Search found 17259 matches

by White Coat Investor
Thu Mar 28, 2024 9:40 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: [Wait for new Dept. of Labor Financial Advisor Protections?]
Replies: 13
Views: 864

Re: [Wait for new Dept. of Labor Financial Advisor Protections?]

retired@50 wrote: Thu Mar 28, 2024 9:36 am
White Coat Investor wrote: Thu Mar 28, 2024 9:31 am ... Just find a good advisor.
I suspect this is easier said than done.

Maybe this wiki page on investment advisers can help: https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Investment_adviser

Or this article about what questions to ask a potential adviser: https://jasonzweig.com/the-19-questions ... l-adviser/

Regards,
While I agree that by the time you know enough to pick a good advisor you probably know enough to do it yourself, presumably the OP only wants to protect their spouse in the event they dies or becomes senile. So the OP ought to know enough or can learn enough to pick a good advisor.
by White Coat Investor
Thu Mar 28, 2024 9:31 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: [Wait for new Dept. of Labor Financial Advisor Protections?]
Replies: 13
Views: 864

Re: [Wait for new Dept. of Labor Financial Advisor Protections?]

dagsboro wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:02 am If I want to best protect my spouse from inferior financial advice, should I wait until proposed new U.S. Dept. of Labor Financial Adviser rules and regulations are instituted? They reportedly strengthen fiduciary requirements and will apply to those recommending and selling securities and annuities.

[ALL-CAPS title edited by moderator oldcomputerguy - "We also require that you be considerate of our readers and avoid posting in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS or otherwise using distracting formatting"]
No. Just find a good advisor. This ruling isn't going to change anything those folks are already doing and you don't want the ones where this ruling changed their practice.
by White Coat Investor
Thu Mar 28, 2024 9:24 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Thoughts on Dave Ramsey's Investments
Replies: 31
Views: 2219

Re: Thoughts on Dave Ramsey's Investments

Thoughts on DR's recommendation of the following investment strategy: 25% each of Growth, Growth & Income, Aggressive Growth and International. Also, where does one get the 10% interest/dividends he talks about? He also recommends taking S/S early since it has a negative return. There are serious issues with Dave Ramsey's mutual fund investment advice, retirement withdrawal rate advice, Social Security recommendations (I actually hadn't heard that one), student loan management advice, and "financial advisor" recommendations. I wouldn't bother with any of it to be honest with you. But if you're broke and doing dumb things with your money like working at low paying jobs, carrying credit card debt, and buying cars with a note, t...
by White Coat Investor
Thu Mar 28, 2024 9:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Would you send your child to a Gifted program?
Replies: 101
Views: 17395

Re: Would you send your child to a Gifted program?

Congrats! Glad it's all working out.

The only gifted program I was ever in was an hour or two away from the regular class every week in elementary school. We played chess and did some computer programming and that's all I can remember. Then in junior high and high school I was in the honors and AP classes instead of the regular ones.

I think it's important for top students to be put into challenging classes with other bright kids so they're not bored with school, but how that integrates into the rest of life and socialization is always the tricky part. Sounds like you guys threaded the needle pretty well.
by White Coat Investor
Wed Mar 27, 2024 6:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How would you change my 401k?
Replies: 46
Views: 1681

Re: Starting to regret hiring Facet

So I hired Facet last month to help me with some investment planning decisions. Simultaneously, I posted a few threads here. I wanted to get multiple opinions/feedback on how to re-structure my current investment portfolios (401k, Roth IRA and taxable account mostly). I posted a thread here about how you all would change my 401k and got some solid advice (https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=427823). Multiple people said that I was currently invested in too many funds and that I all needed was a few low cost index funds in my 401k, like VIIIX and VBTIX. I got Facet's feedback/advice on my 401k today and they have me in so many funds, just like before, many of them with high expense ratios. I am so confused. All of the backgroun...
by White Coat Investor
Wed Mar 27, 2024 4:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Opendoor and other similar services
Replies: 3
Views: 339

Re: Opendoor and other similar services

These sorts of things generally pay you much less than you could get on your own/with a realtor in order to get a quick, convenient sale.
by White Coat Investor
Wed Mar 27, 2024 3:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cybertruck-anyone else get to try it on?
Replies: 59
Views: 4223

Re: Cybertruck-anyone else get to try it on?

