Search found 302 matches

by gizmo_rat
Wed Oct 20, 2021 2:34 am
Forum: Gold
Topic: Did Bitcoin Kill Gold’s Monetary Utility?
Replies: 86
Views: 21340

Did Bitcoin Kill Gold’s Monetary Utility?

Some musings from Cullen Roche about how gold has failed to respond to the $6T the US gov pushed into the US economy, unlike bitcoin (maybe). PP allocation gets mentioned heavily. https://www.pragcap.com/did-bitcoin-kill-golds-monetary-utility/ Personally I still don't get cryptos, but I guess Marc ...
by gizmo_rat
Mon May 10, 2021 4:21 am
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Build Your Own Raspberry Pi Home Network Content Filter
Replies: 1
Views: 692

Re: Build Your Own Raspberry Pi Home Network Content Filter

I bought a Pi Zero W specifically for this, used an old phone charger to power it and an old sd card; Took about 15 minutes to set up. Works like a charm! It's a simple dns filter rather than a packet inspector but pretty effective. I find that it still has to block about 15% of network requests eve...
by gizmo_rat
Wed Nov 11, 2020 8:50 am
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Need Help Understanding Assembly Language
Replies: 30
Views: 5373

Re: Need Help Understanding Assembly Language

I'd suggest breaking the problem down into chunks, then compile, then compare the compiler asm output for each incremental chunk, then compare the different loop implementations. * So start with a simple assignment x = 1 , compile, look at the output , understand what its doing. Then some addition T...
by gizmo_rat
Sun May 24, 2020 4:05 am
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Is your pp passing the coronavirus test?
Replies: 34
Views: 14618

Re: Is your pp passing the coronavirus test?

I look every month or 2 and use 15/35 bands, IIRC the (UK) PP has only hit a band a handful of times since the 70’s.

My stocks are down to 17%, I can barely contain my excitement 😉
by gizmo_rat
Wed May 20, 2020 5:00 am
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Is your pp passing the coronavirus test?
Replies: 34
Views: 14618

Re: Is your pp passing the coronavirus test?

All good PP is up about 4% (has never hit a rebalance point in 10 years), however my Global 50/50 VP is only down about 1.5 %.

I’m very slowly tidying up into a GB ish type allocation for the longer term...Unless I lose my nerve, 10 years without a loss, still loss averse 😉.
by gizmo_rat
Wed May 06, 2020 2:49 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Time to replace Macbook Pro?
Replies: 96
Views: 28445

Re: Time to replace Macbook Pro?

WiseOne wrote:
Tue May 05, 2020 3:31 pm
I did Option 2 in 2013, and the limit I ran into is the battery - performance is otherwise fine.
If performance is adequate then I’d be tempted to get a decent battery replacement and give Apple a couple more years to reestablish their hardware mojo.
by gizmo_rat
Fri Aug 23, 2019 9:20 am
Forum: Variable Portfolio Discussion
Topic: REITs
Replies: 29
Views: 36254

Re: REITs

I've been thinking about a TSM/IT/BIL/GLD/REIT portfolio ever since I saw it drop out of the Portfolio Charts portfolio finder a while ago. https://portfoliocharts.com/portfolio/portfolio-finder/ It does perform really well againt the measures that matter to me (ulcer index, perpetual withdrawal rat...
by gizmo_rat
Fri Aug 23, 2019 8:59 am
Forum: Variable Portfolio Discussion
Topic: The Top 4 Portfolios to Recession-Proof Your Investments
Replies: 12
Views: 13886

Re: The Top 4 Portfolios to Recession-Proof Your Investments

Nice investigation and write up Tyler. Were you riffing of this slighty odd article at Monevator ? https://monevator.com/how-to-protect-your-portfolio-in-a-crisis I almost felt like they were dodging the conclusions that you've pushed up front in your article. Hopefully they'll pick up your write up...
by gizmo_rat
Wed Aug 07, 2019 7:08 am
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Will Trump be Re-elected?
Replies: 648
Views: 342978

Re: Will Trump be Re-elected?

Mountaineer wrote:
Wed Aug 07, 2019 5:39 am
Ditto re. Medium Tex - I still really like the Spyderco Delica knife he recommended to me. Excellent choice.
Portfolio recommendation worked out pretty well, not so sure about the leather chaps.
by gizmo_rat
Fri Jun 07, 2019 4:49 am
Forum: Gold
Topic: The GOLD scream room
Replies: 3689
Views: 1656545

Re: The GOLD scream room

Just me perhaps, I get bailing on a portfolio if you stick with it for a while and it just doesn't perform like you thought it would. What I don't get is the fixation on performance at the asset level. I'm sure I check performance too much, but I rarely pay any attention to the puzzle pieces. I thi...
by gizmo_rat
Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:21 pm
Forum: Gold
Topic: The GOLD scream room
Replies: 3689
Views: 1656545

Re: The GOLD scream room

dualstow wrote:
Thu Jun 06, 2019 12:34 pm
We had a user, catacombs, who bought gold and sold it at a loss. I don't think he'd even held it for a year. One year at most.
Well remembered dualstow, there were indeed some intense moments (and members ) on this forum. The level of drama for such a conservative portfolio was quite eye opening.
by gizmo_rat
Wed Oct 10, 2018 11:06 am
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: UK Sipp investment options
Replies: 1
Views: 2244

Re: UK Sipp investment options

Hey Superb376 Looks fine to me, only thing I'm not sure about is IGLT as the bond holding. I'm not sure that it's "long" enough, it's Duration is 11.36 years Maturity is 15.96 years, in contrast TLT which is the ETF the guys in the US use has a duration of 17.15 years and a maturity of 25.5 years wh...
by gizmo_rat
Sun May 13, 2018 11:13 am
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Top VPN
Replies: 12
Views: 7067

Re: Top VPN

I'm kind of considering this

https://disconnect.me/offer

It's not the best due to its location(s). I see it as more of a hint to your ISP that you value privacy, rather than something keep the feds out... but $49 for life!
by gizmo_rat
Sun May 13, 2018 11:05 am
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Freedom
Replies: 32
Views: 21459

Re: Freedom

A fine move Desert. Good times ahead with the family.

