Search found 819 matches

by Church Lady
Wed Jun 10, 2020 2:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Evaluating lump sum pension offer
Replies: 67
Views: 4669

Re: Evaluating lump sum pension offer

In my state, pension income enjoys certain legal protections, and is tax advantaged. Investment income and tIRA, 401K distributions are not. Have you looked into this? Here's a free calculator you should look at. www.i-orp.com. Click the Extended ORP tab and have at it. It can model things specific to your situation in a way Firecalc cannot. I wouldn't bet my future on a single calculator (e.g. Firecalc or i-orp). The more the merrier, I always say. A pension is a bet (a) that your pension check or PBGC will survive as long as you do. An annuity is a bet (b) on an insurance company surviving as long as you do. A lump sum is a bet (c) on you (and the surviving spouse) out-managing a pension fund. Do you have substantial investment accounts? ...
by Church Lady
Fri Jun 05, 2020 11:01 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Productivity as an older adult
Replies: 13
Views: 1645

Re: Productivity as an older adult

Retired, and coasting. :D

Frankly, I was burned out. Eventually, I'll recover, but hopefully not to burn myself out again.
by Church Lady
Mon Jun 01, 2020 1:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Selling a house - should it be staged or left empty?
Replies: 48
Views: 5158

Re: Selling a house - should it be staged or left empty?

I have no idea whether you should stage or not, BUT if you do go empty, do clean, patch, and paint every surface. Light, airy colors (not necessarily what you want to live with) that the buyer can paint over with their choice of color.

I saw one empty home that had been freshly painted 100% white on the interior. White fixtures, too. It looked fresh, clean, and fabulous!
by Church Lady
Mon Jun 01, 2020 1:16 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Same issuer, different preferreds. Is it a wash sale?
Replies: 2
Views: 415

Same issuer, different preferreds. Is it a wash sale?

Hi, I am currently holding a preferred stock, "X" series E, in my taxable account. I am down about 5.6% on this holding. The annual dividend is $1.59, callable October, 2021. The same issuer offers series D shares, annual dividend $1.75, callable March, 2022; and series F shares, $1.65 annual dividend, callable February, 2023. If I sell the series E shares and buy either the D or F series, can I claim the loss, or would the IRS consider preferred shares by the same issuer to be substantially identical, resulting in a wash sale? Here is the same information in tabular form. The preferreds are all issued by the same company. Series dividend callable A 1.59 6/2021 B 1.56 10/2020 C 1.66 2/2021 D 1.75 3/2022 E 1.59 10/2021 <=== I am he...
by Church Lady
Mon May 18, 2020 10:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Choices of and precautions at hotels in this summer
Replies: 52
Views: 3719

Re: Choices of and precautions at hotels in this summer

A window or sliding door that opens would be very useful, as risk of infection increases in poorly ventilated spaces. Open that window and leave it open for your entire stay.

The virus can be suspended in the air for hours, then tends to drop to the floor. Don't walk barefoot. Sanitize items you put on the floor, such as suitcases and the soles of shoes.

And remember, the remote control is filthy! It's never cleaned! Put it inside a plastic bag.
by Church Lady
Mon May 18, 2020 8:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Reel Grass Mower
Replies: 36
Views: 3304

Re: Reel Grass Mower

I have a Fiskars momentum reel mover I got at Lowes. It is self-sharpening. I don't think I would buy a reel mower that was not self sharpening.

I am not the least bit athletic. My lawn is flat and not that big. When the weather is cold or mild, I really don't mind the exercise. As others have said, you have to keep up with the lawn or you will end up calling your lawn guy. You are supposed to avoid getting the mower wet. This can be an issue in summer time when the grass grows very quickly and it rains often.

