Search found 139 matches

by welderwannabe
Sat Nov 30, 2024 12:09 pm
Forum: Gold
Topic: Texas introduces GAULT legislation
Replies: 9
Views: 1543

Re: Texas introduces GAULT legislation

What I really want to know is this... if gold & silver in Texas become legal tender (I live in Houston), will that generate a legal case where the way gold is taxed Federally, as a Collectible, is challenged? That's probably a major intent of the legislation. How can we become part of the class...
by welderwannabe
Sat Nov 30, 2024 11:52 am
Forum: Bonds
Topic: "U.S. Treasuries not the safe bet they once were"
Replies: 77
Views: 14022

Re: "U.S. Treasuries not the safe bet they once were"

July 2018: $183,100 January 2022: $131,500 Ouch, I dont know what to tell you there. Even according to FRED govt statistics: Q2 of 2018 median home selling price was $315,000 Q3 of 2024 median home selling price was $420,400 That is a 33% increase in home prices. Porfolio visualizer. Q3 of 2018 $31...
by welderwannabe
Sat Nov 30, 2024 11:33 am
Forum: Bonds
Topic: "U.S. Treasuries not the safe bet they once were"
Replies: 77
Views: 14022

Re: "U.S. Treasuries not the safe bet they once were"

Kevin K. wrote: Sat Nov 30, 2024 10:07 am And it's not like it isn't subject to a ton of scrutiny by owners of TIPS bonds and managers of TIPS funds.
Nothing has more scrutiny than the monthly jobs reports, and the revisions in that thing are mind blowing. CPI is brought to you by the guys that do that.
by welderwannabe
Sat Nov 30, 2024 11:17 am
Forum: Bonds
Topic: "U.S. Treasuries not the safe bet they once were"
Replies: 77
Views: 14022

Re: "U.S. Treasuries not the safe bet they once were"

While I don't entirely disagree with your sentiments the dates you chose to compare TIPS and gold are arbitrary and obviously chosen to favor your argument for gold and against TIPS. I mean if we're going to just choose arbitrary dates to base our arguments on, here's a comparison of short-TIPS (VT...
by welderwannabe
Sat Nov 30, 2024 6:32 am
Forum: Bonds
Topic: "U.S. Treasuries not the safe bet they once were"
Replies: 77
Views: 14022

Re: "U.S. Treasuries not the safe bet they once were"

Was there any time period when one held TIPS were held to maturity that you did not get what was promised? A rate of return plus the inflation during that period? Yes, the entire time. The 'inflation' metric the government has invented and constantly changes, with some changes major, does not measu...
by welderwannabe
Fri Nov 29, 2024 2:23 pm
Forum: Bonds
Topic: "U.S. Treasuries not the safe bet they once were"
Replies: 77
Views: 14022

Re: "U.S. Treasuries not the safe bet they once were"

William Bernstein is one among many who have shown that gold is not an effective inflation hedge. It is a severe circumstances hedge. Well Bill Bernstein is a huge huge huge fan of TIPS. Ive heard him speak about it several times. Regardless, look over the years since TIPS were out. Pick reasonable...
by welderwannabe
Fri Nov 29, 2024 10:34 am
Forum: Bonds
Topic: "U.S. Treasuries not the safe bet they once were"
Replies: 77
Views: 14022

Re: "U.S. Treasuries not the safe bet they once were"

I do agree with adjusting the ratios of the assets. I find it unlikely that 25/25/25/25 just happened to be the perfect ratio for everything. Its that way for simplicity. Thats why I do 60/20/20. As for TIPS vs Gold, suggest people perform backtesting gold vs TIPS since TIPS have been available and ...
by welderwannabe
Fri Nov 29, 2024 7:28 am
Forum: Bonds
Topic: "U.S. Treasuries not the safe bet they once were"
Replies: 77
Views: 14022

Re: "U.S. Treasuries not the safe bet they once were"

