Search found 80 matches

by wbarabas
Fri Feb 16, 2024 7:29 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: The Surprising Return of Interest
Replies: 68
Views: 8962

Re: The Surprising Return of Interest

Not surprised per se, but I did say this morning "Oooh, that's a nice monthly return on my MMF."

It's like Christmas comes ever month these days.
by wbarabas
Thu Feb 15, 2024 5:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7650
Views: 1723907

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

Finished Same as Ever by Morgan Housel. Really enjoyed this book. Easy to understand and a better follow up to The Psychology of Money IMO.

Also all caught up on fiction series by Rebecca Yarros and Sarah Maas. I know some think it silly but I can just get lost in these books and the hours just pass. Non fiction I have to take breaks from to digest and process.
by wbarabas
Wed Sep 27, 2023 5:55 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: I Bonds Mega Thread (I Bond Heads Rejoice!)
Replies: 6658
Views: 1240712

Re: sell ibonds? Bought Nov 2021

Softballer wrote: Tue Sep 26, 2023 4:55 pm
wbarabas wrote: Tue Sep 26, 2023 4:06 pm I bought 10k worth of ibonds in November 2021. Would now be a good time to cash in and move to a CD or High yield savings account?

I won't need the money within a year or 2. Only bought originally because of how good the rate was.
You will miss a month of interest if you cash in before Oct 1.
Good looking out! Thank you. I didn't think of that
by wbarabas
Tue Sep 26, 2023 4:25 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: I Bonds Mega Thread (I Bond Heads Rejoice!)
Replies: 6658
Views: 1240712

Re: sell ibonds? Bought Nov 2021

statman wrote: Tue Sep 26, 2023 4:18 pm The interest rate for an Ibond bought in Nov 2021 (fixed rate 0%) dropped from 6.48% to 3.38% on June 1. The current rate is below market rates for safe investments (e.g. Treasuries, TIPS and many CDs). Selling loses the last 3 months interest - that is, the interest for June/July/August. That's just $96 as all three months were ar the 3.38% rate. I would certainly sell and reinvest.
Thank you!
by wbarabas
Tue Sep 26, 2023 4:06 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: I Bonds Mega Thread (I Bond Heads Rejoice!)
Replies: 6658
Views: 1240712

sell ibonds? Bought Nov 2021

[Thread merged into here --admin LadyGeek]

I bought 10k worth of ibonds in November 2021. Would now be a good time to cash in and move to a CD or High yield savings account?

I won't need the money within a year or 2. Only bought originally because of how good the rate was.
by wbarabas
Mon Sep 18, 2023 6:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7650
Views: 1723907

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarrow.

Loved this work of fiction. This series could be better than Harry Potter.
by wbarabas
Sun Aug 13, 2023 2:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7650
Views: 1723907

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

Chaos Kings by Scott Patterson

How wall St traders make billions in the new age of crisis.

Good read. Really intrigued by how Universa invests and cashes in everytime the stock market goes down about 20%.

I forget about some of the flash crashes we have had over the years.
by wbarabas
Sun Jul 16, 2023 4:06 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Millennials Need 3-4 Million To Retire
Replies: 504
Views: 60785

Re: Millennials Need 3-4 Million To Retire

Those numbers are almost impossible. 250k by 25? Shoot, most kids are getting out of college between 22 to 25. Let them travel and enjoy life.
I think I read 1x salary by age 30 somewhere. That's a decent goal for kids to shoot for.
by wbarabas
Thu Jul 06, 2023 5:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Traditional Medicare or an Advantage Plan?
Replies: 134
Views: 17668

Re: Traditional Medicare or an Advantage Plan?

