Search found 47 matches

by droliver
Sun Jul 19, 2020 3:16 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Give new doctor a SSN?
Replies: 86
Views: 8738

Re: Give new doctor a SSN?

Despite what a number of people commenting seem to be suggesting, SSN's are pretty critical for the revenue cycle in medical practices. Bad debt and unpaid accounts receivable (AR) is pretty rampant and getting worse as people's out of pocket expense have gone up. SSN's give a fairly reliable way to track debtors down when they ghost you. The idea up-thread that medical practices are the main source of compromise of SSN's is absurd, it's the banks, the feds, credit card companies, and credit bureaus where most breaches have come from
by droliver
Fri Sep 15, 2017 11:52 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Should I dump (W)Hole Life Insurance and Variable Insurance
Replies: 14
Views: 1784

Re: Should I dump (W)Hole Life Insurance and Variable Insurance

If you can afford to have the cash tied up for awhile (2 decades) and are otherwise maxing out your other tax advantaged investments, whole life insurance is actually a very interesting approach over a long term. It offers some unique tax advantages returns within the policy that can be hard to reach on an after tax basis with equities. while past may not be prologue, there is a reasonable argument for this approach to complement other savings. A lot of sophisticated investors prepay the premiums of the policies to accelerate the break even point of the commission and use them for tax free cash flow out of the plan in retirement. A lot of institutions and banks also use these as investments taking polices out on employees.
by droliver
Sun May 14, 2017 5:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Rolling over traditional IRA to Solo 401k - Questions
Replies: 8
Views: 1377

Re: Rolling over traditional IRA to Solo 401k - Questions

Isn't there some wierd formula on the tax hit for any gains on this type of conversion ?
by droliver
Sat Jan 14, 2012 9:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Grandson of BCS
Replies: 487
Views: 46391

Re: Grandson of BCS

This is the same USC team that got torched by Arizona State and nearly lost to Arizona?

Unless they upgrade the defense spectacularly they are going to remain a notch off what the SEC is sporting these days. Barkley's for real, but the team was just good, but not great.
by droliver
Tue Jan 10, 2012 6:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Grandson of BCS
Replies: 487
Views: 46391

Re: Grandson of BCS

I watched that game, which was a great game, but Stanford was the better team I'd say and lost in weird fashion. Not as weird as the Nov. 5. UA-LSU game where Bama should have won by 2 or three touchdowns and lost. I think Stanford & OSU are much more even rather compared to UA & LSU, where you had literally 8 quarters of LSU unable to move the ball across midfield.

LSU-UA part II was a very similar game as the first with the exception that Bama made their field goals, didn't turn the ball over, and didn't make inopportune penalties.
by droliver
Tue Jan 10, 2012 9:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Grandson of BCS
Replies: 487
Views: 46391

Re: Grandson of BCS

I think with 8 quarters of football to judge the two teams, it becomes a lot more clear exactly how much Bama actually was. In context, the Nov 5 game result was flukey with the 2nd game validating the belief of most Bama fans that we were the best team on the field the first time on both offense and defense. This was such a fundamentally strong team on defense that they suffocated a pretty dangerous LSU team for 8 quarters while also dominating offensive stats. The fact Bama only scored 27 points in the two game reflects how equally tough LSU is with their short-field Defense despite Bama being on their side of the field frequently in both games
by droliver
Mon Jan 09, 2012 10:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When will the SEC's stranglehold on BCS be ended?
Replies: 102
Views: 7675

Re: When will the SEC's stranglehold on BCS be ended?

droliver wrote:
G12 wrote:This is the highest quality overall team I have seen in 40-years of following LSU, even with two mediocre QB's.
While it's inarguable they're one of the top LSU teams ever, they're still going to lose to Alabama who are even better on both sides of the ball (if you watched the 1st game). As long as it doesn't come down to a field goal contest >40 yards, Bama's gonna roll 'em! :D
Told you so! Bama was/is clearly the better team on BOTH sides of the ball. They absolutely murdered a hot LSU on defense. LSU's 1st win was very flukey in the context of 8 quarters to look at these teams.
by droliver
Sun Dec 25, 2011 5:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When will the SEC's stranglehold on BCS be ended?
Replies: 102
Views: 7675

Re: When will the SEC's stranglehold on BCS be ended?

