Search found 255 matches

by TMCD75
Wed Sep 06, 2017 7:30 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: REIT versus Rental properties
Replies: 15
Views: 3888

Re: REIT versus Rental properties

Thank you for the replies. We aren't seriously considering doing this, but it did occur to us that it's obviously a possibility.

We actually don't mind the rental property game. I'm fairly handy as a paint contractor. I have all painting, dry wall and pressure washing aspects handled in house.

For those that think you'll spend much time on premises, this isn't the case for us. Going back 12 months, we've spent less than 3.5 hours devoted to these two rentals. We tried to bullet proof them a couple of years ago by updating both places and that's key for our operations.
by TMCD75
Tue Sep 05, 2017 9:14 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: REIT versus Rental properties
Replies: 15
Views: 3888

REIT versus Rental properties

My two rental properties are worth a total of 250k-275k and paid off. They yearly spin off about a 10-12% return which we are happy with.

Here's my question, would I benefit similarly if I cashed out and invested the entire nut in a REIT? My wife and I were having this conversation after reading the excellent thread offered here yesterday about rental properties. We would need to take the dividends from the REIT to replace the rental income provided from the two houses.

We aren't asking this because we don't like the rental business, not at all. We are just curious if a REIT is as good as having two houses that are occupied by long term renters who pay on time. If a REIT is close to being that productive, it would be worth thinking about.
by TMCD75
Mon Aug 28, 2017 10:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Starting a Roth IRA for a 9 year old
Replies: 20
Views: 3263

Re: Starting a Roth IRA for a 9 year old

Thank you for the links. I think I may start a Roth for him. Talk about having time on your side! I wish someone would've started an IRA for me when I was 9!

It's surprising that this doesn't get more play...
by TMCD75
Mon Aug 28, 2017 11:51 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Starting a Roth IRA for a 9 year old
Replies: 20
Views: 3263

Starting a Roth IRA for a 9 year old

My wife and I have considered starting a Roth IRA for our 9yr old son. We are self employed with a family painting business. Occasionally my 9yr old works with us in the summer time doing odds and ends around our various job sites.

Would it be prudent to start a Roth IRA for him since he has the potential to make decent money, especially as he gets to be 12 or 13?? I figured it would be a great head start on saving for his future!!
by TMCD75
Mon Aug 28, 2017 11:41 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Do people in the 15% tax bracket tax loss harvest?
Replies: 24
Views: 3760

Re: Do people in the 15% tax bracket tax loss harvest?

To answer someone's question above, we have thousands of dollars of space left in the 15% TB. Actually, I could sell my taxable position I referred to above, 25k account, and still be in the 15% TB.

Anyway, the consensus seems to be that I should sell the RIG stock and then apply that money to my Roth IRA. It would also allow me to take a 3k write off on this year's income and carry over 1k to next year's income. Correct?
by TMCD75
Sun Aug 27, 2017 9:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Do people in the 15% tax bracket tax loss harvest?
Replies: 24
Views: 3760

Re: Do people in the 15% tax bracket tax loss harvest?

I wasn't planning on selling anything from my taxable account. I'm simply going to sell the Trans Ocean position and move that money into my Roth.

I would've never bought the RIG stock if my EJ advisor hadn't turned me on to it. I'm away from EJ now, fully invested at VG.

Actually, my taxable account is invested in Franklin Templeton World Fund/TEMWX. I've had it since I was young, at least 28 years. I treat it like a backup cash account. Should I transfer it over to a Target Date Fund? Taxes would probably hurt me, I don't know?? What would it cost me to transfer to a lower cost Van Guard fund? I'm paying expensive fees on that account...
by TMCD75
Sun Aug 27, 2017 8:39 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Do people in the 15% tax bracket tax loss harvest?
Replies: 24
Views: 3760

Re: Do people in the 15% tax bracket tax loss harvest?

