Search found 203 matches

by ColoradoRick
Mon Mar 25, 2024 4:29 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors
Replies: 141
Views: 10324

Re: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors

I searched upstream quickly and didn't see this so if it's a duplicate apologies. I like to collect pithy quotes.

"The most expensive dinner you'll ever buy is a free gourmet dinner from your (future) financial advisor."
by ColoradoRick
Tue Mar 05, 2024 6:51 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: New Retirement
Replies: 50
Views: 6849

Re: New Retirement

I would use a "divide and conquer" approach to gaining knowledge. Since it is "tax season" and you mentioned "taxes", I would suggest you start there. Do you prepare your own tax return? Have you prepared your own tax returns for many years? Based on your answers, I will comment further. I do not prepare my return. My tax knowledge base is so limited I’m afraid I will miss something. Meeting this afternoon with a new CPA after moving to a new city in NC late last year. Before retiring my taxes were complicated due to stock options and other compensation. At least for me.:) Now that this is behind me taxes will be much simpler going forward. In my humble opinion, even though you are hiring a CPA, I would spend ...
by ColoradoRick
Mon Feb 26, 2024 9:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Portugal Vacation
Replies: 22
Views: 2976

Re: Portugal Vacation

Thank you all for the replies so far! I am researching on TripAdvisor too, but many of the posts do not get much response. I think I need to increase my trip from 9/14-9/21 to 9/13-9/21. Still not sure if I will head north or south from Lisbon. I read somewhere that The Algarve is like the Florida of Portugal, so that makes me a little nervous (Florida is not my thing). Keep the advice coming! Let me give you a different perspective. Many people like the hustle and bustle of crowds (Lisbon & Porto). Our favorite part is Carvoeiro on the Algarve and Alentego. Alentego has 1/3 of the area of Portugal but only 1/6 of the population. Terrific roads courtesy of EU. Tolls are not insignificant but much easier to take a car there than in the ...
by ColoradoRick
Tue Jan 30, 2024 1:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do you retire when you love your work?
Replies: 163
Views: 13213

Re: How do you retire when you love your work?

Dear KBR (OP) - great thread! You seem really grounded but yet seeking input from those whose opinion you respect. I have no doubt you will make the correct decision when it's time. I read the full thread that was available first thing this morning, stepped out and now see it has exploded. I confess I only speed read when I returned an hour ago so apologies if this has been addressed. What does your partner (or if none) your family say? Not saying you should absolutely do what their opinion is, but this input is important. A very dear friend about my age (73) and his wife went walking 2-3 miles at a brisk pace 5x/wk. She was 5'2" and 95 lbs, fit and a nurse who ate well. Poster woman for fitness. My friend said he didn't want to retire...
by ColoradoRick
Tue Jan 23, 2024 7:28 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Sibling getting inheritance [Request help with taxable account]
Replies: 11
Views: 1793

Re: Inheritance for sibling

I am spectacularly unqualified to answer this, but my 46 year old son asked me a similar question. I told him everyone's risk tolerance was different, but simpler is easier. Target funds are good if he never wants to look at it again but in addition to being actively managed (a relatively higher expense ration) they aren't as tax efficient as a 3 fund portfolio. I told my son with my risk tolerance I'd go 60% S&P500 fund or ETF; CD ladder 5 years of living expenses and 1 year cash. I know it lacks international but 15 yrs personal experience, Warren Buffet & Jack Bogle all show me that the 40% profits S&P gets overseas gives me that. If your brother wants more/less risk he can tweak it. SP 500 funds are very tax efficient. He co...
by ColoradoRick
Wed Jan 17, 2024 10:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Trip to Provence and Riviera
Replies: 8
Views: 874

Re: Trip to Provence and Riviera

Your itinerary looks awesome. I think you couldn't go wrong with your itinerary. Just remember when you are traveling in the summer it can get quite warm and crowds will be much bigger. If you like warm weather then go for it. We went the 1st 2 weeks in October and the wait staff were more relaxed and helpful. If you like museums and culture go for it. However we went very lightly on Nice and Marseilles. My wife and I love the small cities and the feel you are more meshed in the culture. Google Translate took away our apprehension, but most wait staff speak rudimentary English. In Cape Ferrat we stayed at Hotel L'oursin from Rick Steve's. Aubrey's parents owned it. Opened our shutters to view the bay (80 feet away) every morning. The hotel ...
by ColoradoRick
Fri Dec 15, 2023 12:15 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Sequence of returns risk
Replies: 24
Views: 3430

