Search found 1337 matches

by LAlearning
Fri Aug 12, 2016 11:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Paying off student loans quickly versus investing
Replies: 23
Views: 3081

Re: Paying off student loans quickly versus investing

I think the OP means it won't be 6.8%. After refinancing to 2-3%, you will have room to do both. But I would still prioritize loans as they otherwise will just hang over your head.
by LAlearning
Fri Aug 12, 2016 9:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I am tempted to time the market
Replies: 36
Views: 4136

Re: I am tempted to time the market

Lost the OP.
by LAlearning
Fri Aug 12, 2016 9:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Longtime Lurker Finally Ready to Bare It All ;)
Replies: 32
Views: 4044

Re: Longtime Lurker Finally Ready to Bare It All ;)

50k/yr to Ameriprise? That single disaster overshadows any other hard work you do.
by LAlearning
Fri Aug 12, 2016 1:22 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I am tempted to time the market
Replies: 36
Views: 4136

Re: I am tempted to time the market

Good luck.
by LAlearning
Fri Aug 12, 2016 1:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Review ?
Replies: 23
Views: 2993

Re: Portfolio Review ?

Would get rid of volitilty and just have a more conservative allocation.
by LAlearning
Fri Aug 12, 2016 12:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: ROTH IRA Question
Replies: 13
Views: 1879

Re: ROTH IRA Question

No you can't "contribute". But you can "convert". Maybe.
by LAlearning
Fri Aug 12, 2016 9:58 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is there any reason to wait [to do a 2016 Roth conversion]
Replies: 21
Views: 2667

Re: Is there any reason to wait

The shorter than livesofts answer is no.
by LAlearning
Fri Aug 12, 2016 9:55 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Anyone else noticing the economy improving?
Replies: 78
Views: 8622

Re: Anyone else noticing the economy improving?

This has been going on for awhile. The pundits on TV want you to think otherwise.
by LAlearning
Tue Aug 09, 2016 8:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Crossover SUV to purchase
Replies: 146
Views: 31600

Re: Best Crossover SUV to purchase

That list is all over the place...you're not even in 1 category.
by LAlearning
Tue Aug 09, 2016 11:07 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard - why don't I 'feel' good about them?
Replies: 36
Views: 5161

Re: Vanguard - why don't I 'feel' good about them?

Don't move. Fidelity = Vanguard now essentially.
by LAlearning
Thu Aug 04, 2016 4:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Very late to the party.
Replies: 10
Views: 2503

Re: Very late to the party.

only in america is a millionaire retiree behind...
by LAlearning
Thu Aug 04, 2016 9:42 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 401K, IRA & Roth - Invest max in all
Replies: 3
Views: 720

Re: 401K, IRA & Roth - Invest max in all

No. It's total for both, split however you like.
by LAlearning
Tue Aug 02, 2016 5:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Save for a house or keep investing or both?
Replies: 7
Views: 957

Re: Save for a house or keep investing or both?

your happy in your parents house, so why do you want a house? and at 23? and in LA? ugh.
maybe move out, rent somewhere interesting, and save anyways.
by LAlearning
Tue Aug 02, 2016 5:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Suggestions for financial goals and planning
Replies: 17
Views: 3025

Re: Suggestions for financial goals and planning

why a sepira vs a solo 401k? otherwise you cant backdoor roth.
i think 50K in efunds sounds plenty. but you can pick any number you feel comfortable with.
by LAlearning
Tue Aug 02, 2016 5:41 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fund Selection assistance
Replies: 4
Views: 461

Re: Fund Selection assistance

total stock
total intl
int term municipal
by LAlearning
Tue Aug 02, 2016 12:20 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Iron Mountain (IRM)
Replies: 6
Views: 1057

Re: Iron Mountain (IRM)

Sounds worthless... Or worthwhile.
by LAlearning
Sun Jul 31, 2016 11:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone else sick of AT&T internet? Suggestion needed please!
Replies: 7
Views: 1191

Re: Anyone else sick of AT&T internet? Suggestion needed please!

call and get moved up the chain to supervisor level. then call and call again.
can you cancel through your account online?
by LAlearning
Sun Jul 31, 2016 11:13 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Stock Screeners
Replies: 68
Views: 8114

Re: Stock Screeners

bawr wrote:
mega317 wrote:
bawr wrote: I think LAlearning meant do you have proof that you did it. Evidence that you did it would work.
My record isn't long enough, and doesn't contain enough trades, to be statistically significant on its own. Interested parties would find it more beneficial to study the track records of successful long term value investors and the recent academic literature available on the subject.

This nice article by Warren Buffett might encourage some to engage in further research:

The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville

http://www8.gsb.columbia.edu/rtfiles/cb ... tt1984.pdf
so no proof.
by LAlearning
Sat Jul 30, 2016 11:51 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Stock Screeners
Replies: 68
Views: 8114

Re: Stock Screeners

bawr wrote:I use the paid service at valuesignals.com as my initial screener and then perform additional analysis using the free services of gurufocus.com and morningstar.com.

I mainly invest in individual stocks, with an emphasis on smaller value stocks. Over the past 13 years, this approach has beaten a passive investment in the S&P 500 by a ridiculous margin.

Any reasonably intelligent person who is willing to invest the substantial time and effort needed to learn and then implement a disciplined investment program, while avoiding common psychological pitfalls, will reap substantial rewards.
Do you have proof?
by LAlearning
Sat Jul 30, 2016 7:27 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Investing at stock market highs
Replies: 52
Views: 6941

Re: Investing at stock market highs

Put it in like you should have.
by LAlearning
Sat Jul 30, 2016 5:51 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Review
Replies: 10
Views: 1614

Re: Portfolio Review

it just looks like a random mishmash.
by LAlearning
Sat Jul 30, 2016 2:37 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: asset allocation too cash heavy: how to unwind?
Replies: 37
Views: 5780

Re: asset allocation too cash heavy: how to unwind?

i dont understand what you mean by "high level issue"?
by LAlearning
Sat Jul 30, 2016 1:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Total bond vs Muni bond
Replies: 3
Views: 744

Re: Total bond vs Muni bond

there is no 20% tax bracket.
i avoid van cal muni as i dont like my eggs all in one state. i gladly pass by the additional tax savings for that peace of mind.
by LAlearning
Sat Jul 30, 2016 1:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Tipping Practice?
Replies: 130
Views: 12887

Re: New Tipping Practice?

old crank it is.
move to japan, no tipping.
by LAlearning
Sat Jul 30, 2016 1:52 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard an external ETFs
Replies: 4
Views: 598

Re: Vanguard an external ETFs

well that was a fun google.
by LAlearning
Sat Jul 30, 2016 1:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Backdoor Roth IRA conversion tax question
Replies: 10
Views: 780

Re: Backdoor Roth IRA conversion tax question

just do it all at once. it will take you minimal time to save 11K (5500x2) as you make 19k/m. a savings account is fine.

contribute to tIRA for 2016 -> convert to rIRA in 2016 -> file 8606 for 2016.
by LAlearning
Sat Jul 30, 2016 1:45 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Stock Screeners
Replies: 68
Views: 8114

Re: Stock Screeners

go for it.

keep meticulous records for XIRR that you can post.
keep track of your expenses that you can post.
keep track of the time you put into this that you can post.

and we'll see.
by LAlearning
Fri Jul 29, 2016 7:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Never owned a cell phone.
Replies: 41
Views: 4183

Re: Never owned a cell phone.

And this is a thread because?
by LAlearning
Fri Jul 29, 2016 9:11 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Trying to help my retired parents
Replies: 16
Views: 2289

Re: Trying to help my retired parents

AlwaysAStudent wrote:Are they currently in the 20% tax bracket? If not, why do they think they will have to pay 20% tax on the 401k?
There is no 20% bracket.
It might be because he took a direct withdrawal vs rolled over to an IRA.
by LAlearning
Thu Jul 28, 2016 9:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Housing for newlyweds
Replies: 18
Views: 2497

Re: Housing for newlyweds

It sounds like there is nothing for you to buy.
by LAlearning
Thu Jul 28, 2016 9:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Costco rotisserie chicken
Replies: 271
Views: 55349

Re: Costco rotisserie chicken

Teague wrote:To break the monotony I'm training one I picked up today. "Sit" and "stay" are coming along very nicely.

:shock: :shock: :shock: ha!
by LAlearning
Thu Jul 28, 2016 9:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: google sheets - so frustrating...
Replies: 26
Views: 4095

Re: google sheets - so frustrating...

From your example it looks like you are doing it wrong ... A la Steve jobs
by LAlearning
Thu Jul 28, 2016 4:54 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: investing in fertilizer companies
Replies: 4
Views: 734

Re: investing in fertilizer companies

I don't know what you want us to say...
by LAlearning
Sat Jul 23, 2016 12:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to Freeze Credit
Replies: 13
Views: 962

Re: How to Freeze Credit

mrc wrote:
LAlearning wrote:You must have clicked something by accident.
Or not unchecked a box. Sleazy.
i mean, its called reading instructions.
by LAlearning
Sat Jul 23, 2016 11:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to Freeze Credit
Replies: 13
Views: 962

Re: How to Freeze Credit

You must have clicked something by accident.
by LAlearning
Thu Jul 21, 2016 7:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard PA Money Market
Replies: 2
Views: 540

Re: Vanguard PA Money Market

there is almost no reason to use a MM these days.
Ally is 1%. Start there.
by LAlearning
Tue Jul 19, 2016 11:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Taxcaster for state returns
Replies: 5
Views: 1836

Re: Taxcaster for state returns

make your own spreadsheet.
by LAlearning
Tue Jul 19, 2016 11:02 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: help me with bonds
Replies: 34
Views: 4382

Re: help me with bonds

if you have so much money that you dont care about working longer or cutting back spending, then do nothing.
by LAlearning
Tue Jul 19, 2016 10:09 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Voice Verification
Replies: 21
Views: 4392

Re: Vanguard Voice Verification

Usually not a good idea to use something that can't be changed as a password.
by LAlearning
Tue Jul 19, 2016 3:52 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: My 16 year old son wants to open a Roth IRA this year. Income minimum?
Replies: 17
Views: 2738

Re: My 16 year old son wants to open a Roth IRA this year. Income minimum?

KlangFool wrote:I would suggest Vanguard STAR fund to start. And, when the amount reaches 3K, switch to lifestratgy Growth fund. KlangFool
This was fine many years ago, but honestly there is no reason NOT to pick the TDF over STAR at the 1K minimum if you must be at Vanguard.
by LAlearning
Tue Jul 19, 2016 3:20 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Newbie needing help with 403b fund selection & rollover
Replies: 6
Views: 716

Re: Newbie needing help with 403b fund selection & rollover

I spoke with plan administrator and IRAs can be rolled into the 403b, however there are about 5K in fees if we don't wait until 5 year mark d/t the fixed interest fund selected(5%). We are both at 6 months away from 5 years. Is that a better option than moving to a non-deductible IRA? Right now we contribute to Roth IRAs directly (AGI ~170, and slow growing income with this employer). Will not be moving again or taking new jobs anytime soon d/t family situation & saturated job market in this area. I hope income grows more steadily at some point but I'm guessing we have 5+ years before needing to backdoor a Roth. Is that still preferred to roll into 403b? - excellent. move them in 6mo (thats crazy on the penalties sorry). - dbl check bu...
by LAlearning
Tue Jul 19, 2016 11:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Microsoft's latest "force Win10" tactic?
Replies: 22
Views: 3448

Re: Microsoft's latest "force Win10" tactic?

you could also just update to win10...
by LAlearning
Tue Jul 19, 2016 11:26 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Newbie needing help with 403b fund selection & rollover
Replies: 6
Views: 716

Re: Newbie needing help with 403b fund selection & rollover

#1) need to find a way to get rid of the traditional IRAs. would your 403b take them? then you can use a backdoor roth IRA given your income. if not, then you need to decide nondeductible IRA vs taxable account. #1.1) if not, then the iras need to be moved to vanguard or fidelity or etc. call them up and they will do the work. #2) max out your 401k #3) can you refi the SL? or pay them off from taxable before you reno the house. also use 3K to fund your 401k if you are spending too much. #4) desired AA looks fine. here is a sample portfolio: Current Retirement Assets: (430K). Left out taxable as you seem to want to spend/move it. 70% stocks with 30% of stocks international, 30% fixed income. # rounded to make easier. - US: 210K - Intl: 90K -...
by LAlearning
Tue Jul 19, 2016 11:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: mortgage vs investing
Replies: 43
Views: 2871

Re: mortgage vs investing

1) refinance mortgage
2) max retirement vehicles (spend from taxable to *move* money into retirement accounts)
3) then you can use the extra left over to pre-pay your mortgage if thats what you want.