Search found 289 matches

by Squirrel208
Tue Mar 12, 2024 9:24 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: SS is insufficient, very little savings, what's the best option
Replies: 49
Views: 7793

Re: SS is insufficient, very little savings, what's the best option

tuningfork wrote: Mon Mar 11, 2024 6:39 pm If EJ is nearby, Fidelity likely has an office nearby as well.
I’m a happy high-value Fidelity client, but what you describe above isn’t likely at all in my experience.

Fidelity has around 200 retail offices in the US, and Edward Jones claims more than 15,000. For example, here in Idaho Fidelity only has one retail location, located 250 miles away, and EJ has over 100 scattered around the state. That difference is pretty much key to EJ’s “advisor next door” business model and their need to charge higher fees to support it.
by Squirrel208
Mon Feb 19, 2024 7:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 20-30X income, is that the "retirement rut"?
Replies: 90
Views: 13503

Re: 20-30X income, is that the "retirement rut"?

Say you are in your 40s with a $100,000 salary with a NW of $2,000,000 or 20x Income to NW ratio I'm only at about 12-15x my income and I already feel like I'm in a rut. I hate to be the spoilsport, but neither of the above formulas are particular helpful or indicative of whether you've saved enough to meet your retirement spending needs. This because neither factor in your anticipated expenses in retirement, your expected portfolio performance, or the time horizon for which you may need to continue withdrawing assets from your portfolio. Take the Trinity Study and infamous 4% safe withdrawal rate rule for example. Accumulating 25x retirement expenses in anticipation of safely withdrawing 4% annually (adjusted for inflation) over 30 years ...
by Squirrel208
Mon Feb 19, 2024 1:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retired and Inheritance
Replies: 8
Views: 1188

Re: Retired and Inheritance

The $1 million in Inherited IRA must be emptied out within 10 years from the date of death of the decedent, from whom you are inheriting that IRA. That is the current law, and unfortunately you cannot have "no intention of withdrawing from it". Sure, but once the income tax has been paid on the mandatory withdrawals the OP can reinvest the remainder in a taxable brokerage account with an asset allocation eye on the future. I do similarly as POA for my mother, who is in her mid-80s and not much interested in the nuts and bolts of finance. (Managing their investments was dad's gig before he passed away several years ago.) Her portfolio is large enough that even her RMDs throw off more income than she'll ever need, so she's asked me...
by Squirrel208
Mon Feb 19, 2024 1:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 20-30X income, is that the "retirement rut"?
Replies: 90
Views: 13503

Re: 20-30X income, is that the "retirement rut"?

Say you are in your 40s with a $100,000 salary with a NW of $2,000,000 or 20x Income to NW ratio I'm only at about 12-15x my income and I already feel like I'm in a rut. I hate to be the spoilsport, but neither of the above formulas are particular helpful or indicative of whether you've saved enough to meet your retirement spending needs. This because neither factor in your anticipated expenses in retirement, your expected portfolio performance, or the time horizon for which you may need to continue withdrawing assets from your portfolio. Take the Trinity Study and infamous 4% safe withdrawal rate rule for example. Accumulating 25x retirement expenses in anticipation of safely withdrawing 4% annually (adjusted for inflation) over 30 years ...
by Squirrel208
Mon Feb 19, 2024 11:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Financial Coach programs
Replies: 1
Views: 286

Re: Financial Coach programs

This topic has been discussed many times here in the BH forums. Here are a couple of links to forum searches that'll show you some of those threads:

https://www.google.com/search?sitesearc ... cial+coach

https://www.google.com/search?sitesearc ... al+advisor
by Squirrel208
Sun Feb 18, 2024 9:34 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Need retirement advise
Replies: 3
Views: 758

Re: Need retirement advise

Please continue this discussion in your earlier duplicate post.
by Squirrel208
Sat Feb 17, 2024 11:11 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Jp Morgan chase transfer damage
Replies: 3
Views: 728

Re: Jp Morgan chase transfer damage

TLDR

Is there an actionable question here somewhere?
by Squirrel208
Fri Feb 16, 2024 10:45 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: relying on interactive charts to make investment decisions
Replies: 12
Views: 1008

Re: relying on interactive charts to make investment decisions

geranium wrote: Thu Feb 15, 2024 5:40 pm I look at the charts and see what goes up consistently over time, despite the ups and downs along the way.
Historical charts like you describe, whether "interactive" or not, are backwards-looking only. Using them to make future investment decisions is as inaccurate and risky as trying to drive your car forward while only looking behind you into the rear-view mirror.
by Squirrel208
Thu Feb 15, 2024 7:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Gift Tax?
Replies: 9
Views: 814

Re: Gift Tax?

If you pay the school directly for the grandkids' tuition the expense will be exempt from gift tax consideration.

See this link and this link for examples of discussion on the topic.
by Squirrel208
Tue Feb 13, 2024 12:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: should i pay off a car at 1.9% or invest in a cd at 5.5%
Replies: 67
Views: 6286

Re: should i pay off a car at 1.9% or invest in a cd at 5.5%

Car is a 21 with 30k miles on it and I still owe $17k @ 1.9%. I can pay it off but thought it better to put in a 5.5%cd. Thoughts? Wealthy people don't get that way by financing the purchase of depreciating assets. <shrugs> I trust you realize that everyone here isn’t wealthy and that most attained that wealth further down the road of life unless they were born into it. Yes, I do realize that. I'm a classic example of it myself. My grandparents were poor, my parents started their adult lives poor, and I followed in their footsteps by starting my own life adult life poor too. My formal education stopped when I graduated high school and I lived paycheck to paycheck until I was married with children in my 30s. Now, at 59 years old, I've manag...
by Squirrel208
Mon Feb 12, 2024 8:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: should i pay off a car at 1.9% or invest in a cd at 5.5%
Replies: 67
Views: 6286

Re: should i pay off a car at 1.9% or invest in a cd at 5.5%

KDM302a1 wrote: Mon Feb 12, 2024 7:09 pm Car is a 21 with 30k miles on it and I still owe $17k @ 1.9%. I can pay it off but thought it better to put in a 5.5%cd. Thoughts?
Wealthy people don't get that way by financing the purchase of depreciating assets. <shrugs>
by Squirrel208
Mon Feb 12, 2024 8:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity CMA account - transaction report for the whole year
Replies: 3
Views: 473

Re: Fidelity CMA account - transaction report for the whole year

If you filter your CMA account activity criteria by "custom" instead of "recent" you can choose to retrieve and/or download data for "any 366 days period going back 5 years."
by Squirrel208
Sat Feb 10, 2024 2:36 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Need advice about my portfolio setup
Replies: 11
Views: 1019

Re: Need advice about my portfolio setup

dpow wrote: Sat Feb 10, 2024 1:51 pm However, Fidelity also offers FSKAX, which is a combination of large, medium, and small caps all in one fund. So rather than invest in 3 separate funds for large, medium, and small cap, would I be better off just doing FSKAX for all of my domestic stocks? This is what it would look like:

60% Domestic FSKAX
20% International FTIHX
20% Bonds FXNAX
Welcome to the Boglehead community! What you describe above is a recognized and oft-recommended investment strategy here. See this wiki article for more info on the three-fund portfolio.
by Squirrel208
Fri Feb 09, 2024 7:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anyone Moving from 100% stocks?
Replies: 47
Views: 5720

Re: Anyone Moving from 100% stocks?

alex123711 wrote: Fri Feb 09, 2024 6:33 pm Anyone moving or considering moving away from 100% stocks due to market overheating/ bubble in the top 7 stocks?
This seems to be yet another market timing investment question phrased as though perhaps this time something is uniquely different, when in fact it likely isn't. If you have the risk capacity and tolerance to invest in 100% stocks you won't lay awake imagining the sounds of overheating bubbles and other market noises in the middle of the night.

So sure, some will hear or see the market noise and react, and others will roll over and fall back asleep again. <shrugs>

Is there an actionable investment question here somewhere?
by Squirrel208
Fri Feb 09, 2024 12:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: frustration moving money between financial institutions
Replies: 8
Views: 1190

Re: money disappearing in-between institutions

The thread title is misleading, if not entirely untrue. It doesn't appear that any money has actually disappeared from anywhere. The only things that have gone missing are a couple of checks that appear to be lost due to delays in transit , processing, or clerical handling etc.
RustyShackleford wrote: Fri Feb 09, 2024 11:58 am I'm going to wait a few more days; 15 business days from Jan 25 is next week. If it doesn't appear then, any suggestions ? AE says they "can not" wire the money.
Request that AE mail the check via USPS Certified Mail with an adult signature required and/or Return Receipt signature service.
by Squirrel208
Fri Feb 09, 2024 11:52 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Please help me retire at 55
Replies: 19
Views: 3476

Re: Please help me retire at 55

LeslieSmiley wrote: Fri Feb 09, 2024 9:36 am Using the Marco polo portfolio visualizer and plug those numbers in and run different scenarios would be a good start to answer your own question.
To clarify for the OP, who appears to be new to the BH community, there's no such thing as "the Marco polo portfolio visualizer."

I believe LeslieSmiley was likely referring instead to the Monte Carlo means-testing simulation tool hosted on the Portfolio Visualizer website.
by Squirrel208
Thu Feb 08, 2024 12:40 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Please help me retire at 55
Replies: 19
Views: 3476

Re: Please help me retire at 55

SweeneyTodd wrote: Thu Feb 08, 2024 10:34 am Whoops. We spend about $145k per year right now. I'll edit the post and add it.
Generally speaking, using the safe withdrawal rate data from the Trinity Study, you can expect to require 25x your annual expenses saved and invested in order to safely withdraw 4% per year, adjusted for inflation, for 30 years without running out of money.

If you plan to live longer than 30 years, or if you need to spend more than 4% per year, or if you've invested in a more conservative asset allocation than used in the Trinity Study you may need to have more than 25x annual expenses saved.

$145,000 x 25 = $3,625,000
by Squirrel208
Mon Feb 05, 2024 4:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Microwave venting or over the range hood vent?
Replies: 16
Views: 1925

Re: Microwave venting or over the range hood vent?

4nursebee wrote: Fri Feb 02, 2024 6:40 am OTR microwaves might vent 200-300 CFM, max I can find is 400.
An OTR specific hood would likely do better, perhaps 500 or better.
Big Dog wrote: Fri Feb 02, 2024 10:35 am I only buy the highest cfm I can find; the current is 400 cfm.
Carl53 wrote: Sun Feb 04, 2024 5:48 am I think the venting (to the outside) is a little less than desired. It is rated at 400 cfm on high and is fairly noisy at that setting. Our code does not allow for higher venting rates without providing alternative makeup air.
Justed wanted to confirm the 400 CFM max flow rate is pretty common among exhaust fan manufacturers. As noted above, most residential building codes require make-up air from outside to be piped into the home for flow rates above 400 CFM.
by Squirrel208
Mon Jan 15, 2024 11:24 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Beating the market too easy?
Replies: 51
Views: 6650

Re: Beating the market too easy?

Congratulations on taking the "humble" out of humble brag. 😂

Is there an actionable question somewhere in this thread?
by Squirrel208
Sat Jan 13, 2024 5:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023
Replies: 435
Views: 154041

Re: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023

".... The Turbo Tax offer is available to clients that are either assigned to Private Client Group, Premium Services or Active Trader Services along with these additional criteria:minimum assets of either Fidelity 401K or IRA assets of $1,000,000 or more and Personal Investment (non 401K) assets of at least $500,000 and own one or more non-retirement account or non-retirement assets $1,000,000 or more.... " I'm not sure how to parse the second, asset-level, requirement. Is it that you need either: (A) $1 mil or more in 401K/IRA accounts and $500k or more in non-retirement accounts OR (B) $1 mil or more in non-retirement accounts? That's how I interpreted it too. I meet the requirements but do not see a free TT offer on the Portfo...
by Squirrel208
Sat Jan 13, 2024 3:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023
Replies: 435
Views: 154041

Re: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023

I see that some recently received a notice for a free turbo tax offer in the future. I’m supposedly a “private client status”…I’m assigned to the local office/regional branch manager. Three questions: 1) does anyone know the criteria of those who receive this future free online Fidelity offer? I don’t trade much since i mainly just sell or buy Vanguard index ETFs on my Fidelity brokerage account. 2) did this free offer include the premiere TurboTax? I don’t think I want to learn the deluxe version. 3). I did see a 20% reduction for Fidelity online use of TurboTax purchase. Does this mean I should not expect a free offer in the future since a 20% discount was posted on my summary brokerage account? Thanks I don't think anyone knows their cr...
by Squirrel208
Sat Jan 13, 2024 3:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How do we determine our ETF candidate for your Portfolios ?
Replies: 5
Views: 593

Re: How do we determine our ETF candidate for your Portfolios ?

