I have worked hard in the last year to simplify our portfolio, mainly on the fixed income side. 65/35 Equity overall, 28% International Taxable brokerage acct: 70/30 Equity with Index funds. A mix of Dimensional/Vanguard/I-shares with a small cap/value tilt. These funds have significant imbedded capital gains. I have recently begun buying DFAW (Dimensional World Equity) as my individual bonds mature over the next 5 years. Ultimately, I will be around 90/10 Equity. The Interest and dividends have been funding our living expenses before Social Security/Railroad Retirement. My wife and I will start drawing that next year. Roth- 100% Equity Mainly Dimensional ETF's with a value tilt. Converted a significant portion of our taxable IRA's to Roth over the last 5+ years. Taxable IRA -100% TIPS I have a bond ladder for my estimated RMD's into my early 80's. Balance is in VTIP (Short term TIPS ETF).
Being an only child, my parent's estate was very simple. I had helped my dad realize he needed a will and directed him to a good attorney to prepare it. I have helped my relatives get their wills and assets in order. It made things so much easier. As far as disclosure of dollars in accounts, I am ambivalent. I knew my parent's financials. I helped one relative set up his estate to pass to his son. His son chose not to know the details. He just did not emotionally want to deal with it. I was with the son after his dad's passing. I walked him through the steps to take in the days after the funeral. Step one...call the estate attorney. It worked out OK not to know the details.
If you are an index investor, your particular index fund may or may not invest in this security at the IPO. Vanguard funds will probably invest after 5 days. The S&P 500 will consider after a year of trading, if profitability requirements are met. The devil is in the details.
Congratulations on the move. It appears you keep good records so make sure you have a good list of improvements and expenses of your sale and expenses related to your purchase. This may come in handy if you need it for your 2026 and future tax returns to calculate a potential taxable gain.
My wife turned 65 in November. The economics of the change are interesting. After her retirement, but before Medicare, she had a high-deductible, Blue Cross plan. The deductible was over $8000. In conjunction with the plan, we had an HSA. We funded the maximum each year. We also spent the full HSA each year in deductibles. In rough math, her costs were $12000 in premiums and $4000 in out-of-pocket costs. I will ignore the tax savings on the HSA contribution. Total=$16000/year. On Medicare, costs are Medicare premium + IRMAA+ Part D Medigap (G) + Part D prescription coverage (+small co-pays) + Medicare Part B deductible. Total= $10700 The Blue Cross plan gave her a broad network to choose from for doctors, hospitals and pharmacies. However, with such a high deductible, the benefit was basically getting Blue Cross pricing + government mandated mammograms and vaccines for free. Plan G Medicare has an "unlimited" network. While she has not seen the maximum "benefit" of the program, it is a better plan than the private option she left behind. In summary, Medicare is around a third cheaper than the private plan in her example.
John,
Thanks for sharing a well thought out plan. I used Fidelity's 529 (New Hampshire) plan for my 2 son's education. When the grandkids came along, I reviewed the 529 plans and the Fidelity plan (New Hampshire) still seemed the best fit. One son had a business conflict so the fund so we used was the second-best choice for his two kids, the my529 Plan (Utah) I was living in PA then and contributions were state tax deductible. I am now in Michigan and contributions are only deductible if you use the State of Michigan designated plans. Down the road we may give more to the grandkids, but the Trump plan is not completely defined by the US Treasury or IRS. Too many unknowns at this point. See article from Ed Slott's IRA newsletter. Grandparents Should Be Very Careful Before Opening Trump Accounts - Ed Slott and Company, LLC Will look forward to your experience with the program.
Comments
One idea I've used... turn off dividend reinvestment. This will allow you to accumulate cash and buy shares in an under allocated investment.
Post: When to Leave Your Portfolio Alone
Link to comment from June 27, 2026
I have worked hard in the last year to simplify our portfolio, mainly on the fixed income side. 65/35 Equity overall, 28% International Taxable brokerage acct: 70/30 Equity with Index funds. A mix of Dimensional/Vanguard/I-shares with a small cap/value tilt. These funds have significant imbedded capital gains. I have recently begun buying DFAW (Dimensional World Equity) as my individual bonds mature over the next 5 years. Ultimately, I will be around 90/10 Equity. The Interest and dividends have been funding our living expenses before Social Security/Railroad Retirement. My wife and I will start drawing that next year. Roth- 100% Equity Mainly Dimensional ETF's with a value tilt. Converted a significant portion of our taxable IRA's to Roth over the last 5+ years. Taxable IRA -100% TIPS I have a bond ladder for my estimated RMD's into my early 80's. Balance is in VTIP (Short term TIPS ETF).