Last year, I had a lawn service every other week. I would mow between lawn service visits. It's not bad looking when I do it. The lawn guy does a noticeably better job though.
by Church Lady
Mon May 18, 2020 8:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Discarding old tax returns
Replies: 62
Views: 7090

Re: Discarding old tax returns

The tax booklet no one reads says the statute of limitations is seven years, but no limitation in the case of fraud. Since you could be accused of fraud without actually being guilty of fraud, you might want to keep that stuff forever. FYI, this is what the 2019 2040 instructions state: How Long Should Records Be Kept? Keep a copy of your tax return, worksheets you used, and records of all items appearing on it (such as Forms W-2 and 1099) until the statute of limitations runs out for that return. Usually, this is 3 years from the date the return was due or filed or 2 years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. You should keep some records longer. For example, keep property records (including those on your home) as long as th...
by Church Lady
Mon May 18, 2020 8:08 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Is this Harry's portfolio or not?
Replies: 2
Views: 596

Re: Is this Harry's portfolio or not?

Here is Harry Browne's portfolio:

https://portfoliocharts.com/portfolio/p ... portfolio/

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/pe ... tfolio.asp

And here is Harry:
https://harrybrowne.org/PermanentPortfolioResults.htm

The portfolio you posted is an expensive mutual fund.

You can roll your own
out of ETFs or mutual funds for a lot less :dollar.
by Church Lady
Mon May 18, 2020 4:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Discarding old tax returns
Replies: 62
Views: 7090

Re: Discarding old tax returns

Decades ago, I was advised to keep tax returns forever, although after a few years you could throw away the instruction booklet.

The tax booklet no one reads says the statute of limitations is seven years, but no limitation in the case of fraud. Since you could be accused of fraud without actually being guilty of fraud, you might want to keep that stuff forever.

Today, in 2020, I would certainly keep any tax return that involves form 8606 or other IRA or 401K documentation forever.

Some speak of 'scanning' and 'digital'. I know nothing of that craft :D , but if space is an issue, you might want to look into it.
by Church Lady
Mon May 18, 2020 3:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What kind of sunglasses?
Replies: 110
Views: 9721

Re: What kind of sunglasses?

Informative video about selecting sunglasses:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97bMX7KV8d4
by Church Lady
Thu May 14, 2020 11:45 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Should stocks/bonds mix be based on goals, risk tolerance, or maximizing return?
Replies: 11
Views: 987

Re: Should stocks/bonds mix be based on goals, risk tolerance, or maximizing return?

Years ago, I read advice to this effect: unless you are pathologically aggressive, or pathologically conservative, you should let your time horizon guide your asset allocation. This made more sense to me than trying to predict my risk tolerance, so that's what I did.

You won't know your risk tolerance until something like 2008-2009 comes along. What we have today is bad, but (so far) it is not 2008-2009 in terms of point drop. If you think this year is bad, maybe your risk tolerance isn't as high as you thought.

So I'm saying #2 is out. Time Horizon is closely tied to 'goals'.
by Church Lady
Thu May 14, 2020 9:20 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Mutual Fund Platform EOL
Replies: 245
Views: 12119

Re: Vanguard Mutual Fund Platform EOL

Still have not received any notice from Vanguard about switching over to brokerage account. Ever!
by Church Lady
Wed May 13, 2020 8:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 30 vs 15 year mortgages in today's enviroment
Replies: 7
Views: 1276

Re: 30 vs 15 year mortgages in today's enviroment

I see three reasons you should go for the 30 year fixed rate mortgage with 20% down. 1) You have 25 years until retirement. That's a lot of time to put the difference between a 15 year mortgage payment and a 30 year mortgage payment to work. 2) Inflation. As you are aware, inflation pays your debt for you. It's also good to hold goods in an inflationary environment. We may experience some deflation, but for 30 years? Are we Japan? 3) Rates are low. Sure you pay more interest with a 30 year mortgage, but nothing like even ten years ago. 4) Smaller payment will be easier to manage if your circumstances change. Reasons for 15 year mortgage. 1.You'll get 25 - 15 = 10 years to invest that retired mortgage payment. (But historically, it is better...
by Church Lady
Wed May 13, 2020 7:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does Delaying Social Security Deliver an 8% Return?
Replies: 92
Views: 8773

Re: Does Delaying Social Security Deliver an 8% Return?