What are the criteria you use to identify ETFs to your portfolios? That's an easy question. I follow the basic principles of the Boglehead Investment Philosophy: Invest With Simplicity Three-fund Porfolio Advantages of the three-fund index portfolio: Diversification. Over 10,000 world-wide securities. Contains every style and cap-size. Very low cost. Very tax-efficient. No manager risk. No style drift. No overlap. Low turnover. Avoids "front running." Easy to rebalance. Never under-performs the market (less worry). Mathematically certain to out-perform most investors. Simplicity —Taylor Larimore, co-author, The Bogleheads' Guide To Investing Do you keep the picked ETF as static or switch to other ETF of same kind? I stay the cour...
by Squirrel208
Fri Jan 12, 2024 4:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: A million dollars cash, all-in VTI right away or let it sit in VMFXX and wait for dips?
Replies: 35
Views: 4115

Re: A million dollars cash, all-in VTI right away or let it sit in VMFXX and wait for dips?

Title says it all. What would you do my fellow bogleheads? LOL, the thread title obviously doesn't "say it all." Not even close. But I'll play along for minute... Which dips are you referring to, specifically? When do you anticipate those those dips will occur? Next week? Next month? Next year? When, specifically? When the market eventually does dip again at some future point, which it inevitably will, how do you know that it'll drop below todays' current levels? If it does drop below today's current levels at some future unknown point in time, how far will it have to drop before you plan to act? If it eventually does drop to some arbitrarily predefined actionable level, how do you know for sure that you'll act even then? Will yo...
by Squirrel208
Thu Jan 11, 2024 7:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is anybody actually running out of money in retirement?
Replies: 201
Views: 46610

Re: Is anybody actually running out of money in retirement?

For people that have done a good job saving for retirement, was there ever an instance where you were happy and thought you were prepared and the money just went way quicker in retirement than you thought? I read a lot of posts here and I look at wealthy family members and they all have what I would think is enough but there is always this concern of running out, so I wonder if anybody actually has? Saving and preparing for our future selves is typically considered to be a healthy and productive exercise, both financially and otherwise. But life, like our expenses, can be lumpy sometimes. Cancer. Dementia. Divorce. Natural disaster. Unexpected catastrophe happens sometimes. So sure, some people that have worked hard to save and focus on th...
by Squirrel208
Tue Jan 09, 2024 7:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Apple ... stay the course or scale back?
Replies: 155
Views: 27347

Re: Apple ... stay the course or scale back?

swong wrote: Sat Jan 06, 2024 7:34 am Apple has had 2 downgrades this past week and the stock has taken a major drubbing the last 30 days. We've had major financial successes with the exception of these past 30 days. How are fellow BH's responding if by chance they have Apple in their portfolios. Rebalance or stay the course? My immediate concern is the Federal government according to the newswires "might" take Apple to court on another antitrust suit which definitely will impact the share price. What say you?
So back your original question OP: Rebalance or stay what course, exactly?

Feel free to enlighten us please. Specificity is appreciated.
by Squirrel208
Tue Jan 09, 2024 6:36 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best Vanguard alternatives [when in withdrawal mode]
Replies: 13
Views: 2199

Re: Best Vanguard alternatives [when in withdrawal mode]

I take it you're referring to Vanguard's web UI when you say they're "struggling to keep up with technology"?

Vanguard's underlying funds are great when it comes to cost and efficiency. They're the largest provider of mutual funds and the second-largest provider of ETFs in the world, with around $8 trillion is assets under management.

