Search found 2670 matches

by GoldenFinch
Fri Feb 16, 2024 3:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Flaunt Your High-Mileage Car
Replies: 945
Views: 150251

Re: Flaunt Your High-Mileage Car

Hit 287K on 2008 Chrysler Town and Country minivan with “lifetime warranty.” It’s still useful.
by GoldenFinch
Fri Feb 02, 2024 1:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is Everyone's Info Really on the Dark Web?
Replies: 25
Views: 3358

Re: Is Everyone's Info Really on the Dark Web?

My bank was hacked and they told me my info is all on the Dark Web. Credit is frozen with fraud alert. So far so good.
by GoldenFinch
Fri Jan 05, 2024 8:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When to take your RMD when you don't need your RMD
Replies: 72
Views: 11844

Re: When to take your RMD when you don't need your RMD

My two cents: Take it in early December. That way you let it grow (hopefully) all year, but you don’t have to worry about forgetting to take it on December 31st.
by GoldenFinch
Wed Jan 03, 2024 12:53 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 2024 Hedge Fund contest
Replies: 156
Views: 26700

Re: 2024 Hedge Fund contest

Commonwealth of Buckaroo Dough Holdings

Looooonnng:

SRPT
by GoldenFinch
Mon Jan 01, 2024 12:10 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 2024 BOGLEHEAD CONTEST REGISTRATION
Replies: 579
Views: 37893

Re: 2024 BOGLEHEAD CONTEST REGISTRATION

I’ll go with 5331.
by GoldenFinch
Fri Dec 01, 2023 3:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mortgage transferred to Mr Cooper - question about payment dates
Replies: 21
Views: 3836

Re: Mortgage transferred to Mr Cooper - question about payment dates

We did a cash out refi in 2021 and have had zero issues with this servicer. I was a little worried about them initially, but they have been A+. If they want you to do something differently, they will contact you.
by GoldenFinch
Wed Nov 22, 2023 6:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hey Men, what are you wearing to the gym?
Replies: 123
Views: 17386

Re: Hey Men, what are you wearing to the gym?

Pro tip: Wash your nylon, polyester, cotton, blends, and synthetics in hot water. All synthetic fabrics use covalently bonded dyes, so they will not fade in hot water. Use an odor treating detergent such as All Odor Relief or similar. Dry in dryer on anything but hot (gentle or medium is fine). Do NOT let your sweaty clothes sit in a pile or gym bag or car: Drop them immediately into the washer, add a little detergent, and let water fill it. Stop the washer after agitates a little, then just wait for the rest of the family or you to add clothes over the next day or so. Do NOT use dryer sheets. They can add more detergent if they like and increase the water level. At this point it doesn't matter if your hot water as cooled and they add warm...
by GoldenFinch
Sun Oct 15, 2023 12:56 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Don’t Fight the Fed
Replies: 57
Views: 8073

Re: Don’t Fight the Fed

If you are investing for the long term, that’s probably not the way to go. If you are investing for the short term, sure.
by GoldenFinch
Mon Sep 11, 2023 6:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: If you have a high income ($500K+), how did you do it?
Replies: 190
Views: 23873

Re: If you have a high income ($500K+), how did you do it?

Married a guy with a software business and stayed married for a long time.
by GoldenFinch
Tue Aug 01, 2023 8:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: If you could wake up anywhere tomorrow morning, where would it be?
Replies: 140
Views: 15947

Re: If you could wake up anywhere tomorrow morning, where would it be?

I have to agree that there is no place like home. I’m glad I wake up here everyday. I do enjoy a trip once in awhile, but home is pretty nice.
by GoldenFinch
Sat Jul 29, 2023 12:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Purchase < $1000?
Replies: 231
Views: 28454

Re: Best Purchase < $1000?

A 1970 La Prairie Zef sailboat I bought used with a trailer for $450.00 back in 1992. It’s a beautiful boat and is as good as new.
by GoldenFinch
Sun Jul 23, 2023 9:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should "golden handcuffs" keep us in an unhappy living situation?
Replies: 51
Views: 8653

Re: Should "golden handcuffs" keep us in an unhappy living situation?

