Search found 146 matches

by zeep
Wed Oct 25, 2023 10:51 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VAIPX in lieu of Short/Intermediate rungs of TIPS ladder?
Replies: 0
Views: 652

VAIPX in lieu of Short/Intermediate rungs of TIPS ladder?

Here are constraints I'm trying to optimize around: I want to invest in TIPs in tax-deferred space. I had decided to build a TIPS ladder, but really don't have enough funds in my IRA for meaningfully sized rungs. I have substantial funds available in my 401(k), and the Vanguard Inflation Protected Securities Fund VAIPX with a ~7 year duration is on our list. I can buy Treasures directly if I set up the self-directed brokerage with Schwab PCRA thru our Vanguard administered 401(k). I'd prefer not to go that route, as I'm not sure how long it will take to get it set up, and I have concerns about Schwab/VG coordination. I'm thinking of buying VAIPX in the 401(k) with a 7 year duration, and then building a ladder in the 401(K) starting 10+ year...
by zeep
Tue Oct 24, 2023 3:58 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Another TIPS ladder vs fund question - leaning toward a fund
Replies: 142
Views: 13856

VAIPX plus ladder

Here are constraints I'm trying to optimize around: I want to invest in TIPs in tax-deferred space. I had decided to build a TIPS ladder, but really don't have enough funds in my IRA for meaningfully sized rungs. I have substantial funds available in my 401(k), and the Vanguard Inflation Protected Securities Fund VAIPX with a ~7 year duration is on our list. I can buy Treasures directly if I set up the self-directed brokerage with Schwab PCRA thru our Vanguard administered 401(k). I'd prefer not to go that route, as I'm not sure how long it will take to get it set up, and I have concerns about Schwab/VG coordination. I'm thinking of buying VAIPX in the 401(k) with a 7 year duration, and then building a ladder in the 401(K) starting 10+ year...
by zeep
Thu Oct 19, 2023 4:12 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Retired, Unretired, Retired Again - Lessons Learned?
Replies: 37
Views: 7139

Re: Retired, Unretired, Retired Again - Lessons Learned?

Someone smarter than me Said to try to remember back to when you were in your teens and twenties - what type of things did you like to do? Sports, gaming, music, biking, traveling, etc? I retired at age 50 and after a couple years started consulting then thought if I went back to work full time I could make more money and i needed to stay busier. I went back to my previous mega defense bus dev job for 6 years and retired again at 60. The extra money was nice going into retirement but I don’t want to be the richest guy in the graveyard. Finding some hobbies or activities you like to do is important. Playing golf with buds or playing tennis or Pickleball is great. A buddy has a learn to play a yukileli group and ball room dancing group. It t...
by zeep
Wed Sep 06, 2023 2:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: best tips for shaving
Replies: 62
Views: 10699

Re: best tips for shaving

Agree that an electric shaver will almost give a less close shave and be more irritating than a manual razor.

The Gillette Mach3 is often rated as providing a better shave than the 5-blade systems. https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/revi ... nual-razor

I've always chuckled at the Fusion. Maybe some people have a tougher beard than I do, but "fusion" seems a bit more than I need to shave my face :) .

While I buy the less expensive Mach3 blades, I've become fond of quality shave creams like Proraso or the ridiculously expensive Jack Black Beard Lube, which gives me a great close shave. [Would love to hear good alternatives that are similar).
by zeep
Wed Sep 06, 2023 2:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Buying Treasuries @ Auction using Sale Proceeds
Replies: 2
Views: 477

Buying Treasuries @ Auction using Sale Proceeds

Probably a noobie question but most of my investing is on the legacy VG mutual fund platform other than my IRA, which is on the brokerage platform. I want to buy Treasuries at auction in the IRA and fund the purchase from non-Money Market VG funds held in the IRA. More specifically, I want to move investments out of TBM into upcoming TIPS and Treasury auctions. I realize that isn't simply an "exchange" like I'm used to for mutual funds. Can I even submit an auction order without sufficient money in the settlement fund? But I won't know how much I need to fund the purchase until after the auction. Will there be a way to select sales from an existing holding to cover the purchase price? If not, how do people do this as a practical m...
by zeep
Fri Aug 11, 2023 3:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What's going on with Amazon? No shipping box or bag
Replies: 115
Views: 10897