Thanks, I think IlliniDave's post set me straight. Being firmly in the 15% tax bracket, I just don't worry about CG taxes. I do have a 25k taxable account that probably grew by 4k, but it's not enough to knock me out of the 15% tax bracket.
by TMCD75
Sun Aug 27, 2017 8:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Do people in the 15% tax bracket tax loss harvest?
Replies: 24
Views: 3760

Re: Do people in the 15% tax bracket tax loss harvest?

Ok, question then. I purchased a 5k position of Trans Ocean (RIG) stock 3 years ago, it is only worth 1k as of tonight. I was simply going to sell it and take the cash and stuff my Roth with the 1k.

Tax loss harvesting would require me to purchase another similar stock, correct? I don't want to do that, I want to fund my Roth. Or am I way off base?
by TMCD75
Sun Aug 27, 2017 7:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Do people in the 15% tax bracket tax loss harvest?
Replies: 24
Views: 3760

Do people in the 15% tax bracket tax loss harvest?

Since the 15% tax bracket people do not pay capital gains taxes, should they tax loss harvest?
by TMCD75
Thu Aug 24, 2017 1:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 78% Americans are living from paycheck to paycheck?
Replies: 15
Views: 3082

Re: 78% Americans are living from paycheck to paycheck?

We live in a country where it's not really structured to save money. It's actually structured the opposite way, meaning to live life to the last penny.

Let's take the average monthly bill scenario where the mortgage is $1300, food is $650-$1k, car payments could easily total $600-$1k and we haven't gotten to the utility bills or smart phone payments. Not to mention monthly insurance premiums!

Does that sound like an environment where average people can expect to save money??? If you're tackling those bills, or even anything close to that on a 50k-80k salary, it's paycheck to paycheck city. Welcome to America!
by TMCD75
Thu Aug 17, 2017 2:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is it worth it? [demanding jobs vs time with family]
Replies: 182
Views: 20858

Re: Is it worth it? [demanding jobs vs time with family]

Money isn't the end all be all that people think it is. We live in a society where people worship the dollar. Most people I know who work 40++ hours a week, do so because they love money. I've always wondered where the standard 40 hour work week even came from. Who decided that 40 hours is a full time gig? 30 hours is a full time gig to me. As a self employed contractor, I've made anywhere from 50k-140k working 28-34 hours per week. I do not and typically will not work more than 6.5hr per day...and I pride myself on that fact. I'm good enough at what I do that I can accomplish what needs to be done in a 5.5-6hr window. Being self employed allows us to home school our son. He went to public schools for kindergarten and first grade. We QUICKL...
by TMCD75
Mon Aug 14, 2017 7:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Paint vs. Stain on fiberglass door
Replies: 11
Views: 8238

Re: Paint vs. Stain on fiberglass door

20 year painter here...of course you can stain a fiberglass door. That's what the grain on them is designed for. Brush a coat of stain on evenly, rag off/wipe off after a few minutes and let dry for an appropriate time. Then seal with two coats of poly/sealer, sanding lightly between each coat of sealer.

Hire a professional if you have no experience, these doors are very much considered custom work.
by TMCD75
Fri Aug 11, 2017 11:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: "Why do you want to come here?" Hiring Manager Question
Replies: 19
Views: 4016

Re: "Why do you want to come here?" Hiring Manager Question

You want to go there because of the pay raise...nothing more, nothing less. Tell the truth, it's all about $$$.
by TMCD75
Wed Aug 09, 2017 10:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mr handyman?
Replies: 14
Views: 3012

Re: Mr handyman?

I'm a painting contractor and we generally charge $45-$55/hr when bidding work. Sometimes we finish ahead of schedule and it comes out to making $80/hr. Of course there's occasionally the job that bites me in the rear and we're there longer than expected. $100/hr is ridiculous imo because there should be plenty of money to be made at fees well below that rate.

