Search found 1279 matches

by pjstack
Sat Oct 18, 2014 4:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is it possible to have a favorite movie
Replies: 82
Views: 7963

Re: Is it possible to have a favorite movie

mhalley wrote:I think everyone has several favorite movies. You might have your favorite comedy (Young Frankenstein), Your favorite action movie (Pulp Fiction), your favorite SciFi (Blade Runner), your favorite Classic (Casablana). Depending on your mood, you will have lots of favorites.
The great thing is, they might be filming your next favorite RIGHT NOW!
Mike
I agree. You named most of my favorites.
by pjstack
Sat Oct 18, 2014 4:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What tax software do you use and why
Replies: 54
Views: 6108

Re: What tax software do you use and why

During my first few years I used an accountant. After looking through the final results, i realized my return is fairly easy and could not justify the 250+ cost. :oops: I started out using turbo tax but didn't like the price structure, especially when I lived in two states and had to pay a premium to file both. A few years later I switched to taxslayer. It was considerably lower than the tax act and turbotax estimates. I went with it one year but questioned the difference and felt like their calculations might be incorrect leading to an audit. The main difference seemed to be where they deducted things, which altered the entire return. The following year I moved over to taxact and have used it since. My experience with them has been great....
by pjstack
Fri Oct 03, 2014 8:47 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: does anybody out there own a two fund portfolio?
Replies: 14
Views: 3303

Re: does anybody out there own a two fund portfolio?

Yes, at the moment VBIAX and VTSMX (for balancing purposes) VBIAX is supposed to be 60/40 stock/bond but my overall AA has become a little bond heavy, therefore the VTSMX.

Plus some I-Bonds.
by pjstack
Fri Sep 26, 2014 12:28 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Buy today or stick to plan?
Replies: 29
Views: 4081

Re: Buy today or stick to plan?

Funkey wrote:
Crow Hunter wrote:
sramina wrote:
This is kind of what I was thinking but I wanted to see what the consensus was from the Borg.
My God is this the Borg?
Resistance is futile!
by pjstack
Wed Sep 24, 2014 11:42 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: New Tony Robbins Book on Financial Freedom
Replies: 92
Views: 34905

Re: New Tony Robbins Book on Financial Freedom

I thought Tony Robbins was/is in prison.
by pjstack
Fri Sep 19, 2014 10:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When did you feel "Out of the Woods"?
Replies: 42
Views: 7772

Re: When did you feel "Out of the Woods"?

chaz wrote:When I got my commission in the USAF.
When I retired from the USAF. (I was single then.)
by pjstack
Thu Sep 11, 2014 9:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: The Great Courses.com
Replies: 23
Views: 5467

Re: The Great Courses.com

I have purchased quite a few courses (DVD's). I have enjoyed them all.
by pjstack
Sat Aug 30, 2014 3:04 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Tax due on investments
Replies: 2
Views: 559

Re: Tax due on investments

Vanguard sends you a Form 1099 at the end of the year. They also send copies to the IRS.
by pjstack
Tue Aug 19, 2014 3:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Any reason I should not pick the admiral funds equivalent?
Replies: 18
Views: 3089

Re: Any reason I should not pick the admiral funds equivalen

In my opinion, no.
Vanguard will probably automatically convert them to Admiral status anyway.
by pjstack
Sun Aug 17, 2014 7:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What was Underestimated\Overestimated in Retirement
Replies: 48
Views: 8678

Re: What was Underestimated\Overestimated in Retirement

This is not financial (or, maybe it could be), but I overestimated how long I would stay in good health!

Now I have a creeping paralysis that severely impairs my mobility. Alas, no more archaeological digs or fossil hunting excursions. It's now practically an expedition to go fetch the mail!

My only (rather banal) advice is to take advantage of your good health while you have it.
by pjstack
Wed Aug 13, 2014 11:56 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Pay off that Mortgage?
Replies: 18
Views: 3338

Re: Pay off that Mortgage?

