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.
Very strange set of financial facts.
How does someone who makes under $800/ month on SS even qualify for a $900K mortgage?
Then we're told that making a profit of $220k on the sale of a home is "the biggest mistake" this women has ever made...cro…
From the Portfolio Visualizer website (PV website), I created this graphic of GTSOX with its MAXDD highlighted:
Over a shorter timeframe (2014-2018): it appears that (-6.1%) MaxDD is correct:
@Derf,
A dated article (2009), but I believe the step up basis concepts are still valid...always verify.
patellawoffices.com/blog/general-estate-planning-and-probate/navigating-the-step-up-tax-basis-rule/
Today's Taxes are just a convenient way to "pay to play". In New England the meeting house often determined the taxation and often it had little to do with money:
Many aspects of daily life were determined at Vermont’s meeting houses. There, townspe…
@TheShadow ...thanks for this information. I wonder... is it always a good thing when a fund closes?
Comments welcome.
As part of a new series I am calling Friday Night Lights...Action...Camera I am going use Jing's video feature to dive a littl…
@Old_Joe...PR is interesting. Beautiful Island in many respects.
I read recently that many of the PR FEMA claims could not process because the lack of legal titling of property in PR... it's a wide spread problem there.
unable-to-prove-they-own-t…
Maybe another reason for market concern is discussed here in this post:
The point of that historical lesson which we should remember in the current moment is that having the Fed reduce the size of its balance sheet carries an enormously powerful ef…
Akin to a private company promising an employee a match on your 401(K) and inconsistently contributing. A lack of funding is never a good matrix for a long term investment whether its an IRA or a pension. Also, along with market risk; pensions take …
So let's have a conversation regarding "risk off" investments...Dan. This article seemed thin on suggestions. I'll give it a try.
If,
Fed raises rates 2-4 times... US bonds will suffer.
Options:
-Bank Loan Funds
-Non-US Bonds (that hold local curre…
Thanks @msf, a great interview on the fund's strategies.
The interview introduce me to the term "13F's" (SEC reporting form for Hedge Funds) or (also a recent report card of mine).
how-to-piggyback-on-warren-buffett-and-other-legendary-money-man…
Follow up news article on the above Stanford Study (Spend Safely in Retirement):
Withdrawals can start at age 65, using an initial 3.5 percent withdrawal rate. At age 70, people can switch to the IRS’ required minimum distribution table, which dicta…
Hi @CathyG,
Welcome back.
Looks like sibling rivalries in the Yacktman Family, with Brian's fund (YCGEX) edging out Father Don & Brother Steve's funds (YACKX & YAFFX) over YCGEX short (2012) history.
Website profile of the fund:
P…
Predicting that The S&P 500 will fluctuate in a normal manner is stating fact not projection.
I think we're beginning to return to the "Old Normal"...away from Bill Gross's "New Normal".
There will be unpredictable hiccups along the way.
Unp…
@msf, that one was a bit long (122pps I believe), so I had not gotten through it. :)
I stumbled upon this as a result of @Ted link today.
Thanks, to both of you for your contributions here at MFO.
Ted's link:
https://mutualfundobserver.com/discu…
How to "Pensionize" your IRA or 401K Plan
With the decline of traditional pension plans, 401k) plans and IRAs are now the dominant retirement vehicle in America. Many older workers are approaching their retirement years with no pensions, and they ha…
From this attached article:
Two routes to USAA
You can take part in USAA products even if you don’t qualify for membership. You can still use the investment services that USAA offers, you can purchase life insurance from USAA, and you’re eligible t…
I hold SFGIX at a brokerage (USAA NTF) and this is the case. I have all gains settle as cash within this brokerage account (in a MMF) and when I need the cash I move it ACH to my non-brokerage account (checking account at a different institution).
…
If SFGIX were held at a brokerage and the dividends/ST/LT gains (taken in cash) settled intp a cash account within that brokerage account you could then easily ACH'd these proceeds to your bank account of choice. Yes?
@Crash, deep breathe big fella.
Congrats on your decision to find warmer climes. People in New England and other Northern locations begin to experience Cabin Fever this time of year.
I did this about five years ago (from CT to FL). Aside from you…
I did a quick (maybe not so quick) screen of M*'s target date funds on my brokerage platform (run by Fidelity).
Unfiltered:
-945 Retirement Date Funds appeared in the first unfiltered screen. Most fund descriptors include a specific year in time (2…
Further thoughts on growth and income (to supplement retirement income):
When I chart a cash choice (Ultrashort bond fund) like TSYYX (TSDOX) (which has a 24 year history) with a favorite growth fund (you pick yours)...I charted TSYYX with PRMTX...…
@hank, Cash gets a bad rap.
As you stated, if you need cash for income you are not forced to sell when your investments are under performing.
Also, some investors consider credit cards or even HELOC (on their homes) as a source of cash which ofte…
I believe this reduction may have been impacted by the new method of how the government will now calculate inflation using "Chained CPI" as part of the new tax laws.. This will provide a cost savings to the government for any inflation adjusted bene…
Thanks for the article @Mark. Wade Pfau, mentioned in your linked article, also recommends the use of a reverse mortgage (not mentioned in your article) as an alternative strategy to access income during retirement especially when sequence of return…
I find the Blog (The Financial Buff) by Harry Sit a worth while weekly read. Here are two recent articles on Estate Planning that many of us neglect or forget to get around to doing. Also I often get as much out of reading the comment section of the…
as SFGIX and PONAX. Thats as far as I got. Morningstar is terrible lately. I'm still waiting for BCSIX to update.
My bad...fake news...corrections:
SFGIX - down 0.74%
PONAX - down 0.08%
The rest seem correct:
PTIAX - up 0.04%
MINDX - down 0.…
A few funds I own that held there own today:
SFGIX - down 0.74% (corrected)
PONAX - down 0.08% (corrected)
PTIAX - up 0.04%
MINDX - down 0.12%
Others I follow:
USAGX - up 0.88%
PRPFX - down 0.22%
Also @Sven, if and when you separate service from your employer(s) you can roll over your 403(b) to a traditional IRA. I did this midway through my career because I change school systems. I also did this when I retired. Both qualified as separation …
I may need to go on a fund diet, but here is a snapshot of my funds and how they collectively "added to" or "subtracted from" the portfolio for the quarter on a percentage basis.
@bee, what if you has no option in your pension plan other than an annuity? Taking a lump sum is often calculated a reduced value. I still has 10-15 years to go.
If you are participating in a 403(b) plan, ask your plan sponsor if there are 403(b)…
Sounds like insurers are pushing their agenda in Washington as they attempt to buy votes for this bill's passage.
I never understood why 403(b) plans were offered to non-profits when 401(k) plans were the preferred offering in the private sector. …
Getting back to @Crash and his original post...obviously utilities have "sucked' lately, but PRWCX is "positive on Utes over the next decade"...@Ted long standing call for "QQQ" (which exists) may be replaced with "UUU" (which doesn't exist).
If yo…
