Cool, two questions:

Which market timing algorithm is used?

Is MaxDD on a month-to-month basis, day-to-day, etc?

Interesting, thanks for sharing. I'm considering just going to a low-cash PP -- something like 30/30/30/10.  I think this works well for accumulators like me where 10% is basically a hefty emergency fund.  Instead of letting cash accumulate and rebalancing, I'll just invest in lagging assets. Why di...

MediumTex wrote:

Figuring It Out wrote: Of course, in the end, it's all just a crapshoot, isn't it?

...or stated differently, gambling.

Have you tried spread betting?  Can you do this in the US?

Edit: Apparently illegal in the US, although it's conceptually similar to certain options trades.

I use it to continually prove the hypothesis that I suck at investing.

Contracts under the gold standard stipulated that the payment could be demanded in gold. It was a way to ensure that devaluation threats could be mitigated. Unfortunately, with the stroke of a pen and blessing from nine black robed federal employees it was all undone: Oh, so the past.  I can have a...

moda0306 wrote: As long as you pay in 100% of your prior year tax in withholding and pay the balance by 4/15, there should be no interest/penalties for the people you speak of.  May be 110% depending on income.

The 110% is not comforting.  Unless you are really into the I-bond tax refund.

I'm sick of all these monotonous up days.  So boring.

The super rich are blowing all their money on Kraft dinner... they just eat more.

How so?  Diamonds are very durable, small carats are worth more than small denomination gold coins and counterfeiting diamonds is gonna be impractical because natural diamonds have flaws, synthetics do not.  Ever heard of tungsten gold? Diamonds chip and crack quite easily - they are hard but britt...

craigr wrote: Allow businesses to price in dollars or gold or have gold contracts again.

Wait, what?  I must be missing something big here.  Please explain.

I believe it needs to meet the criteria of money; (1) durability, (2) divisibility, (3) transportability, and (4) noncounterfeitability.  Is there anything that even comes close to gold in these aspects? My vote goes to natural colored diamonds, especially if they are graded, laser stamped with a s...

WildAboutHarry wrote:
Quick, tell me what the GTU premium/discount is right now!  

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=gtu+premium&l=1

If you can handle a little flexibility I would go with that plan. ... And if you are doing ERE I would say that 3% is probably as high as I would be comfortable with. Well to me a key ERE trait is flexibility.  Most ERErs seem to expect that their post-ERE pursuits will likely present an opportunit...

Lone Wolf wrote: What formula are the ERE'ers and semi-ERE'ers here using?  Being able to live on a 3% drawdown?

Well, tying this into PP, my goal is to be able to live on the expected PP return over inflation :-P

I picked up the Trader Joe's Ca Estate olive oil today. Do you think it would keep longer if it's refrigerated. Yes, it will keep longer. But monounsaturated fat — such as olive oil — will become solid in the refrigerator. If it doesn't become solid, that usually means it's not a pure olive oil. LO...

Clive wrote: If your investment horizon is 15+ years there are safer, more rewarding alternatives (but that endure shorter term volatility).

I'd love to hear what this is.  I'm particularly interested in how you are determining "safeness"

Give it to me.  I'll take good care of it, and shine it every day.

Did this - totally worth it.  I just keep the minimum balance.  The opportunity cost for my $1500 cash is the around .8% I'd be earning in another account.

However, you do need to be lucky enough to get the mailer with a unique offer code.

craigr wrote:
Even putting all your money in cash right now guarantees a -3% loss due to inflation.

I expect more from you, craigr.  In what world is inflation guaranteed?  Don't we hold 25% cash in case of deflation?

Last I read, Iowa farmland is already overvalued, its hard to make a profit. But those that own their land and bought 10 years ago or more are doing just fine and profiting from higher rents. Just like any business you'll have winners and losers. [/quote] Last I read, gold is overvalued.  But those...

@stone, almost all my savings are taxable, and I've been too lazy to deal with the tax hassles of the gold ETFs in a taxable account.  Or are they not that bad?  I think they're probably not too bad when you sell in taxable... and wouldn't you have the same problem selling physical?  Plus, if you a...

Gold: 19.3%
Stock: 23.1%
Bonds: 23.3%
Cash:  34.2%

Yes, I started with 4x25, and have been accumulating cash... almost time to rebalance, eh?

(but I'm also considering using extra cash as a down payment on a house so...)

I realize the VP is only for money you can "afford to lose."  But what does this phrase mean?  I could lose every cent I have and be fine.  This is because I currently save a high percentage of my income.  Does this mean I should really move up the risk/reward curve from the PP?  Is the PP...

Cragr, which inflation metric do you use?  CPI, shadow stats, etc.  Not that it affects much, just curious.

Luckily, I don't have any treasured beliefs.  Everything is up for discussion.  Except for pyramid power.