Search found 150 matches

by mt
Wed Feb 15, 2012 8:07 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: SV and Reit Tilters Only Please
Replies: 60
Views: 4922

Re: SV and Reit Tilters Only Please

REIT 5% of portfolio
No SCV tilt
by mt
Sun Feb 12, 2012 10:05 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 30 year TIPs auction- real yield of 0.8%???
Replies: 52
Views: 5508

Re: 30 year TIPs auction- real yield of 0.8%???

I will buy some in the upcoming auction.
by mt
Sun Jan 15, 2012 6:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Donate or sell my 1994 accord?
Replies: 26
Views: 3378

Re: Donate or sell my 1994 accord?

I donated my old vehicle to the local YWCA. Rather than sell it, they transferred it to a family in need of a vehicle.

This makes a difference in how much you an deduct. If a charity just sells the vehicle, you can only deduct the amount that they sell it for. However, if the charity uses it as described above, you can deduct the Fair Market Value (defined as what you would get in a private party sale). For details on this difference see Instructions for Form 8283, page 3 "Qualified Vehicle Donations" at irs.gov.

It did feel good that someone who needed a vehicle now has one. Plus I receive a bigger deduction. Plus I don't worry about weirdos on Craigslist.
by mt
Fri Jan 06, 2012 9:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to stop a puppy from biting and nibbling
Replies: 25
Views: 3246

Re: How to stop a puppy from biting and nibbling

Here is what the Monks of New Skeeet recommend in their book "The Art of Raising a Puppy":
1) Quickly grasp muzzle and shake while saying "No!!" until dog whines. Then hold palm for dog to lick, and praise if he does. If nips again, repeat first part.
2) Pet dog, and if starts to nip hand gently place finger into throat to elicit gag reflex. Then hold palm for lick, and praise him if he does.
3) Avoid all tug of war games.
4) They also describe massage/dominance exercises in their book.

Using number 1 and 3 has quickly eliminated this for me while raising my two labs.
by mt
Thu Jan 05, 2012 5:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: upcoming TIPS auctions
Replies: 5
Views: 861

upcoming TIPS auctions

Anybody participating in the upcoming 10 year TIPS or 30 year TIPS auctions on January 19 or February 16 respectively? I plan on putting some money into both in a tax deferred account, because that is what my AA is telling me to do.
by mt
Tue Dec 27, 2011 6:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Value of time
Replies: 35
Views: 3040

Re: Value of time

I have someone cut the lawn, because I would rather go mountain biking after a long day at work and I would not have the time to do both. The ability to get a workout in is worth it to me.

The ultimate DIY chore would save both time AND money. The only example that I can think of is cutting my own hair. I can do it in 5 minutes with a clipper which is a lot faster than going to the barber. Plus it is cheaper. Probably pays for the lawn guy.

I could see how changing oil/filter might be in the same category as the DIY haircut, but I no longer do that.
by mt
Sat Dec 24, 2011 7:23 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: KISS - of death?
Replies: 18
Views: 3003

Re: KISS - of death?

I fully intend to rebalance and restore international equity (10% of AA in my case).
by mt
Fri Dec 23, 2011 8:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Movie night in recommendations
Replies: 269
Views: 29431

Re: What is your favorite movie?

The Fugitive.
by mt
Mon Dec 19, 2011 10:52 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Grok's Tip #11: Take Grok's pledge!
Replies: 188
Views: 33993

Re: Grok's Tip #11: Take Grok's pledge!

I can easily take that pledge.

When I run the rebalance numbers in a couple weeks I fully expect to need to buy more international stock (Vanguard Developed Market Index for me).
by mt
Mon Dec 19, 2011 10:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What song describes your life?
Replies: 67
Views: 5597

Re: What song describes your life?

