Search found 66 matches

by PS 5@50
Thu Jul 28, 2011 1:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Resume - how to handle short term
Replies: 13
Views: 2022

Use years instead of months for the dates.
by PS 5@50
Tue Jul 26, 2011 4:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Who has an Austrialian Cattle Dog?
Replies: 31
Views: 4942

Australian Cattle Dogs are great dogs for the right owners. They need exercise, stimulation and a strong master. If those three things are in place they are wonderful dogs.
by PS 5@50
Fri Jul 22, 2011 5:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What kind of road bike do I need?
Replies: 17
Views: 2883

You had some good advice. I would second (or third) the suggestion to focus primarily on the components. You likely will not tell a substantial difference between different frames but components make the world of difference. I'd agree that from a value standpoint (think good investment) you should go to Shimano 105 as a minimum. I ride Dura-Ace, the next step up, but got many years and thousands of miles out of my previous 105 component set. If you are not planning on becoming and enthusiast 105 should hold up nicely.
by PS 5@50
Wed Jul 20, 2011 3:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Estate planning book suggestions
Replies: 8
Views: 1491

NAVigator wrote:I'll second the recommendation for "Beyond the Grave". I'd also recommend the very detailed book, "Plan Your Estate" by Nolo Press and the "60-Minute Estate Planner" by Kraemer if you want a quicker overview.

Jerry
+1 on the Nola recommendation
by PS 5@50
Fri Jul 08, 2011 1:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I keep a 3rd car??
Replies: 44
Views: 6415

Dieharder wrote:
Nothing wrong in owning a nice car, but the highlighted part of last sentence about social needs gives a non-bogleheadish impression of vanity. No one really need a good looking luxury car for "social" needs, and if you do then it's time to check on the company you keep. What kind of luxury car do you own if you don't mind sharing?
Nothing wrong with criticizing other peoples' choices on a public forum with a condescending tone, but the interest in what someone else, who you will never meet, drives gives a non-bogleheadish impression of fascination with luxury cars. Maybe it is time to check on the forums that you keep.



:lol:
by PS 5@50
Wed Jul 06, 2011 5:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to make a cup of tea
Replies: 38
Views: 4094

wilked wrote:This is by far the best tea I have ever had

Twinings Earl Grey, loose

It comes in tea bags as well. Read the reviews, others seem to agree as well
+1
by PS 5@50
Thu Jun 30, 2011 12:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: career options
Replies: 9
Views: 1803

Index,

An MBA would certainly open a wider range of opportunities for you. Within most programs you can choose to focus or specialize to a good degree. I suggest looking at the flexibility of your university's MBA program as well as its overall reputation.

PS
by PS 5@50
Thu Jun 30, 2011 12:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: California cost of living
Replies: 111
Views: 13973

John, I recently moved from Austin to San Diego for personal reasons. We can afford it based on two professional incomes, but it has had a significant effect on our ability to save. We basically have committed to both of us working full time and moving our target early retirement from age 50 to age 55. For a variety of reasons it was a tradeoff that we were willing to make. From a purely financial standpoint it is not a "wise" investment, but our lives on not investments, they are what we live. Salaries in California are certainly higher, but as others have pointed out the real estate is a kick in the teeth. For us a house similar to what we were living in in Austin would be about 4x here. In San Diego we refer to the "sunshi...
by PS 5@50
Wed Jun 29, 2011 4:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Loans for child's college or pay out of pocket?
Replies: 66
Views: 6265

Interesting thread here that gets me thinking about when my own daughter will be heading to college in 3 years. I have saved some money to help her. My goal was to have enough to pay for 50% of an in-state university (her mother and I are divorced). I note that tork says his daughter was not interested in any of the in-state schools. Not sure how I would react to that. My gut reaction is what my parents gave me which is "those are the only ones on the list to choose from if you want us to pay". I am sure I will not be that hardline on it but will definately encourage here to look for a value in her education rather than paying needlessly for an out of state or private school just because "she likes it better". She will ...
by PS 5@50
Wed Jun 29, 2011 4:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Loans for child's college or pay out of pocket?
Replies: 66
Views: 6265

duplicate
by PS 5@50
Wed Jun 29, 2011 4:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Loans for child's college or pay out of pocket?
Replies: 66
Views: 6265

