Search found 4351 matches

by RadAudit
Sun Mar 17, 2024 10:38 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Anybody heard stories of well "prepared" retirees running out of money?
Replies: 93
Views: 10557

Re: Anybody heard stories of well "prepared" retirees running out of money?

chassis wrote: Sun Mar 17, 2024 7:17 am
There is a vein of fear of running out of money on this site.
True, at least a healthy concern for that possibility.

But, if you spend most of your working career trying to accumulate enough while simultaneously trying to unlearn the stuff you shouldn't have been taught and learning the stuff you should have been taught while living life and taking care of necessary expenses along the way, it's a concern that's hard to avoid. Add to that the known unknowns and the unknown unknowns and a healthy concern for those probabilities, it's almost unavoidable.
by RadAudit
Sat Mar 16, 2024 5:54 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Theoretically, would VTI be an effective long term retirement investment, even when held in a taxable account ?
Replies: 30
Views: 2991

Re: Theoretically, would VTI be an effective long term retirement investment, even when held in a taxable account ?

Kumsajack wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 3:01 pm Curious about the legitimacy of this recommendation for some low-income earners.
It's a legitimate recommendation. But the kicker of how much of a help it's going to be is a function of the size of account.
by RadAudit
Sat Mar 16, 2024 5:42 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Anybody heard stories of well "prepared" retirees running out of money?
Replies: 93
Views: 10557

Re: Anybody heard stories of well "prepared" retirees running out of money?

fyre4ce wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 5:16 pm If anyone has suggestions on what could be done, I'm all ears. Otherwise, my spouse and I are trying to keep our own financial house in order in case we need to support them later in life.
Sounds as if you are doing the best you can under the circumstances.

How much support you'll be able to provide and in what form without damaging your hopefully successful retirement will be a difficult thing to figure out.

Best of luck.
by RadAudit
Sat Mar 16, 2024 2:41 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Anybody heard stories of well "prepared" retirees running out of money?
Replies: 93
Views: 10557

Re: Anybody heard stories of well "prepared" retirees running out of money?

Haven't heard of any, personally.

I guess it is possible. Probably have to do with health related events - longevity, long term care, etc. But if well prepared means a pension (or appropriately sized life annuity)/ a decent sized portfolio, proper AA, relatively mild inflation, etc., I would assume it's rare.
by RadAudit
Sat Mar 16, 2024 8:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Letter to heir - what would you include?
Replies: 90
Views: 7245

Re: Letter to heir - what would you include?

Everything except where the gold is buried.
by RadAudit
Sat Mar 16, 2024 8:43 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Where does your [investing] inspiration come from?
Replies: 31
Views: 2924

Re: Where does your [investing] inspiration come from?

It was a long and winding road. And after running up more than a few dead ends, I read Jack Bogle's 1st book On Mutual Funds. That started the process of AA and choosing low cost index funds for investing.
by RadAudit
Sun Mar 10, 2024 8:42 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "When" do you sell equities during Retirement?
Replies: 29
Views: 4404

Re: "When" do you sell equities during Retirement?

I'm 76 and in retirement. Right now, I'm selling stock to take RMDs. Well, actually, it's mutual funds that contain stocks and bonds but it's roughly the same thing. Additionally, when I take RMDs it's an opportunity to rebalance the portfolio back to my chosen AA. I'm also sure in the days ahead there will be opportunities to sell stocks for large nonrecurring expenditures such as a new car, etc.
by RadAudit
Sat Mar 09, 2024 2:46 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Retirees apparently tend to maintain assets - lessons for BH investors?
Replies: 129
Views: 16931

Re: Retirees apparently tend to maintain assets - lessons for BH investors?

… A friend of mine says his goal is to write his last check to the undertaker, and have it bounce.

