Search found 47 matches

by Mulligan
Thu May 24, 2012 9:06 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Need couple suggestions on AA books
Replies: 23
Views: 1989

Re: Need couple suggestions on AA books

Another benefit of Roger Gibson's asset allocation book is his sample Investment Policy Statement. This ISP was very helpful for me in developing my own.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Sun Jan 22, 2012 10:48 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: college fund - how to figure role in asset allocation
Replies: 8
Views: 1413

Re: college fund - how to figure role in asset allocation

Until 2008 I grouped two aged based 529 accounts into my overall portfolio. Both accounts were somewhat conservative and therefore had significant bond allocations. Post crash I felt that the 529 allocations distorted (slightly) my bond allocation so in late 2008 I stopped including 529 balances into my overall allocation strategy.

Today the 529s are not included in my total investment breakdown between equities, bonds, & cash. However, my emergency fund is in this total allocation breakdown.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Sun Nov 20, 2011 6:50 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How a financial planner lost his home
Replies: 203
Views: 20787

Re: How a financial planner lost his home

Count me in with those that won't pay for this book. While I enjoy his drawings (if readers on the forum haven't seen them you should, he created some interesting work), I would never pay my hard earned money to a so called investment professional that did what he did. But then again I doubt there's many people on the BH forum that would buy his book.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Mon Jul 18, 2011 10:31 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Please recommend next book to read
Replies: 30
Views: 4660

You might consider Your Money & Your Brain by Jason Zweig, if you're interested in a thoroughly researched, and easy to read, overview of how the human brain affects investing and money management decisions.

If you're interested in an alternative to dollar cost averaging try Value Averaging by Michael Edleson with a forward by Dr. William Bernstein.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Thu Jul 14, 2011 9:17 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Flagship rep
Replies: 26
Views: 6992

Although I rarely talk with me Flagship representative (once a year at most), I've had the same one for five years and when I leave a message I get a call back the same day. I haven't had any complex issues, but my experience is positive.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Mon Apr 11, 2011 9:42 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Just a reminder to tune out the noise
Replies: 44
Views: 5237

Thanks nisiprius for what I consider a timely post. With Bill Gross shorting treasuries and the press (print, radio, & TV) calling for another major meltdown I'm always reminded, of the importance of staying the course.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Sun Mar 13, 2011 11:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I am embarrassed and need a great deal of help
Replies: 62
Views: 10234

I agree with EmergDoc, you should retain a financial advisor, preferably a fee only money manager, that uses passive investments and can help with estate planning or make good referrals for estate planners in your state.

You don't need to take much risk. A good advisor will identify your need and ability for your future needs, and make recommendations appropriate for your needs.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Sun Mar 13, 2011 11:15 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How well is Japan equipped to deal with this tragedy?
Replies: 46
Views: 7310

I have not spent much time in Japan nor do I have any close friends in Japan, but history shows what Japan can do from the ruins of World War II.

They lost most of their infrastructure, and an entire generation of young men, yet forty years later they became the second largest economy in the world.

They can do it again. Stay the course.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Sun Mar 13, 2011 11:50 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "I'm a Boglehead, Are You?"
Replies: 30
Views: 4013

I wish I was aware of Boglehead investing philosophy when I was in my early 20's. I didn't start learning sound investing principles until I was in my late 30's. I'd be a lot closer to my retirement goals if I started investing in a diversified portfolio of index funds in my early 20's and continued investing (and rebalancing) this way for 30 years.

Now I just try to share this information with my own kids.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:06 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Buffett's bet on VFIAX looking better
Replies: 2
Views: 2296

My money is with the Oracle of Omaha.
by Mulligan
Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where to put $40k in emergency funds?
Replies: 23
Views: 13657

As you read through the posts you see a host of opinions. I think the size and location of your "emergency fund" depends on a host of personal circumstances. First and foremost is your job security. How secure do you feel? How is your industry or business doing? Are you tenured or do you have a significant employment contract? Are you a senior manager in a mature industry? In my case I favor the eight month size of an emergency fund because my employer has undergone a lot of changes. About two thirds of my emergency fund is in a high interest (if there's such a thing today) savings account, and the balance is in a short term bond fund. This is my sleep well at night emergency fund level. For everyone else it comes down to your com...
by Mulligan
Tue Mar 08, 2011 8:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Total Market Index Funds--What experts say.
Replies: 64
Views: 13219

The Totals Stock Market Index fund is my core domestic holding, and it will always be more core holding. Taylor thanks for posting the quotes on this index.

