Search found 1057 matches

by nix4me
Tue Mar 19, 2024 8:50 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Finally ready to improve, consolidate and own my plan to retirement!
Replies: 50
Views: 4752

Re: Finally ready to improve, consolidate and own my plan to retirement!

i would keep Apple so you don't pay taxes on the massive gains.
I would sell EVERYTHING else.

I would buy 80% SPLG (S&P 500 Index fund)
I would by 15% IUSB (Total Bond)
i would leave 5% in cash.
by nix4me
Mon Mar 04, 2024 8:20 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: To buy BND or not now ??
Replies: 63
Views: 8756

Re: To buy BND or not now ??

I think BSV is a better fund for safety. Short is safer. If you want yield, use HYG - but you give up safety. Mix the 2 50/50 - looks pretty good to me.
by nix4me
Sun Mar 03, 2024 8:41 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Would you help me best invest/allocate $350k
Replies: 6
Views: 925

Re: Would you help me best invest/allocate $350k

I'd put it in VOO,IVV or SPLG. S&P500 ETF. ETFS are more tax efficient. SPLG is the cheaper SP500 ETF, even cheaper than VOO and IVV!
by nix4me
Thu Feb 15, 2024 11:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fixed income for specific purpose advice sought
Replies: 9
Views: 1011

Re: Fixed income for specific purpose advice sought

15% VOO - S&P 500 ETF
85% SCHO = short term treasury ETF

will produce 5-6% annually forever.

use Portfoliovisualizer website to verify
by nix4me
Thu Feb 15, 2024 11:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fixed income for specific purpose advice sought
Replies: 9
Views: 1011

Re: Fixed income for specific purpose advice sought

15% VOO - S&P 500 ETF
85% SCHO = short term treasury ETF

will produce 5-6% annually forever.

use Portfoliovisualizer website to verify
by nix4me
Thu Feb 08, 2024 11:22 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Inherited IRA
Replies: 11
Views: 968

Re: Inherited IRA

Ok, i guess i need to clarify / pick some assumptions. The funds will be in 80/20 portfolio: 80% SPY 20% SCHO The 4 year plan would mean taking out ~175K each year for 4 years. The 10 year plan would be ~90K a year for 10 years. I'm assuming 8% for the 80/20. And i'm assuming both the $175K and the 90K would be taxed at 24%. Sorry for your loss. What is your baseline income/MAGI without the IRA distributions? When the TCJA tax brackets go away in 2026, the 24% bracket will split into 28% at the lower end & 33% above taxable income of about $275k. Depending on your baseline income, adding $175k could easily boost you into the 33% tax rate for some of the IRA withdrawal. Even if you remain in the 28% rate, a 4 point rise in tax rates fro...
by nix4me
Wed Feb 07, 2024 10:24 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Inherited IRA
Replies: 11
Views: 968

Re: Inherited IRA

Ok, i guess i need to clarify / pick some assumptions.

The funds will be in 80/20 portfolio:
80% SPY
20% SCHO

The 4 year plan would mean taking out ~175K each year for 4 years.

The 10 year plan would be ~90K a year for 10 years.

I'm assuming 8% for the 80/20. And i'm assuming both the $175K and the 90K would be taxed at 24%.
by nix4me
Wed Feb 07, 2024 9:58 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Inherited IRA
Replies: 11
Views: 968

Re: Inherited IRA

gavinsiu wrote: Wed Feb 07, 2024 9:50 pm It's whatever will result in less taxes. For example, suppose you plan to retire and have your income drop soon, then taking it out later would be advantageous. Was your parents taking RMD already, then it might get a bit complicated.
Yes - parent was 81 and has been taking RMDs for a while. 10 year liquation still applies right? I do plan to retire in 3 years but i dont expect my taxes will change much.
by nix4me
Wed Feb 07, 2024 9:29 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Inherited IRA
Replies: 11
Views: 968

Inherited IRA

About to inherit a traditional IRA from parent. I know there is a 10 year rule to liquidate. Question is:

Is there an advantage to liquidating faster? or slower? I modeled on a spreadsheet and it looks like a wash no matter what speed. Anything i'm missing?