The only people I can see buying a Cybertruck are those seeking a lot of attention. It seems incredibly impractical in so many ways. The overly minimalist/sterile interior, poor range, small frunk, terrible visibility, lack of shifter, door handles, or turn indicator stalk, lack of any paint options, surface rust issues, panel misalignment and atrociously high price make for a very well rounded undesirable vehicle. I was most surprised that the tonneau cover isn't water tight. I would be shocked if even half the reservation holders actually follow through with an order. But admittedly I may be underestimating the sheer number of people that are desperately looking for attention. Is this really how you think/your perspective on life? Wow. A...
by White Coat Investor
Wed Mar 27, 2024 3:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any advice on how to manaage cashflow when % of income is variable?
Replies: 39
Views: 1845

Re: Any advice on how to manaage cashflow when % of income is variable?

I would like to know if there are any popular strategies for managing monthly cashflow when you need to incorporate variable income. I am fortunate enough to have a high income, however as I have increased in seniority, my base salary growth has slowed down and more of my annual compensation is in the form of a target bonus and RSU. My wife and I are frequently finding ourselves having to move money from a savings account to make up for a shortfall between pay periods. My target bonus is defined, and the main variable to it is company and personal performance, however the range it moves if pretty low. i.e. if I perform well my bonus might be 10% higher than target, but it also depends on the company bonus pool funding, which has averaged a...
by White Coat Investor
Wed Mar 27, 2024 2:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommendation of Biology Major. UW\UCSD\UCDavis\CaseWestern
Replies: 46
Views: 2581

Re: Recommendation of Biology Major. UW\UCSD\UCDavis\CaseWestern

I think UCSD and UW in Seattle are likely ranked higher than UC-Davis or Case Western in biological sciences, Never seen that rank list. Can you share it? Here's a 2022 ranking from US News. Graduate schools. https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/biological-sciences-rankings #17 - UCSD and UC-Davis (tied with UCLA) #23 - U of Washington #58 - Case Western Niche has a 2024 ranking of undergrad Biology programs: https://www.niche.com/colleges/search/best-colleges-for-biology/ #32 – UC-Davis #35 – Case Western #41 – UCSD #42 – U Washington Thanks for sharing. Looks like they're all pretty similar to me, 32-42. They're all ranked higher than where I went and that seemed to meet my needs. As near as I can tell I was n...
by White Coat Investor
Wed Mar 27, 2024 8:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommendation of Biology Major. UW\UCSD\UCDavis\CaseWestern
Replies: 46
Views: 2581

Re: Recommendation of Biology Major. UW\UCSD\UCDavis\CaseWestern

Northern Flicker wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 2:30 amI think UCSD and UW in Seattle are likely ranked higher than UC-Davis or Case Western in biological sciences,
Never seen that rank list. Can you share it?
by White Coat Investor
Wed Mar 27, 2024 8:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommendation of Biology Major. UW\UCSD\UCDavis\CaseWestern
Replies: 46
Views: 2581

Re: Recommendation of Biology Major. UW\UCSD\UCDavis\CaseWestern

Hello All Our daughter has chosen medicine as her career choice . She will graduate from high school this summer and has gotten admissions in biology from a decent set of universities . We have following three as our top choices at this moment. UW-Seattle, UCSD , UCDavis, CaseWestern Would any of you have suggestion \ recommendation on opinions about any school. Tuition will be more or less similar in all places given our expat status. As parents we want her to have good time in her under-graduate (both academically and as a person). Beyond that we are not sure which one will give her good choices for helping her with MCAT or options otherwise. Any other suggestions based on your journeys will also be helpful for us. Thanks in advance TenP...
by White Coat Investor
Wed Mar 27, 2024 8:08 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I think my Mom, recently widowed, is looking at a tax bomb
Replies: 28
Views: 4934

Re: I think my Mom, recently widowed, is looking at a tax bomb

I think I should have been more careful with my words initially - maybe I should have called it a "widows penalty" rather than "tax bomb"? The spirit of my post was more about the realization that RMDs are going to hit mom sooner than she anticipated (due to now being a widow), that they will occur under a new filing status, and what if anything should be done about it. From my mom's perspective, this "feels" like a bomb since she wasn't expecting to be doing this at all right now. I've learned a lot about post retirement concerns this last month and I hope this thread also helps others in similar situations down the road. I know it'll help me with planning my retirement in about 25 years. Mom and Dad didn't h...
by White Coat Investor
Wed Mar 27, 2024 8:06 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Never selling shares
Replies: 57
Views: 4332

