Search found 2406 matches
- Fri Mar 28, 2014 1:41 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Fund expense and profit
- Replies: 13
- Views: 1293
Re: Fund expense and profit
While we're looking backwards, comparing these two: http://quote.morningstar.com/fund/chart.aspx?t=VTENX®ion=USA&culture=en-US&statePara=%7Bsecurities%3A%5B%7Bn%3A%22Vanguard%20Target%20Retirement%202010%20Inv%22%2Cids%3A%22FOUSA05HZC%7C0P00005XLA%7CCU%24%24%24%24%24USD%7C1%7C1%7CFO%7...
- Fri Mar 28, 2014 1:23 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What age did you reach 100K networth?
- Replies: 433
- Views: 95379
Re: What age did you reach 100K networth?
Another data point for the lower earners and renters - I'm projecting for 35 [2015].
- Fri Mar 28, 2014 11:07 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Why does a Boglehead move to an adviser at 1.25% AUM?
- Replies: 63
- Views: 6914
Re: Why does a Boglehead move to an adviser at 1.25% AUM?
... So fellow Bogleheads, if you were about 50 and still working because you wanted to and not because you had to , ... Thoughts? This is the key. He can afford to pay someone to manage his money. Like washing a car or landscaping, etc. This isn't someone who's debating whether or not a certain AA ...
- Thu Mar 27, 2014 9:57 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Auto repair - "Threads getting thin in oil pan drain plug"
- Replies: 40
- Views: 15416
Re: Auto repair - "Threads getting thin in oil pan drain plu
I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend following the above advice to use a Fumoto valve.
All you have to do is seal it (the threads) good, once, and you're set for the life of the car now. Cheap, simple solution.
All you have to do is seal it (the threads) good, once, and you're set for the life of the car now. Cheap, simple solution.
- Wed Mar 26, 2014 10:31 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: young sports stars.. or programmers
- Replies: 26
- Views: 3580
Re: young sports stars.. or programmers
Money isn't everything. I work 9 hour days, get every other Friday off - a 3-day weekend twice a month minimum is HUGE . I would have to have a very, very large pay increase to give that up. I don't work any overtime. No stress - leave when the day is done, whether the work is or not. I doubt people...
- Mon Mar 24, 2014 4:47 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Can you please convince me to get a credit card?
- Replies: 101
- Views: 100115
Re: Convince me to get a credit card
OP: do you drive?
Using a CC at the pump is faster and guarantees you'll fill up your tank vs guessing with cash and coming up short, or going back for a refund. Besides, who wants to wait in line behind people to say "$40 on #1"? What a waste of time.
Using a CC at the pump is faster and guarantees you'll fill up your tank vs guessing with cash and coming up short, or going back for a refund. Besides, who wants to wait in line behind people to say "$40 on #1"? What a waste of time.
- Mon Mar 24, 2014 2:10 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Can you please convince me to get a credit card?
- Replies: 101
- Views: 100115
Re: Convince me to get a credit card
The year is 2014.
- Mon Mar 24, 2014 12:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Road trip advice?
- Replies: 35
- Views: 4155
Re: Road trip advice?
Podcasts. Music gets boring easily while podcasts keep you awake as its close to being in a conversation. (For me at least) Your preference may vary, but these are the ones I like to listen to daily: Bill Handel (AM 640 in LA) Adam Carolla This American Life WNYC Radiolab WTF - Marc Maron Enjoy the...
- Mon Mar 24, 2014 12:20 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Help me settle a debate -- Risk in Retirement
- Replies: 61
- Views: 6084
Re: Help me settle a debate -- Risk in Retirement
Saving $3 million for which you have no use or plan for is more than a little overshoot. It wasn't listed as an option but I would have retired 10 years earlier in this scenario. This. But if I did have $3 million and pensions/SS covered all my bills... I'd start flying first-class. Okay, I would i...
- Tue Mar 18, 2014 10:37 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: CAR: should I buy new/used, cash/financed? [POLL]
- Replies: 17
- Views: 1941
Re: CAR: should I buy new/used, cash/financed? (w/$details)
Regarding gas mileage, I think anything at 25+ mpg is acceptable. He doesn't need a pick-up, but does require trips every so often where the ability to tow/carry would be helpful. He could either go with a car and a Harbor Freight utility trailer if the tow/hauling would be locally, or if its cargo...
- Mon Mar 17, 2014 6:57 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: The Intelligent Investor
- Replies: 27
- Views: 4949
Re: The Intelligent Investor
Sure, you could make a study that proves this [insert statistical method here] works. That's looking BACKWARDS, though. Good luck timing it properly going forwards.
- Thu Mar 13, 2014 6:53 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Is a 457 worth it?
- Replies: 15
- Views: 2814
Re: Is a 457 worth it?
