In April I rebalanced funds in TIAA/CREF (educator/academic here) from US growth index (QCGRIX) to international growth (QCGLIX). This was motivated in large part by Jonathan's posts on the value of a diversified global approach. No regrets so far. Lowered stress actually, if that can be quantified. Thank you Jonathan.
Living in an almost as expensive NJ town, I have the same thoughts about moving. Our children are out of state - PA and CA. What keeps me here though, is friends and maybe as much: medical availability. It's like Amazon - the NY suburbs get same day delivery- we also have same day choice of emergency or hospital care. Point of fact, NJ hospitals are in practice superior to NYC ones (personal experience).
Also, I did a Roth conversion near the bottom in April. As Jonathan noted recently it is really a matter of market timing and therefore a little stress inducing. But worth it in retrospect. If there is another greater downturn I'll do another conversion.
A portion of my retirement savings is in TIAA-CREF, where I had a large part in the CREF Growth fund - QCGRIX is the symbol. I have shifted most of it to the CREF Global fund - QCGLIX. Despite the name the latter is 67% in US stocks, but it is far less volatile than the Growth fund which turns out to have close to 10% of the portfolio in Nvidia!
Ordered a hard copy - for my 1 year old grandson. My two grown children seem to have picked up my frugal ways well enough, but I have less control over the next generation.
My wife and I did that 10 years ago and found it very enjoyable and relaxing. At the time it didn't seem expensive, not that much more than flying. And you arrive the UK without jet lag!
A painting by Jack B Yeats (brother of William Butler Yeats) in a shop in Dublin in the late 80's before he was "known". The $1,000 price was steep but in retrospect I could have managed it. Now it is in the millions. The painting was/is one I could relate to - a beach I spent summers at as a child. And it is a good painting ... it is not the money that I regret but the possibility of having a painting I could relate to but that was slightly out of my reach.
Very good points, especially the reminder about Japan. Thank you!
Mutual funds are the way to go for foreign stocks as I have learned the hard way. International stocks can fail for reasons we'd never expect of US ones. My biggest lesson involved Gazprom and Norilsk, low PE, high dividend stable Russian stocks. Both cratered when Russia invaded Ukraine, leaving foreign holders high and dry (but not Russians!) Fortunately, those were small plays compared with the approx 10% in Vanguard's VWILX and TIAA's QCGLIX, both global funds.
Great article - thank you!
Comment re Roth conversion timing. I've been doing it for last few years, just trying to stay within the tax bracket we'd be in otherwise, and so far so good. However, I have been lazy in delaying the conversion until the end of the year (December). In retrospect, I should be doing them earlier in the year. 2024 is a great example: had I done the conversion in January I would have the 15% or more the market has gone up as a tax free gain. By delaying until December I am paying tax on the gain, essentially.
Comments
In April I rebalanced funds in TIAA/CREF (educator/academic here) from US growth index (QCGRIX) to international growth (QCGLIX). This was motivated in large part by Jonathan's posts on the value of a diversified global approach. No regrets so far. Lowered stress actually, if that can be quantified. Thank you Jonathan.
Post: Rethinking Rebalancing by Jonathan Clements
Link to comment from July 6, 2025
Living in an almost as expensive NJ town, I have the same thoughts about moving. Our children are out of state - PA and CA. What keeps me here though, is friends and maybe as much: medical availability. It's like Amazon - the NY suburbs get same day delivery- we also have same day choice of emergency or hospital care. Point of fact, NJ hospitals are in practice superior to NYC ones (personal experience).
Post: When relocation in retirement is not an option, not what you really want. By Dick Quinn
Link to comment from June 14, 2025
J. Maynard Keynes actually. Shilling lives nearby and I have some of his home grown bee-honey thanks to a mutual friend.
Post: Listen to the Markets
Link to comment from May 31, 2025
Also, I did a Roth conversion near the bottom in April. As Jonathan noted recently it is really a matter of market timing and therefore a little stress inducing. But worth it in retrospect. If there is another greater downturn I'll do another conversion.
Post: Ch-Ch-Changes?
Link to comment from May 11, 2025
A portion of my retirement savings is in TIAA-CREF, where I had a large part in the CREF Growth fund - QCGRIX is the symbol. I have shifted most of it to the CREF Global fund - QCGLIX. Despite the name the latter is 67% in US stocks, but it is far less volatile than the Growth fund which turns out to have close to 10% of the portfolio in Nvidia!
Post: Ch-Ch-Changes?
Link to comment from May 11, 2025
Ordered a hard copy - for my 1 year old grandson. My two grown children seem to have picked up my frugal ways well enough, but I have less control over the next generation.
Post: Do It for the Kids
Link to comment from May 11, 2025
My wife and I did that 10 years ago and found it very enjoyable and relaxing. At the time it didn't seem expensive, not that much more than flying. And you arrive the UK without jet lag!
Post: Taking on Water by Jonathan Clements
Link to comment from March 24, 2025
A painting by Jack B Yeats (brother of William Butler Yeats) in a shop in Dublin in the late 80's before he was "known". The $1,000 price was steep but in retrospect I could have managed it. Now it is in the millions. The painting was/is one I could relate to - a beach I spent summers at as a child. And it is a good painting ... it is not the money that I regret but the possibility of having a painting I could relate to but that was slightly out of my reach.
Post: Hardly Missed
Link to comment from November 30, 2024
Very good points, especially the reminder about Japan. Thank you! Mutual funds are the way to go for foreign stocks as I have learned the hard way. International stocks can fail for reasons we'd never expect of US ones. My biggest lesson involved Gazprom and Norilsk, low PE, high dividend stable Russian stocks. Both cratered when Russia invaded Ukraine, leaving foreign holders high and dry (but not Russians!) Fortunately, those were small plays compared with the approx 10% in Vanguard's VWILX and TIAA's QCGLIX, both global funds.
Post: Stuck at Home
Link to comment from November 24, 2024
Great article - thank you! Comment re Roth conversion timing. I've been doing it for last few years, just trying to stay within the tax bracket we'd be in otherwise, and so far so good. However, I have been lazy in delaying the conversion until the end of the year (December). In retrospect, I should be doing them earlier in the year. 2024 is a great example: had I done the conversion in January I would have the 15% or more the market has gone up as a tax free gain. By delaying until December I am paying tax on the gain, essentially.
Post: A Taxing Retirement
Link to comment from November 17, 2024