Re: What's going on with Amazon? No shipping box or bag

sperry8 wrote: Thu Aug 10, 2023 6:00 am
nisiprius wrote: Thu Aug 10, 2023 5:34 am I'm a heavy user of Amazon and haven't had this happen yet. Could be regional?
I'm a heavy user of Amazon and it is happening on every package for me (unless I check put into amazon packaging). So it's, at least, definitely regional
Speculating here, but perhaps this happens more where Amazon is delivering from a nearby distribution center using their own vans and contractors
by zeep
Fri Jun 02, 2023 10:25 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Taxation of CD Interest
Replies: 5
Views: 1775

Re: Taxation of CD Interest

zeep wrote: Fri May 26, 2023 10:00 am I have a different question about the taxation of CD interest: the Fidelity tax exempt yield calculator has a separate column for CDs and corporate bonds. I would have thought that since both are fully taxable, they would be treated the same. Why the separate column?
Bump
by zeep
Fri May 26, 2023 10:00 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Taxation of CD Interest
Replies: 5
Views: 1775

Re: Taxation of CD Interest

I have a different question about the taxation of CD interest: the Fidelity tax exempt yield calculator has a separate column for CDs and corporate bonds. I would have thought that since both are fully taxable, they would be treated the same. Why the separate column?
by zeep
Fri May 26, 2023 9:33 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Money Market Optimizer Spreadsheet - Releases, Bugs, etc.
Replies: 389
Views: 104294

Updating Questions/FZDXX

1. Rookie questions: What is best procedure for downloading updated releases so I don't get multiple daily swap emails? Do I just delete my copy of prior releases? Should I just check this thread for updates from time to time, or can that be automated?

2. Would be great to add FZDXX to the Fidelity list someday

Thanks again for a great tool. I'm sure getting peppered with questions and requests may get tiresome, so I wanted to appreciate my awe and appreciation.
by zeep
Tue May 23, 2023 10:33 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Trading Treasuries (nominal and TIPS)
Replies: 4193
Views: 466963

Re: Trading Treasuries (nominal and TIPS)

The Fidelity secondary inventory significantly shows higher yields for US Treasuries than US Treasury Zeros. Currently, it shows 5.35% for the 3 month bill, and 4.73% for the 3 month zeros.

I assume the difference is just supply and demand.
Which provides a better indicator for upcoming a T-bill auctions? Intuitively, I'd think the 3 month that spread seems wild. I like to use Auto Roll, but that spread is big enough to buy in the secondary if the 4.73 is a better predictor of auction results.
Or is there tax difference that accounts for the spread, even if held to maturity ?
Thanks
by zeep
Thu May 18, 2023 5:11 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [Debt ceiling discussion mega-thread]
Replies: 1286
Views: 129471

Re: [Debt ceiling discussion mega-thread]

I've been wondering if there is a default interest rate step-up in Treasuries are not paid on time...
Heaven help us if we get there.
by zeep
Wed May 17, 2023 1:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best cities with lots of outdoor/hiking activities and good year round weather
Replies: 248
Views: 25334

Asheville

Should you visit Asheville, note that Asheville itself is very different from the surrounding region. For us, we want proximity to the Asheville restaurants and cultural amenities. Others are turned of by the Portland/Austin vibe. Hendersonville, Brevard and Greenville each have a very different vibe than Asheville. There are also many smaller communities that are hybrids. See city-data.com
by zeep
Sun May 14, 2023 9:02 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best place at fidelity to park money for six months?
Replies: 9
Views: 1867

Re: Best place at fidelity to park money for six months?

chassis wrote: Sun May 14, 2023 8:49 am 3 month Treasuries, rolled as needed every 3 months. I do not recommend the auto-roll feature. …
Please help me understand why you don’t recommend the auto roll future. Thanks.
by zeep
Sat May 13, 2023 9:17 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Money Market Optimizer Spreadsheet - Releases, Bugs, etc.
Replies: 389
Views: 104294

Re: Money Market Optimizer Spreadsheet - Releases, Bugs, etc.

The ATY and TEY figues in the Funds Watch and Funds Filter are very different from what is shown in the My Best and other earlier tabs. What could account for that? I'm using state tax of 5.75% and a 38.8% federal rate.

