Recent content by jm67

Just that? Excel or Google Sheets will generate graphs from columns of data

The problem I have with stock prognosticators is that tribal politics exerts a huge influence on people’s opinions. Those that support the current administration will bend over backwards to project strong market growth. Those opposed will claim the sky is about to fall. Best option of course...

Here's an easy one for you experts... I understand that my future social security benefits shown on my statement are given in current year (2023) dollars. After I start receiving benefits, they will of course increase due to the annual COLA. But... if I delay benefits to (say) age 70, will...

Or you could avoid the tax by conserving energy.

Out of curiosity has anyone redone the SWR study using market data from other international indices? I’m thinking (for example) of the Nikkei which has experienced a longer stagnant period than the US markets. The obvious downside of all hind casting methods is that the future may not look...

First, why not rent for a year first? Buying a house is a big commitment to an area that’s new to you. If you do buy, being comfortable with your agent is important. Interview at least three and ask them questions about experience, knowledge of the area, pricing trends, etc. Since commission...

Good feedback from everyone - thank you. I think the stress of maintaining the properties is what's driving me to sell. Too many "what ifs"... (a fire that burns them down, changes in property tax laws, termites, bad tenants, etc...). Also, while the properties are pretty much on autopilot...

I recently took early retirement (at 56), and currently most of my income comes from renting out two residential properties. The houses are on the opposite coast so I have a property management company handle the day-to-day. But they are still an occasional headache. I'm considering...

An answer for Japan would be to increase and promote immigration to offset their aging population. But they prefer not to develop a multicultural society. It’s something for us to reflect on as well.

Where do you get equity returns forecast as 2% for the next decade? Recessions usually last 12-18 months then we’re back to normal economic growth. Or is this the “US is turning into Japan” argument again?

Except this logic assumes that consumers have infinite resources - the only issue is when they’ll make a purchase. For a lot of consumers the reality is that they can afford a $400 car payment, but not a $500 payment, so rising rates will preclude the purchase even if it is theoretically...

On several threads I’ve seen the argument that inflation won’t decrease until the Fed rate exceeds the inflation rate, and thus we have years of economic pain ahead. Can someone explain in basic terms why this is? I would have thought there would be a non-linear impact of increasing interest...

Why do you think housing prices will continue to increase as mortgage rates rise? The opposite should occur. After all the whole point of QT is to tame inflation. I have no idea what the next years will bring, but the “doom and gloom” scenarios seem overstated. I’m planning for a moderate 12...

Music to my ears! Thanks.

I think this is okay. The properties are managed by a local company, and the 60K rental income is net, after management fees. So the effort involved is minimal. They are in a desirable area of Southern California near the ocean, and if something critical were to change (e.g. tax situation)...