Search found 1166 matches

by Blue
Fri Jul 08, 2022 5:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Opportunity for Illinois agricultural farmland purchase- where do we start?
Replies: 24
Views: 2570

Re: Opportunity for Illinois agricultural farmland purchase- where do we start?

We purchased a fractional share in our multigenerational family farm (also Illinois) about three years ago. A bit different situation in that my cousin farms it who also owns a fractional share which allows me to be very passive. Land owners receive 1/3 of profits, farmer pays all expenses except insurance and property taxes (both nominal) and receives 2/3 profits. Beyond the described 50/50 relationship, I know some will rent land for a fixed $/acre - I recall rent ranging from $160-300/acre/year depending on soil quality/yields. The 1/3-2/3 relationship has been the one our family has used for decades and all on a handshake. We used acrevalue.com when purchasing and comparing to other comparable farm investments. The net annual income aft...
by Blue
Sun Jun 27, 2021 5:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: SouthEast Florida Condo Market
Replies: 9
Views: 2433

Re: SouthEast Florida Condo Market

Contemplated several of the same considerations and agree with your assessments. Truly horrible.
by Blue
Tue Jun 15, 2021 8:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I'm being "invited" to "pre-register" for an IPO (Doximity)
Replies: 98
Views: 14194

Re: I'm being "invited" to "pre-register" for an IPO (Doximity)

You should also make sure there is no lock up or hold period. Sometime DSPs will have a 90 or 180 day lockup for participants and then you’re stuck in it. The prospectus says there is no lockup period for shares being offered in this manner: FAQ I see the following in your link “ Any shares acquired as part of the Doximity directed share program are subject to a 180 day lock-up period during which time they cannot sell, transfer or pledge the shares acquired as part of the directed share program.” Confused. This is what I see in the FAQ pdf: 21. When can I sell shares allocated to me? You are free to sell shares acquired as part of the Doximity Reserved Share Program whenever you choose. You must make full and separate payment for all shar...
by Blue
Tue Jun 15, 2021 8:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I'm being "invited" to "pre-register" for an IPO (Doximity)
Replies: 98
Views: 14194

Re: I'm being "invited" to "pre-register" for an IPO (Doximity)

neurosphere wrote: Tue Jun 15, 2021 12:46 pm
Dmslax45 wrote: Mon Jun 07, 2021 10:02 pm You should also make sure there is no lock up or hold period. Sometime DSPs will have a 90 or 180 day lockup for participants and then you’re stuck in it.
The prospectus says there is no lockup period for shares being offered in this manner:

FAQ
I see the following in your link “ Any shares acquired as part of the Doximity directed share program are subject to a 180 day lock-up period during which time they cannot sell, transfer or pledge the shares acquired as part of the directed share program.”
by Blue
Fri Jun 11, 2021 9:36 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How Not to View Current Inflation
Replies: 96
Views: 13194

Re: How Not to View Current Inflation

Thesaints wrote: Fri Jun 11, 2021 4:00 pm
Starting teenagers salaries have spiked ? That may cause an increase in the red bull price, not so much in the case of other, more expensive items.
From this vantage point, it looks like a slippery slope going from starting salaries for entry positions to the next few levels up. It’s hard to imagine a world where it doesn’t influence the higher wage positions.
by Blue
Fri Jun 11, 2021 3:39 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How Not to View Current Inflation
Replies: 96
Views: 13194

Re: How Not to View Current Inflation

Seeing a significant bump in wages, especially starting/teenage wages, in our area. Will be curious if the stickiness of wages leads to more sustained inflationary pressure after the transitory inflationary effects that we are experiencing.
by Blue
Sun Jan 31, 2021 7:31 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Optimal HSA strategy in retirement
Replies: 46
Views: 5110

Re: Optimal HSA strategy in retirement

BlueOrange10 wrote: Sun Jan 31, 2021 7:21 am There are only a few hundred people in the country that have six figure HSAs.
Source? This estimate seems low to me relative to maximum HSA contribution levels and market returns.
by Blue
Tue Dec 22, 2020 8:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Finding estate planning attorney in Indiana
Replies: 7
Views: 728

Re: Finding estate planning attorney in Indiana

Andrew Vento at Ice Miller.
by Blue
Thu Nov 26, 2020 6:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wealth and Well Being?
Replies: 31
Views: 5625

Re: Wealth and Well Being?

