Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

ruking1 · April 2019

driver100 said:

jmonroe1 said:

abacomike said:

ruking1 said:

abacomike said:

driver100 said:

fintail said:
Was this an S-Class or higher AMG model or something? That's a big payment.

ruking1 said:

I’m a tad confused here. One spends $ 600. + on a new 2018? Miles? MB lease, unscheduled maintenance: alignment. In addition, spending say $1,432. per mo (lease) did not guarantee NO unscheduled maintenance. Indeed, it will cause/caused higher $ tire/s replacement & another alignment/check.

If I had a $600 unscheduled maintenance bill on a Honda Pilot with 136,000 miles, I’d pretty close to demand they cover it, warranty or NOT.

Your 2nd paragraph can be better, easily seen by CPMD: aka., $cost per mile driven.

I used a 2004 Honda Civic @ $ .0332 CPMD: depreciation. With NO $ figures, unnecessary fear, negative doubt & lack of precision are spread.

I would be beyond rapacious if I let a daughter go to doctoral studies/ school, 2,600 miles away with an unreliable & non durable car, even with 250,000 miles. Was/is this car durable and reliable? You be the judge.

I am really confused....I have no idea what the $600+ on a new 2018? Miles? MB lease......etc was all about.

And ruking says: "I used a 2004 Honda Civic @ $ .0332 CPMD: depreciation. With NO $ figures, unnecessary fear, negative doubt & lack of precision are spread.

I would be beyond rapacious if I let a daughter go to doctoral studies/ school, 2,600 miles away with an unreliable & non durable car, even with 250,000 miles. Was/is this car durable and reliable? You be the judge"

What does this mean?

I am sure some cars get to 250000 miles and are OK, my neighbors VW diesel had 300000 miles on it when the engine froze up. Some cars are fine for 400k miles, but, I would rather not risk the car dying on me before I can get something for it as a trade in. There is no right or wrong...it is what your gambling/tolerance level is.

You know....bulls and bears can make money in the market, but pigs can get slaughtered. Same kind of theory.
The only person on this forum who has a 2018 S Class Mercedes and pays about $600 per month on a lease with MB Leasing and has had alignments, etc., is me. So I am assuming "ruking" was attempting some sort of "slam" against me. I do not want to respond to his comments, although there are many, but I decided to respond to yours since you questioned what the heck he was talking about. There, I'm done!
A slam again you? NO! But they were simple questions in the discussion you didn’t answer.

In cars, for up to 250,000 miles, my large sedan choices would be: Lexus ES 350, ES 300h, Toyota Avalon, h.😎

I was not part of the discussion. I was totally uninvolved in it. I was totally confused as was Driver100. Have no idea how a 2018 S Class MB lease with new tires, alignment, etc. became part of YOUR discussion. That’s all!
@Mike, why are you upset? Don't feed the troll. I haven't understood that guy since he barged in here. The scroll button is your friend and me of course.

jmonroe

I'm glad you said that....I thought maybe it was me.
Maybe a cousin of someone else who appears every once in awhile

Too funny! 🎭 I guess simple questions & comparisons are not so simple.

houdini2 · April 2019

sda said:

henryn said:

sda said:
As dad always says money isn’t important unless you don’t have it. Hard truth.
I heard this statement, from many people, for many years, and never truly understood it or appreciated it until I had the chance to "live it". Which does NOT mean that I am rich, just that from day to day I don't worry about money. If the air conditioner breaks, I can pay to have it fixed or replaced, no biggie. No worries about "If I pay to fix the A/C how will I pay the mortgage this month?"

And once you do arrive at that point in life, everything changes, in a good way.

Exactly. You may not want to pay for the repair but you have the resources to do so without worrying how I’m going to provide for ‘x’.

I'd bet that a lot of us remember those days all too well. I remember hocking my golf clubs when we were first married so we could eat. Someone had stolen $80. (she had just cashed my pay check) from my wife's purse while she was grocery shopping.

Michaell · April 2019

Mr_Shiftright said:
I read somewhere that the best part of a vacation is planning for it.

Funny that you make that observation.

Was on a conference call this morning, and the host was sharing her screen. On her desktop, the image was of a large set of buildings on a beach. I asked about it, and was told that was where she was headed to on vacation (Costa Rica) later this year; the picture is her inspiration.

driver100 · April 2019

henryn said:

sda said:
As dad always says money isn’t important unless you don’t have it. Hard truth.
I heard this statement, from many people, for many years, and never truly understood it or appreciated it until I had the chance to "live it". Which does NOT mean that I am rich, just that from day to day I don't worry about money. If the air conditioner breaks, I can pay to have it fixed or replaced, no biggie. No worries about "If I pay to fix the A/C how will I pay the mortgage this month?"

And once you do arrive at that point in life, everything changes, in a good way.

Exactly. Our Fisher Paykal washer died after 15 years. We called the repair service, they can give you an estimate of what it would cost to fix it. When we said the electronics aren't working he said, don't bother getting it fixed.

Went to the appliance store, got a new FP washer and dryer to be delivered Thursday (the old dryer works fine but Mrs D needs them to match, unlike one person here whose initials are JM). None in the warehouse so we took the floor models and got a $150 discount on each.......paid $950 and $850, 15 years ago they cost $800 and $700......not much inflation for appliances.

We may have to eat cat food a few days this month.....but, it is nice to be able to buy a washer and dryer, get the one you want, and not have to rob Paul to pay Peter...or lose sleep over it.

28firefighter · April 2019

I get 5 weeks of PTO a year (4 usable after counting time for the Jewish high holidays etc.), but my wife only gets two usable weeks when we leave cushion for family holidays and such. Means a week a way at a time is the most we want to spare.

pensfan83 · April 2019

After visiting so many historic churches and cathedrals in Mexico to see what's happening in Paris is devastating.

roadburner · April 2019

I just hope that the Hunchback escaped unscathed.

dino001 · April 2019

pensfan83 said:
After visiting so many historic churches and cathedrals in Mexico to see what's happening in Paris is devastating.

This is something that's hard to comprehend. I'm not even French, but I feel like part of me was just ripped out.

ruking1 · April 2019

driver100 said:

henryn said:

sda said:
As dad always says money isn’t important unless you don’t have it. Hard truth.
I heard this statement, from many people, for many years, and never truly understood it or appreciated it until I had the chance to "live it". Which does NOT mean that I am rich, just that from day to day I don't worry about money. If the air conditioner breaks, I can pay to have it fixed or replaced, no biggie. No worries about "If I pay to fix the A/C how will I pay the mortgage this month?"

And once you do arrive at that point in life, everything changes, in a good way.

Exactly. Our Fisher Paykal washer died after 15 years. We called the repair service, they can give you an estimate of what it would cost to fix it. When we said the electronics aren't working he said, don't bother getting it fixed.

Went to the appliance store, got a new FP washer and dryer to be delivered Thursday (the old dryer works fine but Mrs D needs them to match, unlike one person here whose initials are JM). None in the warehouse so we took the floor models and got a $150 discount on each.......paid $950 and $850, 15 years ago they cost $800 and $700......not much inflation for appliances.

We may have to eat cat food a few days this month.....but, it is nice to be able to buy a washer and dryer, get the one you want, and not have to rob Paul to pay Peter...or lose sleep over it.

A washer (now 38 years young) (in one of two appliance sets) stopped working after 20 years. I/we were mentally ready to purchase another new set @ $ 1,700+. This “matching thing seems to be a disease.

The repair folks, (not sure why they sent 2) took it apart, while I left the scene, it’s like watching a real badly injured human or animal. After calls to Major TOM, CENTRAL CONTROL, & the repair folks conference, they asked for approval to replace a broken drive belt @ $10. + labor. So I asked them if it was better to replace it with the latest and greatest. He looked at me like I was crazy! He said hell no, keep this one! This newer belt should last longer! So as I recall, the repair & parts pick up trips cost about $75-$80.

ruking1 · April 2019

roadburner said:
I just hope that the Hunchback escaped unscathed.

Didn’t he get a job in Hollywood? 🤣 Was it a comedic “Frankenstein” remake?

explorerx4 · April 2019

Even looking on Wikipedia at the history and pictures, the cathedral is amazing.

explorerx4 · April 2019

At work, I get unlimited PTO. My manager says, if you don't have anything due for completion, he pretty much has to approve it.
Before the company went that policy, I think I had 6 weeks plus a couple of discretionary floaters.

28firefighter · April 2019

My wife's company had unlimited PTO for a while, but a couple people abused it and missed major milestones - now it is 15 days total.

tjc78 · April 2019

Is any time off today really...”off”

I work everyday I’m off in one way or another. When I’m on vacation I usually login early in the morning before we hit the beach and several times during the day on my phone.

I couldn’t imagine digging out from a week’s worth of email.

ruking1 · April 2019

tjc78 said:
Is any time off today really...”off”

I work everyday I’m off in one way or another. When I’m on vacation I usually login early in the morning before we hit the beach and several times during the day on my phone.

I couldn’t imagine digging out from a week’s worth of email.

Ain’t it grand? Once one gets used to working for one’s own entity, especially after drawing a pension & “Cadillac” health care, it makes one wonder why one didn’t do it YEARS earlier.

explorerx4 · April 2019

If I'm needed for work, my manager has my phone number.
I'll just drive to the office, only about 15 miles away.

berri · April 2019

There are actually some actively managed funds that can outperform the Index at the top level, but after costs to attain the gross return, it is hard to beat low cost index or ETF at the net return level.

28firefighter · April 2019

This vacation was the first time in the 8 years since I've entered the workforce that I have truly disconnected from work. I checked in and skimmed my inbox each morning to make sure nothing was on fire and then left my phone in my backpack the rest of the day.

ruking1 · April 2019

berri said:
There are actually some actively managed funds that can outperform the Index at the top level, but after costs to attain the gross return, it is hard to beat low cost index or ETF at the net return level.

What you are saying on all levels, are absolutely true. For me, the (Vanguard) Index 500’s no brainer aspect yields, low-cost are probably what are the more attractive. It’s yields are certainly better than what banks offer as “interest”. (Again, for me on the same monies) I made $2.28 in interest, vs $1,900. It takes me longer to write this paragraph description than to have make the decision. Why this brings out the HATERS in full regalia is amazing & instructive.

berri · April 2019

One aspect that differs on funds is that Index generally have much lower end of year capital gains distributions. So a managed fund will usually result in bigger tax impacts each year. But then, when you eventually sell an Index you have a bigger tax at that point since in a managed fund you've been paying more tax earlier in the ownership. Depends how you want to handle that aspect. Most prefer the Index situation, but if you hold it for a long period it can actually result in pushing up your tax bracket (rate) the year you cash it in and may affect other things like your Medicare premium down the road. If it just stays in the Index fund until you cash it your chips, it has the lowest tax result because you didn't pay much while alive and your heirs will probably get the money on a stepped up basis (ie. they inherit it at the current price which then becomes their tax cost basis of the fund). See, life is never simple

ruking1 · April 2019

28firefighter said:
This vacation was the first time in the 8 years since I've entered the workforce that I have truly disconnected from work. I checked in and skimmed my inbox each morning to make sure nothing was on fire and then left my phone in my backpack the rest of the day.

I participated in & lead the ‘emergency response” charges for 5 years, years ago. One learns to “ZONE OUT” in the shortest of time/space.

oldfarmer50 · April 2019

driver100 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

abacomike said:

bwia said:

For those saving for their next Buggati or high end vehicle consider parking your money in a high rate savings or CD.

Don't know why they are keeping it a secret but Citizens Access Bank is offering a 2.85% APY 1-year CD and 2.35% on savings. This is a strictly online bank (a subsidiary of Citizens Bank) and a $5,000 minimum is required to open. Considering the paltry 1.15% rate I'm getting right now its hard to pass up such attractive rates.

Does anyone have experience with these online savings banks? What are the risks and downsides? comments appreciated.

I am out of the stock market now. I was able to get a 2.65% 12 month CD and rolled over 5 other 12 and 15 month CD’s in the past 3 months at 2.6%. My checking account pays me 2.2% monthly which was better than the money markets the banks offered.

Rates have remained about the same over the past 3 months and in some cases rates have dropped a little.

But I have to remain conservative now - no more stock markets for me.
How about bonds? MLPs? Munis?

Your supposed to put your age as a percentage into bonds (If you are 75 then 75% bonds), and the rest into equities - 25%. That should cover you plus give you a bit of a kick if the market surges.

I’m about 65% stocks 35% bonds. Some of my stock funds act like bonds with their emphasis on dividends. Bond funds haven’t been as stable recently and if you bought them in the last year or two you would have lost principle.

oldfarmer50 · April 2019

Mr_Shiftright said:

berri said:
I wouldn't turn it down, but a million isn't really all that much today, even compared to a decade ago. Inflation compounds.
A million bucks doesn't go far in San Francisco. You'll pay about $650/ sq ft. and it won't be a pretty Victorian, either.

When your property is worth that much relative to the rest of the country it’s time to cash in, move out and return as a tourist.

oldfarmer50 · April 2019

ruking1 said:

fintail said:
Who gets 15.9% year over year for 30 years maybe other than funds put into a coddled public sector pension?

1MM in my zipcode gets you a "land value only" teardown house, lot probably under 9K sq ft.

And yeah, who (here anyway, I assume we consider ourselves car people) wants to drive a commuter box for 250K miles? Life is too short, hearses don't have luggage racks.
What % did you have in mind? Coddled public sector pensions usually do FAR worse than the minimum app 15.9 %, the extremely conservative Vanguard Index 500.

Then the $1M tear down house might be a good target to avoid altogether.

Life IS too far short! Why not retire @ 40 years old to 50 years old?

So for example, if one consumes OVER one’s nest egg’s income streams, https://finance.yahoo.com/news/retirees-control-apos-ll-pay-121500054.html part time jobs might be in order. One could be a courtesy driver for MB & drive almost any late model MB?🏎

Or work for a rent-a-car company and drive almost any late model car period.

ruking1 · April 2019

oldfarmer50 said:

ruking1 said:

fintail said:
Who gets 15.9% year over year for 30 years maybe other than funds put into a coddled public sector pension?

1MM in my zipcode gets you a "land value only" teardown house, lot probably under 9K sq ft.

And yeah, who (here anyway, I assume we consider ourselves car people) wants to drive a commuter box for 250K miles? Life is too short, hearses don't have luggage racks.
What % did you have in mind? Coddled public sector pensions usually do FAR worse than the minimum app 15.9 %, the extremely conservative Vanguard Index 500.

