Search found 34 matches

by AlaskanWolf
Mon Sep 08, 2014 12:10 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Please help. Been here before but have been frozen
Replies: 9
Views: 1652

Re: Please help. Been here before but have been frozen

I'm back in the blasted hospital and as when I went to the ER I thought I'd just get some antibiotics not get two IVS and another chance to sample hospital cuisine am limited to using my Galaxy phone. The laptop is safe at home with the Cat. I can't do a good job answering the really great replies to me. I have both the books suggested and have read most of them. Along with a couple of video costs from what used to be called The Learning Channel. I did spend time reading the posts to me earlier in the year. But about the only things I've done was to fire the Morgan Stanley adviser and get an online savings accounts. I had some idea that interest rates were likely to climb above the historically lower numbers we have and annuity rates would ...
by AlaskanWolf
Sun Sep 07, 2014 7:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Please help. Been here before but have been frozen
Replies: 9
Views: 1652

Re: Please help. Been here before but have been frozen

I'll look at them. I wonder if that during the last 6 months there might be different funds to invest in.
by AlaskanWolf
Sun Sep 07, 2014 6:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Please help. Been here before but have been frozen
Replies: 9
Views: 1652

Please help. Been here before but have been frozen

I've posted here before about 4 months ago. Since then all I've done is put my principal into online banks earning about .95APR. I'm 64 retired disabled. I receive $1394 monthly as Social Security Disability. And I currently have about $269,000 in cash assets. Some time in October I will receive a amortize payment of my share of my Father's pension. These funds will be taxable. The expected amount is around $21,500. I will receive a total of 5 payments every October for a total of 5 years. In April I expect my mother's accounts to be finalized and to receive about an additional $45,000. I estimate my current monthly expenses including rent utilities food medicine and doctors bills to be about $2500 . Previously I had income from a part time...
by AlaskanWolf
Mon Apr 14, 2014 10:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I Really Would Appreciate Your Advice!
Replies: 72
Views: 6368

Re: Mother Of Bog! I'm Uncertain/Frightened To Buy Fund

Also I have begun a conversation with an DFA advisor. He's paid a flat 1% quarterly. Despite my best efforts to educate myself I've found that as when I got my Microsoft System Engineering Cert it's one thing to have "Book Larning" another to have twenty years experience. I've been pretty impressed by this fellow. And he does give me access to Dimensional's Funds. But at 1%... That shoudl be criminal. 1% quarterly is essentially the same as your entire safe withdrawal rate of 4% per year - you're giving him all of your money in the long term. I'm "impressed" with his ability to get you to like him while he takes all of your money! One more vote for 50-50 those two funds, or an SPIA (though I don't understand the latter ...
by AlaskanWolf
Mon Apr 14, 2014 9:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I Really Would Appreciate Your Advice!
Replies: 72
Views: 6368

Re: Mother Of Bog! I'm Uncertain/Frightened To Buy Fund

Well, I can't pass up helping a fellow Alaskan. If you are not so concerned about leaving money behind at death, you might consider using $100K or so to buy an inflation indexed SPIA, which at your age, would guarantee you an inflation-indexed return of around 5% from now until death. Keep an emergency fund in cash, and put the rest into a simple portfolio and get on with your life. You certainly shouldn't need to spend 20 hours a week on investing ever again.[/quote] Thanks Doc! Could I ask if you are in Anchorage and if so do you work at Hospital A or Hospital P? I ask as I have spent an inordinate amount of time in Hospital P's ER these past months. What I am going to have as of the end of the month is likely to be something like $265,0...
by AlaskanWolf
Sun Apr 13, 2014 11:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I Really Would Appreciate Your Advice!
Replies: 72
Views: 6368

Re: Mother Of Bog! I'm Uncertain/Frightened To Buy Fund

Thanks folks! I do not want to live off of the $21,500 a year payment. It's how I'm being paid my share of my Fathers pension and I intend to put it toward my investment capital. I have ONLY my $1400 a month SSDI for income now and am renting a house. My rent is just under $1000 a month. Rent here in Anchorage is VERY expensive and I am paying what an apartment would go for but have a 2 bedroom 2 story HOUSE. If it's 4AM and I feel the need for Led Zeppelin at 100DB no problemo... A question, just what WOULD be a reasonable percentage to expect an investment into one of these funds would produce? I gather there is NO guarantee of course. But if I had say $150,000 invested into one of these what could I expect? Is it paid quarterly, annually...
by AlaskanWolf
Sun Apr 13, 2014 9:29 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: My financial advisor doubt
Replies: 40
Views: 9540