Don't let it bother you. Almost every college-related thread on bogleheads devolves into the same old debate about paying for private college. For some reason, eight particular northeast schools come in for particular criticism. +1 I would be especially wary of advice from someone who attended a "top notched school" and yet struggles with the English language. There also appears to be some negativity towards relatively high income individuals on this board. $170k a year is by no means an extreme income for a dual income family and for people to insinuate that you should not be thinking about financial tradeoffs given your income is insulting. Given your situation, the $20k + loans options would seem to be a good balance between c...
by PS 5@50
Tue Jun 28, 2011 6:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Calculating retirement number
Replies: 10
Views: 2103

It looks like you are assuming no increase in savings over time to reach the $4.8M. It's all simple math really. If you assume a constant dollar savings per month and a constant return you need the following savings rates to reach $4.8M by 2040. Return Monthly Savings 10% $2431 9% $2934 8% $3530 7% $4234 6% $5060 5% $6020 If on the other hand you assuming a nominal savings rate increase of even 2% a year then you get the following: Return Monthly Savings 10% $2046 9% $2444 8% $2908 7% $3447 6% $4069 5% $4779 Again, your assumptions drive everything.
by PS 5@50
Tue Jun 28, 2011 6:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Seeking advice on spending in retirement
Replies: 38
Views: 4257

Raybo,

To answer your initial question, I would certainly think about increasing your SWR. If you have been sticking to that for the last 12 years and not adjusting for inflation your nest egg likely has increased. At the very least you have 12 years of experience living off your savings which should provide value to you as you move forward.

In terms of the specific investment in the organization I would think about it in terms of percentage of your total spend.

PS
by PS 5@50
Tue Jun 28, 2011 5:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New to Management, Looking for Advice
Replies: 34
Views: 5207

A couple thoughts:

1. Manage expectations

2. Understand what motivates individuals (this is particularly important for managing technical employees)

3. Be your employees' champion

4. Overinform vs. underinform

5. All good meetings start with an agenda and result in action items

6. Read some good books. A personal favorite is "Winning" by Jack Welch
by PS 5@50
Tue Jun 28, 2011 5:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Negotiating medical test costs ... tips?
Replies: 5
Views: 711

Ask them what they get from Medicare patients and offer to pay that.
by PS 5@50
Tue Jun 28, 2011 3:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: The Porsche as Smart Investment for Single Guy on the Make
Replies: 50
Views: 8728

humbucker87 wrote:Many car shows have conducted experiments where they park different cars on the side of the road to see if they can pick up women.

The result is almost always that flashy cars attract the attention of other men and hardly any women. :D
The point of the research is that the women are attracted to the men in the cars, not the cars.
by PS 5@50
Wed Jun 08, 2011 3:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buying a house - Things to look (or look out) for
Replies: 27
Views: 4709

Realize that just about nobody else in the process has interests that are aligned with yours, especially your agent.

Agents, mortgage lenders etc., they all do this all day every day . . . that doesn't mean they should act like this is a once in a decade type of decision for you and your family.

Demand excellence and understand as much as you can about everything.

PS
by PS 5@50
Wed Jun 08, 2011 3:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Luggage Recommendations
Replies: 38
Views: 9649

Tumi products are pretty expensive upfront but they are of incredible quality and durability. In addition the company offers a great refurbishment service. If you are going to travel a lot they can be worth the upfront expense.
by PS 5@50
Wed Jun 08, 2011 3:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Career Advice needed - Management - MBA??
Replies: 22
Views: 3262

Jeff, My experience has been that a top tier MBA certainly opens doors, particularly after a technical undergraduate degree and work experience. I personally decided to go full time, but did not have kids at the time so was willing to make that sacrifice. I'd second the idea of looking into an Executive program as they are very flexible. As an added bonus, these are typically targeted at older more experienced individuals and likely more up your alley. I will agree with others that an online or "second-tier" MBA isn't likely to carry as much weight with potential employers even thought the curriculum is likely to be similar. It's just a sad fact. Perhaps if you are planning to stay with your existing company there would be less of...
by PS 5@50
Fri May 27, 2011 3:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Financial Advisor Question
Replies: 17
Views: 2468

In contrast to the majority on this board we are satisfied with our advisor, to whom I pay 1% AUM. I believe that the risk benefit and advice he provides on all our investments, even those outside his management, coupled with the increased piece of mind my wife gets from using a professional are worth the expense.

The latter is somewhat hard to rationalize but very easy to measure!