If you move to the shore, will your wife be as unhappy as you are now? If no, then it’s something to talk about, but if yes, you won’t be happy there either.
by GoldenFinch
Sat Jul 22, 2023 11:12 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: an AI engine's "thoughts" on US stocks and bonds
Replies: 75
Views: 6847

Re: an AI engine's "thoughts" on US stocks and bonds

Reading claude chat’s opinions was about as interesting as watching random pontificators on CNBC giving their opinions on what the market is going to do. More practical to spend your time learning the harmonica.

GoldenFinch’s Opinion
by GoldenFinch
Fri Jul 07, 2023 7:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: $13 Million Goal for Early Retirement (am I crazy?)
Replies: 320
Views: 82761

Re: $13 Million Goal for Early Retirement (am I crazy?)

You’re well on your way to your goal! It’s nice to see these yearly posts. Keep going! :happy
by GoldenFinch
Fri Jul 07, 2023 6:18 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 20X 30X whatever X - how are you calculating it?
Replies: 48
Views: 4833

Re: 20X 30X whatever X - how are you calculating it?

To be conservative, I take what we have saved and divide it by the number of years left to age 100. Then I look at the number and ask myself whether I could live on that amount. The answer is yes. So, most likely, that number will grow over the years since we are still saving and very much invested. I’m not worried about the number X.
by GoldenFinch
Sat Jun 24, 2023 7:54 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Behavioral warning bells
Replies: 120
Views: 18840

Re: Behavioral warning bells

I respectfully submit that this list is way more complicated than necessary. Instead of avoiding behaviors I like to focus on what to do.

My list is something like, buy and hold index funds, 80/20, tax loss harvest when possible, otherwise sell only when money is needed. No bells go off. No bad behaviors.
by GoldenFinch
Mon Jun 12, 2023 2:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: High income earner marrying someone with negative net worth
Replies: 87
Views: 11430

Re: High income earner marrying someone with negative net worth

You have to think really hard about all the reasons why you are on the fence about marrying him. Seven years in a relationship is a long time and 15k of debt is not a lot.
by GoldenFinch
Sun Jun 11, 2023 6:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mortgages for second home when first home is paid?
Replies: 8
Views: 2668

Re: Mortgages for second home when first home is paid?

Have you considered doing a cash-out mortgage on primary home, instead of taking a mortgage on secondary? (I don't know the details or potential pitfalls of doing that-- but in the back of my mind that's what I'm planning/hoping to do one day when I eventually convince DW it's time to buy a vacation property.) Our primary home was paid off and we bought a vacation home for cash. I then did a cash-out refi on the primary home when rates were 2.75 for about half of what the primary home was worth. It worked out well. I did not want so much money tied up in real estate since we also own a commercial property outright. It was just too much money tied up in real estate. I would not have done that at a higher interest rate, but 2.75 was too good...
by GoldenFinch
Sat Jun 10, 2023 1:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What actually are the risks of sharing your personal financial information?
Replies: 26
Views: 3697

Re: What actually are the risks of sharing your personal financial information?

Stinky wrote: Sat Jun 10, 2023 1:25 pm
Doctor Rhythm wrote: Sat Jun 10, 2023 12:35 pm If you hide your income and wealth, how will Fisher know to send you fancy mail?
Best post of the day. :D
I send it back to him in his own postage paid envelope.
by GoldenFinch
Fri Jun 09, 2023 8:25 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Investments you wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole
Replies: 242
Views: 26568

Re: Investments you wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole

A very well-off successful real estate friend wanted us to invest 500K in college dorms right before the pandemic. We said no thanks. The idea was we would give him the money and get paid a dividend every year. No, no and no. Wouldn’t do it. Maybe it was a great deal. I will never know and I don’t care. Also, why did he think we had 500K just sitting around looking for a place to go?
by GoldenFinch
Thu Jun 08, 2023 2:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Looking for advice? Advisor proposing 1% on $3M AUM
Replies: 79
Views: 6838

Re: Looking for advice? Advisor proposing 1% on $3M AUM

If you can manage a 10K portfolio yourself, you can manage a 3M portfolio yourself. Index funds work great and are so inexpensive. Why choose to have a middle man make decisions for you that will profit him when you can so easily keep that money and make your own decisions. Why not just drop the money into two or three index funds and set it and forget it?
by GoldenFinch
Mon May 29, 2023 9:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: "Should couples combine finances or keep personal accounts?"
Replies: 236
Views: 25886

Re: "Should couples combine finances or keep personal accounts?"