Or, you could just pay a little extra each month (on the principal) which will shorten the length of the mortgage.
by pjstack
Tue Aug 12, 2014 10:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help!! Can some one explain tax loss harvesting
Replies: 16
Views: 2513

Re: Help!! Can some one explain tax loss harvesting

tomd37 wrote: "Step three: you must buy a similar but not identical replacement stock, bond, mutual fund, etc. using the proceeds from the sale in step two."
No, you don't have to buy anything if you don't want to, but if you do buy a security or fund it must be "substantially different" than what you sold for a loss. The IRS doesn't say what "substantially" means but it is accepted that S&P 500 swapped for Total Stock Market will not raise red flags. (500 stocks vs. 3,000+ stocks.)
by pjstack
Sat Aug 09, 2014 10:54 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: what gender are you?
Replies: 27
Views: 6979

Re: what gender are you?

Barefootgirl wrote:Maybe I am not a Boglehead after all. I did not over-analyze the simple question, lol

BFG
Still my favorite post!
by pjstack
Fri Aug 08, 2014 2:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Telephone Calls! Help! [Stopping telemarketing calls]
Replies: 123
Views: 17974

Re: Telephone Calls! Help!

Answering machines only cost $10 or $15 nowadays. Get one. Let your machine talk to their machine. "Problem" solved.
by pjstack
Wed Aug 06, 2014 12:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Marriage: Is it tax-friendly?
Replies: 50
Views: 5217

Re: Marriage: Is it tax-friendly?

awval999 wrote:The answer to the title of your post is "it depends".

In my personal situation where one spouse has a high income and one has a low income it is beneficial. In your situation where the spouses make identical salary it can cause a marriage tax penalty.
Also in my situation (the first example) marriage lowered my taxes and expenses.
by pjstack
Tue Aug 05, 2014 6:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should i Buy a new car
Replies: 87
Views: 8359

Re: Should i Buy a new car

Lafder wrote: And beware of any accident you have in BMW, some people will be more likely to claim injury if you look like you have $$
Aha!! Maybe that's the reason the BMW I saw had the license plate that said, "NOT AN MD"!
by pjstack
Mon Aug 04, 2014 10:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should i Buy a new car
Replies: 87
Views: 8359

Re: Should i Buy a new car

To the OP: You have received some snarky answers here (it's a tough audience) but I'm glad they haven't made you angry.

BMWs are sort of a cliché among doctors, I guess. It reminds me of a vanity license plate I once saw on a BMW; it read "NOT AN MD". (I thought it was funny. Others may not.)
by pjstack
Sun Aug 03, 2014 10:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: High School Reunions--Have you attended?
Replies: 79
Views: 9063

Re: High School Reunions--Have you attended?

I've been to several, the last one the 50th.

I was surprised that I had more difficulty recognizing the men rather than the women. I expected the opposite since women have more latitude in changing their appearance (different hair colors, styles, costumes, etc.)

But it turned out the men had changed more; some fat, some bald, beards & mustaches, etc., plus we are all more or less the same height now. The big guys in high school are only a few inches taller and the little guys are only a few inches shorter. I didn't have to move my head up or down to talk to them as it was in the old days.

I also admit to (secretly) thinking, "Who are all these old geezers anyway?"
by pjstack
Sat Aug 02, 2014 6:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How often do you replace bath towels?
Replies: 50
Views: 12525

Re: How often do you replace bath towels?

I read (somewhere) that colored towels are less absorbent than plain white due to the dye taking up absorbent "room".

My unscientific experience seems to confirm that, but I don't really know if it's true or not.
by pjstack
Fri Aug 01, 2014 1:02 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Need Perspective and Advise
Replies: 21
Views: 2597

Re: Need Perspective and Advise

The OP said he had 850K invested.

