Search found 35 matches

by captain3d
Sun Aug 31, 2014 6:16 pm
Forum: Variable Portfolio Discussion
Topic: 20% annual returns over 40 years...interested?
Replies: 571
Views: 329607

Re: 20% annual returns over 40 years...interested?

I got lucky on timing and bought into... TMF (+43%) UPRO (+31%) UGLD (-9%) ...back in Feb. I am up about 20% as a group. Looking forward to an equally exciting reverse at some point. My PP is a mix of 1x, 2x  and these 3x funds (sorry for the leverage Harry) so far I am up 15% for the year :-0. And ...
by captain3d
Thu Dec 19, 2013 5:22 pm
Forum: Gold
Topic: Tax loss harvest GLD and buy half as much UGL?
Replies: 21
Views: 17598

Re: Tax loss harvest GLD and buy half as much UGL?

I am having the same thoughts but in my case selling some DGP (2x) and replacing with GLD. I think I am pretty safe from this being considered a wash.

phil
by captain3d
Sat Dec 08, 2012 10:39 pm
Forum: Gold
Topic: Inside a gold bullion vault - video
Replies: 0
Views: 1753

Inside a gold bullion vault - video

http://www.wimp.com/goldbullion/

just for the entertainment of looking at A LOT of gold

phil
by captain3d
Thu Sep 22, 2011 12:00 am
Forum: Bonds
Topic: Treasury Direct help
Replies: 13
Views: 8933

Re: Treasury Direct help

TD does not provide a selling option. They must first be transfered to a broker is what I m concluding.

Also it does not update your current value. It only lists face value (not very helpful for tracking net worth)

phil
by captain3d
Sat Sep 17, 2011 3:57 pm
Forum: Bonds
Topic: Treasury Direct help
Replies: 13
Views: 8933

Re: Treasury Direct help

Thanks Gumby I read something about having to hold bonds more than 12 months before redemption but it makes sense that it would be at maturity otherwise why would you need to withdraw them to a broker otherwise. Like most things I do. I will buy some more and force myself to adapt and learn the best...
by captain3d
Sat Sep 17, 2011 1:07 am
Forum: Bonds
Topic: Treasury Direct help
Replies: 13
Views: 8933

Re: Treasury Direct help

Good idea MediumTex I must admit having some remorse about getting involved with the Treasury Direct account. I had not fully understood what it was ie. A place that only sells treasuries (not a place that trades treasuries). Having bought some long bonds I am now unsure how I sell them (5 - 10 year...
by captain3d
Fri Sep 16, 2011 10:21 pm
Forum: Bonds
Topic: Treasury Direct help
Replies: 13
Views: 8933

Re: Treasury Direct help

Thanks for the info. One more question.

What is the best way to calculate current value of your TD bonds for a monthly re balancing check etc. TLT is easy of course.

phil
by captain3d
Fri Sep 16, 2011 1:18 pm
Forum: Bonds
Topic: Treasury Direct help
Replies: 13
Views: 8933

Re: Treasury Direct help

Excuse all the replies to self, but I guess others might be as stupid as me :-) and find this helpful. http://www.treasurydirect.gov/RI/OFNtebnd So I think I am getting it. If you buy at the initial auction you will pay a price that is very close to the face value but could still be slightly higher ...
by captain3d
Fri Sep 16, 2011 12:05 pm
Forum: Bonds
Topic: Treasury Direct help
Replies: 13
Views: 8933

Re: Treasury Direct help

ok learning a bit more... http://www.treasurydirect.gov/indiv/research/indepth/tbonds/res_tbond_rates.htm -------------------------------------------------- Auction Pattern 30-Year Bond Original Issues—February, May, August, November Reopenings—January, March, April, June, July, September, October, ...
by captain3d
Fri Sep 16, 2011 10:19 am
Forum: Bonds
Topic: Treasury Direct help
Replies: 13
Views: 8933

Re: Treasury Direct help

I used the 'Purchase Express' link to buy them. I am guessing that I did not buy them at the auction but bought them after there value had risen post auction or something like that. So should I be using the 'Buy Direct' tab and then choosing the '30-Year' bond at a future auction date? Or do you jus...
by captain3d
Fri Sep 16, 2011 10:11 am
Forum: Bonds
Topic: Treasury Direct help
Replies: 13
Views: 8933

Treasury Direct help

Hi All

I decided to open account at Treasury Direct and made my first purchase of $3500 worth of Treasury Bonds. My TD account now shows I have $3500 in Bonds but my bank shows $3801.92 was withdrawn by TD and not $3500

What am I missing?

Confused...phil
by captain3d
Thu Sep 15, 2011 12:26 am
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: 2 x Permanent portfolio - Just for fun - or maybe a 401k solution
Replies: 19
Views: 12359

Re: 2 x Permanent portfolio - Just for fun - or maybe a 401k solution

I only casually check volatility by looking at the results each day on yahoo and yes they are typically 2X as you would expect.