Re: Sequence of returns risk

Hello Aloha Bill,

I retired at 62-1/2. I took SS immediately so I could leave our portfolio untouched. We were blessed in that the past decade has had very good equity returns. With 11 yrs passing, my wife and I increased our spend. If it had been a challenging equity decade we certainly would have had that risk. SS covers 40% of our spend, and IRAs cover the other 60%. When you don't have a pension SOSS is definitely a big deal. The majority of my circle of acquaintances does not have a pension.

Thanks, Colorado Rick
by ColoradoRick
Tue Dec 12, 2023 3:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to determine the cost basis for stocks with no records?
Replies: 23
Views: 3527

Re: How to determine the cost basis for stocks with no records?

If it were me (which it isn't) I would actually do what one blogger said:

1). narrow down the date range involved as best as possible
2). go to Yahoo Finance under the stock, look at historical data pricing high and low for the period
3). take the average

The IRS is free to disagree but I don't think any reasonable agent would argue this was bad intent.
by ColoradoRick
Tue Dec 12, 2023 3:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to determine the cost basis for stocks with no records?
Replies: 23
Views: 3527

Re: How to determine the cost basis for stocks with no records?

If it were me (which it isn't) I would actually do what one blogger said:

1). narrow down the date range involved as best as possible
2). go to Yahoo Finance under the stock, look at historical data pricing high and low for the period
3). take the average

The IRS is free to disagree but I don't think any reasonable agent would argue this was bad intent.
by ColoradoRick
Wed Dec 06, 2023 7:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Whose is Self Insuring for Long Term Care (LTC)? I'd Like To Hear Your Plan
Replies: 202
Views: 21593

Re: Whose is Self Insuring for Long Term Care (LTC)? I'd Like To Hear Your Plan

When insurance companies started writing LTC insurance they had little actuarial experience compared to the years of data they had from mortality tables. I've never been a pioneer buying new things (electric cars, CD players, etc.). Let them get the kinks out. I researched some articles that said if longevity increased or life saving (but not necessarily life-enhancing) discoveries could lengthen lifespans, the whole idea wouldn't work well. Then the LTC providers would be faced with raising premiums egregiously and the human reaction after 10-20 years becomes: "I can't cancel now, you've gotten my money for X years and you want me to cancel." Plus I've had 2 friends in their 80's ask me what I would do after huge premium increase...
by ColoradoRick
Sat Oct 14, 2023 7:06 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Am I Crazy? Asset allocation at 50
Replies: 41
Views: 5365

Re: Am I Crazy? Asset allocation at 50

I can't tell you what to do; I can only tell you my experience. Like you at I was age 49 (1999) and was heavy equities because that said the biggest payoff. In 2000 and 2008 stocks dropped over 50%. At today's levels you can say oh I've got years and I'll stay the course if that happens. However as been pointed out by wiser than me posters, you don't lose this money in a vacuum. Your job, your company, your career, are all at risk. Try keeping your head when that happens. We had 27 RIFs (reductions in force) in my last 10 years at the megacorp. I saw our net worth drop by half. I'd done everything right. I felt betrayed. However I was too stubborn to sell. I wish I would have had a glide path reducing my equity exposure by 5%/year my last 7...
by ColoradoRick
Mon Oct 02, 2023 9:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does bumping severance into next year help with taxes?
Replies: 13
Views: 2018

Re: Does bumping severance into next year help with taxes?

Dear OP - -

In Nov 2012 I volunteered for a severance package and megacorp said I could delay severance until Jan 2013. Since I didn't work in 2013 but tried to support myself flipping houses (didn't work out), so had virtually no other income in 2013. So I did this and had no issues with IRS.

It's been 13 years so YMMV.

Good Luck,
Colorado Rick
by ColoradoRick
Sat Sep 16, 2023 9:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Crock Pot Corner!
Replies: 92
Views: 9387

Re: Crock Pot Corner!

