Search found 229 matches

by nbseer
Sun Mar 27, 2022 11:42 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Customer Service Mega-thread
Replies: 1514
Views: 169549

Re: Vanguard Customer Service Mega-thread

I tried to move my entire Fidelity IRA holdings to my Vanguard Ira. Filled out all the paperwork and mailed it to Vanguard's office. Month later, still hadn't happened, Vanguard claimed they were still 'waiting for paperwork to arrive". So I did the opposite, moved my Vanguard holdings to Fidelity! No longer a Vanguard customer. :happy
by nbseer
Mon Feb 21, 2022 6:50 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Thanks to pension no need for any stocks?
Replies: 42
Views: 4269

Re: Thanks to pension no need for any stocks?

OP here. Private industry DB pension. 70 years old. Already taking SS. Haven't touched tIRA or Roth. Main goal now is dealing with taxes. Plan to do QCDs once RMDs start.
by nbseer
Mon Feb 21, 2022 5:40 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Thanks to pension no need for any stocks?
Replies: 42
Views: 4269

Thanks to pension no need for any stocks?

I'm lucky to have a DB pension that gives me enough every month to cover living expenses. no increase for inflation tho'. Isn't this virtually the same as earning that same amount in stocks every month? (except pension is guaranteed, stocks can go down!) So since I have the ability but not the need or desire to take risk, I could leave my entire tIRA in a money market (even tho' it would lose a bit of value due to inflation.
by nbseer
Sat Feb 19, 2022 9:30 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: please explain this [Why do you need stocks to keep up with inflation?]
Replies: 31
Views: 2894

please explain this [Why do you need stocks to keep up with inflation?]

I'm always reading how you 'have to be in stocks' to keep up with inflation. Well, VTI and the market in general is down around 10% so far just this year. Would have been better off just sitting in a lame money-market fund.
by nbseer
Thu Jan 27, 2022 5:58 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Transferring from Fidelity to Vanguard.. mistake?
Replies: 31
Views: 4476

Re: Transferring from Fidelity to Vanguard.. mistake?

OP here:

My Vanguard account includes a special needs trust, Roth IRA, etc... so thought it would simplify things consolidating it all at Vanguard. Also don't like that when you log into Fidelity it tells you how much you made or lost that day.. don't need that thrown in my face daily.

Cmon,,, I thought all you Bogleheads were big Vanguard fans!
by nbseer
Thu Jan 27, 2022 5:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Transferring from Fidelity to Vanguard.. mistake?
Replies: 31
Views: 4476

Transferring from Fidelity to Vanguard.. mistake?

3 weeks ago i mailed the proper and completed Vanguard forms to transfer my IRA from Fidelity into my existing Vanguard IRA.
Today I checked Vanguard online.. my status for the transfer is "waiting for client paperwork".

I mailed this 'paperwork' 3 weeks ago.. from New Jersey to the Vanguard office in El Paso Tx. It's probably sitting in a huge pile of unopened mail in El Paso.

I tried calling Vanguard but hold time was over half an hour.. gave up. Am I making a mistake? Just trying to consolidate my IRAs before RMDs start.
by nbseer
Tue Dec 28, 2021 8:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I bond questions
Replies: 7
Views: 868

I bond questions

Taking the great advice on this board, just bought my first $10,000 I bond from treasury direct. To buy another one in 2022, should I wait until interest rates go up in April/May? Or should I just buy more in January, will the rate automatically go up later? Also, how long do most people hold these I bonds before redemption? Thanks.
by nbseer
Mon Aug 30, 2021 12:22 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity trading problem
Replies: 4
Views: 762

Fidelity trading problem

I logged onto my Fidelity page to sell a stock in my IRA. A popup screen appeared on the left side, took me through everything (how many shares to sell,, at the market, etc.) had me preview the transaction. Then it says "submit order" but no submit order ever appears.. I disabled all popup blockers. still never saw a tab to click on to "submit order". I guess its a good thing cause while I was trying to figure this out the stock went up! Tried to call Fidelity, it was almost as frustrating as calling Vanguard! Guess this forces me to be a 'buy and hold" investor. :confused
by nbseer
Fri Jul 16, 2021 7:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Do Roth Conversions Make a Difference? (i-ORP Doesn't Think So)
Replies: 82
Views: 10006

Re: Do Roth Conversions Make a Difference? (i-ORP Doesn't Think So)

