Bogleheads.org

nisiprius wrote: ↑Mon Mar 20, 2023 6:18 am I also feel that there is virtue in abandoning the quest for an optimum, accepting a goal of "sufficient," and deliberately accepting the idea of probably being suboptimum so that you won't freak out and commit behavioral errors when your portfolio has recently underperformed some other portfolio, which it always has.

Thank You Nisiprius, I am saving this Gem of a quote.

Don't forget WAR. On the beach listening to Summer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CLNIT0PDNQ

UpperNwGuy wrote: ↑Sun Mar 05, 2023 5:22 am I don't consider Warren Buffet to be an expert on personal finance for the average guy.

Exactly. Buffett is in business. And what does he sell...a basket of Stocks. He also recommends Soda, Candy, and Icecream

enad wrote: ↑Sat Mar 04, 2023 1:00 pm

Ricola wrote: ↑Sat Mar 04, 2023 11:32 am I am running a WD 2T back drive but am concerned that a Ransomware attack would also lock out the backup drive, is that true?

If you disconnect from the Internet and then attatch your WD 2T back drive and make your backup, then disconnect the back drive and reconnect to the Internet you should be safe provided your backup contains the ability to reload the OS from scratch, but if your backup drive is connected 24/7 and you are ransomed out of your PC you could also be ransomed out of your external drive

Is there a way to do that with software rather than physically disconnecting the drive? Ideally, the drive would just connect to the pc when it does its backup and disconnect immediately afterward.

I am running a WD 2T back drive but am concerned that a Ransomware attack would also lock out the backup drive, is that true?

I just use Walmart walk-in, but during Covid, they would walk them out to me in the parking lot or mail them to me upon request with no extra charge.

xenial wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 12:02 pm

Ricola wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 11:48 am What would be the strategy for using Ally vs just ACH moving funds to Vanguard, back and forth as necessary to obtain better overall returns?

Virtually all my assets are at Vanguard. I like to keep some money elsewhere, just in case there's a temporary problem with my Vanguard account, e.g., it could get locked due to suspected fraud. Since Ally is my primary bank, it's a convenient place to stash some cash. But Ally savings is only paying 3.4%, and Ally no penalty CD 3.85%. So when I saw that Ally had eliminated commissions on no load mutual funds, I figured I'd get the higher yields money market funds offer.

Good point!

What would be the strategy for using Ally vs just ACH moving funds to Vanguard, back and forth as necessary to obtain better overall returns?

Enough to get the direct deposit, 1 click easy and with a description of how the money was earned...nice.

If the person that worked was part of an employer retirement plan their Trad IRA contribution could be limited based on overall AGI. The non-working spouse could contribute the entire $7000. Also rather than base your decision on your tax rate, calculate your reduction in taxes or refund savings by taking the IRAs.

[/quote] Then I think the manufacturer is wrong. https://www.carscoops.com/2022/08/toyota-master-technician-argues-against-10000-mile-oil-change-intervals-with-busted-engine-teardown/amp/ Would love to hear from folks that have done 10k mile oil changes and lasted 200k+ miles though with no issues. If you are going to push out to 10k miles I recommend doing oil analysis to make sure it’s safe for your car and your driving conditions. (I’m also assuming you mean 10k miles or 1 year, whichever happens first.) [/quote] We have 2 Toyotas that both have over 200k miles with 10k mileage synthetic oil changes. No problems, they run excellently and do not burn oil. Not relevant but one got its first front brake pads replaced at 221k miles and the ...

Their site says one can trade up to 17,000 mutual funds but I don't see the list of available funds.

Has this change been posted publically?

MnD wrote: ↑Fri Feb 03, 2023 8:07 pm I look at swings in other numbers as well.

Dropped 50 pounds since retirement. Blood work numbers are equally if not more improved.
Running 25 miles per week retired plus serious cross-training - versus 0 miles running and mediocre cross-training prior to retirement.
Averaging 75 leisure travel days per year and 2023 is going to top 100 days. Versus maybe 20 days when working.
We have more wealth now than when we retired in late 2018 which bracketed two or three bears markets and a global pandemic.
12 of my friends, close co-workers or extended family in their 50's or 60's dead since i retired in late 2018. None had any retirement.

