Search found 1418 matches

by Flashes1
Mon Mar 25, 2024 7:19 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Some reasons to help me avoid the US/exUS debate
Replies: 42
Views: 3090

Re: Some reasons to help me avoid the US/exUS debate

What I find is that over time, I lose the impulse to tinker with the AA and portfolio I've chosen. It's not perfectly optimized, but when I look it over from various angles, there's nothing I feel the urge to change. After reading tons of forum posts, articles, blog posts, etc., I've gotten to a portfolio that feels right to me. It really is individualized. What you have is fine. If you had something else, that would also be fine. I think the big thing is to accept that you'll never be able to optimize perfectly, but that sleeping well at night more than compensates for that. Once you get there, you can relax a bit and stop fretting about the details. I think I’m tired of the discussions too so I come up with these. Definitely relaxed now ...
by Flashes1
Sun Mar 24, 2024 11:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can I really really afford a 3 million mortgage?
Replies: 104
Views: 9011

Re: Can I really really afford a 3 million mortgage?

What's the sense of being an American, being rich as hell with a world class specialized degree and not be able to buy such a house? The guy can clearly afford the house with a 25% down payment and a I believe $800k income. I get the allure of being financially independent with FU money but some people don't mind the jobs and are willing to work a years more to enjoy things as they age. My wife talked us down from buying what would have been our second home because it "was too expensive" despite my calculations that showed otherwise. So a few years go buy and we grow increasingly tired of our house and our tastes have evolved so when we go house hunting we end up buying a house that was more expensive than they one we didn't buy a...
by Flashes1
Sun Mar 24, 2024 8:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can I really really afford a 3 million mortgage?
Replies: 104
Views: 9011

Re: Can I really really afford a 3 million mortgage?

I say go for it. As another poster said, your incomes will probably double in the next 20 years but your mortgage payment won't budge much other than for higher property taxes and insurance. Plus, given the Feds' stated goal of reducing interest rates three times in 2024, that 6.5% mortgage interest rate will likely come down.

YOLO. You make an extraoridinarily large amount of money and saved up a lot already.
by Flashes1
Sat Mar 23, 2024 8:19 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Pulled out of Target Fund 2045 to rebalance, more aggressive
Replies: 98
Views: 5644

Re: Pulled out of Target Fund 2045 to rebalance, more aggressive

I think it's the right case if:

1) job security
2) marketable skills to another employer if you're surprisingly laid off
3. healthy
4. 6 months of expenses in a short-term bond fund or money market
5. High equities particularly make sense if spouse is working - but single is just as good because you only have to worry about yourself....it's when you have a non-working spouse and/or have kids that I think caution is the more prudent move.
6. At least 15 years until retirement
by Flashes1
Fri Mar 22, 2024 11:50 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you tip hotel staff when checking out?
Replies: 145
Views: 6928

Re: Do you tip hotel staff when checking out?

I leave $5 under the pillow each morning. Like someone else said, they can use the money a lot more than I can.

And I put if under the pillow so it hopefully reaches the person who actually cleans the room as I've seen "manager" types go down the hallway entering each room to see if the guests have left and I would rather they not take the money.
by Flashes1
Thu Mar 21, 2024 8:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Share your net worth progression
Replies: 4288
Views: 1081992

Re: Share your net worth progression

Unbelievable. Feeling very rich and looking forward to a big bump up in Nov-24 with the Presidential elections and will move 529 dollars to money market. I urge you not to believe that you know what the market will do in November. If you want to lock in 529 value do it today. Or do it over the next 6 months in a defined schedule. Don’t wait for your prediction to come true. You're probably right. I recognize the risk of being "stubbornly" greedy (I just made that term up). I did move some $ from equity to money mrkt in my Senior's 529 (on a big up day ~3 weeks ago bring it to ~50/50 overall) but my Sophomore is still at 90/10....I really should move to ~70/30 soon just to firm up their first year and a half room & board. I th...
by Flashes1
Thu Mar 21, 2024 7:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tracking gross or net portfolio value
Replies: 16
Views: 917

Re: Tracking gross or net portfolio value

KISS

The only time I would worry about valuing a Roth vs. a 401k is if I was divvying up money in a divorce. For retirement purposes, I assume a total combined tax rate (fed/state/local) of 28% of old 401k withdrawals......as an expense.
by Flashes1
Wed Mar 20, 2024 5:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Share your net worth progression
Replies: 4288
Views: 1081992

Re: Share your net worth progression

I look everyday the market hits an all time high or it's a big move up.....it brings me such joy.

