The money you can afford to lose

[barrett]

My number is zero! Just wondering how many others feel this way.

[l82start]

the price of a dinner out at a nice restaurant.  between $150.00 and $200.00

[goodasgold]

Let's be realistic, guys. Sometimes even the PP has a losing year, such as 2013 (minus 3% real.) Although the losses are temporary and moderate. The Boglehead portfolio is good, too, but BH losses, sometimes heavy, can last for several years before recovering.

We have to think long term, which is why I am sticking with the PP.

[dualstow]

My number is zero! Just wondering how many others feel this way.

You know, I have no problem giving $100 at a time to various charitable organizations, but when a $23 flashlight went missing from my apartment after a maintenance visit, it felt like the end of the world.

Putting some money into individual stocks occasionally gives the same rush as giving to charity, and when those stocks are heavily in the red, well, they start to feel like that flashlight. 

I guess the best answer is that I feel I can afford to lose a few thousand in my VP, per year. If it happens for two years in a row, I might change my feelings about that.

[MachineGhost]

<=10%, but only within the context of a sound strategy.  Otherwise, its just gambling and I don't gamble.

[Ad Orientem]

I like the idea of maybe 10-20% in VT as a long term buy and hold. The rest though stays in an HBPP.