Roth $$ is perfect as a tax-free emergency fund, assuming you are converting only up to 12% bracket and your pre-tax IRA is big enough for heirs that they don't need the Roth.
by nbseer
Sat Jul 10, 2021 7:56 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard checkwriting
Replies: 6
Views: 1358

Vanguard checkwriting

Got email from Vanguard about checkwriting, they will get rid of it unless you go to messages and request it continue. Isn't this checkwriting how account holders are able to make QCDs to charities? And without checkwriting how would you do a qcd?
by nbseer
Sun Jul 04, 2021 9:12 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Dividends in Retirement Accounts
Replies: 27
Views: 3161

Re: Dividends in Retirement Accounts

With CD/bond fund rates effectively at zero, I buy and hold forever stocks paying dividends of 3% or more in my IRA. Not taxed until withdrawal, and at least I'm making decent interest.
by nbseer
Sun May 23, 2021 3:08 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Clarification of the 'need, ability, and willingness' framework
Replies: 206
Views: 23475

Re: Clarification of the 'need, ability, and willingness' framework

So how do you deal with the incessant mantra from the so-called "experts" that you need stocks to deal with inflation? When you can comfortably survive in retirement on social security and a pension, with ample amount in IRA for heirs/charity.
by nbseer
Wed May 19, 2021 11:49 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Does this strategy make sense?
Replies: 5
Views: 546

Does this strategy make sense?

Stock in tIRA has had big gains. Sell this stock in tIRA and immediately buy it in my Roth IRA? Any further gains would be tax-free, as opposed to paying income tax if left in tIRA.
by nbseer
Sat May 08, 2021 4:30 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Critique my dividend stock strategy
Replies: 71
Views: 13488

Critique my dividend stock strategy

69, retired, married. With my CD's now maturing, and interest rates virtually zero for CDs or bond funds, I've been buying stocks of companies that pay healthy dividends in the 2% to 5% range, in most cases increasing dividends year to year. They are in my Roth and tIRAs. Plan on never selling them. Isnt this better than a bond fund, which pays virtually nothing and has an ER to boot?
by nbseer
Mon Mar 29, 2021 10:30 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Buying dividend stocks
Replies: 40
Views: 6347

Buying dividend stocks

With bond fund interest rates so low, is there anything wrong in retirement with buying high dividend stocks and holding them forever? Seems a lot of people think buying stocks just for the dividends is a bad idea. I'm talking stocks that would hopefully not cut their dividends.
by nbseer
Tue Mar 23, 2021 7:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7650
Views: 1724198

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

Anything by Peter Hessler. He's lived in and written about China and Egypt. A great writer who learns the language and establishes relationships with the people. A mix of sociology and journalism.
by nbseer
Fri Mar 12, 2021 7:05 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Yikes! Why did TIPS funds plummet?
Replies: 22
Views: 3688

Yikes! Why did TIPS funds plummet?

There are signs of inceasing inflations everywhere: Gas prices way up over the last month.. food stores and restaurants raising prices apparently to make up losses over the last year.. the economy finallly starting to recover, people spending more money etc.

So why did TIPS funds drop like a rock today?
by nbseer
Wed Nov 25, 2020 5:34 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard lack of communication!
Replies: 3
Views: 590

Re: Vanguard lack of communication!

Thanks for that.. must have missed the notification, but still, they send messages all the time would have been nice to get one about this.
by nbseer
Wed Nov 25, 2020 5:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard lack of communication!
Replies: 3
Views: 590

Vanguard lack of communication!

Routinely checking a trust account we hold for our daughter at Vanguard, noticed over $6000 suddenly vanished! Said it was requested by our daughter, who did no such thing.

Called Vanguard and they told me the NJ municipal bond fund was liquidated, and they are sending me a check. No notice or warning from Vanguard that I recall that this was happening. Guy says PA municipal bond fund was also liquidated.

Would have been nice to get a communication from Vanguard that this was happening, instead of me randomly noticing a big chunk of money was gone from the trust account.
by nbseer
Sun Aug 23, 2020 8:08 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: CD being called.. bummer!
Replies: 25
Views: 3090

Re: CD being called.. bummer!

Fidelity sent me an email alert I have mostly CDs in my Ira, haven't gotten notices about any others.. yet!
by nbseer
Sun Aug 23, 2020 7:10 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: CD being called.. bummer!
Replies: 25
Views: 3090

CD being called.. bummer!

