Search found 1861 matches

by Brianmcg321
Sun Mar 10, 2024 6:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any Azul Wells fans here?
Replies: 9
Views: 1092

Re: Any Azul Wells fans here?

student wrote: Sun Mar 10, 2024 6:01 pm I watched a lot of his videos but they are very repetitive. Mostly of the following theme.
1) Retirement smile spending.
2) Retire as soon as you can.
3) Use fee-only financial advisors.
And guess what, he's a fee only financial advisor.
by Brianmcg321
Fri Feb 02, 2024 1:12 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: William Bernstein latest book on investing
Replies: 34
Views: 5460

Re: William Bernstein New Book on asset allocation

No.

viewtopic.php?t=346520

If you had $1mil and were going to draw 4%, that would mean you would be at a 60/40, stock/bonds, portfolio. That would be a good portfolio for most retired people.
by Brianmcg321
Thu Feb 01, 2024 3:10 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Echoes of Dot Com Bubble?
Replies: 230
Views: 23995

Re: Echoes of Dot Com Bubble?

2020-2021 felt more like the dot.com bubble than it does now. In 2000 everyone thought they were day traders with their new e-trade accounts and putting all their money into anything with .com at then end of their name. In 2020-2021 it was Robinhood and the meme stocks. It was crazy how similar it felt. 2022 shook most of those players out.
by Brianmcg321
Fri Jan 19, 2024 9:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Treadmills
Replies: 59
Views: 5509

Re: Treadmills

We bought a Sole treadmill a year ago and love it. We got one of the simpler models that didn’t have the flatscreen monitor. I have a tv in the room and didn’t need it.
by Brianmcg321
Fri Jan 19, 2024 3:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Are car washes necessary?
Replies: 116
Views: 12618

Re: Are car washes necessary?

whodidntante wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 5:39 pm If this forum has taught me anything, it's that I do not want a used car owned by a Boglehead.
LOL. 100%.

Everyone knows washing your car gives it at least an extra 50 horsepower.
by Brianmcg321
Wed Jan 17, 2024 12:39 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Question about IRAs
Replies: 8
Views: 1087

Re: Question about IRAs

The letters. I.R.A.
by Brianmcg321
Sat Jan 06, 2024 8:02 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Buying dividend stocks now vs.investing in dividend stocks later when you have accumulated with VOO VTI
Replies: 28
Views: 5240

Re: Buying dividend stocks now vs.investing in dividend stocks later when you have accumulated with VOO VTI

It doesn’t matter whether you have dividend stocks or a total market index. The 4% rule is the same.

Dividends aren’t giving you any extra money.
by Brianmcg321
Thu Jan 04, 2024 11:45 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 529 plan with Vanguard
Replies: 9
Views: 1165

Re: 529 plan with Vanguard

I live in Tn and I use the Vanguard 529 plan. It does make it easy having everything together.
by Brianmcg321
Mon Jan 01, 2024 4:53 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What was the investment climate like in the bull market 10 years ago?
Replies: 55
Views: 7265

Re: What was the investment climate like in the bull market 10 years ago?

All the pundits were saying the market was going to crash at any minute. It was just way overvalued.
by Brianmcg321
Tue Dec 12, 2023 4:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to determine the cost basis for stocks with no records?
Replies: 23
Views: 3174

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

nassau34 wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2023 12:54 am Has anyone actually gone through the process of making a good faith estimate of the cost basis and had it questioned by the IRS, or had it pass IRS scrutiny without any follow-up questions or audit? This is not an uncommon situation, and someone should have valuable insight to share.
I did this on my taxes in 2022. No questions were asked. I guestimated the month and year of purchase and used an average price during that month.
by Brianmcg321
Tue Dec 12, 2023 3:45 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Dividend funds as a hedge against downturns
Replies: 18
Views: 2253

Re: Dividend funds as a hedge against downturns

Dividends are not a hedge for anything.
by Brianmcg321
Sat Nov 25, 2023 10:39 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help with Etf’s for dividends and growth
Replies: 48
Views: 4171

Re: Help with Etf’s for dividends and growth

Completely unnecessary.

Just use one total market index. Chasing dividends is a fools errand. You’re just paying yourself with your own money.
by Brianmcg321
Tue Nov 21, 2023 10:51 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Balanced & target funds - whats the benefit?
Replies: 25
Views: 2971

Re: Balanced & target funds - whats the benefit?

Good points from everyone. I do see the benefit of automatic re-balancing but isn't the concept of balancing there for reducing risk from big drops in the stock market? I still don't see how a mixed fund is a better way to ride it out. Another example: Larry has $1M in a 50/50 stock & bond fund Curly has $500k in a stock fund that is identical to the stock holdings of Larry's 50/50 fund and $500k in a bond fund identical to the bond part of Larry's fund. Then the stock market drops 25% Larry's $1M fund may drop 10% so his income suffers until the market recovers. Curly's stock fund may drop 25% BUT he does not care because he now draws his income ONLY from the bond fund that may even increase. Why is Larry's approach better? The result...
by Brianmcg321
Fri Nov 17, 2023 9:26 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Fidelity introducing automatic ETF investing
Replies: 158
Views: 27396

Re: Fidelity introducing automatic ETF investing

So, they basically reinvented mutual funds. Lol.
by Brianmcg321
Sun Nov 12, 2023 8:50 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 401k fees; rollover before leaving job?
Replies: 16
Views: 1350

Re: 401k fees; rollover before leaving job?

