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.
"No competent adviser would recommend you put 100 % of your assets in an S&P 500 index. Instead, you should be investing in a globally diversified portfolio of stock and bond index funds with low management fees..." --Daniel Solin.
A few years back, I learned here about the good work of author Daniel Solin on the wisdom of index funds and the folly of almost everything else. More recently, someone here mentioned his book, "The Smartest Portfolio You'll Ever Own." (2011). I'm…
@Charles... Thanks for fine link explaining M* performance ratings/criteria. Key phrase near end of Overview, "....a fund's expense and turnover are likely to better predict its future net performance than any single measure of past performance." …
John N, that was a terrific piece from NYT by Yale's David Swensen. Harsh words. But another reminder that it is almost impossible to beat index funds long term. Thanks for spotting and sharing.
Since I was retiring at 65 later in the year, last Jan I reallocated my all-equities funds 401k to half 3 percent guaranteed fund and left half in a mix of equities funds. It had a decent gain thru June 30 when I rolled it over to a Vanguard IRA, ha…
The beauty of this forum is how educational it can be re topics like Class C shares, often described as "no load" funds. Seems there's more to the story. My mom and I will be meeting with her adviser soon (not a fee-only planner), and it will be in…
Quite a few are Class C funds --- First Eagle Global (FESGX), First Eagle US Value (FEVCX), Pimco Low Duration (PTLCX), Pimco Short Term (PFTCX), Pimco Unconstrained Bond (PUBCX), Thornburg Limited Term Income (THICX), Thornburg Investment Income Bu…
Tremendous book. I bought the audio version and listened to it on a trip to Europe last fall. I especially enjoyed the brilliant social outcast, Dr. Michael Burry, the physician who saw the housing crash coming way in advance and made a fortune. Mic…
Thanks again to all for this continuing education and rich discussion which gives me a reasonable sense of security about the portfolio and how to further educate myself. To clarify, MJG, I'm not paying the Vanguard adviser; he is free with my acco…
Thanks to all for the good feedback as usual. This is my entire retirement investment account. INVESTOR, I will chat with my Vanguard adviser about upping the International index piece though the overseas craziness every day makes me nervous. CATCH…
Thank you, MJG, for your wonderful detailed and very helpful advice, and for taking considerable time to do this for me. The wisdom on this special forum -- and the sharing, caring attitude -- are truly breathtaking. Everyone's feedback has pretty …
Thanks, Catch. He's a fee-based planner who charges 1.5 percent of assets under management. His firm is based locally with his name and is affiliated with UBS Financial Services. The account would be a "UBS Strategic Advisor Acccount." A model portf…
Ed and GregfromBoston, my heartfelt thanks for your candid and insightful suggestions which I will weigh carefully. It is feedback like this that makes this group so special and helpful. --Skipper.
Appreciate the good advice. He is a fee-based planner who receives 1.5% of assets under management. Of about 14 asset classes, mostly mutuals, about eight show load fees in the M* snapshot. But he says I won't have to pay those. Tnks for advice too …
