Comments on: A Look At My Own Mutual Fund Portfolio http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/03/27/a-look-at-my-own-mutual-fund-portfolio/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:21:53 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: 3bean http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/03/27/a-look-at-my-own-mutual-fund-portfolio/comment-page-1/#comment-13934 3bean Thu, 29 Mar 2007 03:17:15 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/03/27/a-look-at-my-own-mutual-fund-portfolio/#comment-13934 As long as I'm monopolizing the comments- here's another question: You've previosuly mentioned that you and your wife don't "share" money 100%. Does she have her own 401K and non-retirement investments? As long as I’m monopolizing the comments- here’s another question:

You’ve previosuly mentioned that you and your wife don’t “share” money 100%. Does she have her own 401K and non-retirement investments?

]]> By: 3bean http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/03/27/a-look-at-my-own-mutual-fund-portfolio/comment-page-1/#comment-13932 3bean Thu, 29 Mar 2007 03:11:31 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/03/27/a-look-at-my-own-mutual-fund-portfolio/#comment-13932 Doh! I was reading entries in reverse order! My questions are answered in this post! Sorry! Doh! I was reading entries in reverse order! My questions are answered in this post! Sorry!

]]> By: 3bean http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/03/27/a-look-at-my-own-mutual-fund-portfolio/comment-page-1/#comment-13930 3bean Thu, 29 Mar 2007 03:05:43 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/03/27/a-look-at-my-own-mutual-fund-portfolio/#comment-13930 Trent- what's your timeline for a home purchase? Is the bulk of your downpayment savings in the Vanguard 500? We're saving for a house down payment, too-- hoefully in the next 4-5 years. I've been advised to keep the money "safe". I understand the logic but my nature I'm a risk taker and have been contemplating money some of it to Vanguard 500. Trent- what’s your timeline for a home purchase? Is the bulk of your downpayment savings in the Vanguard 500? We’re saving for a house down payment, too– hoefully in the next 4-5 years. I’ve been advised to keep the money “safe”. I understand the logic but my nature I’m a risk taker and have been contemplating money some of it to Vanguard 500.

]]> By: Duane http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/03/27/a-look-at-my-own-mutual-fund-portfolio/comment-page-1/#comment-13784 Duane Wed, 28 Mar 2007 18:30:53 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/03/27/a-look-at-my-own-mutual-fund-portfolio/#comment-13784 You may be interested to know that many states have a companion 457 plan which effectively allows you to contribute double the amount of pre-tax funds into retirement accounts. If you are maxing out your 403(b) ($15,500 for 2007) then you may want to look into this option to defer more taxes. You may be interested to know that many states have a companion 457 plan which effectively allows you to contribute double the amount of pre-tax funds into retirement accounts. If you are maxing out your 403(b) ($15,500 for 2007) then you may want to look into this option to defer more taxes.

]]> By: Tushar http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/03/27/a-look-at-my-own-mutual-fund-portfolio/comment-page-1/#comment-13693 Tushar Wed, 28 Mar 2007 12:26:34 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/03/27/a-look-at-my-own-mutual-fund-portfolio/#comment-13693 Vangaurd's philosophy regarding investing is what I believe in too. Good job. Vangaurd’s philosophy regarding investing is what I believe in too. Good job.

]]> By: Mike http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/03/27/a-look-at-my-own-mutual-fund-portfolio/comment-page-1/#comment-13570 Mike Wed, 28 Mar 2007 04:19:19 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/03/27/a-look-at-my-own-mutual-fund-portfolio/#comment-13570 If you are interested in an international fund, I'm a big fan of Dodge and Cox. They only run a couple of funds, but they consistantly have great returns, and charge fairly low expense fees. They do tend to close their funds, as they have with their main stock funds, but the international fund (DODFX) is still open. If you are interested in an international fund, I’m a big fan of Dodge and Cox. They only run a couple of funds, but they consistantly have great returns, and charge fairly low expense fees. They do tend to close their funds, as they have with their main stock funds, but the international fund (DODFX) is still open.