Delaying Social Security past your Full Retirement Age up until age 70 increases the payout by 8% in that interim. Delaying SS from age 62 to FRA increases the payout, but by a smaller percentage each year. You could alternatively say the payout reduction decreases as you approach FRA, and that is how SS looks at it. But for planning purposes, I prefer to think of it as the benefit increasing each year I delay past age 62. In my case, delaying Social Security to age 63 increases my benefit by 5%. To age 64, by 5.5% (over the prior year). To age 65, by 6.7%. And so on, up to FRA. Better than a sharp stick in the eye, but not 8% a year. A lot of writers and posters don't seem to be aware you have to wait until FRA to start seeing 8% increases...
by Church Lady
Wed May 13, 2020 12:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dentist charges $10 for PPE
Replies: 240
Views: 16502

Re: Dentist charges $10 for PPE

Yes, they should be wearing PPE anyway. It is possible it does cost $10 to pay for PPE now as vendors of PPE are price gouging. This morning on TV I saw 10 "non medical" masks being advertised for $29 and change. In January, I picked up 10 of same from the $ store. Outrageous!

You should call your insurance provider and complain. It may be they have violated the contract. At the very least, you will find out if your dentist is allowed to up charge.
by Church Lady
Sat May 09, 2020 4:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Quitting a job after two weeks: relocation expenses
Replies: 196
Views: 22363

Re: Quitting a job after two weeks: relocation expenses

What did you think would happen? You were going to get 3x the pay and have the same amount of work as before? Thats not how it works. Do what others said...do not quit, let them fire you. Stop working 100 hour weeks. This is a good lesson. Grass is not always greener. Dagerous game getting fired with cause. Oftentimes that means you are not eligible for unemployment benefits (unless it is a layoff not for cause which is different). Also could negatively impact a job search as every employer I ever had contacted my previous employer. If it's a short duration, you can just leave it out on your resume. Say you went on a gap year or something like that. Or covid-19! You could say the $ wasn't worth the risk to your elderly relatives. Or you we...
by Church Lady
Sat May 09, 2020 3:39 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Buy Home for Virus-Isolation, Tax Reduction, and Possible Rental
Replies: 14
Views: 1890

Re: Buy Home for Virus-Isolation, Tax Reduction, and Possible Rental

I was a renter for nearly 40 years. I am a home owner now. I feel safer from covid in my house than I would at any apartment I have ever lived in. But ... I would not go through the hassle and expense of buying, furnishing, maintaining a house if I only needed it for one or two years. You have money, but you don't have money to burn. If you sell up to travel after a year, you'll probably lose money. The big risk of home ownership and mortgage that no one mentions is deflation. If we get deflation, the mortgage will be an albatross around your neck. You'll watch in horror as your house is worth less and less as the months go by. You'll want to sell, but no one will want to buy a house this year when it will be cheaper next year. You could be...
by Church Lady
Sat May 09, 2020 2:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Rocks or Mulch?
Replies: 37
Views: 3120

Re: Rocks or Mulch?

I have Loriope. It is drought tolerant and gets no attention from me at all. It does spread, but not that quickly. You can keep up with it by pulling weeds. You can also mow it quite easily. Once in a while, the leaves get 'rust' which you cure by mowing it down, bagging leaves, and letting it grow back. Or you can ignore the rust as I do. Loriope doesn't care!

It grows quite dense and I don't see much growing up in the Loriope bed.

Your state probably has a Master Gardener program that could provide advice more tailored to your area.

