Search found 138 matches

by gmtret
Mon Feb 08, 2021 6:04 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: For visual representations of economic data... allow me to introduce Visual Capitalist
Replies: 0
Views: 326

For visual representations of economic data... allow me to introduce Visual Capitalist

Hello, all. I ran across these folks in the last month or so, and thought others here would enjoy their presentations. For instance they posted today a visualization of the trade relationship between the UK and EU: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/visual ... ationship/

Many, many such presentations are available from these folks... enjoy!
by gmtret
Fri Jan 15, 2021 8:26 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: On what are you most bullish?
Replies: 290
Views: 28226

Re: On what are you most bullish?

Seriously? Hands down my bullishness is steadfast in my ability to live within my means and, so, prepare for come what may. Many variables here but I owe me Dad for this. What a mighty man!
by gmtret
Mon Dec 28, 2020 6:40 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 30 minute+ wait time to talk with a Vanguard Representative?
Replies: 12
Views: 1408

Re: 30 minute+ wait time to talk with a Vanguard Representative?

Perhaps Lady G... I was on hold with them for about 45 minutes this eve, and never did speak to anyone. It was like low volume tinkling music and about four times I got a ringing sound and another recording say they would get to me soon. Initially I followed the prompts on site and told them of my difficulty of a bank transfer in the space provided. They then provided me with what they deemed the correct phone number. Which I called with the above results'.
When the ennui became a bit much, I attempted the transfer again and it worked, and so I hung up. Perhaps they helped me, perhaps not. I guess I'll never know.
The help page I was initially on stated that they were swamped with calls, or at least that was the gist.
Good luck,
Chris
by gmtret
Mon Dec 28, 2020 6:05 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: what gives? unable to make bank transfer from new mm fund
Replies: 6
Views: 790

Re: what gives? unable to make bank transfer from new mm fund

Thanks to all who responded... Welp I gave it another shot today and pretty much got the same result (to VMRXX page, click bank transfer on upper right, brief flash of sign on page and then to what I suspect is the general V* page. Consideration of the date and time involved forced me to call V*. I guess I must have been on hold for about 45 minutes, and I never did speak to a Rep or crew member or whatever. I instead attempted to initiate a bank transfer once again, and, lo & behold it worked! I have no idea if being on the phone with them had anything to do with it, probably not, but who knows?
Anyway, thanks again for the replies, and never forsake staying the course!

Good luck,
Chris
by gmtret
Sun Dec 27, 2020 5:10 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: what gives? unable to make bank transfer from new mm fund
Replies: 6
Views: 790

what gives? unable to make bank transfer from new mm fund

Hello all... well it's that time of year again and it's time to pay my taxes. So I logged on to V* and put the somewhat new mm (VMRXX) in my account view (normally it is excluded due to mine own mental accounting.) So I next go to holdings and click on the fund. To the upper right of the window there is a place to click for bank transfer, but when I clicked on it it flashed a sign on window briefly and then took me to a window where V* various positive features were listed all the way down the page. Now I use noscript and usually allowing V* and V*content allows me to do what I want... but not this time. So I tried again after allowing something called demdex. net access to java. What is this demdex thing? There was another one too, another...
by gmtret
Sat Nov 07, 2020 2:43 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How on earth can overweighting US stock over international stock possibly be considered Boglehead?
Replies: 253
Views: 20302

Re: How on earth can overweighting US stock over international stock possibly be considered Boglehead?

Here, here, rob! Different strokes for different folks... but yet we must discuss something.
:sharebeer GO HEELS! :sharebeer
by gmtret
Mon Apr 13, 2020 10:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: CD discussion thread
Replies: 1214
Views: 189459

Re: Best CD rates thread

Go Navy! And as a vestige, NFCU! :D
by gmtret
Thu Feb 27, 2020 6:36 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [Market is acting like late August, 2000, or late October, 2007]
Replies: 82
Views: 8377

Re: [Market is acting like late August, 2000, or late October, 2007]

Meh... ... ... comparisons are odious. Can't you people foresee that this time it's different. :idea:
by gmtret
Sun Sep 08, 2019 5:13 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bogle’s Q&A with Bogleheads
Replies: 1
Views: 395

Re: Bogle’s Q&A with Bogleheads

While I never heard him speak, I do thank you for your sharing the Money article...ta. And while I think that it's a damm shame Saint Jack was never awarded the Medal of Freedom while living, hopefully it may be awarded posthumously... hey- a guy can hope, can't he?

Good luck,
Chris
by gmtret
Sun Jun 02, 2019 10:04 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: You May Never See Your Grandchildren Again
Replies: 83
Views: 16692

Re: You May Never See Your Grandchildren Again

Aye... about all that I can say is caveat emptor; grifters are ubiquitous.
by gmtret
Sat Jun 01, 2019 5:55 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Concerning Ibonds- sales 1099 both paper & TD
Replies: 12
Views: 1148

Re: Concerning Ibonds- sales 1099 both paper & TD

A big thank you to all who replied as I am now better informed. :D

Good luck,
Chris
by gmtret
Fri May 31, 2019 1:06 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Global Inflation - Targeted into Submission?
Replies: 22
Views: 2383

Re: Global Inflation - Targeted into Submission?

While, admittedly, this inflation pontificating is above my pay grade, I will say that inflation is the easiest way to evade the ever increasing debt "crisis." Avoiding that, for obvious forum rules concerning politics et al I herein state that inflation protection is worth the price. I firmly believe that Ibonds, Tips and the like are well worth a significant percentage of one's portfolio with individual difference accounted for. Will it save you if push comes to shove... no one knows... But like all things concerning the market- nobody knows nothing- too many variables. But the prudent investor will cover themselves with some modicum of inflation protection. We exist in a paradox where there is nothing new under the same is just...
by gmtret
Thu May 30, 2019 10:19 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Concerning Ibonds- sales 1099 both paper & TD
Replies: 12
Views: 1148

Concerning Ibonds- sales 1099 both paper & TD

While I am not ready to sell any of those sweet paper Ibonds bought back in the day (hat tip at Mel), I do wonder about what tax info is provided when you sell, and does method of Bank or TD differ in how tax info is provided. I suppose I could search it out on the wiki but guess what I like about the South?
by gmtret
Tue Apr 02, 2019 4:32 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Series I Savings Bonds Buying Opportunity
Replies: 52
Views: 12006

Re: Series I Savings Bonds Buying Opportunity

Welp about all I can say is a big :"thank you!" to Mel, who back in the day introduced the diehards to these instruments... I've still got some of those sweet ones and will pay the taxes when they come due,

Good luck,
Chris
by gmtret
Mon Mar 25, 2019 11:29 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: New Brokerage platform
Replies: 10
Views: 1730

Re: New Brokerage platform

I own nothing but mutual funds, and as far as I am concerned, V* can switch to the new platform when I'm dead and gone. From everything I've read there is no way they casn make you switch. :twisted:
by gmtret
Sun Feb 10, 2019 6:22 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: VFSVX to Admiral... must I switch to new platform?
Replies: 4
Views: 1077

Re: VFSVX to Admiral... must I switch to new platform?

Thanks to all for the replies as I'll pass on the brokerage acct for a variety of reasons...

Good luck,
Chris
by gmtret
Sat Feb 09, 2019 1:07 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: VFSVX to Admiral... must I switch to new platform?
Replies: 4
Views: 1077

VFSVX to Admiral... must I switch to new platform?

I noticed today that VFSVX was available for admiral shares. In checking this out I noticed that the fnd now owned has the old number by acct designation, while the new admiral shares had a different designation. Does anyone know whether I must switch to the brokerage platform if I want the admiral shares?
by gmtret
Thu Jun 28, 2018 3:35 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Time to buy.
Replies: 10
Views: 2717

Re: Time to buy.

Pfftt... do what thou will is the whole of the law. with the caveat, of course, that the market could/can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent. Good luck!
by gmtret
Wed May 30, 2018 1:23 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: U.S. stocks in free fall
Replies: 36221
Views: 4683549

Re: U.S. stocks in freefall

Meh... this is nothing in the scheme of things. Establish a diversified portfolio and add to it as you can. Ignore the fluctuations and add to it as you can.

History reports that patience and steadfastness will out.
by gmtret
Sat May 12, 2018 5:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which City to spend 4-6 weeks?
Replies: 48
Views: 7130

Re: Which City to spend 4-6 weeks?

