Search results

I've realized that the interest and dividends coming from my taxable accounts has been larger than my average spending. Currently, all of them are automatically reinvesting. I plan to retire at the end of this year. I want to switch my taxable accounts to send dividends to my checking and...

I’ve just completed a 1 month vacation/sabbatical, which I earned by working for 16 years at a tech company. I made a point to use this time to “practice” retirement, by not taking exciting trips — just seeing if I can stand not being as busy. Well, I think I passed with flying colors, and...

Curious what others think of this CNBC article, "World Bank slashes global growth forecast to 2.9%, warns of 1970s-style stagflation" - https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/07/world-bank-cuts-global-growth-outlook-and-warns-of-70s-stagflation.html I read some older threads that asked how to prepare...

I used the backdoor Roth method to put $5k/yr into a Roth IRA at Vanguard between 2008-2013 (5 yrs). I paid no taxes on the transfers because I didn't realize that the $100k traditional IRA I had at Fidelity needed to be considered. I claimed 100% of the $5k tax free each year. That was...

I'm trying to decide which health plan I would choose after retirement. There are 3 plans from Kaiser that I'm considering. One would cost $116/mo (bronze), the other would cost $414/mo (silver), or $676/mo (gold) -- after my estimated ACA subsidy. Of course, they have different deductibles...

Thinking of DCA'ing into a Vanguard Investor Fund, but I see the Admiral fund is cheaper but requires a $50k buy-in. Does anyone know if Vanguard will automatically "upgrade" my Investor fund to Admiral once my contributions cross $50k? Also, how quickly would they do that switch? (I could...

I logged into my TreasuryDirect account, and saw a confusing note under MyAccount, right side panel (quote): Info Direct Savings Bond Rates Bonds issued November 2020-April 2021 Series EE 0.10%* Series I 1.68 % *Regardless of interest rate, we guarantee these EE bonds will double in value if...

I hold a certain amount of cash (cd/mm) in my portfolio, just because it makes me feel safe and allows me to sleep at night. Let's say, for the sake of argument, it's $100k. All my other money goes into stocks/bonds, while the cash amount stays the same. After I retire, I'm not sure under...

I keep reading in the news that US Treasuries are paying "nothing" or are actually negative. (This has been mentioned as a reason for why people are taking risks with stocks right now.) Yet, I keep checking my $300k of VWIUX and it continues to pay around $650 every month, with very little...

I don't seem to see an option under the "Your Portfolio" to say what percentage of your portfolio is cash/CDs/MM. (Maybe I'm not looking carefully enough?) Anyway, if cash isn't an option in FIREcalc, then do you include cash in your starting portfolio value, or leave it out?

I'm considering changing my target asset allocation this year. Right now, my target allocation for REITs is 8%, although recent market changes put me considerably below that now. I'm invested in VGSLX and VGSNX. I know nobody knows the future, but I'm curious what people guess will happen to...

I just calculated the damage on my portfolio for the recent crash. Unsurprisingly, all my stocks are way down. This should be fine, because I've "diversified" my portfolio. Then why are my bonds down 8% too?

Would like to know how often you baby boomer dads (around 70yo) see or talk to your adult children. If you have grandkids, I'm guessing it would be more often. But I'd especially like to know how often you see your childless adult children. Also, do you feel satisfied with this frequency --...

My father passed away recently, and I learned he put his his house in a trust with his wife (not my mom). She is living there, but is having a hard time figuring out how to pay the mortgage, and thinks she will have to move. The house is worth about $700k and the remaining mortgage is $192k...

I noticed that many times that I use fireCalc, the results page often says my "lowest portfolio" is equal to my starting portfolio. For example: Start Here Spending: 60000 Portfolio: 2000000 Years: 60 Result: Here is how your portfolio would have fared in each of the 88 cycles. The lowest...

Firecalc says I can retire. I'm not ready, but I'm now trying to wrap my brain around how my portfolio might need to change to actually retire. Right now, I'm heavily invested in tax-avoiding funds that don't give (very much) dividends. Also, about 1/3 of my portfolio is in 401k/ira/roth...

Under Firecalc's portfolio section, there is an option to specify the percentage of your portfolio in equities and "fixed income" -- Here are the options for fixed income: Commercial Paper Long Interest Rate (default) 30 Year Treasury 5 Year Treasury I have been using the default, but I'm...

How do very-early retirees budget for health insurance premium increases before reaching medicare age? I checked on coveredca.com, and assumed no subsidy. The plan I would buy at age 41 in 2016 costs $373/mo. The same plan at age 42 in 2017 costs $427.33/mo (14% more). So how would I...

Last year, I started investing in a Vanguard fund called, "Tax-Managed International Fund" (VTMGX). I hold this fund in a taxable account. Then in the middle of last year, Vanguard merged this fund with another one, and it's now called "Developed Markets Idx Admiral Fund." No mention of being...

I am trying to decide which Vanguard International fund is more or less risky: * VTMGX (Vang Developed Markets Index), or * VTIAX (Vang Tot Intl Stock) Of course, Vanguard gives them both a "5" in their "Risk Potential" category, so maybe it's a moot question. Still, here are the other...

I have read that contributing to a nondeductible ira is a bad deal because you are just locking-up money with no tax advantage. Some people still contribute to one, just to roll it over to a roth ira. However, I do not want to roll this money to a roth. Instead, I was wondering whether...

Does anybody have any thoughts (or links to articles) discussing Core-4 asset allocation? Here's a quick description: Lazy portfolios - Bogleheads I can find plenty of articles describing what it is, but not many counter-arguments or analysis about how it's performed so-far, etc. Thanks!

I was reading some other threads about estimating expenses before retirement, and I think the consensus was that you should start with looking at your actual expenses over the last 1-3 years. My DH and I spent $37k last year, and similar the previous year (it was higher 3 years ago because we...

I just finished reading the 4 Pillars book by William Bernstein, and I have a question. I know a lot of you have read it, so maybe you can help me with what I missed ... Most of the book seemed to be convincing the reader to just buy the "whole" market, when it comes to your US Stock...

I'm wondering what others think of having mostly FFKFX (Fidelity 2040 target retirement fund), with an expense ratio of 0.66%, in my 401k. It seemed like a smart, easy choice. But now I'm about 75% thru the "4 Pillars" book, and I'm not so sure anymore. Paying this fee for 27 years doesn't...