Can we colaborate, e.g, build model portfolio?

[rjohnla]

There will be many opinions but we may be able with every ones expertise to build a framework with choices, e.g.,

1. Vanguard Fund Picks
2. Rydex: Sectors & Long & short $20k in account no charges except fund mgt fees.
3. A rated banks only - about 2 in each state
4. Emerging markets
5. Wealth safety
6. EFT
7. Stocks
8. Bonds

Could go on and on, however if the investment is too complex may not get
anyone interested unless you walk them through it.

I'll compile all replies into one post and then we can have 2nd round.

I guess no two investors will choose exactly the same investment portfolio.

Disclaimer (needed): This is not investment advise, any subscriber to ER or guest that uses this information is doing so willing and at their own risk. No one participating in this forum shall be responsible for any other persons investments or overall investment performance. Past results are not an indicator of future results.

(Now you know kind of know what I do for living; compliance.)

At min. we can build and track for fun. Thoughts? Been tried before? Not allowed?
Let's start with people interested just posting that.

 

[LOL!]

Trivial model portfolio, E% equities and F% fixed income with 100% = E% + F%. Investor picks E% for their need, ability, and willingness to accept risk.

Equities (adds up to 100%):
25% US Total Stock Market Index Fund
25% US small-cap value index fund
25% Int'l Total Stock Market Index Fund
25% Int'l small-cap index fund

Fixed income:
50% US total bond index fund
50% US short-term corporate bond index fund.

Example portfolio with 60:40 equities:fixed income
15% VTI
15% VBR
15% VXUS
15% VSS
20% BND
20% VCSH

Or use mutual funds. Or use another vendor's products. It just won't matter.

Do anything you want or need to around the edges. Market time all you want or buy-hold-rebalance. Have at it.

You might have to pay an advisor $20,000 a year for this portfolio suggestion. You got it here free.

Oh, full disclosure: I own everything mentioned in this post.

 

[rjohnla]

LOL - thanks - beautiful - you just did it all. Well will see. But great & yes $20k with an advisor is in the ballpark. Now who says good things aren't still free.

Thanks again.

From LOL & important & true: "Or use mutual funds. Or use another vendor's products. It just won't matter."

 

[steelyman]

If you want to colaborate, buy some KO.

 

[rjohnla]

Sorry, "KO"?

 

[steelyman]

"Have a Coke and a smile!"

 

[rjohnla]

So your saying buy Coca Cola stock with smile on our face. Not a bad global company, there are less than about 20 in the world. I work for one: 465,000 employees in 144 countries at last count. It's a compliance blast!

Note: related threads below don't seem to apply. Unless you want to build a house. Others too old.

 

[rjohnla]

Brewer, Mr. 40, what do you think?

 

[robnplunder]

You are causing a wave in this forum. How did you stay out just lurking for so long?

- My pun in always intended.

 

[brewer12345]

Brewer, Mr. 40, what do you think?

I think you are wasting your time.

I am ~63.X% equities, 2/3 domestic, 1/3 foreign. Mix of ETFs, CEFs, mutual funds and individual equities (I am all about the natural gas these days). Rest of portfolio is some bond funds (closed and open), both domestic and foreign, a pile of CDs and a slug of merger arbitrage funds (MERFX and ARBFX).

 

[rjohnla]

Hi robnplunder, I'm not really a social media guy. Do it all myself. But this site seems to have quite a few knowledgeable people. Just seeing if it's possible to consolidate and go from there. There it a lot of info on the site, that's ok.

P.S. found this site through RV site, lucky find.

Reread, I guess your Wave reference had to do with my name & EWI

 

[rjohnla]

Brewer, really, let's not give up w/o trying. You just supplied some great info. And, just may give some people a few small ideas. Not too much of a fan of individual stocks, but could be convinced just have not done research. EFT's, (rydex) CD's, (bank), mutual funds (vanguard) is where I'm at , but ther's always room for improvement.

I guess we have some real pros (you too) out there.

Fracking??

 

[steelyman]

He is trying. As is LOL! - you could do a whole lot worse, I think.

 

[rjohnla]

Absolutely agree with you.

