement portfolio
Replies: 69
Views: 10421

Re: Concerned my elderly parents are spending too much of retirement portfolio

Appreciate all the advice - what I hear is 1) I shouldn’t be worried about portfolio depleting by current spending levels but 2) I should be concerned about absolute spending levels as they seem high for no go years. Thinking about #2 above a little more and my role - it’s not what my mom asked for help with and any spending investigation wouldn’t be welcomed. Another view is my Dad as a cardiologist worked his ass off until 75, built a healthy sized nest egg and I don’t have any business digging into it unless asked. I don’t have any evidence of fraud and think their spending has been around 200k per year over last decade. Is this really “none of my damned business”? Appreciate any perspective from more senior members of forum on this You...
by goblue100
Wed Jan 31, 2024 11:42 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The number one reason why investors fail
Replies: 94
Views: 15809

Re: The number one reason why investors fail

I failed to get S&P 500 returns because:
A. I invested in the full US stock market.
B. I invested internationally 18%.
C. I had money in REITS.

Do I regret my allocation? Not really, because my crystal ball was in the repair shop. Still is, for that matter. Still, I would have been better off investing as Warren Buffet said. Guess I should have listened to the real expert.
by goblue100
Mon Jan 29, 2024 3:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vanguard login, asked for phone # to send PIN?
Replies: 40
Views: 3433

Re: Vanguard - 2FA Change

It's a little hard to see below, but this the 2FA page.

"Check your phone
We sent a security code to ***-***-1234. It expires in 10 minutes.

Six-digit security code (required)
Error: Please enter a response.
Send another code
Remember me? (required)

Yes, skip security codes when you recognize me.

No, prompt me with security codes every time I log in."


There are radio buttons to select either "No, prompt me with security codes every time I log in." or
"Yes, skip security codes when you recognize me."

The No option is the default one. Is there a chance you hit the yes option inadvertently?
For what it is worth it is working normally for me.
by goblue100
Mon Jan 29, 2024 2:13 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: REITS As A Supplement to Bonds in Retirement
Replies: 77
Views: 7818

Re: REITS As A Supplement to Bonds in Retirement

...I often find myself puzzled where this "income" presumption comes from as it is a common one. Clearly it is conventional to label dividends and interest paid by assets as income to the portfolio, distinct from losses or gains in asset prices, but I don't understand why this is confused with the cash flow income in how a person raises funds to pay expenses outside the portfolio. It might be interesting to hear where this mix-up comes from... From before the end of fixed commissions on Mayday, May 1, 1975, I think! Yes, really. Before then, a typical brokerage commission for buying or selling stock was in the neighborhood of $150, plus an extra hidden fee of $0.50 for odd lot transactions. In general, it simply was not feasible ...
by goblue100
Mon Jan 29, 2024 9:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommendations needed for dental insurance for someone with no dental plan
Replies: 31
Views: 2811

Re: Recommendations needed for dental insurance for someone with no dental plan

I visit the dentist of my choice and pay out of pocket. After trying various dental plans I found this to provide flexibility in where I visit and not more expensive when factoring in the insurance premiums I no longer pay. This is what I do. I tried some insurance but once I figured out what it really covered which appeared not to be much I was just better off on my own. My dentist has a yearly plan for out of pocketers. It is slightly less than two out of pocket cleanings and x rays and I think he will give 10% off any work needed. I've done this the last two years. All dental insurance sucks. 100% - no exceptions. Don't buy it. I did not realize this was everyone else's experience as well. Makes me feel better I'm not missing something.
by goblue100
Thu Jan 25, 2024 7:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone wished they had worked a few more years before retiring?
Replies: 89
Views: 14576

Re: Anyone wished they had worked a few more years before retiring?

I didn't have nearly as good a situation or incentive to keep working as you did. I managed to make it to 2 months short of 60 before pulling the plug. If I were you, I'd try to keep working while taking some expensive trips as vacations, if that is something you are considering once retired. It's easier to do it while you have a job and can recover some of the cash. Try a fake retirement using as much vacation as you are allowed.
by goblue100
Thu Jan 25, 2024 7:20 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 20% bond allocation: BND or US treasury note better?
Replies: 28
Views: 3015

Re: 20% bond allocation: BND or US treasury note better?

z3r0c00l wrote: Thu Jan 25, 2024 7:06 am I much prefer the simplicity and liquidity of the mutual fund or ETF. The impact of changing interest rates may be less visible in your ladder, but I assure you it is there. A bond paying 1% less for 5 years is absolutely losing out on 5% over a new bond paying 1% more. This is true of CD ladders also. That the principal doesn't change if held to maturity is just a distraction from what is happening to your total return.
I agree with this post 100%. All the hand wringing over BND's bad year is overdone. We have already recovered a bunch of the decline once rates stopped rising.
by goblue100
Wed Jan 24, 2024 1:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Washington Post: "That 'free' annual checkup might cost you"
Replies: 112
Views: 11772

Re: Washington Post: "That 'free' annual checkup might cost you"

Peter Opaskar, 46, of Texas, went to his primary-care doctor this year for his preventive-care visit — as he’d done before, at no cost. This time, his insurer paid $130.81 for the visit, but he also received a perplexing bill for $111.81. Opaskar learned that he had incurred the additional charge because when his doctor asked if he had any health concerns, he mentioned that he was having digestive problems but had already made an appointment with his gastroenterologist. So, the office explained, his visit was billed as both a preventive physical and a consultation. “Next year,” Opasker said in an interview, if he’s asked about health concerns, “I’ll say ‘no,’ even if I have a gunshot wound.” I had this same experience. I mentioned I was ha...
by goblue100
Tue Jan 23, 2024 12:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Most popular boglehead withdrawal strategy
Replies: 117
Views: 12896

Re: Most popular boglehead withdrawal strategy

I'm using the goblue100 + VPW smart strategy. VPW is used to set a yearly cap and a monthly goal. I've been under that amount most months of my 3 year so far retirement. I could spend more but haven't needed to do so, so far. Going to Mexico this spring and hope to get to Europe soon. Pretty much what fortunefavored says:
fortunefavored wrote: Tue Jan 23, 2024 11:57 am I think if you ask Bogleheads who are actually retired and spending from their portfolio, the answer is "they spend whatever they feel like spending."
by goblue100
Tue Jan 23, 2024 10:42 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Sell Bond Fund Now, Never, or Later?
Replies: 49
Views: 4692

Re: Sell Bond Fund Now, Never, or Later?

You have my permission. I ran a back test of the two portfolios and there is virtually no difference in performance:
https://www.portfoliovisualizer.com/bac ... xKzTDxlFkw

An 8% allocation to bonds doesn't really move the needle.

Just for grins I included a 3rd allocation, no cash and 17% bonds. It outperformed the other two.
https://www.portfoliovisualizer.com/bac ... TaHTPWRS2V
by goblue100
Sun Jan 21, 2024 7:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Re-Assessing Risk at 50
Replies: 42
Views: 4700

Re: Re-Assessing Risk at 50

Anyone else out there around 50? What's your risk profile look like? My husband and I have about 15 years to retire. We have just in the past couple years taken over control of our investments. We're at about 60% stocks and 30% bonds 10% cash across all accounts with a total investment portfolio of around 1.2 million. Lately I've been feeling that this is too conservative. Since we're relatively new I'm having a hard time understanding why we're so heavily invested in bonds. This is a leftover from when we had an advisor who recommended 60/40. It was my understanding then that bonds and stocks were not correlated. Lately it seems like bonds go down just as much as stocks but don't nearly match stocks when stocks rise. At the very least I f...
by goblue100
Sat Jan 20, 2024 11:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: It Does not Seem to Make Sense for Me to Ever Pay Home off Early
Replies: 51
Views: 5595

Re: It Does not Seem to Make Sense for Me to Ever Pay Home off Early

Silverado wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 6:27 pm Given that additional info, I would just make payments on schedule for now. Check back in in a few years.

I would try and get a little taxable account going. Starting that 30 years ago has been a great thing for our portfolio.
My .02, I'd split the difference and make one or two extra payments a year. Shorten the loan life while not putting your life on hold to aggressively pay off the loan. An after tax investment account can add a lot of flexibility when it comes time to withdraw money to live on. I don't think holding a 6.75% mortgage is a no brainer like a 3% mortgage was.
by goblue100
Tue Jan 16, 2024 10:28 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Would Disappointed BND Investors Have Been More Satisfied with a Short-Duration Fund (e.g. BSV)?
Replies: 455
Views: 26207

Re: Would Disappointed BND Investors Have Been More Satisfied with a Short-Duration Fund (e.g. BSV)?

lakpr wrote: Tue Jan 16, 2024 7:54 am
Again, all these reasons are only coming up now. Show me posts on these forums, dated prior to 2021, that highlighted that BND / Total Bond funds can lose *significant* value!

If your intent is to make the point that I was an idiot to invest in Total Bond fund, I am fully admitting that I am.
They are out there. It took me 4 or 5 minutes to find this post:
viewtopic.php?p=4860927#p4860927

There are plenty of other ones out there, but if you don't know to search for them they wouldn't be obvious.
by goblue100
Mon Jan 08, 2024 6:06 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: “You’ll know when the right time is to retire”
Replies: 69
Views: 9208

Re: “You’ll know when the right time is to retire”

I had a decent desk job in the tech industry, but it was not hard to see the signs on the wall that most things were getting worse(more big brother, fewer people for the same amount of work). I was probably mentally done 18 months before Covid hit. In October of 2020 they asked for volunteers for the next layoff. I raised my hand and in November got laid off. Obviously I also had "enough" I felt, but by many standards here I'm probably woefully underfunded at around 30x. Don't regret it one bit. I remember reading something on here by someone who's name I have lost, but he or she said you are essentially selling your time to your company and at some point you have to decide if your time is worth more than you can make. Because whi...
by goblue100
Sun Jan 07, 2024 5:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: SS one time payment
Replies: 6
Views: 1243

Re: SS one time payment

We applied in October to start my wife's SS in January, first payment in February. She did not get a sign up bonus. Can you send us half of yours? :)
by goblue100
Sat Jan 06, 2024 12:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Feeling overwhelmed by investment/retirement planning
Replies: 12
Views: 1806

Re: Feeling overwhelmed by investment/retirement planning

2ct wrote: Sat Jan 06, 2024 10:58 am Certain we are doing this all wrong and all that money could be going to better use,
Well, if you are doing it all wrong, how do you think the 92% of Americans who are doing worse than you at your age feel?
According to this calculator, you are in the top 10% net worth for your age group.
https://dqydj.com/net-worth-by-age-calculator/
The point I'm trying to make is, stop being overwhelmed, and take small steps to get to where you want to be. But you are doing great so far.
My one piece of advice would be to put some money in Roth but I'm not 100 sure if that is the best advice for you are the 19% tax level. I only offer it because I wish I had more in Roth and less in IRA now at the age of 63.
by goblue100
Wed Jan 03, 2024 9:58 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Appointment with local Fidelity Rep: should I bother?
Replies: 74
Views: 17592

Re: Appointment with local Fidelity Rep: should I bother?

Occasionally, it is useful to have a living breathing contact at the local office. That's what I figured, I'm not always patient with pushy salespeople though, and I can't always help myself from enjoying a bout of sparring, so it could backfire and burn that contact right then :P Quite curious as to what their approach is to something more tax-efficient than a couple of broad stock market index funds will be... The only thing I can think of is Tax Loss Harvesting, but I do that too... I was offered a free portfolio review or some such at Fidelity. I went with my wife for a couple of reasons, I was about to be laid off at 59.8 and wasn't planning on going back to work, and I was looking for a contact for my wife in case I passed sooner tha...
by goblue100
Mon Jan 01, 2024 8:29 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Porfolio Post
Replies: 6
Views: 1045

Re: Porfolio Post

I tried to make sense of your portfolio but was having a hard time understanding how much is in each account. Also I don't see where you mention annual expenses, 3.9M sounds like a lot but if you are spending 300k a year, not so much. Anyway, my .02: 1. 15% of 3.9M is 585K. I would try to stay under the 24% bracket, provided you have enough Roth Money. 2. I didn't see your wife's age in OP, is her health condition a factor in her expected life span? Your plan for her to takeover sounds as likely as any. Try to make sure all accounts are listed somewhere with id's and passwords (I know that is a security issue, keep it safe!) Search this web site for "death book" and you will see many idea's of how to provide info for surviving lov...
by goblue100
Sun Dec 31, 2023 7:45 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Wellesly vs BND & VTI
Replies: 4
Views: 1300

Re: Wellesly vs BND & VTI

Am I understanding correctly that you will pay your expenses only with the distributions?
If 20% of your portfolio invested in a fund that pays 5% a year is enough to cover your expenses, you have no worries. Just as an example, if your expenses are 25K a year you need 500k in Wellesley. That leaves 2 million in your portfolio. If expenses are 100k you need 2 million in Wellesley which leaves 8 million in your portfolio. You have something like 100x expenses, unless I misunderstood something.

Your plan will work fine, but you are probably living "poorer" than you need to.
One more thought, VWIAX only pays distributions quarterly, and the biggest distribution will be at year end. Might lead to some issues since bills are monthly.
by goblue100
Sun Dec 31, 2023 2:15 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Do you view portfolio risk differently when you retired
Replies: 32
Views: 3804

Re: Do you view portfolio risk differently when you retired

They way that I look at it is that when you voluntarily retire you pretty much by definition have "enough" so doing something like investing aggressively and having twice as much ten years from now will not really have a big impact on your lifestyle. The problem is that if you invest aggressively and lose half of your money then your lifestyle could be badly impacted. Basically at some point there is little reason to be aggressive. I agree with above. So there comes a point where you look at your portfolio and your expenses and lets say it is 23X. For me that was about the age of 57. That was the point I started looking at things differently and started moving money into bonds. I wouldn't call it anxiety, exactly, but I was aware...
by goblue100
Sun Dec 31, 2023 1:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Should my AA change if I have significant annuity income?
Replies: 24
Views: 2355

Re: Should my AA change if I have significant annuity income?

($1m in an immediate annuity with an 8% payout rate, and $200k in a pension that I would defer until I'm 70. SS also deferred until I'm 70, and then paying me $48k/year.) Something isn't adding up for me. You are looking for 130k a year, right? Surely these 3 items alone add up to 130k once you are 70, mostly inflation protected. That leaves 1.9M plus 500k house equity to bridge to 70 plus enhance lifestyle along the way. Seems like plenty. I'm doing pretty much the same thing(retired at 60, looking for 80k a year) without the 1M annuity or 200k pension and so far so good @ 63. Anyway, to answer the OP, you can take more risk, if you want. But with no legacy needs or wants I don't see why you would. Especially with bonds paying around 5%.