Then the $1M tear down house might be a good target to avoid altogether.

Life IS too far short! Why not retire @ 40 years old to 50 years old?

So for example, if one consumes OVER one’s nest egg’s income streams, https://finance.yahoo.com/news/retirees-control-apos-ll-pay-121500054.html part time jobs might be in order. One could be a courtesy driver for MB & drive almost any late model MB?🏎
Or work for a rent-a-car company and drive almost any late model car period.

How’s the coffee, donuts & bagels there? 🥯🥯☕️

andres3 · April 2019

driver100 said:

bwia said:
For those saving for their next Buggati or high end vehicle consider parking your money in a high rate savings or CD.

Don't know why they are keeping it a secret but Citizens Access Bank is offering a 2.85% APY 1-year CD and 2.35% on savings. This is a strictly online bank (a subsidiary of Citizens Bank) and a $5,000 minimum is required to open. Considering the paltry 1.15% rate I'm getting right now its hard to pass up such attractive rates.

Does anyone have experience with these online savings banks? What are the risks and downsides? comments appreciated.
I got the calculator out and if I did this right isn't 2.35% about $120 on $5000.
1.15% would be $57.
It's a big difference, but would I do all the work and transfer money from a real bank to a virtual bank that is desperate for money for $60?

As long as they are FDIC insured I don't worry a bit.

I don't look at it as they are desperate for money so much as I look at the Banks with low interest rates on savings/money market accounts as gougers, misers, robber-baron's, thieves, and tight-wads.

It's not like they are offering 30% interest rates, just a paltry 2.2-2.5 online.

andres3 · April 2019

dino001 said:

pensfan83 said:
After visiting so many historic churches and cathedrals in Mexico to see what's happening in Paris is devastating.
This is something that's hard to comprehend. I'm not even French, but I feel like part of me was just ripped out.

I felt the exact same way when I curbed my front bumper in my first Audi (the A3) badly on a high curb in a parking lot. I was so sad.

ruking1 · April 2019

oldfarmer50 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

berri said:
I wouldn't turn it down, but a million isn't really all that much today, even compared to a decade ago. Inflation compounds.
A million bucks doesn't go far in San Francisco. You'll pay about $650/ sq ft. and it won't be a pretty Victorian, either.

When your property is worth that much relative to the rest of the country it’s time to cash in, move out and return as a tourist.

Indeed ! & this in WSJ article, ...hard times!?

By Katherine Clarke
April 15, 2019 1:14 p.m. ET

“After four years on the market, and three price cuts, a stately Colonial-style home on Greenwich, Conn.’s tony Round Hill Road is being sold in a way that was once unthinkable in one of the country’s most affluent communities: It is getting auctioned off. Once asking $3.795 million, the four-bedroom property will be sold May 18 with Paramount Realty USA for a reserve price of just $1.8 million.”...

andres3 · April 2019

Speaking of mileage, I was able to get the TTS's long term average way down from about 23 MPG in just one weekend. Track weekends really skew that figure. I reset the long term calculator.

ruking1 · April 2019

andres3 said:

dino001 said:

pensfan83 said:
After visiting so many historic churches and cathedrals in Mexico to see what's happening in Paris is devastating.
This is something that's hard to comprehend. I'm not even French, but I feel like part of me was just ripped out.
I felt the exact same way when I curbed my front bumper in my first Audi (the A3) badly on a high curb in a parking lot. I was so sad.

So what was that song where Gilligan & the captain were the characters? A three hour tour?

The Notre Dame (3 hour) tour was about $47.48 USD. https://www.getyourguide.com/paris-l16/quick-entrance-to-notre-dame-tower-and-ile-de-la-cite-tour-t10511/

Religiously, it’s too coincidental to “holy days” to rule out “bad intentions”

andres3 · April 2019

Mr_Shiftright said:
Retire at 40 and do what? Play golf? Drink with other ex-pats in a foreign land? Go on cruises and dress up for the Halloween Party?

I bet most early retirees soon start up new businesses or careers, or die young.

Some just go from track to track driving and instructing away having fun. One hobby you can pamper with enough time and money.

oldfarmer50 · April 2019

ab348 said:

ruking1 said:
<
I just looked @ it. No change, no misread. Did you call them yet? So when the part I’ve access to changes, I’ll change it. Simple stuff really. IF I change merely to match your post, it will be incorrect to fraudulent.

The performance data shown represent past performance, which is not a guarantee of future results. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate, so that investors' shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data cited. Click a fund name to view standardized returns

You write like you all have never heard stuff like the above. It’s standard boiler plate. 🤣

Let me know if I could answer any of your questions, from obviously a consumers point of view.

Reading is hard for some apparently. You are obviously a real financial wizard.

Here is the chart I used, from their website.

See that "Since Inception" line with the date? Hard to have a 10 year return on something that hasn't been around that long. Also, look up what the word "benchmark" means.