I'm curious what domestic equity index funds do forum members use in conjunction with this fund to round out their domestic investments or to add alpha?

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Mon Feb 28, 2011 8:57 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How To Prosper In A Downturn
Replies: 8
Views: 2156

Take a look at the title of his recent books and the release date. It looks to me like he releases each book at the end of a market cycle.

The Great Boom Ahead Dec. 1993
The Roaring 2000's Oct. 1999
The Next Great Bubble Boom Jan. 2006
The Great Depression Ahead Jan. 2009
How To Prosper In A Downturn Mar. 2010

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Tue Feb 08, 2011 8:50 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Gurus are Still Wrong After 80 Years
Replies: 16
Views: 2675

Anyone close to major metropolitan areas has ready access to a host of investment gurus on the radio pontificating about the future of the market. Tonight on my drive home I heard one emphatically state we are in a long-term sideways trading market that only exceptional money managers like him can navigate. On weekends I've heard money managers use mind numbing Elliot Wave Theory explanations of recent market actions. I've also heard a money manager lambast buy and hold investing and then, every weekend, recount how he got out of the market in 2000 and again in 2007. Now it seems that purveyors of life settlement investments are buying their air time and railing about the risks of stocks and bonds. Sometimes I enjoy listening to these "...
by Mulligan
Mon Feb 07, 2011 9:11 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Poll: Is Passive Investing, w/periodic rebal active/timing?
Replies: 47
Views: 5056

When investors base rebalancing decisions on predetermined written strategies they are not practicing active portfolio management; they are performing risk management. I believe rebalancing is a completely different action than active or passive portfolio portfolio management decisions.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Sat Feb 05, 2011 10:54 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Most Outrageous Market Predictions and Gurus?
Replies: 29
Views: 4441

No list of outrageous stock market predictions would be complete without these prognosticators:

Joseph Granville: Best known for his bearish call in 1981 and continued bearish calls throughout the rest of the 1980's.

Robert Prechter: an Elliott Wave devotee that predicted, in early October 1987, a decline in the Dow. He also remained a consistent bear throughout the 90's.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Thu Feb 03, 2011 7:10 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bond asset allocation? My eyes glaze over on bonds
Replies: 14
Views: 2948

Stoub,

Assuming you'll continue investing into these two fixed income funds for another ten or twenty years I don't think you should worry about interest rate changes. The average duration of both funds is probably less than your investing time frame.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:41 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Do you have a CPA?
Replies: 43
Views: 6825

For people in high tax brackets (above 28%), or those that own businesses, rental property, MLPs, or have recently inherited wealth, CPAs are a must.

If you work for a company and keep good records (especially for investments and charitable donations) you should do just fine using TurboTax.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Fri Jan 28, 2011 9:32 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Communicating Ideas Succinctly
Replies: 54
Views: 7443

Buddtholomew Like Taylor, I think your post was well written. When I was in graduate school one of the most "useful" classes I took was a business writing class. My takeaway several years later is: - Organize your points before writing. Make an outline of what you want to say if you are communicating a complex issue. Otherwise think of what you want to write before you put pen to paper, or starting typing on your keyboard. - Use the active voice as opposed to the passive voice. You can research examples of both and then read professional writers (Op-Ed writers etc.) and you will find they usually use the active voice. - Use bullet points and italics to accentuate your points. - Never write more than seven lines in a paragraph. For...
by Mulligan
Fri Jan 28, 2011 9:14 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Memo to stockbugs - your windshield has arrived
Replies: 53
Views: 6925

Lbill,

If this is the downfall of overpriced, over-hyped stocks what are you going to do?
by Mulligan
Fri Jan 28, 2011 9:07 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: When they say save 10%...
Replies: 67
Views: 9437

jh,

Your take is spot on. If investors save early and aggressively from their early 20's through their 30's, and continue through their 50's, they'll hedge all the risks an investor might face over a work and retirement time frame.

I lecture younger people I work with about this point. Hopefully they'll listen.

I wish I saved as aggressively as you in my 20's and 30's.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Fri Jan 28, 2011 8:27 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: When they say save 10%...
Replies: 67
Views: 9437

The post by MossySF framed this issue in a quantitative manner, a very good post. When I look at a few qualitative issues we might be facing the next ten or so years I think a ten percent savings rate is inadequate given some of the headwinds we face. Here's my concerns: - Social Security: Poor boomer savings, paltry recent returns equate to problems in honoring future commitments. - Globalization: Competition for good jobs is strong and will only get stronger as developing countries further embrace capitalism to reduce their own burden to provide for people. Look what happens when a government ignores this concept: Egypt - Future return expectations. No one knows what future returns will look like, but when someone like Warren Buffet warns...
by Mulligan
Thu Jan 27, 2011 8:50 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard Small Cap Index <OR> Small Cap Value Index
Replies: 6
Views: 2996

Once consideration for this question is if the investment is in a taxable or tax-deferred account. Small Cap Value is not real tax efficient, so if this money goes into a taxable account you might want to consider the tax impact.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Wed Jan 26, 2011 9:52 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How can I convince my parents to avoid a money manager?
Replies: 29
Views: 3906

Perhaps you could identify some financial planners and or firms in your area that use passive investing and just ask your parents to speak with a few other firms before making a decision. Will he at least speak with a few other people before making this decision?

Would he be inclined to read a few books before making this decision. books on the Boglehead reading list outline information from academic studies that study active management track records over long periods of time.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Tue Jan 25, 2011 10:01 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bonds, Age, and When?
Replies: 11
Views: 2396

Alf, Throughout my 30's I maintained a 80% equities 20% bonds split. In my 40's I transitioned to a 70/30 split and was very confident with this allocation until my late 40's (2008). The downturn really quantified my personal risk tolerance even though I did not sell. What I missed in this question of what is the best equity/fixed income split for my own needs was point Larry Swedroe emphasizes. Investors need to understand their need, ability, and willingness to take risk. I ignored my need to take risk. A small pension and a reasonable probability that I'll get some Social Security should have been a consideration I weighed before the downturn. Portfolio size might guide your need to take risk when you are in the last leg of your accumula...
by Mulligan
Tue Jan 25, 2011 7:57 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why I am glad to be a Boglehead
Replies: 40
Views: 6481

Taylor,

Thanks for post. I echo the sentiments expressed in this PM. There's a host of smart, experienced people on this forum always willing to help people make good investment decisions and avoid all the bad choices we're exposed to everyday.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Mon Jan 24, 2011 9:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What to do with my Bond Funds
Replies: 11
Views: 2207

archman, Four of these funds seem somewhat risky if they make up the bulk of your bond portfolio (except for the Pimco Total Return which has a high expense ratio compared to a TBM Fund). You might want to consider taking your risk in the equity portion of your portfolio and keep the bond portion safer with a Total Bond Market Index Fund or a 50/50 split between short and intermediate term bond index funds. Some frequent posters are OK with a small portion of fixed income (maybe 5%) allocated to high yield. Part of your current bond portfolio is exposed to currency risk (the international funds) and the domestic portion has some interest rate risk. I base my opinion on the premise that you don't need the yield you are getting today for livi...
by Mulligan
Sun Jan 23, 2011 10:16 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What parameters do you track in your portfolio spreadsheet?
Replies: 89
Views: 24398

Once per month I update an Excel spreadsheet tracking total portfolio (broken down by total investments in eight asset classes).

I also track the same for all retirement accounts and my taxable account.

I use this format to determine investment percentages in each asset class against my IPS.

Other posters profiled some interesting spreadsheet formats I'll investigate.