I'd go Medicare. I work in rehab in long term care facilities. And it's almost impossible to get patients Physical, Occupational, or Sppech Therapy through Medicare Advantage. They deny almost all of it. Or you get 3 visits. They control the treatment.
Traditional Medicare let's the Therapist make the clinical decision and take care of the patients. If the need a couple months of therapy for a stroke no problem. Huge asset.to patients who need care.
by wbarabas
Thu Jul 06, 2023 5:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7650
Views: 1723907

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

The Creative Act by Rick Rubin.
Currently on the best seller list. I knew within the first couple pages I would love this book. Definitely one to purchase and keep forever. The advice is timeless
by wbarabas
Tue Mar 21, 2023 5:57 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: iBonds or CDs or Money Market account
Replies: 7
Views: 1474

Re: iBonds or CDs or Money Market account

Look at Schwab. 5.32% 10 month CD
by wbarabas
Mon Feb 20, 2023 6:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7650
Views: 1723907

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

Listened to the audiobook Davos Man. I got the recommendation from this forum. Not sure if I have ever read/listened to a book that made me so irritated at what the rich are allowed to get away with.
by wbarabas
Fri Jan 20, 2023 1:12 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Three-Fund Portfolio
Replies: 3898
Views: 2434842

Re: The Three-Fund Portfolio

For a simple brokerage account. Would I be okay with
VTI/VXUS/and US treasuries?
by wbarabas
Thu Dec 29, 2022 6:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: MM, Total Stock Mkt or HYSA?
Replies: 3
Views: 1507

Re: MM, Total Stock Mkt or HYSA?

You can look at UFB Direct hysa. They are at 4.12% and are FDIC insured.
by wbarabas
Thu Oct 27, 2022 3:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7650
Views: 1723907

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

Fairy Tale by Stephen King. First King book I've ever read. It was ok. Long book. Started off intriguing but I found myself scanning the last third of book to get done. I'm a big King fan. Fairy Tale was not one of his better ones, IMO My reaction was similar to yours on 9/19 "Finished Fairy Tale by Stephen King. It started well, and then lost its way, still had a story, but too much digression. Towards the end it became a slog for me. He writes so well and has such interesting ideas, or takes on whichever genre he chooses. Perhaps it's me. It seems that so many books I read would benefit by better editing." You might give him a try on his others like 11/22/63, or The Stand, Pet Sematary or so many others. Will do! Thanks!
by wbarabas
Thu Oct 27, 2022 12:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7650
Views: 1723907

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

Fairy Tale by Stephen King.
First King book I've ever read. It was ok. Long book. Started off intriguing but I found myself scanning the last third of book to get done.
by wbarabas
Fri Sep 30, 2022 6:38 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Tax loss harvesting on VTI
Replies: 40
Views: 6456

Re: Tax loss harvesting on VTI

Just a heads up. VTI just paid out dividends in the past couple of days.
by wbarabas
Sun Aug 28, 2022 4:21 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why are CD rates lower than US Treasury rates?
Replies: 21
Views: 3103

Re: Why are CD rates lower than US Treasury rates?

I think comenity bank is 3.5 on a 2 yr CD and US treasury 2 yr is 3.2.
by wbarabas
Tue Aug 02, 2022 4:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bread Savings Rate Increase
Replies: 22
Views: 4316

Re: Bread Savings Rate Increase

I've never had trouble transferring money out. They must have added a 5k limit bc in 2020 I bought a used car and moved 15k to us bank that day to write the check and never had issues.
They seem to be ahead of the curve with hysa rates.
I still call them comenity. And that's the website I used for CDs. They are already at 3% for a 1 yr.

I like them bc they have phone support and I never had to wait long.
by wbarabas
Tue Aug 02, 2022 6:24 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bread Savings Rate Increase
Replies: 22
Views: 4316

Re: Bread Savings Rate Increase

I've been with them for a few years now and I've had no issues at all. I'm pretty impressed thus far.
by wbarabas
Sat Jul 30, 2022 4:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7650
Views: 1723907

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

The queen's gambit

Really good book. Found this hard to put down. I have never been good at chess though.
by wbarabas
Sun Jul 17, 2022 9:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pay raises for 2022
Replies: 421
Views: 63544

Re: Pay raises for 2022

RiotAct wrote: Sat Jul 16, 2022 9:10 pm
wbarabas wrote: Wed Apr 27, 2022 3:04 pm I work in healthcare. I don't think I've seen a raise in over a decade.
Wait, what?
Yeah, there's a big push to get elders off Medicare to the cheaper Medicare advantage to save a lot of money. The govt actually pays the companies that run Medicare advantage for every the get to opt out of Medicare.

Also, a lot more telehealth using cheaper labor.
by wbarabas
Mon Jul 11, 2022 1:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HYSA's that adjust rates upwards
Replies: 16
Views: 879

Re: HYSA's that adjust rates upwards

Comenity Bank is at 1.64%
by wbarabas
Thu Jun 30, 2022 2:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Quick T bill help
Replies: 4
Views: 666

Re: Quick T bill help

Alkali Ike wrote: Thu Jun 30, 2022 12:12 pm You'll want to place your order between the afternoon of the announcement date and 11am eastern time of the auction date. I tend to place my order the evening before the auction date. This website has a lot of good information,(albeit peppered with ads) : https://thefinancebuff.com/treasury-bil ... arket.html
Awesome. Thanks
by wbarabas
Thu Jun 30, 2022 12:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Quick T bill help
Replies: 4
Views: 666

Re: Quick T bill help

evelynmanley wrote: Thu Jun 30, 2022 12:06 pm You might want to ask your questions here:

viewtopic.php?p=6753663#p6753663
Thank you!
by wbarabas
Thu Jun 30, 2022 11:49 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Quick T bill help
Replies: 4
Views: 666

Quick T bill help

Never purchased t bills. Newbie to this. Am I correct in reading the schedule that I can purchase 4 and 8 week t bills today before the end of the day?
Auction date starts today and settlement date next Tuesday. Is the purchase just today or anytime before the settlement date?
Also, what is the actual rate? The bank discount or the coupon equivalent?
I've only ever purchased cds but it looks like treasuries have a better rate these days.

Thank you!
by wbarabas
Tue Jun 28, 2022 11:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Choosing HYSA
Replies: 37
Views: 4239

Re: Choosing HYSA

Comenity bank is at 1.65% currently. No issues and easy to use. Fast transfers with ACH. Reviews on Deposit accounts would give me pause. https://www.depositaccounts.com/banks/bread-financial.html Seems transferring large amounts out is problematic. No mention in the reviews that this can be solved by initiating the transfer from the other side and pulling the funds. Doesn't mean it is not a workaround, but did not see mention of it. A few years ago I transferred about 15k to my bank acct to purchase a used car. It only took 1 day to process. Not sure what they consider a large amount but to me that was a big expense but was easy. I had their cds in the past and 1 phone call to roll over to my hysa was all it took when the time was up. I t...
by wbarabas
Mon Jun 27, 2022 5:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Choosing HYSA
Replies: 37
Views: 4239

Re: Choosing HYSA

vss317 wrote: Mon Jun 27, 2022 5:27 pm
wbarabas wrote: Mon Jun 27, 2022 5:11 pm Comenity bank is at 1.65% currently. No issues and easy to use. Fast transfers with ACH.
That's a new one to me. How long have you been a customer? Have the rates been pretty competitive throughout your time with them?
Been there a few years. They are fdic insured. I initially got started there because they had the best cd rates a couple years ago. They are always competitive and their rates jump within a few days of the feds raising rates. Their cd rates are still very good. They are a part or bread financial. It's all online but their app is simple to use and they even have phone support for questions.
by wbarabas
Mon Jun 27, 2022 5:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Choosing HYSA
Replies: 37
Views: 4239

Re: Choosing HYSA

Comenity bank is at 1.65% currently. No issues and easy to use. Fast transfers with ACH.
by wbarabas
Mon Jun 27, 2022 7:13 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where to buy T-Bill; Treasury Direct or Fidelity?
Replies: 18
Views: 5722

Re: Where to buy T-Bill; Treasury Direct or Fidelity?

Anyone use Charles Schwab to purchase treasuries? Is this possible through a phone or do you need to be on a laptop. My phone doesn't have an option to purchase treasuries.
by wbarabas
Sun Jun 26, 2022 4:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Need a new HYSA
Replies: 48
Views: 6119

Re: Need a new HYSA

Commenity bank. It's all online. 1.65% currently. Fast transfers. Have had no issues. Rate seems to go up within a week of fed raising rates.
by wbarabas
Wed Jun 22, 2022 4:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7650
Views: 1723907

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

Dave55 wrote: Wed Jun 22, 2022 9:02 am
wbarabas wrote: Wed Jun 15, 2022 7:30 pm Someone here recently recommended RED NOTICE by Bill Bower.
Loved this book, the accuracy and the action. Thank you!
Check out Bill Browder's new book: "Freezing Order". It is as good as "Red Notice".

Dave
Will do! Thank you!
by wbarabas
Wed Jun 15, 2022 7:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7650
Views: 1723907

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

Someone here recently recommended RED NOTICE by Bill Bower.
Loved this book, the accuracy and the action. Thank you!
by wbarabas
Tue May 24, 2022 5:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7650
Views: 1723907

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

Stolen Focus by Johann Hari. Really good read about how our attention span has decreased over the years from electronics, to food, sleep, pollution. I enjoyed this!
by wbarabas
Wed May 11, 2022 2:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mom, Medicaid, and will she lose her house?
Replies: 64
Views: 11473

Re: Mom, Medicaid, and will she lose her house?

Is there anyway she can go home with a sitter? Very expensive to be living in LTC. I work as a PT in the LTC setting. You would even qualify for home health and they will get you almost all of what you need, even a hospital bed.
by wbarabas
Wed May 11, 2022 2:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mom, Medicaid, and will she lose her house?
Replies: 64
Views: 11473

Re: Mom, Medicaid, and will she lose her house?

ekid wrote: Tue May 10, 2022 2:23 pm " got cut from Medicare because she wasn't improving fast enough "

(consternation)

How can that happen?
Happens all the time. I'm a PT in LTC. They expect miracles in 30 min a day.
It's cheaper to be medicaid vs medicare.
by wbarabas
Thu May 05, 2022 4:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is SCHA needed with VTI?
Replies: 2
Views: 423

Re: Is SCHA needed with VTI?

David Jay wrote: Thu May 05, 2022 4:05 pm VTI is a Total Market fund, so it includes small cap at market weight. So "no", additional small cap holdings (SCHA is a small cap fund) are not required.

This is a different question than if one chooses to over-weight small cap, which is sometimes called "tilting" on this forum.
Thank you!!!
by wbarabas
Thu May 05, 2022 4:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is SCHA needed with VTI?
Replies: 2
Views: 423

Is SCHA needed with VTI?

Was wondering if SCHA was worth it to have a small percentage (20%) to go with 80% VTI? I chose SCHA because my acct is with Schwab.
by wbarabas
Fri Apr 29, 2022 7:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7650
Views: 1723907

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

Just read Maus by Art Spiegelman. Never heard of it until lately in the news with schools banning it.
I enjoyed it quite a bit. Talented author and illustrator.
by wbarabas
Fri Apr 29, 2022 1:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Brokerage acct quest. Index mutual fund or ETF? S&P 500
Replies: 3
Views: 768

Brokerage acct quest. Index mutual fund or ETF? S&P 500

I've read a lot that ETFs and better than a mutual fund in a brokerage account for tax purposes.
Hypothetically what would be the difference in 100k invest in a brokerage acct with a S&P 500 index mutual fund like SWPPX compared to VOO? Not counting ER.

It's just a lot easier to DCA with a mutual fund.

Thanks.
by wbarabas
Wed Apr 27, 2022 3:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pay raises for 2022
Replies: 421
Views: 63544

Re: Pay raises for 2022

I work in healthcare. I don't think I've seen a raise in over a decade.
by wbarabas
Tue Mar 22, 2022 4:38 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: When do you guys sell winning stocks?
Replies: 67
Views: 5527

Re: When do you guys sell winning stocks?

radiowave wrote: Mon Mar 21, 2022 7:28 pm
greg24 wrote: Mon Mar 21, 2022 10:48 am Sell today, buy an index fund.
+1

I love having a total stock fund like VTSAX, don't have to worry abt buying and selling stock. Just buy the whole market :)
I understand. I got my main index in itot, just use a small percentage in individual stocks, maybe about 1 or 2%.
by wbarabas
Mon Mar 21, 2022 7:17 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: When do you guys sell winning stocks?
Replies: 67
Views: 5527

Re: When do you guys sell winning stocks?

