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Dawg52 · 11-04-2010, 07:07 PM

Last time I commented on my portfolio, I was basically told I should keep my mouth shut. So..............no comment.

**Alan** · 11-04-2010, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonBoyd

And to Jinx it further.

We are, also, at an all-time high... and we have done absolutely nothing to our portfolio since early 2007 -- no additions, no subtractions, no rebalancing... nothing.

Same here. Since April '09 we are up 44%.

We did re-balance to our target AA which meant buying more equities plus we have been in the accumulation phase so plenty of additional money going in. That includes this year - although we RE'ed end of January, I did get 2 full months of pay, plus money for unclaimed vacation plus an unexpected 20% bonus (of 2009's salary) and an unexpected inheritance.

The rubber meets the road in January when we start the "de-cumulation" phase.

FIREd · 11-04-2010, 07:13 PM

DW's IRA, the only account we haven't touched since 2007, has reached a new all-time high today.

Our overall portfolio though is several times higher than it was in 2007 thanks to new contributions and a nice IRR. Now, I really jinxed it.

Birdie Num Nums · 11-04-2010, 08:05 PM

Here on the West Coast, as I was following the financial news from when I awoke to about 11:00 a.m., it looked like it was gonna be a banner day, and that I too would reach an all-time high, if things held steady until the markets closed. (I did!) Yet, when I went out to seize the day before noon, I found myself still reluctant to "eat out" for lunch while at a "food court" reading a book. When I got home, I softly kicked myself for not yet eating that week-old apple I saw still sitting atop my bedroom TV. All this due, I suppose, to that frugal gene I have that got me to where I am FI today.

Now, tonight, after I saw that the markets did in fact do very well, and I am at a "high," I am considering letting my "frugal hair down" tomorrows, and letting my "freak flag fly." If you know what I mean.

**Gumby** · 11-04-2010, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Birdie Num Nums

I am considering letting my "frugal hair down" tomorrows, and letting my "freak flag fly." If you know what I mean.

You're going to throw out the apple?

W2R · 11-04-2010, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Birdie Num Nums

Now, tonight, after I saw that the markets did in fact do very well, and I am at a "high," I am considering letting my "frugal hair down" tomorrows, and letting my "freak flag fly." If you know what I mean.

I hesitate to guess!!

audreyh1 · 11-04-2010, 08:24 PM

Wow - didn't take long for the animal spirits to come out of the closet around here!

Where is that wood knocking emoticon again?

Audrey

dex · 11-04-2010, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Birdie Num Nums

Now, tonight, after I saw that the markets did in fact do very well, and I am at a "high," I am considering letting my "frugal hair down" tomorrows, and letting my "freak flag fly." If you know what I mean.

This is outside the Bollinger Bands also.

The top must be in.

Birdie Num Nums · 11-04-2010, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gumby

You're going to throw out the apple?

Too funny!

FinanceDude · 11-04-2010, 08:35 PM

I thought dex was 100% in cash..either he is unhappy, or the best market timer on Earth..........

Nords · 11-04-2010, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NW-Bound

That reminded me I got about 2% of my stocks on covered calls, and "sadly" they are getting deeper in the money and will be called from me any day now, as they are Nov calls. That will drive my stock AA lower.

We call that "rebalancing". It neatly removes most of the angst and drama from the decision.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawg52

Last time I commented on my portfolio, I was basically told I should keep my mouth shut. So..............no comment.

... and have another med?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gumby

You're going to throw out the apple?

I think she's going to compost it.

RonBoyd · 11-05-2010, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NW-Bound

I believe that if one put all into Wellesley, it would do that, if one reinvested all dividends. I have been watching, and have said this before: Uncle Mick is onto something.

Anyway, I just wonder, without "subtraction", what do you live on?

Actually, our Portfolio is spread out among 20 ETFs/MFs and I simply ignored all the noise from/on Wall Street.

Well, I had removed what I estimated to be two years "living expenses" in April 2007. We spent less and, to be honest, are getting extremely close to needing to replenish. (On the other hand, we have way too much stuff and perhaps now is the time to sell off some of the clutter.) Social Security has helped, of course.

Nevertheless, my point was that using a Warren Buffet-style "Holding Period" strategy got us through a rough period with no bruising. Of course, the key (I'm guessing) was in putting a lot of thought into the intitial choice of investments.

WhoDaresWins · 11-05-2010, 05:16 AM

I am still off my late '07-early '08 high. I am thinking of shifting some accounts around, though, due to the recent rally and moving them over to Vanguard for the Admiral shares.

chinaco · 11-05-2010, 05:47 AM

We are close to it.

LOL! · 11-05-2010, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dex

This is outside the Bollinger Bands also.

The top must be in.

The top will be in when you start a thread "I'm going 100% stocks."

donheff · 11-05-2010, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nords

Man, I was afraid of this.

We're still far out of 2007 bubble territory, but our portfolio has crossed a tad above its "take some off the table" line and we've continued to hold on for the ride. When you guys get like this I should probably sell something just from reflex.

Guess I'll try to sell some more covered-call options tomorrow. We haven't been exercised yet, although our small-cap value ETF is above the February strike. Our Berskhire shares are still firmly in out-of-the-money territory.

+1 I was just looking at my taxable accounts and wondering if I should sell off my 2011 withdrawal now. Or at least sell half of it. Dex still has me worrying - what goes up comes down

**MichaelB** · 11-05-2010, 07:26 AM

How do people know what their all time high was - and how often do folks update their portfolio value? I only know my past YE numbers.

Our portfolio + cash is now marginally above YE 07 after three years of hefty withdrawals. Since we're had deflation since then, I guess that makes us even better off. Sure doesn't feel like it.

More importantly, looking forward I can't say that our portfolio has better odds of sustaining us. Animal spirits as indeed alive again - so it's best to make sure one is not eaten by a predator.

audreyh1 · 11-05-2010, 07:30 AM

I have the historical data in Quicken.

But I also have the number saved in my portfolio rebalancing spreadsheet. That's something I did in 2007 when things kept going up and up. That should have been a clear sign to me that we were approaching the top.

That and all W2R's "wheeeeees".

Audrey

yakers · 11-05-2010, 07:43 AM

Now exceeded YE07 high. Just keep annual figures except for current year. Have been withdrawing a small amount from IRAs since retiring in March 08, mostly live off pension. My annual rebalancing is scheduled for Jan, maybe I should move that up to now? My fixed assets are now 37.5% and their target level is 40%, not that big a difference, but I guess if I don't rebalance then buy & hold indexing willn't be effective as a system.