Does anyone have any sage words of advice - are things going to get better for LTT? Keep DCA'ing and hang in there? Retool my PP? What? Stay the course. Maybe trim the position, but I wouldn't jump out. The most dangerous sentence in investing is 'This time its different'. The stock market will cra...
by welderwannabe
Fri Nov 29, 2024 7:23 am
Forum: Bonds
Topic: "U.S. Treasuries not the safe bet they once were"
Replies: 77
Views: 14022

Re: "U.S. Treasuries not the safe bet they once were"

Doesn't make any sense to me to not trust TIPS but trust nominal Treasuries, given that they are issued by the same entity. Sure it does. They both have a non zero default risk, sure, but Nominal Treasurys are a fixed rate, locked in for the life of the instrument. Tips are adjusted up and down bas...
by welderwannabe
Thu Nov 28, 2024 6:06 pm
Forum: Bonds
Topic: "U.S. Treasuries not the safe bet they once were"
Replies: 77
Views: 14022

Re: "U.S. Treasuries not the safe bet they once were"

Same with me, I don't enjoy owning LTTs, but I continue to do so. 20%. Not sure I trust tips, in fact I know I don't. The CPI they are indexed against is subject to too much manipulation. They continually change its definition and miraculously it always results in lower inflation output. Its also pu...
by welderwannabe
Sun Nov 24, 2024 2:34 pm
Forum: Cash
Topic: Portfolio Charts Cash Article
Replies: 8
Views: 1654

Re: Portfolio Charts Cash Article

No gold. My major concern is inflation. It's been demonstrated many times that gold does not protect against inflation. It only protects against severe events. I consider those to be extremely unlikely so want to protect against what I've already experienced for many years of my life and which, the...
by welderwannabe
Sat Nov 23, 2024 11:50 am
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Does it make sense to start at 4x25?
Replies: 28
Views: 8650

Re: Does it make sense to start at 4x25?

That all said, I keep lost of bonds in taxable. My theory is that our taxes are all likely to go up based on our deficits. Strap in for the ride. Are you thinking that you may have a harvestable capital loss with your bonds over time, as long rates stay high or go higher due to increased US Treasur...
by welderwannabe
Sat Nov 23, 2024 11:44 am
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Does it make sense to start at 4x25?
Replies: 28
Views: 8650

Re: Does it make sense to start at 4x25?

For traditional IRA types ... it ends up all the same with having it there or in taxable. Both taxed at ordinary income rates. Could be a different story for Roth IRA types. Only true if your marginal tax rate is the same when you're working as when you retire. In most case it isn't, your tax rate ...
by welderwannabe
Sat Nov 23, 2024 11:39 am
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Does it make sense to start at 4x25?
Replies: 28
Views: 8650

Re: Does it make sense to start at 4x25?

many retirees , self included tend to have built a lifestyle around their higher years and retirement income is about that range Watching my parents, now in their 70's, their tax rates were in fact higher in their early retirement. However, they are significantly lower now...22% to 24% marginal rat...
by welderwannabe
Sat Nov 23, 2024 11:35 am
Forum: Cash
Topic: Portfolio Charts Cash Article
Replies: 8
Views: 1654

Re: Portfolio Charts Cash Article

Is important to me because I have now evolved to soon investing a super simple portfolio. 35% Total Stock Market 15% Nominal Treasuries 50% TIPS Wow, no gold? My issue with TIPS is they are indexed against CPI, of which the government has changed the 'basket' of many times and I believe it under re...
by welderwannabe
Fri Nov 22, 2024 6:23 am
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Does it make sense to start at 4x25?
Replies: 28
Views: 8650

Re: Does it make sense to start at 4x25?

For traditional IRA types ... it ends up all the same with having it there or in taxable. Both taxed at ordinary income rates. Could be a different story for Roth IRA types. Only true if your marginal tax rate is the same when you're working as when you retire. In most case it isn't, your tax rate ...
by welderwannabe
Tue Nov 19, 2024 11:12 am
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Does it make sense to start at 4x25?
Replies: 28
Views: 8650

Re: Does it make sense to start at 4x25?