I tried to help you, pal. You seem to be someone who is beyond help. I'm done trying.

Dear mods: Sorry, I don't normally make posts like this, but sometimes you can only take so much.

Don’t want to encourage in fighting but at least for the 500 index mutual fund (not the ETF) ruking1 is correct for the 10 year timeframe.

From my account website:

VFIAX Benchmark
YTD 13.65% 13.65%
1 year 9.46% 9.50%
3 year 13.47% 13.51%
5 year 10.87% 10.91%
10 year 15.90% 15.92%
Since inception 11/13/2000 6.17%
As of 03/31/2019

However, if you look at the 500 fund performance since inception you see a rate of return much closer to the historical 7% return of the overall stock market.

Never mind, I see dino001 already said the same thing.

explorerx4 · April 2019

That Greenwich property could be this one.
https://www.redfin.com/CT/Riverside/60-Lockwood-Ln-06878/home/107017639
What to you think? Property taxes are reasonable, considering. 12.5K.

driver100 · April 2019

ruking1 said:

driver100 said:

henryn said:

sda said:
As dad always says money isn’t important unless you don’t have it. Hard truth.
I heard this statement, from many people, for many years, and never truly understood it or appreciated it until I had the chance to "live it". Which does NOT mean that I am rich, just that from day to day I don't worry about money. If the air conditioner breaks, I can pay to have it fixed or replaced, no biggie. No worries about "If I pay to fix the A/C how will I pay the mortgage this month?"

And once you do arrive at that point in life, everything changes, in a good way.

Exactly. Our Fisher Paykal washer died after 15 years. We called the repair service, they can give you an estimate of what it would cost to fix it. When we said the electronics aren't working he said, don't bother getting it fixed.

Went to the appliance store, got a new FP washer and dryer to be delivered Thursday (the old dryer works fine but Mrs D needs them to match, unlike one person here whose initials are JM). None in the warehouse so we took the floor models and got a $150 discount on each.......paid $950 and $850, 15 years ago they cost $800 and $700......not much inflation for appliances.

We may have to eat cat food a few days this month.....but, it is nice to be able to buy a washer and dryer, get the one you want, and not have to rob Paul to pay Peter...or lose sleep over it.
A washer (now 38 years young) (in one of two appliance sets) stopped working after 20 years. I/we were mentally ready to purchase another new set @ $ 1,700+. This “matching thing seems to be a disease.

The repair folks, (not sure why they sent 2) took it apart, while I left the scene, it’s like watching a real badly injured human or animal. After calls to Major TOM, CENTRAL CONTROL, & the repair folks conference, they asked for approval to replace a broken drive belt @ $10. + labor. So I asked them if it was better to replace it with the latest and greatest. He looked at me like I was crazy! He said hell no, keep this one! This newer belt should last longer! So as I recall, the repair & parts pick up trips cost about $75-$80.

I guess you can do a load for .00037 cents per load!

I think it costs us about 60 cents a load (Cost &800, 15 years, 2 loads a week)

ruking1 · April 2019

driver100 said:

ruking1 said:

driver100 said:

henryn said:

sda said:
As dad always says money isn’t important unless you don’t have it. Hard truth.
I heard this statement, from many people, for many years, and never truly understood it or appreciated it until I had the chance to "live it". Which does NOT mean that I am rich, just that from day to day I don't worry about money. If the air conditioner breaks, I can pay to have it fixed or replaced, no biggie. No worries about "If I pay to fix the A/C how will I pay the mortgage this month?"

And once you do arrive at that point in life, everything changes, in a good way.

Exactly. Our Fisher Paykal washer died after 15 years. We called the repair service, they can give you an estimate of what it would cost to fix it. When we said the electronics aren't working he said, don't bother getting it fixed.

Went to the appliance store, got a new FP washer and dryer to be delivered Thursday (the old dryer works fine but Mrs D needs them to match, unlike one person here whose initials are JM). None in the warehouse so we took the floor models and got a $150 discount on each.......paid $950 and $850, 15 years ago they cost $800 and $700......not much inflation for appliances.

We may have to eat cat food a few days this month.....but, it is nice to be able to buy a washer and dryer, get the one you want, and not have to rob Paul to pay Peter...or lose sleep over it.
A washer (now 38 years young) (in one of two appliance sets) stopped working after 20 years. I/we were mentally ready to purchase another new set @ $ 1,700+. This “matching thing seems to be a disease.

The repair folks, (not sure why they sent 2) took it apart, while I left the scene, it’s like watching a real badly injured human or animal. After calls to Major TOM, CENTRAL CONTROL, & the repair folks conference, they asked for approval to replace a broken drive belt @ $10. + labor. So I asked them if it was better to replace it with the latest and greatest. He looked at me like I was crazy! He said hell no, keep this one! This newer belt should last longer! So as I recall, the repair & parts pick up trips cost about $75-$80.
I guess you can do a load for .00037 cents per load!

I think it costs us about 60 cents a load (Cost &800, 15 years, 2 loads a week)

App $.076 per wash load. It’s x 2 including dryer 😜👍 ($300 washer x2 dryer, 38 years, 2 loads per week)

driver100 · April 2019

oldfarmer50 said:

driver100 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

abacomike said:

bwia said:

For those saving for their next Buggati or high end vehicle consider parking your money in a high rate savings or CD.

Don't know why they are keeping it a secret but Citizens Access Bank is offering a 2.85% APY 1-year CD and 2.35% on savings. This is a strictly online bank (a subsidiary of Citizens Bank) and a $5,000 minimum is required to open. Considering the paltry 1.15% rate I'm getting right now its hard to pass up such attractive rates.

Does anyone have experience with these online savings banks? What are the risks and downsides? comments appreciated.

I am out of the stock market now. I was able to get a 2.65% 12 month CD and rolled over 5 other 12 and 15 month CD’s in the past 3 months at 2.6%. My checking account pays me 2.2% monthly which was better than the money markets the banks offered.

Rates have remained about the same over the past 3 months and in some cases rates have dropped a little.

But I have to remain conservative now - no more stock markets for me.
How about bonds? MLPs? Munis?
Your supposed to put your age as a percentage into bonds (If you are 75 then 75% bonds), and the rest into equities - 25%. That should cover you plus give you a bit of a kick if the market surges.

I’m about 65% stocks 35% bonds. Some of my stock funds act like bonds with their emphasis on dividends. Bond funds haven’t been as stable recently and if you bought them in the last year or two you would have lost principle.

We are 70% equities and 30% bonds and dividends....mostly dividends to give us income.......not bonds as much because they pay so little. I don't think you should be out of the stock market at any age....that was my real point. That is your best hope for making some real gains.

oldfarmer50 · April 2019

ruking1 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

ruking1 said:

fintail said:
Who gets 15.9% year over year for 30 years maybe other than funds put into a coddled public sector pension?

1MM in my zipcode gets you a "land value only" teardown house, lot probably under 9K sq ft.

And yeah, who (here anyway, I assume we consider ourselves car people) wants to drive a commuter box for 250K miles? Life is too short, hearses don't have luggage racks.
What % did you have in mind? Coddled public sector pensions usually do FAR worse than the minimum app 15.9 %, the extremely conservative Vanguard Index 500.

Then the $1M tear down house might be a good target to avoid altogether.

Life IS too far short! Why not retire @ 40 years old to 50 years old?

So for example, if one consumes OVER one’s nest egg’s income streams, https://finance.yahoo.com/news/retirees-control-apos-ll-pay-121500054.html part time jobs might be in order. One could be a courtesy driver for MB & drive almost any late model MB?🏎
Or work for a rent-a-car company and drive almost any late model car period.

How’s the coffee, donuts & bagels there? 🥯🥯☕️

We have to buy our own.

Last summer the “suits” from upstairs threw themselves a BBQ to reward their hard work. We weren’t invited but the rumor was that we could have any hot dogs 🌭that fell on the ground.

ruking1 · April 2019

oldfarmer50 said:

ruking1 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

ruking1 said:

fintail said:
Who gets 15.9% year over year for 30 years maybe other than funds put into a coddled public sector pension?

1MM in my zipcode gets you a "land value only" teardown house, lot probably under 9K sq ft.

And yeah, who (here anyway, I assume we consider ourselves car people) wants to drive a commuter box for 250K miles? Life is too short, hearses don't have luggage racks.
What % did you have in mind? Coddled public sector pensions usually do FAR worse than the minimum app 15.9 %, the extremely conservative Vanguard Index 500.

Then the $1M tear down house might be a good target to avoid altogether.

Life IS too far short! Why not retire @ 40 years old to 50 years old?

So for example, if one consumes OVER one’s nest egg’s income streams, https://finance.yahoo.com/news/retirees-control-apos-ll-pay-121500054.html part time jobs might be in order. One could be a courtesy driver for MB & drive almost any late model MB?🏎
Or work for a rent-a-car company and drive almost any late model car period.

How’s the coffee, donuts & bagels there? 🥯🥯☕️
We have to buy our own.

Last summer the “suits” from upstairs threw themselves a BBQ to reward their hard work. We weren’t invited but the rumor was that we could have any hot dogs 🌭that fell on the ground.

I don’t know what to say, on all 4 counts.

dino001 · April 2019

andres3 said:

I felt the exact same way when I curbed my front bumper in my first Audi (the A3) badly on a high curb in a parking lot. I was so sad.

Real class act.

Mr_Shiftright · April 2019

A million bucks doesn't go far in San Francisco. You'll pay about $650/ sq ft. and it won't be a pretty Victorian, either.

