Search found 26241 matches

by ruralavalon
Mon Feb 05, 2024 9:51 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Please Check My Portfolio's Asset Allocation?
Replies: 20
Views: 1647

Re: Please Check My Portfolio's Asset Allocation?

bleeding_love wrote: Sun Feb 04, 2024 10:44 pm
Outer Marker wrote: Sun Feb 04, 2024 8:24 pm Looks fine. This is mostly semantics, but in your head, I would think of Total Market and S&P 500 as equivalent US Total Market funds, and I would not be keeping track of tiny 1% slices, so, more simply stated:

60% US Total Market/S&P
30% Total International
10% Bond/cash
+1.

I don't know about you, OP, but it would be much easier to keep track of the math this way. This looks very similar to the asset allocation I intend to go with - good job!
+ 2. Looks good in my opinion.
by ruralavalon
Mon Feb 05, 2024 8:27 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Feedback
Replies: 7
Views: 1097

Re: Portfolio Feedback

Thank you all for the replies and the pointers to resources. I've updated the post with some information in reply to comments, but will repeat it here: 1. The rentals generate some $3k/month net of expenses (before personal income taxes) 2. We should be eligible for some $4k of social security (assuming current payouts remain in place...) 3. I own small-cap funds in the beliefe that they compensate the investors for extra volatility over large-caps by providing better returns, which they've historically done. That seems to no longer (or just not) be the belief anymore, though? So that's $7k month ($84k/year) from Social Security and net rent. I'm looking to save up enough for college for the kids and to retire comfortably. Today we spend a...
by ruralavalon
Sun Feb 04, 2024 4:30 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Please Check My Portfolio's Asset Allocation?
Replies: 20
Views: 1647

Re: Please Check My Portfolio's Asset Allocation?

For a quick education for a newer investor I suggest reading both Dr Bernstein's short pdf book If You Can , and the wiki article "Bogleheads® investment philosophy" ... I'm a huge fan of Dr. Bernstein's but that pamphlet has always had me baffled and is far off the mark of his own recommendations when it comes to asset allocation. (His general observations about investing and savings mindset are spot on.). Putting 1/3 each into Total Market, Total International and Total Bond overweights international significantly above its market weight (and has lagged US for a long time, though every dog has its day). A 33% bond allocation is not appropriate for a young investor with a long time horizon -- and Bernstein himself does not like ...
by ruralavalon
Sun Feb 04, 2024 4:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Irrational Pre Retirement Retirement Nervousness?
Replies: 25
Views: 3235

Re: Irrational Pre Retirement Retirement Nervousness?

It's very usual to feel anxiety during the shift from accumulation to deccumulation. A different mind-set is required.

If you have accurately analyzed your retirement spending needs, including taxes and healthcare, then you are probably good to go.

What are your predicted retirement spending needs including taxes and healthcare?
by ruralavalon
Sun Feb 04, 2024 4:13 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 401k Allocation Suggestions
Replies: 10
Views: 1191

Re: 401k Allocation Suggestions

Welcome to the forum :D .

For a stock portfolio I suggest:
Fidelity 500 Index Fund (.02); and
Fidelity Global Ex Us Index (.06).

I do also suggest a bond allocation using:
Fidelity Us Bond Index (.03).
by ruralavalon
Sun Feb 04, 2024 4:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Horrified by Schwab Platform -- Where to Next?
Replies: 71
Views: 11838

Re: Horrified by Schwab Platform -- Where to Next?

I was forced into Schwab back in November. I'd heard the UI is terrible, and that has been my experience since having the account forcibly transferred over. It's ridiculous, and nearly impossible to monitor investments in an organized or rational manner [emphasis added]. I had considered pulling all my money before the switch to Schwab because it seemed like UI aside, most research indicated it was best for long-term investors (and they offered a de minimis retention bonus so I thought I'd give it a try). However, it's now at the point where I feel the need to use a third party platforms that allow me to better monitor my investments because I'm not able to accurately keep track of how my investments [emphasis added] are doing easily throu...
by ruralavalon
Sun Feb 04, 2024 3:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Please Check My Portfolio's Asset Allocation?
Replies: 20
Views: 1647

Re: Please Check My Portfolio's Asset Allocation?