Good information.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Sun Jan 23, 2011 10:04 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: how often do you rebalance a portfolio
Replies: 41
Views: 6747

I've always re-balanced once per year (early January), but after hearing a presentation from Rick Ferri I'm going to develop a band re-balancing strategy.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Sat Jan 22, 2011 8:20 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Callan Periodic Table of Investment Returns
Replies: 26
Views: 5426

I always enjoy looking at this chart and knowing that I own six of the nine profiled asset classes in low cost passive funds.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Sat Jan 22, 2011 5:04 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 100% Total Stock Index. Am I Being Reckless?
Replies: 131
Views: 16521

Coffee, I think you will find that many frequent posters recommend a level of diversification that includes bonds, and international equities. Another poster mentioned Ben Grahams recommendation that an investor never exceed 75% equities or less than 25% bonds. Given the tumult we faced the last ten years and might continue experiencing I think this is good advice.

Books by Larry Swedroe, William Bernstein, or Richard Ferri will really help you understand asset allocation and how to assemble simple diverse portfolios that lowers risk.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Sat Jan 22, 2011 4:46 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Years until financial independence?
Replies: 48
Views: 6337

Another five years of full time work puts me at 35 years of saving. Barring another financial meltdown I should be financially independent. The state of health insurance cost and availability could be a wild card for me.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Fri Jan 21, 2011 10:24 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: knowledge v. intelligence
Replies: 66
Views: 6429

Warren Buffet says that being born in the United States is winning the ovarian lottery.

Being raised by nurturing parents and extended family with the ability and willingness to provide a loving environment is akin to winning the parental lottery.

Applying the simple common sense many of us learned in our childhood paid multiple dividends in our investment actions.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Thu Jan 20, 2011 10:26 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Rich Dad/Poor Dad Theory vs. Bogleheads Strategy
Replies: 282
Views: 34322

I read RD/PD quite some time ago; it was heavy on a few common sense platitudes and offered no specific recommendations to translate his platitudes into actions much less wealth.

He's long on repetitious points, short on specific advice, and good at selling books and seminars.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Wed Jan 19, 2011 10:06 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Articles that make me angry
Replies: 16
Views: 2915

This author (don't call him a sales person, call an investment manager that advocates passive investing a sales person) sure build a narrow premise to make his point. He assumes a person using passive asset classes doesn't factor risk into the construction of a portfolio? Is he assuming that indexers only use equity asset classes in the development of a portfolio?

Next week he'll write a critical article on indexing based on the premise that the S&P 500 index fund had a negative return during the last ten years and therefore indexing is inferior.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Wed Jan 19, 2011 9:44 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Will boomers retirement fuel their own bear market?
Replies: 47
Views: 7229

Conceptually this prediction makes sense given the size of the baby boomer generation. But what effect will longer retirement time frames, immigration, and younger people outside the United States buying equities have on our equity markets? As countries like China, India, and Brazil progress will their younger middle class start buying equities in the next ten years? And if they do will they be the buyers of equities sold by aging baby boomers?

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Tue Jan 18, 2011 9:47 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What changes do you predict Vanguard will make in 2011?
Replies: 25
Views: 4205

I'd like to see Vanguard add a foreign small cap value index fund to their retail customers.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Mon Jan 17, 2011 8:55 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 280% Stocks or 0% Stocks? I'm confused.
Replies: 60
Views: 7445

Anyone that's been investing since the mid nineties has experienced market euphoria and despair. For me the last bear market really highlighted and quantified my view on risk. While I didn't sell during the last downturn I experienced for the first time in my investing life that gut feeling which told me to tone down my risk.

I've decreased my equity exposure by fifteen percent. If we experience another strong downturn I'm better positioned to sleep better at night.

When we try to make sense of the divide between Bodie and Milevsky I think we would all benefit by identifying, as clearly as possible the risk level that enables us to sleep at night. For me 2008 was that clarifying event.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Sun Jan 16, 2011 10:27 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: United States standard of living destined to fall?
Replies: 33
Views: 3737

I don't think our standard of living is destined to fall as long as the public and private sectors focus on addressing problems we can still resolve. Europe's low birth rates and entitlements will continue to be a drag on their economies.

In Asia, Japan is hampered by low birth rates and anemic economic growth. China is a tale of two countries. The East coast will continue growing and with that growth costs will most surly rise, putting pressure on their low cost to do business. The central and western provinces have a long way to go to reach first world economic standards.

