Search found 26 matches
- Thu Dec 14, 2023 8:45 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What Retirement Planning/Budgeting Software Are You Using
- Replies: 132
- Views: 23899
Re: What Retirement Planning/Budgeting Software Are You Using
I tried with this change. It did improve the chance of success but still a fairly large drop. Tried contacting NewRetirement. Did not help. Just gave me canned answers. I guess I will stick with Personal Capital & Quicken. :-) Really, giving up because you don't understand one facet of their optimistic, average, and pessimistic returns? Actually, I understand the concern. I gave up using those different assumptions and just picked one and put in my own numbers. I use the "optimistic" assumptions, but I put in my own actually fairly conservative numbers for return expectations (3%), which is also what I happen to put for inflation (3%), so I am looking at a 0% real return. It really doesn't make much sense to me to get bogged ...
- Thu Nov 23, 2023 8:28 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Taxable accounts how do you track your basis?
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1451
Re: Taxable accounts how do you track your basis?
Historically I used Quicken - I have 25-30 years of data now going back to my first investments. Now I use what Schwab reports but I do check it against my Quicken reporting.
- Mon Nov 20, 2023 10:26 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: 4% rule
- Replies: 20
- Views: 3714
Re: 4% rule
BigErn at EarlyRetirementNow did a post about this in is SWR series and has a Google Sheet available that will incorporate additional cash flows in or out. You can plug in expected SS, pensions, etc. and it calculates what he calls a "consumption rate" which includes withdrawals from retirement accounts plus the additional cash flow. I have used it to estimate my withdrawal percentage between retirement and SS beginning (which will be a little higher than after SS begins).
- Fri Nov 10, 2023 8:46 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Scott Burns: The Case For a Simple Retirement Plan
- Replies: 19
- Views: 5266
Re: Scott Burns: The Case For a Simple Retirement Plan
Scott Burns was one of the first influences I had that turned me to index investing. Back in the 90's as I started my career and began investing, like many people I read every issue of Money and Kiplingers and poured over Morningstar reports looking for the best mutual fund managers. It didn't take long to see that wasn't working well. Scott Burns' column was in the Dallas Morning News and I always liked his writing and began to read about his Couch Potato portfolios. It made so much sense and the data he provided comparing to managed funds was undeniable. Armed with that information I then found Frank Armstrong. He had an online book available that was my first exposure to Modern Portfolio Theory an the benefits of diversification. I studi...
- Tue May 23, 2023 7:12 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Bicycle Recommendations?
- Replies: 70
- Views: 4391
Re: Bicycle Recommendations?
find a good local bike shop (or a couple to shop around) and let them help you find the right bike, size, etc. and get it set up properly to fit you. Good brands are Specialized, Trek, Giant, Cannondale and many others. At that price level you want a good aluminum frame bike with entry to mid-level components. Electronic shifting is taking over but at that price you are probably still looking at mechanical shifting. 12 speed is common these days but you may save money with 11 speed. Two chainrings on the front will give you a nice gear range. Shopping at a good LBS will make sure you get a quality bike that fits you and is fit for what you want to do with it and importantly you will have ongoing service support. And usually they will have d...
- Mon Apr 03, 2023 7:13 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Global Entry Interview Challenge
- Replies: 106
- Views: 16124
Re: Global Entry Interview Challenge
This is what we did about 6 weeks ago. Tried to book a virtual but the schedule was full several months out. I checked back a few day later and there were plenty of appts. I was able to book one a few days out. Took about 5 min on a Zoom call.nanciT wrote: ↑Sat Apr 01, 2023 7:11 pm I don't know if they are doing video visits any longer but 5 months ago I was able to renew mine with a Video visit. I tried to schedule one but they were booked months out. I decided to try once a week looking for a cancellation. I found one for the same day, it was quick and easy.
I am not certain they offer them anymore but maybe look into it.
- Wed Mar 01, 2023 9:24 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Long-Term Inflation and Portfolio Returns for Retirement Planning?
- Replies: 37
- Views: 3181
Re: Long-Term Inflation and Portfolio Returns for Retirement Planning?
Although no one knows the future, I've tried to at least pull insights from Morningstar's annual compilations of expected returns. Link: https://www.morningstar.com/articles/1132887/experts-forecast-stock-and-bond-returns-2023-edition This is basically what I am doing. I recently started working with NewRetirement which asked for a pessimistic and optimistic return and inflation projection and then calculates an average. You can toggle back and forth using pessimistic, average or optimistic projections. For returns I looked at Morningstar's article, averaged the projections for each class (actually ignored any high outliers to be conservative), plugged those into my asset allocation and came up with a weighted average return per account. I...