PS
by PS 5@50
Fri May 27, 2011 3:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio review . . . consolidation/simplification
Replies: 5
Views: 1565

All, I've been thinking this through some more and think I am going to land as follows: Taxable (Still with Financial Advisor) 10.9% Cash for investing 0.7% American States Water (AWR) 4.5% iShares S&P Global Energy Sector (IXC) (0.48%) 4.8% Second SPDR Tech Select (XLK) (0.20%) 2.5% Selected American Shares Fund (SLASX) (0.94%) 6.7% Templeton Global Bond Fund (TPICZ) (0.92%) 0.8% CA Water Service Group (CWT) 3.8% T Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth (RPMGX) (0.83%) His IRA at Schwab 13.2% Vanguard Total Stock (VTI) His Roth IRA at Schwab 2.0% Vanguard Total Bond (BND) Her IRA at Vanguard 3.4% Vanguard International Stock Admiral Shares (VTIAX) Her 401(k) at T Rowe Price 6.7% T Rowe Price International Stock Fund (PRITX) (0.91%) 7.2% T Rowe Pric...
by PS 5@50
Fri May 27, 2011 3:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio review . . . consolidation/simplification
Replies: 5
Views: 1565

OI and RM,

Thanks for the response. I think the advice to look to the IRAs for the Bond Funds is good, and will do just that.

PS
by PS 5@50
Fri May 27, 2011 9:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How big is your emergency fund?
Replies: 158
Views: 22931

Great Poll and very interesting commentary. I have been somewhat surprised by this Board's emphasis on emergency funds as I tend to buy into the "liquid assets" school of thought: If I have a major emergency, I'll sell some investments, the tax implications will be secondary at that point to the real emergency. Two thoughts and suggestions: 1. Given the fairly well articulated arguments from Nisi (and others) I'd suggest that someone strongly take a look at the "Asking Portfolio Questions" sticky and think about modifying the reference to Emergency Funds that doesn't have much context. Frequently I see the board's response to portfolio suggestions initially respond to the poster relative emergency fund and I think we can...
by PS 5@50
Mon May 23, 2011 12:52 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How much to save in a 529
Replies: 39
Views: 8216

Reno Jay,

We are targeting 50% of a private college for out kids with the rest coming from taxable savings if required. In our minds this balances the risk of overfunding with the benefit of the 529.

I understand the argument from other posters that kids need to understand the cost of college, but that doesn't necessarily mean they need to be stuck with student loans. One of the best educations on the value of money that I have received is graduating from an elite undergraduate school without any debt. It provided me financial flexibility my peers didn't have and paved the way to invest my own in my graduate education, which I paid off in 5 years.

PS
by PS 5@50
Mon May 23, 2011 12:45 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio review . . . consolidation/simplification
Replies: 5
Views: 1565

Portfolio review . . . consolidation/simplification

All, I have been reading these forums on and off for a number of years and really like what I have heard. Mostly I am impressed with the professionalism and generosity that key forum members demonstrate in their willingness to help educate folks. I will start with a proactive thank you to all for your insightful responses. In terms of my situation, we do a pretty good job at savings but could certainly benefit from some simplifying. I think we, like many, are victims of having too many accounts that we have struggled to consolidate and to think of as one portfolio. We are currently using a Financial Advisor at the rate of 1% AUM. I realize most will suggesting ditching the advisor, but at this point that is not my main focus. The reality is...
by PS 5@50
Mon Apr 25, 2011 8:16 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Mortgage Payment as part of Expense
Replies: 4
Views: 1129

Re: Mortgage Payment as part of Expense

YDNAL wrote: Your "Withdrawal Rate" from the portfolio is to help pay retirement bills (expenses). The lower the WR, the higher the chance for portfolio survival.

What does that have to do with "income"?
That's what I was saying, I am calculating a nest egg vs. my current expenses.
YDNAL wrote:A retiree should strive to be mortgage-free.
What I proposed would be consistent with being mortgage-free, just a different way of looking at current expenses in light of a mortgage.