Personally I use Fidelity as my sole custodian, but the vast majority of my assets there are invested in Vanguard's VTI ETF fund.
by Squirrel208
Tue Jan 09, 2024 2:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Joint bank account between father and son
Replies: 20
Views: 2624

Re: Joint bank account between father and son

If I would return the withdrawal, would I need to file 709? I have heard horror stories on being audited. Too late for that now, 2023 has wrapped up. The 709 is not complex, and as noted, no tax due, just reduction of lifetime exemption. No, it's not too late to file Form 709 for 2023 tax year. From the Form 709 instructions : "Generally, you must file Form 709 no earlier than January 1, but not later than April 15, of the year after the gift was made. However, in instances when April 15 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, Form 709 will be due on the next business day." No one said it was too late to file 709. It was stated it was too late to give back withdrawal so as to undo the gift. Since 2023 is over and almost de...
by Squirrel208
Tue Jan 09, 2024 12:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Joint bank account between father and son
Replies: 20
Views: 2624

Re: Joint bank account between father and son

fabdog wrote: Tue Jan 09, 2024 10:36 am
If I would return the withdrawal, would I need to file 709? I have heard horror stories on being audited.
Too late for that now, 2023 has wrapped up. The 709 is not complex, and as noted, no tax due, just reduction of lifetime exemption.
No, it's not too late to file Form 709 for 2023 tax year.

From the Form 709 instructions:
"Generally, you must file Form 709 no earlier than January 1, but not later than April 15, of the year after the gift was made. However, in instances when April 15 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, Form 709 will be due on the next business day."
by Squirrel208
Tue Jan 09, 2024 12:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Joint bank account between father and son
Replies: 20
Views: 2624

Re: Joint bank account between father and son

If your father did not authorize the transfer to you, it may not be a gift and may be classified as a theft. If it's not specifically approved and authorized as a gift no gift tax return is needed but the theft should be documented and you, acting as your father under the POA, should file a report with the local police department. A finding that it was a theft by the local legal authorities and formal judgement through a court would explain the absence of a gift return to the IRS. In some states strong penalties are applied to situations of financial abuse of the elderly or disabled. Edited to add: Large deposits to a bank account are often reported to the IRS by financial institutions in connection with various regulations, including thos...
by Squirrel208
Mon Jan 08, 2024 6:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Aruba Car Rental / AMEX Platinum Coverage
Replies: 10
Views: 1611

Re: Aruba Car Rental / AMEX Platinum Coverage

Edit: AMEX also apparently has a primary coverage option that ranges from $19.95 to $24.95 for the entire rental. Has anyone used this and do the car rental companies accept it? Would prevent the whole "having to pay for all damages upfront before leaving the island and get reimbursed" with secondary coverage. We've been regularly visiting nearby Bonaire, which is also a Dutch island, for 25+ years and have some experience with this. Over the years we've also become friends with the owner of one of the rental companies on Bonaire and have chatted with her about this a few times too. Most of the rental car companies on the ABC islands rent to visitors from the USA, Canada, and western Europe. When vehicles are damaged it takes tim...
by Squirrel208
Mon Jan 08, 2024 11:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: If you are able to accomplish these, please tell me how
Replies: 112
Views: 24891

Re: If you are able to accomplish these, please tell me how

Hello Bogleheads, I need your help. As someone who grew up in a society where house help is the norm and now a parent to a 1-year old, I struggle with discipline, energy, and motivation to accomplish what I want to in a day consistently. If you accomplish the following consistently: 1. You and your spouse work 50 hours each every week 2. Both of you are able to get 90 minutes at the gym/other physical activity every day (including commute) 3. 10-20 hours of study and reflection every week while also bringing up your child well, please share some insights/tips on how you get it done. Thank you, kurious No doubt parenting a demanding 1 year old will quickly sap your energy. But with all due respect, what you describe above are classic exampl...
by Squirrel208
Mon Jan 08, 2024 9:55 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Everyone see NVidia this morning?...good for IRA account?
Replies: 48
Views: 9543

Re: Everyone see NVidia this morning?...good for IRA account?

swong wrote: Mon Jan 08, 2024 9:18 am Anyone have a position in NVidia in any of there retirement accounts?
LOL, of course we do. That's a silly question when considering the fundamental investing philosophy of this forum.