- Mon Feb 13, 2023 8:01 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Bike computer and/or new Apple Watch?
- Replies: 30
- Views: 2710
Re: Bike computer and/or new Apple Watch?
You might also check out a radar unit like a Garmin Varia. That will pair with quite a few bike computers and display the status of the cars behind you, basically anything going faster towards you from behind. I have a Wahoo Bolt (the one the OP mentioned), but there are other units that work with the Varia as well (Garmin units, of course). You can also get a power meter and record and display on your bike computer, but that's a fairly pricy item. I use my Wahoo bolt for navigation, recording and the radar unit display, no power meter. I have a heart rate monitor as well, but I only use it on a trainer. I have an Apple Watch, but it isn't convenient for bike navigation and can't pair with my Varia. I wholeheartedly second the recommendati...
- Thu Mar 18, 2021 8:29 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Irish Whiskey
- Replies: 32
- Views: 3596
Re: Irish Whiskey
I second Redbreast. The 12 is really good and so is the 15. I tried the 12 year cask strength yesterday and really enjoyed that - I did add just a touch of water given the ABV of the cask strength.
- Tue Sep 01, 2020 7:52 am
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Interest In forming North Texas Boglehead Group
- Replies: 48
- Views: 17496
Re: Interest In forming North Texas Boglehead Group
Also interested in a North Texas Group if it ever got off the ground. I live in the Far W. Plano area.
- Fri Apr 17, 2020 6:59 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Chase "You Invest" - Update Cost Basis
- Replies: 1
- Views: 422
Re: Chase "You Invest" - Update Cost Basis
If your RSUs work like the ones I have seen your cost basis is the FMV on the date they vested and shares were released to you. You incurred ordinary income at that date = to FMV and that becomes your cost basis. That vesting date is also your purchase date for the shares. You don't have to worry about the shares "sold" to pay the taxes - for the RSU programs I have seen you never really owned those shares - the company retained the value for the taxes.
- Wed Jan 31, 2018 3:49 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Wireless Earbuds For Running (Updates for 2018?)
- Replies: 36
- Views: 4058
Re: Wireless Earbuds For Running (Updates for 2018?)
I have the Plantronics Backbeat Fit that I have had for a couple of years now. I love them. Very comfortable to run or work out in. Stay in place with no slippage or movement. Open to outside sound so I have no issues hearing traffic for safety reasons. Sound pretty good as well. It is also very easy to answer a phone call with them as well - one tap on right earbud.
- Thu Oct 05, 2017 12:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Aggressive portfolio: most weight to emerging markets
- Replies: 9
- Views: 2035
Re: Aggressive portfolio: most weight to emerging markets
I looked recently at Vanguard Int' indexes and EM was 20% of total. I believe this has dropped slightly over the last few years. I base my portfolio allocation off of this and at one point I had 25% in my calculation (might have been my error though).ralph124cf wrote: ↑Thu Oct 05, 2017 11:37 am Emerging markets have had a good run so far this year, but the ten year look back is pretty dismal with a significantly greater drawdown in EM than in the S&P during 2008-2009.
Does anybody happen to know the percentage weighting of EM in the total international stock market index?
Ralph
- Sun Sep 24, 2017 7:40 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?
- Replies: 362
- Views: 53883
Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?
Great thread. Many of my favorites have been mentioned. ECSB, Four Roses Single Barrel, McKenna 10yr BIB, Evan Williams single barrel, Woodford. Enjoying an Old Fashioned right now with the McKenna.
- Thu Sep 27, 2012 9:34 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Road bike - carbon or alloy
- Replies: 74
- Views: 10403
Re: Road bike - carbon or alloy
Fit and comfort is way more important than material. Ride 8-10 bikes and pick the one most comfortable. I had the carbon / alluminum argument with myself for months and it vanished after I rode a few bikes. What did you end up getting? :) So far the only Aluminum that had ride quality comparable to carbon is a Cannondale Synapse AL. It was very smooth and stiff, that said I have not tired the carbon Synapse, so I have nothing to compare it with except the other bikes I rode. The synapse also was the best fit for me so far. Unfortunately this bike had Sora shifters. I am still waiting for the 2013 to come out, as the 2012 are all sold out. I have a 2012 Synapse Alum with Tiagra components. My first road bike since way back in college. I rea...
- Wed Feb 01, 2012 7:43 pm
- Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
- Topic: Tapatalk Integration
- Replies: 50
- Views: 24188
Re: Tapatalk Integration
Tapatalk = Greatness!