What specific expenditures/behaviors or practices have you found that contribute most to your sense of well being and longevity? Read David Sinclair's book "Lifespan." Get good night sleep. Victoria Really good book, but the research is in such infancy that there really wasn't a ton of evidence-based action steps to take from it. Fair, but many of the potential actions proposed by the book have little downside and significant potential upside. In particular, I'm more committed to intermittent fasting and HIIT and started taking NMN. Similar perspective, I went all in including metformin, resveratrol, and switched my NR to NMN. Other recent books of interest on the topic include Frank Lipman’s Aging Well, Marta Zaraska’s Growing Y...
by Blue
Sun Oct 25, 2020 4:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Protein consumption strength training
Replies: 80
Views: 6629

Re: Protein consumption strength training

MP173 wrote: Sun Oct 25, 2020 3:23 pm This is sort of like my investment plan, only health and nutrition plan.

Ed
Well done Ed!

We should all have health and nutrition plans.
by Blue
Sat Oct 24, 2020 12:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Protein consumption strength training
Replies: 80
Views: 6629

Re: Protein consumption strength training

The association of increased animal protein intake with increased risk of malignancy is why we select vegan based protein powders.

I recall some data indicating timing of protein consumption within an hour of resistance training to be favorable so this is the approach we take.
by Blue
Mon Oct 12, 2020 4:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone Have a TONAL. Home Gym? (Or a TEMPO Home Gym)
Replies: 71
Views: 7574

Re: Anyone Have a TONAL. Home Gym? (Or a TEMPO Home Gym)

rich126 wrote: Mon Oct 12, 2020 2:32 pm
I'd also be wondering what happens when there is a software glitch/hardware issue? Do they send out a tech to fix it? Do you have to hire someone to fix it?
So this happened to us. A few months in one of the cables started making an unusual sound. I sent them video of it. They had me tried a couple reboot type fixes with no resolution so within two weeks I had a new machine on my wall, installed and old one taken away. No problems since. It was an incredibly positive experience. Facebook Tonal group suggests our experience is not unique.
by Blue
Mon Oct 12, 2020 5:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone Have a TONAL. Home Gym? (Or a TEMPO Home Gym)
Replies: 71
Views: 7574

Re: Anyone Have a TONAL. Home Gym? (Or a TEMPO Home Gym)

jaguar3003 wrote: Sun Oct 11, 2020 6:51 pm
simplesimon wrote: Sun Oct 11, 2020 6:40 pm
engin33r wrote: Sun Oct 11, 2020 5:17 pm What’s an example of must-have compound movements that you can do with barbells but not cables?
Squats and deadlifts.
I just did deadlifts yesterday on my Tonal, and have done several versions of squats.....

The Bulgarian iso split squats kill me every time.... but the goblet sumo squats I’ve come to appreciate.

One of Tonals (many) benefits is their extensive library of movements. It rivals our personal trainer experiences in every way.
by Blue
Sat Oct 10, 2020 5:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone Have a TONAL. Home Gym? (Or a TEMPO Home Gym)
Replies: 71
Views: 7574

Re: Anyone Have a TONAL. Home Gym? (Or a TEMPO Home Gym)

We have had our Tonal for about a year or so. We also have the Mirror, Peloton bike and Peloton Tread as a reference point. We have Carbon pre-ordered. The tempo came out after we had our Tonal so we didn’t have a chance to ex ante compare the two. My wife’s go to are the Mirror and Peloton Bike while my usual week is a few sessions on Tonal doing resistance training plus daily Peloton Tread. The Tonal quite effectively replaced our live personal trainer. I find it a valuable tool to provide full body resistance training throughout the week including form feedback, etc. The content is ample and broad, but less so than either the Peloton or Mirror. My wife finds the Tonal more repetitive and boring than the boot camp like sessions on the Mir...
by Blue
Mon May 11, 2020 7:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Scams that make me laugh -- what are you favorites?
Replies: 105
Views: 15392

Re: Scams that make me laugh -- what are you favorites?

