Search found 31 matches

by EzM
Wed Oct 17, 2018 10:00 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What do you consider 'enough'?
Replies: 96
Views: 13070

Re: What do you consider 'enough'?

I'll need 25x expenses to begin thinking about early or semi-retirement phase.

The goal would be saving whatever can reasonably get me to that point in 10-15 years, either with high likelihood of success or using minimal return figures (3-4% instead of 6%+). You can simply use a typical financial calculator (time value of money) to get an idea, calculating for the annual PMT required.

That would at least spit out a savings goal of something like $25-40k/year. The next question is what income level and current spending level would allow me to save that much.

Then I'd adjust later on based on my current assets and goals.
by EzM
Mon Mar 19, 2018 3:45 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why is 16 the magic number for FAs?
Replies: 27
Views: 5205

Re: Why is 16 the magic number for FAs?

No magic to 16.

The only magic I'd see is 7 to get basic asset class exposure globally instead of using core funds. Then doubling that to have a tax managed version and a non TM version. Add a bond fund or two, or some alternative asset classes and you're there.

DFA (and others) have taken steps to reduce overall # of fund holdings with their Core strategies. No reason to add more unless it is expected to have better outcomes. That's for you and/or your FA to decide.
by EzM
Tue Jan 16, 2018 3:55 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Is lump sum or dollar cost averaging more in line with boglehead values?
Replies: 22
Views: 2412

Re: Is lump sum or dollar cost averaging more in line with boglehead values?

Buy hold rebalance. Lump sum unless DCA helps you sleep at night.

An appropriately diversified portfolio is held throughout all market conditions. Rebalancing helps you buy low, sell high, and maintain the appropriate risk exposure.

Determining what % of equities is appropriate/necessary is the real question.
by EzM
Tue Jan 09, 2018 2:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Men's no iron dress shirt recommendations
Replies: 88
Views: 13683

Re: Men's no iron dress shirt recommendations

Van Heusen Men's Traveler shirts are the only shirts I buy right now until I find other brands.
by EzM
Tue Jan 09, 2018 1:49 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Forgot to make my $5500 contribution for 2018
Replies: 36
Views: 6383

Re: Forgot to make my $5500 contribution for 2018

fastpace_re wrote: Tue Jan 09, 2018 1:37 pm Forgot to make my $5500 contribution for 2018 on Jan 2.

And apparently the stock market has had the best start to a year since 1987.

Should I be kicking myself that I'm not getting my money in until today (or tomorrow)?

Ugh, I hate when little things like this bother me.
You win some, you lose some. No need to kick yourself. I invested today as well without even looking at pricing. Your long term plan doesn't (and shouldn't) depend on a weeks' stock market movement or a single IRA contribution.
by EzM
Fri Apr 07, 2017 9:38 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Part 2 of the series on alternative sources, this one on alternative lending
Replies: 16
Views: 3894

Re: Part 2 of the series on alternative sources, this one on alternative lending

Hi Larry, thanks for posting.

Can you highlight why owning the typical reinsurers, or financial services and credit card companies in the public equity space is not good enough for capturing these premiums in a portfolio?

What is the major draw in using Stoneridge instead, besides the costs and regulation differences?
by EzM
Wed Apr 05, 2017 9:39 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Low-earners- What is your profession?
Replies: 371
Views: 62313

Re: Low-earners- What is your profession?

Financial services - $70K. Was at $45K a few years ago.

Starting to creep up a bit earnings wise. But the stress is creeping up, too. I'd prefer $50K and happy over $70K and stressed at this point.
by EzM
Mon Mar 13, 2017 3:04 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Just made my very first ETF Trade - Lessons for Next time?
Replies: 74
Views: 5855

Re: Just made my very first ETF Trade - Lessons for Next time?

Market Orders. No need to get fancy unless you're trading illiquid securities or significant quantities.
by EzM
Mon Mar 06, 2017 3:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Poll: For those 20 yrs away from retirement, what is your current asset allocation and future changes?
Replies: 33
Views: 3723

Re: Poll: For those 20 yrs away from retirement, what is your current asset allocation and future changes?