PS
by PS 5@50
Sat Apr 23, 2011 5:29 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Mortgage Payment as part of Expense
Replies: 4
Views: 1129

Mortgage Payment as part of Expense

All, In trying to work up a safe "number" for retirement I strongly believe that you should be looking at a SWR and comparing that to your expenses, not income, for reasons other have beaten to death here and elsewhere. I'm wondering how people think about their mortgages in this calculation, especially when they are relatively far from retirement. Let's assume the following for simplicity: Yearly Income: $160k Yearly Taxes: 20k Yearly savings: 40k Yearly mortgage (Principal and Interest): 25k I'll ignore any implications of pre-tax savings as it isn't pertinent to the issue. I will also ignore inflation as it shouldn't be pertinent either. For the above situation, income is 160k and year and expenses are 100k (160-20 for taxes an...
by PS 5@50
Sat Apr 23, 2011 4:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: ESPP - No brainer?
Replies: 30
Views: 4088

OP here. Thanks all for the commentary and advice. It certainly gave me some things to think about, most pressing the transaction costs. If I participate I will be be selling immediately. I have no desire to hold individual stocks, particular of the company that also signs my paycheck. The plan does have a six month period, and the price is 90% of the price at the end of the period, so I don't have the potential to take advantage of rising pricing during the period as one poster has. I will likely not be doing a 10% deduction as our plan is capped at a hard dollar figure. I will run the math some in terms of transaction expenses to ensure that this makes sense for me. Based on my income level and anticipated participation rate, it would see...
by PS 5@50
Fri Apr 22, 2011 5:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: ESPP - No brainer?
Replies: 30
Views: 4088

ESPP - No brainer?

I work for a Fortune 500 company which offers an ESPP. I have never participated in the past but realize that I am realistically just passing up free money. They offer a 10% discount to market price on the last day of the offering period through a payroll deduction with no restrictions upon future sales. The only potential downside I see is from a cashflow standpoint. Other than that it seems like a no brainer. Anything else I should be thinking about?

Thanks,

PS
by PS 5@50
Fri Apr 22, 2011 10:18 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: "100% stock funds up to $100K" advice from retired
Replies: 26
Views: 3771

I believe this is a very reasonable approach. As others have pointed out in the short term your net worth growth will be much more dependent upon your savings rate than anything else. Pushing some numbers: you state you are 29 and want to get to $100k by 25 ie. six years. Let's assume that you have $20k now. So a savings rate of $13k a year gets you there with zero return from investments. You can take this one of two ways: some would say that this means you don't require much return so shouldn't need to take risk and thus invest conservatively. The other thought process is that the returns that you get for the next six years aren't really that critical. Again assuming a current value of $20k, if you were to have an 80/20 equity/bond split ...
by PS 5@50
Thu Apr 21, 2011 3:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Interview/Test: Advises may wear casual clothes. Suggestions
Replies: 23
Views: 3501

The general advice of it's impossible to be overdressed but easy to be underdressed for an interview holds here.
by PS 5@50
Thu Apr 21, 2011 3:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mens Dress Shirts for those who are Frugal?
Replies: 128
Views: 73661

Re: Mens Dress Shirts for those who are Frugal?

TraderER wrote:
I've looked at some of the Charles Tyrwhitt clearance shirts and I'm impressed but at $60 (yes, that's on clearance) a pop that's not a cost that's easy to swallow.
The Charles Tyrwhitt shirts are very nice and will hold up well. Hold out for their sales. As a small step down I'd go with Jos A. Bank and/or Paul Fredrick.
by PS 5@50
Fri Apr 15, 2011 4:18 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is Vipers Total Market the same as VTI?
Replies: 24
Views: 2435

All,

This is probably overkill, but to clarify it was I who assumed the ER was 0.15% based on finding this on Google:

http://www.capitallinkforum.com/apr2002 ... nguard.pdf

At the time I didn't realize how dated that information was. My adviser did not state an ER.

I have had my initial question answered, for which I am appreciative, and have learned to be a little more careful in communicating precisely on this board. I will also ensure I know exactly which fund, and corresponding ER, my adviser is suggesting prior to a purchase.

Thanks to all,

PS
by PS 5@50
Fri Apr 15, 2011 2:20 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is Vipers Total Market the same as VTI?
Replies: 24
Views: 2435

Taylor,

Thanks for the sensible response. My adviser is learning what I am and am not receptive to and is respectful of that.

avalpert and livesoft: To be clear he did not recommend a "made up class of shares" nor does he lack an internet connection. His recommendation could have been worded more carefully; I suspect that he has likely gotten used to the term VIPERS and this is how he thinks about that index fund. I know most folks here are not huge proponents of advisers, but I don't see this inaccuracy as a "hang him by his fingernails" offense.
by PS 5@50
Thu Apr 14, 2011 4:13 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 3.5% [real] withdrawal for thirty years?
Replies: 22
Views: 2922