Your friend I’m afraid is a victim of the worst kind of market timing, carries the gambling sickness, and is an avowed crook—
True. But very few of us are perfect.
by RadAudit
Thu Feb 29, 2024 10:22 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: A confident Boglehead in his 60s pondering managing a portfolio in their 80s and beyond?
Replies: 42
Views: 5535

Re: A confident Boglehead in his 60s pondering managing a portfolio in their 80s and beyond?

I also realize that my ability to make sound decisions may be finite and the odds are that my wife will likely outlive me. This seems to me at some point later in retirement, this may be a wise move to make ahead of when one needs it. What are others experience with this type of transition? I'm 76. I made a slight, hopefully reversible, mistake taking a RMD this year. First time I had to use a CPA in hopes of sorting through that process. Still had to do the same amount of data collection for filing. Usually it's just plug and chug with turbo tax, although that's beginning to be more tedious as the years roll on. I believe that a simple portfolio (life strategy funds) is easily managed into your mid to late 70s, maybe later. I also believe...
by RadAudit
Thu Feb 29, 2024 8:51 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Retirees: at what age...?
Replies: 48
Views: 5175

Re: Retirees: at what age...?

tennisplyr wrote: Thu Feb 29, 2024 8:17 am at what age do retirees plan to or have removed their shackles on spending? That is, you feel you are at a point/age in life that the clock is ticking and it's time to ramp up the spending.
I'm afraid by the time I get a decent idea on when it's a good time to unlock the shackles, I'll be too old to turn the key. I'm 76 and not there yet.
by RadAudit
Tue Feb 27, 2024 10:27 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Retirees apparently tend to maintain assets - lessons for BH investors?
Replies: 129
Views: 16931

Re: Retirees apparently tend to maintain assets - lessons for BH investors?

TN_Boy wrote: Tue Feb 27, 2024 9:26 am But as we don't know:

1) when we are going to die
2) what our unavoidable expenses in later life will be (LTC, child needing help, etc)
3) what market returns will be

Anybody that says entering retirement they have a PLAN to die with zero is either not very smart or doesn't understand the points above.
The part that really concerns me is
4) how long will my spouse live after I die?

That adds a wrinkle of complexity to my financial planning. I have always believed that anyone who puts up with me for that long deserves to be provided for.
by RadAudit
Tue Feb 13, 2024 10:05 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Should I quit or slog through
Replies: 62
Views: 7578

Re: Should I quit or slog through

joe_500 wrote: Tue Feb 13, 2024 2:57 am I really don’t like what I do.
joe_500 wrote: Tue Feb 13, 2024 2:57 am My emotional side feels trapped in the situation and resigned to do something I hate for at least another few years, but my analytical side says to just quit now (or rather in July after I earn a nearly certain bonus)
If you really don't like the job, it's time to go.
by RadAudit
Tue Feb 06, 2024 11:26 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Are any BH's not wealthy?
Replies: 165
Views: 25662

Re: Are any BH's not wealthy?

Wealthy? Far from it. Not likely to get there. I may have enough left to take care of DW after I pass on and leave a little for the kids to fight over. Don't know.

With a late start, one income and stay at home spouse we did have enough to put food on the table and put two kids through grad school. I guess that may count as wealthy for some. But money wise it isn't wealthy. But money isn't a good measure of wealth either.
by RadAudit
Sat Feb 03, 2024 10:13 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Do Bogleheads "Buy the Dip"?
Replies: 136
Views: 12636

Re: Do index investors "Buy the Dip"?

I guess I do. I'm invested in two mutual funds with an asset allocation of 60/40 and 40/60. So they rebalance on the way up and down. So, yes. I buy the dips and sell the rips.

Of course, I do that in tax deferred accounts which are the bulk of my investments.
by RadAudit
Fri Jan 26, 2024 10:50 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How did you get over your fear of investing in the market?
Replies: 64
Views: 5020

Re: How did you get over your fear of investing in the market?