My wife got a recipe from our daughter-in-law for barbecued spare ribs that are to die for! Plus no messy outdoor grill to clean up. Slow cooked and fall off the bone. We have them about 1x every 6 wks.
by ColoradoRick
Thu Jul 27, 2023 12:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Who here has retired with mostly tax differed money?
Replies: 28
Views: 2886

Re: Who here has retired with mostly tax differed money?

due to the fact Roth's came late in life and I didn't want the hassle of figuring which withdrawals were taxable and which were not, we were like many above with 90% in untaxed IRA and 10% in brokerage taxable account. If we had to do it over again, I'd go 80/20.

That way I could pick some years to have a lower taxable income by withdrawing from the brokerage account. That would allow getting a lower OBAMA care premium a few of the years before I turned 65. Also would have given me more flexibility as to my total tax bill. It all turned out okay though, and I'm sure you will turn out okay no matter what you decide.
by ColoradoRick
Thu May 11, 2023 11:11 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Hilton Honors
Replies: 43
Views: 5884

Re: Hilton Honors

Anyone a member of Hilton Honors? What do you think of the program. Thanks Leroy Jones :sharebeer Hilton Honors member for 20+ years. No complaints. We have used points to pay for hotel rooms many times. +1! Their room rates are competitive where we like to stay (Homewood Suites/Embassy Suites/Home2Suites). After a couple of 30+ day roadtrips during Covid & opening 2 credit cards and bath fitters we had close to 1 million points. So if you watch it you can get nights for 40,000 points and if you stay at one place for 5 nights then the 5th night is free making it 32,000 points. Not Four Seasons but works for us......we've still got 3 free weeks left. Also Bank of Americard reports that middle to upper income people are cutting back on t...
by ColoradoRick
Mon May 08, 2023 5:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Another Consideration in the Decision to Take the Pension or the Lump Sum
Replies: 7
Views: 1086

Re: Another Consideration in the Decision to Take the Pension or the Lump Sum

Is it reasonable to believe the 96k retirees who had their pensions outsourced to the insurance company be the ones which whose the monthly payment opposed to lump sum? The other ~124k took the lump sum at retirement so there is nothing to outsource. If above is accurate, then forward, I would imagine each pension covered new retiree makes the same choice you did, lump sum or monthly payments. The caveat is, those who chose payments, the company simply purchases an annuity on their behalf and absolves the company of the obligation to manage the funds and administer the payments. Most new hires are classified as "term" (temporary) employees, who because of that status aren't provided with a pension or a lump sum. An ex-son in law ...
by ColoradoRick
Sun Apr 16, 2023 10:32 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Firefighters desire to leave Equitable and become a Boglehead
Replies: 8
Views: 1171

Re: Firefighters desire to leave Equitable and become a Boglehead

Hi everyone! I am a firefighter/paramedic and have been working for 6 years. Over the course of a year or two, I have been gravitating towards the Boglehead approach after reading forums and listening to podcasts, which have pointed me toward books like The Simple Path to Wealth and A Bogleheads Guide to Investing. I have become aware of Equitable / AXA and what they have been doing to folks with access to 457(b) and 403 plans. I want to change my investments and make my money work for me. I am a late starter in life and have a lot to catch up on. I was hoping for some help. I work 2 jobs, one primarily at the fire department and the other as a paramedic for a local hospital. I make 86k base pay, but with overtime and my second job, I have...
by ColoradoRick
Mon Mar 27, 2023 7:20 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: total market and CD's
Replies: 17
Views: 1904

Re: total market and CD's

That sounds like a good plan to me.
by ColoradoRick
Mon Mar 13, 2023 9:45 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How safe is VMFXX now?
Replies: 107
Views: 19331

Re: Settle this debate...how much money does FDIC insurance cover on this bank account?