Welcome to the forum :) . I have little background information on fixed-income assets, so I'm especially open to any bond advice. What bond funds are offered in your employer's 401k plan? Please give fund names, tickers and expense ratios. Does your employer's 401k plan offer a Stable Value Fund or Guaranteed Income Fund? If so what interest rate is currently being paid, and what rate if any is guaranteed? Will you please review the information below to . . . . recommend future education before acting on this portfolio? For a quick education for a newer investor I suggest reading both Dr Bernstein's short pdf book If You Can , and the wiki article "Bogleheads® investment philosophy" see the link in my signature below. I also sugge...
by ruralavalon
Sun Feb 04, 2024 3:39 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best ETF/stocks strategy
Replies: 11
Views: 1433

Re: Best ETF/stocks strategy

Please provide this information.

Is there a retirement plan offered at work like a 401k, 403b, 457b, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, or TSP? If so is an employer match available, and what is the match? What funds are offered in the employer's plan? Please give fund names, tickers and expense ratios.

If any decent funds are offered in the employer's plan then it's probably better to make contributions to the employer plan and use the funds offered there, as a priority over using other types of accounts.
by ruralavalon
Sun Feb 04, 2024 10:25 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best ETF/stocks strategy
Replies: 11
Views: 1433

Re: Best ETF/stocks strategy

Is there a retirement plan offered at work like a 401k, 403b, 457b, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, or TSP? If so is an employer match available, and what is the match? What funds are offered in the employer's plan? Please give fund names, tickers and expense ratios. If any decent funds are offered in the employer's plan then it's probably better to make contributions to the employer plan, as a priority over other types of accounts. Wiki article, Prioritizing investments . Thank you all for the replies. It is now clear that I should not invest in those individual stocks but rather go with Vanguard or other ETFs. Is this strategy of shelling out $1000 every month for 4-5 ETFs a good idea for a long haul? This will also enable me to do DCA (dollar cost ...
by ruralavalon
Sun Feb 04, 2024 10:06 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best ETF/stocks strategy
Replies: 11
Views: 1433

Re: Best ETF/stocks strategy

Welcome to the forum :happy Hello: I'm a newbie here and posting a question for the first time. Apologize if this question has been asked earlier. I'm 51 and self managing my Fidelity account. I was reading an article on how anybody can shell out $200 per month and invest in 3 ETFs: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/markets/stocks/VOO/pressreleases/23328564/ to have a decent exposure to the market and a good profit long term. I've my account with Fidelity Bloom Spend Account (Brokerage account) and wanted to use this strategy. Also, thinking of extending this strategy to invest $1000 every month and spread it out to 5 ETFs ($200 each). Will this work for the next 20 years or so? What are the best ETFs to pick? Btw, it always intrigu...
by ruralavalon
Sun Feb 04, 2024 8:02 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Feedback
Replies: 7
Views: 1097

Re: Portfolio Feedback

I'm looking to save up enough for college for the kids and to retire comfortably. Today we spend about $25K per month, but this includes child care for a baby and private school for the 2 older kids, so should drop to about $10K/month once everyone's out of the house. Emergency funds: Yes Debt: Primary Residence Mortgage: 700K remaining at 2.85%. Car loan: 4K left at 1.9%. Tax Filing Status: MFJ Tax Rate: 35% Federal, 9.3% State State of Residence: California Age: 44. Spouse is 40. 3 kids (2-9 in age). Live in a VHCOL area. Total portfolio size is 1.5M excluding real estate, or 2.7M including rental properties (excluding 1M equity in main residence). I'm not sure how to account for those, so for now I've specified each security's percentag...
by ruralavalon
Sat Feb 03, 2024 3:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Investing 401k passively at Schwab
Replies: 6
Views: 740

Re: Investing 401k passively at Schwab

Welcome to the forum :D

Blackwater55 wrote: Sat Feb 03, 2024 7:27 am I have a 401k that I can now manage myself but it must be done at Schwab.
What funds or ETFs offered through Schwab are best to use for a passive (I'm thinking 3 fund) strategy?

Thank you.
I would first consider the funds offered in your employer's 401k plan, before looking to use the Schwab PCRA.

What funds are offered in your employer's 401k plan? Please give fund names, tickers and expense ratios?

Are there any fees charged for use of the Schwab PCRA in your employer's plan? If so what are the fees? There are often annual fees, or per transaction fees, and sometimes both.

. . . . .

By the way SCHF and SWISX are NOT total international stock index funds, they cover developed markets only.
by ruralavalon
Sat Feb 03, 2024 2:52 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I gained 21% this year so far in my IRA. What should I do?
Replies: 49
Views: 6169

Re: I gained 21% this year so far in my IRA. What should I do?

