Recent content by Ken11

Heres whats up and how i think about it. Been acruing $ for a new roof. About 10k in that pot. To my surprise hail issues led my insurer to replace my roof. I only paid deductible and upgrade $ With that saved 10k we eye a master bath reno. Home built 2002. Upgrades bring better sales prices...

I understand a hardship exemption from obamacare enables folks over30 to shop for catastrophic coverage. I expect my 2017 premiums meet the criteria for hardship I find it strange how hard it is on line to connect with providers of such insurance Does anyone have experience with this? Can...

Its not the 20-30 bucks its that the service provides no value Im already coveted if current accounts are misused Ive repported some errant chsrges and had them removed based on these guarantees Ive had card companies call me to check on questionable transactions I see account status at least...

Its not that 20 bucks is the big deal. I just dont see any value. I believe im covered against losses if current cards are misused. Ive had some errant charges reversed based on these guarantees. Ive also been called by a charge card to approve charges they found questionable. I can and do see...

I keep mine locked at all 3 agencies I cant understand people paying 30/ month for monitoring services. What a total waste of money.

I obtained a new heloc aftrr retiring I show income as i withdraw 401k funds Between this and my 800 ish credit score i was approved

Thats understood. In a very depressed market id take the loan (todays rate very low) The loan is 10 years intrerest only. Id bet that with a 10 yesr horizon equities would outperform cumulatively at some point during that time If so this far outperforms the alternative of selling low from the...

During 07/08 my local real estate market declined less than 30% With only 50% of value covered by the line of credit the risk of the bank pulling the credit seems a second order concern. However its not zero risk as you point out.

Not if you arrange a line of credit The bank is obligated under its terms My line is for only 50% of my homes value I can withdraw cash the week after a hurricane destroys the house because the bank requires homeowners insurance

At 6% cash you and i agree on the minimal impact on returns Thats about my limit. The 18bps is a certain cost year by year I might never have to pull the trigger on my home equity line

On average holding cash decreases portfolio returns So, rather than go above about 5% cash i hold a home equity line of credit on my paid for house. If equities really tank ill live on my home equity. Being leveraged by a few years worth of income seems like a good bet in this circumstance. This...

I know there are several threads and articles on the topic of how to optimize/strategize SS. I reach early SS eligibility this coming year so now I'm digging further into the details. Two point I'm unable to find clear info on: Once Ss commences cola is applied each year. However delaying...

I'm 61 my wife depends on my ss record for her benefits My latest thinking is to buy longevity insurance by delaying SS as long as my withdrawal rate is in my comfort zone. If the market hiccups sending my withftawal rate above my comfort threshold that's when I file Comments?

Seems to me that an increased SS payout is a form of longevity insurance Insurance against a risk has some value An analysis of expected portfolio value does not recognize the value of a less risky income stream (the insurance). This may be a bigger decision factor re: SS strategies than the...

When I established my heloc I learned one good reason to do so I live in a hurricane zone Should the dwelling be destroyed or damaged I can acess the heloc funds after the event but prior to an insurance settlement This could be a lifesaver and prevent a drawdown of your portfolio