Search found 67 matches

by IndexBeliever
Fri Jul 06, 2018 12:24 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What do you guys do on the side?
Replies: 299
Views: 39312

Re: What do you guys do on the side?

livesoft wrote: Wed Oct 07, 2015 3:41 pm My side hustle is teaching at medical schools. It doesn't pay very well though since I am not an MD.
What do you teach at medical school?
by IndexBeliever
Tue May 22, 2018 11:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Old Hot Water Heater
Replies: 20
Views: 1986

Re: Old Hot Water Heater

Wakefield1 wrote: Tue May 22, 2018 9:06 pm
IndexBeliever wrote: Tue May 22, 2018 9:02 pm
Broken Man 1999 wrote: Tue May 22, 2018 6:13 pm Where is the water heater located that it could cause so much damage?

Our water heater is located in our garage, a leak would cause water on the garage floor, but little if any damage, other than perhaps wetting objects on the garage floor.

Broken Man 1999
Located in the attic :( :o
Does not belong there. Is there any possibility of relocating it (or its replacement)?

Not sure why they put it in the attic :(
Will check and see if possible to move to the garage. Thanks for the suggestion!
by IndexBeliever
Tue May 22, 2018 11:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Old Hot Water Heater
Replies: 20
Views: 1986

Re: Old Hot Water Heater

whodidntante wrote: Tue May 22, 2018 11:12 pm My water heater (why do people add the word "hot" to that LOL) is more than 20 years old. It's in my unfinished basement near a floor drain and looks OK, so I haven't replaced it. I drain it and test the valve that keeps it from being a rocket or a bomb. My prior house had a water heater of similar age.

Yours is in the attic, so I would replace it every year of the dog. Or move it.
Ha! Good point! Water heater!
by IndexBeliever
Tue May 22, 2018 11:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Old Hot Water Heater
Replies: 20
Views: 1986

Re: Old Hot Water Heater

The attic is a bad place for a water heater to fail. First verify that the heater has an adequate drain pan under it and that the pan is connected to a drain pipe that is open/not clogged or buried in the dirt, etc. Pour a quart or two of water into the pan drain pipe and verify where it drains and that it is open (regardless of if you replace the heater with a new one or keep the old heater). Also check that the pressure release valve is functional and not stuck. If it is stuck or clogged call in warranty service to fix - they may just replace the heater depending on how hard it is to remove the valve. You may also want to drain a gallon or so of water out of the lower drain valve. Note this valve may be stuck or corroded shut - if so aga...
by IndexBeliever
Tue May 22, 2018 9:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Old Hot Water Heater
Replies: 20
Views: 1986

Re: Old Hot Water Heater

Broken Man 1999 wrote: Tue May 22, 2018 6:13 pm Where is the water heater located that it could cause so much damage?

Our water heater is located in our garage, a leak would cause water on the garage floor, but little if any damage, other than perhaps wetting objects on the garage floor.

Broken Man 1999
Located in the attic :( :o
by IndexBeliever
Tue May 22, 2018 9:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Old Hot Water Heater
Replies: 20
Views: 1986

Re: Old Hot Water Heater

Thanks all for the advice.
It is located in the attic :(

Not exactly sure the kind. It is not tankless. Looks like one of those big 60 gallon ones. Will get some more details this weekend. Take possession of the house Saturday.
by IndexBeliever
Tue May 22, 2018 6:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Old Hot Water Heater
Replies: 20
Views: 1986

Old Hot Water Heater

Dear BH,

I just bought a 20 year old house. It's hot water heater has never been replaced. Seems to be working fine now. I have a 1 year home warranty that we had to do when we bought the house. My old man says I should replace the hot water heater now and eat the cost.
Anybody have experience or strong suggestions?
Part of me wants to wait it out. But also don't want it go out and have 20k worth of water damage.

Any recommendations or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
by IndexBeliever
Thu Dec 22, 2016 9:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Honda Odyssey Value point
Replies: 21
Views: 3810

Re: Honda Odyssey Value point

Wow.

Loads of information. Had no idea about the engine issues. Will keep reading and researching. Almost bought a 2011 with 100k miles but didn't love the color so walked out of the dealership. Salesman called 2 min later and wanted to lower the price. Always smart to be willing to walk away and wait for a better deal.