James Veitch’s responses to scams always makes our household laugh.

https://www.ted.com/talks/james_veitch_ ... anguage=en
by Blue
Tue Apr 21, 2020 9:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is walking enough cardio exercise if I also lift weights?
Replies: 65
Views: 6404

Re: Is walking enough cardio exercise if I also lift weights?

Walking is enough in the Blue Zone region of Sardinia where male centenarians have managed to close the gender longevity gap. (Male:Female ratio of 1:1 among Sardinian centenarians). Of course, they also walk 12.4 km (7.7 miles) per day at an average 15% slope. Lifestyle and nutrition related to male longevity in Sardinia: An ecological study https://s3.amazonaws.com/academia.edu.documents/44243927/Lifestyle_and_nutrition_related_to_male_20160330-11195-7s4ohu.pdf?response-content-disposition=inline%3B%20filename%3DLifestyle_and_nutrition_related_to_male.pdf&X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=ASIATUSBJ6BALRB3SDBT%2F20200422%2Fus-east-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20200422T020735Z&X-Amz-Expires=3600&X-Amz...
by Blue
Thu Nov 28, 2019 2:27 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Stay away from Stoneridge Funds....
Replies: 158
Views: 12120

Re: Stay away from Stoneridge Funds....

Thanks to the OP for sharing. Examples like yours provide a cautionary tale to consider as newer, seemingly vetted approaches hit the market. Thank you.
by Blue
Sat Jul 06, 2019 10:54 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Larry Swedroe: The Historical Imperative For International Diversification
Replies: 347
Views: 26435

Re: Larry Swedroe: The Historical Imperative For International Diversification

Random Walker wrote: Sat Jul 06, 2019 8:25 pm
SevenBridgesRoad wrote: Sat Jul 06, 2019 8:19 pm Glad to see after Moderators banned Larry Swedrow's columns (see recent thread) that we are still having Larry's columns here. Yes! Freedom of ideas wins.
Article was posted prior to my receiving the request to refrain from posting his essays.

Dave
Disappointed to read this. I always enjoy reading the posts of his essays and subsequent discussion.
by Blue
Fri Jul 05, 2019 4:51 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Allan Roth: Probabilities, Truth, and Consequences
Replies: 40
Views: 4926

Re: Allan Roth: Probabilities, Truth, and Consequences

Allan Roth wrote: Wed Jul 03, 2019 3:22 pm In the article I wrote, I stated: "There is at least a 10-20% chance of a 60-90% market decline over the next three decades." With two 50%+ off sales since 2000, I don't think this is a remote possibility.
I’d love to read more of your thoughts on this possibility. Do you believe this to be a real possibility for a globally diversified equity portfolio that includes a tilt to small and value factors? Or, is this reflecting your view of current valuations of US large blend/growth?

From my perspective, planning for a commonly accepted risk of dropping 50% of equity value is a world of difference from planning for a 90% drop in equity value.

Curious to learn more.
by Blue
Sun Jun 30, 2019 7:18 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Multi-factor funds: are more factors really better?
Replies: 26
Views: 4720

Re: Multi-factor funds: are more factors really better?

Interesting.

I recall an article some years back that the SCV premium was due to a few stocks having a lottery like return rather than an across the board effect of all stocks in the category. Could it be that as you reduce the field of SCV stocks by adding other factor constraints, then the likelihood of holding these few winners are reduced?

In a parallel theme, that is an awful alpha on Vanguards multi factor fund.
by Blue
Sun Jun 23, 2019 4:14 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard to offer private equity investments? Thoughts?
Replies: 74
Views: 11661

Re: Vanguard to offer private equity investments? Thoughts?

I’ve been intrigued with PE since reading Swensen’s original book. With an at cost fund from a firm aligned with investors interests, I’ll give it a serious look.
by Blue
Mon Jun 17, 2019 7:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mosquitos
Replies: 45
Views: 5222

Re: Mosquitos

Been using this for years. Chrysanthemum-based, no pesticide spraying! Very effective 15 mins after turning it on: https://www.amazon.com/Thermacell-MR-PSR-Shield-Mosquito-Repeller/dp/B075SCVY1B/ref=sxin_4_ac_d_rm?crid=NA68X15FJ5C5&keywords=thermacell&pd_rd_i=B075SCVY1B&pd_rd_r=c918560a-78d1-4476-8142-8b867227ba6b&pd_rd_w=mX1W9&pd_rd_wg=ylqA7&pf_rd_p=91b604bb-c371-4573-970f-bed68a552852&pf_rd_r=76K4XCKRDSWYQKGF25D8&qid=1560680240&s=gateway&sprefix=Thermac%2Caps%2C164 +1000 We've been using these for years.......very effective. Our deck is 10' x 20'. We use three units placed around the area......works very well!!! :sharebeer Sure hope they’re as good as you say. I just ordered some. Thanks. Same here...
by Blue
Fri Jun 14, 2019 12:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Petroleum pipeline on property
Replies: 26
Views: 11558

Re: Petroleum pipeline on property

fru-gal wrote: Fri Jun 14, 2019 7:57 am
Blue wrote: Thu Jun 13, 2019 9:43 pm I personally would not be comfortable with a natural gas pipeline easement due to the risk of explosion. (Admittedly rare). I would confirm it is petroleum pipeline rather than natural gas.
Have you seen an oil spill? I would not have a moment's peace owning that house.

Never seen an issue. My understanding is the pipeline is heavily monitored including transmission pressures, etc. so I’m guessing a leak would be quickly detected. I’m sure it would create a mess if it happened, but so would any other leaking pipe/line or other underground item that needed repair.
by Blue
Thu Jun 13, 2019 9:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Petroleum pipeline on property
Replies: 26
Views: 11558

Re: Petroleum pipeline on property

We bought a home with petroleum pipeline easement. Unable to build on their easement and subject to pipeline access at any point. No issues in eight years of living here and we made peace with these restrictions because of the other attributes of the home/yard. I understand pipeline companies do periodic fly overs to ensure no issues with the pipeline. We have a play set, garden boxes, and “soccer field” in the easement. We were able to reduce our tax assessment in part because of the easement. I personally would not be comfortable with a natural gas pipeline easement due to the risk of explosion. (Admittedly rare). I would confirm it is petroleum pipeline rather than natural gas. My guess is you should be able to find the easement document...
by Blue
Sun Jun 02, 2019 2:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What personal finance metrics do you track?
Replies: 44
Views: 4661

Re: What personal finance metrics do you track?

I track $ saved per year relative to my goal.

I track current portfolio asset allocation by % so that new monies can be used to true up actual portfolio allocations vs my IPS as $ are saved.

Mid accumulation phase of life.
by Blue
Fri May 17, 2019 3:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bigger car, less economical but more safe.. Get used to smaller car over time?
Replies: 106
Views: 9790

Re: Bigger car, less economical but more safe.. Get used to smaller car over time?

~35,000 people die from motor vehicle accidents in the US. For every person killed in a motor vehicle accident, 8 were hospitalized and 99 were treated and released from an emergency department for a MVA. (Source CDC Injury Center). According to a recent NY times article, lifetime odds of dying in a motor vehicle accident is at 1 in 103. For comparison, death from Heart disease is 1/6 and cancer 1/7. I think every driver including the OP should strongly consider the safety of a vehicle (including both active and passive safety features, safety ratings, class/weight of vehicle, and in the context of IIHS driver fatality data) when purchasing within the constraints of their budget. The risk of injury and death from motor vehicle accidents is ...
by Blue
Fri Jul 27, 2018 3:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tips for staying active / injury-free into older age
Replies: 162
Views: 18798

Re: Tips for staying active / injury-free into older age

Full body resistance training two sixty minute sessions weekly with trainer including some HIIT Pilates session weekly. Three-four runs per week averaging ~ thirty minutes. Mid fourties trying to maintain overall health. Periodically I’ve been having vo2max and ventilatory threshold testing most recently performed at nearby local university which is benchmarked against published normative data. It’s been intellectually engaging to monitor and attempt to improve these numbers. Couple additional thoughts. Two episodes aches/pains almost detracted my activity over past years but saw a nearby sports medicine MD whom we respect and a few sesssions of physical therapy corrected. I also believe the liberal use of trainers improved my compliance a...
by Blue
Fri Jul 27, 2018 3:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tips for staying active / injury-free into older age
Replies: 162
Views: 18798

Re: Tips for staying active / injury-free into older age

Full body resistance training two sixty minute sessions weekly with trainer including some HIIT
Pilates session weekly.
Three-four runs per week averaging ~ thirty minutes.

