MikeinLACA

Comments:

• Hard to argue with most of these. There’s logic, common sense, and experience behind most of your decisions. Except for the power of attorney. It’s basic and important. And was central to the advice I just got from my lawyer when I updated our family’s personal planning docs. How did a/he let you get out of the office without doing one?

  Post: What I Don’t Own

  Link to comment from March 4, 2023

• Another alternative to analysis paralysis is to do something, but not too nutty. How about investing a small portion of the cash (5, 10, 15%?) in diversified funds or ETFs or fixed-income products. You'll have the comfort of knowing that you did something forward-looking, yet you remain committed to the over-hold of cash. Less fretting, more enjoying.

  Post: Too Much Cash?

  Link to comment from November 20, 2022

• I work for the federal government. The plan is designed and marketed by Aetna to huge number of federal and military families. So confusing.

  Post: Maximum Thinking

  Link to comment from November 20, 2022

• A smart article (as always) from Adam. I'd politely push back on the point about "media endorsements," though. Putting Bankman-Fried on a magazine cover is hardly an endorsement - it's a way to sell a magazine story. And allowing the guy to make his pitch to folks at an NYT conference is simply the media facilitating communications. As Adam points out, it's up to the investor to decide the merits of the investment. Don't shoot the messenger. Also, don't trust a football player with your financial future...

  Post: The Next Buffett—Not

  Link to comment from November 20, 2022

• I agree with Jonathan that the marketing / pricing of high-deductible plans is confusing. My current plan has premiums comparable to a regular PPO plan - until you find out that the plan directly funds part of the HSA. So, the typical selling point of a HDHP (low premium) isn't even apparent on its face. My share of premiums is about $350 per month (yup, partially subsidized by my employer). After the insurer pays $240 to my HSA, though, it's really only $110 out of my pocket. Wouldn't it be in the insurer's interest to make that super clear in the marketing? Sheesh.

  Post: Maximum Thinking

  Link to comment from November 20, 2022

• Don’t tell me that you’re evaluating a transaction after the fact! If someone’s plan - without firm knowledge of the future change - was to buy the bonds in October, it’s hard to fault that. Market timing is imprecise!

  Post: Should Have Waited

  Link to comment from November 5, 2022

• Am I the only one who wants Michael to take the money and run? He's got 10 years until payments start. He has no control over whether, how, or where Exxon invests his money. And the worst case scenario of hoping that a regulator will come in to rescue a potentially failed pension situation down the road? Or he can invest it himself. Why not take the money and CHOOSE how to invest. Stocks, bonds, private annuity, etc. One firm, multiple firms, representatives or websites that he trusts, with real diversification. I understand the security and cost-benefit issues that our wise commentors make below. However, I see real value in self-directing this investment rather than relying on a single black-box solution that his corporate employer offers. Full disclosure - I'm a federal employee. My pension will come as long as the nation stands, although I have no ability to make the decision that Michael does. It's a real tradeoff.

  Post: Taking It Slow

  Link to comment from October 15, 2022

• The winner’s curse = the lucky family that paid the high price for the home on my block = my new comp! Thanks, neighbor.

  Post: The Winner’s Curse

  Link to comment from September 21, 2022

• The strong dollar reduces the price of imported goods, which helps fight inflation for US consumers. More importantly, it'll make my upcoming foreign travel much more affordable. . . !

  Post: Inflicting Pain

  Link to comment from September 3, 2022

• Thoughts on Schwab? SWVXX (their main purchased money market fund) appears to yield 2.07%. But as with the other firms, you need to buy it. Not a passive sweep fund.

  Post: Cash No Longer Trash

  Link to comment from August 6, 2022