I use it for several forums that I follow and the functionality is great for mobile devices.
I use it for several forums that I follow and the functionality is great for mobile devices.
- Tue Nov 15, 2011 7:17 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Received final 2% rewards from Schwab Visa
- Replies: 100
- Views: 12201
Re: Received final 2% rewards from Schwab Visa
Still no replacement card for me and no way to check transactions. I can't wait to get this card so I can cancel it
- Wed Jul 27, 2011 9:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: 5 Days in Yellowstone
- Replies: 39
- Views: 4966
We just returned from several days in Teton and Yellowstone. Loved Jenny Lake and Cascade Canyon trail in Teton. The view of the Tetons are breathtAking. Yellowstone is an amazing place. We loved Old Faithful Inn. All the thermal features are spectacular. We loved the Canyon and Lamar Valley. The great thing is that most of the main sites are only short hikes from the road. Sometimes strenuous hikes but short.
People talk about the food being bad but we thought the restaurants were pretty good. Not cheap but no hotel restaurant ever is.
The best thing was the weather. Lows of 40 and highs of 70. Better than the 106 every day back home!
People talk about the food being bad but we thought the restaurants were pretty good. Not cheap but no hotel restaurant ever is.
The best thing was the weather. Lows of 40 and highs of 70. Better than the 106 every day back home!
- Sat Jan 01, 2011 11:22 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Best bank to use for teen going to college?
- Replies: 14
- Views: 2226
- Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: where to purchase tires and tire disposal?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 5976
- Sun Sep 05, 2010 5:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What kind of bicycle to purchase?
- Replies: 131
- Views: 19430
I agree with everyone who has said visit a local bike shop. They will have knowledgeable sales folks who can help you pick the right bike, helmet, etc. and make sure it fits you correctly. There are also a few good forums online where you can read and pick up some basic knowledge to help ask the right questions. You don't have to spend tons of money to get good service and decent quality. Most of the major brands (Trek, Specialized, Giant, etc.) will have entry level bikes in the $300 - $500 range. If you think you will be riding often going up a level or two and spending a couple of hundred more may be a good long term decision. Also, most local bike shops in my area give you one free "tune up" a few months after you buy the bike...
- Thu Feb 18, 2010 9:31 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Help with planning a Hawaii trip
- Replies: 24
- Views: 4944
- Tue Feb 09, 2010 7:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Any Schwab Account Holders?
- Replies: 31
- Views: 6158
Very satisfied Schwab customer here. Opened first account over twenty years ago. Now have brokerage, IRAs, checking, savings, credit card. Customer Service has always been top notch, website is great, and now expense ratios on ETFs and index funds can't be beat. Commissions on ETFs are also low. Last year when the market dropped I was in a loss position and could have moved to Vanguard without a tax hit. I thought it through and decided the service at Schwab was just too good.
- Mon Aug 24, 2009 9:17 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Worth pursuing the CPA designation?
- Replies: 28
- Views: 12038
I've been a CPA in Texas for 20 years. A CPA license takes significant educational requirements and the exam itself is not easy. Earning this designation is a significant achievement. I am not in public practice but when I interview potential candidates I definitely look for this on resumes. It tells me a great deal about the educational background and intelligence of the candidate. If you are in any financial related field I believe this designation would be an asset to you. If you are close to qualifying I would recommend that you take the exam. It will be easier to pass now than later.
- Mon Jul 27, 2009 8:00 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Successful property tax protest
- Replies: 20
- Views: 5042
I have protested twice in the three years I have owned my current home. The first year the appraised value came in higher than my purchase price only 6 months prior. I handled that protest myself and had it lowered to the purchase price with no problem. This year I hired a firm for a couple of hundred dollars to file my protest. They reduced the value by almost 15% which will save me $1,500 in taxes this year alone (Texas - high property tax rates). Most of my neighbors are missing the boat. I looked on the appraisal district website and only one other person on my street protested and they got almost a 10% reduction.
- Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:45 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: OT - Transitioning to a Mac
- Replies: 34
- Views: 10928
I recently went through this process. We had a PC as our main computer that needed replacing. My wife has a Macbook that she loves for photos, videos, music, etc. I however love Quicken and needed to continue running that. I considered the cost of software needed to run Windows on the Mac and the added complexity and decided to buy a Windows laptop. I got a Dell refurb for a good price. Our next "family" computer will be a iMac, but I will keep the Windows laptop until Quicken for Mac is worth owning.