Mid fourties trying to maintain overall health.

Periodically I’ve been having vo2max and ventilatory threshold testing most recently performed at nearby local university which is benchmarked against published normative data. It’s been intellectually engaging to monitor and attempt to improve these numbers.
by Blue
Mon May 28, 2018 10:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tesla Autopilot, worth it?
Replies: 113
Views: 11404

Re: Tesla Autopilot, worth it?

DanMahowny wrote: Sun May 27, 2018 5:38 pm Cycle- Thanks for setting me straight. I was wrong.

But, HOLY CRAP, auto deaths are outrageous. I still find it hard to believe, but the numbers are right there. WOW!

Thanks for the links.

When I became aware of this statistic, it changed how I view automobiles and now only purchase the “safest” vehicle I can. I drive a Mercedes GLE with all of the latest safety features. I like it because the safety features step in when the driver fails (rather than the Tesla requiring the driver to step in when the autonomous features fail).
by Blue
Mon Apr 09, 2018 3:10 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Swedroe: Look Beyond 60/40 Portfolio
Replies: 240
Views: 27841

Re: Swedroe: Look Beyond 60/40 Portfolio

Marcopolo, This is at the limits of my knowledge, but here’s my answer anyways. First of all, I believe CCFs I think provide the best protection in inflationary times when stocks and bonds tank. 2007-9 was deflationary period. So a different type of risk showed up. As far as why no more CCF recommendations. All the discussed alts from Stone Ridge and AQR, like CCFs, are tax inefficient. Tax advantaged space is very limited, so have to make choices. The AQR and Stone Ridge funds should provide strong diversification benefits and have an equity like expected return. The expected return of CCFs much more questionable, so the new products are overall probably better choices for limited space. That being said, there still could potentially be a...
by Blue
Wed Nov 29, 2017 8:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Safest roomy luxury suv?
Replies: 58
Views: 8856

Re: Safest roomy luxury suv?

Dendritic Tree wrote: Tue Nov 28, 2017 10:18 pm If safety is paramount, then the Tesla Model X is the safest SUV ever created, and the only one ever to get a 5-star crash rating in every NHTSA category:

https://www.engadget.com/2017/06/13/tes ... ty-rating/

I don’t own one, but I’ve driven one, and it is a blast to drive. Makes all other SUVs seem like molasses trucks with steam engines.

But it hasn’t been tested by the IIHS or have real world driver fatality data like the Volvo and Mercedes brands. When the IIHS tested the Tesla model S it gave it a “poor” on headlights and only “acceptable” on small overlap testing.
by Blue
Wed Nov 29, 2017 8:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Safest roomy luxury suv?
Replies: 58
Views: 8856

Re: Safest roomy luxury suv?

We buy one year old Mercedes CPO which has unlimited mile warranty for one year after the new vehicle four year warranty. Some times dealers will throw in some prepaid maintenance plans. We search the Mercedes website for CPO vehicles with the safety features we require. I splurged this year and got the AMG GLE 63s - it’s a blast to drive.

Good luck -
by Blue
Sun Nov 26, 2017 10:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Safest roomy luxury suv?
Replies: 58
Views: 8856

Re: Safest roomy luxury suv?

We recently looked at this and the winner for us was the Mercedes GLE/GLS. It has consistently high ratings across IIHS and NHTSA testing and also has exceedingly low driver fatality data as reported by IIHS.

We also looked at Volvo XC90 but IIHS gives it only marginal headlight rating. In terms of safety testing and driver fatality data, the other luxury brands didn’t compare in our opinion.