I would suggest Galway, on the west coast of Ireland. It is a heck of a town with lots of festivals. I was there back in 2002, and loved it so much that I stayed until 2006! Fly into Shannon where public transport will get you to Galway.
by gmtret
Sun Jan 14, 2018 6:00 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Dave Ramsey's Millionaire Study
Replies: 102
Views: 25604

Re: Dave Ramsey's Millionaire Study

JoMoney wrote: Sun Jan 14, 2018 4:35 am
gmtret wrote: Sun Jan 14, 2018 3:54 am P. T. Barnum smiles gleefully from the grave...
Good Boglehead'ish book: The Art of Money Getting; Or, Golden Rules for Making Money by P. T. Barnum
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/8581/8581-h/8581-h.htm
Thank you very much for the link. I'll indeed give it a read. :D

Good luck,
Chris
by gmtret
Sun Jan 14, 2018 3:54 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Dave Ramsey's Millionaire Study
Replies: 102
Views: 25604

Re: Dave Ramsey's Millionaire Study

P. T. Barnum smiles gleefully from the grave...
by gmtret
Sun Dec 10, 2017 10:42 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: investing in taxable accounts
Replies: 10
Views: 2293

Re: investing in taxable accounts

Live dreams... travel. :idea:
by gmtret
Sun Dec 03, 2017 7:55 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What did you do right?
Replies: 96
Views: 13678

Re: What did you do right?

I must say that automating my investments has been the most positive among the things that I have done right, such that investments occurred monthly
with no regard to market movements. Other than that, I'd guess that finding the Diehards back in the nineties was indeed fortuitous. :)

Good luck,
Chris
by gmtret
Sun Jun 18, 2017 3:15 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Thinking of changing my international allocation
Replies: 19
Views: 2654

Re: Thinking of changing my international allocation

I meself say, " Stay the course." I don't know how long you have held your current allocation but I personally would not mess with the apparent momentum.
by gmtret
Sun Jun 18, 2017 3:06 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Options for Saving for a First-Home Down Payment
Replies: 25
Views: 3663

Re: Options for Saving for a First-Home Down Payment

pasadena wrote:
Hawaiishrimp wrote:I will fund & max the ROTH first. Then, the rest will go to any high yield CD. If a good house come by, I can always it out from the CD.
Unless you already have money, a CD might not work - you have to fund it and leave it. c
I totally disagree with the "You can't add money to an existing CD" point. I currently hold CDs at NFCU, and with a few qualifiers, can add money to existing CDs.
by gmtret
Sat Jan 21, 2017 4:46 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: International equity allocation - do you tilt to EM?
Replies: 22
Views: 2923

Re: International equity allocation - do you tilt to EM?

I have had as much as 40% international in the recent past, and any changes there is due to mkt fluctuations. I split my international between VTIAX (total international) and VFSVX (total international "small" cap. According to V*'s cutting edge portfolio analysis tool, EM comprises 20% of the global market. I do not tilt to EM and my current AA is less than 2% a difference from global market weight.

Good luck,
Chris
by gmtret
Thu Dec 29, 2016 4:28 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How many of you invest 100% at Vanguard?
Replies: 118
Views: 13720

Re: How many of you invest 100% at Vanguard?

OOPS! I do have a few of those sweet, sweet I Bonds from back in the day and please allow me to thank Mel again for shedding light on them.

Good luck and holiday salutations! :sharebeer
Chris
by gmtret
Thu Dec 29, 2016 4:15 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How many of you invest 100% at Vanguard?
Replies: 118
Views: 13720

Re: How many of you invest 100% at Vanguard?

I use two financial conglomerates (for lack of a better word): Vanguard and NFCU. I did not begin investing until 1996 and was introduced to V* via "A Random Walk..." I was lucky enough to begin my investing education with M*'s Diehards sometime in 1997. (When the student is ready a teacher will appear- or, in this case, many teachers.)
I could go on but will not due to paranoia about self-disclosure. Although I have never met the sage, I must say herein that Jack Bogle is a giant among
men.

Good luck,
Chris
by gmtret
Wed Dec 14, 2016 5:11 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Are bond funds really low-risk?
Replies: 43
Views: 5044

Re: Are bond funds really low-risk?

whodidntante wrote:Bond funds have interest rate risk that increases with duration. Bond fund losses can be severe if you venture into long bonds, high yield bonds, and emerging market bonds.

