Search found 402 matches

by RJSachs
Tue Oct 05, 2010 9:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is society being "dumbed" down
Replies: 71
Views: 7906

slick_dealer_05 wrote:Do you really believe that a Caucasian/Hispanic-American/African-American has any chance of competing with Asian-Americans?
Actually, I see standards rapidly dropping in the Asian-American community. Not long ago, if the kid didn't get into Harvard or Stanford, the entire family would commit suicide. Nowadays, many Asian-American parents openly admit their kids are going to state schools (and I don't mean Berkeley ;))
by RJSachs
Tue Oct 05, 2010 4:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is society being "dumbed" down
Replies: 71
Views: 7906

Students and parents are discouraged from caring about proper spelling and grammar. Such caring is out down as being "old fashioned" and stifling creativity. We wouldn't want to stifle Maria Alquilar's creativity. You wouldn't expect to see a lot of misspelled words when you enter a public library. That's why a California city is paying thousands of dollars to an artist so she'll correct the words she misspelled on a giant mural in the entryway of the new main library. Eleven of the 175 words and names are misspelled, including Vincent Van Gogh, Michelangelo and Einstein. Artist Maria Alquilar was initially paid $40,000 for the mosaic. Now, the city will pay another $6,000 plus her travel expenses from Miami for her to correct th...
by RJSachs
Tue Oct 05, 2010 3:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is society being "dumbed" down
Replies: 71
Views: 7906

Re: Is society being "dumbed" down

jumpin wrote:You're input please?
This says it all.
by RJSachs
Tue Oct 05, 2010 2:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is society being "dumbed" down
Replies: 71
Views: 7906

monkey_business wrote:I would disagree on the hatred and bigotry part, however. Both surely exist, but I believe in lesser amounts. Just look back at the last century: do you think the world was less hateful/bigoted towards minorities? Heck, you couldn't even ride the bus in the front if you were black right here in the US just some decades ago.
In the not too distant past, some brokers wouldn't open accounts for women without their husband's "permission". Even if they were single! As bad as things may or may not be now, there has been progress.
by RJSachs
Tue Oct 05, 2010 12:30 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Any reason to purchase CD through financial group
Replies: 5
Views: 2139

Re: Kent Balch First Fidelity Financial Group of Atlanta

kentbalchjr wrote:Balch dedicates himself almost exclusively to working with seniors .
Darn! Any chance you'll make an exception?
by RJSachs
Sat Oct 02, 2010 8:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Short term bond fund/ETF?
Replies: 3
Views: 1310

BSV yields 0.94% with some (albeit small) interest rate risk.
VBISX yields 0.83% with some (albeit small) interest rate risk.

Ally 5 year CD yields 2.65%, zero interest rate rate, FDIC insured and breakable with a 60 day penalty.

You make the call.
by RJSachs
Tue Sep 28, 2010 7:13 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Should I use check cash advance to invest?
Replies: 30
Views: 4953

Ed 2 wrote:Hello,RJSachs.
Something tells me you are the same person as EO 11110.
Sorry if I am wrong, too many similarities. :wink:
You should report your suspicions to the moderators. By the way, I do not like binary numbers.
by RJSachs
Tue Sep 28, 2010 6:57 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Should I use check cash advance to invest?
Replies: 30
Views: 4953

Re: Should I use check cash advance to invest?

SSSS wrote:
EO 11110 wrote:playing safe and earning 7% while paying 4% yields you thirty bucks before taxes, not worth the effort.
I'd like to know what kind of "playing safe" investment you can earn 7% from. In fact, I'd settle for a "playing safe" investment you can earn 4% from. I sure can't think of any.
He was being sarcastic.
by RJSachs
Tue Sep 28, 2010 6:53 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Possible to get Treasury MMF again?
Replies: 11
Views: 2354

Febreze wrote:I want to set up a portion of my savings in the permanent portfolio format and I would prefer to use the treasury MMF over an ETF or prime MMF.
You could buy T-bills from Treasury Direct.
by RJSachs
Tue Sep 28, 2010 1:56 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Total International Index Fund Dividend
Replies: 3
Views: 1269

US companies pay dividends quarterly. Outside the US, semi-annual or annual dividend payments are more common.

This could be a possible driver of Vanguard's behavior.
by RJSachs
Tue Sep 28, 2010 2:18 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Looking to open Roth IRA, where to open? 35k liquid assets.
Replies: 6
Views: 1592

Re: Looking to open Roth IRA, where to open? 35k liquid asse

stives wrote:I meet the 25k requirements just fine
It's unclear from your post if you realize this, but Roth contributions are limited to 5K per year for someone under 50 year old.

I apologize if I misunderstood your post.
by RJSachs
Tue Sep 28, 2010 2:15 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Sell for 0% CG this yr, but miss out on this yr's dividend?
Replies: 3
Views: 842

You won't lose anything by not waiting for the distribution, since the NAV will be adjusted downward after the ex-dividend date.
by RJSachs
Mon Sep 27, 2010 3:59 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Charlie Munger on Communism, Botox, and Goldbug Jerks
Replies: 17
Views: 4345

Re: When Charlie talks--I listen.

Taylor Larimore wrote:When Charlie talks--I listen.
So why not listen (http://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtop ... 1285126472), instead of reading a dumbed-down article?
by RJSachs
Wed Sep 22, 2010 9:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: iBonds account(s) for married couples
Replies: 3
Views: 881

Call Steve Jobs.
by RJSachs
Tue Sep 21, 2010 2:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Better way to buy Vanguard ETF's
Replies: 19
Views: 8941

Chuck T wrote:Keep in mind you can't buy fractional shares of an ETF like you can a MF. You can however, convert a mutual fund to ETF including your fractional share.
Any issues when selling the fractional ETF share?
by RJSachs
Mon Sep 20, 2010 9:59 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Pert in the real world?
Replies: 7
Views: 2198

LadyGeek wrote:it's named after John Neper
You mean John Napier.
by RJSachs
Mon Sep 20, 2010 1:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best credit card deals
Replies: 31
Views: 5300

tc101 wrote:I have heard AMEX has better service, so the FIDO AMEX card might be the way to go for me.
The Fidelity AMEX is serviced by FIA.
by RJSachs
Sun Sep 19, 2010 9:57 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Pert in the real world?
Replies: 7
Views: 2198

Only practical use I can see for continuous compounding is as a marketing gimmick. Daily compounding puts you pretty close to the top of the asymptote.
by RJSachs
Sat Sep 18, 2010 6:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's your number?
Replies: 12
Views: 2795

867-5309
by RJSachs
Sat Sep 18, 2010 6:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Schwab Bank will no longer sponsor credit cards
Replies: 138
Views: 28059

The PenFed Promise Visa (the one with no foreign currency fees) has no rewards.
by RJSachs
Sat Sep 18, 2010 10:31 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: gold hits all time high, silver hot too
Replies: 44
Views: 5566

tetractys wrote:Together we accertaind that 100 ounces was 6.25 pounds, about as much as a person could swim with.
Before you go off on your swim, I recommend investigating the difference between a troy ounce and an avoirdupois ounce.
by RJSachs
Sat Sep 18, 2010 10:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 500% bullion return in 48 hours! :)
Replies: 19
Views: 3070

Sounds like you had a 400% return.
by RJSachs
Fri Sep 17, 2010 11:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Schwab Bank will no longer sponsor credit cards
Replies: 138
Views: 28059

natureexplorer wrote:The CapitalOne No Hassle CashSM Rewards Credit Card with 1% cash-back seems interesting. It's my understanding that CapitalOne is the only other provider offering credit cards without international transaction fees.
The PenFed Promise Card and the PenFed American Express Card both have 0% foreign transaction fees. This is not true however of their more famous Platinum cashbask Visa.

https://www.penfed.org/usedBehindPin/Fo ... ms-Web.pdf
https://www.penfed.org/usedBehindPin/Fo ... ms-Web.pdf

