Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

tjc78

2.375 is insane. We were thrilled with 2.75 when we locked in 4 months ago.

stickguy

I think rates came down in the fall, so if I had waited might have gotten lower. I probably should have pushed for a free float down since the delay was all on their end. But I was not paying the large upfront cost to relock at the lower rate. I already dropped 3/4 of a point from my ARM rate, and still plan to pay it off early.

but these rates are just nuts these days. No wonder the housing market is so hot, even in otherwise bad financial conditions.

28firefighter

We were very lucky - I just so happened to check and reached out about a 2.625 rate through a particular broker. They got back to me and said they could actually do 2.375 because the conforming rate limits were changing. Locked around Thanksgiving and closing Saturday - not too shabby!

qbrozen

geesh. wonder if I should look into this. I had Quicken (I think?) look into it several months ago, but the numbers they came back with made zero sense for a refi.

28firefighter

It is saving us around $500/month, which is nothing to sneeze at.

kyfdx

qbrozen said:

geesh. wonder if I should look into this. I had Quicken (I think?) look into it several months ago, but the numbers they came back with made zero sense for a refi.

My son's fiancee was working with Quicken, when they looked for a house this summer, but once they had a contract in hand, they couldn't ever seem to give her the actual rate. We blew them off and went with a local mortgage broker. Closed in 31 days.

oldfarmer50

roadburner said:

snakeweasel said:

The way I see it, if you are buying a car then you should be test driving it including getting in into and out of gear. If its as confusing as some are making out then it should give some issues on the test drive. Also doesn't Land Rover include owners manuals with their cars? That should go into detail on how to operate the shifter.

How heartless! We should do absolutely everything possible to protect the lazy and stupid from the consequences of their actions.
Think of the children!

What are you saying, do you want to live in an empty world? If you eliminate those of us who are occasionally lazy or stupid you’ll end up all alone.

cdnpinhead

roadburner said:

. . . due in large part to the ridiculous product liability laws in most states.

and those who are willing, even eager, to pursue the cases.

oldfarmer50

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

kyfdx said:

explorerx4 said:

Have a CD is expiring tomorrow. WAS making 125/130 a month, now I would get 5 to 8 a month.
At the same bank, even my savings account is making 3 to 4 times what a 15 or 18 month CD would make.
Weird.

Duke Energy Premier Notes

How about Master Limited Partnerships (MLP)?

MLP is just a vehicle for the investment. It would depend on the investment. A lot of these are Real Estate or Oil related. While they may provide income, they can also lose a lot of value.

Not really suitable as a replacement for a CD.

More risk = more reward. A CD is minimum risk but almost zero reward these days. When I started the 401k with my company I said to myself I wanted total security so I chose the stable value bond fund. 2% a year but almost no risk. A few months later I realized I was being too cautious since I could afford to lose it all. I switch to an S&P 500 growth fund and doubled my money.

Of course it lost 34% during the pandemic but it’s back to the positive now. You have to take more risk to get returns these days.

oldfarmer50

andres3 said:

fintail said:

I've always had mixed feelings about Tarantino for that reason. Amazing plot/storylines, but most of the gore and violence seems needless and just for show - shock value, like a little kid swearing just to get looks.

dino001 said:

I can take anything under condition that it clearly supports the story line and isn't done for its own sake, just to make you watch. I'm always ambivalent about Tarantino's movies at first viewing, as their stories, dialog and cinematography are just outstanding, but the violence always feels gratuitous and gore at first. Somehow I get over that with time. I guess these other aspects just win me over. I guess that's his magic - make something totally outrageous, so you want to leave the room, but you can't, the story is just too interesting.

Pretty sure more violence and deaths are shown in a standard Hollywood typical action flick such as "True Lies" with Arnold the Governator!, than in all Tarantino films combined. That movie was done by a really talented director too. The effect you are noticing is violence filmed and done really well and effectively; rather than just for action's sake.

“But day were all baddd” Arnold—True Lies

roadburner

cdnpinhead said:

roadburner said:

. . . due in large part to the ridiculous product liability laws in most states.

and those who are willing, even eager, to pursue the cases.

Exactly. I once had a lady in Small Claims court who sued a car dealership because they wouldn't refund her money and take the car back. The nitwit drove it for over a month and then miraculously found out it didn't have power steering. The dealer had told her it had power steering so I refunded her $85- the amount the NADA guide said to add for power steering on that year and model.

In another case two idjits were having a argument and one guy broke out a sealed beam headlamp on the other guy's pickup. I awarded the cost of the sealed beam but no installation costs. One attorney later asked why I didn't award the install costs and I said that if a guy can't change a sealed beam headlamp he shouldn't drive a truck.

oldfarmer50

Mitchel just announced over on the other board that we can post pictures again from IPads. I’ve been waiting weeks to show off my bodywork skills I tried out on the cargo van. Kind of a hack job but not bad for my first attempt since I was 17.

explorerx4

Haven't filed for SS yet, but it can be weird.
I don't have to worry about the income part(wages could affect your next year benefit amount up to a certain age).
If your total income exceeds a certain level, SS counts a regular income(up tp 85% of it), so if I withdraw from an IRA plus have any investment income, that gets added on top.
Spending my own cash is not taxable.

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

Haven't filed for SS yet, but it can be weird.
I don't have to worry about the income part(wages could affect your next year benefit amount up to a certain age).
If your total income exceeds a certain level, SS counts a regular income(up tp 85% of it), so if I withdraw from an IRA plus have any investment income, that gets added on top.
Spending my own cash is not taxable.

You don’t have to have much income to get to that 85% taxable level so I wouldn’t even give that a second thought.

What killed me was the reduction of your benefit based on your earned income if you’re less than full retirement age. Makes it tricky if you keep working after filing for social security.

roadburner

Yesterday I received a letter from OSHA informing me that my office had been selected to monitor any.work related death's, illnesses, or injuries. Unless someone trips and falls or the ex-con I sent up the river makes good on his threat to kill me(he's been doing so for over 15 years) there won't be anything to report.

I told my secretary to open a file labeled "Federal Bullsh*t" to store the OSHA correspondence.

snakeweasel

andres3 said:

roadburner said:

driver100 said:

We have seen this before:

If they have those instructions for a ladder, there should be a fail safe device on a gear selector.

It's just more unwarranted interference with the law of natural selection.

YOU TOUCHED ON THIS IN ANOTHER POST.

Stickers like that are the result of outrageously corrupt insurance companies, and insurance rates, targeting construction companies. Every company on the up and up has to spend a fortune trying to be as safe as possible so that they don't get "insured" out of business. If the sticker is faded or worn, OSHA says you either replace the sticker or the ladder by the way. Or you get BIG $$$$ fines.

It's not the insurance companies fault, the problem is trial lawyers or more specifically tort lawyers.

snakeweasel

oldfarmer50 said:

roadburner said:

snakeweasel said:

The way I see it, if you are buying a car then you should be test driving it including getting in into and out of gear. If its as confusing as some are making out then it should give some issues on the test drive. Also doesn't Land Rover include owners manuals with their cars? That should go into detail on how to operate the shifter.

How heartless! We should do absolutely everything possible to protect the lazy and stupid from the consequences of their actions.
Think of the children!

What are you saying, do you want to live in an empty world? If you eliminate those of us who are occasionally lazy or stupid you’ll end up all alone.

Either that or join the rest of the occasionally lazy or stupid.

oldfarmer50

roadburner said:

Yesterday I received a letter from OSHA informing me that my office had been selected to monitor any.work related death's, illnesses, or injuries. Unless someone trips and falls or the ex-con I sent up the river makes good on his threat to kill me(he's been doing so for over 15 years) I won't have anything to report.
I told my secretary to open a file labeled Federal Bullsh*t to store the OSHA correspondence.

You would think they’d check to see if any of that happened before wasting your time.

OSHA can be brutal. Once some punk kids broke into our school buses and sprayed the fire extinguishers all over. The director thought he’d save some money by paying a couple of the drivers to clean up the mess. One of them had a grudge and ran to OSHA. Slapped the district with a $20k fine.

driver100

snakeweasel said:

oldfarmer50 said:

roadburner said:

snakeweasel said:

The way I see it, if you are buying a car then you should be test driving it including getting in into and out of gear. If its as confusing as some are making out then it should give some issues on the test drive. Also doesn't Land Rover include owners manuals with their cars? That should go into detail on how to operate the shifter.

How heartless! We should do absolutely everything possible to protect the lazy and stupid from the consequences of their actions.
Think of the children!

What are you saying, do you want to live in an empty world? If you eliminate those of us who are occasionally lazy or stupid you’ll end up all alone.

Either that or join the rest of the occasionally lazy or stupid.

Hey lazy and stupid are people too....and I think they outnumber us normal ones.

explorerx4

Just to clarify, as oldfarmer50 wrote, your SS can be 85% taxable, which doesn't mean taxed at 85%.

stickguy

28firefighter said:

We were very lucky - I just so happened to check and reached out about a 2.625 rate through a particular broker. They got back to me and said they could actually do 2.375 because the conforming rate limits were changing. Locked around Thanksgiving and closing Saturday - not too shabby!

good timing. I did ask about the lock (since they were going to blow right past it) and just got confirmation that it would be extended since the delay was on their end. I did not push for a lower rate, but pretty sure my option was back our or pay the contractual % (2 or 3% I think, pretty steep).

$400 more per month to shop more than half the term, for 0 OOP and fixing the rate for 10 years, still seemed like a good idea to me so I did not worry about it. Still plan (hope?) to pay it off early. 7 years max. But we shall see. Running it close to the (8 years ish) puts me at likely SS start date, so might as well do it all at one time (start SS, cut housing costs, and retire).

though I still hope to be out of here in a couple years, max. The other reason I was willing to take a smidge higher rate to have no fees up front.