Interesting to see that the longer the game's been out to be analyzed how the bettor's are moving. What opened with LSU -3 1/2 (essentially the edge given to a home team in most football bets for evenly matched teams) a few weeks ago is now Alabama's the 1 point betting favorite in many sports books.
by droliver
Sun Dec 25, 2011 3:04 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Swedroe's portfolio shows up in the NYTimes
Replies: 46
Views: 9707

Re: Swedroe's portfolio shows up in the NYTimes

I like the idea of the tail-risk reduction, but all in on SCV + US treasuries makes too many assumptions that the past is prologue and would seem to create it's on kind of risk on both sides of the portfolio. Two very plausible scenario's exist where this kind of tilt could really fundamentally underperform 1. if small and value stock's historical advantage becomes more affected by high-frequency trading strategies or other economic conditions, such that it's return regresses closer to the total stock market mean 2. if we have much lower real bond returns then the recent 30 year bull run and/or the US government's creditworthiness is affected by some event To Mr Swedroe: Going forward, on a philosophical level, what kind of metrics could ma...
by droliver
Sun Dec 25, 2011 2:49 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 25-Year-Old Broker Lee Munson Is Swaggering Relic of the Boo
Replies: 8
Views: 1766

Re: 25-Year-Old Broker Lee Munson Is Swaggering Relic of the

I'm sorry, but you can't read the old interview or even the new Munson 2.0 interview and ever come to a conclusion that you want someone like this running your money.
by droliver
Fri Dec 09, 2011 9:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When will the SEC's stranglehold on BCS be ended?
Replies: 102
Views: 7675

Re: When will the SEC's stranglehold on BCS be ended?

This is the highest quality overall team I have seen in 40-years of following LSU, even with two mediocre QB's. No, Saban's 2003 LSU NC team there was a little better overall in some ways on both sides of the ball, certainly on offense. That defense was a little more fundamentally sound then the current version, which is more high risk/high reward. This defense is disruptive but vulnerable because they blitz alot. Mathieu, in particular, is overrated as a cover corner (Claiborne on the other hand is AWESOME) This year's LSU team scores points in more unconventional ways then 2003, keying off their defense and returns. While it's inarguably they're one of the top LSU teams ever, they're still going to lose to Alabama who are even better on ...
by droliver
Tue Dec 06, 2011 9:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When will the SEC's stranglehold on BCS be ended?
Replies: 102
Views: 7675

Re: When will the SEC's stranglehold on BCS be ended?

The Sagarin SOS ratings for the big 12 don't pass the eyeball test and reflect the "echo chamber" effect of the computers over-rating the Big-12 across the board which is bumping them up. The top three big 12 teams are probably scattered between 4th-8th in the SEC this year. In years past, the SEC as a whole has also benefited from this strength inflation, but they have walked the walked on the big stages (BCS games) and dominated the other conferences in the championship games.
by droliver
Mon Dec 05, 2011 8:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When will the SEC's stranglehold on BCS be ended?
Replies: 102
Views: 7675

Re: When will the SEC's stranglehold on BCS be ended?

Agree that the SEC is good. However, they need to play 9 conference games. And tougher non-conference games, including non-conference road games. Their weak schedule leads to inflated win-loss records and more appearances in the BCS. Describing the SEC as " good " is like saying the New England Patriots are " solid " since Bill Belichick took over as coach. They've been the dominant conference for about a 20 year cycle with 9 national titles (soon to be 10) during that span (1992-2011). What's as impressive is that 5 different teams (Bama, Auburn, LSU, UF, & Tennessee) have claimed titles and 2 others (Arkansas & Georgia) have finished in the top 10 half a dozen times each. In the BCS bowls which pair up the bet...
by droliver
Sun Aug 28, 2011 11:01 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 53% of Stock Trading is High Frequency Trading
Replies: 64
Views: 7513

I strongly disagree about being blase about high frequency traders. The money they're skimming is coming right out of the market's total return. Any other interpretation literally is assuming that money grows on trees. Fractions of a penny times billions of trades adds up over time, it has to.

I would intuitively support the small tax on trades to put some drag on HFT as it's benefiting no one but those with the most sophisticated hardware & quants
by droliver
Mon Jul 04, 2011 10:18 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: advertising by Rick Ferri
Replies: 91
Views: 11828

I think the only "advertising" by Rick and Larry is showing their competence on a routine basis gratis which may spin off some inquiries for their services. We're lucky to get such liberal access to these guys
by droliver
Sun Jun 26, 2011 8:30 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: A long-time investor looks back.
Replies: 44
Views: 9247

what i find really interesting about that list is that in BROAD strokes, not EXACTLY, the S&P about tripled every decade from 1950-2000, and then stagnated for the last decade. from a macro perspective, was there a watershed change that might explain this, or no? That's easy I think to pinpoint. We had 1) the development of the modern interconnected internet and super high frequency trading of the world market's in real time. It's enabled increasingly larger and more speculative bets on the economy that are dissociated from the underlying debts and equity (ie. the synthetic CDO type device that was a nuclear hot-potato being shuffled around as the housing market was crippling). 2) the emergence of China which both accelerated the disma...
by droliver
Sat Sep 11, 2010 10:09 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: RWX to new Vgd International Real Estate ETF?
Replies: 19
Views: 3731

Does an international REIT belong in a taxable or tax-deferred position in your portfolio?
by droliver
Tue Jul 20, 2010 8:26 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard's awful "Portfolio Analysis" tool...
Replies: 58
Views: 22595

I really wish Vanguard would liscence Morninstar's X-ray tool and just incorporate it into their GUI.
by droliver
Sat Jun 05, 2010 9:43 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Are DFA Funds Worth Paying 1% to an Advisor?
Replies: 83
Views: 15822

Dingle wrote:I'm not sure who is winning this debate but I find Mr Rick Ferri's tone to be quite defensive.

Does a simple yes or no answer exist to the OP's question?
I don't think Mr. Ferri is being defensive, and I've enjoyed the interplay among the participants as you can learn a lot from the discussion.

As he mentioned a number of times, it's not so much a yes/no answer, but more a "maybe,kinda" depending on how interested you are and what your tolerance for the performance drag of higher ER and management fees.

Also, thank you Larry Swedroe for coming back! Your advice and input is missed around here.[/b]
by droliver
Mon May 10, 2010 3:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Interest free loan to help pay down mortgage??
Replies: 11
Views: 1587

I thought you employer has to offer "market rate" per the IRS for something classified as a loan to be kosher.
by droliver
Sat Apr 24, 2010 8:03 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Embarrassing John Bogle quote about Michael Burry
Replies: 27
Views: 11244

Matt, if you read " The Big Short " you will see he actually did get lucky in his timing in the sense that if the crash hadn't started on schedule, his hedge fund would have had massive investor withdrawals and there was language in the contract with his trading partners at the banks that they could reclaim the CDS's at par if Scion Capitals assets fell below $200M. He could just as well been later vindicated but unable to profit from his insight if things had tetered along for awhile. His desperation and frustration with the banks and bond traders stalling on accurately valuing these vehicles he owned is well described in the book. The bank trying to stall the plumeting of these investments as they realized what they were sitting...
by droliver
Fri Apr 23, 2010 3:58 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Embarrassing John Bogle quote about Michael Burry
Replies: 27
Views: 11244

I'd suggest everyone read "The Big Short" featuring Dr. Burry.

He made a very insightful observation that the emperor had no clothes and was right. Keep in mind that he's only famous now because he managed to stay solvent longer then the market stayed irrational. If things had stayed on track for longer then he'd guessed, he would have busted and had masive withdrawls from his hedge fund at first chance. His investors were furious at where he'd tied their money up (they'd assumed he was continuing to be a value stock picker & not a previously unheard of "CDS speculator").

A singular event like this proves little other then how unlikely it is to think it could be replicated by someone.
by droliver
Mon Jan 04, 2010 8:33 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Resetting Taxable Cost Basis Every Few Years
Replies: 39
Views: 5668

The Roth vs. Traditional IRA decision is a wash when today's tax rate is identical to tomorrow's tax rate. Due to the tax-free nature of the Roth and the tax-deferred compounding of the TIRA, the "time value of money" isn't relevant to this decision. Just the rates...... (I have kept the issues simple to demonstrate the point. Some will be tempted to pollute the analysis by suggesting that the taxpayer may never pay the CG if he dies with appreciated assets.....or that the Roth may be taxed indirectly in the future. These are valid issues to debate, but in some other post. You're not getting off that easy! :twisted: It is utterly implausible that the ROTH account is not going to be targeted for some kind of taxation down the road...
by droliver
Sat Dec 26, 2009 8:56 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: DFA vs Vanguard
Replies: 23
Views: 5827

How come DFA hasn't gone direct to investors? Are they so dependent on financial advisors for business that they worry about alienating their referrals?