YMMV.
by Blue
Sun Sep 03, 2017 3:53 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Speaks Softly but Carries a Big Stick
Replies: 29
Views: 4886

Re: Vanguard Speaks Softly but Carries a Big Stick

This seems like a concerning trend in the direction of socially conscious investing. (Which has been shown to underperform http://www.etf.com/sections/index-inves ... nopaging=1)

Sending a note to the flagship rep and plan to monitor.
by Blue
Fri Sep 01, 2017 5:47 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Stock Market Is Always Risky
Replies: 42
Views: 4831

Re: The Stock Market Is Always Risky

We attempt to anchor on two numbers, i) the total dividend dollars per year thrown off by our portfolio and ii) our total dollars saved per year (relative to our annual savings goal). I would advise backing away from i - anchoring on dividends could motivate chasing yield when total returns are what matters. Dividends are just one component of return and, other than for tax management, you should give them a special place in your mental accounting. Good reminder. We have a static portfolio allocation and would never want to make portfolio decisions because of dividends. That said, we find the volatility of dividends per year to be less than the volatility of the portfolio actual value such that it can provide reassurance to stay the course...
by Blue
Fri Sep 01, 2017 5:26 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Stock Market Is Always Risky
Replies: 42
Views: 4831

Re: The Stock Market Is Always Risky

We attempt to anchor on two numbers, i) the total dividend dollars per year thrown off by our portfolio and ii) our total dollars saved per year (relative to our annual savings goal).
by Blue
Thu Aug 03, 2017 9:39 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Study: Who Sold Stock During the 2008-9 Crash?
Replies: 85
Views: 11201

Re: Study: Who Sold Stock During the 2008-9 Crash?

We tax loss harvested six figures but were net purchasers through the period.
by Blue
Sat Jul 22, 2017 11:34 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Larry Swedroe: What Drives Municipal Bond Yields
Replies: 42
Views: 5627

Re: Larry Swedroe: What Drives Municipal Bond Yields

Beyond liquidity and credit risk, it seems like there is also the risk of change in tax policy/rate?
by Blue
Tue Jun 20, 2017 5:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Alternatives to Amazon
Replies: 76
Views: 10472

Re: Alternatives to Amazon

I appreciate all of the recommendations. We are prime and have several amazon packages weekly so it is a big change for us. I had hoped for a better response from amazon about the process they are using to "hire" the "uber delivery people" but instead received a free month of prime with a non-response. Perhaps I have a deviant mind, but if I had criminal intent it seems like a great way to scope out "opportunity/vulnerabilities" in a home/neighborhood by "ubering" some amazon packages to peoples homes. Something about the last two interactions with this delivery method made the hairs stand on my neck.... and I have to listen to that. As such, I'm not interested in continuing to participate in Amazon's...
by Blue
Mon Jun 19, 2017 7:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Alternatives to Amazon
Replies: 76
Views: 10472

Alternatives to Amazon

Recently we've noticed Amazon has started using an "uber-like" model for their deliveries with some scary looking individuals in their personal vehicles delivering packages to our front door without any identifiable markings, id's, signage, etc. I emailed Amazon to better understand their vetting process for these "Uber" delivery people but received a non-response.

As such, we're thinking of trying out some alternatives to Amazon such as the individual retailers online presence or shopyourway.com.

Curious what people like/don't like as an alternative to Amazon, especially ones that use a more traditional, vetted delivery process.

TIA
by Blue
Sun Apr 30, 2017 7:45 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Does Portfolio Size Influence Stock/Bond Allocation?
Replies: 43
Views: 6942

Re: Does Portfolio Size Influence Stock/Bond Allocation?

Similar age and similar portfolio size here. We're at 100% stock because i) reasonable expectation of significant future portfolio contributions, ii) dividends from portfolio, even in a bear market would go a long way towards meeting minimum basic monthly expenses, iii) realistically looking at investing for future generations, iv) difficult to embrace bonds with essentially zero or negative real return, v) we were investing at 100% stock in both 2000 and 2007 maintaining contributions so some sense of our risk tolerance.

The one move we have contemplated and are moving towards is developing a fixed income portfolio to match the next n years of expenses beyond our emergency fund of 12 months. Still thinking through this aspect of it.
by Blue
Wed Dec 28, 2016 10:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Are there any benefits to achieving "great wealth"?
Replies: 106
Views: 12823

Re: Are there any benefits to achieving "great wealth"?

