AUTHOR: quan nguyen on 7/21/2025 FIRST: Michael1 on 7/21 | RECENT: David Powell on 7/22
Comments
Wise suspicion about "this whole thing could be a scam"I would not ignore any such notice, but use this notice as a reminder to check on the internet security steps:Freeze credit, all 3 major credit agenciesSecure financial accounts with 2 factor authentication and activity alertsSecure passwords, preferably with password manager (I use Bitwarden)Minimize online footprint - stay discreet or uninterestingI don't rely on "free credit monitoring"I never give more personal information in exchange for protectionReddit sub-group r/Privacy has more, but I wouldn't act like I am a high value target.Stay safe, everyone.
When Benjamin Graham made the revision to his book "the Intelligent Investor" in 1972, passive index investing did not exist (not until Vanguard introduced it in 1976). Graham advocated for fundamental value investing using security analysis and margin of safety. Warren Buffet, a Graham's student, anchored his investing approach on those principles, and Berkshire Hathaway has outperformed passive index investing since its inception. It may be unfair to judge Graham's investing principles through the lens of modern index investing, given how profoundly the market has evolved since his time.
Wisdom, illness, and dementia await us near the end. I've learned that an unexamined portfolio is not worth keeping, but I'm afraid my timing will forget me before I remember to check it :)
Public school funding mechanisms vary vastly across states. California caps the property tax rates but guarantees a minimum share of the state budget for K-14 education. School districts also turn to general bonds and special parcel taxes for even more funding. This hybrid funding mechanism leaves room for local control, reduces inequality but suffers from economic volatilities. California schools got just above $23K per pupil per year in 2024, compared to $15K in Texas. Whether homeowners or renters, all residents have a stake in supporting education in the shared journey toward a better future.
"Dynamic Pricing" is better understood as supplier's pricing based on algorithms. (It does not apply to stock trading, where the market sets the price.) It started with American Airlines back in the 1980s, then it spread to hotel and car rental. With smart phone apps, even a ride on Uber or Waymo, or a Starbuck order carries different prices for different consumers based on locations, time of order, etc. Consumer acceptance - or backlash - largely depends on perception of fairness. Most consumers will gladly pay extra to snag a box seat or first-class ticket - when supply is truly limited, there is nothing quite like view from a velvet rope. On the other hand, they would resent "price gouging," however it is defined. Everybody seems to love a sale or martinee prices, but true discount depends on the actual sales at the maximum prices. So-called digital coupons are nothing more than an exchange of personal / behavioral data for a small discount. Premium credit cards used to offer price protection, but these card benefits have become rare and cardholders must go through cumbersome claims.
Thanks for the note on XDIV. I just had a quick look: it invests in 4 EFTs that track S&P 500, with 99.97% in IVV at present. The prospectus seems to say that it would sell all IVV shares before the published ex-dividend date. To announce the trade ahead of time seems to be an invitation to all "Flash boys" to come for free lunch. Unless the Roundhill management has another fund to buy them without going through an exchange, the strategy does not make sense to me. But then again, I'm not a professional trader, and the trading machinery is a black box even for the pros.
My take from this Morningstar's article: 1) Stock buyback vs dividend: a game played by corporation's board of directors, too complicated for retail investors to evaluate - best to ignore such games. If interested, pay attention to total shareholder yields 2) Dividend investors: there are many ways to get regular incomes: safe withdrawal rate from investment, share dividends, interest from bonds, annuity payments: talk to your financial advisor.
Dr. Physick, called the father of American surgery, brought the scientific approach in surgery from Europe to the U.S. in 1800s. But with bloodletting as the main treatment for nearly every ailment, no anesthesia, and germ theory still a few decades away (hence no aseptic surgical practice), it's hard to see why anyone would pine for those "good old days of health insurance." Modern health insurance bleeds us financially, but back then it drained both our wallets and our veins.
I thought this misinformation was addressed already in this forum back in July 2025 with the article titled "A major Medicare benefit just vanished." If anyone is interested in the truth, go to CMS official website, which clearly states the program is a six-year pilot and voluntary
From my years of training and indoctrination, I believe that my mind is controlled by the brain: the left hemisphere looks for things in the world to acquire, and the right hemisphere tries to find my proper place in the world for meaning (1). Modern neuroscience shows they need to work together, yet our culture prizes the left's efficiency with logic, language game, accumulation, while neglecting the right's mastery for connection and wonder. Only when survival and ambition quiet down does the mind truly and fully engages with life. The world reveals its hidden beauty beyond words. The cup of coffee contains the whole universe: warm sun, flavor of the earth and the beans, taste of the seasons, light reflection, soft sound with every sip. The moment is complete, without thinking "myself" or "my retirement" into it. (1) Iain McGilchrist's The Master and His Emissary (2009)
Comments
Wise suspicion about "this whole thing could be a scam" I would not ignore any such notice, but use this notice as a reminder to check on the internet security steps: Freeze credit, all 3 major credit agencies Secure financial accounts with 2 factor authentication and activity alerts Secure passwords, preferably with password manager (I use Bitwarden) Minimize online footprint - stay discreet or uninteresting I don't rely on "free credit monitoring" I never give more personal information in exchange for protection Reddit sub-group r/Privacy has more, but I wouldn't act like I am a high value target. Stay safe, everyone.