Im still accumulating, well at least until I quit my job in a few weeks.

I am 60% equities, 20% LTT, 20% gold.

The cash I keep is enough for 2 years of expenses. I feel thats enough. That is not included in the above.
by welderwannabe
Sat Nov 02, 2024 5:19 am
Forum: Gold
Topic: The GOLD scream room
Replies: 3762
Views: 1996420

Re: The GOLD scream room

When gold is on TikTok, time to rebalance I generally agree, but with our debt situation I feel like its still got room to move. Won't break my heart if it pulls back $1,000. I'd just buy more. Long term, in this country with both Trump and Harris spending plans, gold is going to become a very impo...
by welderwannabe
Sat Nov 02, 2024 5:17 am
Forum: Cash
Topic: iBonds / TreasuryDirect
Replies: 39
Views: 25987

Re: iBonds / TreasuryDirect

boglerdude wrote: Fri Nov 01, 2024 4:29 am Anybody doing leveraged. https://old.reddit.com/r/LETFs/
Nope. My guts can barely handle the non leveraged 30 year.
by welderwannabe
Sat Oct 26, 2024 11:31 am
Forum: Gold
Topic: 1031 exchange EFT -> Bullion
Replies: 6
Views: 6280

Re: 1031 exchange EFT -> Bullion

My understanding is after the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act (AKA the Trump Tax Cuts), the rules were tightened around 1031 exchanges to limit to only real estate. So no, I don't believe you can do this anymore.

I double checked with my wife, who is a CPA, and she confirmed we are SOL.
by welderwannabe
Sat Oct 26, 2024 11:21 am
Forum: Bonds
Topic: The Bond Dream Room
Replies: 564
Views: 406236

Re: The Bond Dream Room

Bond yields going up (so prices down). According to one letter I read, it's strong economic growth, a heavy demand for mortgages and a surge in oil prices. Or its is inflation expectations. Since the fed cut 50bp the 30 year has gone up 50bp. That lines up with the increase in gold, which tends to ...
by welderwannabe
Sun Oct 20, 2024 10:35 am
Forum: Cash
Topic: iBonds / TreasuryDirect
Replies: 39
Views: 25987

Re: iBonds / TreasuryDirect

yankees60 wrote: Sun Oct 13, 2024 8:04 am iBonds related.

If you have not yet bought your $10,000 limit for 2024, are you buying it this month or next?
I bought mine earlier in the year. Wife just bought hers to lock in the fixed rate, and also bought me a $10,000 'gift box' one i'll take possession of on 1/1/25.
by welderwannabe
Sun Oct 20, 2024 10:33 am
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: New Here - What are folks investing in
Replies: 18
Views: 10469

Re: New Here - What are folks investing in

60% Total Stock Market 20% Long Term Treasurys (mostly individual issues) 20% Gold (about 2/3 physical at a depository, other 1/3 in SGOL ETF) I have lots of cash too, but I hold cash based on my need to sleep at night. I don't manage it based on wanting a fixed allocation, but if I were to weigh i...
by welderwannabe
Thu Oct 03, 2024 12:56 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: New Here - What are folks investing in
Replies: 18
Views: 10469

Re: New Here - What are folks investing in

60% Total Stock Market 20% Long Term Treasurys (mostly individual issues) 20% Gold (about 2/3 physical at a depository, other 1/3 in SGOL ETF) I have lots of cash too, but I hold cash based on my need to sleep at night. I don't manage it based on wanting a fixed allocation, but if I were to weigh in...
by welderwannabe
Wed Sep 04, 2024 3:32 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Anyone using the Permanent Portfolio as a second level emergency fund?
Replies: 4
Views: 3660

Re: Anyone using the Permanent Portfolio as a second level emergency fund?

One of my favorite emergency fund vehicles are iBonds. Takes a while to build them up, but they adjust for inflation, you can cash them out in $1 increments after the first year, and the penalties for early withdrawal are small for the first 5 years (like 3 months interest on the amount youre taking...