It would seem there's a market for their service independent of the middleman. Maybe they could temper asset movement with poenalties for early withdrawal like some of Vanguard's funds.
by droliver
Sun Dec 13, 2009 7:26 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: TSM underperforms them all Large, Mid, Small, Large/Small
Replies: 55
Views: 11181

droliver wrote:Can you accept this graph without compensating for the drag of

1) the subtle difference in ER (6-7bp) of the split classes index funds versus the rock-bottom TSM

2) tax liabilities from these rebalancing manuevers as you'd be be realizing annual capital gains trades (assuming with this scenario you weren't rebalancing with new $)
No comments yet on this idea?

It just seems like many of these graphs here don't even account for these costs. I'm not even sure how you would calculate this as you'd have to account for capital gains tax rate changes during that time and apply the ER charges to annual balances
by droliver
Sat Dec 12, 2009 11:08 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: TSM underperforms them all Large, Mid, Small, Large/Small
Replies: 55
Views: 11181

Can you accept this graph without compensating for the drag of

1) the subtle difference in ER (6-7bp) of the split classes index funds versus the rock-bottom TSM

2) tax liabilities from these rebalancing manuevers as you'd be be realizing annual capital gains trades (assuming with this scenario you weren't rebalancing with new $)
by droliver
Sun Nov 15, 2009 10:05 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Tax rate on older unclaimed property
Replies: 2
Views: 825

Tax rate on older unclaimed property

I recently received some money from the State of Alabama which consisted of the balance on a couple dozen old dividend checks from IBM misdelivered to from 10-20+ years ago.

These dividends balance were redeemed at face value with no interest (the state had been collecting the interest - go figure!).

1. Should the income from those have shown up on statements from IBM delivered to our accountant and presumably already been tax assessed years ago even though they were not cashed?

2. Would I own income tax on these dividends in my current tax bracket or the time of issuance if they had not previously been assessed?

As an aside, I would encourage people to search their states unclaimed property databases which are now online.
by droliver
Sun Nov 15, 2009 9:54 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: My adviser thinks I should not be in stocks at all
Replies: 52
Views: 11522

Wouldn't a 15 year mortage at around 4.25% (recent rates for non-jumbo loans) have been even better? That's close to 200K less in interest payments over the loan life
by droliver
Mon Nov 09, 2009 5:05 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bernstein's New Book
Replies: 17
Views: 4283

Taylor,

it would be interesting if you could put a bug in WB's ear about the dividend/capital gains tax issues going forward as it affects slice and dice or value/small tilts. I'm begining to think that it will be hard for the US investor to overcome the tax drag that those strategies are likely to produce, and we may be back to the simple total stock market (TSM) equity position as the clear winner (Much like the simple TSM/TBM Bogle suggestion MR Bogle has made for years. I hate it when he's right :) )
by droliver
Sun Nov 08, 2009 7:20 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bernstein's New Book
Replies: 17
Views: 4283

I've just finished about 1/3 of the book and I'm a little disappointed. It's a real skimpy version of the "4 Pillars" without much to add so far. I'll keep reading, but so far it's more like a "4 Pillars for Dummies".

I don't want to speak for Dr. B, but I think one thing to consider as to the exclusion of the small/value tilting is the forthcoming effects of American tax policy on future dividends, foreign investment, & capital gains taxes. That could potentially dramatically effect total return in a way where small & value stocks are too heavily penalized to endorse versus broad market index
by droliver
Wed Oct 28, 2009 10:40 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Long Term Bond Funds
Replies: 58
Views: 9363

Re: Long Term Bond Funds

SteelyEyed wrote:So, does anybody out there own this fund (or a similar one)? If so, what is your reasoning and how does it fit into your plan?
My very simple understanding of this argument is that as interest rates cannot really go lower then present, the inevitable increase in rates will hit longer term bonds more aggressively. ie. buying the LT bonds premium in an era of low rates is buying at inflated prices rather then then at a bargin
by droliver
Mon Oct 05, 2009 10:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Frustration with Health Insurance Company
Replies: 22
Views: 2927

tfb wrote:It would occur to me that you should go to the source of the problem.
It doesn't sound like there actually is a problem other then a layperson confused or not understanding how to read an EOB. IF I had to guess, one of your tests was able to report RT & LT exams as seperate charges and the other test's global descriptor was a bilateral pocedure.
by droliver
Sun Jun 21, 2009 1:50 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How many index funds do you have in your portfolio?
Replies: 31
Views: 5217