ValueTrade wrote: Fri Feb 02, 2024 8:42 pm I have a smallish rollover retirement account that is self directed. I made 37% last year and I'm at 21% this year so far. I primarily used 3x leveraged TQQQ and FNGU to achieve this. My goal is 20% per year. Should I just stop, drop and hold as cash for the next 11 months or is there something else I can do to safely eek out a few more points?
This is gambling, not investing.

I don't gamble, and I don't recommend gambling to anyone else.

Just stop. Take your money and run. Just invest in a very diversified funds with very low expense ratios. Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX) ER 0.015% would be a good choice.
by ruralavalon
Sat Feb 03, 2024 2:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Do Bogleheads "Buy the Dip"?
Replies: 136
Views: 12636

Re: Do index investors "Buy the Dip"?

followtheplan wrote: Sat Feb 03, 2024 2:13 pm
DesertGator wrote: Sat Feb 03, 2024 1:12 pm If you believe that DCA is a good strategy, and that marketing timing is a poor strategy, you can't logically like the idea of buying the dips with idle standby cash.
I mentioned in another comment, I don't have money earmarked for this purpose.

But, If I have $8,000 (of $10,000) in a HYSA for a new roof and there was a massive drop in the market, Could it make sense to take a portion of that and buy when the market was down?
How old is the roof, and what is its current condition?

If nearing the end of it's useful life, then NO don't use that cash to buy the dips. If the end of it's expected life is many years (decades??) away, then why are you saving up cash for this?
by ruralavalon
Sat Feb 03, 2024 2:42 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How are we doing and opinions on asset allocation - specifically bonds?
Replies: 14
Views: 1487

Re: How are we doing and opinions on asset allocation - specifically bonds?

It's great to see that you are debt free, and have had low living expenses (~ $56k). Do your annual expense numbers include taxes? I agree that you are "definitely going to have to do some more research on estimating healthcare expenses". This can be hard to estimate, but is very important. Just go ahead and shop for premium expense, deductibles and copays in your intended destination state using current prices. Be sure to allow for dental, vision and hearing expenses which will not be covered by many plans. Also include the cost of medication. What are your predicted annual Social Security benefits? I would not want to assess the issue of retirement soon without those critical pieces of information. Hi. Below are our balances and...
by ruralavalon
Sat Feb 03, 2024 2:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Do Bogleheads "Buy the Dip"?
Replies: 136
Views: 12636

Re: Do index investors "Buy the Dip"?

To preface, I am a newish (just over a year) index investor that holds a 3 fund portfolio which I DCA into. I'm currently reading the book "The Tao of Charlie Munger" and one of the stories in the book talks about Charlie & Warren Buffett having their own hedge fund. At the time Warren thought everything was overvalued so he wasn't investing and held onto his cash. Charlie however kept investing, and then the market went south. Warren, sitting on plenty of free capital, made his move. Charlie at the time, wasn't able to do that, and it was a big regret. While it will be said that what I'm asking about is "timing the market", and I couldn't even try to counter those comments with a rebuttal, so I will state now, yes ...
by ruralavalon
Sat Feb 03, 2024 9:46 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best bond options with Vanguard
Replies: 10
Views: 1730

Re: Best bond options with Vanguard

I have all my accounts with vanguard except for my work 457. The work 457 has bad bond options so I've been using my other accounts to hit my asset allocation goals. It would be unusual for a plan to have no decent fixed income choices at all. What bond funds are offered in your employer's 457b plan? Please give fund names, tickers and expense ratios. Does your employer's 457b plan offer a Stable Value Fund or Guaranteed Income Fund? If so what interest rate is currently being paid and what rate if any is guaranteed? I have 4 bond options in my 457 GGT Core Plus Bond CL R1 (CPHM) TIAA-CREF Bond Indx Instl (CFTV) PIMCO Income Instl (CFPT) PGIM High-Yield R6 (CFP9) Stable value is AUL Stable Value Account and I think the rate is 3.75% I see ...
by ruralavalon
Fri Feb 02, 2024 4:38 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best bond options with Vanguard
Replies: 10
Views: 1730

Re: Best bond options with Vanguard

I have all my accounts with vanguard except for my work 457. The work 457 has bad bond options so I've been using my other accounts to hit my asset allocation goals. It would be unusual for a plan to have no decent fixed income choices at all. What bond funds are offered in your employer's 457b plan? Please give fund names, tickers and expense ratios. Does your employer's 457b plan offer a Stable Value Fund or Guaranteed Income Fund? If so what interest rate is currently being paid and what rate if any is guaranteed? I have 4 bond options in my 457 GGT Core Plus Bond CL R1 (CPHM) TIAA-CREF Bond Indx Instl (CFTV) PIMCO Income Instl (CFPT) PGIM High-Yield R6 (CFP9) Stable value is AUL Stable Value Account and I think the rate is 3.75% I see ...
by ruralavalon
Fri Feb 02, 2024 2:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best bond options with Vanguard
Replies: 10
Views: 1730