Good luck!
by Church Lady
Sat May 09, 2020 2:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Quitting a job after two weeks: relocation expenses
Replies: 196
Views: 22363

Re: Quitting a job after two weeks: relocation expenses

50K/1.2M = 4.16% of your net worth? It does seem steep, but probably cheaper than a major medical issue due to the demands of the job.

I don't know whether you should tough it out or go. But if you do go, you can use covid-19 as an excuse for walking out on the job. "'The risk to my grandma wasn't worth the money".

Good luck, whatever you decide!
by Church Lady
Sat May 09, 2020 1:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Quitting a job after two weeks: relocation expenses
Replies: 196
Views: 22363

Re: Quitting a job after two weeks: relocation expenses

t the next harsh conversation with my boss, I’ll bring up that this perhaps isn’t working out and if there is a way I could be let go without suffering the repayment of the relocation expenses.
Out of curiosity, about how much would it cost to walk out the door and repay the relocation costs?

Never mind; I just saw the post estimating a payback of $40-50K.
by Church Lady
Thu May 07, 2020 3:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is a locking mailbox necessary or helpful, or more hassle than it's worth?
Replies: 43
Views: 3737

Re: Is a locking mailbox necessary or helpful, or more hassle than it's worth?

Church Lady wrote: Thu May 07, 2020 2:50 pm When I lived in the big city, I had a P.O. box. Prescriptions would stay chilled in A/C or heated in Winter instead of braving the elements in my box. The P.O. holds packages safely for you. I could leave town for a week, and it was no big deal. The P.O. is required by law to hold your mail for 30 days, so you are OK with any shorter trip. I and others would sort our junk mail out and dispose of it right in the P.O.

For what you get, I think P.O. boxes are a good deal. If I felt the need for a locking mailbox, I'd just get another P.O. box, or maybe a mail drop service if I wanted a street address.

I still got mail at my home. You can try to eliminate junk mail, but some will slip through. :(
by Church Lady
Thu May 07, 2020 2:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is a locking mailbox necessary or helpful, or more hassle than it's worth?
Replies: 43
Views: 3737

Re: Is a locking mailbox necessary or helpful, or more hassle than it's worth?

When I lived in the big city, I had a P.O. box. Prescriptions would stay chilled in A/C or heated in Winter instead of braving the elements in my box. The P.O. holds packages safely for you. I could leave town for a week, and it was no big deal. The P.O. is required by law to hold your mail for 30 days, so you are OK with any shorter trip. I and others would sort our junk mail out and dispose of it right in the P.O.

For what you get, I think P.O. boxes are a good deal. If I felt the need for a locking mailbox, I'd just get another P.O. box, or maybe a mail drop service if I wanted a street address.

I still got mail at my home. You' can try to eliminate junk mail, but some will slip through. :(
by Church Lady
Thu May 07, 2020 9:37 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Fed buying Corporate Bond ETFs
Replies: 90
Views: 6327

Re: The Fed buying Corporate Bond ETFs

SteadyOne - You're assuming Japan in the 1990s is like the U.S. today, without providing evidence for it. That was a question, not a statement. I am not very familiar with Japan bubble. Oh, I read it as a critique when that wasn't your intent. Japan kept refinancing bad loans, so the day of reckoning never arrived. The whole world is financing both healthy companies and zombie companies - both of which have no profits when they're closed. After COVID-19 when things reopen, we'll see how it's handled. Certain holders of ETFs can exchange shares for the underlying holdings, and vice versa. Arbitragers do this all the time which is what keeps an ETF from trading like a closed end fund. ... I wonder if the Fed will be creating and redeeming sh...
by Church Lady
Thu May 07, 2020 8:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Do Early Retirees Pay for Medical
Replies: 132
Views: 13469

Re: How Do Early Retirees Pay for Medical

I buy retiree health insurance from my former employer. First COBRA, then retiree health insurance. I'm guessing you don't have that option as you did not mention it.