I'm not sure I got there yet. Education helps. In my case, I had to unlearn a lot of things before I learned about index investing. I remember reading Jack Bogle's first (?) book On Mutual Funds (?) in the early 90's. That helped me on the road and I had been putting money aside for 15 or so years so I had something to work with. My copy is marked up with projections of various AA, potential market returns by asset class (stocks, bonds, international, etc.) that led me to an estimated (SWAG) portfolio return and investment contribution rate necessary to support my projected retirement date. (I later learned most of those projections were again guesses although I did hit my goals with a few years to spare. Pure luck.) So, although I'm not to...
by RadAudit
Tue Jan 23, 2024 9:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Psychological Aversion to Decumulation Phase
Replies: 73
Views: 7374

Re: Psychological Aversion to Decumulation Phase

catchinup wrote: Mon Jan 22, 2024 10:22 pm Did anyone else here experience a similar struggle and if so, how did you overcome it?
Cheer up! Some of us never overcome it. I've been retired for 13+ (?) years. What bothers me is the declining portfolio totals as RMDs kick in in the later years, along with the usual annual expenses. I finally ran the numbers again and convinced myself that I'll have a reasonable chance to have enough for DW and me to make it to the end. The rest I'm in the process of forgetting to worry about. Long process. Good luck, kids.
by RadAudit
Wed Jan 17, 2024 10:15 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How did you make your first $1M?
Replies: 148
Views: 33623

Re: How did you make your first $1M?

Saved about 12% of the paycheck every two weeks in index funds for about 35+ years. Made it to about $1 million around 2011 and then retired.
by RadAudit
Thu Jan 11, 2024 8:29 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is anybody actually running out of money in retirement?
Replies: 201
Views: 46648

Re: Is anybody actually running out of money in retirement?

learning30 wrote: Wed Jan 10, 2024 9:42 pm I look at wealthy family members and they all have what I would think is enough but there is always this concern of running out, so I wonder if anybody actually has?
It's a little too soon to say for sure. I'm 76 and have been retired for 14 years. So I'm only in the first part of a long race. I'm a little concerned about having enough left for DW for as long as she needs it. I'm quickly losing interest in a commitment/goal in providing for the kids, grandkids, and a number of charities for an unknowable time into the future. Somewhere along the line someone else is going to have to pick up the pace.

I'll let you know later.
by RadAudit
Mon Jan 08, 2024 8:14 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: “You’ll know when the right time is to retire”
Replies: 69
Views: 9227

Re: “You’ll know when the right time is to retire”

The estate was settled and the inheritance arrived.

Well that and the kids were through with grad school. I had 39 years with the corporation and the career wasn't going anywhere. I was eligible for SS and a pension. The house was paid for. ...
by RadAudit
Mon Jan 01, 2024 9:35 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Should IPS contain a definition of success?
Replies: 37
Views: 4084

Re: Should IPS contain a definition of success?

Squirrel208 wrote: Sun Dec 31, 2023 10:44 am you can use whatever terms and definitions you like that will make your own IPS relevant and actionable in helping to stay the course.
I am beginning to come around to the idea that an IPS should contain some statements in addition to those primarily about money and asset allocation. (I know, heresy) But, something should lead you toward the idea of getting off the treadmill of providing for the fulfillment of everyone else's expectations concerning your assets. Taking care of the spouse? Definitely. Disabled child? Definitely yes. I'm sure there are other legitimate personal goals but there should be an end point. Something that says I've done the best I can do with what I have. The rest is up to you.
by RadAudit
Mon Jan 01, 2024 9:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When to sell old/purchase new vehicle
Replies: 37
Views: 4827

Re: When to sell old/purchase new vehicle

My 2011 Sonata was sold when it totaled after an accident in a parking lot. Seemed about the right time.
by RadAudit
Fri Dec 29, 2023 6:42 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Do you view portfolio risk differently when you retired
Replies: 32
Views: 3806