IndexedTotal Stock Market
Small Cap Value
FTSE All World ex US
FTSE All World ex US Small Cap
Emerging Market
Total Bond
Total World

Non Index:
Wellesley Income
Precious Metals & Mining (VGPMX)
TIPS fund
Intermediate term tax exempt bond (VWITX)
by droliver
Tue Jun 02, 2009 11:22 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VTSMX vs VFINX
Replies: 16
Views: 17609

bombcar wrote:The real answer - use VTSMX because then when anyone mentions a hot company you can reply with a bored expression, "I already own that one." ;)
Actually there's lot's of stocks not in VTSMX in the mid and small cap range. I belive all large cap stocks are captured however.
by droliver
Sat May 23, 2009 11:04 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Assistance: Essential Asset Class Diversification
Replies: 24
Views: 4325

Commodities, Junk Bonds, Emerging market small caps, & foreign real estate positions are not the hallmark of simplified asset allocation in Bogelville. :)
by droliver
Sun Apr 12, 2009 5:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Do we jump back in again after bailing out???
Replies: 46
Views: 7873

Re: Do we jump back in again after bailing out???

I agree with livesoft. You can't make that statement without knowing their expenses or the details of the pension. My parents are comfortably retired with much less than a 7 figure portfolio that they don't even need to touch thanks to a generous pension. A pension and/or social security would normally be considered part of your retirement portfolio. Keep in mind that there is no pension who's value is written in stone and insolvency (and subsequent federal takeover) will potentially unsettle your projections. Projections of pensions and social security obligations are relying on the sustainablility of a giant ponzi scheme. Like the housing bubble, it's going to go bust at some point. The orignial poster is still young enough to be alive w...
by droliver
Sun Apr 12, 2009 12:26 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Do we jump back in again after bailing out???
Replies: 46
Views: 7873

Re: Do we jump back in again after bailing out???

scoutiedog wrote:I just retired, have no pension and was ready to enjoy life and the fruits of my labor! Age: 57 and 63
No offense, but it's extremely unrealistic to be expecting to retire at your age (with a potential 2-3 decades of life expectancy) without a healthy 7 figure principle.

Is there some reason you or your spouse cannot stay in or reenter the workforce to ease the drawdown of your assets during this market trough? It will be a number of years before you're fully vested in social security benefits anyways.
by droliver
Wed Mar 18, 2009 10:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is the REIT fund (VGSIX) poised to get crushed?
Replies: 73
Views: 14433

I'm glad my original post stirred some interesting discussion.

I know all economic melt-downs are unique, but it seems like some of the diversification benefits in the rear view mirror for REITS (and other asset classes of the month) have been exposed as a lot more fragile then advertised when the S*** hits the fan. The volatility of this class may not be for good vehicle for the masses.

Clearly low occupancy rates and lease defaults would seem poised to punish earnings/dividends going forwards for several years. Have we really even seen the tip of the iceberg on the commercial real estate front?
by droliver
Sun Mar 15, 2009 7:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is the REIT fund (VGSIX) poised to get crushed?
Replies: 73
Views: 14433

Is the REIT fund (VGSIX) poised to get crushed?

It's kind of an intuitive observation, but it would seem like REIT funds like Vanguard's VGSIX are going to be in for a bumpy ride. There's a lot of commercial exposure in the fund at a time where we've seen (and will likely continue to see) many small business and a number of big-box retailers continue to fold adding more unused retail space inventory. VGSIX doesn't seem as likely to offer much shelter until this environment shakes out over the next 2-3 years and I would think it will lag general stock funds as the economy recovers.

Is this too simplistic an analysis?
by droliver
Thu Jan 29, 2009 5:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index
Replies: 9
Views: 3503

Doesn't it seem intuitive that dividend funds are going to be a bumpy ride for the next few years as financial stocks were the main engines of most of the dividends and many others are cutting dividends briskly?

If she's a relatively unsophisticated or disinterested investor and wants diversified large cap/blue chip exposure, maybe the Total World Stock Index would serve that role with the simplicity of a single fund.
by droliver
Fri Dec 12, 2008 7:40 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Fall of Index Funds - thoughts?
Replies: 26
Views: 5719

Scott S wrote:
eurowizard wrote:
Tabs wrote:Pretty bold headline for a shoddy article.