Many thanks for a great tool even if I don't understand all of it.
by zeep
Thu May 11, 2023 9:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Trip to Asheville, NC - where to stay?
Replies: 44
Views: 4639

Re: Trip to Asheville, NC - where to stay?

Check out https://www.uncorkedasheville.com/where ... eville-nc/
The Hampton Inn Biltmore is a surprisingly nice Hampton.

The Princess Anne Hotel is an older quaint hotel with character in a neighborhood just outside downtown but close to everything. My wife and I enjoyed it, but I think they'd only have one room that would work with teenagers.

Consider whether or not a pool will be important to you in July.
by zeep
Sat May 06, 2023 7:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: T-Bills vs "Treasury Zeros"
Replies: 2
Views: 803

T-Bills vs "Treasury Zeros"

The Fidelity Inventory of Treasuries shows significantly higher yields for "Treasuries" vs what they show as "Treasury Zeros", especially for shorter term maturities. Which is the better indicator of expected yields for upcoming Treasury auctions? I'm speculating that the secondary Zeros may be a better indicator for T-Bills since they are effectively zeros, and the non-zeros may be a better indicator for longer maturities. Or perhaps the difference is tax treatment? I ask because the tax equivalent yield of the 1 year Treasury (4.73%) is better that CD yields, but the Treasury Zero (4.33%) is not. I generally prefer buying at auction to use the Fidelity Auto Roll program, but for 40 bps seems like I should get the secon...
by zeep
Fri May 05, 2023 9:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Password managers [LastPass alternatives]
Replies: 180
Views: 18135

Re: Password managers [LastPass alternatives]

I’ve been very happy with Dashlane for years. A bit pricey but user friendly.
by zeep
Sat Apr 01, 2023 2:52 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Worth It To Sell American Funds in Taxable and Buy Vanguard ETFs?
Replies: 19
Views: 1991

Re: Worth It To Sell American Funds in Taxable and Buy Vanguard ETFs?

How about if one were in the 38% tax bracket?
by zeep
Mon Feb 06, 2023 12:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard MM or T-Bill autoroll?
Replies: 17
Views: 5190

Re: Vanguard MM or T-Bill autoroll?

I have a variation on this: I have funds that I will not be needing for at least a year, but will be needing portions it between 1-3 years. A ladder isn't perfect, because I'm not sure of the rate I'll be using the funds between 12-36 months (home construction), but I've been using a mix of T-bills with different maturities. [OK, I succumbed and have been yield chasing buying attractive yields when available]... But I still want to safely park additional cash, so I've wondered whether a ST fund might be a better option.
by zeep
Sat Feb 04, 2023 5:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VG "Ouside Accounts" & Portfolio Watch vs Fido Full View
Replies: 6
Views: 672

VG "Ouside Accounts" & Portfolio Watch vs Fido Full View

I've entered my outside accounts into Vanguard's aggregator and used it to monitor investment allocation with portfolio watch for years. It constantly breaks and can't update accounts. That has been going on for years and clearly isn't a priority for VG. While I know a lot of bogleheads use their own spreadsheets or Quicken, that's not me. I now have a small FIdo account and am testing the waters at Fido for more of my investments. [I don't meant to reopen that whole can of worms, but rather just note that I expect I'll be using Fido more and more for new investments.] Anyone know whether FIdo's Full View is meaningfully better than Vanguard's aggregator? If not, I don't want to bother adding all my accounts. I assume their portfolio analys...
by zeep
Tue Nov 29, 2022 1:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: car shipping service
Replies: 11
Views: 2621

Re: car shipping service

I'm looking for a "non-elite" car shipper to transport a 15-year old car 750 miles gifted to a grad student. Long story but don't want to spend more than car is worth. Any suggestions/tips on that type of shipping? FInding a smaller outfit that is reputable/reliable? Thanks
by zeep
Mon Oct 03, 2022 7:57 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: AA when putting money aside for Home Building
Replies: 2
Views: 278