Makes one focus...which balance declining is more important, your life or you money.

slalom wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 2:18 am I also console myself by saying they probably don't enjoy their position in life as much as I do because they didn't earn it.. there's probably some truth to that.

Reminds me of the Billie Holiday song "God Bless the Child"

paul e wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 9:12 am While I dont know for sure, the FED doesnt seem like it wants to lower rates any time soon and the increase as recently as last week was another 25 basis points. Im watching the SEC yield on the VMFXX daily as well as the inflation rate, and once it starts to trend downward, thats when I intend to cash out and reinvest in either VWIUX, or another bond asset. But as long as cash is doing so well, is there any reason to give it up just yet?

Your plan sounds good to me. As money tightens cash is king again.

What degree of tax-free is VMFXX? A recent Allan Roth article mentions VUSXX Vanguard Treasury Money Market Fund as being Fed and State Tax-free. I can't see where this can be verified anywhere.

I suppose at one time they were status jewelry. Guess that's why thieves would follow you home if had one. Now there are countless cheap copies that no one can tell the difference...no more status.

Any advantages to staying with and using Vanguard Federal Money Market Fund (VFMXX)? Is it safer?

I believe caffeine has a half-life of 5 or 6 hours and can interfere with your sleeping. It is great for keeping one alert while driving. However, the problem is that it blocks the brain adenosine receptor causing adenosine build-up and when you stop drinking it, the blockage is removed and adenosine floods your system causing caffeine withdrawal.

In the past, I would take half of a 200 mg (equal to 1 cup of java) Stay Awake tablet before I left on a weekly 200-mile drive after work. Worked better than stopping for coffee which then also required even more bathroom stops. Now I trying to reduce caffeine.

We have leased 2 cars in the past and ended up purchasing each, a Volvo and a Toyota. We still have them. The lease gives you an easy out if you decide you don't want to keep them. Leasing is just another form of financing.

We see people in the park in the morning sitting outside trying to find some sun. They say they can't afford to heat their apartment.

Just for reference, the L fund is 25/75 Stk/Bonds.

You may want to compare your after-all cost returns to the 60/40 Balanced Index Fund VBIAX.

HB Taylor!

I am always looking forward to reading any of your posts.

livesoft wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 7:35 pm I would put it all in Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth (VSMGX) or DFA Global Allocation 60/40 (DGSIX). No managing necessary at all.

And if you wanted more complicated, then put 50% in VSMGX and 50% DGSIX. That way you can see when one does better than the other one.

Or the less expensive Balanced Index Fund VBIAX.

MnD wrote: ↑Fri Jan 20, 2023 10:33 am

Ricola wrote: ↑Thu Jan 19, 2023 10:57 am That sounds like a good reason to roll these accounts over to brokerages.

Well to put it in perspective, access to the G fund saved me from a mid-high 5 figure decline in 2022 compared to a nominal intermediate term bond fund. I can put up with some growing pains from the new recordkeeper for that. I do expect the problem with fixed amount installment payments not working below a certain amount to be fixed, hopefully with the update being installed now.

Missing an RMD is a much more serious issue - hard to tell from this thread if the problems have the same root cause or not.

Is the G fund any much better than MM fund or CD's in providing the safety you describe?

That sounds like a good reason to roll these accounts over to brokerages.

jjunk wrote: ↑Tue Jan 17, 2023 11:25 pm Why not just get two Lexus's and save 60K? You should also kill off your small debt since it would be easy to do with what you make atm (unless its just short term no interest debt, then it doesnt matter).

Better yet just save some and get two Toyotas, it's the same car. Nix on Model X: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/persona ... =windirect

Kookaburra wrote: ↑Tue Jan 10, 2023 8:09 pm

fogalog wrote: ↑Mon Jan 02, 2023 4:04 pm I use this spreadsheet which was created & shared a few years ago by Boglehead @Kevin M.

How to use: make a copy and then insert your own numbers.

This is a nice tool!

How about the difference between VUSXX and VMFXX (Fed MM), which is more taxable?