Combined accounts and I manage the money because my husband doesn’t like to and I do. So far it’s worked out fine (31 years).
by GoldenFinch
Tue May 09, 2023 6:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tales from this insane real estate market [Home sales]
Replies: 2904
Views: 514984

Re: Tales from this insane real estate market [Home sales]

pizzy wrote: Fri May 05, 2023 11:28 am
newyorker wrote: Fri May 05, 2023 11:21 am
pizzy wrote: Fri May 05, 2023 10:32 am
newyorker wrote: Fri May 05, 2023 6:54 am Are housing prices finally coming down?
Not necessarily...

https://www.news5cleveland.com/after-a- ... his-spring
Seriously? In cleveland?? Thought thats a dying city.
Surprise Surprise :sharebeer

People don’t realize how high the quality of life is in the suburbs surrounding Cleveland because of years of Cleveland jokes, but transplants from all over the country (and world) tend to stay because it’s such a nice place to live.
by GoldenFinch
Tue May 02, 2023 1:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: New child at 54
Replies: 44
Views: 6955

Re: New child at 54

We had our last kid in our mid-forties. Keeps us on our toes. Your new child will will keep you young and happy. :happy Congratulations!
by GoldenFinch
Fri Apr 28, 2023 7:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Helping kids buy a home
Replies: 182
Views: 14997

Re: Helping kids buy a home

but doesn't actually mean you are treating your kids equally. If some of the kids don't need it and therefore don't take the offer, the result is that you are going to be giving a substantial gift to one kid and not the others. To stay fair, OP would have to do that for each grandchild. And what if some of them are already in college or have graduated or won’t be going to college? "Equal" and "fair" are not the same thing. I'm one of the three executors of my parents' trust (should I outlive them). All distribution requests go through the three of us by majority vote. My parents have three kids (including myself) that are reasonably well-off and four that are relatively broke. You better believe that my parents' poorer ...
by GoldenFinch
Wed Apr 26, 2023 7:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Helping kids buy a home
Replies: 182
Views: 14997

Re: Helping kids buy a home

Frankly, I wouldn't even be asking random internet strangers these questions. Do whatever you think is right for your kids, you know them, we don't. These are not random internet strangers, these are Bogleheads. There is much wisdom and much experience in these here parts. :happy True, but these are not objective questions. Threads like this just lead to contention and judgment. I don't see the upside in asking anybody else (including those you know IRL - except a spouse) what you should allocate your expendable resources towards. You don't need the permission of random strangers and you know your situation better than anybody else. I agree with you, especially about the permission of random strangers part. But sometimes some people are st...
by GoldenFinch
Wed Apr 26, 2023 4:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Helping kids buy a home
Replies: 182
Views: 14997

Re: Helping kids buy a home

mark_in_denver wrote: Tue Apr 25, 2023 8:47 pm Frankly, I wouldn't even be asking random internet strangers these questions.
Do whatever you think is right for your kids, you know them, we don't.
These are not random internet strangers, these are Bogleheads. There is much wisdom and much experience in these here parts. :happy
by GoldenFinch
Wed Apr 26, 2023 4:04 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Helping kids buy a home
Replies: 182
Views: 14997

Re: Helping kids buy a home

I think it might be better in the long run for them to make their own way to their next house. The possibility of them getting in over their heads financially would definitely be there if they can’t afford the house on their own. The baby won’t even start school for another five years and who knows what will happen to mortgage and housing prices during that time period? Getting tangled up in loans to family members is very risky. Sometimes it works out, but when it doesn’t, it’s a mess.
by GoldenFinch
Fri Apr 21, 2023 9:38 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: WSJ article about a "forever portfolio"
Replies: 33
Views: 5521

Re: WSJ article about a "forever portfolio"

This idea is relying on luck. Just buy VTSAX or the equivalent.
by GoldenFinch
Tue Apr 18, 2023 9:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard Cash Plus Questions -- not sure this account will ever work for me
Replies: 11
Views: 6553