A 1.9% cd held in my Fidelity IRA is being called early... doesn't mature until 2022. Guess the issuing bank doesn't want to pay me 1.9% anymore since rates have dropped so much. So do I just keep the money parked in a money market paying essentially nothing?
by nbseer
Mon Aug 10, 2020 5:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity just got me all steamed up!
Replies: 9
Views: 1713

Re: Fidelity just got me all steamed up!

What really annoyed me was the Fidelity agent, who insisted on my account number before he could help me. Never had any complaints about Fidelity until this. I have my IRA money evenly divided between Vanguard and Fidelity.
by nbseer
Mon Aug 10, 2020 5:39 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity just got me all steamed up!
Replies: 9
Views: 1713

Fidelity just got me all steamed up!

Friday put in a market order to buy a Fidelity mutual fund.. should have gone through at 4pm closing. When i checked my Fidelity account webpage, says order is 'open'.. looks like it never happened.

Then, when I called their 800 number and talked to an agent, this guy was useless. He kept asking me for my account number, which was not where he thought it would be on the account page. I finally just hung up, still don't know whether I bought that fund or not!
by nbseer
Fri May 22, 2020 6:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Has anyone ever used their Emergency Fund?
Replies: 92
Views: 9418

Re: Has anyone ever used their Emergency Fund?

I use my Roth conversions as an emergency fund. Comes in handy when I need quick cash for a large expense and it's tax-free.
by nbseer
Wed May 06, 2020 6:18 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Divergence of S&P 500 and Nasdaq
Replies: 5
Views: 642

Divergence of S&P 500 and Nasdaq

Noticed in recent days.. even when Dow or S&P 500 are down big-time, the Nasdaq keeps going up and up. What does this portend? It would seem with the Covid shutdowns, small companies would be hurt more than the big ones...
by nbseer
Mon May 04, 2020 3:16 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Fed buying Corporate Bond ETFs
Replies: 90
Views: 6327

Re: The Fed buying Corporate Bond ETFs

So does this mean BND would be a prudent investment at this time?
by nbseer
Wed Apr 15, 2020 9:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: IRS Get My Payment up and running
Replies: 369
Views: 32737

Re: IRS Get My Payment up and running

If you're already receiving SS payments through direct deposit to your checking account, isn't this supposed to happened automatically? Do I have to fill out and submit that form with bank routing number, AGI, etc?
by nbseer
Thu Mar 19, 2020 7:31 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: thank you Bill Bernstein: "If You've Won the Game, Stop Playing"
Replies: 51
Views: 8795

Re: thank you Bill Bernstein: "If You've Won the Game, Stop Playing"

Retired now, but when I worked, it was for a company who's owner wanted to sell it off. During the 90's the stock went up and up, I made my money, interest rates were much higher than they are now so I pretty much bailed on stocks and stuck to fixed income. Stayed with it during the booms and busts of the 2000s ..and during the 2009-2020 ''recovery'. It was annoying to watch the market soar to new records seemingly every day but I figured since I had 'won the game', didn't need to play. Mostly in CDs now, don't make much but don't lose anything either.
by nbseer
Fri Mar 13, 2020 8:15 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Are stocks on sale?
Replies: 88
Views: 5536

Re: Are stocks on sale?

"... buying stock at a 20% discount..."

A 20% discount to when the dow was an insanely-overinflated 29,000???

Who says the Dow will be back at 29,000 anytime soon, after the full economic impact of what we're going through now is felt?
by nbseer
Thu Mar 12, 2020 3:45 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Would trying to time this downturn be a mistake?
Replies: 45
Views: 3170

Re: Would trying to time this downturn be a mistake?

"...I already know that riding it out will *eventually* result in getting back to previous levels..."

"Previous levels"??? LIke back to Dow 29,000? How do you "know" that? :confused
by nbseer
Thu Mar 05, 2020 8:34 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Be fearful when others are greedy. Be greedy when others are fearful.
Replies: 129
Views: 11546

Re: Be fearful when others are greedy. Be greedy when others are fearful.