I will be using my 457 to bridge the gap from retirement on a small pension (due to early retirement) to Roth withdrawals (at least if needed, who knows what 17-22 years ahead will look like). Wish I had realized this a year or two earlier and started contributions sooner. My lowest ER is 0.95, so d...
- Thu Mar 13, 2014 5:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Is there Software for one's car maintenance schedule
- Replies: 49
- Views: 5067
Re: Is there Software for one's car maintenance schedule
All you have to do is to read your owners manual which comes in the glove compartment of your new car. That tells you the intervals that maintenance is required. If the dealership deviates from that, you ask them to show you why additional service is requires (leaking fluid, etc.). Again, the maint...
- Thu Mar 13, 2014 1:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Do you have a side job?
- Replies: 59
- Views: 8995
Re: Do you have a side job?
Time is money, right? I pay myself by not working whenever possible. The time you loose today, you never get back.


- Thu Mar 13, 2014 12:16 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Turn spare change into big bucks?
- Replies: 29
- Views: 3127
Re: Turn spare change into big bucks?
Its is clearly not marketed towards Bogleheads.
Could be useful to teach people how a little bit of savings can add up easily and how you won't even notice the money 'gone'.
Could be useful to teach people how a little bit of savings can add up easily and how you won't even notice the money 'gone'.
- Wed Mar 12, 2014 9:45 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: After Tax Investing vs. Pre Tax Investing
- Replies: 26
- Views: 1813
Re: After Tax Investing vs. Pre Tax Investing
In my newb-ish investor opinion: no one knows the future - returns, taxes, whatever - so its hard to say for certainty what would be the better option. By max'ing out your Roth, and 401k, though (especially starting in your mid 20s), you are setting yourself up for a good, stable retirement. :shareb...
- Tue Mar 11, 2014 4:27 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Is there Software for one's car maintenance schedule
- Replies: 49
- Views: 5067
Re: Is there Software for one's car maintenance schedule
I've found that most of the "recommended" things they try to talk you into paying for are actually not based on anything close to what's in the manufacturer's maintenance schedule. ^this. I DIY. You guys are most likely paying too much for too often of service on certain items. Air filter...
- Mon Mar 10, 2014 10:50 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: HUGE retirement decision.
- Replies: 71
- Views: 8731
Re: HUGE retirement decision.
OP - you guys are set. Any choice you make won't bankrupt you if it turns out to be "wrong". You should decide based on whether you would like to spend the extra income while you're both young and happy and together. More vacations (or better hotels); stuff like that. I think this decision...
- Thu Mar 06, 2014 5:10 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Best Credit Card Promos 2014 *Updated*
- Replies: 36
- Views: 82303
Re: Best Credit Card Promos 2014
I used this to analyze whether to keep my AMEX card or not - after the first free year, I simply don't spend enough to offset the $75 fee. It was pretty much even, so I was going to ditch it. Although for the second year I called them and asked about waiving the fee and got a $25 statement credit, s...
- Thu Mar 06, 2014 5:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: +25% Bonus coming, keep same 401K % contribution?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 820
Re: +25% Bonus coming, keep same 401K % contribution?
Let it ride - if it won't affect any % matching throughout the year, as pointed out earlier, you'll have some of the money in the market longer. Realistically, not much difference either way.
- Thu Mar 06, 2014 4:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: +25% Bonus coming, keep same 401K % contribution?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 820
Re: +25% Bonus coming, keep same 401K % contribution?
We magically have 27 paychecks in 2014, so I have $648.15 going into my 457b each check. It won't vary when/if I get my raise in July. Max is max - simple math 

- Thu Mar 06, 2014 4:30 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Want to buy but can't find the "right" vehicle - what to do?
- Replies: 74
- Views: 5841
Re: Want to buy but can't find the "right" vehicle - what to
Buy the 2014 Forester. Safe, good reviews, decent value and MPG. It doesn't sound like you will be towing - so why worry about how a CVT behaves when towing? Its like worrying that your new 'vette isn't good offroad. Test drive it and see if you like it - don't base your impressions of something off...
- Thu Mar 06, 2014 1:30 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: stayed out of the market, what to do now?
- Replies: 64
- Views: 11995
Re: stayed out of the market, what to do now?
Roll over that previous employer's 401k to Vanguard and put it all in Wellesley https://personal.vanguard.com/us/funds/snapshot?FundId=0527&FundIntExt=INT Look at the 10 year chart - if you had cash and left it alone it would roughly have done the same as VWIAX from 2004-2009 (that BIG hit), but...
- Thu Mar 06, 2014 11:36 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: What should I invest in?
- Replies: 18
- Views: 1304
Re: What should I invest in?
I don't understand why I shouldn't do something with higher expected returns even if the risk is higher for the down payment? Again, worst case scenario I don't buy a house and just continue to rent which is fine. You could go to a casino with the extra cash and try your luck. :D Higher returns com...
