Sometimes the universe has a way of telling us to look more closely or again at something we thought we knew. In my case, two jlcollinsnh readers have caused me to take another look at 401k programs. I don’t like what I see. Caution! Pickpockets at work. 401Ks were enacted into law in 1978. In… [Continue Reading]
Stocks — Part XIX: How to think about money
Level I: It’s not just about spending Get yourself a nice, crisp one of these: Or one of these: Or one of these: Or one of these: Or one of these: Or one of these: Or about 16 of these: Now prop it (or them) up on the table in front of you, or in… [Continue Reading]
Stocks — Part XVIII: Investing in a raging bull
As I sit here typing this afternoon the S&P 500 is trading at 1670, up 14% since the beginning of the year. 27% over the last 12 months. The very definition of a raging Bull Market. Add to this the fact that it has more than doubled since the Spring of 2009. Whether you are… [Continue Reading]
Stocks — Part XVII: What if you can’t buy VTSAX? Or even Vanguard?
Today we’ll explore some alternatives In Part VI of this Stock Series, and in other posts on the blog, I recommend two specific mutual funds: VTSAX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund) VBTLX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund) These are the funds I own myself. In each case they are the “Admiral Shares” version. As such… [Continue Reading]
Stocks — Part XVI: Index Funds are really just for lazy people, right?
Ah, no. Index investing is for people who want the best possible results. Over the last year or so some of my investing ideas have drawn comment on other blogs and forums. Lately I’ve noticed that even those folks seeking to compliment me sometimes frame my position on Vanguard and index funds as sound advice… [Continue Reading]
Stocks — Part XV: Target Retirement Funds, the simplest path to wealth of all
Ok, so you’ve read the Smoother Path to Wealth and thought, “Aww man. Three funds? And I gotta rebalance them every year? That’s too much to keep track of!” But then you hit the link and went to the Simple Path to Wealth. As you read, you thought, “This is more like it. Only one fund…. [Continue Reading]
Stocks — Part XIV: Deflation, the ugly escort of Depressions.
In Part XII: Bonds, reader Chronicrants commented: “I’d love to see more on deflation. I’ve always been confused about it and about it’s consequences. It seems like it would be a good thing, and yet….” Great point, and what better topic, I thought, for unlucky number 13 in this series! Unfortunately, I forgot that was… [Continue Reading]
Stocks — Part XIII: The 4% Rule, Withdrawal Rates and How Much Can I Spend Anyway?
4%. Maybe more. So, you’ve followed the jlcollinsnh big three: You’ve avoided debt. You’ve spent less than you’ve earned. You’ve invested the surplus. Eggs by Sergey Gusev Now you’re sitting on your stash and wondering just how much you can spend each year and not run out. This could be stressful, but it really should… [Continue Reading]
Stocks — Part XII: Bonds
Well. Here we are in Part XII of our series on Stocks. And the subject is bonds. What’s up with that?? When I first began this series the plan was for maybe four or five segments. Sure enough, those focused on stocks. But then we looked at some portfolio ideas and some other stuff, like… [Continue Reading]
Stocks — Part XI: International Funds
In Part VI of this series we looked at some portfolio ideas to build and keep your wealth. Last time, in The Smoother Path to Wealth, we did much the same and we discussed the concept of Asset Allocation a bit as well. In keeping with the overall financial theme of the blog, we strive to keep our investments… [Continue Reading]