Re: Never selling shares

rossington wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 5:33 am
White Coat Investor wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2024 11:56 pm My parents aren't even spending the taxable account dividends, much less the RMDs. Just the pension and SS and they give away a QCD.
Hi Jim,
That's because they presumably learned #s 4,5 & 6 that you have in your signature many years ago.
Maybe. They certainly have a simple portfolio and have stayed the course with it for 20 years. But mostly I think it's just a general frugality and a pretty good pension.
by White Coat Investor
Tue Mar 26, 2024 11:58 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I think my Mom, recently widowed, is looking at a tax bomb
Replies: 28
Views: 4934

Re: I think my Mom, recently widowed, is looking at a tax bomb

I think I should have been more careful with my words initially - maybe I should have called it a "widows penalty" rather than "tax bomb"? The spirit of my post was more about the realization that RMDs are going to hit mom sooner than she anticipated (due to now being a widow), that they will occur under a new filing status, and what if anything should be done about it. From my mom's perspective, this "feels" like a bomb since she wasn't expecting to be doing this at all right now. I've learned a lot about post retirement concerns this last month and I hope this thread also helps others in similar situations down the road. I know it'll help me with planning my retirement in about 25 years. Mom and Dad didn't h...
by White Coat Investor
Tue Mar 26, 2024 11:56 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Never selling shares
Replies: 57
Views: 4332

Re: Never selling shares

My father is 83 yo retired engineer who has been into the market for as long as I can remember. Since I was a child I can recall him watching the market on TV and calling brokerages to place orders etc. I vividly remember him getting carried away with a couple stocks during the tech bubble (Lucent technology, anyone?) when I was just out of college. He told me yesterday that he has never sold a share of stock since retirement and funds his and my Moms lifestyle with SS income and dividends from a taxable account. He has small RMDs which is just reinvests. House paid off long ago. Decent but not extravagant lifestyle for their age. As he has never sold any shares, my and my sister will likely inherit them and get step up basis. Most people ...
by White Coat Investor
Tue Mar 26, 2024 8:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I think my Mom, recently widowed, is looking at a tax bomb
Replies: 28
Views: 4934

Re: I think my Mom, recently widowed, is looking at a tax bomb

This is an extension of sorts from a thread I made earlier in the month over in 'Personal Finance': https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=425871&start=50 - I figured this question is specific enough to investing that it required its own thread in 'Personal Investments'; but mods please let me know otherwise. In short, I'm looking for a sanity check to assert that I'm indeed correct that a tax-bomb is waiting for my mom now that she is a widow and, if so, did I correctly cover the options available to her to that minimize impact. Some facts: Dad died last month. He was retired and would have been 70 later this year (in September) Mom, the survivor, is retired and is turning 75 later this year (in May) Mom has a managed Rollov...
by White Coat Investor
Tue Mar 26, 2024 2:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sleep on mattress on the floor
Replies: 40
Views: 5949

Re: Sleep on mattress on the floor

chinchin wrote: Mon Nov 14, 2022 11:35 pm The internet says that sleeping on a mattress on the floor is a bad idea because it tends to get moldy. Is this really an issue? I don't see how it is that much of a risk if I lift it off the ground and tilt it against a wall when I'm not using it, so it can air out.

Edit: it is on a hard floor.
A good way to save money for a little while in the beginning. But a box spring and a bed frame is not a bad place to spend some money. They can be purchased really cheaply.
by White Coat Investor
Tue Mar 26, 2024 8:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Improving the sound from t.v.
Replies: 30
Views: 1883

Re: Improving the sound from t.v.

The sound quality from my flat screen t.v.'s speakers is not very good - the main issue for me is that it's often difficult to make out spoken words. To get around this, I use headphones (t.v. optical audio out to a small box that has a headphone jack) and the dialog is much clearer although it would be more convenient to not always have to wear them. I have a couple of large passive speakers from an old stereo system and was curious to try them out with the t.v. but of course it's not very straightforward as the speakers just have bare wires (two per speaker). So I am looking for a relatively inexpensive box that would input the optical audio out from the t.v. - that's the only option - and output to the speaker wires but have not been su...
by White Coat Investor
Tue Mar 26, 2024 12:11 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Silly TLH games
Replies: 40
Views: 3816