Thank you guys. There's a few awesome ideas in here. I like it. I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to reply!
by wbarabas
Mon Mar 21, 2022 11:38 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: When do you guys sell winning stocks?
Replies: 67
Views: 5527

Re: When do you guys sell winning stocks?

LilyFleur wrote: Mon Mar 21, 2022 11:32 am
wbarabas wrote: Mon Mar 21, 2022 9:22 am I bought some oil stocks when Covid hit and they all plummeted. They have done really well lately. At what point would you all sell? Or just keep on holding?
Thanks.
I try to be common sense about it. When there was a lot of discussion of tariffs in 2018, I sold my Boeing stock. That turned out to be a really good idea, but for different reasons.

It's really a crapshoot.

Nowadays I only hold about 1.5% of my portfolio in individual stocks, but I do think it's fun and I enjoy the risk.

This probably isn't the right group of people to ask about individual stocks.
Lol, I agree. I guess I just thought there would be a lot of people on here who had a little play money in individual stocks.
by wbarabas
Mon Mar 21, 2022 11:21 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: When do you guys sell winning stocks?
Replies: 67
Views: 5527

Re: When do you guys sell winning stocks?

Probably one question is what percentage of your portfolio this is? Also how did you have cash to buy these stocks in the first place? The evidence from how I understand it seems to be better to be in the market at all times rather than having cash on the sidelines to buy in market drops. 5-10% individual stock or other gambling is approved on here as long as you don’t add 5% new money each year. Personally if oil stocks are up now significantly compared to when you bought them might be a good time to sell as it doesn’t seem like an industry that will 10x+ in the coming decades. This was just play money , extra cash I had. The majority of my portfolio are in index funds. I just figured oil had to eventually go up at some point. Had no exit...
by wbarabas
Mon Mar 21, 2022 9:22 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: When do you guys sell winning stocks?
Replies: 67
Views: 5527

When do you guys sell winning stocks?

I bought some oil stocks when Covid hit and they all plummeted. They have done really well lately. At what point would you all sell? Or just keep on holding?
Thanks.
by wbarabas
Thu Mar 10, 2022 7:19 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Tax loss and gain question
Replies: 23
Views: 1936

Re: Tax loss and gain question

I'm at the same conundrum. I bought a couple oil stocks when covid hit and their price crashed. They are now at all time highs and I debate daily with myself if I should lock in the profit and sell and reinvest in vti or itot.
by wbarabas
Tue Feb 22, 2022 4:26 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TLH VTI and VOO. Recommendations?
Replies: 15
Views: 1307

Re: TLH VTI and VOO. Recommendations?

TheTimeLord wrote: Tue Feb 22, 2022 1:19 pm
wbarabas wrote: Tue Feb 22, 2022 12:29 pm I'm down about $1100 between vti and voo the last 6 months. Would it be a good idea in my brokerage acct to sell all the losers which is almost all of it? Replace it with? IVV or SCHB for VOO?
ITOT or SCHX for VTI?
Thank you!
Russell 1000 ETFs

VONE (cheaper) or IWB (better volume)
I own SCHK too but looking at that, it's all lost it's gains the past year too now, so will probably have to TLH that either to ITOT or a Russell 1000 equivalent
by wbarabas
Tue Feb 22, 2022 4:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TLH VTI and VOO. Recommendations?
Replies: 15
Views: 1307

Re: TLH VTI and VOO. Recommendations?

lazynovice wrote: Tue Feb 22, 2022 1:39 pm Why own both a total US market and an S&P 500 fund?
Wasn't really sure which would perform better so I just bought both. Still learning.