Every year the retiree health insurance covers less, and costs more. If I weren't doing Roth conversions, I'd probably go for ACA and get a generous government subsidy.
by Church Lady
Wed May 06, 2020 7:38 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Fed buying Corporate Bond ETFs
Replies: 90
Views: 6327

Re: The Fed buying Corporate Bond ETFs

Certain holders of ETFs can exchange shares for the underlying holdings, and vice versa. Arbitragers do this all the time which is what keeps an ETF from trading like a closed end fund.

Here is an article about it: https://www.investopedia.com/articles/i ... -works.asp

I wonder if the Fed will be creating and redeeming shares as part of its management?
by Church Lady
Wed May 06, 2020 5:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: So what are you cooking
Replies: 972
Views: 111158

Re: So what are you cooking

Canadian Hot Dog soup. Inquiring minds would like to know what makes the hot dog soup Canadian? :D Googling the phrase brings up only a single link to this same thread. Hot Dog Soup is a thing. Canada is a thing. I am familiar with Campbell's Canadian Pea soup (which is yellow, not green). I had my own run-in with hot dogs early on. The selection around here has improved greatly since then. I did get to use up all but one can of chili though. I got the recipe from a Canadian channel on youtube. I haven't seen a similar hot dog soup recipe. Hot dog soup recipes abound, but not one like this. I call this Canadian to distinguish it from other hot dog soup recipes. I could call it Youtube Hot Dog Soup :D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gu2Mlp...
by Church Lady
Fri May 01, 2020 3:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: So what are you cooking
Replies: 972
Views: 111158

Re: So what are you cooking

I made Canadian Hot Dog soup. Substitute beans for corn and potatoes to keep the glycemic load down. I was able to use up milk and part of a jar of too-hot salsa.

It is easy, tasty and filling, but probably not the most healthful dish you could make.

Before April, I probably hadn't had hot dogs in 20 years. Why now? Because hot dogs were one of the few meats available locally.
by Church Lady
Mon Apr 27, 2020 3:24 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Why am I even saving for retirement?
Replies: 223
Views: 23566

Re: Why am I even saving for retirement?

HEDGEFUNDIE wrote: Sun Apr 26, 2020 7:07 pm
willthrill81 wrote: Sun Apr 26, 2020 7:07 pm Will SS benefits cover all of your spending in retirement? I thought that you lived in a HCOL area.

Would SS benefits still cover all of your spending in retirement if they were reduced by ~20% from 2035 forward, the SSA's most recent estimate?
$94k (most of which is untaxed) with COLA should be good enough for anyone I would think.

I don’t think SS benefits will be reduced. There would be riots in the streets.
Old people don't riot. They write sternly worded letters to parties that have it in their power to help them, but won't.
by Church Lady
Fri Apr 24, 2020 12:28 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Federal Reserve scraps transfer count limits on savings accounts
Replies: 63
Views: 7220

Re: Federal Reserve scraps transfer limits on bank savings accounts

I'm more worried about this part of the article:
In March, the Fed scrapped its reserve requirements for bank accounts as part of a broader effort to keep funds flowing to businesses and households amid the pandemic. Previously, banks were required to hold a certain amount of reserves against funds in “transaction accounts,” like checking accounts, that saw money frequently coming and going.
Removing reserve requirements seems like an absurdly bad idea. Trouble ahead for banks?
by Church Lady
Thu Apr 09, 2020 11:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to get Toilet Paper ? seriously.
Replies: 684
Views: 67488

Re: How to get Toilet Paper ? seriously.

Not sure funding for a study is forthcoming any time soon but I humbly suggest the following experiment: A) Dip a hand in, say, mud. Wash off with garden hose. B) Dip a hand in mud. Wipe off with toilet paper. C) Compare results of A and B. +1, also compare the wastage/ environmental impact. Why would you dip you hand “in mud”, when you get dip toilet paper instead...? I don’t particularly like the idea of getting that special “mud” all over my hands. Seems to me you have made the case for toilet paper perhaps in combination with a bidet. Which I would support. I think in that analogy, "hand" is supposed to represent another part of your body. Personally, I think if you're getting so much "mud" on your "hand" ...
by Church Lady
Thu Apr 02, 2020 4:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Are your personal expenses down during stay home and shelter?
Replies: 180
Views: 16009

Re: Are your personal expenses down during stay home and shelter?

