Here's a statement of the obvious: The opinions expressed here are those of the participants, not those of the Mutual Fund Observer. We cannot vouch for the accuracy or appropriateness of any of it, though we do encourage civility and good humor.
Not to mention that prices rose everywhere in the world, not just in the USA. A small detail, but it didn't seem like anybody mentioned it during the election campaign.
Sometimes it is a question of finding out where the elevator is. They don't make them easy to find, but if you do find one in Penn station, they might be dilapidated, but it is better than hauling your suitcase up the stairs. They definitely don't c…
Low Tech, I think that the other members are saying that the interest rate that you are getting today on your MM funds might not (and probably won't if you look at the past) last forever. In that case, what would your alternative plans be?
I don't think that crypto was designed as an investment vehicle, but it seems that that is what it has turned into. I have always wondered where the money actually goes when you buy crypto? Are there clearing houses that take care of the buying and …
Maybe they pick up the phones faster, but I have actually noticed that the reps seem to know less,than they used to. A lot of the reps seem like college kids on their first job. If you are calling for advice, then chances are the reps won't be usefu…
It seems like the health care system in the USA is determined to amass as much of a patient's wealth as possible before he passes. After all, he won't be needing it where he is going...
Thanks Andy. I was looking for the credit quality breakdown, which I couldn't find. On M* they have 35% of their bonds as being non rated, so who knows what that means? I was trying to find out what % of high yield bonds the fund owns.
It isn't as easy as it sounds. They make it difficult for you to renounce your US citizenship. If your net worth is over 2 million$, then they make you pay all of the tax that you could possibly pay. Then you are liable for taxes for 10 years after …
OJ you are right. Nothing is free. I am a EU resident in Spain. When you become a resident in the EU, you also become a tax resident. The taxes are high, and you have to pay taxes on your world wide income, (no double taxation but since the taxes ar…
Italy and Japan are very expensive countries. I could not imagine going to live in either country in order to have more bang for my buck. Not to mention that the dollar as lost value to the euro and to the yen. Maybe Croatia, although they use the e…
There is an interesting docu on this subject by Michael Moore (he is not in the docu). The basic premise is that in order to control global warming, we need to change the way we live. It just isn't possible to keep producing energy, and using it whi…
If you have Firefox or Opera browser you can install a javascript disabler as an extension. If you disable javascript you can access the articles, the NY Times etc.
I invested in OAKIX and later in FMIJX when they were highly touted on M* and various boards. They are still gold rated on M* (believe it or not) but have done poorly so far this year. I give up in trying to pick a good int'l fund. When int'l starts…
I bought PIMIX 3 or 4 years ago @12.26 more or less. I must have bought it at it's highest NAV because it never got back up to my original purchase price. However, I bought it for income, and it has been reliably churning out a pretty good income si…
Old skeet, I invested in IVFIX which had the same managers as SVAAX a few years ago and lost money. Bob C.had recommended this fund, but changed his tune as the fund slowly began to lose money. I wouldn'tinvest with those same managers again.
The solution is simple. Trump can pay for the wall with his own money. At the same time he will leave an everlasting legacy to rest of humanity. The only problem I see is what to name the wall.
For dividends BTI looks good to me. Tobacco stocks are out of favor, and BTI sells cigarettes around the world. I bought some in June, and sold it for a loss last month. Bought some more after 30 days, and will buy more this month. In the US a lot o…
Thanks for the explanation Bee. Now let's say I sell my shares for a tax loss. Would it be for the 3.5%, since I have been paying taxes on the dividends all along? I also reinvest the dividends.
Msf, nothing special. Europe has socialized medical coverage for its' citizens and for foreign residents. When you need to go to the Dr. or need medication, ot you are seriously ill, you are provided care. You only need to present a card, and you ar…
MSF, not all Americans are covered by medicare when they turn 65. I am an expat, and don't have 40 credits earned so I won't be covered. I'll be covered in Europe though.
As far as those retirement choices go, fine if you have lots of money. Tho…
You are allowed to earn up to around 100k abroad without being liable for US taxes, if there is a double taxation agreement between the US and the other country. It might make more sense to file, but without having filed, then there isn't any statut…
US and Canada share banking info. The US has access to what Americans earn in Canada.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/11196423/51-countries-sign-up-to-share-tax-data.html
Just to clarify, I don't want to have another passport because of laws that could change in the future. The US taxes its' citizens wherever they have their fiscal residency. In Europe they don't do that. In fact, only the US and maybe a few other c…
All US citizens regardless of where they live have to pay taxes to Uncle Sam. I work in Europe so I pay taxes to the country where I live, and to the US. Even though there are tax agreements between the two countries, I still pay taxes on my US inve…
Maybe the parents and the unwanted guest can come to some sort of agreement. For example, the parents can have their house moved, and the guest can stay in the basement.
Hank, are you sure about OSTIX losing 29% inn 2008? Check out the link:
http://performance.morningstar.com/fund/performance-return.action?t=OSTIX®ion=usa&culture=en_US