AA when putting money aside for Home Building

We are building a new home over 2-3 years, and I've mentally earmarked Treasuries and bond funds in my portfolio to pay for it. After it's complete and we move in, we'll sell our existing home for 1/3 to 1/2 of our new build cost. If I treat the Treasuries earmarked for home building as part of my AA, then I'm overweight in bonds. If I exclude them, then I'm considerably overweight in equities. Some of that will be corrected after we sell the old house, but there may be 1-2 years between the bulk of construction draws and selling the existing home. In either case, the variance is well outside my rebalancing tolerance until proceeds from the home sale are invested. In most markets, I probably wouldn't care and let it work out over the long r...
by zeep
Sat Aug 13, 2022 3:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Boglehead EV (Electric Vehicle) ?
Replies: 63
Views: 6353

Re: Boglehead EV (Electric Vehicle) ?

+1 on Chevy Bolt
by zeep
Tue Aug 09, 2022 5:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Restaurant Recommendations in Atlanta (Buckhead Area)
Replies: 21
Views: 1700

Re: Restaurant Recommendations in Atlanta (Buckhead Area)

There are several Marriotts in Buckhead, so I'm not sure what will be walking distance from your hotel. In addition, most of Buckhead is not very pedestrian friendly unless where you are going is right next door. But nothing is very far if you are up for a short drive or Lyft. South City Kitchen has upscale Southern food with a farm-to-table theme. ..... Yeah, I was looking at that as it's pretty close to the hotel SpringHill Suites at 3459 Buckhead Loop NE. And I agree the area does not look very pedestrian friendly! South City Kitchen is very walkable; there's a pedestrian path through the development that your hotel is adjacent to. Also nearby is Louisiana Bistreaux. South City will have more local flavor than many of the places noted.
by zeep
Tue Aug 09, 2022 5:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Restaurant Recommendations in Atlanta (Buckhead Area)
Replies: 21
Views: 1700

Re: Restaurant Recommendations in Atlanta (Buckhead Area)

There are several Marriotts in Buckhead, so I'm not sure what will be walking distance from your hotel. In addition, most of Buckhead is not very pedestrian friendly unless where you are going is right next door. But nothing is very far if you are up for a short drive or Lyft. South City Kitchen has upscale Southern food with a farm-to-table theme. We particularly like Storico Fresca for Italian food; it is probably a little further from your hotel and more casual than the places above. (1/2 price wine bottles on Mondays!) Alma Cocino has upscale Mexican food (not Tex Mex!) inspired by fine dining in Mexico City. For authentic ethnic food, there are a variety Asian and Hispanic restaurants not far away on Buford Highway. Favorites include F...
by zeep
Sat Aug 06, 2022 3:03 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why is Vanguard Treasury Money Market yield so high?
Replies: 196
Views: 65639

Re: Why is Vanguard Treasury Money Market yield so high?

zeep wrote: Sat Aug 06, 2022 12:01 pm
@Kevin M, A few years ago you posted a shared Google sheet charting tax-equivalent yields and after-tax yields overtime of VG MMFs based on tax rates input. Is there a current version of that? My copy no longer generates a chart. Does anyone know of something similar?
I have this useful sheet from Alan Gebele, but the chart over time is very useful.

Many thanks
Thanks @Kevin M! Your sheet is a great resource.

All, I edited my post above to correct the link to Alan Gebele's spreadsheet.
by zeep
Sat Aug 06, 2022 12:01 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why is Vanguard Treasury Money Market yield so high?
Replies: 196
Views: 65639

Re: Why is Vanguard Treasury Money Market yield so high?

Kevin M wrote: Tue Aug 02, 2022 7:07 pm ^Right, and once again, VMFXX has a higher SEC yield at 2.00% than VUSXX TEY for me at 1.87% (SEC 1.65%). This is for 22% fed and 9.3% state marginal tax rates.

The muni MM funds are on an upswing, but TEYs still way below VMFXX.
@Kevin M, A few years ago you posted a shared Google sheet charting tax-equivalent yields and after-tax yields overtime of VG MMFs based on tax rates input. Is there a current version of that? My copy no longer generates a chart. Does anyone know of something similar?
I have this useful sheet from Alan Gebele, but the chart over time is very useful.

