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.
@MikeM and Hank. To clarify I did not mean to imply any nefarious intentions on the part of Mr Giroux. Running a multi billion dollar pile of money is entirely different than managing a million or two. All that money has to go someplace. He can h…
@ Old Joe. I asked if political instability in the US as a risk factor is valid. So would it be acceptable to discuss Republican acts to destabilize the 2024 election as a reason to change one’s asset allocation ? This is not the same topic as dis…
@AndyJ. If you think that a debt ceiling crisis is the equivalent of republican inspired violence and chaos,,,, if you think a republican attempt to repudiate a fair and closely examined election is the equivalent to a debt ceiling crisis then tha…
@ Old_Joe. I agree with your observations of human nature without reservation. Yet any discussion of political instability in the United States would be not very meaningful without considering the fact that one of our two major parties has descend…
@Old_Joe. You nailed it. At this point you might say that morons of American number about 49 % of he voting population. And a higher proportion of the rest. As you say,,,, “very scary” And if you aren’t a straight, white Anglo Saxon, native born m…
@Baseball Fan. Anyone who disagrees with Maga craziness is called “far left” by those anti democracy traitors. That is just ridiculous. And reveals so much about what those who casually throw that term around.
Morningstar and I believe Bengen both used a 50/50 stock bond asset allocation. Maybe I am too risk adverse but I wonder if most new retirees have half of their investments in equities ? I heard an interview with Bengen earlier this year and he had…
If you are reinvesting the divs the lower yield doesn’t hurt as much. I left V because of the lack of service and can access non admiral shares of V mutual funds at Schwab,,,, where the service is shockingly good. As the Bogleheads say “ take your …
@ Old_Joe. With all due respect to our colleague JohnN,,,, his buy transaction list is as long as the Mississippi River if that makes any sense. Some of them must do Ok. He is a heavy trader.
I haven’t a clue about how to post a link but Dec 1 Salon.com has a timely article about private equity buying up all manner of health care practices with predictable results.
For profit is to be expected in this country. The bottom line is the bottom line. Sadly,,,, why should hospice be any different than the hospitals and medical groups the folks see first? Some of the non profit medical systems don’t seem any differe…
@Dr.sma3. I think your beef is with managed care. I suspect you would be cool with a health insurance industry that only sold old fashioned indemnity plans. You docs could bill anything you wanted and they would pay 80%. The patient would pay …
@LewisBraham. Thank you for your comments.
@sma3. At least you presumably had a long career in medicine filled with the knowledge that you helped heal the world and that means more that your bitterness that forces beyond your control limited yo…
@ Rono. What in the world are you talking about ? You find something off putting about SBF’s appearance? Like what? And what does it have to do with anything? Such a 45 thing to do.
So my colleagues,,,,,,do any of those among us think that yesterday was “Peak C.D. Rates for this cycle? We are all just guessing but I sure hope not. I am not looking forward to messing around with Preferreds, Bank Loan, High Yield and Core Plus fu…
@LewisBanham. None taken. My point of view is that of a recent retiree for whom taxes have yet to be a meaningful line item. But will be in Tax Year 2023. Not so much as a complaint but as an observation.
@LewisBranham. As the recipient of your comments I did not take it as sarcasm but nonetheless the tone was off putting. As a lefty whose first adult jobs were inner city school teacher and Job Corp staff member I am very comfortable seeing what go…
@ Crash. I know that Lewis Braham is all that and more. I just was wondering what uncle is a reference to. And I say this with a smile, my remarks were hardly intended to make your case. My last on this topic is that when immigrants arrive here…
@Crash. My grandfather left Bessarabia (look it up) to escape pogroms in 1905. Without exception every offspring that followed became a professional or business owner. Going all the way to the great grandchildren. Immigrants add to this country.…
@ Old _Joe. Thinking the same thing,,,, please let me know when that “ some point” may be. So far I have avoided the bond fund crash but have been way too impatient on my bond/ CD purchases. I am counting on you to nail this.
The problem with the 4% rule is that what sticks in most people mind is the 4% and not the 50% equity allocation it is based on. Lots of retirees, myself included, do not allocate 50% to stocks and as my 4th year of retirement grinds to an end I ha…