Search found 84 matches

by ngcpa
Sat Sep 19, 2020 7:42 am
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: The Best Rewards Credit Cards for You, 2020
Replies: 3
Views: 922

Re: The Best Rewards Credit Cards for You, 2020

Sam's club Mastercard gives 5% on gas and 3% on restraints. Only drawback is you get a check for all your cash back once a year.
by ngcpa
Sat Jul 29, 2017 2:52 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Selling Restricted Stock
Replies: 8
Views: 7370

Re: Selling Restricted Stock

I had some restricted stock many years ago. I don't know if things have changed since then (this was about 20 years ago), but you couldn' just sign them over to a broker and have him sell them. I found I would have to go to a lawyer and have him do some magic before they could be sold. Unfortunately...
by ngcpa
Thu Mar 02, 2017 4:23 pm
Forum: Variable Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Bridesmaid Strategy
Replies: 1
Views: 2565

Re: Bridesmaid Strategy

For a long time now short term capital losses are treated no differently than long term capital losses.
Norm
by ngcpa
Sat Jun 18, 2016 5:13 pm
Forum: Cash
Topic: Cash-back from Schwab American Express Card
Replies: 21
Views: 21424

Re: Cash-back from Schwab American Express Card

I did receive a notice from them saying I would get a new card and number in July, but I guess I didn't read it carefully enough. I thought it would still be an AMEX card. I also see on their site that it will be a VISA card. Like you said, this is an advantage.
by ngcpa
Sat Jun 18, 2016 2:31 pm
Forum: Cash
Topic: Cash-back from Schwab American Express Card
Replies: 21
Views: 21424

Re: Cash-back from Schwab American Express Card

<<< They dumped AMEX and turning everyone into VISA.>>>

Fidelity has not notified me of this. Where did you hear this?
by ngcpa
Sat Jun 18, 2016 8:44 am
Forum: Cash
Topic: Cash-back from Schwab American Express Card
Replies: 21
Views: 21424

Re: Cash-back from Schwab American Express Card

Fidelity has an AMEX 2% back on everything that goes Into your brokerage account. No fees. I use it for everything but gas and restaurants . I have a M/C card that gives me 5% on gas and 3% on restaurants. The only minor drawback is that AMEX is not that widely accepted.
by ngcpa
Mon May 09, 2016 8:43 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Latest Asset Class Returns vs The Average Investor
Replies: 12
Views: 7413

Re: Latest Asset Class Returns vs The Average Investor

According to Longrundata.com, VGSIX  Vanguard's REIT index fund for the past 20 years the total return was over 11% annualized not 4 %.
by ngcpa
Mon May 09, 2016 7:22 am
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Latest Asset Class Returns vs The Average Investor
Replies: 12
Views: 7413

Re: Latest Asset Class Returns vs The Average Investor

Where did your data come from?  I don't believe REIT's only returned 4 % annually over the past 20 years.  Perhaps
without counting dividends.  I also don't believe the S&P 500 out performed REIT's over the 20 years.  I suspect
something is wrong here.
Norm
by ngcpa
Sun Apr 10, 2016 6:25 am
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: The Grandaddy of All Contested Conventions: The Great Klanbake of 1924
Replies: 4
Views: 2746

Re: The Grandaddy of All Contested Conventions: The Great Klanbake of 1924

A very famous quote of Will Rogers: When asked what political party he was a member of, Rogers said I don't belong to an organized political party, I'm a democrat.
by ngcpa
Mon Nov 09, 2015 9:07 am
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Best Recipes
Replies: 15
Views: 9155

Re: Best Recipes

Best Salad Break up a hard boiled egg with a whisk into small pieces.  Grate about 1/2 a wedge of parmesian cheese and squeeze one clove of garlic.  Add 2 oz. salad oil and 2 oz. red wine vinegar mix together with whisk.  Cut up either one red pepper or one tomato (I prefer red pepper) also romaine ...
by ngcpa
Sun Nov 01, 2015 6:38 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Chiropractors
Replies: 12
Views: 4373

Re: Chiropractors

I have had back and neck pain for over 15 years.  I found that in general chiropractors, massage therapists, etc. only work on symptoms.  although they may provide temporary relief, they don't cure.  I have tried most everything and finally found some help with The McKenzie Method.  I would highly r...
by ngcpa
Sat Sep 26, 2015 8:25 am
Forum: Variable Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Rental properties
Replies: 12
Views: 7823

Re: Rental properties

I personally never had a rental propery, but as a tax preparer, I have had numerous clients with rental proprties.  Some things to consider: - It is not three times the work to have 3 rental properties as it is to have 1 (there are definitely economies of scale). - If you have a lot of other income,...
by ngcpa
Tue Sep 15, 2015 6:06 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Questions re Long-Term Care Insurance
Replies: 11
Views: 3621

Re: Questions re Long-Term Care Insurance

You might not be aware that there are some tax deductions related to long term care insurance premiums.  Premiums do count as medical expenses, although there are limitations based on age, besides the 7 and 1/2 % floor.  Also many states have credits and special deductions (Maryland for example has ...
by ngcpa
Mon Aug 17, 2015 1:52 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Why doesn't the Permanent Portfolio has real estate?
Replies: 7
Views: 4137

Re: Why doesn't the Permanent Portfolio has real estate?