Many thanks
by zeep
Mon Aug 01, 2022 8:30 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Treatment of NIIT Tax on Tax Equivalent Yield Calculators
Replies: 1
Views: 397

Treatment of NIIT Tax on Tax Equivalent Yield Calculators

I was very surprised that the Fidelity Tax Equivalent Yield calculator doesn't account for the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax.
Anyone know why not, or a calculator that does? Makes a different when comparing CDs to Treasuries.
https://digital.fidelity.com/prgw/digital/taxyieldcalc/
by zeep
Thu Jun 23, 2022 9:27 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Trading Treasuries (nominal and TIPS)
Replies: 4193
Views: 466963

Re: Treasury Auctions, What are you buying thread?

jebmke wrote: Thu Jun 23, 2022 7:58 am After adjusting for state and Federal taxes, including NIIT, Treasuries and Munis are about a breakeven for me so I plan to sell my Treasury fund, take the losses and move back to Munis.
With the greater liquidity and lower credit risk of Treasuries, I'd want a meaningful better after tax yield to move from Treasuries to munis.
by zeep
Sat Jun 18, 2022 6:43 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 1-3 Year Funds to Build Home: Treasuries, Fund or Munis?
Replies: 1
Views: 289

1-3 Year Funds to Build Home: Treasuries, Fund or Munis?

I want to put aside funds for a custom build home over the next 1-3 years on a lot we recently purchased but don't know the actual timing of progress and related payments. Our budget is $1+M I had planned to buy staggered Treasuries over the period, but have started to wonder whether either a short term Treasury Fund or VG Short-Term Tax-Exempt would be a better choice (We're in the top marginal tax bracket). I want minimal but not necessarily zero risk on these funds. If we use the short-term fund, how do you deal with the fact that you always have a constant 1-2 year duration when you are looking to draw the funds so may need to sell at a loss? If I go with Munis, I think I'd definitely go with a fund rather than individual bonds since I ...
by zeep
Tue Jun 14, 2022 5:39 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What to do with Bump up CD? Wait, Bump or Break and invest in Treauries?
Replies: 5
Views: 677

What to do with Bump up CD? Wait, Bump or Break and invest in Treauries?

I have 26 months remaining on an Ally Bump-Up "raise your rate" CD still paying less than 1%. I was about to exercise my bump right, but then realized I could do even better by paying the Early Withdrawal Penalty and investing in 2 year Treasuries. I pay 5.5% state tax. The only downside that I see to Treasuries is that as interest rates continue to rise, breaking a 2-year CD and paying the modest EWP may be more attractive than selling the Treasury at a loss. What is the prevailing wisdom here? Won't need these funds for 2 years, so liquidity needs are only about potentially taking advantage of higher rates. For shorter duration, it seems like a Treasury ladder makes more sense than CDs, but at the 2 year mark I'm not sure. I'm n...
by zeep
Tue May 17, 2022 1:40 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Any you doing any Adjustments to your 100% Vanguard Total Bond ETF Position?
Replies: 33
Views: 4054

Re: Any you doing any Adjustments to your 100% Vanguard Total Bond ETF Position?

I'm thinking of shifting for Tax Loss Harvest purposes but not changing overall allocation much.
by zeep
Mon May 16, 2022 6:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Non-Covered Cost Basis
Replies: 27
Views: 3304

Re: Non-Covered Cost Basis

Can I use specific ID for covered shares and average cost for noncovered shares? I've got shares I've held for 30 years.
by zeep
Mon May 16, 2022 3:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Avoding wash sales with VG 401(K)
Replies: 7
Views: 801

Re: Avoding wash sales with VG 401(K)

If I sell at a loss in taxable will Vanguard report it is a wash sale if there is a dividend reinvestment within 30 days? I recognize there are varying views on the proper tax treatment; I’m simply asking about Vanguard reporting.

Thanks for the helpful comments.
by zeep
Sun May 15, 2022 5:20 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Avoding wash sales with VG 401(K)
Replies: 7
Views: 801

Avoding wash sales with VG 401(K)

I have TBM and other funds with capital losses in both my taxable and 401(K) accounts at Vanguard. I'd like to tax loss harvest in the taxable account. I turned off automatic reinvestment in the taxable account to avoid wash sales long ago, but I haven't found any way to do that in the VG 401(k) so every month dividends are reinvested in my 401(k) TBM holdings. Is there a setting buried somewhere I am missing? How can I TLH a position with monthly dividends?