I will tell you that we always charge for our time when going to pick paint up for our customers' jobs. Picking paint up is time consuming because half of the time we are made to wait 45 minutes while they mix it up. Factor in the drive time to and from, it's an easy $60-$75 charge. I've got to cover my bases, it's my time.
by TMCD75
Wed Aug 09, 2017 1:35 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 40 / 30 / 30. Any good ?
Replies: 12
Views: 2679

Re: 40 / 30 / 30. Any good ?

How do you know that gold's real valuation is $500 or below?
by TMCD75
Sun Aug 06, 2017 9:03 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Do I have enough to retire-retire from the military
Replies: 42
Views: 6457

Re: Do I have enough to retire-retire from the military

You would need to move to a LCOL area, much like where I reside in Kentucky. You would do just fine in a LCOL area. With your pension being 57k/yr, you're going to have to dial back the 90k expectations a bit. It can still work though.

I live in Western Kentucky on 60k per year. My networth is half of yours, but I don't need 90k a year either. We are a family of 3.
by TMCD75
Fri Aug 04, 2017 7:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where to View Total Eclipse? - Kansas City / Nashville et al
Replies: 98
Views: 10867

Re: Where to View Total Eclipse? - Kansas City / Nashville et al

I live 8 miles from the KY Dam airport, it's a very small airport from my knowledge. Hope it works for you, Neil!!
by TMCD75
Fri Aug 04, 2017 5:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where to View Total Eclipse? - Kansas City / Nashville et al
Replies: 98
Views: 10867

Re: Where to View Total Eclipse? - Kansas City / Nashville et al

I'll be watching from my front yard here in Lyon County, Kentucky. Our local agencies are preparing for a big influx of people. We are in the prime zone, I'm 90 miles NW of Nashville.
by TMCD75
Wed Aug 02, 2017 2:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Buying rental properties at age 25 as investments.
Replies: 8
Views: 1247

Re: Buying rental properties at age 25 as investments.

A person your age with the desire and commitment to venture into rental properties could do very well. It's not a totally passive investment, that's true. If you buy in at the right price and are diligent about screening your potential renters, it boosts your chances of making money. You must buy in at a decent price, that's ultra important.
by TMCD75
Sun Jul 30, 2017 7:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Estimate for painting home interior
Replies: 19
Views: 3256

Re: Estimate for painting home interior

I'm a 20 year paint contractor, I'll try to shed some light on this. Regarding the bid where the painter was 20% higher for extra work, he's simply trying to cover his rear end. He's probably trying to account for the fact that you may have 5 different colors you want used and the fact these colors will require multiple coats of paint. He also is probably trying to figure out the drywall situation. Most paint jobs, if done the right way, end up with several hours of drywall prep work to ensure a quality result. The average person has zero idea about what is typically involved in a professional paint job. I'm not talking about a decent homeowner effort either. I'm talking about a true professional job. The lines are nice, the walls covered a...
by TMCD75
Sun Jul 23, 2017 8:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Advice needed regarding a duplex for sale
Replies: 6
Views: 1129

Re: Advice needed regarding a duplex for sale

I think he might take 100k because he's trying to move to the Gulf Coast of Florida. He's had it for sale for a while and wants it gone so he can retire to Florida. He had two other rentals that he finally sold and this one is his last.

My other rentals are going well. I've had success with them both because I'm not cheap. I keep things updated and in working order. This just seems like a good opportunity, the cash on cash return is pretty darn good.
Couple that with two long term tenants that have paid in a timely manner, it's hard to see the negatives.
by TMCD75
Sun Jul 23, 2017 8:26 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Advice needed regarding a duplex for sale
Replies: 6
Views: 1129

Advice needed regarding a duplex for sale

I have an opportunity to purchase an all brick duplex that has been very well taken care of. The current renters are both paying $550/mo rent and have lived there for 4-5 years each. The owner is asking $120k, I definitely feel like he'll take 100k, maybe even 95k. I have two other rentals that I own outright and do pretty well with. My networth is around 750k. I'm a self employed paint contractor and also dabble in rental property. I feel like this is an opportunity to pad/increase my cash flow and help in regards to my retirement down the road. I will not have a large SS check when I retire and have no pensions either...the rental properties fill that role. If I were to purchase this duplex for 100k, it would cash flow $13,200 a year at t...
by TMCD75
Tue Jul 18, 2017 8:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 7 year old son's coin collection (& my observation on circulation?)
Replies: 14
Views: 3439

Re: 7 year old son's coin collection (& my observation on circulation?)