How about "Ooh Ahh(My Life Be Like)" by Grits.
by mt
Mon Nov 21, 2011 10:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Way To Roast A Turkey
Replies: 30
Views: 4333

Re: Best Way To Roast A Turkey

I am a turkey hunter and have cooked a bunch of wild birds. They do not have as much fat so I had trouble with drying them out until I started using oven bags. I use Reynolds brand and fill the bag with the recommended amount of flour as well as chopped celery/onions/basil. I put the vegetables in the body cavity as well. I baste the bird with butter/minced garlic and cook it breast down. The bags come with instructions for oven temp and cooking time based on weight. Since going to this method all my wild birds have come out nice and moist. I would imagine that a store bought bird would be nice and moist using this method as well.
by mt
Sat Nov 19, 2011 10:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What was your very first job
Replies: 103
Views: 7907

Re: What was your very first job

I was a caddie at age 14. One of the benefits was free golf on Mondays. At age 16 I took a job as a pizzamaker, which was actually a lot if fun.
by mt
Tue Nov 08, 2011 8:14 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Just found out that I'm going to be a Father. Now What?
Replies: 46
Views: 5878

Re: Just found out that I'm going to be a Father. Now What?

Go buy a nice battery operated baby swing.
by mt
Fri Oct 28, 2011 11:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is is wrong to give your net worth on this site?
Replies: 33
Views: 5109

Re: Is is wrong to give your net worth on this site?

Read Your Money Ratios by Charles Farrell. It is an interesting book that looks at different ratios such as capital to income and mortgage to income, all indexed to age. I do not think anyone should take his ideas as hard and fast rules, but it does provide one a pretty simple and probably reasonably accurate picture of where one should be financially at a given age/income.
by mt
Tue Oct 25, 2011 8:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: med schools - prestige or economics?
Replies: 161
Views: 12338

Re: med schools - prestige or economics?

I can comment on military scholarships, since that is how I handled the expensive cost of attending a private medical school. The Army, Navy, and Air Force all have a Health Professional Scholarship Program (HPSP), which is like ROTC for med students but with less hassle. The only activities during schoool are Officer Basic Course during the first summer, then doing one clerkship/year at a military hospital. They pay tuition/books/fees and provide a decent sized monthly stipend. In general, you in turn owe one year of active duty (after residency) for each scholarship year. I did my internship/residency in the Army, then received a deferment to obtain fellowship training at a civilian hospital. My brother went to the same med school and als...
by mt
Mon Oct 24, 2011 4:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: med schools - prestige or economics?
Replies: 161
Views: 12338

Re: med schools - prestige or economics?

It matters some. Especially if you are applying in a different part of the country.
by mt
Wed Oct 19, 2011 11:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Clothing for -40 F windchill factor
Replies: 26
Views: 3432

Re: Clothing for -40 F windchill factor

Spent a winter in Alaska. I have spent more than a few days at -20 and have a few thoughts:

1 I second the Mickey Mouse boot idea. This is what the Army issued, and everyone wore them on their off time as well as on duty.
2 Balaclava. Get one (or two).
3 Wear layers, not one giant thick coat.
4 Layer hands as well (thin polypro liners, then wool mitten, then waterproof mitten shell.
5 Ski goggles.
6 Did I already mention balaclava? These are awesome.
by mt
Fri Oct 14, 2011 7:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: College advice to high school seniors...
Replies: 36
Views: 6548

If one is planning on becoming a physician, put MAXIMUM effort into freshman chemistry. It is the hurdle that weeds out the highest number of pre-med students. And it does so quickly and efficiently. By the end of the first or second month there will be a lot more pre-law/business types. Not to diminish the other hurdles(and there are many), but this particular one gets folks before they knew what hit them.
by mt
Sun Oct 09, 2011 11:29 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Am I Crazy to Pay Off My Mortgage?
Replies: 71
Views: 11744

In response to livesoft, if you pay off your mortgage early you will end up paying less in interest to the bank. So if you are using newly obtained funds (like a large bonus) to pay off the mortgage, you will then be able invest what would otherwise have been paid as interest to the bank. Granted, you lose the interest deduction, but in many (?most) cases if you do the math you will be better off paying it off early. In response to edge, I respectfully disagree. Having a paid off mortgage in the event of a disabilty or early death would be a huge financial plus for one's family financial situation. You usually cannot anticipate either scenario, like you can for retirement. And going into retirement without mortgage debt is sound reasoning. ...
by mt
Sat Oct 08, 2011 9:42 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Am I Crazy to Pay Off My Mortgage?
Replies: 71
Views: 11744

I paid mine off when Alan Greenspan firts used the phrase "irrational exuberance".