]]> By: mjcarrabine http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/03/27/a-look-at-my-own-mutual-fund-portfolio/comment-page-1/#comment-13557 mjcarrabine Wed, 28 Mar 2007 03:57:41 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/03/27/a-look-at-my-own-mutual-fund-portfolio/#comment-13557 I have read in several places recently that recommend the following: Put money into your 401(k) up to the contribution limit, then... put money into a Roth IRA, then... max out the rest of your 401(k) I am currently maxing out my 401(k) and saving a little into an emergency fund. I'm just curious what your thoughts on the above are. Does it make any sense to move some of the $15,500 per year money into a Roth IRA? I assume it has something to do with balancing out tax exemption and exposure because who konws what taxes will be in the future. I have read in several places recently that recommend the following:

Put money into your 401(k) up to the contribution limit, then…
put money into a Roth IRA, then…
max out the rest of your 401(k)

I am currently maxing out my 401(k) and saving a little into an emergency fund. I’m just curious what your thoughts on the above are. Does it make any sense to move some of the $15,500 per year money into a Roth IRA?

I assume it has something to do with balancing out tax exemption and exposure because who konws what taxes will be in the future.

]]> By: lorax http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/03/27/a-look-at-my-own-mutual-fund-portfolio/comment-page-1/#comment-13466 lorax Tue, 27 Mar 2007 22:48:57 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/03/27/a-look-at-my-own-mutual-fund-portfolio/#comment-13466 re: target retirement funds Some theorists (such as Bodie of _Worry Free Investing_) say that target retirement funds miss the target because they rebalance toward bonds automatically. Bodie says to rebalance to lower risk, based on how much you have, how much you need, and your risk factor. So you might let a portfolio of mostly stocks appreciate to a point, then rebalance. Or you might switch to a risky job and need to rebalance. It would be interesting to read your review of this book. (I should also note that Bodie recommends investing primarily in TIPS, not stocks.) All that said, I believe target retirement funds are probably a good idea, especially since you don't have a huge chunk there yet. re: target retirement funds

Some theorists (such as Bodie of _Worry Free Investing_) say that target retirement funds miss the target because they rebalance toward bonds automatically. Bodie says to rebalance to lower risk, based on how much you have, how much you need, and your risk factor. So you might let a portfolio of mostly stocks appreciate to a point, then rebalance. Or you might switch to a risky job and need to rebalance.

It would be interesting to read your review of this book.

(I should also note that Bodie recommends investing primarily in TIPS, not stocks.)

All that said, I believe target retirement funds are probably a good idea, especially since you don’t have a huge chunk there yet.

]]> By: Brett McKay http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/03/27/a-look-at-my-own-mutual-fund-portfolio/comment-page-1/#comment-13446 Brett McKay Tue, 27 Mar 2007 20:56:13 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/03/27/a-look-at-my-own-mutual-fund-portfolio/#comment-13446 I'm with American Funds right now. I have three mutual funds. The Growth Fund of America is in my wife's mutual fund. We contribute to that monthly. We then have American Funds European Pacific fund and AMCAP fund. I alternate months when contributing to these. It has been alright so far. What do you all think? Is this a good mix? I’m with American Funds right now. I have three mutual funds. The Growth Fund of America is in my wife’s mutual fund. We contribute to that monthly. We then have American Funds European Pacific fund and AMCAP fund. I alternate months when contributing to these. It has been alright so far. What do you all think? Is this a good mix?

]]> By: Nishant http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/03/27/a-look-at-my-own-mutual-fund-portfolio/comment-page-1/#comment-13414 Nishant Tue, 27 Mar 2007 19:51:47 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/03/27/a-look-at-my-own-mutual-fund-portfolio/#comment-13414 Vanguard funds are the best investments, in my opinion. I have picked the international and emerging market funds to take a more aggressive approach with our money. Vanguard funds are the best investments, in my opinion. I have picked the international and emerging market funds to take a more aggressive approach with our money.

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