Search found 2406 matches
- Mon Dec 14, 2020 3:39 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Index Funds vs. Individual Stocks Picking
- Replies: 61
- Views: 4340
Re: Index Funds vs. Individual Stocks Picking
Ok so the index fund contains 500 stocks picked by a group of people. Is it considered better than individual stock picking simply because it takes considerably a lot more time for just 1 person to thoroughly analyze and manage 500 stocks? Diversification. Can't a stock picker also choose to divers...
- Mon Dec 14, 2020 3:12 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Luxury clothes
- Replies: 146
- Views: 11475
Re: Luxury clothes
I'm so glad I have not one but two jobs where I can wear my pajamas to work, and this was all even before COVID. I would have a hard time dropping $40K on a suit when I could save 10 lives with it if it were spent on mosquito nets. But hey, everyone has their vice I suppose and I certainly "wa...
- Mon Dec 14, 2020 12:44 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Giving Retirement Notice - how did it go?
- Replies: 117
- Views: 10163
Re: Giving Retirement Notice - how did it go?
IBM's have been nowhere near that generous ( last report was less than half that rate ) and they have never provided extended healthcare benefits beyond whatever COBRA provides. I was RA'd by IBM in 2006 and can speak from direct experience. Wouldn't half of something be better than nothing? :confu...
- Mon Dec 14, 2020 12:23 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Should I sell stocks to get a better mortgage refi rate?
- Replies: 20
- Views: 1533
Re: Should I sell stocks to get a better mortgage refi rate?
Take out a 30 year and let the portfolio dividends pay your mortgage.
- Thu Dec 10, 2020 4:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Hit our Number - Change Allocation?
- Replies: 61
- Views: 5162
- Thu Dec 10, 2020 3:52 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Pay off 0.9% car loan early?
- Replies: 24
- Views: 1441
Re: Pay off 0.9% car loan early?
This year we've realized that I-bonds are a good deal, especially as part of our "cash/EF".
- Thu Dec 10, 2020 2:23 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Pay off 0.9% car loan early?
- Replies: 24
- Views: 1441
Re: Pay off 0.9% car loan early?
10k I bonds this year
10k next year
I think they're at 1.6-1.7% currently.
10k next year
I think they're at 1.6-1.7% currently.
- Wed Dec 09, 2020 10:48 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Anyone "save" anything other than money for retirement?
- Replies: 47
- Views: 5292
Re: Anyone "save" anything other than money for retirement?
I have what my wife refers to as my 401S plan. I like all kinds of scotch, whiskey and bourbon and over the last couple years I will splurge on a bottle ($30-$60) once every couple months or when I see a good sale. The plan is to enjoy these spirits throughout retirement I'd estimate I have 24-30 b...
- Wed Dec 09, 2020 10:46 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Passive Investing Bubble?
- Replies: 42
- Views: 3785
Re: Passive Investing Bubble?
Don't worry, Robinhood will come to the rescue.
- Mon Dec 07, 2020 10:59 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: I feel like my friend is about to make a massive financial mistake
- Replies: 128
- Views: 15138
Re: I feel like my friend is about to make a massive financial mistake
Make sure he turns it into a reality tv / docuseries at least. Monetize it. 

- Mon Dec 07, 2020 10:52 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Hyperinflation hedge
- Replies: 85
- Views: 6544
Re: Hyperinflation hedge
Guns. Water. Food.
You're trying to "prep" for a societal collapse. Money won't be of help. I'd stop reading whatever it was that made you think you should worry about this, though.
You're trying to "prep" for a societal collapse. Money won't be of help. I'd stop reading whatever it was that made you think you should worry about this, though.
- Sat Dec 05, 2020 7:55 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: What Bonds to Use when Interest Rates are So Low?
- Replies: 40
- Views: 4905
Re: What Bonds to Use when Interest Rates are So Low?
OP, look into I and EE bonds. Previously I had a 457 stable value fund that was 4% for many, many years. For 2021 it will be 3.5%. 2022 it will be lower. We started purchasing I and EE this year. This also expands our FI/bond holding b/c the stable value fund is at a previous employer and I can no l...
- Fri Dec 04, 2020 1:36 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What is a good source for car ratings? Looking for comparisions between Mazda CX5, Honda CRV, and Subaru Forester
- Replies: 49
- Views: 2939
Re: What is a good source for car ratings? Looking for comparisions between Mazda CX5, Honda CRV, and Subaru Forester
Indeed, the Crosstrek has some nice features at a low price. We have a 13 limited and a 19 premium with the 6 speed manual. The Crosstrek has the same high ground clearance that the Forester and Outback have, (8.7 inches) so deep snow is less of a concern. A new CRV is 8.2 inches. Dealers have ince...