I don't think our country is destined to a reduced standard of living as long as we change, invest, and address problems that can still be solved.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Sun Jan 16, 2011 8:49 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why rebalance?
Replies: 90
Views: 9170

For me the last market downturn highlighted the importance of rebalancing, I think it is critically important from a risk management standpoint, especially an investor is over 40 years of age and does not have a pension.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Sun Jan 16, 2011 8:35 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Rick Ferri in HOUSTON on January 15, 2011
Replies: 46
Views: 10635

Rick, thanks for taking time out of your weekend to give the presentation. Your book covers some topics I'm interested in learning more about.

I would be interested in another chapter meeting, as I have lots of topics and questions that are of interest to me...microcaps anyone :)

For others around the country check out this book, Rick covers some interesting market history relative to passive investing.

Luby's was OK as a location, agree with Bigfoot on his time suggestion.

Hope to see you all later this year.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Tue Nov 30, 2010 8:50 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Rick Ferri in HOUSTON on January 15, 2011
Replies: 46
Views: 10635

I'd be interested in attending. Look forward to the details.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:28 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Muni Bond Market Risk, & Taxable Accounts
Replies: 1
Views: 801

Muni Bond Market Risk, & Taxable Accounts

With the increasingly frequent news about potential state solvency, especially CA, do any posters feel that risk in the muni bond market warrants changes about tax management of fixed income investments in a taxable account?

All of my taxable account fixed income investments are in municipal bond funds (60% intmed. & 40% limited-term). Lately I've been wondering if I should ignore tax issues and diversify my taxable fixed income investments.

Best regards,

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Thu Mar 26, 2009 5:47 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bond component in taxable account
Replies: 10
Views: 3907

G12, thanks that's an idea I didn't think about. Up to this point I've considered alternatives to The Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, but only if the yield is higher that the muni fund (factoring the tax savings into this comparison. Right now the Vanguard short-term corporate yield is still a little lower than the tax adjusted yield of my muni funds.

Thanks again,

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Wed Mar 25, 2009 5:57 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bond component in taxable account
Replies: 10
Views: 3907

Bond component in taxable account

Due to limitations in my tax defered accounts and my investment goals and risk tolerance I need bonds in my taxable account. Today I'm exclusively invested in municipal bond funds (Vanguard Intermediate-term, and Fidelity Short-Intermediate). With recent news about potential trouble in the municipal bond market I've been thinking about bond diversification in my taxable account. Specifically I've been considering investing 40% of my taxable bond component in the Vanguard Short-term Investment Grade Bond fund. In the past tax considerations always drove me to focus on muni funds for my taxable account. Do taxable accounts need fixed income diversification today? I consider news about the muni market and opportunities in the corporate bond se...
by Mulligan
Mon Mar 09, 2009 9:07 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Still buying
Replies: 127
Views: 23936

I read this thread last week and found some reassurance in my decision (made last summer) to direct 100% of my retirement investments into equities. With a 15, maybe 20, year time horizon until retirement I'm hopeful these investments will be profitable.

Everything that's happened since then (right up to Mr. Buffet's interview today) draws me back to this thread. I'm still directing my retirement investments into equities, but I can't bring myself to invest taxable money (7 to 10 year time horizon) into equities.

For me 25 years of no fear investing has been put to the test the last six months.

Mulligan
by Mulligan
Wed Jul 23, 2008 10:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: BRSIX or Small Cap Value?
Replies: 6
Views: 2427

BRSIX or Small Cap Value?

I'm finalizing the AA in my taxable account which includes 10% Vanguard Tax Managed Small Cap. I'm considering the addition of Bridgeway Ultra Small Cap or Vanguard Small Cap Value to augment the small cap component of my S & D portfolio.

I can purchase BRSIX for $75 or simply add VISVX to my Vanguard account. Does the tax inefficiency of VISVX make BRSIX a better choice for an otherwise diversified portfolio in lieu of my desire to increase exposure to small cap? Also Small Cap Value is not available in my 401k.

Mulligan