TrustNoOne wrote: Perhaps merging Firecalc with a mortality table would be a better way to go,
Another factor to potentially throw in is martially status. Assuming two people are sharing a retirement porfolio what are the chances of them both living 30+ years?
by PS 5@50
Thu Apr 14, 2011 11:20 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is Vipers Total Market the same as VTI?
Replies: 24
Views: 2435

Thanks Ron.
by PS 5@50
Thu Apr 14, 2011 10:34 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is Vipers Total Market the same as VTI?
Replies: 24
Views: 2435

Be wary. The published ER for the VTI shares you can buy on your own is 0.07%. What's that extra 8 basis points? My assumption is that the extra 8 basis points relate to this being bought through a broker. I certainly understand the importance of keeping ERs low, but sometimes we can take it too far. For this example let's say I purchase $25k of these shares. The extra basis points account for an increase of $20 a year. I want to look at the forest not the trees. My bigger issue is should I be using a financial planner at all. In fact I take it as a positive that he is suggesting low cost index funds and not some high ER speculative investment. Landy, thanks for the link. If I read this correctly it is just a different share type of VTI. PS
by PS 5@50
Thu Apr 14, 2011 9:54 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is Vipers Total Market the same as VTI?
Replies: 24
Views: 2435

Is Vipers Total Market the same as VTI?

All,

I've had a recommendation from a FA (I know, there will be another post on that issue) to purchases shares of "Vipers Total Market". From what I can gather this is an institutional share of VTI with an ER of 0.15%. Does that sound correct? For what it is worth the account is at Schwab.

Sorry for the basic question, but can't seem to confirm this information specifically.

Thanks in advance.

PS
by PS 5@50
Thu Apr 14, 2011 9:21 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: CDs or bank savings accounts vs. TBM index fund
Replies: 15
Views: 3110

nisiprius,

I've been off these forums for a while and just getting back in to reading through them to educate myself as I reconsider taking more control of my financial planning and potentially ditch my financial adviser. I wanted to thank you for your posts; I find many of them to be very insightful and your use of graphical depictions of your points really clarify things.

Thanks for your dedication to the forum and willingness to educate.

PS
by PS 5@50
Sat Nov 01, 2008 2:45 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 401(k) to Vanguard IRA
Replies: 2
Views: 1719

401(k) to Vanguard IRA

All,

I'm switching 401(k)s due to an company acquistion. My existing plan is through Mercer Securities. Obviously, the forms they sent me include the appropriate forms to roll this over into their IRA. I'd like instead to create a Vanguard IRA with these funds. From memory I seem to recall this board recommending going to Vanguard directly to initiate the roll over. Is that the prefered method?

On a related note, I have another IRA at Charles Schwab that was created from a former 401(k) rollover. I can just combine the two right? No benefit in keeping them separate?

Thanks,

PS
by PS 5@50
Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:44 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help with investment - short term home down payment
Replies: 9
Views: 2715

grok87 wrote: Let's say the money market account rises to $27,000 at the end of 5 years (assumes approx 2.5% annual returns) and the stock funds rise to $31,000. Then you sell the stock funds and use them for your house downpayment. At the same time you switch the 529 plan into stock index funds (using the same 60/40 mix hopefully). The advantage of this approach is that you have invested in a tax efficient way putting stocks in taxable (getting long term cap gains tax rates on the returns) and putting bonds/money markets in tax advantaged accounts.
cheers,
Grok,

And what if the stock funds tank? Then you put off buying the house? I think that is where the confusion is.

Thanks,

PS
by PS 5@50
Sun Oct 19, 2008 10:32 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Job Change Prompts Portfolio Review - Suggestions Please
Replies: 3
Views: 1034

Thanks

Easy Rhino and Laura,

Thanks for the responses.

Rhino, I'd say while I don't have any dangerous amounts of individuals stocks, there really isn't good justification for holding any of them, something I plan to rectify.

Laura, yes the existing 401(k) will likely get rolled into an IRA. I'm switching job right now, thus the questions.

I'll try to get her 401(k) options an update the original post.