Re: My financial advisor doubt

kenner wrote:DFA is one of the finest investment firms on the planet.
Do you mean Dimensional?
by AlaskanWolf
Sun Apr 13, 2014 9:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I Really Would Appreciate Your Advice!
Replies: 72
Views: 6368

Mother Of Bog! I'm Uncertain/Frightened To Buy Fund

[Thread merged into here, see below (next page) --admin LadyGeek] OK! At this moment I have a tad over $160,000 in my checking account earning ZERO. And I am expecting at least another $100,000 to be sent me this month. I have been reading, watching videos, and the TV trying to learn about investing for at leas t 5 hours every day for the past week. I have been especially interested in the Vanguard LifeStrategy Income and the Vanguard Wellington Funds. I am retired, disabled, almost 64, and have about $1400 a month income from SSDI. I figure I need about $2500 a month to live. I should have about $270,000 to $280,000 total to invest by Summer. And I expect to start receiving an additional $21,500 a year for the next five years. I WAS hooke...
by AlaskanWolf
Fri Apr 11, 2014 1:04 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best option for high interest earning no fee checking?
Replies: 19
Views: 3683

Re: Best option for high interest earning no fee checking?

feh wrote:
Phineas J. Whoopee wrote: A little-known fact is that Ally is in an agreement with regulators to offer no higher than the sixth-highest savings account rate on bankrate.com. Why is that good? They're consistently sixth. The list of institutions above them changes frequently, but Ally is always among the foremost, which cuts down on the need to change institutions to chase yields.
+1

I spent a couple years chasing the highest interest rate, switching from one online bank to another. I grew tired of it, and have been w/ Ally for the last couple years now, with no plans to change.

Seriously? THAT is VERY interesting!
by AlaskanWolf
Fri Apr 11, 2014 1:01 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Military Member Needing Investing Advice
Replies: 10
Views: 1603

Re: Military Member Needing Investing Advice

"There are recommended books: Boglehead's Guide to Investing "

Thanks! Just got the Kindle version! Along with one titled The Intelligent Investor.
by AlaskanWolf
Fri Apr 11, 2014 12:46 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Looking To Park $250K Short Term In Savings Account
Replies: 5
Views: 1311

Looking To Park $250K Short Term In Savings Account

I want to put $250,000 into a short term but secure vehicle that can still provide SOME income. Currently there are several banks offering Savings Accounts with an APY of0.95%. I'm looking at both CIT Bank and GE Retail Bank. Both offer more or less the same thing and both are covered by FDIC up to my magic number of $250K. I'm doing this because at the moment it's in my checking earning nothing whatsoever... I have yet to figure out just what I'm going to do with an inheritance. That is the bulk of the cash so far. I still have another $121.5K that will likely be paid out annually to me over a five year period, and maybe another $60K or so once certain Bank Accounts are finally closed. I WAS going to hand it all over to a Morgan Stanley VP...
by AlaskanWolf
Thu Mar 27, 2014 8:34 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I Really Would Appreciate Your Advice!
Replies: 72
Views: 6368

Re: I Really Would Apprecviate Your Advice!

Everbank
https://www.everbank.com/

Offered me a 1.1% 6 month rate on my first $100,000 and .61% on the remaining $150,000 if I put it in one of their online checking accounts. THAT sounded like a decent place to park this money for a month or two. Am I missing something?

I found no hidden fees etc.
by AlaskanWolf
Thu Mar 27, 2014 6:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I Really Would Appreciate Your Advice!
Replies: 72
Views: 6368

Re: Morgan Stanley A Big Mistake?

BL wrote:Don't do anything or give anyone control of your money until you are certain about your decision. There is no rush. The bank will keep it safe.


But I'm forced to take some of it out immediately for living expenses to cover the loss of my ability to work a part time job. Maybe as much as $800 a month.

:(
by AlaskanWolf
Thu Mar 27, 2014 6:41 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I Really Would Appreciate Your Advice!
Replies: 72
Views: 6368

Re: I Really Would Apprecviate Your Advice!

LadyGeek wrote:FYI - To avoid missing important information needed to help the OP, it's best to keep all the information in one spot. I merged the OP's prior 2 threads into here.

THANK YOU!

I'm sorry not to have used better Forum etiquette. I'm really feeling desperate to learn enough and make the right choices in just a couple of days!

I will never again have this kind of money nor the opportunity.
by AlaskanWolf
Thu Mar 27, 2014 6:39 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I Really Would Appreciate Your Advice!
Replies: 72
Views: 6368

Re: Morgan Stanley A Big Mistake?

Why would you sign up with anyone before thoroughly researching ALL of your options? Have you tried Vanguard's annuity service to see if you can obtain a better quote for a Single Premium Immediate Annuity? Who cares if she tears your head off - it's you (keeping it PC) damn money, not theirs! I doubt there is anyone more naive about investing on this Forum than I. Because I was forced by medical problems to quit my part time job today. It's the first time since I was 16 I was unemployed and expected to remain so for the foreseeable future. And I can't live on the $1396 my SSDI provides monthly. I feel a LOT of pressure to get the $250,000 I'm getting about April 2cnd WORKING for me. As is I'm going to have to take maybe as much as $800 ou...
by AlaskanWolf
Thu Mar 27, 2014 1:24 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I Really Would Appreciate Your Advice!
Replies: 72
Views: 6368

Morgan Stanley A Big Mistake?

[Thread merged into here, see below. --admin LadyGeek] I am getting $250,000 on approximately April 2cnd as part of an inheritance. SHortly I think to get an additional $50,000 and over the next five years an additional $120,000. I have signed up with a Morgan Stanley person in Chicago based on a family recommendation. As of today however, NO funds have been transmitted into that account. She researched on my request immediate fixed annuities and the best was from American General life paying an APR of 6.8%. and I thought to put $200,000 into it and receive a monthly payment of $1134 a month for life. I have been living on my SSDI and a part time job. I have had to finally quit my part time job due to health concerns. Question: am I better...
by AlaskanWolf
Tue Mar 25, 2014 5:26 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I Really Would Appreciate Your Advice!
Replies: 72
Views: 6368

Best Way To Utilize $250,000?

[Thread merged into here, see below. --admin LadyGeek] I'm about to receive some money from an inheritance. Eventually the total amount I receive may be as high as $420,000 or more. But I expect to get $250,000 transferred into my new Morgan Stanley account by April 3rd. I'm going to be 64 later this year. I have been living on an income comprised of SSDI and a part time job. I find myself at a point where I physically may have to quit working. If this had happened a few months ago I'd be looking at becoming homeless. The approximately $1400 SSDI is not enough to cover my basic living costs here in Anchorage. But I now find myself able to not work and still survive. My hope is to move out of Alaska before next Winter. Move to a place with ...
by AlaskanWolf
Sun Mar 02, 2014 4:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help Ascertaining Amount Needed to Retire upon?
Replies: 12
Views: 2627

Re: Help Ascertaining Amount Needed to Retire upon?

When you look into purchasing an annuity in a few years make sure you document your poor health. You should be able to increase your monthly payment by demonstrating you have a shorter than normal life expectancy. While waiting makes sense, that will only work if you don't spend the money. If you feel like you are likely to spend the money then moving a little faster on an annuity could make some sense. With interest rates as low as they are, annuity payments are relatively low so waiting could benefit you in that regard. You need to seriously understand your personal financial habits and act accordingly. Also, when you do get ready to purchase an annuity, make sure and do your research. Costs and payouts can vary so take time to explore y...
by AlaskanWolf
Sun Mar 02, 2014 3:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help Ascertaining Amount Needed to Retire upon?
Replies: 12
Views: 2627

Re: Help Ascertaining Amount Needed to Retire upon?

"When you look into purchasing an annuity in a few years make sure you document your poor health. You should be able to increase your monthly payment by demonstrating you have a shorter than normal life expectancy."

REALLY?
by AlaskanWolf
Fri Feb 28, 2014 8:26 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help Ascertaining Amount Needed to Retire upon?
Replies: 12
Views: 2627

Re: Help Ascertaining Amount Needed to Retire upon?

What Am I missing?

COST OF LIVING
Rent $1200
Utilities $250
Cell $110
Internet $125
Cable/Satellite $125
Car Insurance $80
Monthly Meds$150
Monthly Dr $100

Gasoline $80 a month
Food $400
$2620 leaving $280 based on $2900 a month income
by AlaskanWolf
Fri Feb 28, 2014 4:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help Ascertaining Amount Needed to Retire upon?
Replies: 12
Views: 2627

Re: Help Ascertaining Amount Needed to Retire upon?

Given the numbers, it sounds to me like you need to get 7k/yr above the 1400 from SSDI. Given your inability to save, it seems like getting a fatter SS check is your only option. What does that pay you at 65 or 70? Long term you need to find much cheaper living arrangements. Think subsidized studio apartment. I have no clue what is available in your area but you might look around because there could be 5+ year wait lists. Thanks for the reply Freddie! I plan on moving from ALaska to somewhere warmer, with sand palm trees and lower cost of living. At my full retirement age, 67 I think, my SSDI automatically becomes conventional Social Security. The only way it will increase is through the almost nonexistent in the past couple of years COLA....
by AlaskanWolf
Fri Feb 28, 2014 3:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help Ascertaining Amount Needed to Retire upon?
Replies: 12
Views: 2627

Help Ascertaining Amount Needed to Retire upon?

To put it succinctly I grew up spoiled. And until my illness precluded me from working full time in my chosen field of Sales, I was able to continue my lifestyle. I was told by my Dr's to apply for Social Security Disability at least five years before I did so. I kept insisting to them and myself I would recover and not only regain my income but be able to increase it so as to negate the hundreds of thousands of dollars I'd lost spent on maintaining my lifestyle in addition to the added expenses of Dr's and med, Hospitals, surgeries, you get the idea. When I finally faced reality and applied for Social Security disability I had gone through all my savings, sold my home and my condo, and decimated my bank accounts. That final day I went to a...
by AlaskanWolf
Tue Feb 25, 2014 10:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Which Agency Would You Favor? [Selecting financial advisor]
Replies: 9
Views: 995

Re: Which Agency Would You Favor? [Selecting financial advis

cfs wrote:Good conversation.

In my opinion--which is not worth a centimo--it is not a good thing to announce what we are expecting to receive as part of an inheritance or any other type of large amount of money to complete strangers. When we do so we are swimming in shark infested waters. The best thing to do is to proceed with caution. Again, just my opinion--which is not worth a centimo.

Thanks for reading.

OOps...


I'll modify it, thanks.
Image
by AlaskanWolf
Tue Feb 25, 2014 5:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Which Agency Would You Favor? [Selecting financial advisor]
Replies: 9
Views: 995

Which Agency Would You Favor? [Selecting financial advisor]

As stated in my other post a few days ago I'm going to come into an inheritance totaling between A couple of hundred Grand (hopefully) liquid, and an additional hundred Grand or so that will either be paid me as a lump sum (Hello? IRS??) or preferably, be paid out to me over a period of 5 years or so. I have NO experience in finance. ANd I've contacted several company's and asked for their advice. First was Key Bank where I have my checking account have have done business for about 20 years or so. They came up with some immediate annuity quotes. Basically A bunch "invested" would return $1000 a month for life or $1500 a month for life with a "cash refund" (i do not understand this) for an "investment" of $Too m...
by AlaskanWolf
Mon Feb 24, 2014 12:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I Really Would Appreciate Your Advice!
Replies: 72
Views: 6368

Re: I Really Would Apprecviate Your Advice!

I got a very nice private message from someone who apparently lives up here. This was my response.( I don't think I'm violating any of their wish to r=be private.) Hi XXXXXX, Thank you for your kind words. I am always very hesitant to meet people in RL I've met online. Nothing personal, I AM paranoid. The reason I'm on Disability isn't related to the over 20 orthopedic operations I've had, its due to an emotional problem caused by my experience in an Californian earthquake. So please don't be offended. Did you participate in the Rondy Auction? When I was younger I was a real Killer of Critters. Until one afternoon when I came home and my THEN girlfriend told me something like "If you bring ONE more dead animal into this house you will ...
by AlaskanWolf
Sun Feb 23, 2014 5:22 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I Really Would Appreciate Your Advice!
Replies: 72
Views: 6368

Re: I Really Would Apprecviate Your Advice!

Health insurance costs for an expat like I would be might just kill this deal for me.

Florida maybe?
by AlaskanWolf
Sun Feb 23, 2014 10:35 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I Really Would Appreciate Your Advice!
Replies: 72
Views: 6368

Re: I Really Would Apprecviate Your Advice!

“Come to the edge.' 'We can't. We're afraid.' 'Come to the edge.' 'We can't. We will fall!' 'Come to the edge.' And they came. And he pushed them. And they flew.”