Re: Silly TLH games

You just proved above with your own post that no matter the amount of harvesting done in a month it would typically only result in a single additional fund. It's after some years go by that TLHing will add another fund to the portfolio due to gains on the previous two funds. The OP asked about a general strategy for TLH. Presumably not a strategy to be used once and then forgotten, but rather a strategy to consistently employ over a lifetime of investing. It is true that frenetic TLH, if employed only once in a lifetime, will result in holding only two funds. The “once in a lifetime” restriction does not seem particularly relevant to the original question however. That is why it’s pointed out that frenetic TLH, if consistently followed, wi...
by White Coat Investor
Tue Mar 26, 2024 12:09 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Approaching parents about removing oneself from their estate
Replies: 35
Views: 3903

Re: Approaching parents about removing oneself from their estate

It feels like others may have experienced this, so looking for a little advice. My parents are approaching 70, still very healthy and no issues to worry about. By all accounts this won't be actionable for many years (10-20?) I have a few siblings. One in particular is likely well-behind on retirement savings - not because she is bad with money (she is in fact very frugal) but rather due to low overall lifetime earnings and entrepreneurship vs a 9-5 job where your 401k fills up regularly. I am very healthy financially and very self-sufficient with retirement planning - we won't need any other help and any additional money would only go on top of the pile and be untouched. In short - I'd like to give her my entire share. A couple of things: ...
by White Coat Investor
Mon Mar 25, 2024 9:18 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Silly TLH games
Replies: 40
Views: 3816

Re: Silly TLH games

You just proved above with your own post that no matter the amount of harvesting done in a month it would typically only result in a single additional fund. It's after some years go by that TLHing will add another fund to the portfolio due to gains on the previous two funds. The OP asked about a general strategy for TLH. Presumably not a strategy to be used once and then forgotten, but rather a strategy to consistently employ over a lifetime of investing. It is true that frenetic TLH, if employed only once in a lifetime, will result in holding only two funds. The “once in a lifetime” restriction does not seem particularly relevant to the original question however. That is why it’s pointed out that frenetic TLH, if consistently followed, wi...
by White Coat Investor
Mon Mar 25, 2024 9:14 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Boeing (BA) stock: at some point it has to be a bargain
Replies: 199
Views: 19795

Re: Boeing (BA) stock: at some point it has to be a bargain

For those Bogleheads _________ (fill in blank) enough to invest in individual stocks, at what point are you considering buying into Boeing? Multiple crises -- 737 MAX, 787 deliveries stalled, 777 delays, slow demand post-pandemic recovery, lots and lots of debt, etc. Trailing Airbus in gross orders, deliveries, and backlog. I mean it's really ugly. Down 70% from its 2019 peak, down 35% YTD. At some point though, it has to be a profitable investment, right? I mean, one of the country's industrial stalwarts in a commercial aircraft market duopoly --- it's not going to become a penny stock, right? Thoughts from those that invest in individual stocks? Boeing (BA) @ $129, down nearly another 3%, heading into today's close. Dumb? Ignorant? Unlea...
by White Coat Investor
Mon Mar 25, 2024 3:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Hospital not following up with my insurance for large claim
Replies: 24
Views: 2262

Re: Hospital not following up with my insurance for large claim

Why are you worried about this? You did your part and should be fine. The rest is between the hospital and the insurance company.
by White Coat Investor
Mon Mar 25, 2024 3:02 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Silly TLH games
Replies: 40
Views: 3816

Re: Silly TLH games

I guess we agree then. Do you see "frenetic" (multiple times a month) TLHing as worth it knowing you could end up with 5 funds per asset class in your portfolio eventually? Editing for clarity: Frenetic TLHing in a month, will always result in still owning just two funds . This is because to harvest more than once in a month, the fund you just harvested into by definition would have had to drop below its cost basis. You would then sell this fund and any loss from your original fund, and purchase a third fund, but still be left with just two funds. You are also required by rule to sell any shares you purchased in the past 30 days of the fund you are loss harvesting from. Your argument has nothing to do with the amount of times som...
by White Coat Investor
Mon Mar 25, 2024 12:51 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Silly TLH games
Replies: 40
Views: 3816

Re: Silly TLH games

I guess we agree then.