Pretty standard fees for a 401k.
by Brianmcg321
Sat Nov 11, 2023 8:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Getting paid after quitting. glitch in the system
Replies: 70
Views: 6489

Re: Getting paid after quitting. glitch in the system

Since you know it’s not your money, you are now stealing. The longer this goes on the worse your sentence will be. Get this taken care of ASAP.
by Brianmcg321
Mon Nov 06, 2023 5:58 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buying a 120k car... yes, I need your help
Replies: 275
Views: 33183

Re: Buying a 120k car... yes, I need your help

Random Poster wrote: Sun Nov 05, 2023 10:23 pm Since you asked….

You should triple your net worth before even considering buying a $120k car.

Based on your income, that shouldn’t take very long.
I agree. What he has saved vs his income is way off.
by Brianmcg321
Sun Nov 05, 2023 12:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Soundproof home gym in new house
Replies: 74
Views: 5952

Re: Soundproof home gym in new house

Lots of bumper plates and horse stall mats may do the trick.
by Brianmcg321
Thu Nov 02, 2023 7:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gym and Personal Trainer switch-a-roo issue
Replies: 28
Views: 4114

Re: Gym and Personal Trainer switch-a-roo issue

vnatale wrote: Wed Oct 25, 2023 9:48 pm One thing this points to is doing it yourself. Not having to rely upon a trainer.

This is what I follow.

https://startingstrength.com/

Bought the book which is extremely detailed.

Bought the DVD which spends many minutes demonstrating each exercise using normal people.

Bought the app, which is tremendous.

The only "personal trainer" I will use is a friend to observe me and the demo videos to tell me if I am correctly doing the exercises.
Got the book and a nice squat rack at home. I have been thinking of getting the app but so far have been using a good workbook I found on Amazon. Is the app really worth it?
by Brianmcg321
Wed Nov 01, 2023 10:03 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Confused why google says VTSAX....
Replies: 8
Views: 1684

Re: Confused why google says VTSAX....

Index funds are mutual funds
by Brianmcg321
Wed Nov 01, 2023 10:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 4% 5 year returns
Replies: 5
Views: 1593

Re: 4% 5 year returns

Yeah, that happens
by Brianmcg321
Thu Oct 26, 2023 9:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does your significant other know about Bogleheads?
Replies: 97
Views: 9959

Re: Does your significant other know about Bogleheads?

My wife just knows it as the investing forum I'm always on.
by Brianmcg321
Sun Sep 24, 2023 5:28 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Avoiding tax on dividends while building passive income portfolio
Replies: 8
Views: 4246

Re: Avoiding tax on dividends while building passive income portfolio

Best thing to do would be to get rid of all those ETFs generating all those dividends. It's nothing but a tax drag for you.
by Brianmcg321
Sun Sep 24, 2023 5:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: My Elderly Parents Can't Resist Answering the Phone
Replies: 127
Views: 38948

Re: My Elderly Parents Can't Resist Answering the Phone

Get them new landline phones where you can turn the ringers off.
by Brianmcg321
Mon Sep 18, 2023 7:02 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Anyone take the CFP courses in the last 5 years for personal benefit?
Replies: 16
Views: 2684

Re: Anyone take the CFP courses in the last 5 years for personal benefit?

The CFP would be completely pointless for someone to take unless you were going to become a CFP and start managing clients. There really is no benefit to it for an individual investor. It's not going to increase your returns. Thats for sure.
by Brianmcg321
Sat Sep 02, 2023 7:44 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: There is a winner and loser for each stock trade?
Replies: 62
Views: 5061

Re: There is a winner and loser for each stock trade?

No. It isn’t true. I could sell a stock that doubled my money and I needed the money for something else. The other person just bought shares of a company that could easily keep doing really well.
by Brianmcg321
Thu Aug 31, 2023 3:13 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: S&P 500 versus Total Stock Market index fund
Replies: 83
Views: 10275

Re: S&P 500 versus Total Stock Market index fund

I think you’re entirely missing the point of index investing if you’re worried about one ticker amongst 4000 others.
by Brianmcg321
Wed Aug 23, 2023 5:08 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Feeling like the Total Index approach wasn’t the best path
Replies: 225
Views: 31680

Re: Feeling like the Total Index approach wasn’t the best path

student wrote: Tue Aug 22, 2023 10:37 pm I am not smart enough to pick stocks and I do not have the guts to bet big. Imagine you invested in Groupon thinking that even Google wanted to buy it. https://www.chicagotribune.com/business ... story.html
But it’s so obvious
by Brianmcg321
Wed Aug 23, 2023 3:26 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Feeling like the Total Index approach wasn’t the best path
Replies: 225
Views: 31680

Re: Feeling like the Total Index approach wasn’t the best path

I feel this thread where the OP was asking why Boglehead's didn't like funds like ARKK that "crushed" index funds. He never came back after ARKK tanked about 80%.

viewtopic.php?t=339971
by Brianmcg321
Thu Aug 17, 2023 11:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Northwestern Mutual
Replies: 40
Views: 5480

Re: Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual is an insurance company that does insurance sales. They do not have advisors. I don't care what they call them.
by Brianmcg321
Fri Aug 11, 2023 5:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Don't pay full price for SiriusXM radio
Replies: 649
Views: 112415

Re: Don't pay full price for SiriusXM radio

I just got a deal in the mail and took advantage of it. 3 years for $3 per month. LOL.
by Brianmcg321
Thu Aug 10, 2023 11:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Who is correct ? [Can my cousin retire early?]
Replies: 141
Views: 13061

Re: Who is correct ? [Can my cousin retire early?]

I’d retire with that and not give it a second thought.
by Brianmcg321
Fri Jul 28, 2023 8:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tesla suppressed driving range complaints
Replies: 174
Views: 14803

Re: Tesla suppressed driving range complaints

How much does does it cost to charge your ev at home compared to a tank of gas in your ice? Who cares. Your sleeping. You shouldn't care about the financial cost because you are sleeping :confused Should you also not care about the time (or :moneybag ) it may take to charge an EV publicly because you could be napping in the car (or getting a meal or walking or...)? This is a reasonable concern for people deciding what type of car to buy. Lol. I read the question as “how long does it take”. Not sure how I did that. My brother owns a model 3 and he told me he figured it costs about $5-$10 per “tank”. He figured this using off peak pricing. He also said he charges a lot at work so he hasn’t seen a difference in his electric bill.
by Brianmcg321
Fri Jul 28, 2023 8:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tesla suppressed driving range complaints
Replies: 174
Views: 14803

Re: Tesla suppressed driving range complaints

Cubs Fan wrote: Thu Jul 27, 2023 6:30 pm How much does does it cost to charge your ev at home compared to a tank of gas in your ice?
Who cares. Your sleeping.
by Brianmcg321
Thu Jul 27, 2023 8:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tesla suppressed driving range complaints
Replies: 174
Views: 14803

Re: Tesla suppressed driving range complaints

jebmke wrote: Thu Jul 27, 2023 8:07 am As an aside, am I the only one who read the subject line and wondered why Elon was ragging on golf now?
Lol. I thought he might have bought a Top Golf franchise.
by Brianmcg321
Tue Jul 25, 2023 6:55 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: JNJ spin off KVUE [Johnson and Johnson spinoff - Kenvue]
Replies: 91
Views: 18376

Re: JNJ spin off KVUE

Xrayman69 wrote: Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:30 am
Brianmcg321 wrote: Mon Jul 24, 2023 7:34 pm I like this even better.
Any particular reason for liking “this even better”?

I like the 7% arbitrage but fear the day after the KVUE stock will just tank 7% or if selling KVUE shares will have to pay the capital gains tax which is greater than the 7%.
I don't want any of the KVUE stock.
by Brianmcg321
Mon Jul 24, 2023 7:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you keep your credit account "frozen" at the Big 3? (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion)
Replies: 77
Views: 5724

Re: Do you keep your credit account "frozen" at the Big 3? (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion)

Experian and Transunion both have apps that takes you second to log into and just toggle a swith freeze or unfreeze your credit. Pretty simple. Equifax does not appear to have an app. So you have to go to them via internet still.
by Brianmcg321
Mon Jul 24, 2023 7:34 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: JNJ spin off KVUE [Johnson and Johnson spinoff - Kenvue]
Replies: 91
Views: 18376

Re: JNJ spin off KVUE

I like this even better.
by Brianmcg321
Mon Jul 24, 2023 5:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Home Gym Flooring
Replies: 11
Views: 1182

Re: Home Gym Flooring

RJC wrote: Mon Jul 24, 2023 12:03 pm Thanks to you both. Apparently there is a Tractor Supply near my home (DC/MD/VA area).

Just place the mats over a concrete floor? No glue?
No need to glue. They are pretty heavy. Also once you put any equipment on them they won't budge.
by Brianmcg321
Mon Jul 24, 2023 11:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Home Gym Flooring
Replies: 11
Views: 1182

Re: Home Gym Flooring

Remove the carpet and get some horse stall mats from Tractor Supply.
by Brianmcg321
Mon Jul 24, 2023 11:35 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Passive Income
Replies: 69
Views: 6601

Re: Passive Income

Rental real estate is not passive. Depending on how many units you have it can turn into a full time job.
by Brianmcg321
Sun Jul 23, 2023 7:15 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Outperforming in "Play" account
Replies: 29
Views: 2604

Re: Outperforming in "Play" account

Give us an update in 20 years.