The market impact of the coronavirus will be felt when companies and wall street anaylists start revealing their downgrades because of the global hunkering down. Stocks will go down, big question is how much will they then recover. Valuations were already high before the coronovirus came along. Does anyone really think the Dow will again approach 30,000???
by nbseer
Thu Mar 05, 2020 8:22 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Lamenting time lost and squandered opportunities
Replies: 31
Views: 3432

Re: Lamenting time lost and squandered opportunities

The best remedy for lamenting time lost and squandered opportunities is to do the things you dream of doing when you can do it, not put off for later. My wife and I managed to visit most of the places we wanted to when I was still working 20 years ago. Now, retired and glad we were able to have those experiences before physical ailments, and the increasing discomfort of travel set in.

Everyone makes money mistakes, you try to get over it and move on.
by nbseer
Fri Feb 21, 2020 11:49 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth Conversions - income levels/tax % levels - is there a cutoff rule?
Replies: 46
Views: 5664

Re: Roth Conversions - income levels/tax % levels - is there a cutoff rule?

I've been converting $50,000/year from pre-tax IRA to my Roth for the last few years (I'm 68 and am taking SS which pays for the tax on the conversions). Taking advantage of the current low tax rates, and before my RMDs start along with a pension I have delayed taking. Rather than leave the Roth to my kids (they'll get enough from the pre-tax IRA), I use the Roth money as an emergency fund, or take a few thousand out a year to supplement my SS income. It's tax free to withdraw.
by nbseer
Mon Oct 28, 2019 8:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vanguard Web Site Interface
Replies: 15
Views: 1753

Re: Vanguard Web Site Interface

Looks like a lame attempt at an upgrade or redesign? Glad I still have a fidelity account!
by nbseer
Sat Oct 26, 2019 7:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: TaxAct Discounts for 2019 version
Replies: 35
Views: 4199

Re: TaxAct Discounts for 2019 version

Another vote for FreeTaxUsa. Free for federal, $14.99 for N.J. state return.
by nbseer
Tue Sep 17, 2019 9:25 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Why have bond funds been dropping?
Replies: 4
Views: 1069

Why have bond funds been dropping?

Explain to me this: with the fed cutting interest rates, and people like Alan Greenspan predicting 'negative' interest rates, why have bond funds and etfs been dropping in value in recent weeks? You would think with yields dropping and predictions of a coming recession they would be rising in value.
by nbseer
Mon Sep 16, 2019 5:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Early SS to pay Roth convert taxes?
Replies: 24
Views: 3250

Re: Early SS to pay Roth convert taxes?

This is exactly what I've been doing.. started taking SS at 65, using it to live on and also pay taxes on Roth conversions. Not touching my tIRA yet.. but then again, I'm fortunate to have a pension that I will probably start taking at age 70 .
by nbseer
Wed Jul 24, 2019 6:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [Marcus Savings Account - Interest rate is now 0.5%]
Replies: 254
Views: 38382

Re: Marcus Bank 1% Bonus for New Funds up to $50k ($500 bonus)

with Vanguard federal money market VMFXX paying a 7-day SEC yeild of 2.26%, is this promotion really worth all the moving money around, setting up a new account, etc? Seems like a lot of work for not much more return.
by nbseer
Wed Jun 26, 2019 7:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: IRA to ROTH convert or not?
Replies: 14
Views: 1485

Re: IRA to ROTH convert or not?

Since you're already taking SS, use that money to pay the taxes on Roth conversions. Having a nice amount in your Roth can be used tax-free for an emergency fund, for a car, new roof, etc.
by nbseer
Mon May 13, 2019 7:45 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Social security should you take early if you don’t need the money?
Replies: 24
Views: 3471

Re: Social security should you take early if you don’t need the money?

Be aware of the 'tax torpedo', especially if you are fortunate to have a pension and a large amount in a pre-tax IRA. Add a delayed and increased SS to that at age 70 and you will get slammed when you have to start taking RMDs.

I started taking SS at 65, to use for paying the tax on Roth conversions, and also to allow my much-lower earning DW to begin receiving spousal benefits based on my larger earnings. Instead of delaying SS, I am delaying pension, which increases the longer I wait to start it.

I did not have any after-tax money to pay the Roth conversion tax, so figured I would start SS for that purpose.
by nbseer
Sun May 05, 2019 8:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard, Fidelity and cybercriminals
Replies: 13
Views: 2855

Vanguard, Fidelity and cybercriminals

Interesting 60 Minutes report tonight on how easy it is for cybercriminals to hack into computer networks of cities, hospitals, etc, and encrypt and hold data hostage unless ransom is paid.