Do you see "frenetic" (multiple times a month) TLHing as worth it knowing you could end up with 5 funds per asset class in your portfolio eventually?
by White Coat Investor
Mon Mar 25, 2024 12:38 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Silly TLH games
Replies: 40
Views: 3816

Re: Silly TLH games

The good news with total market and large cap funds is there are quite a few funds you can do this with. So you could easily loss harvest 5-10 times in a month without having a wash sale. You just have to make sure you're not harvesting with funds that track the same index, and keep a spreadsheet of the dates you harvested and which funds were bought and sold. Consult the spreadsheet every time you look to harvest again. If you do that you could end up with 5-10 funds per asset class in your portfolio eventually. That's a lot of complexity just to eke out a few more losses. If you had the opportunity to harvest more than once in under 30 days and you were harvesting from the fund you had just bought, by rule you would have to sell 100% of ...
by White Coat Investor
Mon Mar 25, 2024 8:39 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Shares in Private Medical Group and Asset Allocation
Replies: 8
Views: 938

Re: Shares in Private Medical Group and Asset Allocation

Roger2 wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 10:26 pm
White Coat Investor wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 5:02 pm I'd leave them out of your asset allocation just like I would your practice, your house etc.
Thanks! That’s how I’ve got it, or plan to have it, in my investment spreadsheet. Maybe what I was really thinking was do I need to adjust my AA given the level of risk involved in this opportunity. I’m thinking the answer to that is probably ‘No’.
Maybe, but that's a separate question. Frankly after being an entrepreneur and watching the value of my business fluctuate like mad, a diversified 100% stock portfolio seems incredibly safe by comparison. I always feel relief to get cash out of my business and into my portfolio.
by White Coat Investor
Mon Mar 25, 2024 8:37 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Silly TLH games
Replies: 40
Views: 3816

Re: Silly TLH games

The good news with total market and large cap funds is there are quite a few funds you can do this with. So you could easily loss harvest 5-10 times in a month without having a wash sale. You just have to make sure you're not harvesting with funds that track the same index, and keep a spreadsheet of the dates you harvested and which funds were bought and sold. Consult the spreadsheet every time you look to harvest again. If you do that you could end up with 5-10 funds per asset class in your portfolio eventually. That's a lot of complexity just to eke out a few more losses. If you had the opportunity to harvest more than once in under 30 days and you were harvesting from the fund you had just bought, by rule you would have to sell 100% of ...
by White Coat Investor
Sat Mar 23, 2024 5:02 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Shares in Private Medical Group and Asset Allocation
Replies: 8
Views: 938

Re: Shares in Private Medical Group and Asset Allocation

I'd leave them out of your asset allocation just like I would your practice, your house etc.
by White Coat Investor
Sat Mar 23, 2024 8:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Medical Alert ID, link to medical records .......Please do NOT use this thread to ask or give medical advice.
Replies: 19
Views: 1133

Re: Medical Alert ID, link to medical records .......Please do NOT use this thread to ask or give medical advice.

nisiprius wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 7:32 am
White Coat Investor wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 7:26 am I'm a big fan of people bringing in a single sheet of paper with a list of their current medications and dosages, allergies to medications, and medical problems you regularly see a doctor for. If you want to include a list of past surgeries and past medical problems that's helpful too but if it's six pages long that's too comprehensive.
Thank you very much.

At what point do you take someone's wallet out of their pocket to search for ID?
The cops generally do it before you ever get to me and have started trying to contact family.
by White Coat Investor
Sat Mar 23, 2024 8:13 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Dates for 2024 BH Conference?
Replies: 7
Views: 1200

Re: Dates for 2024 BH Conference?

I didn't realize the dates were secret. I can't think of a reason that they should be but I guess I'll leave it up to the Bogle Center board to announce. I think it would be a good idea to make a "Save the Date" announcement as soon as the site is booked even if registration isn't open, but I suppose there's always the worry that people would book the hotel and not book rooms in the conference block and that's a big part of conference economics. Seems to me that the dates (if already determined) could be announced now, and the name of the venue could be announced when conference registration opens. That would eliminate the potential problem of “hotel front-running” that you mention. I agree. I'm also aware the dates weren't 100% ...
by White Coat Investor
Sat Mar 23, 2024 8:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: If you don't have a will made out...do it. Now. Please.
Replies: 24
Views: 4331

Re: If you don't have a will made out...do it. Now. Please.

billaster wrote: Fri Mar 22, 2024 9:42 pm The typical 21-year-old has a negative net worth. The median 35-year-old has a $39,000 net worth. What are they supposed to be putting in their wills? Just the cost of the will might significantly decrease their net worth, which I guess obviates the need for a will, so that's helpful.
The person they want to care for their children if they die. That's frankly the most important part of a will, especially for a young person.
by White Coat Investor
Sat Mar 23, 2024 7:29 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: It is really that simple to do it the Bogleheads way?
Replies: 87
Views: 8188

Re: It is really that simple to do it the Bogleheads way?