123 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 10, 2023 6:00 pm In March 2022 we actually became fearful of the automatic re-balancing in Vanguard Balanced Index VBIAX due to rising interest rates. We were afraid of losing too much ground on the equity side so we exited and went to Vanguard Total Stock Market Index and cash/MMF at the time in a couple of large retirement accounts.

At one time I felt that funds-of-funds was the way to go for simplicity but now I've got a different perspective on them.

You were fearful, but what was the real difference since then? As bonds did poorly I suspect MMF did better but that was a timing play. Replacing bonds with cash would have altered the allocation and negated the rebalancing vs not rebalancing comparison.

Recently picked up the Amazon Chase card for the instant $200 credit.

Taylor, we thank you for keeping us safe and free.

Consider some of the negatives of private schools too. Contrary to thinking private schools offer more, many cannot compete financially with public teacher pay, teacher qualifications, facilities, curriculum, and resources. The tuition is just the entry fee, you will be asked for more money continuously. Parental group clicks translate to clicks among students.

Unknown quote regarding cars: "never in history have so many paid so much for so little"

For those that autopay, do you have any concerns about giving your account info to a third party website? For bills that can vary (water, electric, gas, credit card), do you leave more money in checking to cover those potential extra balances? I auto pay every bill that allows it. I think companies that people would autobill with stealing money out of one's account is largely an urban myth. Have you ever actually known, or heard of, an actual verifiable case where this has happened and has not been corrected? I use either a cash back credit card or Fidelity's cash management account and keep enough in a high interest Money Market fund (FZDXX) that automatically sells shares to cover any incoming charges. Do you need to maintain $100k to us...

You may also want to consider Vanguard VBIAX balanced fund 60/40, a truly set-it-and-forget-it fund.

+1 Costco

Did J. Bogle talk much about using TIPS?

Sheepdog authored one of the most memorable posts on Bogleheads. It was an example of all that is good on this site. I don't remember exactly when, but several years ago during a significant financial downturn, Sheepdog posted about his losses and his worries about the future. Many members provided expert advice, coaching and support. Sheepdog candidly explained his thoughts and fears as the situation unfolded and he watched his life savings reduced. He hung on and watched as things rebounded and eventually exceeded his losses. Unique to Sheepdog's posts was his vivid descriptions of the emotions that go along with these events, but are often overlooked. It was a true introspective of his investing journey. Sheepdog's emotional experience ...

I never believe anything J.D. Powers says. I understand it is actually a PR firm.

welderwannabe wrote: ↑Thu Nov 24, 2022 9:45 am

Ricola wrote: ↑Thu Nov 24, 2022 9:21 am VTSAX should be Federal Tax-free but not State depending on your State.

Why would VTSAX be tax free? Its dividends are taxed federally, granted much at the qualified/cap gains rate.

Misunderstand I guess, I was responding to your prior message that said: "The treasury fund is state tax free."

welderwannabe wrote: ↑Thu Nov 24, 2022 8:22 am

iamblessed wrote: ↑Tue Dec 21, 2021 12:20 pm You can buy the LifeStrategy Conservative Growth and Balanced Index Admiral Shares with about half the taxes.

Better yet VTSAX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares and VSIGX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Index Fund Admiral. The treasury fund is state tax free.

VTSAX might be Federal Tax-free but not State depending on your State.

Don't hit any road debris on the road.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... ghway.html

Electrics have too many negatives for me at this time; increased cost to purchase, convenience to service, parts cost and availability, quality of workmanship, lack of range in all driving conditions (heat and cold), convenience and time to re-charge, the cost to replace the battery ($$$), charging costs predicted to go up with increased demand and taxes, insurance cost, excess tire costs and rough ride due to heavy batteries, and EV fires - spontaneous combustion (don't park in your garage).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQxY2s-oIak

retired@50 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 16, 2022 11:37 am You could always park the money in the CA municipal money market fund (VCTXX) for 31 days, then re-deploy the funds as you see fit.

But, you still might have to contact Vanguard if you're making a large sale or purchase. VCTXX has the same $2.5 million constraint.

Regards,

+1

How about mold resistance for bathrooms or high-humidity areas?

Headline "Berkshire Hathaway is on pace to collect $6.07 billion in dividend income over the next 12 months." I think Warren would disagree.