27/m. I'll be 90% equities until my financial capital is more than my human capital (essentially until my assets are halfway to my target number).
by EzM
Thu Nov 03, 2016 8:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 27/m. Wanting to Quit My Job. Any Words of Wisdom?
Replies: 55
Views: 10464

Re: 27/m. Wanting to Quit My Job. Any Words of Wisdom?

Thanks all. I will start job searching sooner rather than later (like tomorrow). I suppose that my loyalty is gone. Staying and studying Jan. through June to finish my CFA exam was my main goal, but I'm not sure if I can tolerate the work environment at the same time this go around. Switching jobs might be tough too, but I'll let the future determine that. Life happens.

I'm sure I'll come out OK at the end of things. Or the middle, or wherever it goes. If anyone has anecdotes about moving to new cities alone, I'd love to hear them. I'll look up old threads in the meantime.
by EzM
Thu Nov 03, 2016 3:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 27/m. Wanting to Quit My Job. Any Words of Wisdom?
Replies: 55
Views: 10464

Re: 27/m. Wanting to Quit My Job. Any Words of Wisdom?

Prioritize your health and well-being. Eat well; drink lots of water; exercise regularly; see a therapist. And yes, quit your job if it's killing you.
Thanks for the insight. I've been doing the diet & exercise route as I've felt this for a while now. It's the sleeping more than 9 hours and struggling to get out of bed which concerns me, which is definitely a change from my pattern.
by EzM
Thu Nov 03, 2016 3:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 27/m. Wanting to Quit My Job. Any Words of Wisdom?
Replies: 55
Views: 10464

27/m. Wanting to Quit My Job. Any Words of Wisdom?

Hi all, I've been working 5 years straight now without much vacation. Smart kid, Finance degree from a state school, moved from $35k to $65k salary over this timeframe. Working on my CFA with 1 exam to go. 27/m single. I've seen 100% turnover at my current job (aside from the owners) and just can't take it anymore. Classic signs of burnout. Depression. Anhedonia. The job is great, the clients are great, but the bosses and culture are taking its toll on me. I've never felt this much of a loss of confidence in myself. $85k net worth. $15k in the bank, about $5k taxable, the rest is in Roth or 401(k). No debt. Expenses could be cut down to about $2k/mo. Any advice? I'm really considering quitting to take a sabbatical and just study for my fina...
by EzM
Tue Sep 20, 2016 3:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Yup, another pension buyout offer...
Replies: 20
Views: 4543

Re: Yup, another pension buyout offer...

On paper, the lump some is rather unattractive.

Assume age 80 life expectancy, 1.88% guaranteed rate of return (20 year risk-free treasury), the present value of the options are roughly:

1) $248,159 lump sum
2) $296,038 early option
3) $349,737 age 65 option (assumes 2027 payout)

Break-even rate of returns to make options equal to lump sum:
2) 3.5%
3) 3.96%

Given your situation and options, I'd say option 3 works best and covers some longevity risk. Lump sum generally helps spouses/heirs in the worst case scenario, which you aren't concerned about.

I'm sure the numbers look a bit different depending on the assumptions used, but this case seems simple enough to meaningfully make a decision. Best of luck.
by EzM
Mon Mar 28, 2016 3:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Your first $100k
Replies: 52
Views: 12294

Re: Your first $100k

Turning 27 next month. $56k in retirement accounts, $14k in the bank.

My goal was $100K at 30 and I should hit it between 28-29, so about on par with you for now!

We will see what life brings.
by EzM
Mon Feb 29, 2016 9:27 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: When or how is your CFP not practicing in a fiduciary capacity?
Replies: 4
Views: 660

Re: When or how is your CFP not practicing in a fiduciary capacity?

I work at an RIA. The issues we mostly see are funds/products carrying commissions like front end loads or back end loads, variable annuities with long surrender periods, illiquid assets (like private REITs), or insurance products when there is no clear need/want for insurance (whole life policies on people that have enough assets to survive on, high cash value dwindled away by annual premiums, with low death benefits). The conflicts I see internally while working under advisors: Improperly assessing a client's risk tolerance. More assets under management = more $ in the advisor's pocket, so they may skew to higher risk/expected return assets or not rebalance when it is appropriate. Lump sums vs. annuities - Advisor wants the client to rece...
by EzM
Thu Jan 21, 2016 8:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What was your % pay raise?
Replies: 179
Views: 24897

Re: What was your % pay raise?

26/m, small company (5 employees). 2015 was 8.3% raise, 8.3% bonus.

I feel like I'm getting close to a ceiling though. Probably 2% raise + 5% bonus in 2016.
by EzM
Mon Jan 04, 2016 3:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Savings % Target 2016?
Replies: 168
Views: 17124

Re: Savings % Target 2016?

30% towards retirement. 26/m.

Any extra (5-15%) goes to taxable savings for a down payment in the next few years.
by EzM
Thu Nov 12, 2015 9:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7638
Views: 1712749

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

The Big Short by Michael Lewis.

I'm getting excited for the movie now!
by EzM
Thu Nov 05, 2015 2:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Getting brokerage house to allow an executor to close account
Replies: 17
Views: 1847

Re: Getting brokerage house to allow an executor to close account

Keep talking to your attorney. Or find one. They'll instruct you how to title your assets to match your intent.

The fastest way to close a brokerage account at death is the transfer on death (TOD) instruction. You would have to list where the assets would go.

Otherwise, it follows your will which is carried out by your executor. Alternatively, set up a trust now, which is carried out by a trustee at death. Still not a quick process either, but quicker than probate.
by EzM
Thu Oct 08, 2015 7:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I purchase Life Insurance at 25?
Replies: 33
Views: 3745

Re: Should I purchase Life Insurance at 25?

To piggyback on the topic, should he consider disability insurance for himself? I'm 26, single, no dependents, as well.
by EzM
Wed Oct 07, 2015 2:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Trying out the stock market.
Replies: 48
Views: 3475

Re: Trying out the stock market.

Just find a cheaper broker. No experience with them, but look at Interactive Brokers.

I traded stock options with TradeKing years ago ($4 to 5 transaction fees) at age 22 straight out of college. Turned $500 into $700 into $0.

Getting rich quick isn't easy. Best of luck.
by EzM
Fri Sep 18, 2015 8:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: If You Have Savings In Your 20s, You’re Doing Something Wrong [article]
Replies: 148
Views: 19847

Re: If You Have Savings In Your 20s, You’re Doing Something Wrong [article]

The title just infringes on other people's values, assuming we all worry, live, and regret the same things. It also sounds like her parents pushed her to save. My parents did the opposite (their careless spending caused me to save for my future early on).

It's easy to justify spending more money. And the last thing I want to do is take advice from someone with her bio...
Lauren Martin is a Senior Lifestyle Writer at Elite Daily. After graduating from PSU, she moved to NYC to write fart jokes at Smosh Magazine. Making her way to ED, she now writes riveting commentary on nude pics, condoms and first dates.
by EzM
Thu Sep 10, 2015 3:36 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: AQR/Asness - How Can a Strategy Still Work If Everyone Knows About It?
Replies: 116
Views: 12562

Re: AQR/Asness - How Can a Strategy Still Work If Everyone Knows About It?

Re: DFA Even if you buy that DFA has a special sauce on small/value investing, as evidenced by its unusually good performance circa 2000-2003 (please don't look too hard at the performance outside of that timeframe), maybe you should research this question: What was DFA's AUM in 2000? What is DFA's AUM today? How deep is the market for small and micro cap value investing? Can you not say the same thing for DFA's competitors, or even the category in general? The DFA fund's avg. market cap is still smaller and more value-y than Vanguard. Worth the expense ratio? Maybe to some. Other than that, we'd have to discover a transparent fund that is low cost, smaller, and more value-ey than either of them, with managers that (hopefully) aren't takin...
by EzM
Tue Sep 08, 2015 11:58 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Finding "The Intelligent Investor" tedious
Replies: 22
Views: 4589

Re: Finding "The Intelligent Investor" tedious

I've read it a few times. My first read at age 21, I found it tedious but completed it. I probably missed half of the concepts. 2nd read through (a year or two later), I had a better understanding of financial statements, calculated some of the ratios on actual companies, and tried to note his major concepts. It was much more readable/enjoyable. I then read Security Analysis (1940 edition). It took 2-3 months. It was even more tedious than The Intelligent Investor. I found it fascinating to understand concepts from the Great Depression, old economies, railroad companies, how corporations were taxed differently, etc. However, at the end of the day, I forgot 90% of what was in each book and applied roughly 2% of the rest. Some of Graham's key...
by EzM
Thu Sep 03, 2015 10:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Goal: Have $0 left when I die
Replies: 66
Views: 7246

Re: Goal: Have $0 left when I die

You could treat spending like an RMD based on whatever life expectancy you have. 1/24, 1/23 the following year, etc.

Otherwise, this is exactly what annuities are for. Longevity insurance with no death benefit.
by EzM
Mon Aug 24, 2015 10:43 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: U.S. stocks in free fall
Replies: 36221
Views: 4652254

Re: U.S. stocks in freefall

acc17 wrote:Curious, did anyone in here buy following the 1k drop?
I managed to get a few shares of Schwab US Broad Market at the low and was surprised that the order actually filled.

It might be time for me to keep the Schwab checking acct funded a bit to have access to instant contributions...

Image
by EzM
Thu Aug 13, 2015 3:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Overfunded (?) Coverdell / 529
Replies: 3
Views: 587

Re: Overfunded (?) Coverdell / 529

The 529 plan should allow you to change beneficiaries on the account to any other blood relative. Meaning, any unused funds for the oldest kid could be passed down to the younger ones.

However, any funds considered UTMA/UGMA belong to the kid directly, and would not be able to transfer to another sibling. This is typically only the case if UTMA/UGMA funds were transferred to a 529.

It doesn't seem like much of an issue now. The main question, like you said, is paying for private school. I think you understand it and are on the right track.
by EzM
Mon Feb 16, 2015 2:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Opinion-hunting: NW to home ratio? NW is high...
Replies: 16
Views: 2132

Re: Opinion-hunting: NW to home ratio? NW is high...

At a conservative withdrawal rate of 3% that gives $540k/yr to play with.

Could spend $200k/yr on residences and still have $340K to live on. Mortgage calcs seem to think $2.5m is a good number for a $192k/yr payment over 30 yr. Alternatively, $2m @ 20 year or $1.4m @ 10 year mortgage with payments at $192k/yr.

Rent + mobility seems like a good way to go. I have no clue what it is like to live in the more expensive COL areas (California, New York, Seattle, London?)
by EzM
Fri Jan 30, 2015 2:55 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What will be the biggest investment surprises of 2015?
Replies: 84
Views: 13477

Re: What will be the biggest investment surprises of 2015?

A portfolio consisting of 100% cash will have the highest real return.

This is not my bet on what will occur, just a bet on what is unlikely to occur (surprise!).
by EzM
Tue Oct 28, 2014 3:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Young Investors Plan – I'm Firing Questions!
Replies: 14
Views: 3171

Re: Young Investors Plan – I'm Firing Questions!

Personally, I would use ETFs to have the correct asset allocation now rather than wait. There are many ETF variants that mimic the Vanguard mutual funds, have low expenses, and can be purchased commission-free.

Vanguard Total Stock Market - VTI

https://personal.vanguard.com/us/funds/etf
by EzM
Wed Sep 24, 2014 9:17 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Personal finance book for young adults?
Replies: 7
Views: 1084

Re: Personal finance book for young adults?

I Will Teach You to be Rich by Ramit Sethi is a popular recommendation. It touches on all aspects of personal finance.

+1 for Bill Bernstein's "If You Can"