One percent (what the advisor will charge) of 850K is $8,500. Per year. And no manual labor involved.

(I'll do it for half that!)
by pjstack
Fri Aug 01, 2014 12:51 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How Much Did You Lose Today?
Replies: 166
Views: 22731

Re: How Much Did You Lose Today?

Well, you made me look!

I lost $755 (and some cents).

I don't remember exactly what I had yesterday vs. what I have today, so I can't really do the arithmetic to do a precise percentage calculation, nor is it worth the little effort it would take.
by pjstack
Wed Jul 30, 2014 12:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: POLL: Wills vs. Living Trusts
Replies: 35
Views: 4769

Re: POLL: Wills vs. Living Trusts

We just have wills.

I used to have a living trust and went through to trouble of retitling everything, but later titled it back to JOWROS. Also have named beneficiaries for mutual funds, joint ownership of I-Bonds, cars, etc.

Wills seem sufficient for our needs.

For those of you who DON'T have wills, be aware that your state has its version of your will that shows who gets what (which may not coincide with your desires).
by pjstack
Wed Jul 30, 2014 12:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to keep family informed
Replies: 35
Views: 5104

Re: How to keep family informed

Also, it will be useful to list things you DON'T have (but might be expected to). For instance I don't have life insurance, I don't have a brokerage account, I don't have car payments or a mortgage.

This may save your heir(s) from going nuts looking for stuff that they think you probably have. It will put their minds at rest that they haven't overlooked something that may seem "obvious".
by pjstack
Tue Jul 29, 2014 1:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Taking out mortgage with zero down. Smart or no?
Replies: 64
Views: 6334

Re: Taking out mortgage with zero down. Smart or no?

I bought my first house with a VA loan.

None of the terrible things alluded to in some of the above posts happened to me.

It's a good deal. If you need a house to live in, this is a good way to buy one.

I don't understand all this talk about "no skin in the game"; you're going to be making monthly payments. That seems like "skin in the game" to me.

At least you won't be paying 15% interest like I was!!
by pjstack
Wed Jul 23, 2014 5:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where is your brokerage account?
Replies: 41
Views: 5198

Re: Where is your brokerage account?

I don't have a brokerage account anywhere; I own Vanguard mutual funds directly from Vanguard.

The response (above) from Nisiprius tells it all in a nutshell. (Pay close attention to posts by Nisiprius as he gives good info in good detail.)
by pjstack
Tue Jul 22, 2014 1:14 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VMMXX: Finally Pulled the Trigger
Replies: 29
Views: 5519

Re: VMMXX: Finally Pulled the Trigger

potatoman wrote: Do all funds we buy at vanguard remain on the monthly statement as a sort of history even if the balance is zero at the end of month - or it is on my statement because there was activity in that fund during the month?
Yes, zero balance accounts still appear. My account still shows a zero balance for an investment (VTSAX) I had in my name only (before I switched to joint ownership). It's been at least a couple of years now.
by pjstack
Mon Jul 14, 2014 3:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: A question for the Bogleladies or those who can consult one
Replies: 70
Views: 9483

Re: A question for the Bogleladies or those who can consult

I have no understanding of the issue involved, but I commend your courage in braving "no mans land".
I really think your daughters are your very best asset in solving your problem. They most probably know where best to go and what to buy.
by pjstack
Sat Jul 12, 2014 4:40 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Free Portfolio Tracker Like M*
Replies: 4
Views: 991

Re: Free Portfolio Tracker Like M*

Yahoo! Finance has a free portfolio tracker.

I've used Morning Star's tracker for years for free.
by pjstack
Wed Jul 09, 2014 5:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How I look at $ in the real world vs my retirement accounts
Replies: 50
Views: 9142

Re: How I look at $ in the real world vs my retirement accou

Crow Hunter wrote:Don't forget, you haven't "lost" anything until you sell.