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

Just to clarify, as oldfarmer50 wrote, your SS can be 85% taxable, which doesn't mean taxed at 85%.

I’m sure they would like to tax it at 85% though.😇

mjfloyd1

andres3 said:

stickguy said:

big day today. Finally, after 4.5 months since we applied, closed on our refinance. Nice smooth process at least once the bank got their stuff together and released to the title company (that happens to be an arm of the bank!)

Car related, the notary that came to the house to do the closing (a guy) had a sharp looking early Mini Cooper in Orange. I really liked it.

anyway, signed a bunch of papers and all set. Payment went up about $400/month(now I know where the former TLX payment is going), but term went down by 11.5 years. Interest rate is now 2.625 (fixed on a 10 year loan). Best thing was they offered a true zero cost closing. Only money OOP for me was the tax escrow, so it really was a sign and drive event.

Now just need to pay it off early so we can retire (that is one of the conditions I gave the wife for retiring. Not having any LT debt. A lease on my car, that I will allow!)

I am just glad it is finally over with.

Congrats! You can now get into a Key FOB dispute with a finance company without affecting your rate.

It won’t affect his just signed mortgage rate but it would affect future loan applications. Didn’t someone just learn that the hard way?

stickguy

with any luck (not my strong suit) the refi I just closed on is the last money I ever have to borrow. At least that is the plan, but no guarantee a car lease won't sneak in there at some point.

tjc78

stickguy said:

with any luck (not my strong suit) the refi I just closed on is the last money I ever have to borrow. At least that is the plan, but no guarantee a car lease won't sneak in there at some point.

You have an unmarried daughter, right?.... don’t speak too soon. 50k wedding will make a big dent!

kyfdx

oldfarmer50 said:

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

kyfdx said:

explorerx4 said:

Have a CD is expiring tomorrow. WAS making 125/130 a month, now I would get 5 to 8 a month.
At the same bank, even my savings account is making 3 to 4 times what a 15 or 18 month CD would make.
Weird.

Duke Energy Premier Notes

How about Master Limited Partnerships (MLP)?

MLP is just a vehicle for the investment. It would depend on the investment. A lot of these are Real Estate or Oil related. While they may provide income, they can also lose a lot of value.

Not really suitable as a replacement for a CD.

More risk = more reward. A CD is minimum risk but almost zero reward these days. When I started the 401k with my company I said to myself I wanted total security so I chose the stable value bond fund. 2% a year but almost no risk. A few months later I realized I was being too cautious since I could afford to lose it all. I switch to an S&P 500 growth fund and doubled my money.

Of course it lost 34% during the pandemic but it’s back to the positive now. You have to take more risk to get returns these days.

It depends. If it's your whole portfolio, you wouldn't want to be all in cash or all in risky investments. Sometimes, more risk means you lose a lot. It doesn't guarantee you a bigger reward.

My responses were about where to put cash that was in a CD. Assuming you have a balanced portfolio, I gave options.

kyfdx

explorerx4 said:

Haven't filed for SS yet, but it can be weird.
I don't have to worry about the income part(wages could affect your next year benefit amount up to a certain age).
If your total income exceeds a certain level, SS counts a regular income(up tp 85% of it), so if I withdraw from an IRA plus have any investment income, that gets added on top.
Spending my own cash is not taxable.

If you have the cash flow to fund your expenses, it is almost always better to put off taking Social Security.

oldfarmer is correct. The income level is so low to stat taxing SS benefits, that it isn't worth worrying about.

tjc78

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

kyfdx said:

explorerx4 said:

Have a CD is expiring tomorrow. WAS making 125/130 a month, now I would get 5 to 8 a month.
At the same bank, even my savings account is making 3 to 4 times what a 15 or 18 month CD would make.
Weird.

Duke Energy Premier Notes

How about Master Limited Partnerships (MLP)?

MLP is just a vehicle for the investment. It would depend on the investment. A lot of these are Real Estate or Oil related. While they may provide income, they can also lose a lot of value.

Not really suitable as a replacement for a CD.

More risk = more reward. A CD is minimum risk but almost zero reward these days. When I started the 401k with my company I said to myself I wanted total security so I chose the stable value bond fund. 2% a year but almost no risk. A few months later I realized I was being too cautious since I could afford to lose it all. I switch to an S&P 500 growth fund and doubled my money.

Of course it lost 34% during the pandemic but it’s back to the positive now. You have to take more risk to get returns these days.

It depends. If it's your whole portfolio, you wouldn't want to be all in cash or all in risky investments. Sometimes, more risk means you lose a lot. It doesn't guarantee you a bigger reward.

My responses were about where to put cash that was in a CD. Assuming you have a balanced portfolio, I gave options.

