Search found 2066 matches

by Tyler
Thu Oct 11, 2012 4:19 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: What are people's thoughts on art as investments
Replies: 8
Views: 1983

Re: What are people's thoughts on art as investments

My personal opinion is that buying art is sorta like buying a house.  It's possible to make money on it,  but more realistically you should simply expect a good one to be a decent store of value and buy for your own satisfaction rather than thinking of it as an investment. 
by Tyler
Wed Oct 10, 2012 3:31 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: If you had $1 Million in the PP, can you live off of that?
Replies: 106
Views: 40029

Re: If you had $1 Million in the PP, can you live off of that?

Why do you trust Quicken but not Mint when they're both owned by the same company (Intuit)?  Just not a fan of online services?
by Tyler
Wed Oct 10, 2012 8:04 am
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: If you had $1 Million in the PP, can you live off of that?
Replies: 106
Views: 40029

Re: If you had $1 Million in the PP, can you live off of that?

I wonder how many of those 3.5B people on < $1,225 per year use mint.com :) Good point. I read somewhere that the bottom 5% in wealth in the US still have more money on average than the top 1% in India. I think we can all use a little fresh perspective on "necessary expenses" every once in a while.
by Tyler
Wed Oct 10, 2012 12:13 am
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: If you had $1 Million in the PP, can you live off of that?
Replies: 106
Views: 40029

Re: If you had $1 Million in the PP, can you live off of that?

I've studied this in detail over the past year or two, tracking expenses on Mint and studying investment options (which led me to the PP).  The conclusion I reached is that my wife and I need a million dollars and a paid-off house to achieve financial independence. It's become a bit of a mantra. So ...
by Tyler
Sun Sep 30, 2012 8:49 pm
Forum: Cash
Topic: Schwab cuts ETF fees
Replies: 10
Views: 4463

Re: Schwab cuts ETF fees

I always use limit orders just to be safe, and haven't had any issues with the spreads during trading hours.  They're normally pretty tight.
by Tyler
Sat Sep 29, 2012 11:29 pm
Forum: Cash
Topic: Schwab cuts ETF fees
Replies: 10
Views: 4463

Schwab cuts ETF fees

Just FYI - I noticed that Schwab recently cut the fees for SCHO to 0.08%.  IMO, SCHO is a really good option for PP cash as it has substantially the same assets as SHY at (now) half the cost.  
by Tyler
Sat Sep 15, 2012 6:54 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Anti-U.S. Protests in the Muslim World
Replies: 111
Views: 35501

Re: Anti-U.S. Protests in the Muslim World

I understand that this is about more than a film, but the film was apparently the catalyst. Celebrating the anniversary of the WTC attacks by destroying embassies and murdering Americans was the motivation.  Blaming a YouTube video that's been out for weeks is simply the excuse for shifting the bla...
by Tyler
Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:51 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Impending Doom
Replies: 25
Views: 11438

Re: Impending Doom

I love the feeling of calm I have now when there's major market news yet I have zero worry about my investments.
by Tyler
Sat Sep 01, 2012 8:10 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Ready to make switch but not sure where to begin...
Replies: 70
Views: 37493

Re: Ready to make switch but not sure where to begin...

I handle my PP similar to Pointedstick. One PP for the taxable accounts, and a second spread across various IRAs and 401ks.  I'm also planning for ER, and the stability of the PP is one of the most appealing features for me.  Keeping my near-term accessible funds as a separate PP works well for my g...
by Tyler
Thu Aug 16, 2012 12:08 am
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: No Criminal Case Likely For MF Global
Replies: 4
Views: 1438

Re: No Criminal Case Likely For MF Global

Alternative headline: Major Political Fundraiser Has Powerful Friends
by Tyler
Wed Aug 15, 2012 2:32 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Bond dipping 6%!
Replies: 21
Views: 7944

Re: Bond dipping 6%!

I've been in the PP for about a year now.  I still check the components most days (out of interest, not fear), so I know how you feel.  What I learned over time is that one asset may be a drag for a few weeks but another may carry the portfolio the next few weeks.  The portfolio corrects over reason...
by Tyler
Sun Aug 12, 2012 11:22 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Any EarlyRetirementExtreme'ers here?
Replies: 19
Views: 6861

Re: Any EarlyRetirementExtreme'ers here?

