Not disagreeing, but why do you think the 10 month moving average provides a reasonable sell signal over some other possibilities?  What index are you comparing to the average?  Also, can you provide a link where one could check the 10 month moving average on a regular basis?  This obviously falls u...

Off topic, but please outline the "Desert Portfolio" once again.  Thanks.

A basic question.  Two of the reasons for holding physical gold is that it will hold some value in a catastrophe and it will allow me to purchase some goods and services in a time of crisis.  However, if everyone has lost nearly everything, what will I be able to buy with a $1000 gold piece - food, ...

Is the time nearing when a long term energy play in the variable portfolio would make sense, or has the bottom not been reached?  Short term there may be more room to drop, but I'm thinking 3-5 years out the industry has big profit potential, so why not buy low?  I'm attracted to the MLP ETF's (EMLP...

Small accounting item - many PP investors use Wellesley Income Fund.  How do you allocate that to your totals - all equity, all bond, all cash, 35-40% equity and 60-65% bond, 35-40% equity and 60-65% cash, or kept as part of your VP?

I use the PP because it's simple, based on theory, limits loss, and helps avoid daily checking and tinkering.  I was criticized in an earlier post because I didn't have any gold, and was bluntly told that I did not have a PP if I didn't have a 4x25, but yet those criticizing me admitted that they ha...

Again, I apologize for asking the obvious, but one of HB's basic tenets is to not invest in something you don't understand. MachineGhost states, "I've reduced my duration".  Common sense tells me that means he has shortened the average time frame for his bond pool to mature.  How does he d...

So, what's the consensus - take half of my TLT investment and move it to Wellesley, or build a barbell?  If a barbell is the answer, could someone give me a step by step example and tell me where and how to buy bonds.  To date, I've owned nothing but bond mutual funds or etfs, but like mathjak, I do...

Directed primarily to mathjak, but all responses (without insult) welcome. I'm very na�ve regarding financial studies.  I retired last year, my wife is working one more year.  We are able to save most of her income.  We live modestly, and for the foreseeable future, we should be able to meet expense...

I'm in over my head with the minimum volatility class of funds, so I would appreciate some insight on the theory and performance of these funds, and could they serve as a viable substitute to the core index funds in the permanent portfolio?  One objection I anticipate is that the PP is built on the ...

Food to start the conversation:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/should ... =afterbell

Point well taken, but I just think gold is expensive and while I'm guilty of trying to predict the market, I think IAU (for example) will drop to $11.00/share before it will go above $12.00/share.  I rolled over my retirement plan to an individual IRA in Oct. and I just haven't found an entry point ...

Just started my HBPP mid year and opted for a 30-30-30-10, but substituted REIT funds for gold.  Worked out well for 2014, but when the crash comes I will not have the protection that gold offers.  Hope to eventually purchase at least 15% gold, but hard to pull the trigger with gold looking so hopel...

Not an experienced invester, 75% of my funds in a PP (30-30-30-10).  Looking at some sector funds (transportation, health care, electronics, reits) with the remainder, buying on dips and riding the wave, probably converting to cash 3-6 months out.  Everything is in tax shielded retirement accounts e...

This debate is not new, but I tend to panic.  After all, everything on the internet is true, right?  Anyhow, what's the current opinion of the posters on this blog regarding gold manipulation by the Fed?  Is it occurring, does it impact your desire to hold gold as an insurance policy, and will it co...

Thanks for all of your comments.  I'm a little more settled.  I like the PP because year to year it seams to smooth out the losses.  I think I have enough dollars to live out my life, I just can't afford a big hit.  However, when I presented the plan to my wife, she felt it was much too conservative...

I'm confused.  I like what I've read about the HBPP and agree with the concept.  However, the suggested distribution is 4x25, yet I see many panel members with deviations to the recommended format.  Are you really following the plan if you vary from the 4x25?  One current position advanced on this t...

I read this article (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122790995714865339.html) a few years back and was impressed enough with the rational that I saved the link. The author suggests that the current value of the SS and Pension Income should be included under "bonds" in the standard 60/40 in...