I collect the Mexican proof Libertads in both, silver and gold. These coins typically have a tiny mintage which is what drives coin prices through the roof after a few years.

As for your inability to find the D minted coins, that's par for the course. A person living 100 miles from Denver would probably encounter D minted coins 9 out of 10 times and struggle to find P minted coins.

If you want a challenge, put together the Roosevelt silver dime set. The Mercury dimes are ultra neat but get pricey.
by TMCD75
Thu Jun 15, 2017 3:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How many of you have rentals (i.e. you're a landlord)? Are they worth it?
Replies: 74
Views: 10496

Re: How many of you have rentals (i.e. you're a landlord)? Are they worth it?

Rental property is about getting the right renters, that's the most important thing. If you're not a good judge of character, then by all means stay out of the rental game.

People that do well with it are generally good with their hands. They can save money by doing their own drywall repairs and their own painting.

Be patient in finding the correct renter. Most people jump on the first renter who comes through, don't do that.
by TMCD75
Wed Jun 14, 2017 9:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How many of you have rentals (i.e. you're a landlord)? Are they worth it?
Replies: 74
Views: 10496

Re: How many of you have rentals (i.e. you're a landlord)? Are they worth it?

I've got two rental properties and looking to add a third. I fixed the one true rental up pretty nice by putting in new pex plumbing, a new water heater and new floors. By doing this, you eliminate potential problems. My other rental is the three bedroom brick home I lived in until last fall. Practically everything in that house is fairly up to date.

My theory is simple, don't rent to idiots and don't be a slum lord. If you buy a rental, just make sure the plumbing, electrical, roof and windows are decent. If you buy a dump, plan on spending 10k-30k fixing it up before you rent it.

Rental properties aren't for everyone, BUT to the right person, it's not a bad racket.
by TMCD75
Sat Jun 10, 2017 6:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Naming boat
Replies: 62
Views: 5969

Re: Naming boat

DIY Investor or Do It Yourself Investor...afterall, aren't most BH just this.
by TMCD75
Mon Jun 05, 2017 5:45 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Matching the markets
Replies: 4
Views: 915

Matching the markets

Am I correct to assume to match or beat the markets, you would usually need to be 100% equities? For example, I'll never match the markets this year because I'm only about 80/20. My 80 may very well match the markets but the 20 that I have invested in bonds won't come close.
by TMCD75
Fri May 26, 2017 10:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Septic Pumping - Did I get ripped off?
Replies: 50
Views: 9236

Re: Septic Pumping - Did I get ripped off?

To me, that's steep. I've paid $175 in Indiana about 10 years ago and I paid $225 here in Kentucky last year. Where I live now is a very low cost of living area. We live next to Lake Barkley in Western Kentucky. I don't understand how people live in these HCOL areas, puke.
by TMCD75
Wed May 24, 2017 10:26 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Cash flow observation
Replies: 21
Views: 2818

Re: Cash flow observation

It's an important discussion because the paths to a high networth aren't necessarily the exact same paths to a nice cash flow. As my dad's example clearly points out, his path was never the BH path, yet he ended up in a very strong financial position.

Now days, someone who wants a nice cash flow without living an extremely frugal existence, probably needs to think about buying a few rental props.
by TMCD75
Wed May 24, 2017 8:46 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Cash flow observation
Replies: 21
Views: 2818

Cash flow observation

An observation I've made from reading this board for the last few years is that net worth is valued more than cash flow. I think cash flow, particularly in retirement, is considerably more important than net worth. My dad is a fine example of lower net worth but nice cash flow. Dad retired from the automotive industry after 37 years. He was pretty opposite the BH approach. He made good money but lived a free wheeling lifestyle. He went on 3k dollar hunting trips, liked to drink, and liked to gamble a bit. He also bought a new car every 5 years. Dad's cash flow was 6k a month to the positive, his net worth was around 350k. Dad's brother has a net worth between 3-5 million, yet my dad did everything his brother did. When you get down to it, c...
by TMCD75
Sat Apr 01, 2017 7:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What career helped you become wealthy?
Replies: 75
Views: 14499

Re: What career helped you become wealthy?

Any time I talk or think about wealth, sadly, I'm reminded of my parent's passing at 62 and 66. Both of my parents worked hard and made good wages. After seeing them both pass away from cancer in their 60s, it totally changes your priorities about working 50 hours a week and trying to get rich.

My bills are paid, I own three properties that are paid for, two of those produce 2k per month rental income. I'm also self-employed and work 30 hours a week. I'll never be Boglehead rich, and I'm actually fine with that. I want to enjoy my life, that means spending time with my wife and 8 year old son.

To get truly wealthy coin wise, I'd have to work 50 hours a week or more. I'm not willing to do that after witnessing my parent's situation.
by TMCD75
Thu Mar 23, 2017 7:39 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The $1,124,176 Car.
Replies: 99
Views: 15218

Re: The $1,124,176 Car.

Buying a BMW versus a Ford Taurus or Toyota Corolla is nothing more than an ego trip. It's all about status and ego. Successful people generally have bigger egos and they definitely get more hung up on the whole status or image thing.

Buying that hotshot BMW feeds the ego...buying a Corolla doesn't do that. There's a HUGE amount of psychology in car buying, particularly exotic car buying.

[OT comment removed by admin LadyGeek]
by TMCD75
Thu Mar 09, 2017 2:16 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Does anyone own gold?
Replies: 148
Views: 21548

Re: Does anyone own gold?

The best I can tell you regarding gold, and perhaps my reason for owning a little bit, is because the US economy inevitably booms and busts. Looking back over the last 100 years or so, the economy ALWAYS does this...it'll continue to do this because that's what Capitalism does, folks.

When we go bust next time, I'll have my gold coins and hopefully they'll take the sting out of a 30-40 percent loss in the markets. It's a classic hedge in this regard. Instead of me losing 40%, my gold hedge allows me to lose only 25%....it's that simple.

Silver works similarly, but silver has more room to grow according to most people.
by TMCD75
Sun Feb 19, 2017 4:19 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Deleted
Replies: 47
Views: 7498

Re: economics of landlording

You should up the rent to $1750-$2000 per month, especially if it's fairly up to date. I still think you're doing ok at $1500 per month though.

I'm renting my $150k house out right now for $1200/mo. This is in the Louisville Ky metropolitan area. Everything in the house is up to date and I'm VERY comfortable renting it out the next 5-8 years at this price.
by TMCD75
Thu Feb 16, 2017 7:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Gold vs 401k
Replies: 45
Views: 5666

Re: Gold vs 401k

I hold a small amount of gold because it's an attractive alternative investment to me. I also hold a small amount of silver, which arguably has more upside than gold.

I would never put more than 10% of my networth into metals. Metals serve as a hedge, they typically but not always move in the opposite direction of the markets. If you're worth 100k, you should only have about 10k in gold/silver.

I know many people here won't like this, but most gold transactions are done in cash and almost always under the 10k reporting limit. I would say 95% of gold transactions are conducted in this manner and it's untraceable at that point. Very few taxes are paid on gold/silver dealings, that's the facts.
by TMCD75
Thu Feb 16, 2017 6:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: sole prop. - mileage deductions with no "main job" site
Replies: 21
Views: 2470

Re: sole prop. - mileage deductions with no "main job" site

I was a sole proprietor for years and I deducted absolutely any mileage that related to my business. If I had to drive 30 miles to pick up materials, that was deducted. Driving to bid jobs was deducted, etc.

