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.
I found this article interesting and thought it fit nicely into this thread:
When a company is getting ready to pay a dividend, it announces in advance the date that it will be paid. That’s called the “payable date.” For logistical reasons, it sets …
Nov 16th Episode:
On the publication of its 75th anniversary edition, The Intelligent Investor Editor Jason Zweig shares the timeless & still timely wisdom of what Warren Buffett calls “the best book on investing ever written.”
ACTION POINT…
Yesterday, XLU (energy Utility companies) was one of the few "Green shoots" in the "Red Sea" of the Market.
https://barchart.com/etfs-funds/quotes/XLU/overview
Energy Sector and AI:
utilities-backdoor-play-ai-trade
Nov 9 Episode:
Part 2 - Veteran portfolio manager and strategist Bob Doll reflects on what’s changed and what still works in the rapidly changing markets of his forty-plus-year career.
ONE INVESTMENT
DOLL: QUALITY WITH A MOAT
Financial tran…
The market is all about politics. Taxation, monetary policy, trade policy, the deficit: all matter a lot more than random quarterly results. The problem is predicting the future.
Yes politics...politicians...they are very much the spoon that stirs …
@Observant1,
I have also noticed "prepared food Tax" or "Meal tax"... as much as 12%.
https://taxfoundation.org/blog/meal-taxes-prepared-food-restaurant/
Then there's often a variety of suggested tip amounts 18% - 22%.
Now this CC 3% surcharge.…
Much like the CC transaction fee that the tax collector charges for using you CC to pay your taxes, more and more merchant are passing the CC transaction fee along in your bill.
Many just add it after you hand them your credit card and neglect to m…
Food for Thought... @msf popcorn for thought
@WABAC highlighted:
Americans believe they need to save an average of $1.8 million for retirement
@ a 4% SWR that $1.8M would provide $72K of income for spending. Seems like a reasonable retirement spend…
From @BaluBalu linked article:
The late season strike of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton in Florida could have caused ILS prices to return again to HARD market pricing seen in the first quarter of 2023. But like Ian in 2022, the hurricane trac…
from the memo:
In my view, the thought process set forth in this memo leads to the conclusion that investors should increase their allocations in this area if they are (a) attracted by returns of 7-10% or so, (b) desirous of limiting uncertainty and…
Thanks @yogibearbull.
I'd like to add (since I just turned 65):
2025 standard deduction over 65
There's an additional standard deduction for taxpayers 65 and older and those who are blind. For 2025 that additional amount is $1,600 ($2,000 if unma…
@msf,
Interesting Chart.
I do remember paying for college tuition with a part time job back in the 1980's... now college tuition equates to taking out a mortgage.
I'd argue that "food away from home" has had a higher increase than the chart sugg…
Zero or low costs for all our meds too (Optum, Costco, CVS)
The good news is that starting in 2025, drug costs will be capped at $2,000, so exposure isn't unlimited.
I am learning (first year of Medicare) that there are payment phases with Part D.
…
@catch22 - Using your Calculator
Timeframe
2014 - 2024
No COLA
($1000/M *12) = $12K in 2014 is still $12K in 2024
With COLA
($1000/M *12) = $12K in 2014 adjusts to $15,984 in 2024
I think you adjusted the non-COLA pension ($670*12) to get $8040 …
@bee I'm not sure I like the wording, "government transfers." I take it as a gift from the gov., which most of it isn't. VA Benny's all earned as is my SS monthly check.
It's a very interesting topic and can appear convoluted. Couldn't an argument…
Similar story in CT.
We continue to have a "choice" (Medicare Supplemental vs Medicare Advantage) but the premium difference between the two attracted a lot of retirees to sign up for our MA option.
Both are offered by United Healthcare.
Curiousl…
Oct 12 Episode:
Morningstar’s retirement guru Christine Benz discusses the often overlooked non-financial aspects of retirement planning during this conversation about her new book, How to Retire: 20 Lessons for a Happy, Successful, and Wealthy Reti…
@msf, yes I just signed up to two years of credit monitoring as a result of the Change Healthcare Breach, but prior to that I froze my credit with all 5 credit bureaus that MFO members discussed here in past threads.
Thanks to all for keeping us in…
Why is the response to customers to offer credit monitoring after the breach?
How about offering it prior, as part of the customer relationship?
One of my CU banks does just that.
Identity theft is a billion dollar business for thieves and a billi…
Milton losses must be lower than previously anticipated - amazing that these guys already know the severity of losses.
But somehow I see Insurance premiums escalating.
We live in a time where community bucket brigade have been replaced with privat…
@hank - would this be a problem for RE market when LT rates remain "stuck"... I noticed RE (VGSIX) has stopped advancing in recent weeks.
VGSIX
https://morningstar.com/funds/xnas/vgsix/chart
Mortgages may need to be on the FED's buying menu for t…
Thanks @Regex,
American Century's Avantis ETFs fills many spots on PM's list.
How Avantis Became One of the Fastest-Growing Fund Companies
https://morningstar.com/funds/how-avantis-become-one-fastest-growing-fund-companies
Oct 5th Episode:
Guest Abby Joseph Cohen - Part 2:
The tide went out during the pandemic and it exposed where the problems exist globally
ONE INVESTMENT
COHEN: THINK OUTSIDE THE U.S.
Long period of U.S. outperformance
International market…
Fidelity is offering a 3 part webinar... part 1 is on 10/10/24 on the follow topics:
Topics:
• How annuities, Social Security, bonds, and other sources may fit into a monthly income plan
• How your retirement spending might evolve as your prioriti…
@hank
From your link:
The law allows the IRS to waive the penalty if:
1. You didn't make a required payment because of a casualty event, disaster, or other unusual circumstance and it would be inequitable to impose the penalty, or
2. You retired (…
Sept 14 Episode - Part 2 with Whitney Tilson
Former fund manager turned financial journalist Whitney Tilson shares lessons learned from knowing and studying great investors Warren Buffett, Charlie Munger and Bill Ackman.
interesting article and charts that add food for thought regarding shipping, inflation, interest rate, M2 and GDP.
The continued drop in the M2/GDP ratio says that we should not yet start looking for great things for the shipping industry for anothe…
@low_tech
Using PV with 4% withdrawal for 10 years shows that starting with one million ended at $779K(rounding) while SPY ended at 2.23 million.
My Comment:
PV also provide a inflation adjusted amount:
$779K = $558K (inflation adjusted)
$2.2…