Isn’t the old rule of thumb that your “safe” (in percentage) investments be close to your age?

kyfdx

tjc78 said:

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

kyfdx said:

explorerx4 said:

Have a CD is expiring tomorrow. WAS making 125/130 a month, now I would get 5 to 8 a month.
At the same bank, even my savings account is making 3 to 4 times what a 15 or 18 month CD would make.
Weird.

Duke Energy Premier Notes

How about Master Limited Partnerships (MLP)?

MLP is just a vehicle for the investment. It would depend on the investment. A lot of these are Real Estate or Oil related. While they may provide income, they can also lose a lot of value.

Not really suitable as a replacement for a CD.

More risk = more reward. A CD is minimum risk but almost zero reward these days. When I started the 401k with my company I said to myself I wanted total security so I chose the stable value bond fund. 2% a year but almost no risk. A few months later I realized I was being too cautious since I could afford to lose it all. I switch to an S&P 500 growth fund and doubled my money.

Of course it lost 34% during the pandemic but it’s back to the positive now. You have to take more risk to get returns these days.

It depends. If it's your whole portfolio, you wouldn't want to be all in cash or all in risky investments. Sometimes, more risk means you lose a lot. It doesn't guarantee you a bigger reward.

My responses were about where to put cash that was in a CD. Assuming you have a balanced portfolio, I gave options.

Isn’t the old rule of thumb that your “safe” (in percentage) investments be close to your age?

It used to be, have the percentage of bonds match your age. But, with people living longer, that's been adjusted downward (a lot). I'm not a big fan of bond funds..They trade too often, and take losses. But, if you have $500K or more, you can set up a bond ladder, that can provide current income, with very little chance of loss.

kyfdx

I love to talk about investing and retirement planning.

Anyone wants to keep it up, post here:
https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/7256/general/x/the-stock-market-and-investing#latest

Washer discussion can stay here, of course.

bwia

2.375% and 2.625% mortgage rates are basically free money. Nice for you guys with mortgage loans but bad for us savers who on average earn 0.01%APY. How long can this go before grandpa and grandma blow a gasket?

laurasdada

bwia said:

2.375% and 2.625% mortgage rates are basically free money. Nice for you guys with mortgage loans but bad for us savers who on average earn 0.01%APY. How long can this go before grandpa and grandma blow a gasket?

Online savings accounts, certainly not a panacea, but much higher rate than my working Credit Union savings/checking account.
Salem Five, currently a double your money every 120 years rate of 0.6%. It was 2% not too long ago...And, for us Massh..., the first $100/$200 interest is free of MA tax!

stickguy

tjc78 said:

stickguy said:

with any luck (not my strong suit) the refi I just closed on is the last money I ever have to borrow. At least that is the plan, but no guarantee a car lease won't sneak in there at some point.

You have an unmarried daughter, right?.... don’t speak too soon. 50k wedding will make a big dent!

if she wants a $50k wedding, better find a rich guy because they will be paying for it. She's frugal anyway. If the choice is DP on a house or an expensive party, the party isn't winning.

stickguy

kyfdx said:

tjc78 said:

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

kyfdx said:

explorerx4 said:

Have a CD is expiring tomorrow. WAS making 125/130 a month, now I would get 5 to 8 a month.
At the same bank, even my savings account is making 3 to 4 times what a 15 or 18 month CD would make.
Weird.

Duke Energy Premier Notes

How about Master Limited Partnerships (MLP)?

MLP is just a vehicle for the investment. It would depend on the investment. A lot of these are Real Estate or Oil related. While they may provide income, they can also lose a lot of value.

Not really suitable as a replacement for a CD.

More risk = more reward. A CD is minimum risk but almost zero reward these days. When I started the 401k with my company I said to myself I wanted total security so I chose the stable value bond fund. 2% a year but almost no risk. A few months later I realized I was being too cautious since I could afford to lose it all. I switch to an S&P 500 growth fund and doubled my money.

Of course it lost 34% during the pandemic but it’s back to the positive now. You have to take more risk to get returns these days.

It depends. If it's your whole portfolio, you wouldn't want to be all in cash or all in risky investments. Sometimes, more risk means you lose a lot. It doesn't guarantee you a bigger reward.

My responses were about where to put cash that was in a CD. Assuming you have a balanced portfolio, I gave options.

Isn’t the old rule of thumb that your “safe” (in percentage) investments be close to your age?

It used to be, have the percentage of bonds match your age. But, with people living longer, that's been adjusted downward (a lot). I'm not a big fan of bond funds..They trade too often, and take losses. But, if you have $500K or more, you can set up a bond ladder, that can provide current income, with very little chance of loss.

at some point I have to figure out how to set the retirement stuff up like that. Right now it is in the 401K plans. That is easy, especially since they started offering target date funds. As long as you are OK with that fund providers matrix, just dump the $ in and automatically allocated to stocks, bonds, etc. based on your age and anticipated retirement date.

driver100

tjc78 said:

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

kyfdx said:

explorerx4 said:

Have a CD is expiring tomorrow. WAS making 125/130 a month, now I would get 5 to 8 a month.
At the same bank, even my savings account is making 3 to 4 times what a 15 or 18 month CD would make.
Weird.