I think 1 owner and 4 POD beneficiaries is 5x FDIC limit. My suggestion is that the OP call the bank and ask them, then confirm the answer on the FDIC web site or by calling the FDIC. Why is this coming up now instead of when the account was set up? I did look into this years ago at the time, and my conclusion then was the same as now: I think FDIC should cover $1,000,000. However now with the recent banking news I am worried that it could actually be critical imminently, so I would like to get 100% confirmation. I have tried calling the FDIC number, but no one answered. My belief is that 1 owner and 4 PODs is covered up to $1.25M. If the account is still open when the owner is deceased, it woulould drop to $1M for the remaining 4 until li...
by ColoradoRick
Thu Mar 02, 2023 9:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best way to quickly declutter and organize the house
Replies: 127
Views: 12947

Re: Best way to quickly declutter and organize the house

I am in the slow process of doing this now. Last year I had a bad health scare. My adult daughter knows that she is my executor when I die, and she also knows that the burden of sorting through all my possessions - which could possibly be viewed as clutter by some people - will fall on her. She told me that if I die without getting rid of my stuff, that she will simply burn down my house, so I need to get rid of things now. The result is that now each week I try to take at least one box of treasures to Goodwill or another charity. I ask myself 'Do I really want my daughter to have to deal with this?' and that serves as a big motivator. So far I have emptied out the attic and one closet and gotten rid of some nice furniture that nobody in t...
by ColoradoRick
Thu Feb 23, 2023 11:29 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: The Stupidest thing you can do with your money
Replies: 6
Views: 3598

Re: The Stupidest thing you can do with your money

Invest with Edward Jones

Invest with Ameriprise

Buy whole life life insurance
by ColoradoRick
Wed Feb 22, 2023 9:00 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: A Boglehead is Considering Buying Stocks.
Replies: 91
Views: 9441

Re: A Boglehead is Considering Buying Stocks.

I appreciate all the comments and good information. Seems like the majority is strongly against single stock purchases which I get. My understanding is that we may have inadvertently protected our $$ over the past year or so by holding cash rather than BND. But within 1 year we will have 1M in cash if we do nothing. Givien the recent poor bond performance and given the effects of inflation on cash, would it be foolish for us to hold $1M in cash by next year as a “bond replacement”which would be 8% of our total portfolio (or about 5 years of expenses)?? I would anticipate slowing down at work ie much less or no salary within 2 years. Or should I bite the bullet and begin to move some of the cash into BND? I hope some clearer minds will weig...
by ColoradoRick
Tue Jan 31, 2023 2:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help understanding Mom's annuities
Replies: 76
Views: 7206

Re: Help understanding Mom's annuities

Annuity Story - so I had a friend who was sold 2 annuities after the GR stock market meltdown. This friend actually listened to me in 2015 and saw the sense of the Boglehead way. So before he went to liquidate his annuities, I asked him to explain them to me. Naturally he couldn't, but he would ask "his guy" at the time. "His guy" could not explain them to him either, saying they were very complicated. I said if he couldn't explain annuities that he sold my friend, who could? That sealed it, my friend dumped the advisor and went Boglehead, and was thrilled. Also never buy an investment you can't explain in 5 to 10 minutes. Other than a SPIA I have no use for any annuities, and for most knowledgable Bogleheads even SPIAs ...
by ColoradoRick
Sat Jan 28, 2023 10:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Age and probability of needing long term care?
Replies: 258
Views: 25893

Re: Age and probability of needing long term care?

In terms of planning for possible future expenses, I'm wondering about the contingency between current age and the likelihood of needing long term care. For example, if I am 80 what is the likelihood I'll need LTC at some point and does this increase the older I get? It seems logical that this would be the case. I've seen articles that present the percentage of seniors that need LTC, but I don't believe I've seen data on age-based contingent LTC. Is anyone aware of such information? Does it make sense that older seniors should be basing their financial planning taking this into consideration? [/quo I'm too lazy to look it up for you, but AARP has a great page on probabilities, ages and costs of LTC. However, there is no way to customize th...
by ColoradoRick
Sat Jan 21, 2023 12:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much are you helping your kids through college?
Replies: 144
Views: 16845

Re: How much are you helping your kids through college?

How much are your helping your kids to start life, through college and life in general? Will they get a car (new/used)? Will they get money to spend in college? Will they get money to vacation while in college? Will they get an apartment to live while in college? Will they get a down payment for their first house? Will they get car insurance paid for? Please give me a glimpse of where you started and if you had help yourself as this many times influences how much you are willing to do for your kids. For me, my dad and I had a reverse argument. He wanted to pay for college and I wanted to pay my own way (lived at home). Compromise he bought me a 3 yr old car and paid auto insurance and I paid all my tuition, books, expenses. Learned value o...
by ColoradoRick
Sat Jan 21, 2023 12:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any way to disable "ready" beep on coffee maker?
Replies: 46
Views: 5013