― Guillaume Apollinaire
by AlaskanWolf
Sun Feb 23, 2014 10:34 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: End of life finances, way over my head
Replies: 40
Views: 8513

Re: End of life finances, way over my head

“Come to the edge.' 'We can't. We're afraid.' 'Come to the edge.' 'We can't. We will fall!' 'Come to the edge.' And they came. And he pushed them. And they flew.”

― Guillaume Apollinaire
by AlaskanWolf
Sun Feb 23, 2014 10:31 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I Really Would Appreciate Your Advice!
Replies: 72
Views: 6368

Re: I Really Would Apprecviate Your Advice!

Question,

Am I committing suicide posting this much personal info online? I've been told so by several people.

But one, I'm very lonely now. And two, I REALLY wish to have the advice of a lot of people to weigh against the advice I'm starting to get from CFP's.
by AlaskanWolf
Sun Feb 23, 2014 10:27 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I Really Would Appreciate Your Advice!
Replies: 72
Views: 6368

Re: I Really Would Apprecviate Your Advice!

I've had a close friend from 1985 living in Rosarito Mx. It's 40 minutes from San diego . he wants me r=to buy a house like his for about $600 and mellow out. I have something like this more in mind for the next decade. Price Changed Now For Rent/Lease Bobbys by the Sea 2 bedroom, 2 bath, Condominium http://www.bajabrokers.com/Listing/ViewListingDetails.aspx?listingid=74124363 View Details P2#74124363 Price Changed Now For Rent/Lease LA JOLLA DEL MAR 2 bedroom, 2 bath, Condominium View Details P2#74218523 http://www.bajabrokers.com/Listing/ViewListingDetails.aspx?listingid=74218523 I have the one above listed for $1650 a month negotiated down to $1250 if I sign a one year lease. I currently live in "low income housing". I have a 2...
by AlaskanWolf
Sat Feb 22, 2014 9:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I Really Would Appreciate Your Advice!
Replies: 72
Views: 6368

Re: I Really Would Apprecviate Your Advice!

kommisarrex wrote:Since there are no heirs and a defined monthly need/want, annuitizing may make a lot of sense. You say you want 2900/month. You currently receive 1400/mo from ssdi. 200,000 would yield another 1100 per month through an immediate annuity. So, that's 2500/mo plus whatever is left over to is for a cushion.
Right but $2500 is still $400 less than my desired $2900.

And Should I be looking at immediate fixed annuities or variable ones?
by AlaskanWolf
Sat Feb 22, 2014 9:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I Really Would Appreciate Your Advice!
Replies: 72
Views: 6368

Re: I Really Would Apprecviate Your Advice!

Thanks, it IS hard to lose both so close together. My sister and are to split everything. The figures I've listed are my half and the $270,000 consists of the profits from a home in Scottsdale selling. It's due to close on 04-01-2014. Half of a CD. An estimate of what will be left in my Mom's checking which my Sister is using to pay final bill's etc. My Half Should come in about $165,000 for the home $55,000 for the CD and maybe $50,000 for the checking account. Perhaps more. So $270,000 plus whatever happens with the pension/trust where my half is $121,500.00. I have no heirs except a Cat. And I will continue to receive my $1400 a month SSDI. It's not a needs based program and as such will not be affected by my inheritance. Could you give ...
by AlaskanWolf
Sat Feb 22, 2014 5:14 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: End of life finances, way over my head
Replies: 40
Views: 8513

Re: End of life finances, way over my head

Elha,

I am so very sorry to hear of your loss!! I just lost both of my parents myself. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
by AlaskanWolf
Sat Feb 22, 2014 5:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I Really Would Appreciate Your Advice!
Replies: 72
Views: 6368

I Really Would Appreciate Your Advice!

[Two similar threads were merged into this one, see below. --admin LadyGeek] I no nothing about investing. I've been trying to read up in the past week or so but quickly realized I needed about 30 years. I'm 64 and for some years my primary source of income has been SSDI. I currently receive about $1400 a month and thank God for it! I also have managed to have a part time job. If I am able to work my full schedule I earn about $800 a month from it. But this month I've spent about a week in the hospital. An altogether too common occurrence. I am EXCEEDINGLY lucky to work for a company, and especially a supervisor who has bent over backwards in order to keep me on. But I don't know how long I will be able to hold onto the job nonetheless. I ...