I guess I'd call myself an aspiring EREer. Or maybe more correctly, an early semi-retiring Mr Money Mustache type. Take away the restaurants, and my wife and I spend about $300/month on food. We don't buy into organic marketing, we shop based on what's on sale, and we regularly visit farmers markets...
by Tyler
Sun Aug 12, 2012 12:56 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Romney Picks Paul Ryan
Replies: 68
Views: 22619

Re: Romney Picks Paul Ryan

he is just another politician .... i cant think of a more derogatory description of what he stands for or what he will do.... I think Ryan is a little too extreme in his budget policy to attract much interest outside of the Republican base.  Remember, his budget wanted to privatize Medicare and jus...
by Tyler
Sat Aug 11, 2012 11:52 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Romney Picks Paul Ryan
Replies: 68
Views: 22619

Re: Romney Picks Paul Ryan

Ryan may be young, but he's clearly the adult in the room.  Putting any real plan out there to address our economic problems will draw criticism as people have the opportunity to pick apart the details.  But compared to the President whose last budget proposal garnered zero votes even from his OWN p...
by Tyler
Mon Jul 30, 2012 9:22 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Is Algebra Necessary For Everyone?
Replies: 11
Views: 4520

Re: Is Algebra Necessary For Everyone?

I'm with Lone Wolf.  I don't think the problem with US schools is that we're teaching too much math.  We're just not good at teaching it. Like I saw pointed out on another blog, I'm an engineering major with a math minor, and even I didn't "get" differential equations until I took control systems an...
by Tyler
Sat Jul 28, 2012 7:24 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Is the Permanent Portfolio The Gold Medal Winner For Investing?
Replies: 63
Views: 24280

Re: Is the Permanent Portfolio The Gold Medal Winner For Investing?

That said a million dollars isn't wealth anymore. In fact I am not sure its even financial security for most people unless they are elderly and their remaining life expectancy is not very high. Just depends on your expenses.  With a paid off house, I could live pretty comfortably in an affordable a...
by Tyler
Sat Jul 28, 2012 3:40 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Let's Talk Headphones
Replies: 18
Views: 11101

Re: Let's Talk Headphones

Please post if there's anything you didn't like about the Beats. Likes: 1) The design is very attractive.  2) The general sound quality is quite good. 3) I like how you can swap out the cables if one gets damaged, or if you prefer the cable with built-in mic for taking calls. Dislikes: 1) The noise...
by Tyler
Sat Jul 28, 2012 1:24 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Let's Talk Headphones
Replies: 18
Views: 11101

Re: Let's Talk Headphones

For noise cancellation, good in-ear headphones actually reduce outside noise far more than the best noise-canceling over-ear headphones. Think of them as earplugs with speakers in them.  When I fly, that's what I always use. I actually own both the large Beats headphones, and some really expensive S...
by Tyler
Thu Jul 26, 2012 12:42 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: "The problem is, choice can be a terrible thing."
Replies: 27
Views: 10918

Re: "The problem is, choice can be a terrible thing."

I used to work for a design firm who made products for RadioShack.  RadioShack was a huge proponent of limiting product choices to 3 per category to make the decision process easier for customers.  They had studies that showed that analysis paralysis cost Best Buy money, and they went so far as to p...
by Tyler
Fri Jul 20, 2012 4:22 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Cable Cutting
Replies: 46
Views: 20922

Re: Cable Cutting

I'm on the verge of doing this myself.  Between a Roku box, Apple TV, and PS3 you can get more programming than you can ever watch. They all have their quirks, but if you're flexible it's pretty straightforward. I'll use Netflix for archived movies & shows, Hulu+ and the various network websites for...
by Tyler
Mon Jul 16, 2012 6:12 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Vast F.D.A. Effort Tracked E-Mails of Its Scientists
Replies: 12
Views: 5627

Re: Vast F.D.A. Effort Tracked E-Mails of Its Scientists

Where the scientists choose to work to me seems secondary to government intimidation of scientists.  In fact, I'd prefer the honest ones staying in the government jobs rather than all fleeing just for the right to be comfortably truthful. 
by Tyler
Mon Jul 09, 2012 12:20 am
Forum: Cash
Topic: Emergency Cash "Rules"
Replies: 32
Views: 15299

Re: Emergency Cash "Rules"

Maybe the "F-you" in F-you money comes not from the ability to quit your job at a moment's notice, but rather from the less tangible psychological satisfaction--the "inner F-you," if you will--that comes from knowing you can be more forthright at work without fear of the consequences of termination...
by Tyler
Sun Jul 08, 2012 5:24 pm
Forum: Cash
Topic: Emergency Cash "Rules"
Replies: 32
Views: 15299

Re: Emergency Cash "Rules"

I personally really enjoy having a cash emergency fund, as it contributes to my sense of security and personal freedom.  Before I became a PP convert, I would keep about 1 year of cash outside of investments to keep me sane.  One thing I love about the PP is that it keeps a full 25% of my money in c...
by Tyler
Sun Jul 08, 2012 2:07 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Drop the Money Bomb on Monsanto
Replies: 171
Views: 47973

Re: Drop the Money Bomb on Monsanto

Good article, Pres. Thanks for the link.  I have no doubt that issues like this at far more scientifically complex than can be distilled in a few sentences on a message board.  I do not believe that genetic engineering is 100% safe under all circumstances. Nor do I believe it needs to be banned, as ...