Re: Do you view portfolio risk differently when you retired

gavinsiu wrote: Fri Dec 29, 2023 9:14 am For people who are retired, does no longer contribute to your portfolio and instead withdraw from it raised your anxiety? Did you eventually recover from the feeling.
I'm 76. Retired for 14 years. The short answer is no. My view is still that the portfolio may not be enough to take care of the obligations and expectations of all the people who think they have a claim on / right to part of the estate. That's the biggest change from before to after retirement.
by RadAudit
Thu Dec 28, 2023 11:42 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VTWAX or VTSAX Next 30 Years? [Vanguard Total World vs. (US) Stock Market]
Replies: 27
Views: 3042

Re: VTWAX or VTSAX Next 30 Years?

iTravler73 wrote: Thu Dec 28, 2023 11:36 am which is the better option?
If I knew, I wouldn't tell you.
by RadAudit
Tue Dec 26, 2023 5:04 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Best book to convince someone investing isn't gambling
Replies: 102
Views: 108263

Re: Best book to convince someone investing isn't gambling

bendix wrote: Tue Dec 26, 2023 4:01 pm Wait! What? We´re not gambling? Huh?! :moneybag
With gambling, sometimes you know the odds.
by RadAudit
Mon Dec 25, 2023 10:39 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What is Your Biggest "Good Problem to Have"? [Financial]
Replies: 97
Views: 13682

Re: What is Your Biggest "Good Problem to Have"? [Financial]

Simply put the good problem to have is making a finite amount of money meet an ever growing demand for things to spend money on.

I have to figure out how to cover my and my DW's needs and wants for the duration - however long that may be. Add to that the requests for charitable donations, inheritance for the kids, and covering the college costs for the grandkids.

And while the amount of money may be finite, the value of that money changes with every blip in interest rates.
by RadAudit
Fri Dec 22, 2023 8:24 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Inheritance Financial/Moral Dilemma
Replies: 105
Views: 12931

Re: Inheritance Financial/Moral Dilemma

chicagoan23 wrote: Fri Dec 22, 2023 8:15 am If you have money that you will never need for yourself, get rid of it while you are alive. As much as possible. Keeping it in your name just so you can control until your dying day does you no good.
The key phrase is money that you'll need for yourself. I'll include in the definition of myself the needs / wants of DW who'll probably outlive me by several years. YMMV
by RadAudit
Thu Dec 21, 2023 10:32 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The murky path to figuring out if you are saving enough
Replies: 30
Views: 4694

Re: The murky path to figuring out if you are saving enough

gavinsiu wrote: Wed Dec 20, 2023 10:21 pm
Curious to know how the others handle the uncertainty.
My plan is to wait until 30 years after I start withdrawing funds in retirement to see if I guessed right. I'm at year 13 right now. So far, so good I guess.
by RadAudit
Thu Dec 14, 2023 9:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When Did You Feel Financially Secure and Comfortable?
Replies: 134
Views: 29414

Re: When Did You Feel Financially Secure and Comfortable?

CoastLawyer2030 wrote: Thu Dec 14, 2023 8:42 am So when did you feel financially comfortable?
Haven't got there, yet.

I'm 76. Retired for 13 years. Still concerned how the grandkids will get through college (Ages 10 and 7), if we have enough to last all the way for DW to live like she wants as long as she wants.

Maybe some folks need to feel slightly uncomfortable.
by RadAudit
Mon Dec 04, 2023 8:15 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Has your portfolio recovered since Q1 2022?
Replies: 104
Views: 13281

Re: Has your portfolio recovered since Q1 2022?

cheese_breath wrote: Sun Dec 03, 2023 3:28 pm
RadAudit wrote: Sun Dec 03, 2023 2:56 pm
tetractys wrote: Fri Dec 01, 2023 9:53 pm My portfolio is seeing the light; but not yet recovered. I’m retired and withdrawing gradually.
I'm retired and 76. AA is ~ 50/50. Down about 10%. RMDs are continuing to take a chunk every year. I'm still in recovery but making progress on a nominal basis.
Are you spending the RMDs, or just moving them to taxible investments?
Some are QCDs, some are taxes, there are a few minor gifts / early distributions from the estate. The rest I waste by reinvesting in taxable. There are a few cruises planned for next year that were delayed through the Covid years so we plod along.

PS: Thanks for the reminder that all things considered, maybe I'm not doing as poorly as I thought.
by RadAudit
Sun Dec 03, 2023 2:56 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Has your portfolio recovered since Q1 2022?
Replies: 104
Views: 13281

Re: Has your portfolio recovered since Q1 2022?

tetractys wrote: Fri Dec 01, 2023 9:53 pm My portfolio is seeing the light; but not yet recovered. I’m retired and withdrawing gradually.
I'm retired and 76. AA is ~ 50/50. Down about 10%. RMDs are continuing to take a chunk every year. I'm still in recovery but making progress on a nominal basis.
by RadAudit
Fri Dec 01, 2023 7:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Money does grow on trees!!
Replies: 12
Views: 2202

Re: Money does grow on trees!!

mrmass wrote: Fri Dec 01, 2023 6:53 am And when is the best time to plant a tree???
If you want shade, about 20 years ago.
by RadAudit
Thu Nov 23, 2023 11:29 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Encouraging young investors to Stay the Course
Replies: 31
Views: 4060

Re: Encouraging young investors to Stay the Course

teacher wrote: Thu Nov 23, 2023 10:08 am I hope I am crafting this questions so it is understandable.

At what general dollar amount will an investor see significant growth or loss?

I don't remember when change became noticeable.

The answer to this question could be a means of encouraging young investors to stay the course.
Years ago when I was saving for retirement, I remember writing an annual goal for the amount of money I should have in retirement savings by age (savings at start, annual additions to the total, average rate of growth, etc.) up to my retirement number. Fairly simple. Annual changes above or below the glide path were noticeable. Helped me stay the course. YMMV
by RadAudit
Tue Nov 21, 2023 8:57 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to help coworkers with retirement planning?
Replies: 66
Views: 7803

Re: How to help coworkers with retirement planning?

$=WxTxI wrote: Mon Nov 20, 2023 9:14 pm After listening to multiple offhanded comments regarding being ill prepared for retirement from my fellow coworkers it is weighing heavily on me.

What can I do to help them?

Or should I just stay out of it?
Retirement planning? Stay out of it.

OTOH, just recently I received an e-mail from someone I haven't heard from in 30 years. He thanked me for a piece of information I gave him during a chance exchange at the water cooler so many years ago. He claims it set him on the path to accumulating 3/4 of a
million by retirement. Don't know what I said so long ago. Guess it was really basic. But, it could of gone either way.

YMMV
by RadAudit
Mon Nov 20, 2023 9:04 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 4% rule
Replies: 20
Views: 3716

Re: 4% rule

The "normal" safe withdrawal rates of 3% or 4% are calculated without any additional sources of income, so the assumption is that all withdrawals come from your portfolio. If you have additional sources of income like social security, you can of course increase your withdrawal amount so the percentage values with respect to your portfolio will be much higher in this case. That does not mean that the "normal" withdrawal rates are calculated too conservatively, it is simply a different kind of calculation. +1, I hope. I have a few additional streams of income - SS, pensions. I've come around to spending from those streams and supplementing from the RMDs as necessary. Anything leftover is reinvested in taxable. So far, it ...
by RadAudit
Thu Nov 16, 2023 8:46 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is it best to never sell or to only sell when it's absolutely necessary during my entire index fund investment career?
Replies: 12
Views: 1785

Re: Is it best to never sell or to only sell when it's absolutely necessary during my entire index fund investment caree

Algamish wrote: Thu Nov 16, 2023 3:36 am I'm aware that I probably will have no other choice but to sell when I really need the money fast from the investment.
Just to clarify the problem, I'll assume that you failed to include the fact that you already have a usually adequate amount of money in an emergency fund.