Not really. I'm not going to exercise class so not getting coffee on the way to class. That saves $2 per week. Big whoop!

Cooking at home for a household of one saves maybe $1 - 2 per meal over take-out food. Better than a sharp stick in the eye, but I'm also running the stove and dish washer more often. I'll be lucky if it nets out.
by Church Lady
Thu Apr 02, 2020 10:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to get Toilet Paper ? seriously.
Replies: 684
Views: 67488

Re: How to get Toilet Paper ? seriously.

I have had a bidet for over a year (no power required) and won't be going back. I'm surprised this crisis hasn't turned more people to bidets, as other people said they are more hygienic, cheaper and better for the environment. Lining up for toilet paper is ridiculous. I looked into getting a bidet a few years ago. Although it is widely believed that bidets are more hygienic than TP, I could find no studies that support this notion. No one has proved bidets are more hygienic. :!: Without going into details that might make readers uncomfortable, it seems bidets are additionally problematic for what I will call 'female hygiene'. :oops: And you need to buy TP anyway unless you're OK walking around with wet pants. I guess it is a good idea for...
by Church Lady
Mon Mar 30, 2020 9:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Security for unoccupied home.
Replies: 24
Views: 1748

Re: Security for unoccupied home.

I had a house I visited on and off for years. I had one light come on for a few hours at night. I liked driving up to a lit house so much I have continued the habit even though I am in the house full time now. However, I don't think the lone light at night fools anyone. Your house still looks empty. I got a 'Fake TV'. Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/LRY-Television-FTV01-Simulator-Deterrent/dp/B07QLH3RXY/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=fake+tv&qid=1585622531&sr=8-4 I don't think this is my unit, but you can search Amazon for 'fake TV' and you'll get a selection. It is very convincing when viewed from the street. Mine comes on automatically at dusk -- a useful feature. It acts a little funny after a power failure. I fix i...
by Church Lady
Mon Mar 30, 2020 10:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to get Toilet Paper ? seriously.
Replies: 684
Views: 67488

Re: How to get Toilet Paper ? seriously.

I have had a bidet for over a year (no power required) and won't be going back. I'm surprised this crisis hasn't turned more people to bidets, as other people said they are more hygienic, cheaper and better for the environment. Lining up for toilet paper is ridiculous. I looked into getting a bidet a few years ago. Although it is widely believed that bidets are more hygienic than TP, I could find no studies that support this notion. No one has proved bidets are more hygienic. :!: Without going into details that might make readers uncomfortable, it seems bidets are additionally problematic for what I will call 'female hygiene'. :oops: And you need to buy TP anyway unless you're OK walking around with wet pants. I guess it is a good idea for...
by Church Lady
Sat Mar 28, 2020 5:04 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Does anyone else think this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to buy treasuries?
Replies: 68
Views: 9878

Re: Does anyone else think this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to buy treasuries?

watchnerd wrote: Sat Mar 28, 2020 4:38 pm
awval999 wrote: Sat Mar 28, 2020 4:10 pm
There will never be deflation. It cannot be allowed to exist.
And yet the Feds effort to increase inflation to hit 2% hasn't worked, and then you have Japan, which has also tried to prevent it, but failed.

Now the typical response to that is, "The USA isn't Japan, we can't have deflation here."