Hi Sophie:         Part of the benefit of rental property is being able to offset ordinary income from paper losses (mainly from depreciation).  Since 1987 these losses are limited to $25K/year and even could be partially or totally postponed  if you have adjusted gross income > $ 100K.  In the past...
by ngcpa
Sun Aug 16, 2015 3:56 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Why doesn't the Permanent Portfolio has real estate?
Replies: 7
Views: 4137

Re: Why doesn't the Permanent Portfolio has real estate?

The mutual fund contains REIT's in it.  Currently almost 10%.  I think generally at around  7 and 1/2%.  A large part of the stock allocation (generally 15 % of the total portfolio) consists of stocks of natural resources and REIT's.
by ngcpa
Fri Jul 10, 2015 3:42 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Tax loss help
Replies: 9
Views: 3429

Re: Tax loss help

I am a retired CPA that had an individual tax practice up until 8 years ago.  I wasn't Into corporate tax, but you might want to Google section 1244 stock losses. For some cases this section of the tax code allows you to treat small business losses as ordinary.This means if you satisfy the requireme...
by ngcpa
Mon May 25, 2015 7:39 am
Forum: Variable Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Reits as a % of the variable portfolio?
Replies: 4
Views: 4214

Re: Reits as a % of the variable portfolio?

The mutual fund (PRPFX) currently has about 8.3% of total assets in REITS.  That seems like a pretty good number.  Studies have shown that 10-15% is best, but these studies were done quite some time ago.  I believe REITS are less beneficial as a diversifier than in the past.  I don't currently have ...
by ngcpa
Sat Jan 10, 2015 2:17 pm
Forum: Variable Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Plunging Oil-When to Bite?
Replies: 19
Views: 11891

Re: Plunging Oil-When to Bite?

      I think the way to go is to buy the 3 U.S. majors - XOM, CVX & COP.  I might have been early, but I recently bought all 3.  If they drop further,  I will buy more.  On average, they have yields of about 4% and low payout ratios.  XOM has the lowest yield (3%), but is the best of the 3.  All 3 ...
by ngcpa
Tue May 20, 2014 8:09 pm
Forum: Stocks
Topic: Is This A Dangerous Time to be Out of the Market?
Replies: 13
Views: 9842

Re: Is This A Dangerous Time to be Out of the Market?

That is why bonds and gold are outperforming stocks

Perhaps this is true over a very , very short time frame like perhaps a week or two.  Over the past couple of years stocks have way outperformed bonds and gold
by ngcpa
Tue May 20, 2014 9:24 am
Forum: Stocks
Topic: Is This A Dangerous Time to be Out of the Market?
Replies: 13
Views: 9842

Re: Is This A Dangerous Time to be Out of the Market?

As long as long term interest rates remain low, stocks are a good place to be.
by ngcpa
Tue Dec 31, 2013 1:01 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Funds
Topic: Down 9.9% Today???
Replies: 42
Views: 30307

Re: Down 9.9% Today???

I am sorry if this comes off as nasty, as that is not my intention; but if you don't understand how this works, perhaps you shouldn't be investing.
by ngcpa
Thu Aug 22, 2013 5:44 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Doodle: "once you start to see reality, you cease to exist"
Replies: 25
Views: 10749

Re: Doodle: "once you start to see reality, you cease to exist"

This thread reminds me of a joke:  Rene Descartes (back in the day) walks into his favorite local bar and sits down.  The bartender asks him if he will have his usual, and Rene says I think not.  He immediately vanishes.
Norm
by ngcpa
Fri Aug 16, 2013 9:28 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: I am out!
Replies: 36
Views: 16029

I am out!

Today I sold all my gold (GTU) and my treasuries (actual 30-yr treasury bonds and TLT).  I didn't have any cash in my PP, but I had individual stocks which I have discussed in previous posts.  I kept 12 of my stocks (AMZN, AZO, BCPC, CHD, FLO, JBHT, ROL, ROST, RYN, SKT, SRCL & SXL) and sold 2 (CAT &...
by ngcpa
Fri Jun 28, 2013 4:59 pm
Forum: Gold
Topic: The Gold Crash Isn’t Over
Replies: 7
Views: 4690

Re: The Gold Crash Isn’t Over

I suspect gold has just about bottomed out.  With the mining costs currently higher than the value of gold, I suspect demand will overcome supply soon and prices will at least level off if not rise a bit.
Norm
by ngcpa
Tue Jun 18, 2013 7:00 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Apostrophe
Replies: 19
Views: 7951

Re: Apostrophe

And here I thought you were referring to  Frank Zappa's album!  One of the songs being "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow"