Search found 2015 matches

by HardKnocker
Sat Jun 21, 2014 3:38 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Dave Ramsey - no small cap value
Replies: 22
Views: 3371

Re: Dave Ramsey - no small cap value

Don't take his advice about investing.
by HardKnocker
Sat Jun 21, 2014 9:42 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: flipping real estate infomercial work?
Replies: 20
Views: 2662

Re: flipping real estate infomercial work?

People like Russ Whitney have no moral fiber at all. They are complete sociopaths.
by HardKnocker
Fri Jun 20, 2014 10:33 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: If I am young, why not invest in a risky fund?
Replies: 45
Views: 5305

Re: If I am young, why not invest in a risky fund?

"If I am young, why not invest in a risky fund?"

It's not necessary. Why take big risks if it is not needed?
by HardKnocker
Fri Jun 20, 2014 7:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Calling all Cyclists... [help getting into cycling]
Replies: 71
Views: 9855

Re: Calling all Cyclists... [help getting into cycling]

Epsilon Delta wrote:
HardKnocker wrote:Cycling is very good.

Riding on public roads in traffic is very dangerous however.

Walking is not as exciting but safer.
There is very little evidence for these statements. This is not the place to hash out the figures, but it's also not the place for the displays of rank bias.
Do you feel walking is more exciting? Interesting. :D

180 lb man + 20 lb bike = 200 lb vs. (3000 lb car x 50 mph).

Simple physics. And riding with traffic means you get hit from behind which is a surprise! Ouch.

I wonder if some life insurance companies will start asking applicants if they are cyclists? They do usually ask if people ride motorcycles and skydive.
by HardKnocker
Fri Jun 20, 2014 7:04 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Warren Buffett 90/10 Portfolio
Replies: 7
Views: 1563

Re: Warren Buffett 90/10 Portfolio

If you have a few billion you can afford to lose 50% when the stock market crashes (and it will). You still have plenty and can ride out the storm.

I think Mrs. Buffet can handle the risk.

Your average Joe can't risk such a loss.
by HardKnocker
Fri Jun 20, 2014 6:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: flipping real estate infomercial work?
Replies: 20
Views: 2662

Re: flipping real estate infomercial work?

Those guys have been around since the late 70s/80s real estate boom. There were a whole bunch of these hucksters on TV then.

The techniques they describe only work if you can find someone dumb enough to use them on. No attorney worth 2 cents would let their client get suckered into anything they recommend.

Think about it. If the things they preach really worked why would they share it with you? They wouldn't if they had any brains. They'd be too busy making deals and getting rich. Instead they are getting rich selling their snake oil.

Here's a website devoted to smoking these P.T. Barnums out: http://www.johntreed.com/Reedgururating.html
by HardKnocker
Thu Jun 19, 2014 10:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Calling all Cyclists... [help getting into cycling]
Replies: 71
Views: 9855

Re: Calling all Cyclists... [help getting into cycling]

Cycling is very good.

Riding on public roads in traffic is very dangerous however. I recently took a long ride in my area and just too much traffic. I feared for my life at times.

A family friend was run over while in a group of cyclists. The driver wasn't paying attention and ran off the shoulder over a few of them. Serious injuries.

Walking is not as exciting but safer.
by HardKnocker
Thu Jun 19, 2014 10:06 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard website profile - real estate vs stocks
Replies: 4
Views: 769

Re: Vanguard website profile - real estate vs stocks

How can you do it?

Well, there are ways to do it but you have to think outside the box of plain vanilla "buy-a-house-with-20%-down-and-rent-it-out" for $100/mo positive cash flow.
by HardKnocker
Thu Jun 19, 2014 6:13 am
Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
Topic: Personal Life subforum?
Replies: 97
Views: 12461

Re: Personal Life subforum?

I'm not a fan of subforums.

So I vote no.

I have no objection to someone posting a question about a personal topic on the existing forums.
by HardKnocker
Mon Jun 16, 2014 8:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: College Advice [Getting CPA after college graduation]
Replies: 20
Views: 1751

Re: College Advice [Getting CPA after college graduation]

See if you can get a part-time job while in school with a local CPA doing grunt work for him on audits, tax work , write-up work.

It'll give you a taste of the CPA biz.

In any event the degree is useful in many ways.
by HardKnocker
Mon Jun 16, 2014 7:54 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: White coat investor: you're not as rich as you think you are
Replies: 21
Views: 5539

Re: White coat investor: you're not as rich as you think you

Take what you have and divide by two.

Mentally prepare yourself for when the bottom falls out of the market. It will happen and the experience is rather unsettling.
by HardKnocker
Mon Jun 16, 2014 6:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What octane gas do you use to fill your car?
Replies: 77
Views: 12398

Re: What octane gas do you use to fill your car?

Manufacturers tell you what octane to use in your car. It's in the manual.

Some cars prefer regular.
by HardKnocker
Mon Jun 16, 2014 6:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Watch battery replacement gone bad. What to do???
Replies: 15
Views: 2085

Re: Watch battery replacement gone bad. What to do???

Take it to your regular guy and see if he can fix it.

Did the first guy charge you anything?

If it can be fixed and the first guy didn't charge you anything or just a few bucks, forget it. Life is too short.
by HardKnocker
Mon Jun 16, 2014 6:23 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why don't we like Dave Ramesy's investment advice
Replies: 50
Views: 7547

Re: Why don't we like Dave Ramesy's investment advice

Hero worship can be a dangerous thing. Not a good idea to look up to these characters too much. It gets to be a like a cult.

Pretty soon someone will open a Church of Ramsey.

There are definite nuggets of gold on the Ramsey show. You just have to sift through the fool's gold to find them.

Similar to AARP. They have some real garbage in their publications too.

Don't be a blind follower.
by HardKnocker
Sun Jun 15, 2014 8:35 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why don't we like Dave Ramesy's investment advice
Replies: 50
Views: 7547

Re: Why don't we like Dave Ramesy's investment advice

Ramsey has some good ideas but some of his advice is colored by what fills his own wallet and not by what is best for the listener.

Some might say he is unethical, but me? Oh, I'd never suggest that.
by HardKnocker
Sun Jun 15, 2014 10:14 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: >$1MM saved -- thank you BogleHeads!
Replies: 21
Views: 4220

Re: >$1MM saved -- thank you BogleHeads!

Congrats.

A million is still a lot of money.
by HardKnocker
Sun Jun 15, 2014 7:40 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Market Timing - Real Estate
Replies: 4
Views: 1001

Re: Market Timing - Real Estate

There certainly is merit in taking your real estate profits when the bubble is large.

Buying low in real estate generally means getting a great deal going in, not necessarily when the market is bad. Bad real estate markets can last forever.

Better to buy a great deal in a rising real estate market than buy into a lousy real estate market that may never recover.

Real estate is all local. Every locale has its peculiarities.

I don't think you can compare the the stock market and real estate in this way.
by HardKnocker
Sun Jun 15, 2014 7:39 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Any Bogleheads here into real estate investing?(renting out)
Replies: 69
Views: 11735

Re: Any Bogleheads here into real estate investing?(renting

hiddensee wrote:
stemikger wrote:I'm also not handy and that expense alone would probably give me subpar returns compared to index funds.
Isn't that just another way of saying that being a landlord is partly working as an day labourer? You could just do day labour and invest your wages in an index fund, if you were good at it, and skip owning houses.
It's certainly another option.

If we had a time machine we could ask Donald Trump's father his opinion. :wink:
by HardKnocker
Sat Jun 14, 2014 4:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Geico? No, thank you...
Replies: 49
Views: 13976

Re: Geico? No, thank you...

If the basis of deciding which insurance or financial services company you use is based on employee compensation then we should all buy our life insurance from Northwestern and our mutual funds from providers that sell fully loaded funds.

I don't think Vanguard is noted for paying its employees the highest wages in the industry.

The efficiency of an insurance company's operations is hopefully passed through to the customer.
by HardKnocker
Sat Jun 14, 2014 4:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Will adding [air duct] returns cool the upstairs bedrooms?
Replies: 60
Views: 25033

Re: Will adding returns cool the upstairs bedrooms?

yolli71 wrote:
4. My attic has a ridge vent and a solar powered attic fan.
Do you mean a power roof venting fan? That's not right. One or the other but not both. I doubt this is your problem though with your interior cooling.

Wow, 70 degrees is really cranking the A/C. So it gets to 74 upstairs? That's pretty good. I would think with the addition of a room fan you would be quite comfortable (I keep my house at 78).
by HardKnocker
Sat Jun 14, 2014 4:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Geico? No, thank you...
Replies: 49
Views: 13976

Re: Geico? No, thank you...

I've had Geico for quite few years now. A couple accidents (not at fault). Service was always excellent and for me, the rates can't beat. I've tried. They have never catered to high-risk drivers. I've been dropped after previous accidents in years past by both Liberty Mutual and Progressive. For some Geico seems to be the WalMart of insurance companies. Their ownership by Buffet seems to engender negative feelings. Some people just don't like the guy on top of the mountain. Big and successful is bad. Human nature I guess. And there are always screwups by any company doing business. Unavoidable. The success of Geico over the many years means they must be doing something right. like Vanguard, a whole lot of people are doing business with them.
by HardKnocker
Sat Jun 14, 2014 11:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Geico? No, thank you...
Replies: 49
Views: 13976

Re: Geico? No, thank you...

Geico has always been for low-risk drivers.

I've never been able to beat their rates.

[OT comments removed by admin LadyGeek]
by HardKnocker
Fri Jun 13, 2014 3:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Will adding [air duct] returns cool the upstairs bedrooms?
Replies: 60
Views: 25033

Re: Will adding returns cool the upstairs bedrooms?

Hardknocker, reference the comment about attic vent not providing heat relief, please see literature with test results showing that properly designed and installed attic ventilation systems provide some relief from high temps in the attic. http://www.airvent.com/pdf/literature/PAVbooklet.pdf The benefit of roof venting on interior room temps is negligible. The air that is pulled into the soffit or gable vents and then out through either the ridge vent or power roof vent is outside temperature air. If the outside temp is 100 then that is the temp being pulled from the soffit vent under the roof sheathing and then out the ridge vent. Most power vent fans are set to activate around 110 degrees. Roof venting is mainly for moisture removal but ...
by HardKnocker
Fri Jun 13, 2014 2:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Will adding [air duct] returns cool the upstairs bedrooms?
Replies: 60
Views: 25033

Re: Will adding returns cool the upstairs bedrooms?

livesoft wrote:^That makes sense for a single A/C unit for the whole house, but the OP has a separate 3 ton unit for the upstairs.
The location of the thermostat for the upstairs unit is important. Is there a separate thermostat upstairs (the sensor must be upstairs too) or is it downstairs?

Regarding roof ridge vents, if you have ridge vents you do not use power roof vent fans. One or the other but not both. The ridge vents pull up fresh air from the soffit vents by convection. Using a power roof vent at the same time disrupts the air flow. Some roofers are ignorant of this. One way to find out if your prospective roofer knows what he is doing.
by HardKnocker
Fri Jun 13, 2014 2:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Will adding [air duct] returns cool the upstairs bedrooms?
Replies: 60
Views: 25033

Re: Will adding returns cool the upstairs bedrooms?

I have this problem with my upstairs also. I have returns upstairs but heat rises and cold air falls so they don't really work. They do work for heating of course. After many years of being frustrated I have found something to help. I place a powerful fan on the second floor landing and point it down the stairs and run it continuously on low to circulate the air from upstairs to the main floor. Now the upstairs is much cooler. I still have window units upstairs to provide additional cooling when the rooms are in use on the hottest days if needed. They are new models and quite energy efficient. You'd be amazed at the difference the use of the fan has made in my home. Before the upstairs air was just not able to circulate. The downstairs was ...
by HardKnocker
Fri Jun 13, 2014 8:06 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is the first million really the hardest?
Replies: 64
Views: 12334

Re: Is the first million really the hardest?

TomatoTomahto wrote:This thread reminds me of a fact about Donald Trump. I've heard different numbers of how much he was left by his father, ranging from 80 to 300 million. Even on the low end, I have to imagine that the 81st million must be easier to make than the first :D
I'd say for Trump it was closer to the latter. His father was one of the biggest landlords in NYC, having thousands of units.

The Donald took it from there and I am sure his father smiles down upon him from heaven.
by HardKnocker
Fri Jun 13, 2014 8:03 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Advice for parents?
Replies: 3
Views: 570

Re: Advice for parents?

Why not direct them to this site and have them read about the 3-fund portfolio?

Also their local library most likely has Bogle's Little Red Book or others by him.

Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime.
by HardKnocker
Fri Jun 13, 2014 6:13 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Jack Bogle: Accept market return for what it is
Replies: 14
Views: 3160

Re: Jack Bogle: Accept market return for what it is

Bogle: A refuge of sanity in an uncertain world.
by HardKnocker
Thu Jun 12, 2014 3:32 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Private company stock in allocation?
Replies: 6
Views: 1018

Re: Private company stock in allocation?

Tanelorn wrote:
HardKnocker wrote:I've always included this as part of my equities allocation which seems logical.
Agreed.
While it seems very stable it is not without risk.
Don't confuse the lack of pricing updates with stability. The fair value moves up and down with the company's prospects and probably the relevant stock market at large (whichever one that is). The illusion of stability is the same thing that makes people think their CDs or diamond rings only go up, that is until they decide to try to sell them early.
I receive price updates annually but it is all book value. I look at this stock as a bonus if it works out. I can live without it but live better with it. :greedy
by HardKnocker
Thu Jun 12, 2014 1:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Private company stock in allocation?
Replies: 6
Views: 1018

Re: Private company stock in allocation?

I've always included this as part of my equities allocation which seems logical. While it seems very stable it is not without risk. Any other opinions? Just checking my thought processes. Thank you. Yes-- that is the right place. Private Equity firms value their portfolios quite conservatively (or they should, I only know the European standard, and it gives a lot of discretion). Typically on an EV/ EBITDA basis at say a 50% discount to the nearest quoted equivalent. Venture capital firms tend to use 'last funding round' where rounds are usually Seed, A, B, C, pre IPO (it's never as smooth or as simple as that). Pre IPO rounds are normally done at at least a 20% discount to the expected IPO valuation. Once the stock is IPO'd the investors i...
by HardKnocker
Thu Jun 12, 2014 12:04 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Time to Sell Index Funds While Market Is High?
Replies: 37
Views: 5880

Re: Time to Sell Index Funds While Market Is High?

No matter what I'd decide to do, I do the opposite, because I always do the wrong thing at the wrong time, so I'd do the opposite of whatever I decided not to do, then I don't do that.

In other words I'd do nothing, but that would be something, so I wouldn't do that but then I would.

And then just keep to my asset allocation. :?
by HardKnocker
Thu Jun 12, 2014 10:06 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Suckered Into Whole Life -- What To Do?
Replies: 33
Views: 5247

Re: Suckered Into Whole Life -- What To Do?

Just bail on it and take your licks. Chalk it up to life's experiences.

It's a non-fatal mistake.
by HardKnocker
Thu Jun 12, 2014 8:28 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Any Bogleheads here into real estate investing?(renting out)
Replies: 69
Views: 11735

Re: Any Bogleheads here into real estate investing?(renting

YoungBoglehead wrote:Hi Bogleheads,



So I thought I'd ask people I trust. Is this a smart way to build wealth?

Thank you
Yes.
by HardKnocker
Thu Jun 12, 2014 6:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: As Bogleheads, a comforting thought for everyone....
Replies: 46
Views: 7215

Re: As Bogleheads, a comforting thought for everyone....

Cut-Throat wrote: I think I'm going to take my wife out tonight for a Filet Mignon and Fine Cabernet !...... Enjoy the fruits of your Labor!
And the meats. :wink:
by HardKnocker
Thu Jun 12, 2014 6:52 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "The Low-Cost Fund Arms Race"
Replies: 8
Views: 1568

Re: "The Low-Cost Fund Arms Race"

I wonder if there will be low-cost funds whose fees are so low they go out of business?

Will we see funds with negative expense ratios?
by HardKnocker
Wed Jun 11, 2014 11:56 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Edward Jones came to my door
Replies: 44
Views: 5698

Re: Edward Jones came to my door

I get home improvement salesman several times a year.

Also "students" soliciting for environmental organizations.

And Jehovahs Wtinesses.

And Mormons.
by HardKnocker
Wed Jun 11, 2014 9:59 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Edward Jones came to my door
Replies: 44
Views: 5698

Re: Edward Jones came to my door

I don't want to buy EJ but I admire someone who has the gumption to sell door-to-door.

A great (large) selling experience.
by HardKnocker
Tue Jun 10, 2014 11:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: A $1000 lesson on how manipulative salespeople can be?
Replies: 107
Views: 22533

Re: A $1000 lesson on how manipulative salespeople can be?

I have a bridge to sell. When can we get together?

:wink:
by HardKnocker
Tue Jun 10, 2014 11:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Child Life Insurance
Replies: 29
Views: 2906

Re: Child Life Insurance

[OT comment removed by admin LadyGeek]
by HardKnocker
Tue Jun 10, 2014 6:45 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: having trouble getting homeowners insurance
Replies: 17
Views: 2172

Re: having trouble getting homeowners insurance

The odds of your house burning down are slim in any event.

Do you need the insurance to satisfy a lender? Then you have to take what you can get unfortunately.

People in some states who live near the coast for example are really getting high premiums in recent years.
by HardKnocker
Tue Jun 10, 2014 6:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: having trouble getting homeowners insurance
Replies: 17
Views: 2172

Re: having trouble getting homeowners insurance

Insurance companies need a mathematical basis for determining their risk which is generally a population with similar characteristics which the actuary can use in his calculations. If they can't get a grouping they usually refuse to write the risk.

If a proposed insured has some unique or high risk characteristic then they may refuse to insure. For example, no fire hydrant nearby/proximity to storm areas/cancer/high risk occupation, aging roof/structure, etc.

Sometimes companies stop writing policies completely in certain area as they are too risky, too many past claims.

It's their money.
by HardKnocker
Tue Jun 10, 2014 6:32 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Private company stock in allocation?
Replies: 6
Views: 1018

Private company stock in allocation?

I've always included this as part of my equities allocation which seems logical.

While it seems very stable it is not without risk.

Any other opinions? Just checking my thought processes.

Thank you.
by HardKnocker
Mon Jun 09, 2014 5:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: House purchase negotiation
Replies: 29
Views: 3121

Re: House purchase negotiation

We know they DO owe at least 10% more than our bid and are in arrears.
I'd forget that house.

The sellers are in deep do-do. You don't want to step in it.
by HardKnocker
Mon Jun 09, 2014 12:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Enough: True Measures of Money
Replies: 28
Views: 3231

Re: Enough: True Measures of Money

Ex-wives, mistresses and child support take a healthy chunk.
by HardKnocker
Mon Jun 09, 2014 7:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Sell or rent my rental property?
Replies: 9
Views: 1511

Re: Sell or rent my rental property?

etowers wrote:Hi,

I would like some advice on what to do with my rental property. I am currently renting it out at below market rates to tenants who keep the place well and teach children with disabilities (in case some might wonder why I let it out at below market).
If your intention is to give to charity then perhaps you should stay the course.
by HardKnocker
Mon Jun 09, 2014 7:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Poll: Luxury and Happiness
Replies: 141
Views: 15932

Re: Poll: Luxury and Happiness

People who spend lots of money on luxury items are doing the economy good. They put their money back in circulation and provide jobs to all those who make and service the goods they are buying.

When I see Hollywood celebrities and sports stars spending vast sums for mansions, cars, and other things I think about this. Just think of all the people they employ to take care of all this stuff they buy. Many of them end up bankrupt of course.
by HardKnocker
Mon Jun 09, 2014 6:47 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Perfect Storm
Replies: 23
Views: 5757

Re: Perfect Storm

Sell!

Now!

:wink:

Image
by HardKnocker
Sun Jun 08, 2014 6:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What are you doing with the market at an all time high?
Replies: 95
Views: 11787

Re: What are you doing with the market at an all time high?

More important than ever to stick to stick to your asset allocation.
by HardKnocker
Sun Jun 08, 2014 12:03 pm
Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
Topic: Who are the Bogleheads.org heavyweights?
Replies: 127
Views: 15463

Re: Who are the Bogleheads.org heavyweights?

I'm INTJ too.

Everyone should post their bodyweight so we can know the true heavyweights.
by HardKnocker
Sun Jun 08, 2014 10:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How To Encourage A Young (Sensitive) Child In Sports
Replies: 115
Views: 14380

Re: How To Encourage A Young (Sensitive) Child In Sports

If your kid asks you to get him involved in a sport fine but otherwise it is not important to play youth sports at all. Not in the least. And don't be his coach either. Better to send him to math or science tutoring/camp. Umm, did you read what you wrote? Don't send him to math or science camp unless your kid asks you to send him. I did force my kids to go to the public schools I wanted them to go to, but that ended at high school graduation. Other than that, the only thing they were forced to do was say please and thank you and never call an older person by a first name. Oh, and kiss older relatives and family friends on the cheek when greeting them or saying good-by. However, we never forced them to make mano. Being forced to kiss relati...