Post: Another week, another data breech notification letter…
Link to comment from November 16, 2025
When Benjamin Graham made the revision to his book "the Intelligent Investor" in 1972, passive index investing did not exist (not until Vanguard introduced it in 1976). Graham advocated for fundamental value investing using security analysis and margin of safety. Warren Buffet, a Graham's student, anchored his investing approach on those principles, and Berkshire Hathaway has outperformed passive index investing since its inception. It may be unfair to judge Graham's investing principles through the lens of modern index investing, given how profoundly the market has evolved since his time.
Post: Why would index investing be different?
Link to comment from November 16, 2025
Wisdom, illness, and dementia await us near the end. I've learned that an unexamined portfolio is not worth keeping, but I'm afraid my timing will forget me before I remember to check it :)
Post: I don’t know. Or care. But I will at the end of April.
Link to comment from October 30, 2025
Public school funding mechanisms vary vastly across states. California caps the property tax rates but guarantees a minimum share of the state budget for K-14 education. School districts also turn to general bonds and special parcel taxes for even more funding. This hybrid funding mechanism leaves room for local control, reduces inequality but suffers from economic volatilities. California schools got just above $23K per pupil per year in 2024, compared to $15K in Texas. Whether homeowners or renters, all residents have a stake in supporting education in the shared journey toward a better future.
Post: Public Schools and Property Taxes
Link to comment from October 28, 2025
"Dynamic Pricing" is better understood as supplier's pricing based on algorithms. (It does not apply to stock trading, where the market sets the price.) It started with American Airlines back in the 1980s, then it spread to hotel and car rental. With smart phone apps, even a ride on Uber or Waymo, or a Starbuck order carries different prices for different consumers based on locations, time of order, etc. Consumer acceptance - or backlash - largely depends on perception of fairness. Most consumers will gladly pay extra to snag a box seat or first-class ticket - when supply is truly limited, there is nothing quite like view from a velvet rope. On the other hand, they would resent "price gouging," however it is defined. Everybody seems to love a sale or martinee prices, but true discount depends on the actual sales at the maximum prices. So-called digital coupons are nothing more than an exchange of personal / behavioral data for a small discount. Premium credit cards used to offer price protection, but these card benefits have become rare and cardholders must go through cumbersome claims.
Post: Hit With Dynamic Pricing! Has this happened to you?
Link to comment from October 9, 2025
Thanks for the note on XDIV. I just had a quick look: it invests in 4 EFTs that track S&P 500, with 99.97% in IVV at present. The prospectus seems to say that it would sell all IVV shares before the published ex-dividend date. To announce the trade ahead of time seems to be an invitation to all "Flash boys" to come for free lunch. Unless the Roundhill management has another fund to buy them without going through an exchange, the strategy does not make sense to me. But then again, I'm not a professional trader, and the trading machinery is a black box even for the pros.
Post: Are You a Dividend Investor? If so Read This!
Link to comment from October 9, 2025
My take from this Morningstar's article: 1) Stock buyback vs dividend: a game played by corporation's board of directors, too complicated for retail investors to evaluate - best to ignore such games. If interested, pay attention to total shareholder yields 2) Dividend investors: there are many ways to get regular incomes: safe withdrawal rate from investment, share dividends, interest from bonds, annuity payments: talk to your financial advisor.
Post: Are You a Dividend Investor? If so Read This!
Link to comment from October 9, 2025
Dr. Physick, called the father of American surgery, brought the scientific approach in surgery from Europe to the U.S. in 1800s. But with bloodletting as the main treatment for nearly every ailment, no anesthesia, and germ theory still a few decades away (hence no aseptic surgical practice), it's hard to see why anyone would pine for those "good old days of health insurance." Modern health insurance bleeds us financially, but back then it drained both our wallets and our veins.
Post: THE GOOD OLD DAYS OF HEALTH INSURANCE
Link to comment from October 8, 2025
I thought this misinformation was addressed already in this forum back in July 2025 with the article titled "A major Medicare benefit just vanished." If anyone is interested in the truth, go to CMS official website, which clearly states the program is a six-year pilot and voluntary
Post: Medicare Advantage update- it may be a bumpy ride.
Link to comment from October 6, 2025
From my years of training and indoctrination, I believe that my mind is controlled by the brain: the left hemisphere looks for things in the world to acquire, and the right hemisphere tries to find my proper place in the world for meaning (1). Modern neuroscience shows they need to work together, yet our culture prizes the left's efficiency with logic, language game, accumulation, while neglecting the right's mastery for connection and wonder. Only when survival and ambition quiet down does the mind truly and fully engages with life. The world reveals its hidden beauty beyond words. The cup of coffee contains the whole universe: warm sun, flavor of the earth and the beans, taste of the seasons, light reflection, soft sound with every sip. The moment is complete, without thinking "myself" or "my retirement" into it. (1) Iain McGilchrist's The Master and His Emissary (2009)
Post: The Real Wealth of Retirement (Hint: It’s Not Financial)
Link to comment from October 6, 2025