I've made several posts of this nature but I decided to summarize the meat of what I want to say in this one. In short...is it really that easy to invest the Bogleheads way? I have read Jack Bogle's book and some other books on finance (Rich Dad Poor Dad and some I can't remember offhand) and it seemed clear-cut and simple enough. Buy index funds, hold. Profit. It's almost impossible to beat the market, so don't. I recall when I first started learning about finance years ago thinking that every investor needs to know alpha, beta, Sharpe ratio, candlestick theory etc...and that it was an arcane science that only a select few suit-clad males knew, and that's why we always saw the same faces. But apparently it isn't? There's so much informati...
by White Coat Investor
Sat Mar 23, 2024 7:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Medical Alert ID, link to medical records .......Please do NOT use this thread to ask or give medical advice.
Replies: 19
Views: 1133

Re: Medical Alert ID, link to medical records .......Please do NOT use this thread to ask or give medical advice.

I need to start wearing a medical ID of some type. I think the best solution for me is some kind of wrist band. Two companies that sell such wrist bands are MedicAlert and RoadID. Both companies have an option to link the ID to medical records stored in a “secure” system and in theory available to a hospital or first responders (“24/7 Protection”, “Emergency Online Profile”). Question: Anyone with insights or a strong opinion on the medical records linking feature for hospital or first responders offered by either company? My best guess is that almost all of the value is in the info engraved on the band and little in terms of the medical records linking, but what do I know? Please do not use this thread to ask or give medical advice. Thank...
by White Coat Investor
Sat Mar 23, 2024 7:20 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Silly TLH games
Replies: 40
Views: 3816

Re: Silly TLH games

rushrocker wrote: Fri Mar 22, 2024 8:49 pm The good news with total market and large cap funds is there are quite a few funds you can do this with. So you could easily loss harvest 5-10 times in a month without having a wash sale. You just have to make sure you're not harvesting with funds that track the same index, and keep a spreadsheet of the dates you harvested and which funds were bought and sold. Consult the spreadsheet every time you look to harvest again.
If you do that you could end up with 5-10 funds per asset class in your portfolio eventually. That's a lot of complexity just to eke out a few more losses.
by White Coat Investor
Sat Mar 23, 2024 7:19 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Dates for 2024 BH Conference?
Replies: 7
Views: 1200

Re: Dates for 2024 BH Conference?

I didn't realize the dates were secret. I can't think of a reason that they should be but I guess I'll leave it up to the Bogle Center board to announce.

I think it would be a good idea to make a "Save the Date" announcement as soon as the site is booked even if registration isn't open, but I suppose there's always the worry that people would book the hotel and not book rooms in the conference block and that's a big part of conference economics.
by White Coat Investor
Fri Mar 22, 2024 7:50 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Silly TLH games
Replies: 40
Views: 3816

Re: Silly TLH games

The thread on different low-cost index funds, which could be used interchangeably for tax-loss harvesting while (hopefully) avoiding wash sales, has got me wondering about what strategy would be best in the following scenario. Suppose you have just sold $100k worth of stocks with a basis of $70k, and invested it all in VTI. If VTI were to lose 30% of its value sometime this year, you could sell it for $70k and buy, say, ITOT, thereby eliminating your capital gain liability while still remaining fully invested in a broad market index fund. But the problem is that the market is unlikely to drop 30% all at once. Let's say it drops 5%. You have no idea whether it's going to drop more or recover. If you sell and buy ITOT and the market recovers...
by White Coat Investor
Fri Mar 22, 2024 7:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: At what age to tell child about family's finances
Replies: 74
Views: 6106

Re: At what age to tell child about family's finances

biscayne wrote: Thu Mar 21, 2024 10:47 pm Have one child, a 21 year old, very responsible. At what age is it appropriate to let them know about the family's finances/assets, documents, etc?
Best to do it gradually as appropriate. Every kid is different. Certainly I trust a 21 year old with information I don't trust an 11 year old with. I think a 41 year old is much less likely to be "ruined" by knowing a large inheritance is coming than a 21 year old.