Post: What’s in your portfolio ?
Link to comment from June 25, 2026
A good article from Morningstar explaining the Space X impact on index funds. The SpaceX IPO: How Index Funds Are Adapting | Morningstar
Post: SpaceX IPO: Is Margin Optional?
Link to comment from June 17, 2026
Being an only child, my parent's estate was very simple. I had helped my dad realize he needed a will and directed him to a good attorney to prepare it. I have helped my relatives get their wills and assets in order. It made things so much easier. As far as disclosure of dollars in accounts, I am ambivalent. I knew my parent's financials. I helped one relative set up his estate to pass to his son. His son chose not to know the details. He just did not emotionally want to deal with it. I was with the son after his dad's passing. I walked him through the steps to take in the days after the funeral. Step one...call the estate attorney. It worked out OK not to know the details.
Post: Time to share our financial info with children?
Link to comment from June 8, 2026
I came across this article from Alan Roth who tested AI for investment advice. He is one of my favorite investment writers. Analyzing the Analysis: How Do AI Portfolio Recommendations Hold Up? - Articles - Advisor Perspectives
Post: ChatGPT’s Portfolio Advice
Link to comment from June 8, 2026
If you are an index investor, your particular index fund may or may not invest in this security at the IPO. Vanguard funds will probably invest after 5 days. The S&P 500 will consider after a year of trading, if profitability requirements are met. The devil is in the details.
Post: SpaceX IPO: Is Margin Optional?
Link to comment from June 5, 2026
Congratulations on the move. It appears you keep good records so make sure you have a good list of improvements and expenses of your sale and expenses related to your purchase. This may come in handy if you need it for your 2026 and future tax returns to calculate a potential taxable gain.
Post: Moving is Expensive!
Link to comment from May 31, 2026
My wife turned 65 in November. The economics of the change are interesting. After her retirement, but before Medicare, she had a high-deductible, Blue Cross plan. The deductible was over $8000. In conjunction with the plan, we had an HSA. We funded the maximum each year. We also spent the full HSA each year in deductibles. In rough math, her costs were $12000 in premiums and $4000 in out-of-pocket costs. I will ignore the tax savings on the HSA contribution. Total=$16000/year. On Medicare, costs are Medicare premium + IRMAA+ Part D Medigap (G) + Part D prescription coverage (+small co-pays) + Medicare Part B deductible. Total= $10700 The Blue Cross plan gave her a broad network to choose from for doctors, hospitals and pharmacies. However, with such a high deductible, the benefit was basically getting Blue Cross pricing + government mandated mammograms and vaccines for free. Plan G Medicare has an "unlimited" network. While she has not seen the maximum "benefit" of the program, it is a better plan than the private option she left behind. In summary, Medicare is around a third cheaper than the private plan in her example.
Post: The reality of Social Security and Medicare- My real life experience.
Link to comment from May 6, 2026
The government. See press release from Treasury Dept. Treasury Department Designates BNY as Financial Agent to Support New Trump Accounts Program | U.S. Department of the Treasury
Post: Saving for Grandchildren
Link to comment from May 5, 2026
John, Thanks for sharing a well thought out plan. I used Fidelity's 529 (New Hampshire) plan for my 2 son's education. When the grandkids came along, I reviewed the 529 plans and the Fidelity plan (New Hampshire) still seemed the best fit. One son had a business conflict so the fund so we used was the second-best choice for his two kids, the my529 Plan (Utah) I was living in PA then and contributions were state tax deductible. I am now in Michigan and contributions are only deductible if you use the State of Michigan designated plans. Down the road we may give more to the grandkids, but the Trump plan is not completely defined by the US Treasury or IRS. Too many unknowns at this point. See article from Ed Slott's IRA newsletter. Grandparents Should Be Very Careful Before Opening Trump Accounts - Ed Slott and Company, LLC Will look forward to your experience with the program.
Post: Saving for Grandchildren
Link to comment from May 5, 2026