I set myself a 18 month deadline to my "kind of" sabbatical about 72 months ago now, haven't regretted one moment spent with my family.
by gizmo_rat
Sat Apr 14, 2018 4:26 am
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: New UK Portfolio Setup
Replies: 5
Views: 6068

Re: New UK Portfolio Setup

My situation was somewhat similar, I'm still wrapping up from taxable holdings into two ISAs. I've found in practice the PP is pretty tax efficient, I haven't hit any significant capital gains or income tax issues along the way. That said our income situation has changed year to year so long term pl...
by gizmo_rat
Wed Mar 28, 2018 3:43 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: New UK Portfolio Setup
Replies: 5
Views: 6068

Re: New UK Portfolio Setup

ATM I use iWeb and XO. Both low commission, no 'holding' fees . XO does Gilts online, iWeb you have to phone (I think). I don't have any short term bonds, hasn't been worth it during the time I've used the PP. I have some deep cash in ILSCs the rest is spread around various savings/current accounts,...
by gizmo_rat
Tue Mar 27, 2018 6:46 am
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: New UK Portfolio Setup
Replies: 5
Views: 6068

Re: New UK Portfolio Setup

Hi Banker 22 and welcome to the forum. Some thoughts on your questions I think over time the thing you need to worry about most is fees, make sure you choose the most suitable broker / fund combination. http://monevator.com/compare-uk-cheapest-online-brokers/ http://monevator.com/low-cost-index-trac...
by gizmo_rat
Tue Feb 20, 2018 3:51 am
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: My new project: KDE Plasma world domination
Replies: 22
Views: 14609

Re: My new project: KDE Plasma world domination

Desert wrote:Humans are built to chase passions, not to retire from them.
TJLYOM :)

Reminded me of a somewhat tongue in cheek rejoiner or modifier I read the other day.

http://thetattooedbuddha.com/2018/02/17 ... fold-path/
by gizmo_rat
Sat Feb 17, 2018 3:31 am
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: My new project: KDE Plasma world domination
Replies: 22
Views: 14609

Re: My new project: KDE Plasma world domination

Nice work, PS . I’m liking the sound of 1804, hope it all comes together.
by gizmo_rat
Mon Dec 11, 2017 9:30 am
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: How much is "enough" in the Permanent Portfolio?
Replies: 33
Views: 20517

Re: How much is "enough" in the Permanent Portfolio?

1. What do y'all think of the idea of using the PP as a base portfolio, then switching to 100% stocks once the PP is big enough? Been mulling that one over since Tyler added UK data to his site. The ‘portfolio finder’ spits out a PP + 20% EM mix for a .6% CAGR lift thats quite tempting… but ya know ...
by gizmo_rat
Sat Dec 09, 2017 4:33 am
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Nice Permanent Portfolio Discussion @ Monevator
Replies: 3
Views: 3410

Re: Nice Permanent Portfolio Discussion @ Monevator

Nice write up and good to see portfoliocharts getting some love in the comments.
by gizmo_rat
Tue Nov 28, 2017 6:56 am
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Best place to cash in Bitcoin for USD?
Replies: 15
Views: 11302

Re: Best place to cash in Bitcoin for USD?

Cullen Roche wrote a nice piece on bitcoin yesterday, also has lots of other ideas that resonate with HBs. I kind of like the idea of the addition of a dumbass portfolio to the PP/VP mix. ...with such a new technology everyone is essentially a dumbass and the most dangerous dumbasses are often the d...
by gizmo_rat
Thu Oct 19, 2017 4:44 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Facebook - The Product is You
Replies: 9
Views: 8918

Re: Facebook - The Product is You

I think that’s in safari 11, it tries to detect and discard tracking cookies. In terms of an ad tracking arms race the Adnauseam plugin is the tactical nuke. https://adnauseam.io/
by gizmo_rat
Thu Oct 19, 2017 7:02 am
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Facebook - The Product is You
Replies: 9
Views: 8918

Re: Facebook - The Product is You

Google facebook ect. all pushing the line that the surveillance makes the advertising super potent... really ?
When I switch off my adblocker and see 3/4 of a page of crap that I bought or decided not to buy months ago I get this sudden urge to clear my cookies purchase, right ?
by gizmo_rat
Mon Sep 11, 2017 10:22 am
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Equifax hack
Replies: 57
Views: 29922

Re: Equifax hack

I'm surprised this news doesn't seem to be getting a lot of attention. The theft of enough personal information to facilitate the ID theft of 140 million people sounds like the potential death of ez-credit as a policy to me. At the personal level here's a guide to protect yourself in the short term....