Re: Any way to disable "ready" beep on coffee maker?

bradinsky wrote: Sat Jan 21, 2023 7:42 am The tone button
I've had 3 over the years and Brad is right. If your model has a small LCD screen (mine is blue) there is a tone button and it will give you a logo with the tone crossed out. Hope your model is like this. If your house is like mine and my lovely very clean wife wipes the appliance down she will sometimes disconnect it.
by ColoradoRick
Fri Jan 20, 2023 4:42 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Reinvesting dividends and distributions at TD Ameritrade
Replies: 17
Views: 1184

Re: Reinvesting dividends and distributions at TD Ameritrade

Just be aware that different brokerages will do DRIPs on the same stock and you will get different days and different prices on their DRIPs. Sometimes as much as $1.50/share and one to two days differences. Not a big deal to me, but just wanted to let you know.
by ColoradoRick
Mon Jan 16, 2023 7:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lumber prices with futures approx 1/3 of 1 year ago
Replies: 13
Views: 2261

Re: Lumber prices with futures approx 1/3 of 1 year ago

I was in building materials (lumber, plywood, rebar) at the wholesale level for 40 years. So I have experience, but not necessarily expertise. Often (not always) futures lumber prices would bottom this time of year. They track, but as stated not 1 for 1 and not immediately. Cement board siding, shingles, drywall similarly.

I would expect that wood building material prices will moderate this year. I expect labor to remain elevated, but noticed over thanksgiving my house painter ran a special for prompt business. Tradesmen will have to watch their quotes more this year and will be squeezed between slower business and paying higher wages.

This spring might be a good time. Wouldn't hurt to get 2 or 3 quotes in March April.
by ColoradoRick
Sun Nov 13, 2022 7:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lisbon and South of France (Nice) or Lisbon and Spain (Barcelona or Madrid)?
Replies: 51
Views: 4964

Re: Lisbon and South of France (Nice) or Lisbon and Spain (Barcelona or Madrid)?

An addendum to what I wrote: many travel people like to check boxes or tell their friends they've been to the popular places. If you pick the Algarve and Alentejo like we did, you don't get much in the way of bragging rights.

If you want to hit world popular spots go to Barcelona or Seville Spain, or Nice France or Madrid as someone else mentioned. In April I don't think you could go wrong with any of them.
by ColoradoRick
Sun Nov 13, 2022 7:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lisbon and South of France (Nice) or Lisbon and Spain (Barcelona or Madrid)?
Replies: 51
Views: 4964

Re: Lisbon and South of France (Nice) or Lisbon and Spain (Barcelona or Madrid)?

Dear Worthit: we just got back from 33 days in Europe (that's too long by the way, we had 2 groups of friends that wanted to travel with us and we got carried away). We spent 12 of the days in Portugal (3 in Lisbon/2 in Sintra/2 in Obidos/2 in Coimbra and 5 in Carvoeiro). It totally depends on what type of person you are. Our 2nd group of friends we travelled with love the hustle and bustle of large tourist cities. My wife and I suspected and this trip verified we are small town people and we like to visit small towns like where we were born. We feel you meet nicer people, have a slower pace, and can get closer to the culture without the pressure of crowds. So not knowing which you are and to give a generic recommendation, I too would only ...
by ColoradoRick
Sun Nov 13, 2022 6:45 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How Do You Like My New 'Doo
Replies: 445
Views: 107023

Re: How Do You Like My New 'Doo

Dear Ned Said: totally agree that I've got too much in my winners. Just sold 20% of the stock that is my 13% of net worth. Happy I did it, but like most quality stocks, my 2 winners go down less and recover more quickly that the market. So that exposes one of my many character flaws.... I have a character flaw...I have no trouble selling losers but it is REALLY TOUGH to sell these 2. I do a little market timing in that my theorem is that in one year inflation will be down to 4% and the stock market will be up 20%. What arrogance! But I've got 8 yrs to whittle down the 2 I'm over allocated on. I expect in 2 years both will be down to no more than 5% and 40% of those funds will go to the S&P 500 and the balance into cash/cds. Thanks for s...
by ColoradoRick
Sat Nov 12, 2022 1:18 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How Do You Like My New 'Doo
Replies: 445
Views: 107023

Re: How Do You Like My New 'Doo

Ned said, thanks for your thoughtful and detailed reply. Sounds like you and I are like one gentleman who postulated that he knows that probabilities say he should buy index funds or ETFs, but as long as he does well enough to retire he will buy some individual stocks because he enjoys it and it gives him great pleasure.