When your property is worth that much relative to the rest of the country it’s time to cash in, move out and return as a tourist.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Exactly. Last place in the world I'd want to live anymore. But SF was great in the 70s and 80s. You could live cheap, the city felt small and accessible. I had a Norton motorcycle and I'd rip around, spent a lot of time in North Beach. There was a great cabaret scene there, too, and small live theaters and music halls, cheap eats, low rents. It was pretty nice and you didn't have to bust your butt to afford it.

ruking1 · April 2019

oldfarmer50 said:

ab348 said:

ruking1 said:
<
I just looked @ it. No change, no misread. Did you call them yet? So when the part I’ve access to changes, I’ll change it. Simple stuff really. IF I change merely to match your post, it will be incorrect to fraudulent.

The performance data shown represent past performance, which is not a guarantee of future results. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate, so that investors' shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data cited. Click a fund name to view standardized returns

You write like you all have never heard stuff like the above. It’s standard boiler plate. 🤣

Let me know if I could answer any of your questions, from obviously a consumers point of view.

Reading is hard for some apparently. You are obviously a real financial wizard.

Here is the chart I used, from their website.

See that "Since Inception" line with the date? Hard to have a 10 year return on something that hasn't been around that long. Also, look up what the word "benchmark" means.

I tried to help you, pal. You seem to be someone who is beyond help. I'm done trying.

Dear mods: Sorry, I don't normally make posts like this, but sometimes you can only take so much.
Don’t want to encourage in fighting but at least for the 500 index mutual fund (not the ETF) ruking1 is correct for the 10 year timeframe.

From my account website:

VFIAX Benchmark
YTD 13.65% 13.65%
1 year 9.46% 9.50%
3 year 13.47% 13.51%
5 year 10.87% 10.91%
10 year 15.90% 15.92%
Since inception 11/13/2000 6.17%
As of 03/31/2019

However, if you look at the 500 fund performance since inception you see a rate of return much closer to the historical 7% return of the overall stock market.

Never mind, I see dino001 already said the same thing.

So, IF ONE CHOOSES to HAVE to be in mutual funds, the slide into other funds like mid cap, small cap, etc. can be important. It almost goes without saying taking profits is very important, just as buying low can be.

abacomike · April 2019

I have become a super fan of “Game Of Thrones” over the past 6 months. I saw the new episode last night and continue to be amazed at the special effects, outstanding acting performances and spectacular backgrounds and true epic screen shots.

4 months ago, I tuned into HBO on demand and literally became hypnotized over the first 7 seasons. Great entertainment for a TV series that was produced as if it was a 200 million dollar movie every week.

Was wondering if any of you guys caught the new season premier last night. It’s on again on HBO this evening in 10 minutes (10:00 PM EDT).

cdnpinhead · April 2019

Keep fees as low as possible, diversify, rebalance at least annually, and keep 110 minus your age in equities. It's worked for me so far but, as always, WMMV.

jipster · April 2019

Here's an interesting story from the sales frontline for you guys. As most of you may, or may not, remember, I've been looking for a 2010-2012 midsize sedan for my son. Trying to stay around 6 or 7k. Today I happen to be reading thru our neighborhood association website and someone had offered to sell their 2010 Hyundai Sonata GLS Only 48,000 miles, for $6,700. Supposedly in excellent shape.

I call the guy. He says he bought the car in 2012 when it had 19,000 miles. It was an executive lease vehicle. Says he bought the car for his daughter, who is unable to drive it due to severe anxiety. The guy only lives 10 minutes away, so Mrs. Jipster and I go take a look.

Nice car. Not great. Fairly clean. Cigarette burn on drivers side door. A bunch of dogs chewed a bit on his rear bumper. Says except for oil changes, he hasn't done anything to the car. Says needs brakes. We test drive. It does! Drives and handles well.Good power, but not too much. 4 cylinder. Get back to his house, about here is when you'll want to start taking notes, and the guy starts talking Kelley Blue Book price. $6,700. As y'all know, the ole Jipster don't play KBB. I played Edmunds True Market Value.....which may be why I'm still looking at cars. But, I mention how great an automotive site Edmunds is, and they value the private party price at $4,700 in clean condition. He says no way, Jose. I say, well, my son hasn't looked at the car yet, if we come over tomorrow and he likes it, will you split the difference and take $5,700. He again says too low. I mention the car will need new brakes all around, transmission flush as fluid is dirty, and.probably new tires as the tires on the car are showing signs of dry rot. He balks. I say I'll do $6,000 if my son likes it. And the guy agress. The Jipst method of used car buying has worked?

The guy texts me a few hours ago, says his fiancee put the kabash of the deal, and he can't sell it for $6,000. He'll sell it for $6,500, but I can make an offer close to his. Now...this was a really nice guy. I think he was honest with me. Mrs. Jip and.myself enjoyed speaking with him. So I respond we can't do $6,000 because of the repairs needed. I mention how these car web sites are crazy with how they value the exact car so far apart. Say thanks anyhow. But, come on, you make a deal, agree on a price...then go back on your word? Not cool. I think Jmonroe would have sold me his Legacy for $10,400 had I made the deal before he found out XXX company was going to give him $12,600....KACHING! Pretty sure he would. But, what are you gonna do?