- Thu Mar 06, 2014 11:29 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: 27 and Risk Averse - Investment Options
- Replies: 12
- Views: 1398
Re: 27 and Risk Averse - Investment Options
Real estate would be a second job.
You want a "lazy portfolio". 3 fund or similar and let it do its thing.
You want a "lazy portfolio". 3 fund or similar and let it do its thing.
- Tue Mar 04, 2014 8:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Used $35k Porsche on $64k income?
- Replies: 95
- Views: 10580
Re: Used $35k Porsche on $64k income?
OP: You should easily be able to afford it. I make similar pay, contribute to a pension, max my 457 and Roth and have a rent of $1150/month (CA!), which is almost 40% of my take home pay (remember I max my 457 deductions). His lower cost of housing vs mine would completely pay for the car, which mea...
- Tue Mar 04, 2014 7:49 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard Total Bond Market or 4% fixed at ING?
- Replies: 14
- Views: 3063
Re: Vanguard Total Bond Market or 4% fixed at ING?
I'm 33, in the public sector and have all my "bond" allocation (20%) in a FI that is guaranteed 4%. That guaranteed general account is also why we won't switch providers and I'm stuck with poor (0.95 lowest ER!) fund choices in the 457b plan. Win some, loose some. 3% I would split with a b...
- Mon Mar 03, 2014 6:50 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Need advice: Lost lot of money in trading.
- Replies: 65
- Views: 8731
Re: Need advice: Lost lot of money in trading.
Jeez - tough place to be in, right? I could retire in my mid 30s with that salary and upcoming RSU. You definitely should let someone else manage your funds and you stick to doing the work you're good at. Be careful who you associate with also, as you will end up spending in a similar fashion (if it...
- Mon Mar 03, 2014 5:39 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How to deposit checks made out to deceased ?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 46824
Re: How to deposit checks made out to deceased ?
Deposit via ATM or smartphone app?
(half-serious, as it very well could work)
(half-serious, as it very well could work)
- Mon Mar 03, 2014 4:21 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What to say to Non-Savers
- Replies: 71
- Views: 7762
Re: What to say to Non-Savers
^ BINGO!feh wrote:I'm going to retire at 50, 15 years before any of my friends/family.
That is the reward.
This also resonates more with people. A true, early retirement seems more tangible than 'doing well' when you're 65 and retiring.
- Sun Mar 02, 2014 2:04 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Why the love for target date funds?
- Replies: 71
- Views: 8485
Re: Why the love for target date funds?
Simple. Simple is good. Set it and forget it. This would help the average investor out way more than someone who tinkers around always changing things, asking "why do I need bonds", "what about REITs", etc. I would be happy if my 457b plan offered low cost target date funds. It d...
- Sun Mar 02, 2014 1:59 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Best way to safely increase expected returns
- Replies: 28
- Views: 3214
Re: Best way to safely increase expected returns
Increase saving while decreasing spending. Guaranteed to increase your returns now and later 

- Fri Feb 14, 2014 1:54 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: 2014 Jeep Cherokee - buy one?
- Replies: 32
- Views: 3939
Re: 2014 Jeep Cherokee - buy one?
I also recommend a hard look at the new 2014 Forester.
- Fri Feb 14, 2014 1:52 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Dual Income Family Emergency Fund Help
- Replies: 11
- Views: 2022
Re: Dual Income Family Emergency Fund Help
Put 11k into the 2013 Roths. You won't get that opportunity again. Remember Roth contributions can be taken out, penalty free - use that as a portion of your EF. If a job was lost, then that parent could provide the daycare, so I wouldn't factor that in for the EF. Also it depends on how stable your...
- Tue Feb 11, 2014 7:58 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Coming to terms with my awful track record
- Replies: 20
- Views: 2587
Re: Coming to terms with my awful track record
Welcome to investing [you were trading].
Although you could sell a newsletter and state your trade positions and tell your subscribers to do the opposite of whatever trade you make.
Although you could sell a newsletter and state your trade positions and tell your subscribers to do the opposite of whatever trade you make.

- Tue Feb 11, 2014 3:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Are REITs still overvalued, as they were in 2013?
- Replies: 44
- Views: 4323
Re: Are REITs still overvalued, as they were in 2013?
You should short REITs and go 110% into EM.
- Tue Feb 11, 2014 1:50 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Ding! Check engine light is now on. [PE10 exceeds 25]
- Replies: 108
- Views: 14109
Re: Ding! Check engine light is now on.
If I knew something that no one else did, I would be wealthy and retired.Clearly_Irrational wrote: but I'd be interested if anyone else has a different take on it.
How about you?
- Mon Feb 10, 2014 5:36 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How long does it take to do your taxes?
- Replies: 53
- Views: 43506
Re: How long does it take to do your taxes?
This year it took slightly longer than one bottle of beer.
- Thu Feb 06, 2014 7:07 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: What is your targeted annual retirement income in today's $
- Replies: 50
- Views: 7955
Re: What is your targeted annual retirement income in today'
I'm not sure.
I know if I'm single, I could live off of $25-50k. If I'm not, I assume I'll find someone with similar financial goals, and we'd live happily off of $50-75k. Either way I'm planning on 50-55 y/o for the age
457b, Roth and a pension will get me there.
I know if I'm single, I could live off of $25-50k. If I'm not, I assume I'll find someone with similar financial goals, and we'd live happily off of $50-75k. Either way I'm planning on 50-55 y/o for the age

457b, Roth and a pension will get me there.
- Thu Feb 06, 2014 7:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Going all into Emerging Markets
- Replies: 69
- Views: 9115
Re: Going all into Emerging Markets
Great plan! As long as your friend can time it right 

- Wed Feb 05, 2014 4:39 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Winter coats:
- Replies: 53
- Views: 8236
- Wed Feb 05, 2014 11:42 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Early Retirement Example
- Replies: 29
- Views: 4633
Re: Early Retirement Example
I'm not 25 (33 y/o), but I will volunteer to be an actual case study for an early retirement and the validity of SWR.
I just need a $2MM donation to get started.
I just need a $2MM donation to get started.
- Tue Feb 04, 2014 2:28 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Winter coats:
- Replies: 53
- Views: 8236
Re: Winter coats:
SierraTradingPost - sign up for their flyer emails and get some outstanding deals on the 'high end' jackets. I just bought a Mountain Hardwear down jacket for ~38% of retail. It will be used for camping mainly, maybe backpacking. Also if you are eco or socially conscious, Patagonia (aka Patagucci du...
- Tue Feb 04, 2014 11:10 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: $27K Sienna XLE 2011 Miles 43K AWD
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1484
Re: $27K Sienna XLE 2011 Miles 43K AWD
Seems like one of the times when purchasing new isn't all that costlier. Used car purchases are better deals when they're over 75k miles and/or a brand that depreciates quickly. Honda and Toyota vehicles never seem like great buys if they're a couple years old and low miles.
My $.02
My $.02
- Tue Feb 04, 2014 11:06 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Cost Analysis: Living in CA vs the South
- Replies: 79
- Views: 8706
Re: Cost Analysis: Living in CA vs the South
http://www.sbramada.com/resourcefiles/mainimages/santa-barbara-things-to-do-top.jpg Sometimes you do get what you pay for. An evening walk on the beach or hike in the hills after work can be done year-round. The SBIFF (Santa Barbara International Film Festival) is currently in town. Etc... This dec...
- Mon Feb 03, 2014 12:37 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Accumulators Indexed Savings Rate? Poll
- Replies: 7
- Views: 923
Re: Accumulators Indexed Savings Rate? Poll
I will continue to max my 457b and Roth IRA contributions annually. These [contribution limits] will index up some years when the IRS determines, so I guess my answer is yes, but I won't be the one making the % and time decisions.
- Thu Jan 30, 2014 3:13 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Low Income Budget
- Replies: 70
- Views: 6968
Re: Low Income Budget
Increasing your take home pay is a way to open up opportunities - you could save it and retire early, you could gift more, work part time and volunteer the rest, etc. There are many productive things to come of earning more (I'm saying this as a Boglehead that is likely in the 'low end' of earners h...
- Thu Jan 30, 2014 3:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Cost Analysis: Living in CA vs the South
- Replies: 79
- Views: 8706
Re: Cost Analysis: Living in CA vs the South
Don't forget, California has some beautiful mountains too! Ansel Adams coined the Sierra Nevada the "Range of Light" quite appropriately. Plenty of places for weekend roadtrips from SB - wintertime I head to Joshua Tree, summer, all over the Sierra (climbing!). 6hrs from SF, Yosemite, Vega...
- Thu Jan 30, 2014 10:50 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Cost Analysis: Living in CA vs the South
- Replies: 79
- Views: 8706
Re: Cost Analysis: Living in CA vs the South
Just break it down into cost per awesome weather day - kinda hard to beat the value that Santa Barbara offers when you look at it like that! I've lived in SB County my whole life and am happily renting a 1br apt in SB with no thoughts of purchasing. Santa Barbara is great and you should find a 2br c...
- Thu Jan 30, 2014 10:43 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Bought in, and then they start tumbling
- Replies: 67
- Views: 11217
Re: Bought in, and then they start tumbling
Nailed it!surfstar wrote:My paycheck's 457b contribution will hit Thu, end of day. I expect the markets to rise back up before then![]()