You aren't at your destination until you get off the bus. Just because the bus goes into a part of town you don't want to be in doesn't mean you have to get off there. :D

In the mean time, just keep playing Candy Crush on your phone until you actually get to your stop.
I really like that analogy! I'll have to keep it in mind when the next "panic time" hits.
by pjstack
Wed Jul 09, 2014 5:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Why not include gold?
Replies: 48
Views: 6158

Re: Why not include gold?

Ged wrote:
pjstack wrote:But WHY do all governments think it is important to have gold reserves?

Why is Germany trying to "repatriate" its gold from the UK?

If gold is so worthless, why do nations squirrel away tons of it?

Really, I'm serious. No one here has explained that, and I'm curious.
Here is one explanation.

http://philipndiehl.com/2014/04/28/fort ... -reserves/
Thanks for the link,Ged. It was interesting.
by pjstack
Wed Jul 09, 2014 1:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Why not include gold?
Replies: 48
Views: 6158

Re: Why not include gold?

But WHY do all governments think it is important to have gold reserves?

Why is Germany trying to "repatriate" its gold from the UK?

If gold is so worthless, why do nations squirrel away tons of it?

Really, I'm serious. No one here has explained that, and I'm curious.
by pjstack
Sun Jul 06, 2014 10:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Lump Sum or Monthly Pmts
Replies: 9
Views: 1366

Re: Lump Sum or Monthly Pmts

$1056/month equals $12,672 per year. That goes into $128,000 a little over ten times.

If you think you might live longer than ten years, take the $1056/month!
by pjstack
Sun Jun 29, 2014 5:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Paperless Statements (bank checking acct)
Replies: 64
Views: 5665

Re: Paperless Statements (bank checking acct)

My question is: why do you want to save all this crud? Why, or when, will you ever need a two year old checking/saving account statement?

Why keep this stuff, either in paper or on disk?
by pjstack
Sat Jun 28, 2014 2:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Rachel is everywhere!
Replies: 10
Views: 2059

Re: Rachel is everywhere!

I have an answering machine.

Most robocalls hang up when my machine answers. Those that don't are easily ignored.

I only answer when someone I recognize calls.
by pjstack
Fri Jun 27, 2014 11:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ideas on how deal with estate with tons of items
Replies: 29
Views: 3863

Re: Ideas on how deal with estate with tons of items

What is she going to do with a "daily list"? Does she know anything about old coins, cars, etc.?

Does your wife feel that she will be cheated out of the value of all the stuff that her father accumulated? She could always fly to OH and see for herself.
by pjstack
Thu Jun 26, 2014 3:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Paperless Statements (bank checking acct)
Replies: 64
Views: 5665

Re: Paperless Statements (bank checking acct)

I admit to Luddite tendencies too, but I keep track of my checking account balance on-line (daily), so I don't really need the monthly statement (electronic).

I don't even bother to download or even open it any more.
by pjstack
Tue Jun 24, 2014 1:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help devising winning roulette system
Replies: 72
Views: 9291

Re: Help devising winning roulette system

Hilarious!

Thanks for the visual! It proves his system does work. You will never lose!
by pjstack
Mon Jun 23, 2014 7:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help devising winning roulette system
Replies: 72
Views: 9291

Re: Help devising winning roulette system

Ah, memories of youth!

In 1959 I was stationed at Nellis AFB (just outside Vegas) and I "discovered" a winning roulette "system". I was delighted! Much easier than working!

I was a 2nd Lieutenant at the time. I played my "system". It worked! Until it didn't.

I lost $60. In case you think $60 is chump change, $60 dollars in 1959 was equivalent to $486 today!
(Hard to believe, isn't it?)

It was the best $60 I ever lost! I swore off "systems" forever.
by pjstack
Sun Jun 22, 2014 12:00 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Gold and Silver as an Insurance Policy?
Replies: 37
Views: 3726

Re: Gold and Silver as an Insurance Policy?

But, WHY do all countries of the world have gold reserves? The U.S. has Fort Knox and some large vault in New York city.
China is buying (and mining) gold.

And, if gold and silver are so worthless, why are all these hypothetical bandits going to steal it from you?

Our coins (1964 and before) were 90% silver. Now they are just tokens.
by pjstack
Sat Jun 21, 2014 4:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: water bottles and road trip
Replies: 32
Views: 3989

Re: water bottles and road trip

Gosh! The Pioneers really had it tough! Imagine, no stores along the way in which to buy water. But, they didn't have plastic to worry about, so perhaps it evened out.

I used to use a 5 gallon Igloo cooler (filled with tap water), but I had a van so there was no space problem. I traveled all over the West and tap water didn't seem to pose a problem.

The areas the OP mentioned are truly beautiful. Have fun on your trip! Enjoy!
by pjstack
Wed Jun 18, 2014 12:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When the rubber hits the road [Progressive Dementia thread with merged updates]
Replies: 108
Views: 12052

Re: when the rubber hits the road

In keeping with what you propose as the subject of the discussion, I offer the following: I have simplified my "portfolio" to two funds, a balanced 60/40 fund and the Total Stock market fund. I have set up an automatic monthly investment amount taken from my military pension. I have written (over the years) a notebook that outlines ALL my financial situation, not just investing (which is very simple now) but bank info, insurance info, transfer on death info, house title, car titles, etc. Due to some vaguely diagnosed neurological malfunction I have become physically frail in the last ten years. The same thing may occur mentally, who knows? I think I have prepared enough information for my wife to know where everything is and what ...
by pjstack
Mon Jun 16, 2014 5:23 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Death of Savings Bonds
Replies: 33
Views: 4890

Re: The Death of Savings Bonds

I didn't read the poll very carefully! I just assumed those figures in the thousands were dollars!

Who in the world has thousands of individual bonds? That (if they were paper) would surely fill up the old bank safety deposit box!
by pjstack
Fri Jun 13, 2014 10:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Frustration with medical providers
Replies: 24
Views: 2802

Re: Frustration with medical providers

I have Medicare plus a supplemental insurance policy that pays the 20% that Medicare doesn't pay. Medicare periodically sends an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) accounting in the mail. In it I see the initial hospital/doctor/testing charge (usually astonishingly high), the next column shows Medicare "allowed" (a drastic reduction), the next column shows what Medicare actually paid (80% of Medicare "allowed"), the next column shows what the supplemental insurance paid (usually the remaining 20%), and the last column shows what you owe (usually nothing). The difference between what the hospital/doctor originally presented and what Medicare actually paid (and therefore what the doctor/hospital accepted) is shocking!! If you t...
by pjstack
Thu Jun 12, 2014 11:50 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Time to Sell Index Funds While Market Is High?
Replies: 37
Views: 5880

Re: Time to Sell Index Funds While Market Is High?

Don't forget the taxes you generate when you sell. They are another drag on your market timing attempts.
by pjstack
Wed Jun 11, 2014 12:24 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Edward Jones came to my door
Replies: 44
Views: 5698

Re: Edward Jones came to my door

This must be a long standing practice for EJ because a few years ago (more than two, anyway) an EJ guy rang my doorbell. I told him no thanks and that my investments were with Vanguard. He waved good bye and headed to the next house.
by pjstack
Tue Jun 10, 2014 11:58 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: I Bond buy value [Buying I-Bonds in Quantity]
Replies: 6
Views: 1544

Re: I Bond buy value [Buying I-Bonds in Quantity]

Well, when you buy via Treasury Direct, it's just a lump amount (as far as I know, not having done it), but you can redeem any amount you choose.

(Someone correct me if I'm wrong.)

The only way you can buy paper bonds in discrete amounts (now) is through income tax refund.
The amounts are $1,000, $500, $200, $100, and $50. (No $250 or $125 denominations.)