I'm sure 1980s Japan didn't think there would ever be deflation, either.
Actually, the Fed has hit +2% inflation ... https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/i ... ion-rates/
by Church Lady
Sat Mar 28, 2020 4:51 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Share what worked in your plan during the crisis
Replies: 103
Views: 8738

Re: Share what worked in your plan during the crisis

I was very glad I had stocked paper goods (such as TP), sanitizer, and canned goods. It's good to have a stock pile. Make note of things you can't buy today; that is what to stock.

Oddly enough, in my neck of the woods, the only meat products available are hams and seafood. Everything else is picked clean! Even tofu is sold out. So a source of protein....

"By the time they announce it, it will be too late".

Financially, long term treasuries and gold helped me keep my sanity. Harry Browne's Permanent Portfolio.

Good luck to all!
by Church Lady
Tue Mar 24, 2020 2:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to get Toilet Paper ? seriously.
Replies: 684
Views: 67488

Re: How to get Toilet Paper ? seriously.

Useful life skill .... how to make tp from newspaper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNy16E-_PWo

He doesn't say so, but when you're done using it, put it in the waste basket.
by Church Lady
Mon Mar 16, 2020 9:04 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Gold is taking a monster hit
Replies: 64
Views: 6243

Re: Gold is taking a monster hit

Who the hell is worried about inflation? Oh, I am. :( Have you noticed the massive amounts of :dollar the government is throwing at this problem? Do you believe, for example, private labs like Quest and Labcorp are testing for covid 19, free, out of the kindness of their hearts? Or are health insurance companies digging deep into their pockets to waive co-pays for covid 19 treatments? We already know about the cruise industry (now there's an 'essential' industry) and airline industry bailouts; how many more bailouts will follow? Where's the fed getting the 700 billion for quantitative easing? Where is the 8.2 billion allocated to covid 19 coming from? The Fed will print massive amounts of money. And if we start social distancing Wuhan or I...
by Church Lady
Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Planned to pay off debt, now wondering if liquidity is more important.
Replies: 37
Views: 3592

Re: Planned to pay off debt, now wondering if liquidity is more important.

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/stude ... 2020-03-13

I'd look into this before I paid more towards the student loans. You could keep the payment the same and ask to credit the extra towards the loan balance.

I agree with other posters that say to pay off the credit cards. Then put the card into a drawer somewhere and use it only for emergencies. I've heard tell of folks freezing the card inside a block of ice to fight impulse buying, but I never heard how well the card worked after thaw.
by Church Lady
Fri Mar 13, 2020 7:09 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: [Archived] Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 4963
Views: 304781

Re: Coronavirus state closures thread

Mako wrote: Fri Mar 13, 2020 6:25 pm Maryland public schools are closed the next two weeks. Gatherings of over 250 people are banned. All the major colleges I know of are having online only classes.
Governor Hogan has activated the National Guard. He did not say what role they would play. Twelve confirmed cases.
by Church Lady
Thu Mar 12, 2020 12:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Did anyone buy anything yesterday at 20 pct discount
Replies: 24
Views: 2053

Re: Did anyone buy anything yesterday at 20 pct discount

I always have some limit orders outstanding with dream prices, because you just never know when you will get lucky.

One of my orders hit today. But that buy is down! :oops: Be careful catching the falling knife! :(

With no commission, though, you can add shares one share at a time. I am mulling this over.
by Church Lady
Thu Mar 12, 2020 11:58 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Tax loss harvesting
Replies: 8
Views: 398

Re: Tax loss harvesting

Seems good to me.

The only thing else I can think of is that I avoid holding the same ETF or fund in multiple accounts. It makes it easier for me to keep track of TLH opportunities. But there's no legal requirement to avoid holding SPY in multiple accounts to get a TLH. You just have to track the recent buys and sells across all accounts to set up a TLH.