Duke Energy Premier Notes

How about Master Limited Partnerships (MLP)?

MLP is just a vehicle for the investment. It would depend on the investment. A lot of these are Real Estate or Oil related. While they may provide income, they can also lose a lot of value.

Not really suitable as a replacement for a CD.

More risk = more reward. A CD is minimum risk but almost zero reward these days. When I started the 401k with my company I said to myself I wanted total security so I chose the stable value bond fund. 2% a year but almost no risk. A few months later I realized I was being too cautious since I could afford to lose it all. I switch to an S&P 500 growth fund and doubled my money.

Of course it lost 34% during the pandemic but it’s back to the positive now. You have to take more risk to get returns these days.

It depends. If it's your whole portfolio, you wouldn't want to be all in cash or all in risky investments. Sometimes, more risk means you lose a lot. It doesn't guarantee you a bigger reward.

My responses were about where to put cash that was in a CD. Assuming you have a balanced portfolio, I gave options.

Isn’t the old rule of thumb that your “safe” (in percentage) investments be close to your age?

Yes, if you were 65 then 65% of your money would be in secure investments.....bonds, in the old days. But, that doesn't work too well when bonds and interest rates are so low. Also the stock market has done quite well, so may want to adjust, maybe 30% secure....the old rules don't work any more.

roadburner

tjc78 said:

stickguy said:

with any luck (not my strong suit) the refi I just closed on is the last money I ever have to borrow. At least that is the plan, but no guarantee a car lease won't sneak in there at some point.

You have an unmarried daughter, right?.... don’t speak too soon. 50k wedding will make a big dent!

The latest wedding scam is where the bride's family begs the groom's family into helping finance the wedding. Two of my friends got hit with that.

jmonroe1

driver100 said:

tjc78 said:

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

kyfdx said:

explorerx4 said:

Have a CD is expiring tomorrow. WAS making 125/130 a month, now I would get 5 to 8 a month.
At the same bank, even my savings account is making 3 to 4 times what a 15 or 18 month CD would make.
Weird.

Duke Energy Premier Notes

How about Master Limited Partnerships (MLP)?

MLP is just a vehicle for the investment. It would depend on the investment. A lot of these are Real Estate or Oil related. While they may provide income, they can also lose a lot of value.

Not really suitable as a replacement for a CD.

More risk = more reward. A CD is minimum risk but almost zero reward these days. When I started the 401k with my company I said to myself I wanted total security so I chose the stable value bond fund. 2% a year but almost no risk. A few months later I realized I was being too cautious since I could afford to lose it all. I switch to an S&P 500 growth fund and doubled my money.

Of course it lost 34% during the pandemic but it’s back to the positive now. You have to take more risk to get returns these days.

It depends. If it's your whole portfolio, you wouldn't want to be all in cash or all in risky investments. Sometimes, more risk means you lose a lot. It doesn't guarantee you a bigger reward.

My responses were about where to put cash that was in a CD. Assuming you have a balanced portfolio, I gave options.

Isn’t the old rule of thumb that your “safe” (in percentage) investments be close to your age?

Yes, if you were 65 then 65% of your money would be in secure investments.....bonds, in the old days. But, that doesn't work too well when bonds and interest rates are so low. Also the stock market has done quite well, so may want to adjust, maybe 30% secure....the old rules don't work any more.

Today you have to think outside the box to make some real money. That’s why Son #1 decided to flip houses. If I told you what kind of money he’s making doing that you wouldn’t believe me. So I’m not getting into that.

About a month ago when he decided to start looking around for flip #3, I told him I don’t want to do this much longer so he better get his 3 sons interested. His response was he was surprised I’ve done as much as I have on the first 2 flips. Then he said, “do what you feel like doing but where can you make as much with your money as you can doing this? You damn sure can’t get this kind of money at the bank or investing it in riskier investments”. I knew he was going to say that. I didn’t raise no dummy ya know. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

And before any of you guys decide to be a silent investor with him, just get that thought out of your heads. This is an All In The Family biz.😎

jmonroe

driver100

My niece moved from Toronto to Vancouver, has a good job there, doesn't need a car. She left behind a 2007 Jaguar XK Coupe. It was left at a garage. It is this color and looks like this....left hand steering though;

My brother can't find the value of it since it is rare. I don't know the mileage or anything, but she thinks it won't start and may need a few things done to it....it has probably been there for over a year. She is considering giving it to a charity or something.

My suggestion was to call a Jag dealer in town and see if they are interested. Could also try a consignment lot where they would do all the selling, test drive, paperwork etc.
Any other suggestions?

driver100

jmonroe1 said:

driver100 said:

tjc78 said:

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

kyfdx said:

explorerx4 said:

Have a CD is expiring tomorrow. WAS making 125/130 a month, now I would get 5 to 8 a month.
At the same bank, even my savings account is making 3 to 4 times what a 15 or 18 month CD would make.
Weird.