I just had 13% of our net wort in one stock and 7% in another. Neither was a former employer. Those stocks have performed beyond my wildest expectations. It feels great. I'll wind it down as I approach 80, but its been a great ride, even the losers.

Thanks Colorado Rick
by ColoradoRick
Sat Nov 12, 2022 11:31 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How Do You Like My New 'Doo
Replies: 445
Views: 107023

Re: How Do You Like My New 'Doo

Ned said I have followed this thread over the years, and am grateful you are a contributor. I can tell you are intelligent, thoughtful and rational and have some (many?) skill sets to a greater degree than I do. I also haven't done a deep dive LATELY on this thread. But I can't get this question out of my mind that I'd like to ask you (and I will get to it eventually!) As I recall you are close to retirement, but haven't retired yet, and perhaps that explains it. But here is my question: I get that only the bolded stocks are held individually and not in a fund, but was wondering why you liked to do hold individual stocks? I subscribe to the theory that anything less than 5% doesn't really affect your results. However your assets may be so l...
by ColoradoRick
Thu Aug 18, 2022 9:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Long Distance (across the US) driving trip?
Replies: 27
Views: 2379

Re: Long Distance (across the US) driving trip?

We've done this twice and you already have received much sage advice. As far as a jump starter we bought the Michelin off of Amazon and it was $170.00 but it has ports for your cell phone, a radio, emergency flashers and compressor for flat tires. My wife thinks I worry too much! We've stayed on the interstate except for wilderness destinations and found cell service along the interstates to be always there. In and around Moab wilderness areas, often with out cell service in the mountains. Emergency blankets, water, snacks (always) and the enjoyment of our great country is a wonder I wish more people could enjoy. If you are retired you don't need to rush. One thing we preferred. Our first trip, we did hub and spoke traveling. By that I mean...
by ColoradoRick
Thu Jun 30, 2022 4:56 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Investment Choice Help Needed
Replies: 10
Views: 1054

Re: Investment Choice Help Needed

If you don't want to lock in your loss, and if I were you, I would just direct NEW contributions to the S&P 500. Lower expenses, more diversification. And yes you can lose money on the S&P 500. However, I've had mine since 1985, and gotten rid of Emerging Markets, International and Health Funds because over a 15 year period the S&P 500 trounced them all. IT MAY NOT IN THE FUTURE, but that's where we (my wife and i) are. And glad we are, even with the pullback. We tell ourselves, not to look at the dollars, but the number of shares. And history tells us there will be a new all time within the next 2 to 10 years, so we won't really have lost that money. Look at the number or shares and know we will hit all time highs again. But it...
by ColoradoRick
Sat Jun 25, 2022 8:50 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: inflation from 60's and 70's vs now (taxes angle)
Replies: 14
Views: 1653

Re: inflation from 60's and 70's vs now (taxes angle)

This doesn't answer your question but perhaps will allay a little of your concern about inflation. (Or maybe I'm living in a fantasy world--that's okay it's happier here). According to CNBC both soybeans and corn prices are BELOW what they were before Russia's invasion of the Ukraine. Lumber prices are down significantly. Others may follow other commodities prices. Oil was down recently. I've noticed on the auto dealers strip where we live that slowly car inventories are rebuilding. My vice is eating out breakfast. However that is up 30%. I've decided to eat out a few times less. We refuse to take flying vacations while there is such schedule turmoil and high prices. We will wait. We always lump our errands and trips as far as driving. Road...
by ColoradoRick
Tue Jun 14, 2022 10:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How long to hold 80/20 asset allocation
Replies: 62
Views: 21670

Re: How long to hold 80/20 asset allocation

65/35

This week nibbled with a little play money into a stock. Used it to bring my equity allocation up to that since the bear market had eroded about 5% from my equity to around 60%
by ColoradoRick
Thu Jun 02, 2022 5:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What recent technology has improved your life and how?
Replies: 125
Views: 13156

Re: What recent technology has improved your life and how?