In your scenario the tricky part is that they're paying you 15 cents per mile after the 30th mile on a given day. I would prefer to turn that down and have the full write off. You'll need to check on this, I'm sure there's a CPA on here to address this.

Anytime you leave your house for a business related issue, the mileage is a write off.
by TMCD75
Wed Feb 15, 2017 9:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bogleheads not the norm?
Replies: 116
Views: 15679

Re: Bogleheads not the norm?

For me, being a BH is about living modestly, being aware of where my money is going, saving to the best of my ability, not taking on bad debt, and saving in low cost manners. All of those characteristics define what a Boglehead is to me. I'm sure I forgot some traits that could help define a BH, but that's a great start.

There's no one set of high income people that define BH. A person working for $12/hr. very well maybe a BH if that person exhibits the above traits.
by TMCD75
Tue Feb 14, 2017 10:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bogleheads not the norm?
Replies: 116
Views: 15679

Re: Bogleheads not the norm?

My wife and I are self employed painters. We're probably about as blue collar as it gets around this board. I read many, many posts on here that proclaim a networth of 10 million dollars and it's truly staggering. I'll freely admit that reading those posts are hard to swallow because I'll never make the kind of money that would allow me such a huge networth. I started coming here after I inherited money from my mother several years ago. I was determined and still am, to protect and grow my inheritance. There's something to be said for someone who only makes 50k-75k per year and doesn't waste their inheritance. It's too often overlooked as "oh, he inherited his money". Well, inheriting 650k and growing/protecting that money isn't e...
by TMCD75
Mon Feb 13, 2017 4:22 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: why invest internationally?
Replies: 72
Views: 6295

Re: why invest internationally?

Hasn't Mr. Bogle made claims that there's really no need to own International Stocks?? I thought it was documented that he thought it best to own American based investments, is this true?

If you had 50k in 1980, 1985, and 1990, and you invested 100% in American owned funds versus another person investing 70/30, what would the outcome be? You could run the outcome over a very long time frame to see what's been the smarter/better investment. I'm sure the 100% American investment wins hands down...

I'm thinking of pulling most of my international money and putting it to work in VTSAX. It seems like that's where the smart money has been all along.
by TMCD75
Tue Feb 07, 2017 10:39 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Wow, Vanguard Flagship service is bad. Really bad.
Replies: 170
Views: 39201

Re: Wow, Vanguard Flagship service is bad. Really bad.

I read somewhere that Vanguard is experiencing MASSIVE growth. It's that growth that is apparently hurting customer service. Vanguard is catching billions of dollars that is fleeing active management models.

I only have around 300k invested with Vanguard, but they've been good on all of my requests.
by TMCD75
Mon Jan 30, 2017 9:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Business opportunity questions
Replies: 5
Views: 1097

Re: Business opportunity questions

The property owner is in declining health, that's the reason he's selling. I'm concerned there might be an old fuel tank underground. I'm sure this place had a gas pump 25 years ago. I might have to deal with that and it could be pricey.

I'm going to look at the property in the morning, we'll see. Your scenario about him pulling out has crossed my mind too. I don't know how difficult it would be to replace him.
by TMCD75
Mon Jan 30, 2017 7:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Business opportunity questions
Replies: 5
Views: 1097

Business opportunity questions

I have an opportunity to buy a lot with a mechanic shop on it. The property is worth about 40k-50k, while the building isn't worth much. It is an older block building that is rented out to a local mechanic for $700/mo.

The building would need about 7k-8k in repairs. The mechanic is in his early 50s and probably wants to work another 10 years. I would probably raise the rent to at least $800. The property sits on a busy highway that has potential to boom in the next 10 years.

How long of a contract should I sign the mechanic to if I buy this place? Any specific thoughts here? What kind of insurance should I carry? Is this a bad idea? Thank you, Troy
by TMCD75
Wed Jan 11, 2017 10:14 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Outliving your savings - pessimistic news
Replies: 21
Views: 4605

Re: Outliving your savings - pessimistic news

I'm not sure I believe the math on average life expectancy. I know a LOT of people who have passed before age 70. In many cases these folks weren't even 55 and I know quite a few.