Duke Energy Premier Notes

How about Master Limited Partnerships (MLP)?

MLP is just a vehicle for the investment. It would depend on the investment. A lot of these are Real Estate or Oil related. While they may provide income, they can also lose a lot of value.

Not really suitable as a replacement for a CD.

More risk = more reward. A CD is minimum risk but almost zero reward these days. When I started the 401k with my company I said to myself I wanted total security so I chose the stable value bond fund. 2% a year but almost no risk. A few months later I realized I was being too cautious since I could afford to lose it all. I switch to an S&P 500 growth fund and doubled my money.

Of course it lost 34% during the pandemic but it’s back to the positive now. You have to take more risk to get returns these days.

It depends. If it's your whole portfolio, you wouldn't want to be all in cash or all in risky investments. Sometimes, more risk means you lose a lot. It doesn't guarantee you a bigger reward.

My responses were about where to put cash that was in a CD. Assuming you have a balanced portfolio, I gave options.

Isn’t the old rule of thumb that your “safe” (in percentage) investments be close to your age?

Yes, if you were 65 then 65% of your money would be in secure investments.....bonds, in the old days. But, that doesn't work too well when bonds and interest rates are so low. Also the stock market has done quite well, so may want to adjust, maybe 30% secure....the old rules don't work any more.

About a month ago when he decided to start looking around for flip #3, I told him I don’t want to do this much longer so he better get his 3 sons interested. His response was he was surprised I’ve done as much as I have on the first 2 flips. Then he said, “do what you feel like doing but where can you make as much with your money as you can doing this? .😎

jmonroe

You mean he actually pays you for helping him. That is quite a son! Or you are quite an extortionist!

jmonroe1

driver100 said:

jmonroe1 said:

driver100 said:

tjc78 said:

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

kyfdx said:

explorerx4 said:

Have a CD is expiring tomorrow. WAS making 125/130 a month, now I would get 5 to 8 a month.
At the same bank, even my savings account is making 3 to 4 times what a 15 or 18 month CD would make.
Weird.

Duke Energy Premier Notes

How about Master Limited Partnerships (MLP)?

MLP is just a vehicle for the investment. It would depend on the investment. A lot of these are Real Estate or Oil related. While they may provide income, they can also lose a lot of value.

Not really suitable as a replacement for a CD.

More risk = more reward. A CD is minimum risk but almost zero reward these days. When I started the 401k with my company I said to myself I wanted total security so I chose the stable value bond fund. 2% a year but almost no risk. A few months later I realized I was being too cautious since I could afford to lose it all. I switch to an S&P 500 growth fund and doubled my money.

Of course it lost 34% during the pandemic but it’s back to the positive now. You have to take more risk to get returns these days.

It depends. If it's your whole portfolio, you wouldn't want to be all in cash or all in risky investments. Sometimes, more risk means you lose a lot. It doesn't guarantee you a bigger reward.

My responses were about where to put cash that was in a CD. Assuming you have a balanced portfolio, I gave options.

Isn’t the old rule of thumb that your “safe” (in percentage) investments be close to your age?

Yes, if you were 65 then 65% of your money would be in secure investments.....bonds, in the old days. But, that doesn't work too well when bonds and interest rates are so low. Also the stock market has done quite well, so may want to adjust, maybe 30% secure....the old rules don't work any more.

About a month ago when he decided to start looking around for flip #3, I told him I don’t want to do this much longer so he better get his 3 sons interested. His response was he was surprised I’ve done as much as I have on the first 2 flips. Then he said, “do what you feel like doing but where can you make as much with your money as you can doing this? .😎

jmonroe

You mean he actually pays you for helping him. That is quite a son! Or you are quite an extortionist!

No, he doesn’t pay me for my work or suggestions. Even he couldn’t afford what I would charge for the type of quality workmanship I provide. But I do get my investment money back and then some.

I never thought about that extortionist thingy. That deserves some more thought. I’ve never been adverse to making even more money...family or not.🤓

jmonroe

tjc78

stickguy said:

tjc78 said:

stickguy said:

with any luck (not my strong suit) the refi I just closed on is the last money I ever have to borrow. At least that is the plan, but no guarantee a car lease won't sneak in there at some point.

You have an unmarried daughter, right?.... don’t speak too soon. 50k wedding will make a big dent!

if she wants a $50k wedding, better find a rich guy because they will be paying for it. She's frugal anyway. If the choice is DP on a house or an expensive party, the party isn't winning.

roadburner said:

tjc78 said:

stickguy said:

with any luck (not my strong suit) the refi I just closed on is the last money I ever have to borrow. At least that is the plan, but no guarantee a car lease won't sneak in there at some point.