No matter what speed - all withdrawals will be taxed at 24%.
So i could liquidate in 4 years and max out 24% bracket.
Or i could stretch it to 9-10 years and tax rate will still be 24% (or higher if tax plan changes in 2025).

Thoughts?
by nix4me
Sat Oct 21, 2023 4:24 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Good Fidelity Fund(s) to start an Investment account for child in College
Replies: 28
Views: 3232

Re: Good Fidelity Fund(s) to start an Investment account for child in College

I got my daughter started in her Fidelity account. She routinely buys shares of VOO and leaves the rest in SPAXX. I tell her to keep at least 75% in VTI.
by nix4me
Fri Oct 20, 2023 10:14 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio rev.help needed-ytd return lousy after lousy '22
Replies: 22
Views: 2908

Re: Portfolio rev.help needed-ytd return lousy after lousy '22

A person needs 2 investments:
1. S&P 500 Index fund
2. Cash
by nix4me
Sun Oct 15, 2023 7:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Simplifying Portfolio
Replies: 19
Views: 2512

Re: Simplifying Portfolio

The only fund needed at your age is:

Previous 401k: Fidelity 500 Index
New 401K: Fidelity Total Market Index

All the rest is noise.
by nix4me
Sat Oct 14, 2023 7:51 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Money Market Fund vs Short Term Treasury ETF
Replies: 18
Views: 3122

Re: Money Market Fund vs Short Term Treasury ETF

i'd buy Treasuries. 1, 3, 5, 10 year are all very attractive, great coupon, non callable, 100% guaranteed.
by nix4me
Fri Sep 29, 2023 10:42 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help Me Rid Myself of a Dog (VNQI)
Replies: 21
Views: 3185

Re: Help Me Rid Myself of a Dog (VNQI)

International-anything is junk. Dump it.
by nix4me
Sat Sep 02, 2023 4:13 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What fund to invest $270k in?
Replies: 22
Views: 3368

Re: What fund to invest $270k in?

90% VOO
10% Money Market
by nix4me
Fri Aug 11, 2023 8:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: My elderly parents porfolio - now I have to manage it, help
Replies: 58
Views: 8078

Re: My elderly parents porfolio - now I have to manage it, help

What about something simple like:

30% IVV - S&P500
25% MUB - Muni Bonds
25% SHY - Short Bonds
20% SPAXX - Money Market

Or just dump it all into the Fidelity Freedom® Index Income Fund Investor Class FIKFX. Its like a 20/80 fund.
by nix4me
Sat Jun 17, 2023 8:06 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What are you using for Bond portion of portfolio?
Replies: 104
Views: 11789

Re: What are you using for Bond portion of portfolio?

isaachemingway wrote: Sat Jun 10, 2023 2:57 pm
nix4me wrote: Fri Jun 09, 2023 8:12 pm Individual 3-6 month t-bills - and then i sell put options on stocks/etfs using the t-bills as leverage.
Do you mean cash secured puts? Do the t-bills count as the cash?

Sounds like a cool idea.
Correct. The t-bills are 99% marginable so i make 5.3% from the bills and i use 99% of the same cash to write cash secured puts for additional income.
by nix4me
Fri Jun 09, 2023 8:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What are you using for Bond portion of portfolio?
Replies: 104
Views: 11789

Re: What are you using for Bond portion of portfolio?

Individual 3-6 month t-bills - and then i sell put options on stocks/etfs using the t-bills as leverage.
by nix4me
Thu May 18, 2023 8:30 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Sell SCHD in my taxable account?
Replies: 11
Views: 3067

Re: Sell SCHD in my taxable account?

You should be buying more instead of selling right now. In my opinion. I am.
by nix4me
Sat Apr 29, 2023 7:48 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Mortgage -vs- Buy Out
Replies: 9
Views: 1258

Re: Mortgage -vs- Buy Out

20% down and mortgage.
Then when rates go down in the future, just re-finance to lower rate.
by nix4me
Tue Mar 21, 2023 8:26 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where should a senior safely park $300k for heirs
Replies: 25
Views: 3124

Re: Where should a senior safely park $300k for heirs

Maybe 90% treasuries
And see if he is ok with 10% in SCHD dividend ETF - stable dividend paying companies.
by nix4me
Thu Feb 23, 2023 10:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: $2.5 million windfall at age 22... seeking advice
Replies: 140
Views: 23236

Re: $2.5 million windfall at age 22... seeking advice

1.5M in VTI
.5M in SCHD
.5M in Tbills/Cash
by nix4me
Wed Jan 25, 2023 5:22 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Accessing money in early FIRE
Replies: 6
Views: 998

Re: Accessing money in early FIRE

Rule of 55, make sure your plan allows it.
Put less in 403B - enough to get match, and start putting more in taxable.