All of our kids know we're well to do, but I don't think any of them could name our net worth within a factor of 4.
by White Coat Investor
Thu Mar 21, 2024 12:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: In-laws 529 for grandkids, bite my lip or say something?
Replies: 58
Views: 5908

Re: In-laws 529 for grandkids, bite my lip or say something?

My in-laws have been generous and have provided money at birthdays and Christmas for our kids since they were born. They originally just wrote us checks, but at some point along the way their financial advisor convinced them it would be better off to have in their name vs. the kids or in ours (I didn't totally understand, but didn't want to fight it). I know there is some strategy there, but at the end of the day they ended up creating two 529s with them as the owners and our kids as FBO. I understand there might be some FAFSA strategy, but we are high income and high network, I think even without $1 of this money our kids wouldn't be eligible for any need based aid. I haven't thought that much about it and appreciated the generosity, but ...
by White Coat Investor
Thu Mar 21, 2024 12:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medical Debt in Collections
Replies: 7
Views: 1115

Re: Medical Debt in Collections

Hello braintrust, seeking advice regarding a medical bill that went to collections. I visited an ER over a year ago. I paid the bill I received through the health system's online portal at the time. A year later, I start receiving calls from a collections agency. Slightly before I started receiving these calls, I noticed my credit score had taken about a 100 point hit. I called the collection agency and was told there was an outstanding debt related to the ER visit.Turns out the health system had a very old address on file and had been sending notices to an incorrect mailing address. I can pay the bill off in full, but what do I have to do to get the debt removed from collections and stop hurting my credit score? Thank you! If you paid the...
by White Coat Investor
Thu Mar 21, 2024 12:18 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Dangers of excessive optimism?
Replies: 86
Views: 6692

Re: Dangers of excessive optimism?

It’s easy to believe that markets only go up when, well, they’re only going up! My question is: Does the risk of a pullback/reversion to the mean increase the more exuberance there is in the market? I’m not trying to market time … I’m just DCA’ing with every paycheck and not changing anything with my current AA … but I’m curious about how, technically, periods of excessive optimism correlated with market corrections. Can optimism go unchecked for a really long time? This market seems unstoppable but even saying that out loud makes me wonder about the impact of optimism/exuberance on the market. Is it a healthy market if it only goes up? And yes, I know it doesn’t matter in the long run, and I plan to stay invested for many, many years. Thi...
by White Coat Investor
Thu Mar 21, 2024 12:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Did you use Real Estate to build wealth?
Replies: 72
Views: 9356

Re: Did you use Real Estate to build wealth?

Classic Bogleheads thread. Real estate didn't make me rich. Neither did index funds though. My work and savings rate did that. However, I use both to stay rich and grow my wealth. They're both great investments. Those who say real estate sucks or has to be a second job basically don't know what they're talking about. Those who says index funds are just paper assets traded in a casino basically don't know what they're talking about either. I'd encourage those interested to see my real estate talk from Bogleheads University last year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFFFBRCdSgE For those who aren't interested, know that real estate is certainly optional but saying it sucks without knowing anything about is says more about you than real estate.
by White Coat Investor
Wed Mar 20, 2024 2:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Hospital Bill - Negotiation strategies?
Replies: 136
Views: 8583

Re: Hospital Bill - Negotiation strategies?

Northern Flicker wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2024 2:24 pm
Eliminate was the wrong verb. ACA reduced the payments, but did not eliminate them. They are called Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) Payments.
Thanks.
by White Coat Investor
Wed Mar 20, 2024 2:40 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Dangers of excessive optimism?
Replies: 86
Views: 6692

Re: Dangers of excessive optimism?

It’s easy to believe that markets only go up when, well, they’re only going up! My question is: Does the risk of a pullback/reversion to the mean increase the more exuberance there is in the market? I’m not trying to market time … I’m just DCA’ing with every paycheck and not changing anything with my current AA … but I’m curious about how, technically, periods of excessive optimism correlated with market corrections. Can optimism go unchecked for a really long time? This market seems unstoppable but even saying that out loud makes me wonder about the impact of optimism/exuberance on the market. Is it a healthy market if it only goes up? And yes, I know it doesn’t matter in the long run, and I plan to stay invested for many, many years. Thi...
by White Coat Investor
Wed Mar 20, 2024 2:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: TSP loans don't seem like that bad of an idea
Replies: 20
Views: 1619

Re: TSP loans don't seem like that bad of an idea

Turtlemilk wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2024 2:08 pm It's just that I've seen people talk about how it's important to avoid TSP loans at all costs...
It's certainly not the worst place to get a 5% loan. The terms aren't too bad and got a lot better with SECURE Act 2.0. But it's still a 5% loan which I'm not a big fan of as a general rule.