I would assume that Vanguard, Fidelity, etc have the latest 'state of the art' systems to prevent something like this from invading and messing with our holdings. Anyone here have specific knowledge of just how secure these huge fund companies are to protect us?
by nbseer
Sun Apr 14, 2019 7:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Talk me in/out of $35k Tesla Model 3
Replies: 286
Views: 29614

Re: Talk me in/out of $35k Tesla Model 3

Another issue with Tesla could be getting repairs. With questionable status of Tesla dealerships, where do you take your vehicle when something goes wrong. Hearing stories of it taking weeks, even months to get a problem fixed.
by nbseer
Sat Apr 06, 2019 8:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Bond fund, CD, or ?
Replies: 9
Views: 1670

Re: Bond fund, CD, or ?

My tIRA is almost all in CD's one to two year duration. They seem to be paying about the same as short term bond funds, without the danger of losing value if rates starting going up again. Also, and someone correct me if I'm wrong, but unlike a bond fund where you pay an expense ratio, with a CD you don't pay that fee.
by nbseer
Tue Feb 12, 2019 8:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: No fees (ER) on CDs??
Replies: 7
Views: 575

Re: No fees (ER) on CDs??

All my CDs are in IRA (no taxes on interest) and I hold them to maturity so no early redemption penalty.
by nbseer
Tue Feb 12, 2019 7:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: No fees (ER) on CDs??
Replies: 7
Views: 575

No fees (ER) on CDs??

Most of my tIRA is invested in CD's at both Vanguard and Fidelity. Am I correct in thinking that, unlike investing in a bond or stock fund, no expenses are taken from CD investments? And if that's true, with even 1-year CD's now earning almost 2.5%, why would anyone have money in a short-term bond fund if expenses are being taken out?
by nbseer
Sat Feb 02, 2019 12:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is roth conversion worth it in all cases?
Replies: 87
Views: 11387

Re: Is roth conversion worth it in all cases?

If youre fortunate enough to get a pension that increases in value if you hold off claiming it, take SS at your full retirement age and use that for living expenses and also to pay taxes on Roth conversions (if it's enough). That way, you get your SS money and use it to pay those taxes, while reducing the tIRA amount that will be subject to RMD at age 70 1/2.
by nbseer
Sun Jan 13, 2019 4:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Keeping up with inflation?
Replies: 19
Views: 3493

Keeping up with inflation?

Everything I read says you've got to invest in stocks to 'keep up with inflation'. But doesn't it all come down to what you spend money on? Gas is dependant on oil prices, and right now gas where I live in NJ is just over $2 a gallon. Same thing with food.. buy the store brands and what's on sale, use coupons, and inflation doesn't seem to be a factor here either.

Sure, one of these days inflation could be more substantial, but to mindlessly follow the " put money in stocks to keep up with inflation" doesn't seem very appropo these days.. what am I missing? :confused
by nbseer
Sun Dec 30, 2018 5:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Budgeting for unexpected and capital expenses in retirement
Replies: 15
Views: 1536

Re: Budgeting for unexpected and capital expenses in retirement

I've been converting from tIRA to Roth IRA for the last few years while I'm at a lower tax bracket. I have used the Roth as tax-free money to pay for a new car, new roof, and anything else that suddenly is needed.
by nbseer
Sat Dec 22, 2018 8:09 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bonds this year: a case for staying the course
Replies: 13
Views: 1890

Re: Bonds this year: a case for staying the course

Why not get rid of the bonds and buy one-year CDs.. they're paying around 2.7%.. way more than a money market, no risk of going down in price like bonds when rates rise, and a year from now, when that CD is redeemed, rates are likely to be higher than they are now..
by nbseer
Sat Dec 08, 2018 4:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What am I not getting about the value of TIPS funds?
Replies: 23
Views: 2698

What am I not getting about the value of TIPS funds?

To be honest I've never understood why retired folks should load up on TIPS funds/etfs. Not much inflation right now, short-term one year CDs paying close to 3 percent, TIPS seem to be hit by interest rate hikes just as badly as bonds, and such wimpy returns!

Average annual returns

VAIPX Inflation-Protect Sec Adm*

One year -1.07%
Three years 1.52%

Can someone please tell me why I should load up on TIPS at this time, when returns are negative? :confused