Nvidia currently represents 3% of S&P 500 composition, 2.5% of the total US stock market index (VTI), and 1.5% of the total world stock market index (VT).
by Squirrel208
Sun Jan 07, 2024 12:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023
Replies: 435
Views: 154041

Re: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023

Jagger wrote: Sat Jan 06, 2024 10:18 pm All of these posts - 286 to date - about a now-you-see-it, now-you-don't offer from Fidelity that'll save folks a maximum of what, fifty bucks?

Don't y'all have better ways to spend your time??
... and yet here you are. :mrgreen:
by Squirrel208
Sat Jan 06, 2024 8:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 10 year old wants to sit with me when I do taxes . Should I let him?
Replies: 98
Views: 16112

Re: 10 year old wants to sit with me when I do taxes . Should I let him?

Sho wrote: Sat Jan 06, 2024 7:41 pm Or will it be a good financial lesson ?
Possibly.

When you first sit down with him give him a stack of $1 bills representing your annual income. Tell him he can keep his share if he completes the tax exercise with you. Then reduce his "income" pile appropriately to reflect the reduction due to federal, state, and local taxes etc. as you tally them up.

Explain to him that this was his money, until he was assessed his "fair share" of it by the various government entities. I suspect he'll get it when he's see's you reducing his pile bill by bill.

Or, you could just give him a big ice cream cone at the beginning, and then then take a big bite out it at the appropriate time in the discussion. 😂
by Squirrel208
Sat Jan 06, 2024 8:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Apple ... stay the course or scale back?
Replies: 155
Views: 27347

Re: Apple ... stay the course or scale back?

Back to the question you posed above... I think I'd be more worried about whatever it was that caused AAPL to go to zero and stay there, and what that meant for the rest of the world's stock markets and my portfolio. That might keep me awake at night. Let's say not zero. But, VTSAX drops 50% and AAPL drop at the same level. How does that affects you? We're probably wandering off into the weeds here from the OPs original topic, but I'll play along for a bit. So you're basically asking me what I'd do if my portfolio unexpectedly dropped back to it's 2014/2015 levels? If so I'd travel less, shop more frugally for groceries and basic sundries, and generally live more simply until the storm passes once again. If the recession never passes, and ...
by Squirrel208
Sat Jan 06, 2024 5:30 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Apple ... stay the course or scale back?
Replies: 155
Views: 27347

Re: Apple ... stay the course or scale back?

The worst is yet to come for Apple. LOL, maybe. If it falls more than 1000% I might rethink my decision to keep holding my 4% AAPL position. I do confess to worrying a little bit about AAPL's leading 6.35% position in VTI, which represents 75% of my investment portfolio. No doubt I'll feel the effect on VTI a bit more acutely if/when AAPL's value falls. But then again, as noted in my own IPS, I do enjoy roller coaster rides. Squirrel208, If AAPL falls to zero, how does it really affect you? A) 4% AAPL to zero B) 6.35% of 75% = 4.76% The net impact to you is 8.76% of your portfolio as per AAPL. Is that significant? That is up to you. In my case, only 14.5% of my portfolio is in VTSAX (Total Stock Market Index). KlangFool Would realizing a p...
by Squirrel208
Sat Jan 06, 2024 4:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Apple ... stay the course or scale back?
Replies: 155
Views: 27347

Re: Apple ... stay the course or scale back?

watchnerd wrote: Sat Jan 06, 2024 3:59 pm
Squirrel208 wrote: Sat Jan 06, 2024 2:49 pm It's the only individual stock we still own, and it represents about 4% of our portfolio.
If you were 100% US stock, 4% is less than market weight.

Apple is 6.35% of VTI.
Understood. I only mentioned the 4% position to emphasize that AAPL as an individual stock represents a small percentage of my total portfolio, and that selling it or continuing to hold it won't move my AA needle much.