I think your point is that yea, it's a 5% loan, but you pay the interest to yourself. I agree with that. All you're losing is the opportunity cost in that respect, at least if you ignore the risk of not being able to pay it back. But it's only $50k or half the balance, whichever is less. Nobody should get into too much trouble with a single 401(k) loan. I've got some partners that use them every now and then.
by White Coat Investor
Wed Mar 20, 2024 2:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Hospital Bill - Negotiation strategies?
Replies: 136
Views: 8583

Re: Hospital Bill - Negotiation strategies?

Yes. It also puts hospitals under pressure because ACA eliminated Federal funding to compensate hospitals for the mandate that they provide emergency service to anyone who walks in the door, even if they are uninsured and without the means to pay. I'd be interested in learning more about this. Even if it existed at some point for hospitals, I'm pretty sure it never has for docs. EMTALA has always been an unfunded mandate as far as I know. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5468057/# It is vital that all Americans, including Mr. Meadows and Mr. Labrador understand the details of the law they are referencing, including why the law certainly does not provide healthcare access or “coverage.” The law, called the Emergency Medical Trea...
by White Coat Investor
Wed Mar 20, 2024 2:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: TSP loans don't seem like that bad of an idea
Replies: 20
Views: 1619

Re: TSP loans don't seem like that bad of an idea

What are you doing with the money you're planning to borrow from your retirement account? Invest it in a taxable account? That seems like a bad idea.Spend it? That seems like a bad idea. Invest it in another retirement account? Okay, I could make a case there. Use it to pay off a higher interest rate debt? Okay, I could make a case for that.

But don't lose yourself in the math. This isn't a complicated thing. There's no free lunch here as you maybe seem to think there is.
by White Coat Investor
Wed Mar 20, 2024 2:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Divorce and co mingling asset question
Replies: 49
Views: 6984

Re: Divorce and co mingling asset question

teacher2163 wrote: Tue Feb 27, 2024 9:07 am The vast majority of my brokerage account (over 90%) was only ever in my name. I had a small amount of my total investments in our joint account just long enough to put it into an online savings account that was only in my name. I am confident I can show where the money went with my bank records. My big question is am I completely screwed because a small portion of the money was co mingled for a minute, even though I can trace the flow of money.
I don't think legal questions like this are as black and white as most non lawyers believe. The answer is it depends.
by White Coat Investor
Wed Mar 20, 2024 1:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Divorce and co mingling asset question
Replies: 49
Views: 6984

Re: Divorce and co mingling asset question

I am geting a divorce after a very long marriage, and I did not see it coming. Several years ago, I received a large inheritance of cash, investments, and personal property. I invested a lot of the money into my wife and my retirement accounts, and we spent some of it on other stuff. I know I am not getting any of that back. I do have one large brokerage account in my name only. Much of the money in the account, over 90%, was always in my name. In the early days after inheriting the money, I do have some money that went into our joint checking account, then was immediately transferred into an account in my own name. I can trace these deposits and transfers and show that the money was mine and inherited. I am curious what everyone’s thought...
by White Coat Investor
Wed Mar 20, 2024 1:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Hospital Bill - Negotiation strategies?
Replies: 136
Views: 8583

Re: Hospital Bill - Negotiation strategies?

Two states that have not expanded Medicaid together account for 90% of medically uninsured Americans. No way it is that high. You've got to include a link to the data to argue that. Here's what I found: https://www.statista.com/statistics/986620/health-uninsured-population-share-by-us-state/#:~:text=Texas%20was%20the%20state%20with,insurance%20in%202021%2C%20by%20state. Texas is 17% uninsured. Florida is 12.7% uninsured. Texas population is 30 million. So that's 5.1 million. Florida population is 22 million. So that's 2.8 million. Total of 7.9 million. 26 million in the US don't have health insurance. https://www.pgpf.org/blog/2023/11/the-share-of-americans-without-health-insurance-in-2022-matched-a-record-low# So Texas and Florida account...