Apple HomePodMinis - bought 6 throughout the house - - intercoms/phone/messenger/timer/music on demand etc. etc.
by ColoradoRick
Fri May 27, 2022 1:50 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Investing video tutorials
Replies: 8
Views: 984

Re: Investing video tutorials

I recommend Rob Berger....he is a Boglehead that is literate yet interesting. Some may not apply to you, but he also does videos for 20 and 30 somethings.
by ColoradoRick
Tue May 03, 2022 7:01 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth
Replies: 81
Views: 11756

Re: Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth

March 2020 should have made it abundantly clear that holding on, or even doubling down, is the best move. How anyone can forget what happened to stocks just 2 years ago and get back to their doom and gloom cycle is beyond me. My only regret in the bad years is that I don't have more money to invest. I have every expectation that stocks will be twice where they are now by 2030. At times like this there are many people (mostly non-Bogleheads) who discover they underestimated their nerve holding in a down market and preferring non-equity places for their money. I am VERY GRATEFUL for people like that who offered me the opportunity in Feb & March 2020 terrific buying opportunities. They are now and will probably in the next 6 months again ...
by ColoradoRick
Sat Mar 19, 2022 11:06 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: do I need a money manager after $1 million?
Replies: 157
Views: 18282

Re: do I need a money manager after $1 million?

You got to 1mm by yourself, so why do you need a money manager. +1 and again the Wall Street Journal ran an article this past Thursday that 85% of money managers trailed the market returns last year. Well you think my guy is in the 15%! a). probably not. b) as you go farther out in time that 1.5-2% advisor fee (oar in the water) pushes that up to high 90s %. Not to mention survivorship error (unsuccessful funds get sold/merged). Yeah your guy only charges 1% but the mutual funds he gets you into usually cost 1-2% (and your guy probably gets a finder's fee). Bernie Madoff paid finder's fees. It is one of the few things in life where you pay more for less. People are used to cars/meat/clothes where you pay more for more value. THIS IS NOT ON...
by ColoradoRick
Sat Mar 19, 2022 8:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 2021 Refund Times
Replies: 297
Views: 30404

Re: 2021 Refund Times

filed both state and federal 2/15/22
rec'd state refund in ~ 2 wks after filing
ret'd fed refund ~ 3 wks after filing
Turbo Tax
by ColoradoRick
Mon Mar 14, 2022 8:09 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Prospect of Recession & the Passive Investor
Replies: 39
Views: 5824

Re: The Prospect of Recession & the Passive Investor

If it's any consolation, from a historical perspective, the frequency of U.S. recessions has declined dramatically over the past century and a half: https://i.imgur.com/gAMnJLk.jpg Many attribute this to the success of modern monetary policies in the 20th century to modulate the extremes of economic expansions and contractions, to alleviate financial crises, and to manage inflation and unemployment. The irony is, as the Federal Reserve has gotten better at its job of alleviating the impacts of financial crises, this may actually be encouraging investors to take on more risk, knowing they'll be rescued by monetary policy. As a result, recessions may be getting less frequent, but some speculate that they could be getting more severe (not to ...
by ColoradoRick
Sat Mar 12, 2022 7:41 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: New Investor...Should I Just Wait?
Replies: 91
Views: 12065

Re: New Investor...Should I Just Wait?

It’s some months later now and I am down a significant amount. I think a lot of people have generalized advice that is good but was not appropriate for my situation. I always had a feeling that it was a bad time to invest and now I have lost 30k and counting because of it. Probably shouldn’t have trusted the internet. OP, I give you credit for investing the money....you were wiser than most of your peers. I don't mean this in a mean way, but as a prediction that is 95% probable. You are doomed to a lifetime of disappointment and poor results if you truly feel the above AND MORE IMPORTANTLY ACT ON IT. You are at a crossroads in your investing life. You are ignoring history and facts. You need to invest using probabilities and past history, ...
by ColoradoRick
Thu Feb 17, 2022 12:09 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How to estimate annual dividends as market price changes?
Replies: 25
Views: 2467

Re: How to estimate annual dividends as market price changes?