Re: Best bond options with Vanguard

I have all my accounts with vanguard except for my work 457. The work 457 has bad bond options so I've been using my other accounts to hit my asset allocation goals. It would be unusual for a plan to have no decent fixed income choices at all. What bond funds are offered in your employer's 457b plan? Please give fund names, tickers and expense ratios. Does your employer's 457b plan offer a Stable Value Fund or Guaranteed Income Fund? If so what interest rate is currently being paid and what rate if any is guaranteed? I've just been using VBTLX and it hasn't been optimal at all. I've tried looking at other bond options but I'm a bit lost on finding what I think I need. I'd like bonds I can just hold to maturity so I don't have losses at the...
by ruralavalon
Fri Feb 02, 2024 11:08 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Assessment - Mistake with Shifting to More Conservative AA?
Replies: 17
Views: 1209

Re: Portfolio Assessment - Mistake with Shifting to More Conservative AA?

Good morning- I'm seeking feedback on my portfolio approach and if I've made a mistake recently when making AA adjustments. I'm wondering if prematurely shifted my AA from 90/10 to 80/20. Quick Overview: I'm a 38 year old who works for a local government in NC and currently earn approximately. I will do a separate post soon regarding my wife's accounts. I have no debt besides a mortgage (30 year, 2.5% interest rate). I have approximately $350K across my accounts. Roth 401K: $268K Roth IRA: $69K Emergency Fund: $12K My current breakdown of investments after re-balancing is below: Roth 401K (State of NC / Empowerment / Prudential) 19% North Carolina Fixed Income Index Fund / $34K (0.045%) 32% North Carolina Large Cap Index Fund / $115K (0.01...
by ruralavalon
Fri Feb 02, 2024 10:28 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard/Fidelity Funds - Splitting the Difference
Replies: 22
Views: 2244

Re: Vanguard/Fidelity Funds - Splitting the Difference

SmileyFace wrote: Fri Feb 02, 2024 8:52 am It is essentially duplication but there is no harm.
Another alternative are the Blackrock ETFs. ITOT is a great ETF that has the same basic performance as VTI and FZROX.
No harm, and no benefit over the short history of the Fidelity ZERO fund, 2019-2024.

I prefer simplicity, over using multiple duplicative funds.

welderwannabe wrote: Fri Feb 02, 2024 8:28 am I think the bigger risk is losing access to your funds due to a security issue, account lockout etc. That, in my mind, is the primary advantage to splitting up funds. Not financial failure/corruption at a given firm.
.
So I use a bank checking account, and have access to funds in the event of a security issue or lockout at my preferred fund company.
by ruralavalon
Thu Feb 01, 2024 2:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anyone rebalancing portfolio for 2024?
Replies: 28
Views: 4133

Re: Anyone rebalancing portfolio for 2024?

Happy New Year BH readers. I was kind of shocked that there wasn't as much market turmoil this past Friday. Even though the indicies were all in the red the last day of trading in 2023 results ytd were more than welcome. Do you plan on rebalancing but more importantly are you going to dump your losers and bulk up on your performers in preparation for 2024? I' in the process of lowering my holdings in the tech sector and temporarily bulk up on 90-day brokered T-bills as I suspect the market is overbought and in need of some consolidation. S&P500 almost broke a record which to me means when you come this high there really isn't further direction other than down. I am keeping the same asset allocation, 60/40. I am not doing any market tim...
by ruralavalon
Thu Feb 01, 2024 11:29 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Stock/bond mix for retirement portfolio
Replies: 19
Views: 1770

Re: Stock/bond mix for retirement portfolio

My husband and I at least 10 years away. Our retirement portfolio comprise of mostly before tax 401k ($2MM )in 80stock/20mix. I expect to have pension and rent income to supplement 50% of retirement expenses. My non retirement assets comprise of 1year on emergency savings at high yield savings/cds~ 160k and 70/30 mix in a portfolio of ~400k for general purpose savings (no specific time horizon on when we will use it) I know most advice out there recommend a 60/40 mix as you get ready to retire but when should I start adjusting the mix? Since I wont access my retirement money for another 10 years, my thought is to leave it in high stock mix to maximize growth. Since most downturn can last 2-3 years, we just readjust the mix a few years befo...
by ruralavalon
Thu Feb 01, 2024 11:27 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Stock/bond mix for retirement portfolio
Replies: 19
Views: 1770