You have an unmarried daughter, right?.... don’t speak too soon. 50k wedding will make a big dent!

The latest wedding scam is where the bride's family begs the groom's family into helping finance the wedding. Two of my friends got hit with that.

Sometimes it’s the only way if the couple wants that big event. They are very expensive especially with big families.

Of course with Covid... not many big weddings going on anyway.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

kyfdx said:

tjc78 said:

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

kyfdx said:

explorerx4 said:

Have a CD is expiring tomorrow. WAS making 125/130 a month, now I would get 5 to 8 a month.
At the same bank, even my savings account is making 3 to 4 times what a 15 or 18 month CD would make.
Weird.

Duke Energy Premier Notes

How about Master Limited Partnerships (MLP)?

MLP is just a vehicle for the investment. It would depend on the investment. A lot of these are Real Estate or Oil related. While they may provide income, they can also lose a lot of value.

Not really suitable as a replacement for a CD.

More risk = more reward. A CD is minimum risk but almost zero reward these days. When I started the 401k with my company I said to myself I wanted total security so I chose the stable value bond fund. 2% a year but almost no risk. A few months later I realized I was being too cautious since I could afford to lose it all. I switch to an S&P 500 growth fund and doubled my money.

Of course it lost 34% during the pandemic but it’s back to the positive now. You have to take more risk to get returns these days.

It depends. If it's your whole portfolio, you wouldn't want to be all in cash or all in risky investments. Sometimes, more risk means you lose a lot. It doesn't guarantee you a bigger reward.

My responses were about where to put cash that was in a CD. Assuming you have a balanced portfolio, I gave options.

Isn’t the old rule of thumb that your “safe” (in percentage) investments be close to your age?

It used to be, have the percentage of bonds match your age. But, with people living longer, that's been adjusted downward (a lot). I'm not a big fan of bond funds..They trade too often, and take losses. But, if you have $500K or more, you can set up a bond ladder, that can provide current income, with very little chance of loss.

at some point I have to figure out how to set the retirement stuff up like that. Right now it is in the 401K plans. That is easy, especially since they started offering target date funds. As long as you are OK with that fund providers matrix, just dump the $ in and automatically allocated to stocks, bonds, etc. based on your age and anticipated retirement date.

Another good thing about target date funds (ours are with Vanguard): Not only do you get stock/bond diversification, you also get international diversification in both stocks and bonds. Roughly 70/30 US/Intl for both stocks and bonds. I find that's hard to achieve on the investments I hold directly.

cdnpinhead

Vanguard is hard to beat -- I've been with them for over 20 years with my tax-paid savings and an IRA, then rolled my 401(K) in when I retired. All my eggs in one basket, but it's a low-cost basket with lots of diversification possibilities. I've mentioned this before, but the rule I use is to subtract my age from 110 to determine the equity percentage in the portfolio. Bond and money market funds don't make a lot, but they sure cushion the dips in the equity markets. This year I made up the Covid losses by June and it's all been gravy since. Definitely need to rebalance after the first of the year.

YMMV

stickguy

I don't plan to do anything exotic, or try to do much on individual stocks, in the future. Vanguard has already figured it all out, so I will just pick what fits my current life phase and needs, dump it in there, and forget about it!

JM, are you doing this like on the flipper shows, where sometimes they get an investor to put up 1/2 the money, then they split the profit 50/50? I would not mind doing that, if I did not also have to do all the work! He at least is lucky that his flips have been during a market upswing. Also possible to get caught the other way and come out negative.

Weddings, only scam close to them is funerals. And nobody even wants to go to a funeral. I am a big proponent of the Vegas Elvis wedding chapel. Then have a nice party in the back yard or local VFW type rental hall when you get back. And put the other $45,000 into a nest egg or house down payment. Or even a nice new car!

driver100

jmonroe1 said:

driver100 said:

jmonroe1 said:

driver100 said:

tjc78 said:

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

kyfdx said:

explorerx4 said:

Have a CD is expiring tomorrow. WAS making 125/130 a month, now I would get 5 to 8 a month.
At the same bank, even my savings account is making 3 to 4 times what a 15 or 18 month CD would make.
Weird.

Duke Energy Premier Notes

How about Master Limited Partnerships (MLP)?

MLP is just a vehicle for the investment. It would depend on the investment. A lot of these are Real Estate or Oil related. While they may provide income, they can also lose a lot of value.

Not really suitable as a replacement for a CD.

More risk = more reward. A CD is minimum risk but almost zero reward these days. When I started the 401k with my company I said to myself I wanted total security so I chose the stable value bond fund. 2% a year but almost no risk. A few months later I realized I was being too cautious since I could afford to lose it all. I switch to an S&P 500 growth fund and doubled my money.

Of course it lost 34% during the pandemic but it’s back to the positive now. You have to take more risk to get returns these days.

It depends. If it's your whole portfolio, you wouldn't want to be all in cash or all in risky investments. Sometimes, more risk means you lose a lot. It doesn't guarantee you a bigger reward.