Good luck!
by Church Lady
Thu Mar 12, 2020 11:15 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Tax loss harvesting
Replies: 8
Views: 398

Re: Tax loss harvesting

I guess you realize VTI ~= SPY due to different indices, but that's what makes it eligible for tax loss harvesting. SPY ER = .09 I wouldn't lose sleep over that, but IVV ER = .04 VOO ER = .03 SPLG ER = .03 Obviously, 'when' the market rebounds, you will be reluctant to pay tax on rebound gains which are just getting you back to even. In my view, it's important to pick a swap you wouldn't mind being parked in for years. And dividend re-investing counts for negating TLH. But if you sell 100% of SPY VTI , it doesn't matter when you bought last to be able to TLH. One thing that can get you is selling right before a distribution -- the reinvestment could occur even as you are selling 100% of everything else. So watch your distribution dates and ...
by Church Lady
Thu Mar 12, 2020 10:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Keeping cash on hand during times like this???
Replies: 10
Views: 1493

Re: Keeping cash on hand during times like this???

If you mean cash in your portfolio, yes.

IF you mean cash in your wallet, my town is still mostly a cash economy. So I always carry cash. Lately been using the card at Walmart so I don't have to touch cash and to get the 1.5% back.

Do I have a huge cash horde in my mattress? No. I may change my mind if we get negative interest rates. As long as rates are positive, no.

1.5% is better than I can get with a 30 year treasury. Maybe I should use the card more.
by Church Lady
Thu Mar 12, 2020 9:10 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Is it Possible the Market Closes Permanently
Replies: 43
Views: 4816

Re: Is it Possible the Market Closes Permanently

It would be more logical to halt program trading and leave open outcry so price discovery can occur. But that's not going to happen because too many well connected persons and firms are making a fortune off program trading.

But then again, spread of covid 19 among open outcry traders ...
by Church Lady
Mon Mar 09, 2020 4:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Yet another travel question
Replies: 16
Views: 1241

Re: Yet another travel question

Check your airline web site to see if it has a corona virus status page.

Airlines are cutting flights and cancelling fees based on corona virus. For example:
https://www.foxnews.com/travel/united-a ... vers-italy

It's possible your airline will cancel your flight or suddenly become flexible. Keep checking.
by Church Lady
Mon Mar 09, 2020 3:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Choosing a university/college for my son a future Computer Science Major
Replies: 212
Views: 25486

Re: Choosing a university/college for my son a future Computer Science Major

1) I second the idea of going to school in the area he wants to live in. National and multi-national firms recruit all over the country, but most job recruiters will be local. So if he wants to live in your home town (for example), he should go to school nearby.
2) I suggest choosing a curriculum that starts into CS and programming right away. Some programs have you take basics or general education for a year or more. If he doesn't like CS, he wants to find out early, not late.
3) A good career placement office is (in my opinion) essential.

Good luck!
by Church Lady
Mon Mar 09, 2020 12:25 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anyone buying oil/energy sector?!
Replies: 59
Views: 6771

Re: Anyone buying oil/energy sector?!

I tried buying the O&G stocks last month. I have the tire tread marks on my back to prove it! :oops:

I sold at a loss just before the big rally, making me feel like an idiot. This morning I feel like a genius for getting out in time. I thought VLO would benefit from the crack spread, but Mr. Market clearly does not agree. :?

If you buy that sector, at least have an exit plan. Write it down if you have to, and stick to it.

If forced to guess, I'd say the broad indices will recover faster than oil and gas. Nice yield, though.

Good luck!
by Church Lady
Sun Mar 08, 2020 10:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Spring break Florida/Universal Studios & COVID 19
Replies: 29
Views: 2819

Re: Spring break Florida/Universal Studios & COVID 19

Please provide a link. Thank you simple google search: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/after-travel-precautions.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/risk-assessment.html Please be more specific as to where the CDC recommend this. I may be missing something, but none of those links include a general recommendation to keep a distance of one meter when you're out and about. They recommend keeping a distance of two meters for situations involving travelers from countries with widespread transmission, confirmed covid-19 cases and medium risk individuals with symptoms. This is what google turned up with that search: "When space and chair availability permit...