I am glad I did for three main reasons:
1) If I die, wife does not need to worry about mortgage payments.
2) If I am disabled, same thing.
3) I love having more to invest each month without a mortgage payment.
by mt
Mon Sep 26, 2011 5:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Has anyone survived a bear attack?
Replies: 157
Views: 20880

Lbill, You can buy holsters for bearspray cannisters that have a belt loop. I carry it on my belt when bird hunting, usually on the backpack straps when hiking/backpacking, and on my water bottle strap when mountain biking or crosscountry skiing. In certain bear infested areas like Glacier Natinonal Park I usually carry a second cannister in my backpack side pocket. Reason for that is stories of folks emptying the cannister on a bear and wishing they had a second cannister for the long hike back to the car. I have seen other people with 2 cans of bearspray on their belts, so I'm not alone in that. I have practiced deploying the cannister by removing it from the holster and taking off the safety, and it can be done in seconds. I have also ca...
by mt
Sun Sep 25, 2011 7:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: physician partnership question
Replies: 19
Views: 1979

Ditto on the comment about asking for contract changes. Assuming everyone has the same contract in a group (they should) asking for lot of changes is a good way to have your job offer retracted. I too know of instances where this has happened in my community. So it had better be pretty important if it was to be brought up.

I did not have a lawyer review the group contract (which changed a few years later anyway so we all had to resign).
by mt
Sun Sep 25, 2011 7:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: physician partnership question
Replies: 19
Views: 1979

I have been in a 26 member single specialty group for 13 years, and have a few thoughts. First of all, you should speak with ALL members of the group as well as any who may have left in the last year or two. You want to find out if this is an egalitarian group or of there are some members who hold the power. Beware of the latter. When my group interviews serious candidates, we fully share financial info. As the recruiter, I usually give out general info like average W-2, pension amount, etc. Then we have the candidate meet with our business manager to go over specifics. I would think most groups with 20 docs would have one, and you should ask to meet with that individual if it is not scheduled. Lastly, be aware that the group that you are i...
by mt
Sat Sep 24, 2011 10:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Has anyone survived a bear attack?
Replies: 157
Views: 20880

I spend a fair amount of time hunting pheasants here in Montana, and most of the places I hunt are grizzly habitat. In the 13 years I have lived here there have been two griz attacks on bird hunters, and a third happened a few years before I moved here. Two of the hunters shot the charging bears at point blank range with the birdshot and killed the bear (although the forward momentum of one of the bears propelled it onto the hunter and bent the gun barrel). The third hunter sustained a mild to moderate mauling and survived. I have seen one grizzly while hunting, and it was running away at a distance of 150 yards. I have spent a lot of time going over bear scenarios, and have read most contemporary bear attack books, including Herraro's whic...
by mt
Thu Aug 25, 2011 3:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wanting to buy a snowboard.
Replies: 9
Views: 1426

Around here (Northern Rockies) the stores usually do not put ski/board equipment out until fall.

I have usually bought new boards either at the end of the season (March) when they are on sale or in the fall when I buy last year's new boards on sale.

Usually there is a good supply of last year's boards in tghe fall. I would call your local sporting goods store and see when they first put them out and go the first week fo best options.
by mt
Thu Aug 11, 2011 1:02 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Why are TIPs having such a good run lately?
Replies: 35
Views: 5254

TIPS funds may be doing well, but if you want to buy TIPS at auction and hold until maturity you would not be saying they are "having a good run".
by mt
Wed Aug 10, 2011 6:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Today was a Really Bad Day
Replies: 278
Views: 58312

The title of the post is amusing because I was thinking the exact opposite during my mountain bike ride this morning.
by mt
Mon Jul 25, 2011 6:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 5 Days in Yellowstone
Replies: 39
Views: 4966

I live in Montana, and my favorite hike is Mount Washburn, via Dunraven Pass rather than the Chittenden Road.

I always carry bear spray when out in the woods. You will notice most backcountry rangers carry it as well. Only tourists carry little bear bells. Better is to have a loud coversation or periodically yell(seriously). I just let out a sharp, staccato "HEY" every few minutes unless I am in a big meadow.

Read "Death in Yellowstone" by Lee Whittlesey to learn about other behavior to avoid. You can find it in most gift shops.