Later in the same post I noted AAPL's 6.35% in VTI, and the amount of VTI I hold in my AA.
by Squirrel208
Sat Jan 06, 2024 4:30 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Appointment with local Fidelity Rep: should I bother?
Replies: 74
Views: 17629

Re: Appointment with local Fidelity Rep: should I bother?

are they just going to try and sell me high-fee services or investments? Yes, they are. They are not scheduling an in-person meeting to just be helpful. They have to hit sales numbers, and they consider you to be a good lead. You agreeing to the meeting is telling them you are open to their sales pitch. It will then be some awkward exchange where they want to sign up for something and you don't want to. I can't imagine anything you'll learn from this meeting that you couldn't find on your own in a few minutes on this forum. I don't think this makes Fidelity "evil" it's just a reality in that they are a business and this is how they actually make money. They don't make money off of Bogleheads in self-directed accounts with all the...
by Squirrel208
Sat Jan 06, 2024 2:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Apple ... stay the course or scale back?
Replies: 155
Views: 27347

Re: Apple ... stay the course or scale back?

Bought it in January 2010. Have added since then and still holding. Like yourself I also bought massive amounts of Apple when I retired in 2011. Results have been spectacular which is putting it mildly. Yep, same here. As of today our initial AAPL position has grown 1354% since purchased in March 2011. This despite AAPL's "major drubbing the last 30 days". It's the only individual stock we still own, and it represents about 4% of our portfolio. The primary reason we're still holding on to it is because we're opting to kick the LTCG tax can down the road for our heirs to enjoy the step up in basis after we eventually pass. Kind of amusing that a good percentage of this responses are from very conservative investors who have the ma...
by Squirrel208
Sat Jan 06, 2024 12:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HELOC/boat purchase
Replies: 33
Views: 3013

Re: HELOC/boat purchase

What do you feel is the wisest way to go about financing this new purchase? I really appreciate any thoughts one can share - I'm entering new territory with such a purchase. I like boats too, but what you're contemplating is obviously at odds with the Boglehead investment philosophy. There's nothing "wise" about financing $61,000 at 9%, with your home as collateral, in order to purchase a quickly depreciating luxury toy like this. It's a financially unsound move that also comes with unnecessary risk. Doing something like this is definitely a sign that you're not "living within your means," at least not by Boglehead standards anyway. Rationalizing the purchase to yourself by saying otherwise doesn't change that. From the...
by Squirrel208
Fri Jan 05, 2024 4:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Rule of 55 Workaround
Replies: 15
Views: 1809

Re: Rule of 55 Workaround

… Yes, this is technically possible if 1) your later employer's 401k plan accepts IRA rollovers and 2) that same 401k plan also permits rule of 55 distributions. Not all plans do both of those. … All plans must allow IRS ‘Rule of 55’ distributions. But plans do not have to allow partial distributions. In that case, OP would only be able to do one ‘Rule of 55’ distribution in connection with rolling over the remaining 401k balance to a TIRA. Good catch, and thanks for the correction. I see now that I'd "misremembered" my own experience a few years ago when I encountered exactly what you describe after separating from my longtime employer. I had a large 401k balance and only wanted to consume a small portion of it to bridge the yea...
by Squirrel208
Fri Jan 05, 2024 4:14 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Is the Magnificant 7 stocks too heavily weighted within vanguards S&P 500 funds
Replies: 47
Views: 9204

Re: Is the Magnificant 7 stocks too heavily weighted within vanguards S&P 500 funds

Xrayman69 wrote: Fri Jan 05, 2024 3:15 pm Is the magnificent 7 stocks such as Apple, Microsoft, Tesla et al. too heavily weighted within vanguards S&P 500 funds or are they evenly weighted?
Your question doesn't make sense as asked. The S&P 500 index is market-capitalization-weighted by definition. So all S&P 500 index funds will mirror that index by design.

Since 2003 or so S&P Dow Jones has also maintained an S&P 500 equally-weighted index (EWI). Invesco's RSP ETF follow's that index, if interested.
by Squirrel208
Fri Jan 05, 2024 3:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Rule of 55 Workaround
Replies: 15
Views: 1809

Re: Rule of 55 Workaround

dink2win wrote: Fri Jan 05, 2024 3:26 pm Is it possible to retire early (say 45) then at 54 go back to a job that has a 401k, rollover everything into it, then quit again at 55 then start withdrawing without penalty from the 401k?
Yes, this is technically possible if 1) your later employer's 401k plan accepts IRA rollovers and 2) that same 401k plan also permits rule of 55 distributions. Not all plans do both of those.

