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Re: Diversification Overrated?
02-19-2005, 07:17 AM
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#21
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oahu
Posts: 26,860
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
Quote:
In terms of what it takes to get to ER, does it depend on how much you save more than how much you diversify? *Your thoughts?
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I think it's quicker & easier to raise your savings rate (by cutting expenses or working for more income) than it is to raise your investment returns.
Of course long-term, unless you enjoy working, it's probably better to develop financial & investment skills. But many ride the razor's edge by hoping to accumulate enough ER funding from working & saving before burnout.
But what's between your ears has everything to do with how successful you'll be at working, saving, or investing. If ER's not a top-three goal then it won't happen...
__________________
*
Co-author (with my daughter) of “Raising Your Money-Savvy Family For Next Generation Financial Independence.”
Author of the book written on E-R.org: "The Military Guide to Financial Independence and Retirement."
I don't spend much time here— please send a PM.
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
02-19-2005, 07:27 PM
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#22
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Mesa
Posts: 3,588
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
I've read enough success stories on enough retirement boards to have learned that there are a multitude of paths to ER. Some people make it with concentrated equity portfolios, some people make it with broad index funds, some people make it with real estate and some people make it with nothing but bonds. All of them seem convinced that their way is the right way and that everyone else is a fool.
Since each person's situation is unique, there seems no way to draw conclusions about the optimum solution . . . especially when you consider that we are speculating about what the best technique will be in the future.
I think the most important thing is LBYM. If you get that right, you will have money to invest. And as long as you don't do anything too terribly stupid with it, you'll reach retirement okay. I think the most important factor in choosing what to invest in is probably your comfort with that investment. 8)
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
02-19-2005, 07:42 PM
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#23
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,459
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
Here's a crazy idea. If two approaches seem equally reasonable, allocate 50% to each approach.
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
02-20-2005, 01:57 AM
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#24
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
Salaryguru,
I agree . . . LBYM is the safest, surest route to ER. My investment skills are horrific, but my wife and I are wizards at LBYM. Because of LBYM, my wife and I are about 2 years shy of the $1M nestegg we figure we need for FIRE. For the past 6 years we've been saving 50 - 75% of our salaries. Half of it is tucked away in EE and I-Bonds (as I said, my investment skills are pathetic). However, LBYM has "saved our bacon." I just hope that between now and the time we pull the plug I learn enough about investing to make the nestegg last.
RH
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
02-20-2005, 02:53 AM
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#25
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
I agree 100% about LBYM being the "safest and surest"
method. Wish I had done it.
On a related topic,
for those of you who read the Dolly Freed book
(link posted by Blackhillsbob), you realize
that if I go "all the way"
to possumism, you will be deprived of my pithy
commentary, wry
observations and insightful recommendations
I will be selling my computer and other doodads.
(Guess I could still post at the library). I think
this possumism concept really appeals to my Luddite/minimalist
tendencies. Have not pitched the idea to DW as yet.
That should be interesting
JG
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
02-20-2005, 03:59 AM
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#26
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Dryer sheet wannabe
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 17
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
Quote:
I agree . . . LBYM is the safest, surest route to ER
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LBYM reduces the return rate one needs to earn on their investments which in turn reduces the risk they need to take. My reading seems to indicate there are many paths to get 6-8% returns on investments over time. Once you need more than 8% returns the risks you need to take go up exponentially with each extra 1% you need. If you need 10+% a concentrated approach might be the only way to get there.
__________________
The Man's pawn number 34,672
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Maybe that life's a little TOO simple.
02-20-2005, 05:19 AM
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#27
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oahu
Posts: 26,860
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Maybe that life's a little TOO simple.
Quote:
Have not pitched the idea to DW as yet. That should be interesting JG
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"Whatcha doing with that cute bunny, honey?"
Good luck...
__________________
*
Co-author (with my daughter) of “Raising Your Money-Savvy Family For Next Generation Financial Independence.”
Author of the book written on E-R.org: "The Military Guide to Financial Independence and Retirement."
I don't spend much time here— please send a PM.
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
02-20-2005, 07:10 AM
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#28
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 4,455
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
Quote:
Salaryguru,
For the past 6 years we've been saving 50 - 75% of our salaries. RH
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You must be making a lot of money or you have a very, very, very low expense.
__________________
May we live in peace and harmony and be free from all human sufferings.
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
02-20-2005, 10:30 AM
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#29
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Losing my whump
Posts: 22,708
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
I believe many smart people have noted that most really, really rich people got there through concentration.
After that, most of those really, really rich people stayed that way through diversification.
Given the rash of statistics around concentration, I believe one can presume that getting rich through a handful of equities is as much luck as it is skill.
I made many equity purchases with deep inside knowledge (like...being friends with the founder/chairman/ceo), and many on my own company, that I knew as much about as anyone. The market never reacted the same way twice. Sometimes a beaten down company with good numbers got beaten down some more. And then more. Sometimes good news from a good company resulted in a selloff. Sometimes admission of bad news from a bad company resulted in a buying spree.
I got here on 80-90% luck with a few good decisions and a whole lot of amazing coincidental stuff thrown in.
__________________
Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful. Just another form of "buy low, sell high" for those who have trouble with things. This rule is not universal. Do not buy a 1973 Pinto because everyone else is afraid of it.
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
02-20-2005, 10:41 AM
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#30
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Dryer sheet wannabe
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 13
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
Quote:
Salaryguru,
I agree . . . LBYM is the safest, surest route to ER. *My investment skills are horrific, but my wife and I are wizards at LBYM. *Because of LBYM, my wife and I are about 2 years shy of the *$1M nestegg we figure we need for FIRE. *For the past 6 years we've been saving 50 - 75% of our salaries. *Half of it is tucked away in EE and I-Bonds (as I said, my investment skills are pathetic). *However, LBYM has "saved our bacon." *I just hope that between now and the time we pull the plug I learn enough about investing to make the nestegg last.
RH
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Just for infomation, where is the other half of your nest egg invested? By the way, you are LBYM is the fastest way to ER.
eleighj
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
02-20-2005, 12:45 PM
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#31
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 118
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
Apologies if I missed the explanation in this thread, but what does "LBYM" stand for? "Living beyond your means" comes to mind, but doesn't seem like a great path to early retirement.
Thanks,
rapoole
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
02-20-2005, 12:54 PM
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#32
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 140
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
Living Below Your Means - Big difference!
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
02-20-2005, 05:05 PM
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#33
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Lou-evil
Posts: 2,025
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
The general idea I am getting from everyone -
Play offense - invest with a level of risk you are comfortable with & there is more than one way to invest money (real estate, stocks, businesses) to make it ER. But many that have posted feel concentrated investing is the best way to make it to ER sooner than later if you can handle the risk.
Play defense - saving and LBYM is the fuel for the offense. Also LBYM can reduce the return needed from offense in case you turn out to make a few "doggy" investments along the way.
Both apply at any age
__________________
"These walls are kind of funny. First you hate 'em, then you get used to 'em. Enough time passes, gets so you depend on them"
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
02-20-2005, 06:02 PM
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#34
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 376
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
For what it's worth I'm betting our retirement on the following:
Investment portfolio:
- 40% US Total Market Index
- 40% Total International Index
- 20% US Total Bond Index (to be split 10% TBM + 10% TIPS after we roll 401Ks to IRAs upon retirement)
I've cut SSA's benefits projections by 25% (we're 44 & 45)
I'll also get a ~$2500/mo (non-indexed) pension at 60
We own a $250K home and have no debt, and the kids are on their own. My wife and I are both healthy, both have MBA's & >20 years in professional positions in Fortune 500 companies, so I figure we could find work to supplement our incomes should a 95% safe x 55 year (also 95% "safe") WR per FIREcalc prove inadequate.
Cb
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
02-20-2005, 06:20 PM
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#35
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Houston
Posts: 1,448
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
Quote:
For what it's worth I'm betting our retirement on the following:
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But slicing and dicing is just so much fun! It's like turning your portfolio into a pepperoni factory.
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
02-21-2005, 05:42 AM
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#36
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
What about adding a fixed annuity as part of a retirement strategy? I never planned to to buy one because of the low return, but I read more articles that favor them. I wouldn't put much money into one, just enough to cover my basic monthly fixed expenses. Looks like if you live 30+ years the returns are just over 5% for a fixed one.
Anyone here using one for cash flow purposes?
:-/
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
02-21-2005, 06:38 PM
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#37
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
Bill Clinton made millions off his book so why bother with annuities....I recommend a second book
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
02-21-2005, 09:34 PM
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#38
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Losing my whump
Posts: 22,708
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
Oh Jeez Louise...
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__________________
Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful. Just another form of "buy low, sell high" for those who have trouble with things. This rule is not universal. Do not buy a 1973 Pinto because everyone else is afraid of it.
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
02-21-2005, 09:39 PM
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#39
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Losing my whump
Posts: 22,708
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
Ok, I give up. In the name of fairness, heres your sub:
__________________
Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful. Just another form of "buy low, sell high" for those who have trouble with things. This rule is not universal. Do not buy a 1973 Pinto because everyone else is afraid of it.
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
02-22-2005, 02:10 AM
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#40
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 4,455
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Re: Diversification Overrated?
If diversification is overrated, is concentration a better strategy in current market conditions? If so, what is an acceptable concentrated portfolio for the short-term (3 years or less)? What are sectors, country funds, alternative investments, commodities, etc to hold now? In what proportation should each of these be allocated?
Spanky
__________________
May we live in peace and harmony and be free from all human sufferings.
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