I simply don't believe that the average person will live to 80 years old. It's very common, but good luck proving that it's the norm. You can twist numbers to fit any argument you buy.
by TMCD75
Tue Dec 13, 2016 8:17 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: DOW 22000?!?!
Replies: 26
Views: 4118

DOW 22000?!?!

I regularly tune in to Stuart Varney's, FOX Business show. Three weeks ago, Varney was pumping DOW 20000 and here we are approaching that number. This am, I just heard him hyping DOW 22000 and guests were agreeing. They claimed in six months, we'll approach DOW 22000 because of deregulations, pro-business policy, etc. Sometimes I wonder how stable and survivable these high flying gains really are. The gains, at least right now, seem to be media driven post election. Don't get me wrong, it's helped my portfolio tremendously, I'm not moaning. I'm smart enough to know that big, big, gains like these can collapse just as quickly, like a house of cards. I'm diversified, holding property, silver, gold, bonds etc. Are you ready for the big run up ...
by TMCD75
Wed Nov 23, 2016 8:45 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is Vanguard's website having issues??
Replies: 1
Views: 858

Is Vanguard's website having issues??

I logged on and the numbers are goofy, they aren't correct.
by TMCD75
Thu Nov 17, 2016 7:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: If you started from scratch, TODAY?
Replies: 31
Views: 7243

Re: If you started from scratch, TODAY?

I'm starting to think that I need to go 90/10 stocks to bonds. I'm 41 and plan on working for another 15 plus years. I just can't get my head around continuing to own a 30% bond position like I currently do when that money just stagnates. If I'm willing to ride out the valleys that go along with a heavy stock lean, won't I end up a richer man in 20 years?
by TMCD75
Thu Nov 17, 2016 9:15 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 100% Total Stock Market portfolio
Replies: 31
Views: 7602

Re: 100% Total Stock Market portfolio

This is very interesting, I think people just naturally assume they need to invest heavily in bonds for protection purposes. I'm not sure how much protection you get if a 100% stock portfolio of 250k in 1991 would've accumulated 2.7 million by the year 2016 versus a 70/30 portfolio that didn't earn near 2.7 million.

Thoughts? Are you really sabotaging your efforts by carrying so much bonds? Bonds look like a drag on growth over the long haul...I'm 41 and thinking about going to 90/10 for the next 10 years.
by TMCD75
Wed Nov 16, 2016 11:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 100% Total Stock Market portfolio
Replies: 31
Views: 7602

100% Total Stock Market portfolio

Say I would've put all of my money in stocks in 1991, like the VTSAX, how much would 250k be worth today?

My second question, is it really worth having bonds if the answer to my first question is what I think it is???

Thanks!!
by TMCD75
Tue Nov 15, 2016 8:35 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I'm up 4.95 percent YTD, is that any good??
Replies: 32
Views: 6746

Re: I'm up 4.95 percent YTD, is that any good??

Thank you for the responses!! My main problem going forward, well two problems really, are that I'm in a physical job and I don't make tons of money like people here.

I'm a self employed house painter. My body is still strong at 41, but I'm becoming stiffer. I'm hoping I can push my body until my middle 50s at least. From that point, I'll have to depend on my rental properties.

I'm having a hard time saving the 11k it requires to max out both my wife and my Roth IRAs. We make between 40k-80k depending on the year.

I've got 300k in my Vanguard account but 41k is in cash...
by TMCD75
Mon Nov 14, 2016 11:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I'm up 4.95 percent YTD, is that any good??
Replies: 32
Views: 6746

Re: I'm up 4.95 percent YTD, is that any good??

Yeah, tell me about it. How in the hell am I supposed to get to retirement with such puny returns? I'm 41 and with returns less than 5%, it'll take 30 years to build up a worthy nest egg.