Many thanks
by zeep
Thu Apr 28, 2022 11:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: College opinions: Cornell vs Swarthmore - update Final choice Rice
Replies: 312
Views: 30489

Re: College opinions: Cornell vs Swarthmore for Engineering

I'm the parent of a recent Swarthmore grad in a STEM Ph.D. program now. First, if at all possible visit Swarthmore. Some will absolutely love it. Others will quickly decide that the small college environment is not for them. Cornell and Michigan are radically different environments. Several of my son's friends majored or double majored in Engineering . His circle of close friends got jobs out of Swarthmore at Amazon and Google. Double majoring outside Engineering is difficult at most schools. While there is much more research going on at large institutions like U-M and Cornell, at LACs like Swarthmore undergrads get much more contact with professors (and opportunities for mentoring and research), especially early on. Cornell engineering wou...
by zeep
Mon Apr 18, 2022 2:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Schwab vs Fidelity for AutoRoll Treasuries.
Replies: 1
Views: 449

Schwab vs Fidelity for AutoRoll Treasuries.

I plan to start buying Treasuries to set up a ladder using the autoroll function at Schwab or Fidelity. My search of the bogleheads forum suggests that Fido may be preferable since at least a couple years ago Schwab's autoroll function resulted in funds being uninvested for ~1 week each cycle. See eg viewtopic.php?p=4974168#p4974168

Seems like that is a powerful reason to prefer Fido. Is that still true? Is there any other reason to prefer one or the other or another broker? [I currently don't have accounts at either Fido or Schwab. I assume that neither Vanguard nor T Rowe Price have an autoroll function yet.]
by zeep
Thu Apr 07, 2022 4:38 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Why hasn’t Ally raised its Online Savings Rates
Replies: 94
Views: 14260

Re: Why hasn’t Ally raised its Online Savings Rates

When we all move to Treasuries. I'm starting to.
by zeep
Tue Feb 22, 2022 2:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Looking for a couple of "security ink rollers" [Found!]
Replies: 38
Views: 3218

Anyone have actual good experience with one of these?

Anyone have actual good experience with one of these?

I was looking into getting one as well but the reviews on Amazon are mixed at best.
I'm less concerned with Amazon and package labels than the large volume of mail from financial institutions, health care providers, and shareholder notices. I know I could have shareholder notices online, but in some ways I find email more intrusive and more time consuming to deal, unless until my spouse said we should shred them.

I shred the most sensitive documents, but if this worked it would be a good approach to deal with lower sensitivity materials.
by zeep
Mon Jan 31, 2022 11:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommended site for corporate gift basket?
Replies: 8
Views: 1490

Re: Recommended site for corporate gift basket?

+1 on Zingerman for quality
+1 on Costco/Wine County for value
by zeep
Tue Dec 28, 2021 12:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Uncomfortable with TSM / SP 500 and FAANG - what to do?
Replies: 69
Views: 5985

Re: Uncomfortable with TSM / SP 500 and FAANG - what to do?

While all are tech companies, the FAANG companies are more diversified than it seems.

Facebook and Google derive their revenues from advertising and data wholesaling.

Apple is a hardware and software company, increasingly generating revenue from FinTech. media and subscription services.
Netflix is a media and subscription services business.

Amazon may be the most diversified as a retailer, media subscription service, consumer product manufacturer and enterprise service provider.


The real competition is for talent, but their businesses are very different even though they compete in segments.
by zeep
Tue Dec 21, 2021 2:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Eyeglasses Fog Up w/ Mask
Replies: 63
Views: 8023

Re: Eyeglasses Fog Up w/ Mask

AlphaLess wrote: Tue Dec 21, 2021 9:33 am
criticalmass wrote: Sun Dec 19, 2021 8:51 pm Keep your glasses' lenses very clean, and use a quality mask with a tight nose fit.
+1.

Especially at the nose bridge, you need a tight fit.

I have tried a few different basic surgical masks, and those that have a metallic clip at the nose bridge work better than those with a plastic one.