I moved a lot of money out of International at the end of 2023 so that's given me a big boost in YTD 2024. :moneybag

Portfolio was $3.4 million at 12/31/23.
Today I estimate it's right at $3.7 million.

About a million in home equity. Decent pension. I bad at maths but I estimate our 529's have increased ~200% in the past 16 years ---pure luck on timing and being +80% equities the whole time.

almost 56 / 49 years old

Unbelievable. Feeling very rich and looking forward to a big bump up in Nov-24 with the Presidential elections and will move 529 dollars to money market.
by Flashes1
Tue Mar 19, 2024 8:55 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Genius of the Financial Industry
Replies: 44
Views: 3034

Re: Genius of the Financial Industry

1. Where can I invest anywhere from $10k to $10 million and be immediately diversified across every public company in the U.S. for less than 10-bps. What's 10-bps fee of $10 million? Sounds like a big effin bargain. The OP is talking about ripoff AUM management, not the glories of investing in VTSAX. Okay...I admittedly didn't read the entire very long diatribe - I saw a lot of references to the "financial industry" and it ruffled this financial executive's feathers. Many people are only happy when they're complaining. But if they're complaining about a 100-bps/per annum fee, then again, I think it's an extraordinarily wise investment for someone who doesn't know (and may not want to know) how to invest their savings. I would arg...
by Flashes1
Tue Mar 19, 2024 8:09 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Genius of the Financial Industry
Replies: 44
Views: 3034

Re: Genius of the Financial Industry

The OP is extraordinarily ignorant about the financial industry. I'm going to guess they are in tech or medicine but I digress: 1. Where can I invest anywhere from $10k to $10 million and be immediately diversified across every public company in the U.S. for less than 10-bps. What's 10-bps fee of $10 million? Sounds like a big effin bargain. 2. Where else in the world is such a deep and ingenious industry that specializes in investing in getting new companies off the ground? Many financial experts believe this group of investors is a major reason why the Vanguard TSM has outperformed International. 3. Where else in the world can companies, large and small, borrow at SOFR plus a margin of 1.0-4.0%? 4. I love my free checking account, no fee ...
by Flashes1
Mon Mar 11, 2024 7:11 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Keeping 5 years' expenses in cash/short-term vs. more conventional retirement AA
Replies: 43
Views: 5005

Re: Keeping 5 years' expenses in cash/short-term vs. more conventional retirement AA

As part of your ~35% bond allocation, are you thinking you'll keep 5 years of expenses in cash with the remainder in a combination of intermediate/tips/TBM? I plan on keeping at 3 years of cash as I no longer see the big spread between long term and short term rates so why be in long term? I want to keep interest rate risk of higher rates as low as possible after what I experienced in TBM in 2022.
by Flashes1
Fri Mar 01, 2024 5:58 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio advice
Replies: 24
Views: 2259

Re: Portfolio advice

Make sure you're comfortable with the composition of your Target Retirement Fund. It's easy to just focus on the stock/bond %'s and not drill down one more layer to what's in stocks and bonds. I discovered after many years investing in them that my TR fund had too much International equity which made me feel very uncomfortable. I've spent the the past three years unwinding a lot of my TR funds to lessen my exposure to International equities. Luckily for me it's made me some serious $ as international has lagged for +10 years but I figure it's important to recognize a poor decision and correct it ASAP. Thank you for the reply. I too have noticed that the international has crept up throughout the years. When I first started in the fund aroun...
by Flashes1
Fri Mar 01, 2024 12:25 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 529 - 2 years until High School Graduation - How Risky should I be?
Replies: 28
Views: 3637

Re: 529 - 2 years until High School Graduation - How Risky should I be?

I have a 2024 and a 2026 high school graduate. I recognize I've probably taken undue risk, but I've been 80/20 stocks/bonds for the past +10 years although I did move last Thursday after NVDA's earning pop, the mix on my 2024 graduate to 35/65. And I feel good about it even though the market will probably close higher today on 3/01/24. I have a full two years of tuition room & board locked into CD's/bonds with the remaining funds in equities for a little upside. I might sell the remaining equities after the Presidential election with the anticipated result probably going to be bullish for equities. I'm going to probably move my 2026 kids' allocation from 80/20 to 60/40 around the Presidential election, too. I know it's pure luck due to ...
by Flashes1
Fri Mar 01, 2024 12:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio advice
Replies: 24
Views: 2259

Re: Portfolio advice

Make sure you're comfortable with the composition of your Target Retirement Fund. It's easy to just focus on the stock/bond %'s and not drill down one more layer to what's in stocks and bonds. I discovered after many years investing in them that my TR fund had too much International equity which made me feel very uncomfortable.

I've spent the the past three years unwinding a lot of my TR funds to lessen my exposure to International equities. Luckily for me it's made me some serious $ as international has lagged for +10 years but I figure it's important to recognize a poor decision and correct it ASAP.
by Flashes1
Fri Feb 16, 2024 2:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Social Security -- What’s in Your Retirement Plan?
Replies: 47
Views: 3683

Re: Social Security -- What’s in Your Retirement Plan?

I'm mid-50's and assume a 25% haircut matching projected SS funding shortfall. This gives me more incentive to take at age 70 since the delay will increase my SS monthly payment. I'll get at age 70 what I originally was going to get at 67.
by Flashes1
Wed Feb 14, 2024 4:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is my CPA nickel and diming me?
Replies: 18
Views: 2967

Re: Is my CPA nickel and diming me?

If you like your CPA's advise a lot, I would focus more on total charges rather than some of the details and if I was a small business owner, I would be willing to pay market rate for good bookkeeping and tax advise. And you're paying for their honesty which is sometimes hard to find as a small business owner. I'm going to go out on a limb and say your old time CPA was probably undercharging you and the new guy is probably charging a market rate.

Looking at the detailed billings, charging a client to write an email and to discuss questions with other team members seem like standard charges for CPA's and lawyers. I can assure you the Big 4 is charging for it.
by Flashes1
Tue Jan 23, 2024 2:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is having insulation blown into the walls of an old house worth it?
Replies: 35
Views: 4353

Re: Is having insulation blown into the walls of an old house worth it?

We haven't done the walls but we did have insulation blown into a space between the Master Bathroom's floor and the garage ceiling below it ----- and it made all the difference in the world. We had problems with the Master Bath pipes freezing and that's been stopped ---- we just had a week of < 20 degree temps, and no problems.

The bathroom floors are noticeably warmer to the feet, too. It was money well spent.
by Flashes1
Tue Jan 23, 2024 12:08 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What happened in 2012 that US stocks took off?
Replies: 28
Views: 3166

Re: What happened in 2012 that US stocks took off?

The TSM index is already outperforming International Index thru yesterday's close. Staggering to consider the average Boglehead's opportunity costs who's invested 20%-30% of their equities in International over the past 10 years. It's literally cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars :confused
by Flashes1
Sun Jan 21, 2024 12:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Risk of deferred compensation
Replies: 13
Views: 1433

Re: Risk of deferred compensation

I like it in my spouse's specific case:

* Works in a very large medical facility with in my estimate < .001% chance of insolvency.
* Approximately 50 years old.
* +90% chance it's their last employer.
* We've been getting killed by AMT taxes.
* I consider it an annuity - it's 100% TSM right now but I'm going to move it all to a Stable Income fund ~3 years prior to retirement so that I'm locked into a 5-year payout to help segue into retirement. It should cover about 25% of needed income.
by Flashes1
Mon Jan 15, 2024 7:32 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Seeking Alpha
Replies: 26
Views: 4173

Re: Seeking Alpha

SmileyFace wrote: Fri Apr 21, 2023 10:52 am I read seeking alpha articles related to my company and industry - but I don't use them as an investor.
They do often get rumoured stories about various companies correct before the stories are announced or go public. Sometimes they have additonal bits of detail on such stories compared to other sources.
This is what I do to follow my employer and my customers. Additionally, I get a lot of value from their morning email blasts which cover that day's major economic news such as GDP\, unemployment, Fed meetings, expectations, etc. I like to compare what economists' forecast vs. what the actual numbers reported by the government. I find it interesting how the markets react to this news.
by Flashes1
Fri Jan 12, 2024 4:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Future taxes on unrealized gains as a liability when calculating net worth?
Replies: 36
Views: 3384

Re: Future taxes on unrealized gains as a liability when calculating net worth?

I don't adjust for taxes when I calculate my assets on my balance sheet, but I do adjust for taxes when I calculate my retirement expenses.

For example, I forecast annual withdrawals from my 401x of ~$150k/year; therefore, I include $41k of tax expenses on those withdrawals at a combined federal/state 27% tax rate.
by Flashes1
Wed Jan 03, 2024 8:24 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retiring! Now what!? [Portfolio questions]
Replies: 23
Views: 3207

Re: Retiring! Now what!? [Portfolio questions]

Thanks for presenting your "Allocation by Account" chart. I've not seen it before but I like how it simply yet effectively shows what type of funds one's investments are located. I have since added it to my collection of various investment spreadsheets.
by Flashes1
Tue Jan 02, 2024 11:49 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: CDs a good idea now?
Replies: 25
Views: 3334

Re: CDs a good idea now?

Is unpaid Interest taxed annually on multi-year CD's? For example, I buy a 3 year, $10k CD on 1/02/24 (and I presume most CD's pay interest at maturity?), do I pay taxes on the unpaid portion of the interest from 1/02/24 - 12/31/24 or do I pay taxes on all the interest paid at maturity?
by Flashes1
Fri Dec 29, 2023 8:35 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Non-deductible IRA contributions: Why?
Replies: 34
Views: 3777

Re: Non-deductible IRA contributions: Why?

The downside to taxable accounts is you pay tax on annual dividends. I will have to pay taxes on the ~$9k of dividends I received from TSM Index this year. Had it been in a ND IRA, I would not have to pay this tax.

I could see the benefit of making ND IRA contributions when you're +15 years away from retirement - as you get closer to retirement, I think there would be less benefit.
by Flashes1
Wed Dec 27, 2023 2:02 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Review my 529 investment choices for 16 yr old and 14 year old
Replies: 7
Views: 740

Re: Review my 529 investment choices for 16 yr old and 14 year old

I've been aggressive in my kids' 529's (Senior and Sophomore in HS) which has paid off given the record bull run (I've more than doubled my money during their life times) but I recognize the risk of missing out on a 10% gain in the 500 in the next two years outweighs the risk of a 30% loss in the next two years.

I have tuition, room & board for Year 1 in Short Term Bond Index and I just put $9k of new $ in a 1-year CD last Friday at 4.5%. I probably should move another ~$30k from equities to Short Term Bonds by Friday ----- but I'm feeling lucky that I can squeeze a "cheap" 2-3% return thru 2/28/24 by keeping that $30k in equities. I'm feel like I'm being greedy but I can't help myself! :annoyed
by Flashes1
Sun Dec 24, 2023 8:06 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Projecting investment balance in Excel
Replies: 9
Views: 1722

Re: Projecting investment balance in Excel

I use a blended rate of return of 4% on my spreadsheet incorporating both bonds & equities and there's hopefully enough margin in their to account for inflationary effect of 2% so as to keep the present value of the $ consistent with the future value of the $ so as to account for inflation.

A 4% ROR the first 15 years of retirement (age 60-75) decreasing to 2% ROR, thereafter, assuming a higher bond allocation.

Edit: to be conservative, I remove my annual portfolio withdrawal from the prior year's ending balance which it looks like the OP does, too.
by Flashes1
Fri Dec 22, 2023 4:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Inheritance Financial/Moral Dilemma
Replies: 105
Views: 13295

Re: Inheritance Financial/Moral Dilemma

I believe this could be highly dependent on the relation your kids have with each other and with you. Could it be an option to discuss different approaches with the more financially savvy child? My parents always encouraged my 2 brothers and myself to follow our passions. Mine ended up being corporate finance, one brother is a software engineer and the 3rd one (happens to be the youngest) teaches and produces theater. Guess who is not necessarily doing well financially? Ive encouraged my parents to help and support my youngest brother financially because I don’t need help and the software engineer doesn’t need any either. Ive asked my parents not to leave me any assets when they pass, instead allocate it to my youngest, put it in a trust t...
by Flashes1
Fri Dec 22, 2023 11:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Inheritance Financial/Moral Dilemma
Replies: 105
Views: 13295

Re: Inheritance Financial/Moral Dilemma

I'd do 50/50 BUT I would probably help the less affluent out more while I was alive with things like a down payment on a house or stick a little extra in their kids' 529's....and not make a big production about with the other sibling so as to not rub their face in it.

Edit: rather than outright handing cash to them, I'd help pay for big ticket needs like a car, furniture, and as I mentioned, help with a downpayment on a house and 529's.

And I'm not suggesting pay for the entire car but $10-$20k or whatever you decide.
by Flashes1
Thu Dec 21, 2023 8:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Material Commission Payout - Where to Catch Up
Replies: 14
Views: 1613

Re: Material Commission Payout - Where to Catch Up

There's really only a few places to put it via your breakout: (i) mortgage, (ii) taxable and (iii) 529's.

It's hard to tell if your kid is going private school k-16 but either way, I'd suggest putting a big chunk of your bonus in the 529: (i) you're in a high tax bracket so the tax free growth is valuable and (ii) it will alleviate a lot of concern over the years how you're going to pay for college.

I'd put $50k-$100k in the 529 and the rest in taxable (TSM Index).
by Flashes1
Thu Dec 21, 2023 5:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: how much do you think you need to retire?
Replies: 296
Views: 62668

Re: how much do you think you need to retire?

17 years ago my number was $2.5 million; I now have $3.6 million at age 55 and 48 (what a hell of a bull market). Life changes as do dreams and life circumstances so I'm planning on working another 4.5 yrs and my wife another 8-10 years. I have a Senior and Sophomore in high school - and have ~5.5 of 8 years funded in 529's so I want to firm that up a little bit. And I have "aspirational" retirement plans including $30k/yr rent for 3 months on Florida home in the winter. $170,000 retirement budget including big ticket items such as: ($30,000) winter home rental ($24,000) Obamacare (24,000) 30% total taxes on $85,000 IRA withdrawls ($10,000) restaurants ($8,000) groceries $1 million paid-off lake home - this will be used to fund an...
by Flashes1
Thu Dec 21, 2023 2:36 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Too much risk in 529
Replies: 25
Views: 2081

Re: Too much risk in 529

I get trying to eek out every dollar of gain in your 529's because I've done it - I moved about 1 year of tuition, room & board from equities to bonds about 3 years ago and let the rest ride in equities. My oldest is heading off to college next fall, so I'm okay with Year 1 but I need to start thinking about Years 2-4 so you and I have similar timing concerns. My thought is the risk of higher interest rates in 2024 is virtually nil after the Fed loudly advertised last week multiple interest rate reductions in 2024 which I expect will benefit bond fund values. The Fed can obviously change their mind, but not without cratering the stock market and economic activity ahead of the Presidential race which I think they want to avoid. I persona...
by Flashes1
Thu Dec 21, 2023 11:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Spending curve over time
Replies: 11
Views: 1434

Re: Spending curve over time

I think it's fair to say many retirees spend more on discretionary fun things like travel and country club, ocean club memberships in the go-go years than the slow-go years +75 years old to death; however, you kind find yourself with a need to spend a lot of money on Assisted Living at 80 years old to death which can throw that premise out the window.
by Flashes1
Tue Dec 19, 2023 6:38 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: International (Non-US) versus US Equities (The "Arguments")
Replies: 5351
Views: 905505

Re: International (Non-US) versus US Equities (The "Arguments")

I've sold about 50% of my International equities in the past two days. I couldn't take the underperformance anymore and see no real drivers that would cause it to outperform the US in the near term. Maybe this marks a good time to buy Intl for the contrarians on the board. :happy Nah, you did the right thing, although I would have sold all of it. I bet you will do that eventually because it will keep being a thorn in your side, so might as well do it now. Yea, most of my remaining Intl is in two large Target Retirement holdings in my our two 401ks - I've been slowly whittling down my TR Index via exchanges into the 500 and Total Bond....but those two TR holdings hold a lot of my bond exposure, so I'm going to stand pat for a while and let ...
by Flashes1
Tue Dec 19, 2023 6:10 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: International (Non-US) versus US Equities (The "Arguments")
Replies: 5351
Views: 905505

Re: International (Non-US) versus US Equities (The "Arguments")

I've sold about 50% of my International equities in the past two days. I couldn't take the underperformance anymore and see no real drivers that would cause it to outperform the US in the near term. Maybe this marks a good time to buy Intl for the contrarians on the board. :happy Curious if you saw the data above about what happens if you take out the Magnificent 7? No because I think there will always be a Magnificent 7 in the United States. The names will change, but the exceptional world class companies will continue. So many market forces benefit the U.S. Demographics, culture, legal protection, capital markets, entrepreneurship, angel investors, private equity, and regulation separate us from the rest of the world. We may not be #1 in...
by Flashes1
Mon Dec 18, 2023 6:42 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: International (Non-US) versus US Equities (The "Arguments")
Replies: 5351
Views: 905505

Re: International (Non-US) versus US Equities (The "Arguments")

I've sold about 50% of my International equities in the past two days. I couldn't take the underperformance anymore and see no real drivers that would cause it to outperform the US in the near term.

Maybe this marks a good time to buy Intl for the contrarians on the board. :happy
by Flashes1
Fri Dec 15, 2023 9:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Retiring at age 40 with $2.4M
Replies: 210
Views: 144063

Re: Retiring at age 40 with $2.4M

Is the OP budgeting for Long Term Care costs? I ask because I just put my parents into an Assisted Living arrangement to the tune of ~$70k per annum. In my opinion, the OP needs to budget for that expense beginning at the age of 85. The nice thing is there's little other expense once you're in the facility.
by Flashes1
Wed Dec 13, 2023 7:19 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Where My 100% Equities Peeps At?!?
Replies: 387
Views: 54900

Re: Where My 100% Equities Peeps At?!?

I'm ~85% equities and feeling rich at market close today like I did on 12/31/21. 4.5 years to retirement so I'm not terribly excited about another 2022 market but fully realize it's going to happen sooner or later.
by Flashes1
Mon Dec 11, 2023 10:37 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How much are you down\up from the top set in 2021?
Replies: 79
Views: 12096

Re: How much are you down\up from the top set in 2021?

WoodSpinner wrote: Mon Dec 11, 2023 10:28 am Wondering how many folks who answered this question are actually calculating the IRR for their portfolios?

This is one of the issues with measuring returns when money is added or removed during the period being measured.

WoodSpinner
The way the question is worded, I think it's a hard $ and % number and that's why I qualified my response that my number is inclusive of significant new dollar investments in 2023 and 2022.

Others can respond any way they like and posters can interpret their responses any way they like. We all know that any portfolios that haven't changed much since 12/31/21 is very likely due to myriad reasons including signficant new investments and low exposure to bonds/mid/small caps and/or International.
by Flashes1
Mon Dec 11, 2023 7:38 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How much are you down\up from the top set in 2021?
Replies: 79
Views: 12096

Re: How much are you down\up from the top set in 2021?

I just exceeded 12/31/21 totals about two weeks ago and this is inclusive of two years of two max 401k, IRA's, 10% 401k matching, and HSA. Pretty scary but International and Small/Mid Cap equities have weighed down my S&P 500 performance. Proof that market gains are all from USA large caps.
by Flashes1
Sun Dec 10, 2023 3:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorites at Aldi's?
Replies: 36
Views: 6389

Re: Favorites at Aldi's?

[Unnecessary comment removed by admin LadyGeek]

I haven't stepped foot in an Aldi in nearly 25 years but a lot must have changed over the years because the cashiers used to ring everything up by memory (I know that's changed) and there was a very limited amount of frozen and refrigerated foods...but it sounds like they've greatly expanded it. Is the food still put on the shelves in boxes and pallets? I remember 10-15 pallets coming off the trucks and 2-3 store workers would throw them on the shelves within 3.5 hours (German hard work) before the store opened at 9:00 am.
by Flashes1
Wed Dec 06, 2023 4:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I take job offer? Commute concerns
Replies: 50
Views: 7307

Re: Should I take job offer? Commute concerns

Any thought of finding a sitter for 3-4 hours/day? Given wage inflation, you'd have to pay a lot on a per hour basis to attract a good candidate, but it would solve the kid problem.
by Flashes1
Tue Dec 05, 2023 9:39 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retirement account in Target date fund
Replies: 39
Views: 4407

Re: Retirement account in Target date fund

The % of International equities in the Vanguard Target Retirement Funds drove me to slice & dice with my preferred allocations of 500 index, mid/small, intl and bond index.

I had no idea how much Intl was in my Target portfolio until a Boglehead alerted me. Thank goodness, too. I've done a lot better in USA equities than cruddy Intl over the past 10 years. I'm literally worth +$250k more listening to this sage Boglehead.
by Flashes1
Tue Dec 05, 2023 8:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Private High School - worth it?
Replies: 164
Views: 28792

Re: Private High School - worth it?

Here's the perspective of 1 kid at a well regarded public high school and another 1 at a well regarded private high school: Advantages of Public: 1. Less Expensive 2. It's a big school so lots of course choices such as Mandarin. 3. It's closer to where we live and bus service is available although once they're 16, most don't want to take the bus. 4. It's a big school, so lots of possible friends. 5. Lots of mental health resources and empathy. Advantages of Private: 1. VASTLY superior guidance counselors who take a very hands-on role in the kids' college search and scholarships ---- this kind of service is virtually non-existent at the public school. This is perhaps the single biggest difference. The guidance counselors have personal relati...
by Flashes1
Sun Dec 03, 2023 11:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: problems with "post-dated" checks?
Replies: 49
Views: 5271

Re: problems with "post-dated" checks?

From my Business Law class 30 years ago, post dating a check will not prevent a check from being drawn upon/cashed prior to the date of the check. For example, you can date a check 30 days from now, but it can still be cashed any time prior to that date as it's on demand.
by Flashes1
Sun Dec 03, 2023 9:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When to move to a continuing care retirement community (CCRC)
Replies: 101
Views: 16780

Re: When to move to a continuing care retirement community (CCRC)

We just move my 83-year old parents into Assisted Living 2 months ago. It's been awesome so far particularly for the social aspect. They had been pretty hunkered down in their house mostly by themselves since the Covid outbreak so getting them into a facility with ~100 other people has been good for them. They have 3 meals served daily and have started to sit with a core group of 10 people. Additionally, they have a call button that they can have snacks and drinks delivered to their room throughout the day. I would recommend finding a facility that has different styles of units as you enter different life stages. For example, you start in a "villa/apartment," move to "assisted" living when you need help getting dressed/s...
by Flashes1
Mon Nov 27, 2023 10:06 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tales from this insane real estate market [Home sales]
Replies: 2923
Views: 521091

Re: Tales from this insane real estate market [Home sales]

I'm curious who offered that mortgage for effectively 1% down. I strongly suspect it's a financial institution that's not regulated by the OCC, ie it's not a traditional bank that's backed by the federal government.

If it is a traditional bank such as PNC, BoA, Citibank, etc. then I think it could be a sign that traditional lenders are loosening their underwriting guidelines. But I'd bet that's not happening or we're missing some information about the offer.
by Flashes1
Tue Nov 21, 2023 7:23 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Car Loan Rates
Replies: 23
Views: 2729

Re: Car Loan Rates

There's not any magical place to borrow at low interest rates unless the manufacturer is subsidizing it. Not when the 10 year treasury rate is ~4.4% and 1 month SOFR is ~5.3%.

And note to the OP.....NEVER say the name of a car you're looking at if it's a European car company. You could be 40 years old and have $5 million in your 401k and you'll be told you can't afford a European car if you don't have $70k laying around to pay for it. :beer
by Flashes1
Fri Nov 10, 2023 8:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Subscriptions Worth Paying For?
Replies: 97
Views: 14394

Re: Subscriptions Worth Paying For?

Prime
Netflix
Fox Nation for general news
by Flashes1
Mon Nov 06, 2023 9:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buying a 120k car... yes, I need your help
Replies: 275
Views: 34095

Re: Buying a 120k car... yes, I need your help

I would do it in your situation: * You've busted your butt with years in training. * You've conservatively paid-off your student debt. * You've conservatively driven a "beater" vehicle for years. * High income via a stable job. * Green light on the car but after said purchase, you need to make a conscious effort to save for a down payment on a house, emergency fund, and start saving for retirement. Edit: I bought an S550 - it was fun for a few years but then it started breaking down at 10 years old so I bought a Toyota a few months ago. I scratched the "German car" itch - but that's the last European car for a while. If the S&P increases 10% per annum the next 5-7 years, maybe I'll but a GT4 for a weekend car, but I'...