Thanks everyone!
by IndexBeliever
Thu Dec 22, 2016 5:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Honda Odyssey Value point
Replies: 21
Views: 3810

Re: Honda Odyssey Value point

Thanks for the wisdom.

I'm assuming a relatively low maintenance costs for all hondas correct?
by IndexBeliever
Thu Dec 22, 2016 4:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Honda Odyssey Value point
Replies: 21
Views: 3810

Honda Odyssey Value point

Dear BH,

I've read countless posts about honda odysseys on this forum.

I know the resale value is high and thus makes buying used less of a value compared to other vehicles.

My question is, do you think there is a point of optimum value buying a used van. I'm thinking of buying a 3-6 yo Odyssey with 50k-100k miles.

ALso i test drove two and the seat warmers didn't work in both. Is this a common problem? Expensive fix?

Thanks in advance,
by IndexBeliever
Sat Nov 05, 2016 9:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Paying for kids college
Replies: 55
Views: 6656

Re: Paying for kids college

Thanks everyone. A lot of great insight. I agree, maybe making them pay for a car or half a car would be a better financial decision than college.

Will open a couple 529s ASAP!

Thanks!!!
by IndexBeliever
Sat Nov 05, 2016 1:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Paying for kids college
Replies: 55
Views: 6656

Paying for kids college

Dear BH, Father of a 3 yo and 1 yo. Trying to save money for children's college education. I understand benefits of tax advantaged saving in 529. My question is this, has anyone taken the approach to save money in a high yield saving account or bonds fund and not tell their kids they had a college fund? I think what I would like to do is make my kids take out college loans and then help them pay it off a year or two after finishing college. Mindset is this: 1. Will teach them some financial lesson when they physically apply for the loan, realize the interest rate, and how much it will take to pay it off. 2. Help pressure them to do well in school, get a good job, and strive for financial independence. Then 1 or 2 years after college assumin...
by IndexBeliever
Wed Jun 01, 2016 12:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Need tips: interviewing for private practice GI job
Replies: 4
Views: 778

Re: Need tips: interviewing for private practice GI job

mhalley wrote:Malpractice insurance, who pays tail if you leave.
Possibility of 1099 income.
Health insurance.
Retirement plan details.
Possibility of moving expense reimbursement.
Great list! Thanks!
Who typically pays malpractice insurance? Is there any industry standard?
by IndexBeliever
Wed Jun 01, 2016 11:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Need tips: interviewing for private practice GI job
Replies: 4
Views: 778

Need tips: interviewing for private practice GI job

Dear Bogleheads,

About to start interviewing for private practice GI jobs. Looking for any advice/wisdom, Important interview questions I should ask. Any GI docs, or specialists out there with any input would be greatly appreciated! Here are some questions/topics in no particular order I plan on addressing:
-call schedule
-clinical duties
-mid level help
-partnership track/buy in
-group philosophy/values
-practice locations
-where referrals come from
-vacation time

Anything i am leaving out?

Thanks!!!
by IndexBeliever
Sun Apr 24, 2016 3:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Physician Specialists Looking for career advice
Replies: 42
Views: 10884

Re: Physician Specialists Looking for career advice

Dear Bogleheads, I am a first year fellow in a subspecialty. Looking for career advice. Any advice or experience regarding the following would be helpful. 1. Joining a multispecialty clinic vs specialty specific group vs hospital employed position? 2. Would a BogleHead be completely opposed to taking on debt to join a group? 3. Any drawbacks to being a hospital employed physician? Thanks! 1. I prefer to own my job. You may feel differently. The smaller the group, and the more democratic the group, the closer you will be to owning your job. 2. No. 3. Yes. You don't own your job, with all the pluses and minuses that entails. I can't thank WCI for his expertise and blog. I started reading it ~2.5 years ago and it has been YUUUUUUGGEEE. Thanks...
by IndexBeliever
Sun Apr 24, 2016 3:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Physician Specialists Looking for career advice
Replies: 42
Views: 10884

Re: Physician Specialists Looking for career advice

There is a lot of good advice here from experienced physicians. I will give you my take: I have been in practice as a surgical subspecialist for 20 years. I went to an extremely underserved (but rapidly growing) area when I came out of residency. It was an excellent opportunity to make a lot of money at the time. After 3 years, I became the managing partner of my single specialty group and grew the practice from 2 offices, 5 doctors and 30 employees to 9 doctors, PAs, NPs, 5 offices and 100 employees. We had a full time attorney and CPA and administrator in-house at one point in time, and we were involved heavily in property development. We owned surgery centers, portions of hospitals (now the largest physician owned hospital in the countr...
by IndexBeliever
Sun Apr 24, 2016 3:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Physician Specialists Looking for career advice
Replies: 42
Views: 10884

Re: Physician Specialists Looking for career advice

tludwig23 wrote:You used the plural, "Specialists". Do you have multiple fellowships in different specialties or is there more than one of you?