My AA is approximately 55/40/5. The 5 is in a taxable MM account. That amount of money came in handy when I had to fix a cash flow problem/mistake I made earlier this month. (I have been known to make a few doozies of mistakes from time to time.) Cut out the no other choice but to sell option, this time.
by RadAudit
Mon Nov 06, 2023 9:33 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: M* article "We Need to Talk About Your Retirement Spending"
Replies: 27
Views: 4216

Re: M* article "We Need to Talk About Your Retirement Spending"

Her key point is the value of giving (if you can) while you're still alive, which she illuminates with her own experiences. If you have a reasonable degree of certainty that you can afford to give, giving while you are alive does have its advantages. Benz relates receiving help with a downpayment on a house. I don't think she writes about anymore gifts. In our own case, we give something additional to the kids at Christmas. The general purpose is to mitigate any cat fights at the reading of the will and to distribute something if it all goes South before our demise. If there is a payoff in the form of a warm rosy glow from giving with a warm hand, I haven't experienced it, yet. As for charitable giving - we do get cold pizza and wine at ha...
by RadAudit
Tue Oct 31, 2023 8:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What net worth are you targeting at age 90?
Replies: 126
Views: 16979

Re: What net worth are you targeting at age 90?

What assets do you plan to have "at the end of the simulation" I really don't know. My doctors are already cancelling some future wellness exams - colonoscopies, prostate, etc. - because if I get the associated diseases and cancers, I'll be dead before they kill me. So, 90 may be out of the question. Additionally, I'm anticipating DW to outlive me. And she has her plans for subsidizing charities, the grandkids college educations and leaving inheritances for the kids. I personally don't know how much will be left when I'm supposed to be 90 - but based on what folks are planning to do with the money, I doubt if it'll be enough to fund their hopes and dreams. BTW, when did my money become the money to fund their hopes and dreams?
by RadAudit
Tue Oct 24, 2023 12:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How are you preparing for your cognitive demise? [Financial aspects]
Replies: 76
Views: 9260

Re: How are you preparing for your cognitive demise?

rickcrna wrote: Mon Oct 23, 2023 11:00 pm I plan to stay in denial of any cognitive decline.
Excellent strategy. Wishing you the best of luck.

Now of course there are tests for this type of thing. Some cognitive decline is age related and probably unavoidable to some extent. There are tests to see if you are ahead or behind the cognitive decline curve. I was diagnosed with mild cognitive decline. (Which helps explain a number of issues with some of my posts.) So, I'm ahead of you on the curve on the downhill slide, probably. Fortunately, with the seizures, I keep forgetting how far along I am so, I'm right there with you in denial as far as I can remember.

My suggestion is that you might want to make some sort of plans for this eventual decline.
by RadAudit
Wed Oct 18, 2023 4:30 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Need Advice [Should I reinvest dividends?]
Replies: 14
Views: 1262

Re: Need Advice [Should I reinvest dividends?]

Billyboy wrote: Wed Oct 18, 2023 1:27 pm What should you do with After Tax Dividends? Reinvest or not?
What should you do with Before Tax Dividends, IRA's, etc. Reinvest or not? :confused
YMMV.

What we do with before tax dividends (IRAs, primarily) is to reinvest them. Then every year or so, we rebalance inside the IRA back to the desired AA.

With after tax dividends (not in the IRAs), we direct them to a money market fund and then reinvest them in after tax mutual funds at the end of the year - if there is anything left after expenses.

Edit - Now, reinvest or not? It depends. How close are you to your goals? Do you need the money for daily living expenses now? Lots of questions to answer in order to determine what you need to do with the money besides where to invest it.
by RadAudit
Sat Oct 14, 2023 4:44 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: how do you explain theoretically that very few people beat the market long term?
Replies: 76
Views: 8602

Re: how do you explain theoretically that very few people beat the market long term?

arcticpineapplecorp. wrote: Fri Oct 13, 2023 9:15 pm 2. You might want to read this short explanation by William Sharpe in his "The Arithmetic of Active Management":
I read that in the mid-90's. Simple enough for me to understand. And, I've been a total index investor ever since.
by RadAudit
Wed Oct 11, 2023 7:53 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What ratio are you stocks/bonds and how old are you?
Replies: 449
Views: 95630

Re: What ratio are you stocks/bonds and how old are you?