Re: Stock/bond mix for retirement portfolio

My husband and I at least 10 years away. Our retirement portfolio comprise of mostly before tax 401k ($2MM )in 80stock/20mix. I expect to have pension and rent income to supplement 50% of retirement expenses. My non retirement assets comprise of 1year on emergency savings at high yield savings/cds~ 160k and 70/30 mix in a portfolio of ~400k for general purpose savings (no specific time horizon on when we will use it) I know most advice out there recommend a 60/40 mix as you get ready to retire but when should I start adjusting the mix? Since I wont access my retirement money for another 10 years, my thought is to leave it in high stock mix to maximize growth. Since most downturn can last 2-3 years, we just readjust the mix a few years befo...
by ruralavalon
Thu Feb 01, 2024 11:04 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: should I convert mutual funds to ETFs?
Replies: 7
Views: 663

Re: should I convert mutual funds to ETFs?

Hi, I've had all of my stock investments in VTSAX and VTIAX for years. I recently learned that converting to the ETF equivalent is a non taxable event. I don't mind that a mutual fund only trades once a day. I have no preference other than what will result in the highest return over the years. I know the ETFs have a minimally smaller expense ratio, that mutual funds pay out gains as a taxable event each year, etc. But is there a simple way to know which is better long term, or is there a substantive difference? If there's a significant difference in savings/return over the years, does this hold true for brokerage and retirement accounts? Thanks for your time. In my opinion there has been no significant difference. total stock market, 2002-...
by ruralavalon
Thu Feb 01, 2024 10:58 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Comparing future value of pension and social security
Replies: 7
Views: 910

Re: Comparing future value of pension and social security

I can't predict anything 30 years in advance.

Instead concentrate on establishing a high rate of contributions, using tax-advantaged accounts, investing in very diversified funds with low expense ratios, in a tax-efficient manner.
by ruralavalon
Thu Feb 01, 2024 10:51 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard/Fidelity Funds - Splitting the Difference
Replies: 22
Views: 2244

Re: Vanguard/Fidelity Funds - Splitting the Difference

RetiredAL wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2024 8:25 pm
whodidntante wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2024 8:15 pm
Charles Joseph wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2024 7:28 pm But I'm thinking that to spread the possible risk (are there security risks to the ETFs of a brokerage firm?) of holding all investment vehicles of one firm, I may split investments between Vanguard and Fidelity, buying FZROX (Fidelity Zero Total Market) and FUAMX Fidelity Intermediate Treasury Bond Index Fund) to replace VTI and VGIT. This would be in tax-advantaged accounts only.
You might be overthinking this.
+1

. . . . . .
+ 2.

Don't use Fidelity ZERO funds in a taxable brokerage account.
by ruralavalon
Thu Feb 01, 2024 10:42 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]
Replies: 5249
Views: 900112

Re: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]

Age 78, retired, no pension or annuity, my asset allocation is 60/40.

Total return of my portfolio is + 0.63% year to date (YTD).
by ruralavalon
Wed Jan 31, 2024 7:13 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: new to investing, what should I do first
Replies: 13
Views: 832

Re: new to investing, what should I do first

Welcome to the forum :D More information will be very helpful, to decide on what to "do first". Is a retirement plan offered at work like a 401k, 403b, 457b, TSP? Is there an employer match, and if so what is the matc? What funds are offered in the employer's plan? Please give fund names, tickers and expense ratios? Do you have any debt? If so what types, amounts and interest rates? Please simply add this to your original post using the edit button (the pencil icon near the upper right corner of your post),it helps a lot if all of your information is in one place. Hello all, i recently turned 18 and i would like to invest some money, i have created an account with vangaurd, but i am not sure what to do now/what to invest in. curre...
by ruralavalon
Wed Jan 31, 2024 6:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Investment Advice
Replies: 14
Views: 1829

Re: Investment Advice

billiebob23 wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2024 2:24 pm We're considering transferring our cash/emergency funds to an online Money Market Account with good interest rates. Would appreciate advice on this possible action and recommendations for good online sites.
In general you can get better rates with a money market fund, rather than a bank money market account.