I'm drinking diet coke now!

 

[rjohnla]

Ok here's one: Please be kind...

1. Vanguard T-bills Admiral fund.
2. A rated FL bank
3, Rydex - a lot here
4. Trading account: S&P mini only $3 round trip
5. Gold & silver (just some, buy junk)
6. Federal Reserve Notes in private vault of-shore (can be converted to other currencies or gold or silver, etc.)
7. 401k - fixed return
8. Pension (now discontinued)

 

[steelyman]

Just buy a handful of funds or ETFs.

Take your best girl to the ice cream stand and be patient. Go light on the sugar and use sunscreen.

 

[brewer12345]

6. Federal Reserve Notes in private vault of-shore (can be converted to other currencies or gold or silver, etc.)

WTF?

 

[brewer12345]

Fracking??

Some time last year it was clear natural gas was at unsustainably low prices. Gluts have a way of being used up and no producer was committing new capital to gas production while every large user of gas you can imagine was opening new plants in the US. It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out what would happen, but the equities were priced as if $2 gas would last forever. It did not and the higher price levels are being priced into the equities. Yee-ha!

 

[rjohnla]

Brewer, yes alluded too it before. Completely legal just get the IRS paperwork right. Yes, stacks of 100 FRN in a private vault in Switzerland - secure enough. Just kidding, but most people don't know or won't go through the hassle. That $ stays outside US now.

 

[rjohnla]

Brewer, this is what I mean about portfolio. A lot of advisors will recommend trades they got into in 2011 and already made the big money. You think there is significant growth left, think so? Fyi, there's Federal Law that prohibits the export of natural gas. Something needs to done there or, heck I don't know...

 

[brewer12345]

Brewer, yes alluded too it before. Completely legal just get the IRS paperwork right. Yes, stacks of 100 FRN in a private vault in Switzerland - secure enough. Just kidding, but most people don't know or won't go through the hassle. That $ stays outside US now.

Would not ever consider doing so. You are letting yourself in for a world of hurt and headaches as a US citizen.

 

[rjohnla]

Brewer, You are right. I have had this out since 1998. There's 1% excise tax, and you have to file with IRS in Detroit annually and now IRS DC annually. What people don't realize fully is if your assets are all in US they are subject to banking holidays, market closings, withdrawal limits, (possibly converted to USG 30 year bonds (talk about in 401k's to help people, basically confiscated) and the excise tax is low, if they want to stem flow they can easily increase to 80% excise tax, party over. The USG has put those punitive barriers in place before. Also, you get great liability protection "You write: "I was in car accident, at fault, please send all USD so I can settle claim". Swiss: 'no way, you are not doing this based on free will.' Have the US Person(s) and their Lawyer file in Swiss court. (I hope they have a lot of money.) Need a Swiss lawyer as well. In past couple of years wealthy people have been doing this more & more & the USG does not like it. But it's legal, so someday they'll just change the law. Repatriate USD, sorry I only have Singapore dollars, repatriate gold, sorry only have Swiss Francs. Because you can change it anytime. And, I have advisors watching if this needs to be done. Again completely legal, as well as what you do with it outside the US without breaking any laws of course; there really is no need for that. That's what I consider real int'l diversification and safety. Plus can move it to an overseas broker and buy investments not allowed in US by SEC. Blah, blah...but would recommend it with that rainy day money.

 

[brewer12345]

Blah, blah...but would recommend it with that rainy day money.

My rainy day money is in shotshells and MREs.

 

[brewer12345]

Brewer, this is what I mean about portfolio. A lot of advisors will recommend trades they got into in 2011 and already made the big money. You think there is significant growth left, think so? Fyi, there's Federal Law that prohibits the export of natural gas. Something needs to done there or, heck I don't know...

The ER forum in general is not wild about trade idea like this, so we generally do not discuss, or at least I do not.

I just took profits on the first bit of my exposure to this sector today. I am still 95% in of my original position, but this stuff has run far and fast lately. I think there is still significant upside, but the very easiest money has likely been made.

 

[rjohnla]

Brewer, yep. Cover all bases.