I'm 76. DW is 72. Retired 13 years. We are at 50/45/5 or thereabouts. So far so good. The decumulation phase of life / portfolio and inflation is causing some concern; but, we are staying the course - so far.
by RadAudit
Sat Oct 07, 2023 8:44 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Some of my friends are hesitant to invest due to their low income.
Replies: 85
Views: 10080

Re: Some of my friends are hesitant to invest due to their low income.

OK OP, you asked. If I had been afraid to invest because of a low income, I wouldn't have invested at all.

Before IRAs, when dinosaurs roamed the earth, the company allowed one to invest 1% of your annual salary per year after you had been employed for a year. Annual salary was $7600. Over about five years I got up to 8% of the annual salary with a 50% match. I stayed at that level for the next 33 years. Retired with enough.

Getting moderately comfortable over time takes patience.
by RadAudit
Sat Oct 07, 2023 6:49 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Stocks are sinking, bonds are sinking.. where is the benefit of diversification ?
Replies: 102
Views: 13463

Re: Stocks are sinking, bonds are sinking.. where is the benefit of diversification ?

JoeNJ28 wrote: Tue Oct 03, 2023 10:50 am Stocks are up YTD?
Well, seven of them are anyway, IIRC
by RadAudit
Fri Oct 06, 2023 6:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I give up on college?
Replies: 77
Views: 8639

Re: Should I give up on college?

arcticpineapplecorp. wrote: Tue Oct 03, 2023 9:30 pm

Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates dropped out of college.

Don't think they really mind all that much, do you?
And just for the next trivia contest, IIRC -

Thomas Jefferson didn't graduate from the College of William and Mary in Virginia. And the late Prince Phillip has been (mis?)quoted as saying "I never went to university. Fat lot of harm it did me."
by RadAudit
Tue Oct 03, 2023 10:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Gifting with a Warm Hand
Replies: 44
Views: 6237

Re: Gifting with a Warm Hand

But, we would get to see how they use it, wisely or otherwise - gifting with a warm hand, as they say. While we think that they will be ok, and they all have good heads on their shoulders, we are unsure. We have never used trusts and it might be expensive to do it, but would it make the most sense to prevent disaster? Drugs, swindlers, lavish weddings (/s), divorce, gold diggers, lottery winner lifestyle, Ferraris, lawsuits? Trusts. Interesting stuff. You can get them to do almost anything you want them to do, at least as far as money is concerned. And, simple ones are fairly inexpensive. We set ours up when DD married Hubby #1. Primarily to give her the chance to do what she wanted to do with the money after our demise vs. trying to keep ...
by RadAudit
Sun Oct 01, 2023 8:58 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Replenishing MM Fund for Yearly Expenses
Replies: 17
Views: 1691

Re: Replenishing MM Fund for Yearly Expenses

I'm 76. DW is 72. FWIW (and that is not much), I keep about 5% of the portfolio in a MM. That helps me avoid selling stock when the market is down to meet unexpected bills. I also direct the dividends from the taxable side of the portfolio to the MM to help keep that balance up, then I rebalance the portfolio at the beginning of the year to keep the AA on target.
by RadAudit
Tue Sep 26, 2023 5:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Giving to charity now vs on death
Replies: 28
Views: 2010

Re: Giving to charity now vs on death

BradleyB wrote: Tue Sep 26, 2023 4:35 pm they would like a firm, although future commitment rather than a yearly donation, which may or may not continue.

Thoughts?
I prefer to support charitable institutions while I'm alive. After my demise, I would have no visibility of what they were doing with the money or in which direction management was trying to take the organization. Both of those things I consider to be important in donating to charitable institutions.