Oh, and the cake is a lie!
The cake was a lie :(
Depends on your interpretation of the end of the game. :lol:

- Scott
Agree, the cake is a lie.

The good news is that a Portal prequal is indevelopment. Wikipedia has a great Portal entry for those confused in the audience at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_(video_game)
by droliver
Tue Dec 09, 2008 11:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mortage refinancing
Replies: 18
Views: 4049

Re: Mortage refinancing

Taylor Larimore wrote: What is the amount of the new mortgage loan?
$354,000 at a proposed 5.125% with the aforementioned closing costs. This is a planned long term residence (15-20+ years) in which I have a couple hundred thousand in equity in already.

This proposed re-fi would replace a $360,000 note at 5.250% issued in 2005 (which was a very good rate at the time, so I'm not complaining).

Like it's been mentioned, $5360 in closing costs for only a 0.125% reduction in rate is a big pill to swallow. It seems like the rate would need to be fairly well south of 5% to make it worthwhile. From looking at some related articles, it seems like a 0.3 to 0.4 decrease from 5.250% would be suggested prior to refinancing unless fees were almost non-existant.
by droliver
Mon Dec 08, 2008 5:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mortage refinancing
Replies: 18
Views: 4049

Mortage refinancing

Total newbie to refinancing, be we asked our bank who's financing our 30 year fixed mortage what they could do in terms of refinancing. We were offered 5.125% for a 30 year fixed with the following closing statement Title Search: $255.00 Closing Fee: $100.00 Attorney: $0.00 Recording: $125.00 Subordination Fee: $0.00 Title Insurance: $350.00 Application Fee: $100.00 Credit Report: $16.75 Appraisal: $400.00 Appraisal Service Fee: $25.00 Processing Fee: $350.00 Tax Service Fee: $80.00 Flood Certification: $18.00 Condo Certification: $0.00 Points or Origination: $3,540.00 Endorsements: $0.00 FHA or VA Fees: $0.00 State Mortgage Tax: $0.00 Total: $ 5,359.75 What should reasonable closing costs be in this environment?
by droliver
Sun Sep 21, 2008 7:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is there a reason to buy VIGTX or VIVAX?
Replies: 2
Views: 1695

Is there a reason to buy VIGTX or VIVAX?

I'm curious if anyone feels strongly about Vanguard's Growth (VIGTX) or Value (VIVAX) in a portfolio that already holds the 500 index or Large Cap (VLACX) index? There seems to be so much overlap in holding's that they do not offer any substancial diversification.

BTW is there a tool somewhere where you can quickly compare the correlation in holdings between different funds?
by droliver
Sun Aug 10, 2008 11:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help me think about my portfolio
Replies: 12
Views: 2761

Are you intentionally trying to "tilt" towards smallcap and/or value stocks? There definitely could be some room for simplification. As for the IBM... it's 66% of your portfolio. That's extremely destabilizing. You've got to sell it. You simply have to, regardless of the tax unpleasantness. (unless your savings rate is going to make it <20% of your portfolio in the next few years). There is a little bit of a conscious small cap & value tilt for a couple reasons. Part of that is to dilute the large cap/growth weighting of the IBM, and part was due to my wanting a more aggressive posture given my age. It's my understanding that the conventional wisdom and a number of economic papers indicate that value investing is slightly mor...
by droliver
Sat Aug 09, 2008 11:24 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help me think about my portfolio
Replies: 12
Views: 2761

I think it was gifted in a trust like 35+ years ago and was originally purchased by my grandfather almost 45+ years ago. I was under the impression that the capital gains on it were going to be enormous
by droliver
Sat Aug 09, 2008 11:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help me think about my portfolio
Replies: 12
Views: 2761

Help me think about my portfolio

Long Time lurker, first time poster. Newly converted Boglehead! I'm trying to figure out whether the diversity I'm currently possessing among index funds is actually counterproductive. There's some overlap between funds, but is it too much? My stock fund holding breakdown is as follows below by %. It's all index except for the legg mason appreciation fund (SHAPX) which was a gift 20 years ago and sloooowly grown. I'm curious whether this diversity and the higher expense ratio's beats getting the simplicity & preferred admiral share ER's offered on the 500 index or total stock index funds? Non-retirement Legg Mason Partners appreciation fund A 11.69 % Vanguard Small Cap Value index 9% Vanguard Emerging Mkt index 7.64 % Vanguard Small Cap...