PS
by PS 5@50
Sun Oct 19, 2008 12:19 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Job Change Prompts Portfolio Review - Suggestions Please
Replies: 3
Views: 1034

Job Change Prompts Portfolio Review - Suggestions Please

Hi All, I’ve been following this site for quite a while and have asked some specific questions, but it is now time for a full portfolio review. My mess of a portfolio is primarily my own fault. I’ve not really coordinated my different accounts and have a lot of legacy mistakes that I haven’t cleaned up. I have read a lot of the recommended books and am interested in pursuing a Boglehead investment path, even if my current portfolio belies that. I’m aware I need to get rid of a lot of investments, but thought it best to post what I have, prior to making whole-scale changes. Finally, I’ve been working with an AUM advisor, who is helping with some accounts, but not others. At least once a year we go through my other accounts so that he is not ...
by PS 5@50
Wed Sep 24, 2008 1:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 529 Rebalancing Question
Replies: 7
Views: 2204

Al, Actually, I have Option 6, a static option. Interestingly the allocations for this option are the same as ages 0-6 for Option 7. The link you provided is for Option 7, which does indeed rebalance. Myabe my answer shoudl be to switch to Option 7. The "static" options do in fact "drift with relative returns". The reason they can't state what the current allocation is because by its very nature it is specific to each account. These static accounts do not rebalance. Jason, not sure why they rebalanced your son's account on his 11th birthday. They state: In the age-based options the UESP automatically exchanges assets from one age-bracket to the next as the beneficiary ages, on the business day following the beneficiary's...
by PS 5@50
Wed Sep 24, 2008 12:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 529 Rebalancing Question
Replies: 7
Views: 2204

Al, I'll try to be clearer! The option I have selected, Diversified Equity, is split as follows: 50% Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Plus 20% Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund Inst Shares 20% Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Inst Shares 5% Vanguard International Growth Fund Admiral Shares 5% Vanguard International Value Fund Let's say for arguments sake that the international components get exceptional returns to the domestic components for the next few years. At that point my AA will be more heavily internationally tilted than originally planned, and I have no straightforward recourse for getting it back to the initial allocations. Does that make more sense? Again, I'm not convinced I'm concered about this, just wondering what other's thought. I ...
by PS 5@50
Wed Sep 24, 2008 12:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 529 Rebalancing Question
Replies: 7
Views: 2204

529 Rebalancing Question

All, I have two young sons (<2) for whom I have opened 529s in Utah. I chose Utah based on the expense ratio and investment options (5 age base, 4 static options). Given my sons' ages, our overall risk tolerance, and the fact that I'm not planning on funding all their college expenses out of the 529, I've opted for the "Diversified Stock" static option. My initial assumption was that I'd leave the funds in this option for 8-10 years and then reassess the risk profile as the kids age. In reading through some of the materials a couple things caught my eye: Money in accounts selecting this option will not be reallocated. All new contributions will be invested according to the original investment allocation of the option. Keep in mind...
by PS 5@50
Tue Sep 16, 2008 8:14 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to accurately monitor fund performance
Replies: 10
Views: 2338

Dan,

Thanks.

Paul
by PS 5@50
Tue Sep 16, 2008 7:28 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to accurately monitor fund performance
Replies: 10
Views: 2338

Thanks

Bob,

Thanks. Very helpful, now I can track NAVs by day. I'm fine plugging into Excel and running XIRR to get returns. Now the only missing data point is dividends. Can anyone help me there? Where can I find historical dividend data for Vanguard funds?

Thanks,

Paul
by PS 5@50
Fri Sep 12, 2008 4:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to accurately monitor fund performance
Replies: 10
Views: 2338

Re: Use Google Finance

Dan Kohn wrote:Google Finance charts will calculate the total return for any stock or mutual fund between any two dates. For example, here's VTI 5/6/2008 and 8/13/2008, when it had a -7.13% return.

http://finance.google.com/finance?chdnp ... VTI&ntsp=0

This is way simpler importing the dividend and NAV info and calculating the return manually.
Dan,

That's a neat trick, I hadn't seen that. Still doesn't really allow what I'd like though as I would like to add investments over time. I'm still heavy in the accumulation phase.

Thanks,

Paul
by PS 5@50
Fri Sep 12, 2008 4:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to accurately monitor fund performance
Replies: 10
Views: 2338

Roverdog wrote:How about this idea: The Vanguard site will give you NAVs and per-share distributions as Brad noted. Then use the XIRR function in Excel to determine your individual rate of return. (This should enable you to recreate history by specifying dates and contribution amounts).

Bob
Bob,

Brad didn't metnion how to get NAVs from Vanguard, that's what I'm looking for.

Paul