It's important to understand what your investments and what the risks are. A family member commented about how "the dollar had fallen" recently. Since the opposite is true, I asked a few questions. It turns out he was talking about losses in his treasury bond fund.
Thanks for the guffaw! lol
by gmtret
Wed Dec 14, 2016 4:52 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bogle says (US) has the best investor protections and legal institutions
Replies: 88
Views: 9484

Re: Bogle says (US) has the best investor protections and legal institutions

At some levels we (perhaps) do. At some levels who knows?
It seems to work (until it doesn't.)
See the ratings agencies and subprime (perhaps another realm?)

Sorry- I need tea. Good luck,
Chris
by gmtret
Thu Oct 13, 2016 2:29 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Navy Federal Credit Union - not so different from banks
Replies: 45
Views: 9999

Re: Navy Federal Credit Union - not so different from banks

I have been a member of Navy Federal since the seventies and I find this to be disheartening, to say the least. At the same time I will continue using NFCU as my primary bank because if they ever loan me money I will surely pay them back. It is the people who don't pay their bills that I have a problem with ...

My .02,
Chris
by gmtret
Thu Feb 04, 2016 6:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Amex Jet Blue moving to Barclays
Replies: 4
Views: 1845

Re: Amex Jet Blue moving to Barclays

Thank you both for the replies. I decided to go with the new Amex come what may...

Good luck,
Chris
by gmtret
Wed Feb 03, 2016 6:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vanguard TurboTax - Not Available 2015?
Replies: 327
Views: 64519

Re: Vanguard TurboTax - Not Available 2015?

I have read most of this thread in the past and really don't desire to read them all again. Can anyone tell me the least expensive provider for doing a simple return inclusive of e-file for state? I am leaning toward H&R Block which I understand is able to get last years from TT and with the cost for state at $12.95.
Good luck,
Chris
by gmtret
Wed Feb 03, 2016 6:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Amex Jet Blue moving to Barclays
Replies: 4
Views: 1845

Amex Jet Blue moving to Barclays

Hiya, all... I performed a search and got no hits so I thought I would try to get some insight here... On or about March 21 Amex's Jet Blue card will no longer be offered and will switch to a Barclay's master card. I have had the Amex card for 8 years and I liked the amount of credit they provided (22,000 and I pay off all my credit cards monthly.) I did a wee bit of research concerning Barclays and decided that I do not wish to do business with them and yet I do like having an Amex card. So I suppose I will apply for another one of their cards (currently considering the everyday blue cash back- I think that's what it is called.) I imagine that I will take a temporary FICO hit from the new card but wonder. I recently (4-6 months ago) got a ...
by gmtret
Fri Feb 27, 2015 5:33 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: This Morning's Dilbert - Investment Help
Replies: 24
Views: 6570

Re: This Morning's Dilbert - Investment Help

Thanks for all the lol's from Dilbert! I had an Organization Theory Prof back in the day that absolutely loved Dilbert. If Adams does not imbibe here then he certainly should!
Good luck- Chris
And thank you Saint Jack and V* for recent ER changes.
by gmtret
Fri Feb 27, 2015 4:29 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: International increase in Target Retirement & LifeStrategy
Replies: 235
Views: 52402

Re: International increase in Target Retirement & LifeStrate

While it does smack of market timing I hold none of the funds mentioned. I do, however, split my foreign holdings between VTIAX and VFSVX. Will not this benefit me in the long run?
by gmtret
Sat Feb 07, 2015 11:00 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: TurboTax and North Carolina
Replies: 4
Views: 831

Re: TurboTax and North Carolina

Thanks, Jeff.
by gmtret
Sat Feb 07, 2015 8:56 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Best Small Cap Value Funds
Replies: 44
Views: 9522

Re: Best Small Cap Value Funds

heartwood wrote:My choice, but I have no time to look up symbols, so I quickly leave the thread.
While I agree with the sentiment, it's an interesting topic. :sharebeer
by gmtret
Sat Feb 07, 2015 8:37 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: TurboTax and North Carolina
Replies: 4
Views: 831

TurboTax and North Carolina

I saw news on a local channel which stated that TT would not be filing for the state of North Carolina, something about the filing of false returns by persons other than the correct ones... it seems the W-2 info had been stolen or something. Is anyone else cognizant of this :?:
by gmtret
Sun Aug 03, 2014 7:53 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Survival
Replies: 4
Views: 1209

Re: Survival

Yup... reality is indeed a paradox. How else to explain that while time changes everything, that there is nothing new under the Sun? :oops:
by gmtret
Thu Jul 24, 2014 7:41 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: I'm a genius!
Replies: 19
Views: 6063

Re: I'm a genius!