Recently, I started wearing double mask due to the increase in COVID cases.
Using a bit of first aid tape to tape down the nose bridge of the mask can help. A pain, but it helps.
by zeep
Tue Dec 21, 2021 2:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best way not to get price gouged on a new car
Replies: 75
Views: 9569

Re: Best way not to get price gouged on a new car

I think AutoNatinon is selling at MSRP.
by zeep
Sat Jul 31, 2021 5:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Cost Basis/Gift Questons
Replies: 1
Views: 305

Cost Basis/Gift Questons

We are in a top marginal tax rate, a few years short of retirement. We'd like to start making annual gifts to our grad student child, and it occurred to me that it may make sense to gift low cost basis shares rather than cash since the grad student has a very low marginal tax rate. 1. Does the cost basis method selected for sales also govern the cost basis for shares gifted? That is, whether I've chosen HIFO, LIFO or average cost basis, does that govern gifts as well? 2. I have VG funds that I've been accumulating for 30+ years without sales. As a practical matter, how do people realistically handle cost basis? Just give up on tax optimization and go with average cost basis? I have some funds I have added to for years, so perhaps they are g...
by zeep
Fri Jul 09, 2021 6:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Quaint towns within 3 hours of Dulles?
Replies: 36
Views: 4676

Re: Quaint towns within 3 hours of Dulles?

Harrisonburg and especially Charlottesville are great place but by no means quaint. Staunton, by contrast, is. The OP should consider how important it is to be on a highway like I-81, as the character of communities in the Valley on and off I-81 are very different.

Love the Shenandoah Valley.

Good luck.
by zeep
Tue Jul 06, 2021 5:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Quaint towns within 3 hours of Dulles?
Replies: 36
Views: 4676

Re: Quaint towns within 3 hours of Dulles?

Really depends on what you are looking for. For quaint small towns, check out Luray and Berryville Va. Harrisonburg may be growing too fast and more booming than what you are looking for. The area around Staunton has an interesting mix of scenery near an interesting small city with good restaurants and an arts community.

Depending on how you look at it, Luray and Page County has the advantage or disadvantage that it not right on the interstate, yet there are folks who regularly commute to the Dulles area.

Tell us more about what are high priorities or non-negotiables for you and we can help more.
by zeep
Tue Jun 22, 2021 1:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: ***Cincy!***Looking at Retirement Area Indianapolis->Cincinnati->Lexington->Knoxville-> Ashville
Replies: 205
Views: 36066

Re: Looking at Retirement Area Indianapolis->Cincinnati->Lexington->Knoxville-> Ashville->Outerbanks

Definitely check out Asheville and surrounding area. It's got an odd mix of funky, hipster vibe coupled with retirees in surrounding areas and country club communities around Biltmore Village. Real estate has skyrocketed, and the cost of living is higher than you'd think. Make sure you spend sometime in Asheville as well as some close by communities with a different feel (Black Mountain, Hendersonville) or read some of the area profiles posted by realtors. [For example, if you don't like the Austin/Portlandia vibe in Asheville proper, check out nearby Hendersonville] Asheville's airport serves most of the major East Coast and Midwest hubs, and is an Allegiant focus city. If you are a Delta/Skyteam flyer, note that there is very frequent ser...
by zeep
Fri Jun 18, 2021 11:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Three Day Weekend in Ann Arbor
Replies: 18
Views: 1928

Re: Three Day Weekend in Ann Arbor

I'd add that the sandwiches and portions at Zingerman's are huge. You can easily share a sandwich and side, or pack a lunch for the next day. Well worth it. The baked goods and deli are fantastic. We've even done mail order several times.
by zeep
Sat Jun 12, 2021 3:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Another thread on "Which car should I buy?"
Replies: 42
Views: 4589

Re: Another thread on "Which car should I buy?"

Check out the Suburu Forester
by zeep
Tue Jun 01, 2021 10:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Password Manager Needed for Apple Mac, IPad, Iphone Users?
Replies: 57
Views: 6472

Re: Password Manager Needed for Apple Mac, IPad, Iphone Users?

I have used Dashlane for years and am mostly happy with it. I went with it because at the time I was choosing, reviews indicated it worked better than 1Password across Apple and PC platforms. Not sure if that is still true, but it was important to me since my personal devices were in the Apple Ecosystem, while my work environment was PC based. Worth checking out.