Re: Vanguard Cash Plus Questions -- not sure this account will ever work for me

DaveTH wrote: Sat Apr 15, 2023 1:16 pm I've been in the "pilot" since last October, but haven't really found a good use for it yet. I was surprised when I couldn't use it as a true settlement account or funding source. It doesn't seem to be integrated with anything at this point. I ended up moving it all into the Vanguard Treasury MM due to the much higher yield (4.63% vs 4.25%). Giving up 40bp for FDIC insurance wasn't worth it to me.
I had the same experience and am using the Vanguard Treasury MM as well. I have found Cash Plus to be pretty useless.
by GoldenFinch
Sun Apr 16, 2023 7:05 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Pickleball, I have searched this forum. How to invest
Replies: 38
Views: 5913

Re: Pickleball, I have searched this forum. How to invest

You could invest in a company that makes arm support braces for tennis elbow and knee braces.


Sincerely,

A Pickleball player
by GoldenFinch
Wed Apr 05, 2023 5:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Marriage or No Marriage? (Home, children, HSA, IRA, etc.)
Replies: 80
Views: 10002

Re: Marriage or No Marriage? (Home, children, HSA, IRA, etc.)

I think if you are on the fence with these kinds of concerns in the forefront you are better off not getting married.
by GoldenFinch
Fri Mar 31, 2023 10:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How long have you been in your current house?
Replies: 148
Views: 12392

Re: How long have you been in your current house?

We bought our house when I was 30 years old and now I’m 56. Neighborhood has turned over three times since we first moved in. I guess most people like to move. I really like my house and it’s close to where I grew up (like two miles away). So I guess I didn’t get very far in life. Haha….
by GoldenFinch
Sun Mar 26, 2023 8:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: AirTags are not useful as a people/creature tracker
Replies: 40
Views: 6025

Re: AirTags are not useful as a people/creature tracker

That is good to know. It sounds like they might give people a false sense of security.
by GoldenFinch
Sun Mar 19, 2023 8:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Some people in my life liked me better when I had l nothing
Replies: 29
Views: 3697

Re: Some people in my life liked me better when I had l nothing

No one is thinking about you and your finances. This is all in your head. It really depends on your background. In some families, nobody ever owned a home. Always loved in really crap apartments for decades. So going to college, can be taken by them as an affront. Getting too big for your britches. And when you buy that first modest home, they see it and know it. Some truly are happy to see you make it, but some resent it. And then there is the workplace. People move on different trajectories through their careers. And for a group of young people that all start out together at the same place and time, after twenty years, you’ve all reached different levels of success. People change and lifestyles go in different directions. Sometimes there...
by GoldenFinch
Thu Mar 09, 2023 5:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: how to compare property tax rates (massachusetts)
Replies: 10
Views: 1200

Re: how to compare property tax rates (massachusetts)

We bought a cottage in Massachusetts and the tax rate was set by the sale price. Where our cottage is (on Cape) they seem to reassess every year, so the taxes are going up. They even have a separate tax for a shed on the property, which is not something they do in Ohio, my home state.
by GoldenFinch
Wed Feb 22, 2023 2:35 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: WSJ Reporter doing story on retired folks w/$500k savings
Replies: 39
Views: 11841

Re: WSJ Reporter doing story on retired folks w/$500k savings

Godot wrote: Tue Feb 21, 2023 11:46 pm
WhiteMaxima wrote: Sun Feb 19, 2023 10:10 pm I will live a retire life like I have only 500k though I will have many more times of 500k. But I will not share my story with WSJ.
Seriously. Why would anyone share their name and finances with a national newspaper? Zero upside.
I read the comments at the end of WSJ articles and some are pretty brutal. That’s something to keep in mind when deciding to put your name, face and personal details about yourself in a WSJ article.
by GoldenFinch
Mon Feb 20, 2023 8:56 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 2022-2023 Bear Market Is Over
Replies: 156
Views: 27169

Re: 2022-2023 Bear Market Is Over

The good news is that in two years or so we will know exactly how this turns out.
by GoldenFinch
Sat Jan 21, 2023 8:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What’s Your 2023 Budget?
Replies: 201
Views: 26109

Re: What’s Your 2023 Budget?