Yup! Stay the course should always be the clear winner... But, but, but, emotions involving money are a great tax to many! :oops:
by gmtret
Sun Jul 06, 2014 5:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: On the Road/Air/Water Retirement
Replies: 57
Views: 8029

Re: On the Road/Air/Water Retirement

Also, there is some restriction about the length of time a tourist can stay. Some small integer number of months. This may be a EU restriction, not just a Danish one. Yes, there is a restriction in the continental Europe, where you can stay up to 3 months a year, check out Schengen Area . It extends to some non-EU countries but does not cover the British Isles. Victoria While I have no idea if the rules are different throughout Europe, I was lucky enough to live in Galway Ireland from 2002-06. Realizing that I absolutely loved Galway I went to the local Garda (Police) station to inquire about being allowed to stay for a long time. They directed me to the local immigration office where I presented evidence that I received a pension and had ...
by gmtret
Sun Jul 06, 2014 2:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: favorite mid/low-priced Caribbean locale?
Replies: 30
Views: 4960

Re: favorite mid/low-priced Caribbean locale?

I too recommend Isla Nujeres, Mexico. Fly in and out of Cancun, and take the ferry either from the beach in Cancun or Puerto Juarez. A taxi to the ferry terminal, or even a bus can be utilized. Diving and fishing in the lovely waters in eighty degree temps... ahh, that's the life! Check it out on the net.
by gmtret
Fri Jun 27, 2014 7:14 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Article: Conversation with John Bogle
Replies: 15
Views: 2653

Re: Article: Conversation with John Bogle

Goodness, but I thank my lucky stars to have been born in the age of Jack Bogle! Lots more to be thankful for too... but never mind-
by gmtret
Sat Mar 22, 2014 10:09 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "How Much Should You Pay a Financial Advisor?" by Mike Piper
Replies: 64
Views: 7929

Re: "How Much Should You Pay a Financial Advisor?" by Mike P

To answer the question (and with due respect to M. Piper, my answer is, "Not one thin dime... that is all." :dollar
by gmtret
Fri Mar 21, 2014 12:59 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Higher Returns at Lower Risk - please comment
Replies: 59
Views: 9644

Re: Higher Returns at Lower Risk - please comment

Edge, you wrote: "My only critical comment would be to try to familiarize yourself with the typical lexicon used in capital markets academia. The use of the word 'synergy' for example made it a little hard to get through." Would you be willing to help me by, for instance, suggesting a better word for "synergy"? Try as I might, I couldn't find a word in the lexicon mentioned that described what I was looking at, stocks and bonds working together to lower risk beyond what is possible for those assets by themselves; correlation just didn't do it for me, although technically that would be one of the choices, but it doesn't convey, at least for me, well enough what's really going on. To quote the dictionary (not necessarily ...
by gmtret
Thu Mar 20, 2014 1:36 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Will upcoming rise in interest rates affect your AA?
Replies: 30
Views: 3553

Re: Will upcoming rise in interest rates affect your AA?

And again, NO. While prices may increase the amount I allocate toward bonds, My AA is established. I will continue to add to and maintain its parameters as long as I am able.
What is it about the inverse nature of price and interest rates that puts people in a frenzy? Increasing interest rates would be a good thing as it would mark the time that external stimulus (Fed) could back off the attack on deflation.

YMMV,
Chris
by gmtret
Tue Mar 18, 2014 5:51 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Investing in stocks--A surprising Google report ?
Replies: 37
Views: 5538

Re: Investing in stocks--A surprising Google report ?

Folks, please... it must be nothing more than semantics; so be thankful that words have meaning... or something. :confused
by gmtret
Sun Feb 09, 2014 12:35 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Frequent Fund Switching
Replies: 26
Views: 2929

Re: Frequent Fund Switching

Jane Bryant Quin said (many years ago) "The market timers hall of fame is an empty room." Good luck to you in your futile endeavors. :oops: