Search found 14 matches

by Hal French
Tue Feb 06, 2024 2:43 pm
Forum: Gold
Topic: Gold Avenue (an overseas storage option in Switzerland)
Replies: 22
Views: 1241

Re: Gold Avenue (an overseas storage option in Switzerland)

In "Fail Safe Investing," Harry Browne mentioned Austrian banks as an option to store physical gold, and even gave some bank names and contact information and tips to have the bank arrange the entire transaction on one's behalf. HB praised Austrian banks because bank security and privacy concerns ar...
by Hal French
Mon Jan 01, 2024 12:23 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: 2023 Returns
Replies: 25
Views: 109942

Re: 2023 Returns

+12.99% YOY after a rebalance (and dividends reinvested), though I'm still slightly overweighted in cash, and underweight in LTT. After the bloodbath that was 2022, I'll take it!
by Hal French
Tue Oct 17, 2023 11:55 pm
Forum: Bonds
Topic: TLT cracks $90
Replies: 43
Views: 69129

Re: TLT cracks $90

I had the very great honor of meeting and corresponding with Harry Browne, and I've read "Fail-Safe Investing" multiple times. So I know Harry would chuckle at my feeble attempts to time the market but... at what point should I rebalance my TLT (now dipping below the 15% band) with the largesse from...
by Hal French
Sat Apr 15, 2023 4:08 pm
Forum: Bonds
Topic: Thinking of a May I-Bond purchase. Talk me out of it!
Replies: 3
Views: 1257

Thinking of a May I-Bond purchase. Talk me out of it!

After reading TIPSwatch's reliably excellent analysis (link below) on where the fixed rate is going to land on May 2023 I-Bonds, I'm a very strong lean to a May purchase. I buy for the long haul, a fixed rate hike seems very likely based on past trends, and the article shows the break even point any...
by Hal French
Fri Dec 09, 2022 8:42 pm
Forum: Gold
Topic: Another Gold ETF post
Replies: 29
Views: 9968

Re: Another Gold ETF post

Check AAAU. When I originally purchased shares, it was issued by the Perth Mint, and shares are exchangeable for physical gold. Now run by Goldman Sachs, but still exchangeable.
by Hal French
Wed Sep 28, 2022 12:21 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Dollar Milkshake Brent Johnson throwing nod to Permanent Portfolio
Replies: 12
Views: 3895

Re: Dollar Milkshake Brent Johnson throwing nod to Permanent Portfolio

Interestingly, the Permanent Portfolio Fund, PRPFX, has real estate exposure, one of its notable deviations (along with Swiss Francs and silver) from the HBPP. As of this writing, PRPFX is down 13.83% YTD.
by Hal French
Sat Apr 30, 2022 2:57 pm
Forum: Gold
Topic: Overseas Gold? 2022
Replies: 18
Views: 4591

Overseas Gold? 2022

ps: On the gold front...I'm curious how many people actually hold cold outside of their home country? I'm looking at the Perth mint...we still need to do some more research...hell maybe I'll become a real libertarian when it's all said and done! I was surprised when my wife didn't completely roll h...
by Hal French
Sat Apr 23, 2022 2:03 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Jeffrey Gundlach on PP
Replies: 47
Views: 29221

Re: Jeffrey Gundlach on PP

Interesting, in that the PP ETF, PRPFX, deviates from the HBPP with additional investments in silver, Swiss Francs and... real estate. Not that it's any great shakes, but PRPFX was (just barely) ahead for the year as of earlier this week, but took a tumble starting Wednesday.
by Hal French
Thu Nov 04, 2021 8:35 pm
Forum: Cash
Topic: Highest I bond rate ever: 7.12%
Replies: 35
Views: 11121

Re: Highest I bond rate ever: 7.12%

Yup, took the plunge in late October myself. The NEXT, obvious question is when, and how much to invest in I Bonds in 2022? Plunk that $10k down in January to take full advantage of that sweet, sweet 7.12% rate? Do it in April or even later once the next period's rate is known? Or split two- $5k inv...
by Hal French
Wed Oct 13, 2021 10:01 pm
Forum: Bonds
Topic: Sucks to Be An I-Bond Hater
Replies: 54
Views: 20713

Re: Sucks to Be An I-Bond Hater

So, silly question: if I were to buy now, will I enjoy 2 weeks at 3.54%, and then everything resets to the 7.12% rate... Or would I be locked in to 3.54% for 6 months?

In other words, buy now, or wait until 11/1?
by Hal French
Sun Jul 12, 2020 2:09 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Funds
Topic: Permanent Portfolio Fund - 2018 Returns.
Replies: 11
Views: 39909

Re: Permanent Portfolio Fund - 2018 Returns.

Just received my 6/28/20 PRPFX statement (again, I haven't contributed to this fund in a decade+, having since moved to a HBPP 4x classes approach).

Comparing dollars-to-dollars (automatic dividend reinvest, so YMMV):

YTD 2020 +2.7%
YOY (6/28/19 to 6/28/20) +8.4%
by Hal French
Sun Jul 14, 2019 7:49 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Funds
Topic: Permanent Portfolio Fund - 2018 Returns.
Replies: 11
Views: 39909

Re: Permanent Portfolio Fund - 2018 Returns.

I haven't contributed to PRPFX in nearly a decade , and lost 6% on it in 2018. So I was pleasantly surprised by my YTD statement telling me that my PRPFX increased by 10.79% through 6/28/19. After last year's notable divergence between HBPP and PRPFX results, I'll take it!
by Hal French
Mon Dec 31, 2018 7:54 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Worst investing year ever...
Replies: 67
Views: 37178

Re: Worst investing year ever...

Well whaddya know? The 4x25 HBPP works. Without touching a thing(*) my personal portfolio was down only 1.97% for 2018, and it actually rebalanced itself. I only check my portfolio twice a year-- when I do my yearly rebalance and my year end check-in. Stocks: IWV(*) Bonds: TLT(*) Cash: Capital One 3...
by Hal French
Sat Aug 11, 2018 7:26 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Which Assets in Roth IRA?
Replies: 22
Views: 17996

Re: Which Assets in Roth IRA?

To the OP's question, I too am starting to feel that parts of my PP may be better served outside of my Roth. I hold physical gold in a safe deposit box, but the balance of my PP is in an ETrade Roth- 33% IWV, 33% TLT and 33% SHY + SCHO, rebalanced annually. Like the OP, I'm less than thrilled with t...