Search found 257 matches

by Pet Hog
Tue Jan 05, 2016 7:42 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Tilt due to taxes?
Replies: 15
Views: 7822

Re: Tilt due to taxes?

Why would you want to do that? Because they are the most volatile. Also, as Mark stated above, "your yield is delivered as LT capital gains instead of interest." Consider two 30-year treasury bonds currently available at Fidelity: (A) Maturity 2/15/2045; coupon 2.50%; ask price: $903.91/bond; yield...
by Pet Hog
Tue Jan 05, 2016 3:36 am
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Tilt due to taxes?
Replies: 15
Views: 7822

Re: Tilt due to taxes?

... and buy new 30 year bonds with the lowest interest rate. Why would you want to do that? Because they are the most volatile. Also, as Mark stated above, "your yield is delivered as LT capital gains instead of interest." Consider two 30-year treasury bonds currently available at Fidelity: (A) Mat...
by Pet Hog
Fri Jan 01, 2016 4:36 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Poll: HBPP Component Predictions for 2015
Replies: 37
Views: 19105

Re: Poll: HBPP Component Predictions for 2015

For the year, I got: VTI -0.11% TLT -2.03% IAU -9.71% SHY +0.38% -2.88% (-2.63% real) I calculate slightly different numbers from the adjusted closes on Dec 31 2014 and the CPI-U from Nov 2014 to Nov 2015 (the latest year-over-year numbers available). VTI (from 103.93 to 104.30): +0.36% TLT (from 1...
by Pet Hog
Tue Dec 15, 2015 4:32 am
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Citizen's Dividend a reality in Finland
Replies: 33
Views: 12414

Re: Citizen's Dividend a reality in Finland

barrett wrote: The first sentence of the link the OP provided reads:

"Finland’s government is drawing up plans to pay every citizen a basic income of euros 800 ($1,165) each month, scrapping benefits altogether."

Am I the only one bothered by the bad math?
Not every dollar is a US dollar, Grasshopper.
by Pet Hog
Sat Dec 12, 2015 2:50 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Did Harry Browne consider this flaw in his strategy?
Replies: 41
Views: 21935

Re: Did Harry Browne consider this flaw in his strategy?

I'm no expert either, but a couple of things. HB published that book in 1989, I believe, when yields on 30-year treasuries were >8%, so there was definitely room to double if rates decreased.  Today, it's a different story, as you have stated. Your calculated maximum bond price increases of 64% (yie...
by Pet Hog
Fri Dec 11, 2015 5:05 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: PP now beating SP500 YTD
Replies: 61
Views: 29176

Re: PP now beating SP500 YTD

I like a mathematical challenge.  First up, S&P500: From Dec 31, 2014 (2058.90) to today (2012.37) = -2.260% Next, PP components (a four-ETF version; adjusted closes, so dividends reinvested): VTI: from 104.52 to 103.24 = -1.225% TLT: from 123.03 to 123.76 = +0.593% GLD: from 113.58 to 103.11 = -9....
by Pet Hog
Fri Dec 11, 2015 4:20 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: PP now beating SP500 YTD
Replies: 61
Views: 29176

Re: PP now beating SP500 YTD

Dec 1, 2014 :: 2,058 Dec 1, 2015 :: 2,052 S&P today :: 2,012 Not sure how to calculate precisely how the pp is doing, but is it time to revive this thread? I like a mathematical challenge.  First up, S&P500: From Dec 31, 2014 (2058.90) to today (2012.37) = -2.260% Next, PP components (a four-ETF ve...
by Pet Hog
Sat Nov 07, 2015 12:05 pm
Forum: Bonds
Topic: Getting Started with Bonds
Replies: 56
Views: 26217

Re: Getting Started with Bonds

The yield actually got as low as 2.25% on 1/30/ 16 . Please, Barrett, remember Harry's Rule #4 when posting on this forum! Wow…. Please forgive a newbie’s comment. I just read Craig’s PP book and WAS excited about moving money toward a strategy that was touted as safe, simple to implement, and easy...
by Pet Hog
Fri Nov 06, 2015 12:09 pm
Forum: Stocks
Topic: Quarterly vs yearly dividends
Replies: 7
Views: 6045

Re: Quarterly vs yearly dividends

ashantiwarrior, are these the two funds? https://www.fidelity.co.uk/fund-supermarket/Fidelity-Index-World-Fund-P-Inc-GB00BP8RYB62 https://www.fidelity.co.uk/fund-supermarket/Fidelity-Index-World-Fund-P-Acc-GB00BJS8SJ34 All things being equal, and if there is no difference between the two funds apart...
by Pet Hog
Tue Nov 03, 2015 6:23 pm
Forum: Bonds
Topic: Which maturity?
Replies: 11
Views: 6368

Re: Which maturity?

Actually I just thought of a third option. So it's: 1) Continue purchasing 2037-maturity bonds until it's time to roll over the entire lot, 2) Purchase bonds with the longest maturity no matter what (in this case 2039-maturity bonds), or 3) Roll over your entire 2037-maturity holding into the bonds...
by Pet Hog
Tue Nov 03, 2015 12:54 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Why the PP is better in accumulation than you think
Replies: 224
Views: 69388

Re: Why the PP is better in accumulation than you think

I am retiring in two years. I have the classic 25% PP. If I retired two years ago and drew out 4%, I am guessing I would down close to 8% since PP earned next to nothing in this time period. Assuming this is the case, what would I have to drop down to the the third year to avoid depleting my portfo...
by Pet Hog
Sat Oct 31, 2015 12:50 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: PP is once again positive YTD
Replies: 202
Views: 65601

Re: PP is once again positive YTD

Not only that, for the moment it's beating a 100% total stock market index portfolio and a conservative 55% bond Boglehead portfolio. All assets but stocks are once again positive YTD. Could turn around tomorrow, but it's at least a good reminder of how tough a year this has been for investments. U...
by Pet Hog
Tue Oct 27, 2015 7:18 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: If I live in Ireland, what is the Irish income tax burden?
Replies: 5
Views: 2812

Re: If I live in Ireland, what is the Irish income tax burden?

My gut feeling is that if you don't earn any money in Ireland then you would have to file only in the US.  When you say "Irish residency," do you mean you will be gaining residency in Ireland (like a US green card), or will you be there on a visa?  That might affect your tax status. (Perhaps someone...
by Pet Hog
Tue Oct 27, 2015 1:33 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: If I live in Ireland, what is the Irish income tax burden?
Replies: 5
Views: 2812

Re: If I live in Ireland, what is the Irish income tax burden?

Bedraggled, it might not be a fun read, but some of your questions are probably answered in IRS publication 54, Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad .  There is a tax treaty between the US and Ireland , so you should have no concerns about double-taxation.  I think that, as a US ci...
by Pet Hog
Fri Oct 16, 2015 6:49 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: The Truth About Cancer: A Global Quest
Replies: 14
Views: 5372

Re: The Truth About Cancer: A Global Quest

LOL, you'll find a lot of conspiracy Bullshit that alternative practitioners believe in just because its fashionably anti-corporate or anti-government and they get an emotional charge out of it.  While it can be true in many cases, it's not carte blanche.  No one just sits by and lets their economi...
by Pet Hog
Fri Oct 16, 2015 5:50 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: The Truth About Cancer: A Global Quest
Replies: 14
Views: 5372

Re: The Truth About Cancer: A Global Quest

I just watched the second episode.  The message is that a strong immune system is the best defense against cancer.  I can dig it.  Unfortunately, the documentary suggests it can best be achieved will healthy doses of snake oil, conspiracy theories, and anecdotal evidence, with a small drop of religi...
by Pet Hog
Wed Oct 14, 2015 6:51 pm
Forum: Stocks
Topic: Reinvesting dividends & interest in the Permanent Portfolio
Replies: 9
Views: 5553

Re: Reinvesting dividends & interest in the Permanent Portfolio

I would reinvest any dividends, coupons, or interest into the asset from which it came.  Mainly because that approach provides a slightly higher CAGR (see for yourself at peaktotrough.com).  The alternatives are letting it remain as cash or investing it in the asset of lowest value at the time.  I c...
by Pet Hog
Wed Oct 14, 2015 2:10 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Bill Gates and the Quest for Sustainable Energy
Replies: 12
Views: 2963

Re: Bill Gates and the Quest for Sustainable Energy

Although I think hes conflating CO2 with the alleged causes of global warming.  Pollution causes global cooling, not warming.  CO2 is a pollutant, yes? Well, there are pollutants and there are pollutants.  Atmospheric dust from a volcanic eruption, a forest fire, a nuclear explosion, or an asteroid...
by Pet Hog
Wed Oct 14, 2015 1:50 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: How to Interview a Doctor
Replies: 4
Views: 1633

Re: How to Interview a Doctor

I'll only comment on one item.  Did you know that MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) was originally named NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance)?  The name was changed to appease the "fear of everything nuclear" crowd and thus sell it to the ignorant masses.  Goes along with your other comment about the po...
by Pet Hog
Mon Oct 05, 2015 2:10 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Tighter Rebalancing Bands For Low-Return Environment?
Replies: 9
Views: 4556

Re: Tighter Rebalancing Bands For Low-Return Environment?

How about adopting a hybrid plan?  Like, combining "35/15" with "every two/three years," and then rebalancing whichever comes first.  That way you would keep the bands wide (handy for taking advantage of rapid and wide market swings), but never leaving the portfolio alone for too long (providing the...
by Pet Hog
Sun Jul 26, 2015 1:46 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Smoked meat
Replies: 7
Views: 5518

Re: Smoked meat

Reviving an old thread here, this may well be the worst article on grilling I've ever read: http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2015/07/grilling_feminism_and_masculinity_a_grand_unified_theory.html?wpsrc This guy needs some time away from his liberal friends. But I’m uncomfortable with t...
by Pet Hog
Tue Jun 30, 2015 8:28 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: No where to hide
Replies: 804
Views: 296901

Re: No where to hide

You know, the "can't afford to lose" part means "won't disappear" and not "will never ever ever decline in value." If there was a portfolio that had real gains with no nominal losses ever, everyone would be using it! About 50% of people -- especially Millennials -- do.  It's called C-A-S-H.  ;D I B...
by Pet Hog
Tue Jun 30, 2015 2:37 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Cool Chart Commentary
Replies: 11
Views: 6184

Re: Cool Chart Commentary

Another favorite of mine is from Ryan Melvey (melveyr).  http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Olmcg4ieFKg/TbcL7ZRl_5I/AAAAAAAAADM/QF68g7nuKMM/s1600/ppreal.jpg More info here: http://tinyurl.com/otuojkc Good chart but it looks like it ends in 2011...any chance of an updated version out to 2014 or (so far) 2015...
by Pet Hog
Mon Jun 29, 2015 1:37 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Thought Experiment
Replies: 84
Views: 22916

Re: Thought Experiment

It could get written up in the newspaper. From the original post: "What happens to you is sad, but it's not something that would get more than local news coverage (if it got any coverage at all)." OK, you got me, but it doesn't change my answer. If you're going to challenge my reading comprehension...
by Pet Hog
Mon Jun 29, 2015 12:53 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Thought Experiment
Replies: 84
Views: 22916

Re: Thought Experiment

The key to solving this puzzle seems to be that the death will be so ordinary that it wouldn't get written up in the local paper.  So no death during a mugging or some shooting incident.  I'm thinking a car crash; we know this man drives everywhere.  MT says the thought experiment is about risk, so ...