- Fri Dec 04, 2020 12:06 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What is a good source for car ratings? Looking for comparisions between Mazda CX5, Honda CRV, and Subaru Forester
- Replies: 49
- Views: 2939
Re: What is a good source for car ratings? Looking for comparisions between Mazda CX5, Honda CRV, and Subaru Forester
Ooh, stick shift preference... Go for a VW Alltrack 6 speed manual. It'll out drive all of this list and still has AWD and enough ground clearance for snow duty. Not many left, though, so it could be hard to find them to test drive. 2018/2019s should have a nice, long warranty - 6 yr 72k bumper to b...
- Thu Dec 03, 2020 4:20 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What is a good source for car ratings? Looking for comparisions between Mazda CX5, Honda CRV, and Subaru Forester
- Replies: 49
- Views: 2939
Re: What is a good source for car ratings? Looking for comparisions between Mazda CX5, Honda CRV, and Subaru Forester
I'd throw the Rav4 in the mix as well. All are pretty good vehicles, and I agree that you really need to test drive them to see if any stands out positively or negatively for you. Whether it is the seats, infotainment setup, etc. I think you're best served by trying to get a really good price on a n...
- Thu Dec 03, 2020 1:34 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Where to put "mad money"?
- Replies: 31
- Views: 2357
Re: Where to put "mad money"?
Invest in a time machine - then go back in time and buy Tesla and Bitcoin.
- Wed Dec 02, 2020 3:32 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Second Home, Air BnB, Use an LLC?
- Replies: 12
- Views: 1248
Re: Second Home, Air BnB, Use an LLC?
Why not leave your cash invested, and simply stay at someone else's AirBnB at the lake for the 30% or less of the year when you would want to stay there?
- Wed Dec 02, 2020 1:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Got a good price on 2020 Odyssey EX-L but the 0.9% promo expired.
- Replies: 55
- Views: 3920
Re: Got a good price on 2020 Odyssey EX-L but the 0.9% promo expired.
I found a decent 42k mile Used Odyssey for $22k but I am not sure if it would be better to get that as opposed to a new one given that we will be owning the van for >10 years (averaging 10-12k miles a year) This sounds like a good idea - kids will trash a new vehicle. Spend less and worry less. Unl...
- Wed Dec 02, 2020 1:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Razor for shaving around nose easily?
- Replies: 33
- Views: 2083
Re: Razor for shaving around nose easily?
OP - I use the same or similar style (I think I use/prefer the Hydro 3 or 5) as you and know what you're describing.
Grab a cheap disposable razor - twin blade or something. Use it for just that area and it'll last for years.
Grab a cheap disposable razor - twin blade or something. Use it for just that area and it'll last for years.
- Wed Dec 02, 2020 12:19 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: after 1 million, what makes a difference?
- Replies: 162
- Views: 18194
Re: after 1 million, what makes a difference?
What are others' thoughts? Between 2-3 million? - you both could be retired and never have to work again. So you both either like working enough / more so than not working and/or you have expensive enough "tastes" that you would rather continue to work than spend less and not have to work...
- Tue Dec 01, 2020 5:44 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Justifying Used Car Prices... Do not want to overspend
- Replies: 39
- Views: 3058
Re: Justifying Used Car Prices... Do not want to overspend
We bought a Prius Prime b/c it was a much better deal than a used Prius, Kia Niro, or any other hybrid or PHEV. State rebate, utility rebate, federal tax credit, Uber driver incentive (don't have to actually drive anyone, just sign up) and it was under $19k, including our high CA sales taxes on the...
- Mon Nov 30, 2020 1:26 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Is it public record when you pay off a mortgage?
- Replies: 84
- Views: 7735
Re: Is it public record when you pay off a mortgage?
It's unlikely they'd go through the effort to look it up. You're probably right although some people can be nosy. What you think is happening: https://28oa9i1t08037ue3m1l0i861-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/circles.png Reality: https://28oa9i1t08037ue3m1l0i861-wpengine.netdna-ss...
- Sun Nov 22, 2020 6:13 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Happily retired but seriously considering going back to work
- Replies: 78
- Views: 6649
Re: Happily retired but seriously considering going back to work
Agrred.theplayer11 wrote: ↑Fri Nov 20, 2020 9:39 pm why are we so conditioned that "work" should consume are being? Not in a million years..

Societal brainwashing, is the answer to your rhetorical question, though.
- Wed Nov 18, 2020 4:36 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Happily retired but seriously considering going back to work
- Replies: 78
- Views: 6649
Re: Happily retired but seriously considering going back to work
1. Are you really happily retired? Sounds like you couldn't find anything better to do than work. 2. Would you work for free? You don't need the money, so you are saying you have nothing better to do. If 1 - no 2 - yes Please donate the money to my FIRE fund. I'm sick of work. Win, win for the both ...
- Thu Nov 12, 2020 5:05 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Commuting by bike
- Replies: 75
- Views: 3357
Re: Commuting by bike
Looks like people have you covered. I'll just say that I really like the Cygolite Hotshot for a rear, USB rechargeable light. (I think I bought an older/cheaper model 80 off ebay) The main thing is that I believe the triple-flash / random flash is much better at getting a driver's attention that a s...
- Thu Nov 12, 2020 1:51 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Justifying Used Car Prices... Do not want to overspend
- Replies: 39
- Views: 3058
Re: Justifying Used Car Prices... Do not want to overspend
We bought a Prius Prime b/c it was a much better deal than a used Prius, Kia Niro, or any other hybrid or PHEV. State rebate, utility rebate, federal tax credit, Uber driver incentive (don't have to actually drive anyone, just sign up) and it was under $19k, including our high CA sales taxes on the ...
- Thu Nov 12, 2020 11:43 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: To escrow or not to escrow your taxes
- Replies: 50
- Views: 2519
Re: To escrow or not to escrow your taxes
Hard "no" to escrow. There is not one single benefit to it, except of course that if the lender does not agree to lend you money without escrow, then the benefit of having escrow account is getting the loan. Here's a benefit for California residents: 2954.8. (a) Every financial institutio...
- Thu Nov 12, 2020 10:55 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Large emergency fund where to put
- Replies: 36
- Views: 4453
Re: Large emergency fund where to put
Wow - some awesome posts by out of touch Bogleheads.
- Thu Nov 12, 2020 12:11 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: What % of your after tax monthly income do you invest?
- Replies: 28
- Views: 1991
Re: What % of your after tax monthly income do you invest?
The question is would you rather live in a bigger, more expensive house, or retire years earlier? Same goes for vehicles, eating out, and all of life's expenses that one can control. Some people like to spend more, some like to "spend" on their future freedom/time. Would a new/bigger house...
- Wed Nov 11, 2020 11:59 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Large emergency fund where to put
- Replies: 36
- Views: 4453
Re: Large emergency fund where to put
Not sure how tech savvy you are. One option is converting to USDT (Tether) and depositing it in a place like NEXO or Blockfi. You can research a lot of them are strongly asset backed and it's a decent way to get 5-10% return annually on your cash. Something to research first before considering of c...
- Tue Nov 10, 2020 6:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Home level 2 charger recommendation?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 1462
Re: Home level 2 charger recommendation?
Do you have a 240v outlet already? For the Prius Prime, the OEM charger can actually handle 240 https://priuschat.com/threads/using-the-primes-120v-charger-at-240-volts-cost-20.204577/ Perhaps the Rav4 Prime is the same and someone has come up with a solution already. (I would assume it is highly li...
- Tue Nov 10, 2020 5:34 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Beam Bank - 4% return
- Replies: 43
- Views: 4979
Re: Beam Bank - 4% return
I hear their new building just got finished


- Mon Nov 09, 2020 5:54 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Year End checks
- Replies: 7
- Views: 835
Re: Year End checks
Another data point: We're 40/41 and just bought EE bonds last month for the first time. We also plan on purchasing I bonds for part of our Efund holding as online savings account rates have dropped so far to be not worth holding much there. I Bonds have better rates than online savings now? 1.68% f...
- Mon Nov 09, 2020 3:11 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Year End checks
- Replies: 7
- Views: 835
Re: Year End checks
Another data point:
We're 40/41 and just bought EE bonds last month for the first time. We also plan on purchasing I bonds for part of our Efund holding as online savings account rates have dropped so far to be not worth holding much there.
We're 40/41 and just bought EE bonds last month for the first time. We also plan on purchasing I bonds for part of our Efund holding as online savings account rates have dropped so far to be not worth holding much there.
- Sat Nov 07, 2020 10:58 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Good way of taking advantage of High COL real estate/housing market?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1442
Re: Good way of taking advantage of High COL real estate/housing market?
Buy low, sell high.
Best of luck with that.
Best of luck with that.
- Fri Nov 06, 2020 3:39 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Estimating early retirement threshold?
- Replies: 27
- Views: 2793
Re: Estimating early retirement threshold?
Flexible budgeting.
- Thu Nov 05, 2020 4:22 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Automatic Dishwasher Detergent
- Replies: 23
- Views: 1800
Re: Automatic Dishwasher Detergent
We use Kirkland Signature Automatic Dishwasher Pacs - looks like a white powder inside a "pod" to me.
- Mon Nov 02, 2020 3:26 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Hand Shower Faucet
- Replies: 10
- Views: 548
Re: Hand Shower Faucet
I am planning a bathroom remodel. I would like a hand shower faucet. My husband likes our current fixed shower head from Walmart because it is a powerful, narrow stream of water just like the showers on the Coast Guard boats he served on. I want a handheld to help with large cleaning projects like ...
- Mon Nov 02, 2020 11:20 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Hit 2M, at 38, should I retire?
- Replies: 106
- Views: 16047
Re: Hit 2M, at 38, should I retire?
The most important thing is what you will do for the next 50 years. Tim +1 I'm guessing: NOT WORK. What is so hard about that? What would you do with your life if you no longer needed to work at age 38? Sounds like a great problem to have. Speaking from experience, it's a lot more difficult than yo...
- Sun Nov 01, 2020 10:31 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Hit 2M, at 38, should I retire?
- Replies: 106
- Views: 16047
Re: Hit 2M, at 38, should I retire?
I'm guessing: NOT WORK.
What is so hard about that? What would you do with your life if you no longer needed to work at age 38?
Sounds like a great problem to have.
- Thu Oct 29, 2020 10:36 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: is now a good time to go to cash in your portfolio?
- Replies: 76
- Views: 5060
Re: is now a good time to go to cash in your portfolio?
Tune out the news. Between pension and everything else, you have pretty stable employment and investments (home and rental, etc) The market shrugged off covid once already. Are you going to bet against Mr Market's ability to do that again? No one knows nuthin. Pick an AA and stick to it. Tune out th...
- Thu Oct 29, 2020 10:31 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Harbor Freight Good Values?
- Replies: 88
- Views: 5263
Re: Harbor Freight Good Values?
electric corded impact wrench - it was ~$35 w/ coupon when I bought it
- Sat Oct 24, 2020 5:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Subaru Outback, oil leak?
- Replies: 51
- Views: 3157
Re: Subaru Outback, oil leak?
The new 2020/21 Outbacks are pretty nice. I'd upgrade if you have the funds. Deals to be had on 2020s along with 0% financing, I believe. As someone who always bought used, high mileage and kept for a long time, we've gotten to the point where new safety features are worth it and I see us upgrading ...
- Thu Oct 22, 2020 10:33 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: I bonds - Are they worth it to you?
- Replies: 176
- Views: 14251
Re: I bonds - Are they worth it to you?
Just opened a TD account and submitted my first purchase for EE bonds. We'll being purchasing some I bonds for second tier of our e-fund also. I think these will be a good diversification for us on the FI/bonds side of our portfolio. EE bonds would be redeemed during ages 60-70, planning to allow us...
- Thu Oct 22, 2020 9:27 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Anybody here trying Coast FIRE?
- Replies: 317
- Views: 27720
Re: Anybody here trying Coast FIRE?
It's not just "Do I enjoy my days off more than the days I go to work?" It's "Do I want ALL days off, or is my overall life better if I only have some days off and I work some days?" To those who think they want all days off, I would encourage them to take a few weeks or months ...
- Thu Oct 22, 2020 1:34 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Anybody here trying Coast FIRE?
- Replies: 317
- Views: 27720
Re: Anybody here trying Coast FIRE?
It's not just "Do I enjoy my days off more than the days I go to work?" It's "Do I want ALL days off, or is my overall life better if I only have some days off and I work some days?" To those who think they want all days off, I would encourage them to take a few weeks or months ...
- Thu Oct 22, 2020 1:30 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: waited too long to buy a house - but starting to feel priced out..
- Replies: 33
- Views: 5445
Re: waited too long to buy a house - but starting to feel priced out..
Rushing to buy because everyone else is doing so, is the worst strategy in my opinion. Wait it out. Save more. More to a larger rental. Move far away and retire / reduce work. How many companies are not going to allow remote work now and in the future? Why not find one that lets you work remote and ...
- Wed Oct 21, 2020 11:42 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Anybody here trying Coast FIRE?
- Replies: 317
- Views: 27720
Re: Anybody here trying Coast FIRE?
I guess we'll have to agree to disagree because I am sad that anyone had to spend one of the best decades of their life doing something they would only do for money. I don't enjoy working. Unfortunately that is what I have to do to make money. At least it isn't a stressful job, has good benefits, a...
- Thu Oct 08, 2020 1:20 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How to get roadside assistance without AAA?
- Replies: 112
- Views: 9147
Re: How to get roadside assistance without AAA?
Be fine. We'll figure it out.flyingaway wrote: ↑Thu Oct 08, 2020 8:54 am If you need roadside assistance, such as car breakdown, flat tire, etc., and if you do not have an AAA membership, what will you do?
What will you do?
- Thu Oct 08, 2020 9:39 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Reasons to Use a Roth IRA for Your Emergency Fund
- Replies: 18
- Views: 1419
Re: Reasons to Use a Roth IRA for Your Emergency Fund
Perfectly fine idea. If the choice is between loosing Roth space and building an e-fund in 0% savings accounts - fill up your Roth. Not everyone can maximize all of their space like so many bogleheads can do. You can even tap a portion of your Roth for a first home purchase. And take out a 401k loan...