Lamar Valley is awesome. The Old Faithfull geyser basin is surreal at dawn and dusk and highly suggested.
by mt
Sat Jul 16, 2011 7:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 10 year TIPS auction
Replies: 14
Views: 2311

10 year TIPS auction

Anybody else considering holding your nose and participating in the auction next week?

I am because my AA says so. I am purchasing in a tax protected account with no fee or commission. At least those assets will outpace inflation by a bit.
by mt
Sat Jul 16, 2011 7:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: swimming pool
Replies: 11
Views: 1764

What else to know? Do not have a pool if you have young children.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43781307/ns/us_news/

This story is not uncommon. I'v been a physician for 21 years, and by far the saddest thing I have ever seen is the mom, alone at the bedside of her otherwise healthy appearing (but brain dead) 5 year old minutes shortly before we took him off life support. An all too common story in hospitals across the country.
by mt
Sat May 21, 2011 8:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What would you tell your child to major in?
Replies: 162
Views: 25813

As a physician, I would like to address the whole issue of physician unhappiness. It is true, there are a fair number of unhappy physicians. But I think far more are very pleased with their career choice. Some of this depends on choice of specialty, and certainly some practice situations are more optimal than others. I suspect this is a question more about a particular person's outlook onlife rather than their work environment. Some (? most) of the unhappy physicians that I know well I suspect would be unhappy in engineering/sales/finance or whatever. Having said that, most docs I know seem to really like or love what they do. Some key traits I have noticed in well balanced physicians is a commitment to exercise, one or multiple hobbies, an...
by mt
Mon May 02, 2011 9:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Books with a direct impact on your life?
Replies: 103
Views: 17371

Endurance Alfred Lansing
Alas, Babylon Pat Frank
Fishing Yellowstone Waters Charles Brooks
Seasons of the Trout Neale Streeks
by mt
Sun Apr 10, 2011 1:11 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: OT: Upland hunting
Replies: 24
Views: 3122

Pheasants.
Black labs.
by mt
Thu Mar 10, 2011 10:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help cold feet
Replies: 21
Views: 4368

+1 for the chemical toe warmers. I wear them snowboarding even if the temp is relatively warm (30s). There are also full foot versions, but it has to be pretty cold to wear them (around zero) because they get HOT!!
by mt
Sat Feb 26, 2011 10:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommended reads for 16 year old wanting to be a physician?
Replies: 54
Views: 6327

I thought of two other good medical books.

Surgeon on Iwo by James Vedder. It is about front line medicine on Iwo Jima.

Only One Man Died by E.G. Chuinard. Awesome read about the medical aspects of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
by mt
Sat Feb 26, 2011 10:17 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommended reads for 16 year old wanting to be a physician?
Replies: 54
Views: 6327

The book that prompted me to go into medicine is Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank. It is about a group of folks in Florida that survive a nuclear war. A family physician is one of the main characters. The lesson I came away with was no matter what happens in the world, physicians will always be necessary. I should add that my interest switched to anesthesiology while in med school.

If he has an offer to watch a knee replacement that would be a good experience. I would not think it would overwhelm him at all. The general concept is pretty simple-saw off the arthritic ends of the femur and tibia and then cement on a metal prosthesis. Most teenage boys would find that interesting to watch.
by mt
Fri Feb 11, 2011 1:42 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How does Schwab do it?
Replies: 5
Views: 1680

How does Schwab do it?

Offer Treasuries at auction with no commission, that is. I asked a phone rep and he stated that they were doing this so that people invested other money with them, implying that they would earn commissions /fees from the other investments.

I was wondering if anyone knew if the Schwab receives a fee from the government for serving as an intermediary for Treasury auctions. I find it believe they are not getting paid somehow.
by mt
Sat Jan 29, 2011 10:17 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Grok's tip 5:To keep real wealth skip Gold, buy TIPs
Replies: 117
Views: 41914

I'm not interested in gold for two reasons.

One, I'm not going for the PERFECT asset allocation. I prefer a simpler AA with fewer members.

Two, I care about the health of rivers and few things will kill off a river quicker than a gold mine. In fact, my home state of Montana passed an initiative in 1998 banning cyanide use in gold mines. I realize I own other companies that may not qualify as environmentally friendly in my Total Stock Market Index funds. But it is not as in your face as would be having say 3% of AA in gold mining companies.

So I'll continue to use TIPS.
by mt
Mon Jan 24, 2011 7:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Physician changing practices. What should we think about?
Replies: 10
Views: 2129

I would not agree that it common for physicians to be able to dictate special terms. Most groups, including mine, are take the offer as is or not. In fact, if a prospective partner spends a lot of time asking about special terms that would be a warning sign to us that maybe they would be difficult to work with (based on past experience). My group is exceedingly fair, though.

It will depend on what special skills a physician has. Obviously, a difficult to recruit pediatric cardiac surgeon can bargain with with a practice/hospital more so than would a family practice physician in a location that usually does not have trouble recruiting.
by mt
Mon Jan 24, 2011 7:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Are you young, conservative and risk averse investor?
Replies: 46
Views: 6119

Sorry, I meant to say I am young, not I have young.
by mt
Mon Jan 24, 2011 7:02 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Are you young, conservative and risk averse investor?
Replies: 46
Views: 6119

I have young and have 50% in equities. I don't lose any sleep over this at all. We live far below our ,eans and save a lot, so we can afford to be conservative and still reach our goals.
by mt
Sun Jan 23, 2011 10:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Non frugal vice
Replies: 107
Views: 16318

Floating rivers in Alaska. But I almost always use miles to get a free ticket up there.
by mt
Sat Jan 15, 2011 9:35 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 529 plans and expected college costs
Replies: 25
Views: 2882

In state tuition in my state is 15K, private schools are up to 50K, and out of state tuition runs around 35K. I'm targeting the latter. Kind of a middle of the road plan.
by mt
Fri Jan 14, 2011 10:40 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: The pain of rebalancing into bonds (low yields & risk, t
Replies: 43
Views: 6805

I don't think a 10 year TIPS earning 1% above inflation in a tax protected account is looking to bad at this point. I've adjusted my AA slightly due to age and am buying a few of these.
by mt
Fri Jan 14, 2011 10:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Calling all MDs! Help with first contract...
Replies: 16
Views: 3480

Ask your attorney how whether you need to worry about a noncompete clause or not. In my state (Montana), several physicians have left groups with noncompete clauses and continued to practice in town. It seems that they are difficult to enforce here.
by mt
Thu Jan 13, 2011 10:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: how many of you are distance runners?
Replies: 75
Views: 9513

I do not particularly care for running. I prefer to skate ski or mountain bike.

I have done a few ski marathons, longest was 50 km. Going to Sun Valley in a couple weeks to do a 32 km race.
by mt
Sun Jan 09, 2011 7:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Training a Dog
Replies: 60
Views: 7933

My suggestion will not help the poster with an older dog, but for readers who will be getting a puppy I highly recommend "Game Dog" by Richard Wolters. It is written for training hunting dogs (specifically retrievers) but the very beginning would be useful for any dog owner, and the later parts about hunting can be ignored. The early part that relates to any dog owner has to do with discipline. Essentially, he advises teaching the dog SIT, STAY, and COME very early. How many times have you seen a person out walking a dog off leash yelling "Fluffy come her, Fluffy come here" with no response from Fluffy. This is because Fluffy does not know any one syllable commands. If a dog knows SIT, STAY, and COME they will be way bet...
by mt
Mon Dec 27, 2010 8:23 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 10 year TIPS
Replies: 8
Views: 2244

Thank you everyone for the responses. I feel better about accepting 1% on a 10 year TIPS at this point in time.

Paulob, Schwab does not charge a commission on US treasuries purchased at auction when done online.
by mt
Sun Dec 26, 2010 10:44 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 10 year TIPS
Replies: 8
Views: 2244

10 year TIPS

I've been visiting this site for a while and this is my first post. I have decided to increase my allocation of TIPS from 10 to 20%. I will be doing this over time by buying at auction with no brokerage fee in a tax sheltered account. What is a reasonable yield above inflation for a 10 year TIPS given the above. My feeling is that 1% is reasonable given the current low rate of return of many fixed income investments. I think that this low rate environment is likely to persist for at least a few years given the Feds desire to stimulate borrowing by forcing rates low. I would rather receive 2-3% (above inflation) but don't see that happening anytime soon. Given the job of this portion of the portfolio is to protect against inflation as well a...