How can I dynamically estimate future dividends as prices change? If I use the TTM or 30-day SEC yield rate applied to the price, then it will over or under estimate as the stock/ETF/fund price changes. For example, let's say I want to estimate the annual dividends from SCHB (Schwab total market ETF). Is there a way to do that (in a spreadsheet) that will auto-adjust as the price changes? OP - not clear from my reading of your post if you want dividend yield or dollars & cents amounts of total future dividend. If you want a stocks upcoming dividend just google "stock ticker dividend" and NASDAQ usually comes out. That will give you dividend history plus the upcoming dividend if it is known. If you want the dividend yield eith...
by ColoradoRick
Sat Feb 12, 2022 10:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to Calculate Savings Rate - Net or Gross?
Replies: 51
Views: 6227

Re: How to Calculate Savings Rate - Net or Gross?

Bogglebendi wrote: Sat Feb 12, 2022 10:32 am Hi All,
Seems like an easy question, but I am getting different responses. What are bogleheads using to calculate your savings % rate? Should I be calculating rate off of Gross pay or Net (take-home) pay?

I am trying to figure out my "savings" fitness.

Do you all have savings $ amount goals, or do you set % goal? What % savings rate do you aim for?

PS. By saving, I am meaning investing/saving.
Gross....I guess because when I was working the company match was figured that way AND it made me feel better by using a bigger number (10% of $110 vs. 10% of $95). It spurred me to save more.

But that's just me.
by ColoradoRick
Sat Feb 12, 2022 7:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Thoughts on Inflation
Replies: 6
Views: 736

Re: Thoughts on Inflation

For those who survived high inflation in previous decades, where do you see our current inflation going? Will mortgage rates rise above 6%? What will help alle7viate these increases, specifically groceries? Of course nobody knows, but to answer your question as to opinion(s) for most likely scenarios: 1). 7% 2021 7%2022 5%2023 Recession 3% 2024 (Really hope I'm wrong!) 2). Mortgage rates peaking at between 6-7% 3). My background in commodities industry. Though its up again, check out a 5 year lumber chart. Profitability attracts competition and investment. If weather is "normal" grains gradually going lower. One of your best inflation hedges is the stock market. I'm at 60/40 now and plan to keep it there for foreseeable future. O...
by ColoradoRick
Sat Jan 08, 2022 11:33 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retirement investment question
Replies: 39
Views: 4558

Re: Retirement investment question

So over the next week I will have $800,000 to invest into VWIAX (Vanguard Wellesley Income Admiral shares). This money is originally from old employer 401K plans all pre tax. It has been sitting in CDs paying 3.5% the past three years. I have no interest in a ROTH conversion right now. My predicament is that I plan on retiring this coming October 1st (not official yet but this is my current mindset). So my question is what methodology should I use to transfer this money from a money market to VWIAX? I realize trying to time the market is unwise but I cannot afford to dump the $800,000 into VWIAX now and then see it collapse heading into an October retirement date. My one thought is to be cautious and buy on the dips periodically until Octo...
by ColoradoRick
Wed Dec 08, 2021 8:09 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Older Bogleheads: What was the most expensive decade of your life?
Replies: 99
Views: 14149

Re: Older Bogleheads: What was the most expensive decade of your life?

mike@jb wrote: Tue Dec 07, 2021 1:08 pm My forties were the most expensive. They were also my peak earning years.
We got two kids through high school and college, had four cars in the driveway and took some great vacations.
Both kids were out of college and working when I was 50!
+1!! :D :D

Biggest raise in my life was at age 50 both when both
were out of college and left the nest. Wife cried, I clicked my heels being the jerk that I am.!
by ColoradoRick
Wed Dec 08, 2021 8:03 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: CD Ladder Discipline
Replies: 48
Views: 6327

Re: CD Ladder Discipline

In previous years I used a 5-year CD ladder but lost the discipline to do that when interest rates went down to almost 0. And given that inflation is in the air now, I'm even more reluctant to go long term. Is this attitude reasonable at this time or will I be sent to the Bogleheads corner for assuming the direction of interest rates? Anyone purchasing 5-year CD's now? My thinking this is just like total AA; that is what allows you to sleep at night vs. leaving $$ on the table. All suggestions here are sensible to me, but what works for you? I had a 7 yr ladder but my thinking is once you get below 2% on a 7 yr CD really what's the point? I get that CDs/bonds are more stable, but back of the napkin says a 1% increase in interest rates will...