I am sure it will be have problems long term but still have a little money on it for fun.

phil
by captain3d
Fri Sep 09, 2011 4:23 am
Forum: Variable Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Don't Understand Time Decay Issue Using Leveraged ETFs
Replies: 6
Views: 5904

Re: Don't Understand Time Decay Issue Using Leveraged ETFs

In its simplest form, a leveraged version of the PP could be acquired using an account that allows leverage - a margin account. The gains would be eroded because of the interest you would pay on the borrowed money. The leveraged etfs have similar problems to over come.

phil
by captain3d
Wed Aug 31, 2011 4:35 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: 2 x Permanent portfolio - Just for fun - or maybe a 401k solution
Replies: 19
Views: 12359

Re: 2 x Permanent portfolio - Just for fun - or maybe a 401k solution

All very interesting Clive. now I have a reason for a VP...even more PP :-)
by captain3d
Tue Aug 30, 2011 11:54 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: 2 x Permanent portfolio - Just for fun - or maybe a 401k solution
Replies: 19
Views: 12359

Re: 2 x Permanent portfolio - Just for fun - or maybe a 401k solution

Thanks Clive. So using the leveraged funds really are a good (temporary) solution to create a PP like allocation even if most of your money is stuck in a 401k etc with limited choices. Even HB suggested using similar ideas in '...Best Laid Plans...." at the time he suggested using gold options of ze...
by captain3d
Tue Aug 30, 2011 3:44 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: 2 x Permanent portfolio - Just for fun - or maybe a 401k solution
Replies: 19
Views: 12359

Re: 2 x Permanent portfolio - Just for fun - or maybe a 401k solution

Clive wrote:
12.5% UGL (2X gold)
8.33% UPRO (3X stocks)
12.5% UBT (2X LTT)
the rest in cash (SHY)

is +8.9% year to date
Thats not too bad for a temporary solution and very impressive if you said you got 8.9 % with more than 60% in cash :-)

phil
by captain3d
Tue Aug 30, 2011 3:41 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: 2 x Permanent portfolio - Just for fun - or maybe a 401k solution
Replies: 19
Views: 12359

Re: 2 x Permanent portfolio - Just for fun - or maybe a 401k solution

Yes, I always though most of the gains would come from the re-balancing.
by captain3d
Tue Aug 30, 2011 12:52 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: How can I setup HBPP in 401k with limited choices?
Replies: 6
Views: 2679

Re: How can I setup HBPP in 401k with limited choices?

I mentioned in a new thread about the possible use of leveraged etfs to 'temporarily' help get a PP like balance when funds are limited outside 401k's etc. This again may (or may not) be better than sticking with the poor choices inside your 401k. either way you should strive to build the real thing...
by captain3d
Tue Aug 30, 2011 12:43 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: 2 x Permanent portfolio - Just for fun - or maybe a 401k solution
Replies: 19
Views: 12359

2 x Permanent portfolio - Just for fun - or maybe a 401k solution

I know this goes against many/every aspect of the permanent portfolio and in no way is this a suggested way to run your allocation but just for fun I was looking at the ETF's that claim to double the performance of any particular asset eg 2x the S&P 500. I created a tracking portfolio in yahoo using...
by captain3d
Tue Aug 30, 2011 12:09 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Gold - Inflation - Rental property - mortgage
Replies: 11
Views: 5526

Re: Gold - Inflation - Rental property - mortgage

I am still well leveraged and will stay with the rentals for now just to see how things work out. I am underwater to some degree but with positive cash flow so going to let it tick away as is. I may also sell down the road to remove it from my assets.

phil
by captain3d
Tue Aug 30, 2011 2:14 am
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Gold - Inflation - Rental property - mortgage
Replies: 11
Views: 5526

Re: Gold - Inflation - Rental property - mortgage

HB did talk about owning a business and how it relates to PP as well but I don't have time to look it up right now. As to why bonds and mortgages cancel each other out...Well he said it puts you at risk to deflation while biasing too much toward inflation protection. Deflation and falling interest r...
by captain3d
Sun Aug 28, 2011 10:40 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Gold - Inflation - Rental property - mortgage
Replies: 11
Views: 5526

Re: Gold - Inflation - Rental property - mortgage

Thanks Drew I would like to be 100% in the PP. To be 100% invested in the PP I would need to sell the rental property. I don't want to do that...yet, but I still want to aim for the closest there is to 100% split per PP. My aim was to work out which of the four I should cut back on and which I shoul...
by captain3d
Sun Aug 28, 2011 1:22 am
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Gold - Inflation - Rental property - mortgage
Replies: 11
Views: 5526

Re: Gold - Inflation - Rental property - mortgage

Ha yes I know what you mean. I re-read HB's section on Real estate in 'Why the Best....go wrong' The main points were. 1. Real Estate has no place in the PP - get rid of it. 2. A mortgage is negating the bond portion as it is opposite. 3. Do something to try and balance things. 4. Real Estate with a...
by captain3d
Sat Aug 27, 2011 8:14 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Gold - Inflation - Rental property - mortgage
Replies: 11
Views: 5526

Gold - Inflation - Rental property - mortgage

Hi All I have been a happy PPer for  two years but I have not quite worked out how to think about a rental property in this mix. HB has written about it somewhat and has suggested reducing the amount of gold if you have a disproportionate amount of net worth in property...I think (must check Best la...
by captain3d
Sat Aug 27, 2011 6:43 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Automatic rebalancing -- good idea?
Replies: 7
Views: 6440

Re: Automatic rebalancing -- good idea?

I really like Folio Investing and would recommend people go take a look to see if it suits them. For the PP it seems there is no clear winner between keeping it balanced or letting it go to the 35% band or anything in between. Less is more generally. I would not have a problem using Folio Investing'...