Bankrate.com, Compare the Best Money Market Accounts

Vanguard, Money Market Funds
by ruralavalon
Wed Jan 31, 2024 5:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio review, please
Replies: 18
Views: 2504

Re: Portfolio review, please

. . . . . Tax Filing Status: MFJ Tax Rate: 24% Federal, 5.7% State State of Residence: KS . . . . . Taxable at American Century 3.2% AC Money Market (BPRXX) (0.58) 2.9% AC Intermediate TaxFree Bond (TWTIX) (0.47) 2.6% AC Journey Defensive Portfolio ~28/72 (various-incl. 21 AC funds!) ( ** ) ( ** ) These AC investments have a maximum combined ER of 0.9, incl. Roths below. Taxable at Thrivent 16.7% Thrivent Select Managed Portfolio (various) (0.37, plus 1% AUM ) Taxable at Vanguard 8.9% Vanguard 500 Index (VFIAX) (0.04) . . . . . Questions / Comments : 1. My burning issue... I would like feedback on my plan for how to move out of the 1% AUM portfolio: - Holdings include 21 different ETFs/MFs, 7 of which are proprietary. - Currently has about...
by ruralavalon
Wed Jan 31, 2024 4:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio review, please
Replies: 18
Views: 2504

Re: Portfolio review, please

The disadvantage of target date funds, or any balanced fund, is that its not very tax-efficient when used in a taxable brokerage account. Therefore a target date fund it's not normally recommend outside of tax-advantaged accounts. In a taxable brokerage account it's normally suggested to use only very tax-efficient stock index funds. So it's not possible to set up a simple one-fund portfolio across all accounts. When good funds with low expense ratios are offered in a former employer's 401k it's often best to keep the old 401k account where it is. She can do that and use the 3 low-cost, very diversified, total-market type index funds previously mentioned and set up a nice three-fund portfolio. The disadvantage to a rollover to an IRA is tha...
by ruralavalon
Wed Jan 31, 2024 8:49 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio review, please
Replies: 18
Views: 2504

Re: Portfolio review, please

What is the UNrealized capital gain/loss status and amount for each investment in the Thrivent and American Century brokerage accounts? Which index is used by each of those funds In her old 401k account? INTERNATIONAL STOCK INDEX (SFISI) (0.08) U.S. STOCK INDEX (SUSI) (0.03) U.S. BOND INDEX (DEBTF) (0.05) Can you link the fact sheet for each of those funds? I added a table of the Unrealized cap gain/losses to the original post for the non-proprietary investments at Thrivent. I haven't analyzed the American Century account yet. These are the benchmarks used: SFISI - MSCI ACWI Ex USA NR USD SUSI - Russell 3000 TR USD DEBTF - Bloomberg US Agg Bond TR USD I have PDFs of the Morningstar Fact Sheets for these funds. I don't know how to upload PD...
by ruralavalon
Tue Jan 30, 2024 6:42 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio review, please
Replies: 18
Views: 2504

Re: Portfolio review, please

What is the UNrealized capital gain/loss status and amount for each investment in the Thrivent and American Century brokerage accounts?


Which index is used by each of those funds In her old 401k account?
INTERNATIONAL STOCK INDEX (SFISI) (0.08)
U.S. STOCK INDEX (SUSI) (0.03)
U.S. BOND INDEX (DEBTF) (0.05)

Can you link the fact sheet for each of those funds?
by ruralavalon
Mon Jan 29, 2024 4:39 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio review, please
Replies: 18
Views: 2504

Re: Portfolio review, please

Welcome to the forum :D . Some additional information is needed. Which firm or brokerage is the taxable account with? What is the UNrealized capital gain/loss status and amount for each investment in the taxable brokerage account? What other funds are offered in her old employer's 401k plan? Please give fund names, tickers and expense ratios. You can simply add this to your original post using the edit button (the pencil icon near the upper right corner of your post), it helps a lot if all of your information is in one place. . . . . . In my opinion the better funds to consider using in his current employer's 401k plan are: 1) Fidelity 500 Index Fund (80% of the U.S. stock market) (FXAIX) (0.02); 2) Fidelity International Index Fund (develo...
by ruralavalon
Sun Jan 28, 2024 3:14 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Balance fund instead of a Financial Advisor
Replies: 24
Views: 2970

Re: Balance fund instead of a Financial Advisor

A number of Bogleheads are in PAS because their spouse is not investment oriented. What do you feel about just using a balanced fund like Life Strategy Income or Life Strategy conservative growth or Wesley and just withdraw as needed (assuming a relatively low withdraw rate) pair with RMD? Obviously, this would be less appealing if you are high income, but if you sit at 12% tax rate? In my opinion switching to a single all-in-one fund is a good idea. My wife had no interest in investing or desire to learn. Therefore at age 76 we switched all of our accounts (2 Roth IRAs and my rollover IRA) to a single fund, Vanguard Balanced Index Fund (VBIAX), so that she would not have to do any management of the portfolio if I died first. 1/12 of my Re...
by ruralavalon
Sat Jan 27, 2024 10:41 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to Invest 20K
Replies: 21
Views: 1852

Re: How to Invest 20K

Welcome to the forum :D Hi everyone, I'm currently 23 years old and earning about 90K each year before taxes. I've currently got about 20K in a HYSA earning 4.35% and I would like to invest this in mostly ETF's. I have a Schwab account and currently am investing in SCHX but would like to diversify my portfolio. I'm looking to capitalize at least 10% a year in returns, but anything above my current APY would be a plus. No rush to get rich, just want some advise on where to invest this lump sump since I don't personally know a Financial Advisors, or trust the AI generated ones. Any help is appreciated. Thank you in advance, Schwab US Large-Cap ETF™ (SCHX) ER 0.03% is a good choice. Thanks for your insight. Hypothetically, if I were to take ou...
by ruralavalon
Sat Jan 27, 2024 9:40 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Most popular boglehead withdrawal strategy
Replies: 117
Views: 12896

Re: Most popular boglehead withdrawal strategy

Oh yes, totally agree.. no pension here either. I skip past any threads or discussions that mention a pension too, since it totally changes the calculus around risk profile, withdrawal rates, etc. Pension is a mythical land that doesn't exist for most young(er) people. If you're so jealous of pensions, just buy one. Insurance agents sell them every day. Nothing magic about them. An income stream can be swapped for a lump sum and vice versa. Nothing magic there. The magic is getting one for very low cost (ie, nearly free) like they were in the "good old days" If someone wants to give me a 75% discount on an annuity though, I'd buy one. :) I think your memory is faulty. It's all the same pot of money to the employer whether it goes...
by ruralavalon
Fri Jan 26, 2024 11:10 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Principal 401k Investment options
Replies: 6
Views: 499

Re: Principal 401k Investment options

Hello, My new employer's 401k is with Principal. My previous 401k was with Fidelity. While checking out the investment options in Principal, I realized that its very unflattering. The options seem very limited. The Target date funds are all from Principal (Principal LifeTime Hybrid 20XX CIT with an expense ratio of 0.17%). The few other potential investment option I saw was Fidelity S&P 500 (FXAIX with an expense ratio of 0.02%) Index Fund, Vanguard Value Index Institutional Fund (VIVIX - Expense ration 0.04%), Vanguard Growth Index Institutional Fund (VIGIX - Expense ration 0.04%). Question is - which of these could be the best investment option available for my 401k. Thanks for your inputs. What other funds are offered? Please give f...
by ruralavalon
Fri Jan 26, 2024 10:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7638
Views: 1712846

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

The Talisker Dead, by J. M. Dagliesh.

On the Isle of Skye a teenage boy is missing, his parents seem unconcerned. "A brutal winter storm is battering the island, and it soon becomes a race against time to find the missing boy. Is he hiding or is someone keeping him from coming home? As the team delve deeper into the lives of the teenager and the deceased, they come to the conclusion that nothing is quite what it seems and more than one person has a vested interest in concealing the truth.

A closely guarded secret, lying in a shallow grave for years, is under threat of being revealed and no one seems willing to face up to their past." Amazon.
by ruralavalon
Fri Jan 26, 2024 9:53 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How much is owned real estate (primary/secondary homes) as a percent of your net worth?
Replies: 113
Views: 8869

Re: How much is owned real estate (primary/secondary homes) as a percent of your net worth?

lazynovice wrote: Thu Jan 25, 2024 6:30 pm One house worth about 19%. We have no liabilities, mortgage or otherwise. We count our home in our net worth. We won't stay in it after about age 70- 75. The proceeds less the cost of a new, smaller place or possibly a CCRC will become liquid at that point.
We also intended home equity as part of our planning for long-term care, chronic health conditions precluded insurance for long-term care.

At age 76 we did use the home equity to help fund the initial lump-sum payment to a Lifecare Retirement Home.
by ruralavalon
Fri Jan 26, 2024 9:32 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Post your Financial Milestone Announcements Here
Replies: 3606
Views: 562334

Re: Post your Financial Milestone Announcements Here

djtx34 wrote: Thu Jan 25, 2024 7:23 pm 49...finally became a member of the two comma club for retirement accounts! No debt except mortgage @3.05%. Just gonna keep truckin
Congratulations :D , stay the course.
by ruralavalon
Thu Jan 25, 2024 10:45 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How much is owned real estate (primary/secondary homes) as a percent of your net worth?
Replies: 113
Views: 8869

Re: How much is owned real estate (primary/secondary homes) as a percent of your net worth?

I think it's useful to differentiate between net worth and portfolio. I count my home equity (residence, not rentals) as part of my net worth, but I don't count it as part of the portfolio that has to generate income for me to live on in retirement. I do consider it my version of LTC insurance. My home equity is a significant percentage of my net worth, but mostly what that means is accounting for high property taxes that need to be covered by income from my retirement portfolio. Some folks include "imputed rent" as part of homeownership; I generally don't take it that far. To me, a paid-off residence simply eliminates one expense (rent/mortgage) while adding another (property taxes). It's a pretty good deal. But the percentage o...
by ruralavalon
Wed Jan 24, 2024 3:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I came into a lump sum - ideas ??
Replies: 15
Views: 2170

Re: I came into a lump sum - ideas ??

More information will be very helpful in giving you ideas on what you might do with your lump sum.

What is your age? Is there a plan offered at work like a 401k, 403b, 457b SIMPLE IRA, SEP IRA or TSP? If so is there any employer match offered, if so what is it? Contribute at least enough to get the full employer match. Contribute more if good funds with low expense ratios are offered. What funds are offered in the employer's plan? Please give fund names, tickers and expense ratios.

You can simply add this to your original post using the edit button (the pencil icon near the upper right corner of your post), it helps a lot if all of your information is in one place.
by ruralavalon
Wed Jan 24, 2024 10:48 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I came into a lump sum - ideas ??
Replies: 15
Views: 2170

Re: I came into a lump sum - ideas ??

Welcome to the forum :D . Congratulations on being debt free, with steady income, and with $40k available for investing. I recently came into a lump sum of about $40,000. Right now, it's just sitting in a standard savings account. I have steady income, no car payment, no kids, and a house payment. I put myself though college and have no student loans . I'm completely new to this world of finance, so please bear with me if I sound incredibly stupid. I'm not ready for the risk of the stock market. Can anyone advise me on where I should put this money? I've considered splitting it and putting $10,000 in high yield savings account (In case I need some of it for an emergency and have to access it right away) and the remaining $30,000 In a bond o...
by ruralavalon
Wed Jan 24, 2024 10:26 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Need a Rough Family Spending Figure: Basic Calculation?
Replies: 21
Views: 1200

Re: Need a Rough Family Spending Figure: Basic Calculation?

You can just look the amount spent annually from your checking account.
by ruralavalon
Wed Jan 24, 2024 9:52 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Financial Advisor?
Replies: 19
Views: 1977

Re: Financial Advisor?

Why do you believe that you might need an advisor? Higher net worth does not create an "absolute need" for an advisor. Hello All: I have been reading in periodicals and listening to financial podcasts about the need for individuals to have a financial advisor. I retired from public safety approximately four years ago, have a pension, 457b, Roth IRA, regular IRA, and taxable Vanguard Index 500 account. My wife has the same as me in a much smaller amount. Our liquid net worth is approximately 1.7 with 20% in high yield savings for emergency or unforeseen expenses. Our primary residence is worth approximately 1.5 and will be paid off in 3 years. I plan to convert my 457b from the municipal employer sponsored plan to Vanguard within t...
by ruralavalon
Tue Jan 23, 2024 6:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How much is owned real estate (primary/secondary homes) as a percent of your net worth?
Replies: 113
Views: 8869

Re: How much is owned real estate (primary/secondary homes) as a percent of your net worth?

mikejuss wrote: Tue Jan 23, 2024 12:33 pm Most Bogleheads don't count real estate values as part of their net worth. After all, you have to live somewhere. So if you sell your house, it's not as if you pocket the money and walk away, as you would be able to do if you sold a stock or a bond.
Real estate is part of net worth, it's not part of an investment portfolio.
by ruralavalon
Tue Jan 23, 2024 4:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How much is owned real estate (primary/secondary homes) as a percent of your net worth?
Replies: 113
Views: 8869

Re: How much is owned real estate (primary/secondary homes) as a percent of your net worth?

Mine looks like this:

RE Assets: 00%
Other Assets: 100%
Total Assets: 100%

Mortgage Liabilities: 00%
Other Liabilities: 00%
Total Liabilities: 00%
by ruralavalon
Tue Jan 23, 2024 1:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Most popular boglehead withdrawal strategy
Replies: 117
Views: 12896

Re: Most popular boglehead withdrawal strategy

I am 78 years old, and have no pension or annuity. I withdraw whatever is required.

In general I take the Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from my rollover IRA, and reinvest in a taxable brokerage account whatever amount I don't need for current spending.