My responses were about where to put cash that was in a CD. Assuming you have a balanced portfolio, I gave options.

Isn’t the old rule of thumb that your “safe” (in percentage) investments be close to your age?

Yes, if you were 65 then 65% of your money would be in secure investments.....bonds, in the old days. But, that doesn't work too well when bonds and interest rates are so low. Also the stock market has done quite well, so may want to adjust, maybe 30% secure....the old rules don't work any more.

About a month ago when he decided to start looking around for flip #3, I told him I don’t want to do this much longer so he better get his 3 sons interested. His response was he was surprised I’ve done as much as I have on the first 2 flips. Then he said, “do what you feel like doing but where can you make as much with your money as you can doing this? .😎

jmonroe

You mean he actually pays you for helping him. That is quite a son! Or you are quite an extortionist!

No, he doesn’t pay me for my work or suggestions. Even he couldn’t afford what I would charge for the type of quality workmanship I provide. But I do get my investment money back and then some.

I never thought about that extortionist thingy. That deserves some more thought. I’ve never been adverse to making even more money...family or not.🤓

jmonroe

Poor kid, probably just trying to make the old man feel useful

suydam

roadburner said:

tjc78 said:

stickguy said:

with any luck (not my strong suit) the refi I just closed on is the last money I ever have to borrow. At least that is the plan, but no guarantee a car lease won't sneak in there at some point.

You have an unmarried daughter, right?.... don’t speak too soon. 50k wedding will make a big dent!

The latest wedding scam is where the bride's family begs the groom's family into helping finance the wedding. Two of my friends got hit with that.

It’s not a scam. It’s just how things are done these days. Everything split 50/50. It’s not like the old days when an expensive wedding was a substitute for a dowry. Our kids got married a year ago, pre-COVID. We split costs a third each way — kids, us, groom’s parents. We didn’t beg the groom’s parents. It was just understood and fairly upfront. That’s pretty typical, especially when the couple is early 30s rather than just starting out. We all helped with a down payment for their first house too.

ab348

driver100 said:

My niece moved from Toronto to Vancouver, has a good job there, doesn't need a car. She left behind a 2007 Jaguar XK Coupe. It was left at a garage.

My brother can't find the value of it since it is rare. I don't know the mileage or anything, but she thinks it won't start and may need a few things done to it....it has probably been there for over a year. She is considering giving it to a charity or something.

My suggestion was to call a Jag dealer in town and see if they are interested. Could also try a consignment lot where they would do all the selling, test drive, paperwork etc.
Any other suggestions?

Well a 13 y-o Jag is probably even money on whether it is going to start regardless. And of course a car that age will always need a few things after sitting for a while. I might try to find an indy garage that works on Jags and see what they think.

kyfdx

As the father of an engaged male offspring, I'm going with scam.

jmonroe1

stickguy said:

I don't plan to do anything exotic, or try to do much on individual stocks, in the future. Vanguard has already figured it all out, so I will just pick what fits my current life phase and needs, dump it in there, and forget about it!

JM, are you doing this like on the flipper shows, where sometimes they get an investor to put up 1/2 the money, then they split the profit 50/50? I would not mind doing that, if I did not also have to do all the work! He at least is lucky that his flips have been during a market upswing. Also possible to get caught the other way and come out negative.

Weddings, only scam close to them is funerals. And nobody even wants to go to a funeral. I am a big proponent of the Vegas Elvis wedding chapel. Then have a nice party in the back yard or local VFW type rental hall when you get back. And put the other $45,000 into a nest egg or house down payment. Or even a nice new car!

My Son was more than happy to split the profit but since he has done most of the heavy lifting by doing all of the work that needed done in the attic (even with knee pads my knees can’t take all that crawling around), so I decided 50/50 was not fair. So he wanted to know how to do it. As I was thinking about that his Mother said something like, “as long as we don’t lose anything and can at least get back around the 1% interest we won’t get from our bank savings account that’s fine with me. He laughs and says, “I’ll give you at least 5 times that, are you kidding? Before I could blink she says, “oh, we’re not trying to get rich doing this, 2% is good enough”, as she looks at me and says huh? I said, “well what’s wrong with getting rich with this. After all we did carry him for many years by feeding, clothing and picking up a good part of educating him. But you just gave away the store so we’ll just have to live with that.”

I will say this though, after the sale of the first flip, he took his family and us out for dinner at one of the more expensive fish joints in the Burgh. I’m pretty sure he’ll do that again. I can almost taste the one pound lobster tail I’ll be getting again. I know that took a few franklins from his profits. But I deserved it. Not so sure his Mother deserved it since all she did was point to a few areas and say, “I think it would be nice if you did this here”and more pointing saying the same thing. But don’t think for a minute I was going minimize all her help. 😳

jmonroe

28firefighter

Monterey Bay Fish Grotto?