Guy just texted back an hour ago, says he'll do what I had offered to do, split the difference, and sell the car for $6,250. I've yet to respond. It's late.

Thoughts? Questions? Comments? Snide remarks?

ruking1 · April 2019

I’d freeze. If I read you correctly, you are $250 over what the both of you agreed earlier. If you REALLY like the car, which you are saying is meh... offer $5,950. $250 UNDER. I don’t get there are a lot of stacked cash offers in the wings.

@ 48,000 miles needing oil/filter change, alignment, brakes pads, rotors, brake fluid, & transmission flush? It probably can use a deluxe inside & out detailing. Who knows what else?

28firefighter · April 2019

Sounds like it needs a lot of work for $6k. If it didn’t need those big ticket items I’d say do it.

ronsteve · April 2019

ruking1 said:

That Vanguard 500 fund return figure quoted is incorrect. The 15.92% is the 10 year return on the S&P 500 index itself. That number is inflated somewhat by the start date, since stocks cratered in 2008, so it benefits from a low value start point. The Vanguard fund has not been around for 10 years yet, having been started in the second half of 2010. Since inception it has returned 14.1%, while over the last 5 years it has returned 10.86%. As a stock index fund it offers the potential for high returns at the cost of considerable volatility, and it is considered a 4 on a 5-point risk scale where 5 is the highest.
Its correct, till it’s not. It’s from the Vanguard web site. Vanguard Index 500 10 year return is exactly where its from. Now IF you say Vanguard is incorrect, you should want to tell them. Let us know what they say. Once I see it corrected on the parts of the web site I see, I will make the 10 year correction. Pretty easy.

While the 15.9% return on this fund over 10 years is legit, anyone who knows anything about the market would know you can't count on that over 30 years. In fact it would be unreasonable to expect more than half that.

ruking1 · April 2019

Even I know that! But both the backward & forward looks are not indicative. Am I counting on that for 30 years? NO! Truthfully, it’s not hard to do better. But for no brains on INDEX 500, it’s a no brainer (pun intended) What did you think I meant about sliding between index 500, mid cap, small cap, etc.? What does it mean to you, that 6 % to 15.9 % (10 yr. ANNUALIZED) is better/worse than the 2.35% to less than 1% (guaranteed), while one’s cash is waiting? Judging by the overwhelming responses, most choose the lessers. Do you? If you are happy with the lessers, it’s a total waste of your time to read what I have posted.

jipster · April 2019

ruking1 said:
I’d freeze. If I read you correctly, you are $250 over what the both of you agreed earlier. If you REALLY like the car, which you are saying is meh... offer $5,950. $250 UNDER. I don’t get there are a lot of stacked cash offers in the wings.

@ 48,000 miles needing oil/filter change, alignment, brakes pads, rotors, brake fluid, & transmission flush? It probably can use a deluxe inside & out detailing. Who knows what else?

Well, we agreed in person on $6,000. Later on that day, the owner texted me back he can't do $6,000...he'll do $6,500. I texted, no thanks. Then owner came back an hour later and asked for me to split the difference of $6,000 and $6,500...and he'd take $6,250.

My wife really liked the car. When we were test driving it she suggested the most we offer be $6,400. I was thinking $6,000 would be about max. It's a very bland car...visually. So I liked it, but didn't feel the love.

On the maintenance, yeah the car only has 48,000 miles, but it's almost 10 years old and no fluid changes/maintenance except for oil. And yeah, the car could definitely use a good interior and exterior detail.

ruking1 · April 2019

jipster said:

ruking1 said:
I’d freeze. If I read you correctly, you are $250 over what the both of you agreed earlier. If you REALLY like the car, which you are saying is meh... offer $5,950. $250 UNDER. I don’t get there are a lot of stacked cash offers in the wings.

@ 48,000 miles needing oil/filter change, alignment, brakes pads, rotors, brake fluid, & transmission flush? It probably can use a deluxe inside & out detailing. Who knows what else?
Well, we agreed in person on $6,000. Later on that day, the owner texted me back he can't do $6,000...he'll do $6,500. I texted, no thanks. Then owner came back an hour later and asked for me to split the difference of $6,000 and $6,500...and he'd take $6,250.

My wife really liked the car. When we were test driving it she suggested the most we offer be $6,400. I was thinking $6,000 would be about max. It's a very bland car...visually. So I liked it, but didn't feel the love.

On the maintenance, yeah the car only has 48,000 miles, but it's almost 10 years old and no fluid changes/maintenance except for oil. And yeah, the car could definitely use a good interior and exterior detail.

The nearest I can figure, it needs about $1,100 + in unscheduled maintenance. So @ $7,100 it’s $2,400 more than the $4,700 CLEAN you mentioned.

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