Thats what im doing
by nix4me
Sun Jan 22, 2023 5:13 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Most of my money is in a taxable account. Is this bad?
Replies: 35
Views: 7021

Re: Most of my money is in a taxable account. Is this bad?

Nutting wrong with having large Brokerage portfolio- here comes, opportunity for TLH (tax-loss harvesting), and possible step-up basis. Ideally keep AGI below 80k’ish to pay ZERO LTCG/Qual-dividends .. or, gift 16k/32k per year to needy kith/kin - so they may be eligible for tax-free gains - may be helps toward their college; or, donate to charity/DAF and itemize as tax deductions; one also could also consider early/partial FIRE .. You are far better off like that. I'm 80% traditional 401K and i regret doing that every day.... I'm pumping money into taxable like a madman trying to fox it but its pretty much unfixable at this point. I'm gonna have to do Roth conversions, otherwise RMDs are going to be horrendous when i get old. We truly wis...
by nix4me
Sun Jan 22, 2023 5:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Undervalued Wide Moat ETF
Replies: 20
Views: 2480

Re: Undervalued Wide Moat ETF

Just buy shares of the 49 stocks. Expense ratio = 0%. Its only 49, or just buy your favorites.
by nix4me
Sat Jan 21, 2023 7:26 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Most of my money is in a taxable account. Is this bad?
Replies: 35
Views: 7021

Re: Most of my money is in a taxable account. Is this bad?

You are far better off like that. I'm 80% traditional 401K and i regret doing that every day.... I'm pumping money into taxable like a madman trying to fox it but its pretty much unfixable at this point. I'm gonna have to do Roth conversions, otherwise RMDs are going to be horrendous when i get old.
by nix4me
Fri Dec 23, 2022 5:26 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Need easy online HYSA where new home funds can be wired quickly
Replies: 27
Views: 2635

Re: Need easy online HYSA where new home funds can be wired quickly

I recommended just Brokerage thus the SIPC. The cash sweep is SPAAX and it pays much higher than the FCASH FDIC sweep on the CMA. Here is the link that shows current rates: https://accountopening.fidelity.com/ftgw/aong/aongapp/interestRates?type=fcma But you could open CMA too. It connects to the Brokerage account and gives best of both worlds. Its free to open and try it out. Just open CMA+Brokerage accounts. Debit cards, checks, bill pay, credit cards that pay 2% rewards - its the best all in one place solution. I appreciate this additional info. I was surprised how much lower the Fidelity CMA FDIC interest rates are. I don't understand why someone would put their non-retirement cash money in that instead of going directly to a bank of t...
by nix4me
Thu Dec 22, 2022 5:04 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Need easy online HYSA where new home funds can be wired quickly
Replies: 27
Views: 2635

Re: Need easy online HYSA where new home funds can be wired quickly

I recommended just Brokerage thus the SIPC. The cash sweep is SPAAX and it pays much higher than the FCASH FDIC sweep on the CMA. Here is the link that shows current rates: https://accountopening.fidelity.com/ftg ... ?type=fcma

But you could open CMA too. It connects to the Brokerage account and gives best of both worlds. Its free to open and try it out. Just open CMA+Brokerage accounts. Debit cards, checks, bill pay, credit cards that pay 2% rewards - its the best all in one place solution.
by nix4me
Mon Dec 19, 2022 7:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Need easy online HYSA where new home funds can be wired quickly
Replies: 27
Views: 2635

Re: Need easy online HYSA where new home funds can be wired quickly

A Fidelity Brokerage account:

The cash will sit in the Gov Money Market fund which currently is paying 3.68%.
And you can buy Treasuries or CDs which pay more.
And you can invest in whatever else you want as well but you don't have to.
FDIC is not needed - Brokerage's have SIPC insurance (SIPC insures $250,000 in cash, SIPC insures $500,000 in securities)
by nix4me
Sun Dec 18, 2022 4:41 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Choosing a Bond Fund
Replies: 21
Views: 2736

Re: Choosing a Bond Fund

I see zero goodness from bond funds. They are terrible investments.
I would hold cash, or individual treasuries, or individual bonds for fixed (non stock) holdings.
by nix4me
Fri Dec 02, 2022 5:41 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help with Portfolio (Husband Passed Away)
Replies: 31
Views: 3201

Re: Help with Portfolio (Husband Passed Away)

Please don't go with the Insurance guy.

The simple approach would be to sell all investments: keep some cash in money market in Brokerage, and place everything else in Target Date Fund in each account. Pick a target date fund date that has like a 60/40 split.
by nix4me
Thu Nov 24, 2022 10:04 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: SCHD [Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF]
Replies: 138
Views: 19232

Re: SCHD [Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF]

Great ETF.

And the people above who rattle on about taxes on dividends have zero clue what they are talking about. They just repeat what someone else said.
Capital gains tax rates are extremely favorable over Ordinary income.
by nix4me
Sat Oct 15, 2022 5:37 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Can an advisor improve on "All VTI"?
Replies: 42
Views: 5178

Re: Can an advisor improve on "All VTI"?

I wouldn't change a thing. Maybe keep some cash / treasuries.
by nix4me
Tue Oct 11, 2022 7:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Ways To Stay The Course?
Replies: 69
Views: 8767

Re: Ways To Stay The Course?

Easy. Log into your account with the wrong password a few times in a row until you are locked out of the account. Done.
by nix4me
Sat Oct 08, 2022 8:25 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: When to add VBTLX to VTSAX & VTIAX ?
Replies: 9
Views: 1357

Re: When to add VBTLX to VTSAX & VTIAX ?

i would say - never.
by nix4me
Sun Oct 02, 2022 4:25 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: New DIY Investor
Replies: 22
Views: 2298

Re: New DIY Investor

I would open taxable and Roth IRA at Schwab or Fidelity and transfer out of those horrible funds.

Taxable
S&P 500 Index Fund (SWPPX) or Fidelity FXAIX if you go with them
Some cash and/or Treasury Bills

401K
Vanguard Institutional Index Trust (S&P 500 Index Fund)
Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund (VBITX)

Roth
S&P 500 Index Fund (SWPPX) or Fidelity FXAIX if you go with them
by nix4me
Sat Oct 01, 2022 2:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: unable to trade in last hour today [Vanguard]
Replies: 36
Views: 3163

Re: unable to trade in last hour today [Vanguard]

I moved my account to Fidelity 2 weeks ago. Had enough of Vanguard. Absolutely terrible. You can’t even sell an ETF or stock from their mobile app. Their website is horrid. Their new app is completely useless. You can’t sell complex options at all. They dont do fractional shares. Their customer service is terrible. The whole company is junk. Good riddance, gone. Funny thing is, my account still shows $97 in it 3 days after that $97 was transferred. Slow and ancient.
by nix4me
Sun Sep 11, 2022 7:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where to invest excess emergency funds (Fidelity)
Replies: 12
Views: 3193

Re: Where to invest excess emergency funds (Fidelity)

Fidelity has some good short term treasury and bond funds.
You could also use ultra short term bond ETFs such as VUSB, JPST, ICSH.
by nix4me
Sun Sep 11, 2022 8:43 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What’s wrong with this etf yielding 11% (JEPI)? [JPMorgan Equity Premium Income]
Replies: 152
Views: 34682

Re: What’s wrong with this etf yielding 11% (JEPI)?

Charles Joseph wrote: Sun Sep 11, 2022 8:25 am
whodidntante wrote: Sat Sep 10, 2022 4:57 pm I mean, it kind of feels like you are leaving money on the table if you accept a meager 11%. Dave Ramsey tells us we can earn 12% in "good growth stock mutual funds" which are easy to identify in advance. :P
Absolutely. Just call one of his endorsed Ramsey SmartVestor Investing Professionals and they will get you all squared away.
Made me laugh....
by nix4me
Sat Sep 10, 2022 9:52 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What’s wrong with this etf yielding 11% (JEPI)? [JPMorgan Equity Premium Income]
Replies: 152
Views: 34682

Re: What’s wrong with this etf yielding 11% (JEPI)?

Brianmcg321 wrote: Sat Sep 10, 2022 9:24 pm It would be no different that if you sold the shares. Where do you think the money comes from?
The money comes from the covered call option premium. Seems like maybe you don't understand what JEPI is.
by nix4me
Sat Sep 10, 2022 9:18 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What’s wrong with this etf yielding 11% (JEPI)? [JPMorgan Equity Premium Income]
Replies: 152
Views: 34682

Re: What’s wrong with this etf yielding 11% (JEPI)?

JEPI is fantastic for a person needing income. I'm thinking about a 10-15% position in it for when i retire.
by nix4me
Wed Sep 07, 2022 3:37 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Inherited brokerage account
Replies: 11
Views: 866

Re: Inherited brokerage account

This is why people just need to do TOD/Beneficiary for all accounts.
by nix4me
Wed Apr 13, 2022 9:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Burned by Paul Merriman Advice
Replies: 242
Views: 30690

Re: Burned by Paul Merriman Advice

I got burned as well. I've been holding 100% S&P 500 for 20 years.
Turns out if i would have went 100% Tesla i would have been retired years ago.
by nix4me
Fri Apr 08, 2022 3:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Windall Coming... AA recomendations?
Replies: 20
Views: 2634

Re: Windall Coming... AA recomendations?

5-10% Cash
90-95% VOO

And i wouldn't use Vanguard, i would use Fidelity or Schwab.
by nix4me
Fri Apr 08, 2022 3:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: HSA Allowing Investments - What Do I Choose
Replies: 15
Views: 1233

Re: HSA Allowing Investments - What Do I Choose

100% (VFIAX)
And read the rules on qualified expenses
by nix4me
Thu Mar 24, 2022 7:17 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Do I bother with Bond Funds?
Replies: 40
Views: 4776

Re: Do I bother with Bond Funds?

It's been suggested that this chart be shown in "why bonds?" threads. The only point of this chart is that there have been times when bonds have been well worth bothering with. After seventeen years stocks finally, as expected, outperformed bonds, but bonds helped keep you warm while you were waiting. Source https://imgur.com/3CxxpKp.png I can cherry pick dates too.. https://www.portfoliovisualizer.com/backtest-portfolio?s=y&timePeriod=4&startYear=2011&firstMonth=1&endYear=2022&lastMonth=12&calendarAligned=true&includeYTD=false&initialAmount=10000&annualOperation=0&annualAdjustment=0&inflationAdjusted=true&annualPercentage=0.0&frequency=4&rebalanceType=1&absoluteDeviatio...
by nix4me
Sat Mar 19, 2022 9:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: A better option than my target date fund
Replies: 15
Views: 2287

Re: A better option than my target date fund

Smith wrote: Sat Mar 19, 2022 6:17 pm I appreciate the thoughts here. Nix4me, this is exactly what my CPA said about intermediate term bonds when we know rates are going up. Do you like any particular short or ultra short Bond funds? I’m in a IRA with this Target date fund, but may want to split it up. We looked at my Target Fund for the last 12 months and the bond portion appears to lose a lot of value. I’m not leaving Vanguard just wondering about the bond portion.
I'm not a bond expert - in fact i despise them and own none and never plan to own any.

Vanguard has many short term bond funds - BSV comes to mind. VUSB is ultra-short bond fund.
Just be aware - even these short term funds have lost money in the past year or 2.
Why not cash?
by nix4me
Sat Mar 19, 2022 8:16 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VOO/VTI Substantially Identical?
Replies: 40
Views: 5452

Re: VOO/VTI Substantially Identical?

not even close to identical.
by nix4me
Sat Mar 19, 2022 8:11 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: A better option than my target date fund
Replies: 15
Views: 2287

Re: A better option than my target date fund

He is right actually. Target date funds contain total bond funds which equate to intermediate duration. These bond funds are taking a a beating and will continue to be beaten while the interest rates go up. With bonds right now, shorter duration is better. Short term or ultrashort term will lose less than intermediate/total.