Also bear in mind that most 401k plans typically pass their administrative expenses on to the plan participants while offering fewer and often more expensive investment choices. This is why most people roll their 401k into an IRA upon separation from their employers.
by Squirrel208
Fri Jan 05, 2024 11:46 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Investing at Current High Market
Replies: 35
Views: 4213

Re: Investing at Current High Market

The market is currently high and I just maxed out my Roth IRA: VFORX Target Retirement 2040 and maxing out my HSA: FSKAX Fidelity Total Market Index Fund within the first month of this year. Were these poor timing decisions on my end or am I misunderstanding something? I wouldn't lose any sleep over it, unless perhaps you somehow knew ahead of time when the market was going to rise. (But even the Wall Street propeller heads can't predict that with any appreciable degree of certainty.) The length of time you're invested in the market, along with your chosen asset allocation, will likely affect your portfolio returns far more than market timing considerations. You might find the data behind the study in this article to be insightful: If Not ...
by Squirrel208
Tue Jan 02, 2024 7:01 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: If you retired using the 4% rule and the market crashed 50% a week later?
Replies: 100
Views: 15966

Re: If you retired using the 4% rule and the market crashed 50% a week later?

invest2bfree wrote: Tue Jan 02, 2024 6:02 pm I think the next recession which we are fast approaching may be it would be nice for you to re-balance to 60/40 including TIPS.
LOL, what does that statement actually even mean? What recession? How fast is it approaching and/or when will it arrive? (Feel free to adjust or discount for the obvious astrophysics implications.) How deep will it be, and how long will it last this time around?

Feel free to be specific in your prognostication.
by Squirrel208
Tue Jan 02, 2024 10:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity Advisor
Replies: 14
Views: 2387

Re: Fidelity Advisor

retire14 wrote: Mon Jan 01, 2024 2:55 pm Will it be worthwhile or it will be a waste of time?
Yes. Seems that either way you win.
by Squirrel208
Mon Jan 01, 2024 4:03 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Should IPS contain a definition of success?
Replies: 37
Views: 4076

Re: Should IPS contain a definition of success?

Sure, if that's helpful in documenting your investment goals and related actions at various stages in your life. That's pretty much the purpose of the IPS in the first place. I.e. documenting your investment goals, your plans for reaching them, and how you'll measure your progress along the way. For example, from the Morningstar article How to Create an Investment Policy Statement : ... An investment strategy for retirees might be "To invest in dividend-paying equities and bond mutual funds to deliver a baseline of income; regularly rebalance to provide additional living expenses. Target a 50% bond/50% stock mix."[/i]... FWIW an IPS is written by humans (with their foibles and emotions) at a moment in time. It's not carved on a t...
by Squirrel208
Sun Dec 31, 2023 5:13 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Emergency Savings
Replies: 12
Views: 2242

Re: Emergency Savings

Any of those are much better than
Macha wrote: Sun Dec 31, 2023 2:47 pm Should I:

- Open a high interest savings account such as Citibank offering 5.05% APY.

- Open a Vanguard Cash Plus Account.

- Put it in my VMFXX Vanguard Federal Money Market Fund Account
Yes x 3! Any of those are currently great locations for holding your emergency fund.
Macha wrote: Sun Dec 31, 2023 2:47 pm I feel like my research is causing procrastination and I just need some guidance.
As you're probably aware, that procrastination comes at a cost. VMFXX is currently returning 5.32%. That's about $1500 in lost opportunity since you previously asked a similar question back in July.
by Squirrel208
Sun Dec 31, 2023 10:44 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Should IPS contain a definition of success?
Replies: 37
Views: 4076

Re: Should IPS contain a definition of success?

Sure, if that's helpful in documenting your investment goals and related actions at various stages in your life. That's pretty much the purpose of the IPS in the first place. I.e. documenting your investment goals, your plans for reaching them, and how you'll measure your progress along the way. For example, from the Morningstar article How to Create an Investment Policy Statement : An investment strategy for accumulators, for example, might be "To invest primarily in low-cost index funds, increasing contributions along with salary increases. Begin with an 80% equity/20% bond mix, transitioning to 60% equity/40% bond by retirement." An investment strategy for retirees might be "To invest in dividend-paying equities and bond m...