In my field (anesthesiology), the best method of financial success is being willing to live in some undesirable part of the country. But, those places are undesirable for a reason, so I choose to live in the Pacific Northwest and make less money, as part of a single specialty practice of 40 physicians.
Grammar error from lack of sleep! Just one of me. Thanks for the insight. I've noticed that trend as well, you get paid a lot more to be the small town specialist, but with much higher call volume!
by IndexBeliever
Sun Apr 24, 2016 3:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Physician Specialists Looking for career advice
Replies: 42
Views: 10884

Re: Physician Specialists Looking for career advice

Dear Bogleheads, I am a first year fellow in a subspecialty. Looking for career advice. Any advice or experience regarding the following would be helpful. 1. Joining a multispecialty clinic vs specialty specific group vs hospital employed position? 2. Would a BogleHead be completely opposed to taking on debt to join a group? 3. Any drawbacks to being a hospital employed physician? Thanks! 1. The only true answer is there is no answer. It all depends. If there was one ideal employment practice then you would already know it because everyone would be clamoring for those positions. Here are some points of each. Multispecialty: It is nice because you have internal referral sources, but often animosity develops because you are producing more re...
by IndexBeliever
Sun Apr 24, 2016 3:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Physician Specialists Looking for career advice
Replies: 42
Views: 10884

Re: Physician Specialists Looking for career advice

Loon11 wrote:get a position in a VA Medical Center. the specialists don't do primary care. You will have a pension and benefits and can contribute to the TSP, best 401K in the country.
Do you work for the VAMC? Any VA employees out there can comment? My limited observation has been significantly less compensation, but most work 8-5 (40 hrs a week) with limited call and excellent quality of life.
by IndexBeliever
Fri Apr 22, 2016 2:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Physician Specialists Looking for career advice
Replies: 42
Views: 10884

Physician Specialists Looking for career advice

Dear Bogleheads,

I am a first year fellow in a subspecialty. Looking for career advice. Any advice or experience regarding the following would be helpful.

1. Joining a multispecialty clinic vs specialty specific group vs hospital employed position?

2. Would a BogleHead be completely opposed to taking on debt to join a group?

3. Any drawbacks to being a hospital employed physician?

Thanks!
by IndexBeliever
Tue Dec 15, 2015 8:18 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Tax Loss Harvesting Question
Replies: 6
Views: 990

Tax Loss Harvesting Question

Dear Bogleheads,

I have a TLH question. If I sell VTIAX for a loss in a taxable account and exchange it for a not identical fund such as vanguard international explorer fund (VINEX), but buy Vanguard Target Date retirement fund (contains some vanguard international index fund) at the end of the month in my 401k, is this considered a wash sale?

Thanks in advance,
IndexBeliever
by IndexBeliever
Sat Jul 25, 2015 11:13 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Medical Student Investor
Replies: 13
Views: 2075

Re: Medical Student Investor

Where is your emergency fund earning 5% fixed per year? Asking for a friend...
by IndexBeliever
Sat Jul 25, 2015 11:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard i401k and backdoor roth
Replies: 2
Views: 499

Vanguard i401k and backdoor roth

So I've read that one of the drawbacks of the vanguard solo 401k is that there is some problem with the backdoor Roth IRA.

We opened an individual 401k with vanguard 2 years ago. Will need to start utilizing the backdoor roth in 3 years.

What is the specific issue with this? Is it impossible? Does it have to do with the 1 rollover per year limit?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
by IndexBeliever
Tue Jun 16, 2015 10:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dress Shirts: Off The Rack + Tailored Or Made to Measure
Replies: 15
Views: 4278

Re: Dress Shirts: Off The Rack + Tailored Or Made to Measure

Have you tried on a "slim fit" shirt? These are great for all the excess shirtage around the waist.
by IndexBeliever
Sat Jun 13, 2015 9:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying a house from a trust help!
Replies: 2
Views: 814

Buying a house from a trust help!