Hire a trainer to optimize health.
by Blue
Tue Dec 27, 2016 8:45 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: frustrating to keep investing in international/EM
Replies: 179
Views: 23818

Re: frustrating to keep investing in international/EM

livesoft wrote:
Blue wrote:Your EM fund has WAY outperformed the typical EM fund then. Vanguard's EM fund with admiral shares (VEMAX) is only up 9.18% as of today.
DGS bought on 1/15/2016 when grap0013 recommended it is up 23+% at end of today not counting dividends which would add another 4% or so. :) Total return for shares bought then is 27.4%.
Using 1/15/16 as starting point instead of "YTD" changes the comparison quite a bit. Using 1/15/16 starting date, SP500 up 20.1% and Vanguards EM up 19.2% (not counting dividends for either).

Still though, your point is valid that EM performed well relative to domestic for past twelve months.
by Blue
Tue Dec 27, 2016 6:47 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: frustrating to keep investing in international/EM
Replies: 179
Views: 23818

Re: frustrating to keep investing in international/EM

LibertyLover wrote:
rm wrote:Reviving this. Going to be 6 years now for International/EM to underperform. Reversion to mean is getting more and more frustrating but hopefully likely.
How is EM getting lumped in without mentioning the great year it has had. My EM fund is up 19.29% YTD and that is after an almost 3% drop last week. The S&P 500 is up 13.07% YTD for comparison with the recent strong performance.

It was a great year for EM assets.
Your EM fund has WAY outperformed the typical EM fund then. Vanguard's EM fund with admiral shares (VEMAX) is only up 9.18% as of today.
by Blue
Thu Nov 24, 2016 8:48 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: DFA vs Vanguard (I know, I know)
Replies: 34
Views: 8074

Re: DFA vs Vanguard (I know, I know)

I was a DIY VG Boglehead 2001-2009. As I read more and learned more I became interested in tilting. The overwhelming majority of my savings are taxable though, so I started thinking towards DFA tax Managed value funds. The problem is that the ER differences and Advisor AUM fee are certain, but the advisor/DFA advantages are only potential and very hard (at least for me) to quantify. Nonetheless, I created a little spreadsheet and ended up going the advisor/DFA route. Below is an example of the sort of comparisons I would make. Costs of DFA AUM fee 0.7% Increased ER DFA 0.45% - VG 0.15% = 0.3% Total cost of DFA / advisor route = 1% Potential benefits of DFA advisor route Increased tilt to small and value 1.5% Improved portfolio efficiency 0...
by Blue
Sun Jan 17, 2016 1:54 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Does an Emerging Markets "factor" pop out of factor analysis for international stocks?
Replies: 26
Views: 3000

Re: Does an Emerging Markets "factor" pop out of factor analysis for international stocks?

Interesting question.

I would guess the risk is reflected in the increased standard deviation/volatility and not a separate identifiable factor but with usual caveats of a very limited data set.

Curious to learn the answer though -
by Blue
Sun Jan 17, 2016 1:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon Prime: doing the math...is it worth it?
Replies: 111
Views: 20418

Re: Amazon Prime: doing the math...is it worth it?

Since having Alexa, Amazon prime's music service has become increasingly valuable to our household. It was a surprise huge hit with kids and adults over the holidays.
by Blue
Sat Jan 09, 2016 10:04 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Small value underperformance, DFA
Replies: 106
Views: 16107

Re: Small value underperformance, DFA

Robert T wrote:
4. How much has a value tilt cost me over the last 10 years? I have a 75:25 stock:bond portfolio with a small cap and value tilted portfolio (0.2 size and 0.4 value load target). My annualized returns have been +0.3% higher than a 75:25 World Total Stock:US Total Bond portfolio over last 10 years, and since 2003, the difference has been +1.6% annualized. Not so bad so far.

Robert
.
Does this comparison include return on new monies invested over the past several years or is it reflective of no net new contributions since the starting date?

I would assume the comparison is less favorable when looking at xirr of a portfolio in accumulation mode?