Note: The Amex card has an annual fee (waived the first year).
by RJSachs
Fri Sep 17, 2010 11:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Schwab Bank will no longer sponsor credit cards
Replies: 138
Views: 28059

natureexplorer wrote:How long was this Schwab card in existence?
It came out Dec. 1, 2008.
by RJSachs
Thu Sep 16, 2010 11:37 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: International Currencies Mutual Funds
Replies: 26
Views: 3381

Re: International Currencies Mutual Funds

rckowal wrote:Here is Vanguards fund. Global Income & Currency Fund Inc ( New York Stock Exchange : GCF )
GCF is absolutely not a Vanguard fund.
by RJSachs
Tue Sep 14, 2010 1:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Beginning Investment Help
Replies: 5
Views: 1019

chaz wrote:Maybe some ideas here:

http://www.visualeconomics.com....our-money/
Your link is broken.
by RJSachs
Mon Sep 13, 2010 3:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: wellesley ??
Replies: 4
Views: 1194

Re: wellesley ??

steve88 wrote:bought wellesley on 4/1/2010 for $5k nav price of 50.39 just checked it is worth $5187

bought another wellesley from another account on 5-21-2010 for $3k nav price is 49.83 and now it is worth $3147.00

I would think the first one would have more on dividend but the difference is only $40. Why so little? Any explanation would be appreciated.
$5,000 ---> $5,187 is not $40 different than $3,000 ---> $3,147
Use percents.
by RJSachs
Sat Sep 11, 2010 1:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Following sports closely...a distraction or healthy?
Replies: 124
Views: 14391

Re: Following sports closely...a distraction or healthy?

lmpmd wrote:I guess it boils down to a question of taste. But I watch a section of Mike and Mike and am amazed how seriously they take this silly stuff. Like it could possibly matter. Maybe that's just me - but there seem to be others here that agree. - You can see a sample here:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnradio/sho ... ikeandmike
You would really enjoy this movie:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Fan
by RJSachs
Sat Sep 11, 2010 1:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: condo assoc, letting in renters,,,rules say... No Renters.
Replies: 8
Views: 2220

Re: condo assoc, letting in renters,,,rules say... No Renter

Irishgal wrote:our bi-laws
Sounds like an interesting place :wink:
by RJSachs
Sat Sep 11, 2010 11:44 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Rick and Larry's 2010ed. books
Replies: 16
Views: 2775

allsop wrote:Perhaps the "bundlers" pay post and packaging for one book instead of two? If so there is one poster born every minute :lol:
Will there be any difference between putting the two books in my "shopping cart" individually or clicking on the bundle?
No, there won't.
by RJSachs
Sat Sep 11, 2010 11:38 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Updated Modification of Harry Browne Permanent Portfolio
Replies: 3555
Views: 1465571

Buddtholomew wrote: I would like to know what to expect to avoid any surprises at tax time.
Just to make sure you know, in a taxable account, whether you hold an individual zero-coupon bond or a fund of zero-coupon bonds, you are responsible each year for taxes on the inputted or "phantom" income. Even though the interest payments are deferred until maturity, the tax consequences are not.
by RJSachs
Sat Sep 11, 2010 11:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Runaway College Costs?
Replies: 36
Views: 5011

livesoft wrote:The wealthy will always be able to afford college. They will also be able to put away $1500 a year ahead of time and call it "too easy".
Anyone considering sending their kid to CUNY is not wealthy.
by RJSachs
Sat Sep 11, 2010 11:11 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Rick and Larry's 2010ed. books
Replies: 16
Views: 2775

Offshore wrote:Amazon.com will bundle both books for $33.38
What a deal over buying the books individually from Amazon at $18.45 and $14.93!
I guess there's one born every minute.
by RJSachs
Fri Sep 10, 2010 12:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Following sports closely...a distraction or healthy?
Replies: 124
Views: 14391

Re: Following sports closely...a distraction or healthy?

KyleAAA wrote:There are considerably more than a few, I can assure you. Including a lot of people who know a lot more about DNA than you.
Agreed. The issue is that there are a lot of intellectual-types who aren't very intelligent. They can't build their credibility using analytical horsepower or espousing well-articulated ideas, so they need to rely on prententious behavior like disdaining sports.

By the way, OP had a great thread (since deleted by the mods) where he struggled to figure out his 401(k) deductions.
by RJSachs
Thu Sep 09, 2010 7:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: credit card and debt collection agency question
Replies: 4
Views: 1351

The sleazebags at creditboards.com are in a better position to answer.
I recommend you choose your friends more wisely.
by RJSachs
Thu Sep 09, 2010 5:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Following sports closely...a distraction or healthy?
Replies: 124
Views: 14391

Re: Following sports closely...a distraction or healthy?

mrboast wrote: To me, sports is a useless distraction, an anti intellectual waste of time..
Almost as much a waste of time as having kids.
mrboast wrote: the son I am about to raise
Oh. :wink:
by RJSachs
Thu Sep 09, 2010 9:28 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Ally CD Is Best "Money Market" I Can Find
Replies: 26
Views: 5593

woof755 wrote:Of course, they're using bailout money to do it. (GMAC)
So what?
by RJSachs
Wed Sep 08, 2010 6:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Why is it called a "LEAP" Year??
Replies: 23
Views: 3245

I don't think there is a definitive answer but one old wives' tale I heard was that between two normal years, each date is offset by one day. For example, Sept 8, 2009 was a Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2010 is a Wednesday and Sept 8, 2011 will be a Thursday.
But in a leap year it will be offset by two days (Sept. 8, 2012 will be a Saturday) so Friday was "leaped" over.

Again, just an old wives' tale.
by RJSachs
Wed Sep 08, 2010 5:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help for my Dad - super conservative
Replies: 17
Views: 4108

nycj wrote:How about a 5-7 year CD in either Alliant or PenFed CU. Look up the Allan Roth thread on boglehead and read about long term CDs and how the rates are effected if you you terminate the CD early (2 years).
Exactly. I'm surprised people are still talking about ladders. Even before the Allan Roth article, there were dozens of mentions of this strategy.
by RJSachs
Wed Sep 08, 2010 3:29 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Wiki - CD Penalty Withdrawal Calculations - DIY!
Replies: 17
Views: 3683

LadyGeek wrote:Sorry, I'm not familiar with CRV. If it's useful, point me to some references and I can give it a shot.
It's not useful for your wiki page. No one would invest in a CD with CRV if they had the intent of possibly breaking the CD early.
by RJSachs
Mon Sep 06, 2010 8:24 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: On the right track or should be more cautious
Replies: 31
Views: 5458

hsv_climber wrote: My question would be where can you get a 6.25% HELOC???
The OP states that it's a HEL. Several subsequent posters mistakenly called it a HELOC.
by RJSachs
Mon Sep 06, 2010 2:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Deleted
Replies: 8
Views: 1298

hsv_climber wrote:Anyway, complete stupidity to sell more Fidelity Roth 401K investments.
You could also argue that "Brian", the "extremely disciplined saver" who "tracks every penny" wouldn't be undisciplined enough to over-withhold and get a tax refund.

However, neither this point nor the three you bring up effectively refutes the premise of the article.
by RJSachs
Mon Sep 06, 2010 11:35 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: PenFed Lowers CD Rates
Replies: 22
Views: 5126

NAVigator wrote:I knew that. I was just low on caffeine. :(
Don't worry. dm200 loves to give his NCUA speech, so you made his day :wink:
by RJSachs
Mon Sep 06, 2010 1:39 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Who's paying for the Vanguard ads?
Replies: 14
Views: 2377

mo0ink wrote:If it was that obvious, I wouldn't be asking the question would I?
Well, based on your track record ... :wink:
by RJSachs
Sat Sep 04, 2010 10:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Restaurant tipping - cash or card?
Replies: 102
Views: 14072

tetractys wrote:So under such circumstances I pay my tips in cash, because otherwise there's too much of a chance that the servers are not being fed, or not given the chance to climb the ladder to something better.
Can't cash tips also be easily stolen by management?