Dear Bogleheads,

Anyone have experience in real estate or buying a home from a trust? We've sold our house and have agreed on a price with a trust officer on the new home. We were told it has to go before a judge to approve the sale. Their is one heir who wants to buy th home to flip it. The other heirs are happy with the sell.

Still waiting on the court date. Anyone know how realistic it is that this heir could block the sale?

Thanks,
by IndexBeliever
Thu May 21, 2015 1:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Selling House Affect MAGI?
Replies: 2
Views: 2620

Selling House Affect MAGI?

Quick question.

I'm selling my home and will be making some profit. My question is will this affect my modified adjusted gross income and thus Roth eligibility? I went to the IRS http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc701.html and it appears there is some tax break associated with selling a home.

Thanks Bogleheads!
by IndexBeliever
Mon May 18, 2015 11:14 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Young And Clueless
Replies: 28
Views: 4688

Re: Young And Clueless

Couldn't agree more with the above posters! You are going to do great if you start saving early and often.

I believe a vanguard target date fund is a great place to start. My opinion is that that the experts at Vanguard know a lot more than I do. Wish I had started saving earlier!
by IndexBeliever
Thu May 07, 2015 11:32 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Calling all Docs! Physician Chapter/Interest Group
Replies: 169
Views: 91167

Re: Calling all Docs! Physician Chapter/Interest Group

I want to join. When I click on the yahoo link from the bogleheads website it is says "This Yahoo group does not exist."

And I clicked on EmergDoc link and can't make it work either. Anyone know how I can join?

1st year GI fellow.
by IndexBeliever
Wed Apr 22, 2015 11:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Which Credit Cards Offer >=$100 Back in First Few Months?
Replies: 5
Views: 982

Re: Which Credit Cards Offer >=$100 Back in First Few Months

American Express Cash Preferred. $150 back after first 1,000 spent in 3 months. Great card for groceries (6% off) and gasoline (3% off). Annual fee of $75
by IndexBeliever
Tue Apr 21, 2015 10:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New York City Tours
Replies: 11
Views: 1788

Re: New York City Tours

+1 for foods of NY tours

I've found food tours are a great way to learn a city. You normally walk a couple miles, stop and eat at 6 different places and learn about individual neighborhoods and how they impacted the food industry. We always do them on day 1 of our trips so that we will know where we want to eat the rest of the trip. Also bicycle tours are great, you cover more ground and its a great way to really see the city.
by IndexBeliever
Wed Apr 15, 2015 12:59 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why not rebalance with reinvested dividends?
Replies: 11
Views: 3156

Re: Why not rebalance with reinvested dividends?

Dale_G wrote:
Leif wrote:I'm not sure you can do that. Normally dividends/CG are reinvested in the same fund or goes to cash.
In a Vanguard mutual fund account you can certainly direct dividends to be invested in another fund. I don't think it makes much sense to send fund A dividends to fund B and vice-versa though. A better plan might be to direct the dividends of the out performing fund to the under performing fund. This may be what you are attempting to accomplish.

Dale
Thanks Dale! That was the original intent to direct the dividends of the out performing fund to the under performing fund.
by IndexBeliever
Tue Apr 14, 2015 10:46 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why not rebalance with reinvested dividends?
Replies: 11
Views: 3156

Why not rebalance with reinvested dividends?

Bogleheads,
  • Random question. Supposed one held equal amounts of total international stock and total us stock in a ROTH IRA. Would it make sense to reinvest dividends from International into US and dividends from US into international? This way, one might be buying low if US was kicking off more dividends than international or vice versa.

    Or is this just a crazy thought? Thanks to all. I read this forum daily and have learned so much!
by IndexBeliever
Mon Apr 13, 2015 11:09 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Independent Contractor Crossing State Lines
Replies: 5
Views: 837

Re: Independent Contractor Crossing State Lines

[/quote]
Spirit Rider wrote: She personally delivers the independent contractor services in MS, she is subject to MS state income tax. She must pay estimated taxes in MS and file a MS return. Unfortunately, in this case TN has no state income tax on earned income, so it all goes to MS. You really should have been aware of this when negotiating the contract. Her rate should have been adjusted by 1.00/(1.00 - MS tax rate).
Thanks Spirit Rider. We just paid the MS tax for Q1. Haven't signed the contract yet, so hopefully we can get that added in there. Thanks so much!
by IndexBeliever
Mon Apr 13, 2015 9:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Independent Contractor Crossing State Lines
Replies: 5
Views: 837

Re: Independent Contractor Crossing State Lines

We live in TN. Thanks. I didn't know if being an independent contractor changed that at all.
by IndexBeliever
Mon Apr 13, 2015 8:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Independent Contractor Crossing State Lines
Replies: 5
Views: 837

Re: Independent Contractor Crossing State Lines

Any thoughts? I have a CPA who seemed to think we should pay income tax in MS.

Thanks.
by IndexBeliever
Sun Apr 12, 2015 7:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Independent Contractor Crossing State Lines
Replies: 5
Views: 837

Independent Contractor Crossing State Lines

Bogelheads,

My wife is an optometrist and works as an independent contractor for an ophthalmologist. The main business operation is in Memphis, TN but she works at two satellite clinics just across the state line in MS. All billing and financial issues come out of Memphis. My question is, as an independent contractor, should she be paying estimated taxes with income tax to MS (where she physically goes to work) or to TN (where the business is based).

Complicated question. If any of you have any knowledge or insight into this situation I would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!
by IndexBeliever
Fri Mar 20, 2015 8:25 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Closing individual 401k
Replies: 3
Views: 844

Re: Closing individual 401k

Thanks Spirit Rider.

Thinking about closing for simplicity. Fewer accounts to manage and rebalance. Plus vanguard's individual 401k sight is lacking to say the least. But good thought. Maybe I should just leave it alone. However I might like to rollover to a Roth for inheritance purposes down the road.
by IndexBeliever
Fri Mar 20, 2015 6:02 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Closing individual 401k
Replies: 3
Views: 844

Closing individual 401k

My wife has been an independent contractor (optometry) and she has been contributing to an individual (solo) 401k with both pretax and Roth contributions. She was offered a job to become a full time employee in the next few months.

My question is how should she close her individual 401k? She already has a Roth IRA, so am I correct in that she can just do a Roth 401k to Roth IRA rollover? 2nd question: what do we do with the pretax or traditional 401k contributions? Do we transfer and create a traditional IRA? We will need to start backdooring our Roth IRA in a few years as well. I didn't want to make a wrong move and make it more difficult for the Back door down the road.

Thanks!
by IndexBeliever
Fri Mar 06, 2015 7:55 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The More I learn, the fewer changes I make
Replies: 25
Views: 4518

Re: The More I learn, the Less changes I make

I find it interesting that finance is completely different than most of life. For example, if you want to get ahead in business, the more research you do, polls, surveys, people you meet and time you put into it, the more successful business you may have. It seems like in personal investing, the more I learn the less changes I should make. One would think if you keep reading/learning that you will make several changes to your portfolio and do very well. Most of what I've read lately proves the opposite. Set your money in a lazy 3 fund portfolio, target date fund or the like and forget it. Don't time interest rate changes or stock market swings. I know it's not question, just wanted to put it out there. I read this forum daily and have lear...
by IndexBeliever
Fri Mar 06, 2015 7:53 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The More I learn, the fewer changes I make
Replies: 25
Views: 4518

Re: The More I learn, the Less changes I make

Van wrote:Agree completely, but it should be FEWER changes.
Thanks! English was my worst subject in school!
by IndexBeliever
Fri Mar 06, 2015 2:58 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The More I learn, the fewer changes I make
Replies: 25
Views: 4518

The More I learn, the fewer changes I make

I find it interesting that finance is completely different than most of life. For example, if you want to get ahead in business, the more research you do, polls, surveys, people you meet and time you put into it, the more successful business you may have. It seems like in personal investing, the more I learn the less changes I should make. One would think if you keep reading/learning that you will make several changes to your portfolio and do very well. Most of what I've read lately proves the opposite. Set your money in a lazy 3 fund portfolio, target date fund or the like and forget it. Don't time interest rate changes or stock market swings. I know it's not question, just wanted to put it out there. I read this forum daily and have learn...
by IndexBeliever
Fri Mar 06, 2015 2:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Beach Vacation
Replies: 3
Views: 644

Beach Vacation

Hey All,

Planning a week of vacation for me and the Mrs. in June. Mrs. IndexBeliever would like to go somewhere with a beach. I would love to have our own private pool. But in order of priorities, a nice beach is probably at the top. We did Cancun before and it was nice and close. I went to the grand cayman island before I met the Mrs. and loved it. Anyone have any fantastic experience at a particular resort or country?

Much thanks.
by IndexBeliever
Sun Feb 08, 2015 8:43 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Capital Gains help
Replies: 25
Views: 2668

Re: Capital Gains help

Did not step up to it. But it was a gift and just trying to make the most reasonable decisions going forward.

Did not realize that about inheritance. But would want the Roth IRA to be an inheritance primarily if possible correct?
by IndexBeliever
Sun Feb 08, 2015 8:17 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Capital Gains help
Replies: 25
Views: 2668

Re: Capital Gains help

Will holding an actively managed fund like Wellington (vwenx) In a taxable account not further increase taxable gains in the future? Let me rephrase, why would one hold an actively managed fund in a taxable account for decades? Is the hope that in retirement that one is in 15% federal tax bracket and thus 0% LT capital gains?

Before I found this forum I poured a huge portion of my taxable account into Wellington and now have some significant capital gains.
by IndexBeliever
Tue Jan 20, 2015 10:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Starting out with an IRA
Replies: 13
Views: 1554

Re: Starting out with an IRA

yes, Target 2060 is probably a great choice for you. There are at least 3 principles to investment success. 1. You can't control the markets, you can only control how much you pay to be in the markets -A vanguard target date fund is a great, very low cost way to have a broadly diversified exposure 2. Pick an appropriate asset allocation -Some studies show that other than savings (#3), this is the most important predictor of long term success -you are a young person. if you will not touch/worry about the money for 40 years, this is probably an appropriate AA (and I trust the good, smart people at vanguard) -Only concern is that for last 6 years the markets have been up, up, up. This won't last forever. As long as you can still sleep in a few...
by IndexBeliever
Mon Jan 19, 2015 8:00 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Capital Gains help
Replies: 25
Views: 2668

Re: Capital Gains help

What is tax gain harvesting? I'm learning how to tax loss harvest.

Thanks
by IndexBeliever
Mon Jan 19, 2015 6:33 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Capital Gains help
Replies: 25
Views: 2668

Re: Capital Gains help

Thanks all.

Will not sell and will continue to diversify going forward!

Thanks so much for your insight!
by IndexBeliever
Mon Jan 19, 2015 5:42 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Capital Gains help
Replies: 25
Views: 2668

Re: Capital Gains help

Thanks all.


In 25% federal tax bracket and no state income tax

The VWENX makes up ~40% of the portfolio and was an inheritance. All future money going into index funds. Trying to simplify things but keeping it means pouring some into small and mid caps to balance it out. 10 years from now I would like to have a 3 or 4 fund lazy portfolio.

And yes, as advised I have turned off automatic reinvestment and moving those dividends to extended market to balance it out.
by IndexBeliever
Mon Jan 19, 2015 4:34 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Capital Gains help
Replies: 25
Views: 2668

Capital Gains help

I spoke with vanguard personal advisors. Wanted to reduce my actively managed funds and move to a more indexed diversified portfolio. Currently 40% of my taxable account is in Wellington (VWENX) with ~30k of unrealized capital gains. Vanguard recommended not touching VWENX because of the capital gains. But shouldn't i transition out of VWENX over next few years before the capital gains get even worse?

Am I thinking about capital gains all wrong?

Thanks in advance
by IndexBeliever
Wed Jan 14, 2015 9:39 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Target Date Fund articles
Replies: 6
Views: 1341

Re: Target Date Fund articles

I use target date funds in my 401k because it is the best option for access to low cost index funds given my employer options. I'm in favor of the glide path for a couple reasons. 1. Takes away the individual desire/tendency to market time. Probably tough to sell stocks and shift to bonds in the midst of a major bull market. 2. I would like to think the good experts at vanguard know more than I do. 3. I like the "set it and forget it" philosophy. I can live with getting a fair return of what the market is doing. What I can't stand anymore is betting on individual sectors hoping to beat the market by small percentage and end up actually earning less than the market. TDFs make you hold 4 pieces of the pie: total U.S. stock, total in...