This has been really interesting, so I'll share too. For the last couple years I've been making a concerted effort to track accurately, so that I'm clear on my expenses (retirement is getting close). I live in a MCOL area, no spouse, no kids-- but I do have horses, and that's a big category. Income is around $130K (depending on variable bonus) Insured through employer, and it comes out via payroll, as does 401K contribution. Expenses Housing- mortgage 14,400 electric, water, trash, dish 5,880 internet, cell 400 home insurance 2,100 property taxes 4300 yard care/upkeep 1200 mower repair, accrual 800 routine repairs and AC service 1000 Housing Total 30,080 Groceries 5700 Dining out 1500 subscripts, memberships 850 Pet expense 1500 housekeepe...
by GoldenFinch
Thu Jan 19, 2023 6:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [AmazonSmile charity program to be terminated]
Replies: 91
Views: 5506

Re: Amazon Smile being terminated

I always wondered whether the business gets to write off the donation you are making on their taxes and you don’t get to write it off. That’s why these programs are probably just a marketing tool. Am I wrong?
by GoldenFinch
Wed Jan 18, 2023 2:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Old format [Vanguard]
Replies: 19
Views: 1692

Re: Old format [Vanguard]

The old version was way better. Don’t switch unless they make you.
by GoldenFinch
Thu Jan 05, 2023 2:54 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 2023 Hedge Fund contest
Replies: 199
Views: 27243

Re: 2023 Hedge Fund contest

Commonwealth of Buckaroo Dough Holdings

Loooooooong SRPT: Sarepta Theraputics
by GoldenFinch
Mon Jan 02, 2023 2:12 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 2022 Hedge Fund contest
Replies: 320
Views: 35904

Re: 2022 Hedge Fund contest

As fate would have it Commonwealth of Buckaroo Dough Holdings is last place! I guess that’s what happens when you put all your eggs in a stock with the ticker symbol FATE.

(There should be an emoji with a sad face and the beer mug turned upside down.)
by GoldenFinch
Sat Dec 31, 2022 11:29 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]
Replies: 5249
Views: 899682

Re: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]

Without contribution: negative 18.26%.
by GoldenFinch
Thu Dec 29, 2022 2:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Bob the Market Timer- Index to Cash to Index?
Replies: 52
Views: 11384

Re: Bob the Market Timer- Index to Cash to Index?

David Jay wrote: Mon Feb 21, 2022 7:21 pm Bob the Market Timer is not a "how to" manual, it is an example of investing at the worst times (and it still turns out moderately well).
It’s worth pointing out that just because things worked out okay for Bob doesn’t mean things will work out just as well for someone else, hypothetical or not.
by GoldenFinch
Sun Dec 25, 2022 10:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Student Loan To Son
Replies: 15
Views: 1843

Re: Student Loan To Son

windaar wrote: Sun Dec 25, 2022 9:59 pm I've been in academia for a while; conventional wisdom is that one only does a doctorate that is fully-funded. What is the doctorate in, and is this a well-known university?
I also don’t understand why she is paying to get a doctorate. Usually the student gets a grant that covers tuition and it includes a small stipend for living expenses. Also, loaning to a family member, especially an in-law, is not advisable because there are so many things that can go wrong and it can sour the relationship. Ask yourself, “What could go wrong?” Think about the answers and how you would feel living with the different potential outcomes.
by GoldenFinch
Sun Dec 25, 2022 5:44 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Ben Felix: 2.7% Retirement Rule.
Replies: 847
Views: 75807

Re: Ben Felix: 2.7% Retirement Rule.

HomerJ wrote: Sat Dec 24, 2022 2:44 am
marcopolo wrote: Sat Dec 24, 2022 2:40 am I doubt another thread on the topic will bring forth any new thoughts.
Yes, good point.
I definitely have visited this same topic here before, at length.
by GoldenFinch
Sun Dec 25, 2022 5:41 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Are We in a new Regime? (Blackrock 2023 Global Outlook)
Replies: 31
Views: 6240

Re: Are We in a new Regime? (Blackrock 2023 Global Outlook)

The more I read things like this Global Outlook, the more I like the idea of having a simple plan and sticking to it. I am going to continue only paying attention to my asset allocation and keeping it on track. Other than that, I am not going to get caught up in the details/predictions/outlooks of everyone interviewed on CNBC and everyone who gets paid to analyze the economy and give their thoughts. I will continue my own PollyAnna outlook because it takes the least amount of energy and I can use my energy for the gym and other fun stuff instead, while letting my investments work for me behind the scenes doing whatever they do.