Search found 339 matches

by 6 Iron
Fri Aug 27, 2010 7:57 pm
Forum: Gold
Topic: Buying a lot of gold in person
Replies: 4
Views: 4790

Re: Buying a lot of gold in person

I prefer the anonymity of the mail, but if I could borrow Bambi and the Lambo, I would consider it. ;)
by 6 Iron
Sun Aug 22, 2010 2:23 pm
Forum: Gold
Topic: Another reason for owning at least some bullion?
Replies: 0
Views: 3036

Another reason for owning at least some bullion?

There was an interesting discussion on the Boglehead site regarding the following article from William Bernstein, regarding the permanent portfolio (hat tip to petrico): http://www.efficientfrontier.com/ef/0adhoc/harry.htm Dr. Bernstein made a strong, and I think valid point regarding the inflow of ...
by 6 Iron
Sun Aug 22, 2010 2:00 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: PP Buyers Remorse...Some Sound Feedback Needed!
Replies: 45
Views: 26981

Re: PP Buyers Remorse...Some Sound Feedback Needed!

The problem with stocks as per the firecalc outcomes is that lets say hypothetically you were about to retire in 2-3 years and you were at the end of a bull market (as would have happened if you wanted to retire in 1999-2000 or 2006-2007), you may have suddenly suffered a huge loss 20-30%.  This lo...
by 6 Iron
Tue Aug 03, 2010 5:52 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Time logged in
Replies: 5
Views: 5376

Time logged in

At the top of the home page, we are greeted with a total time logged in statistic; at present I sit at 18 hours and 50 minutes. I may be in the minority here, but this makes me feel guilty when I come to read the latest posts (with thoughts of what else I should be doing with my time). I think it is...
by 6 Iron
Sat Jul 31, 2010 12:55 am
Forum: Gold
Topic: iShares cuts expenses on IAU
Replies: 10
Views: 8878

Re: iShares cuts expenses on IAU

I am a little surprised that this has not generated more discussion. As many of us have a portion of our gold in ETF's in tax advantaged accounts for rebalancing purposes, has anyone moved from GLD to IAU, or if not, why? When I chose ETF's for gold, I opted for GLD (largest, smallest bid/ask spread...
by 6 Iron
Wed Jul 28, 2010 1:55 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: iPad
Replies: 29
Views: 13978

Re: iPad

A friend has the smaller kindle and iPad. He thinks the iPad is of course superior to the kindle for reading any type of book with images or technical papers. But he likes the kindle for reading novels. Craig, I have a kindle, and have enjoyed it, but as you said, anything with images, graphs or ch...
by 6 Iron
Tue Jul 27, 2010 10:28 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: iPad
Replies: 29
Views: 13978

Re: iPad

craigr wrote: Well I bought an iPad last week after resisting for months
I have been resisting for months, as well, trying to wait until the first update. I am having a difficult time waiting, though, with the convenience of a birthday next month as an excuse luring me in. You have not made it any easier!
by 6 Iron
Sat Jul 24, 2010 3:23 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Recommended Books?
Replies: 38
Views: 17760

Re: Recommended Books?

If you want something in an audio format This podcast makes for interesting listening in a car: http://www.econtalk.org/ Russ Roberts is quite skilled in explaining economic issues to the layman, with interesting and varied guests. Incidentally, he was also a driving force behind the boom and the b...
by 6 Iron
Fri Jul 23, 2010 10:29 am
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Recommended Books?
Replies: 38
Views: 17760

Re: Recommended Books?

Economics in One Lesson by Henry Hazlitt. Also available online. This is a short, easy to read book, with a profound lesson in the fundamental of economics (from an Austrian school perspective).
by 6 Iron
Tue Jul 20, 2010 2:32 pm
Forum: Stocks
Topic: Is there a cult of the equity investor (speculator)
Replies: 11
Views: 8830

Re: Is there a cult of the equity investor (speculator)

When an economy has unfavorable demographics, a poor macroeconomic situation, political strife and a huge debt overhang, then stock markets are typically going to struggle as the underlying economy struggles.  With regard to poor macroeconomics, particularly when you combine our Keynesian governmen...
by 6 Iron
Tue Jul 20, 2010 12:13 pm
Forum: Stocks
Topic: Is there a cult of the equity investor (speculator)
Replies: 11
Views: 8830

Is there a cult of the equity investor (speculator)

This blog post from seeking alpha is not comforting, but does support the agnostic, and diversified approach to investing of the permanent portfolio. It can be summarized as a reflection on our country, and in particular, our financial services industry, having become centered on making money by doi...
by 6 Iron
Sun Jul 18, 2010 10:29 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: How do you separate PP from VP?
Replies: 3
Views: 3465

Re: How do you separate PP from VP?

I use an Excel spread sheet, and it makes it very easy to keep track of both the VP and PP, as well as percent holdings for the PP, despite having multiple accounts. If you are unfamiliar with Excel (as I was), I learned how, and created my spreadsheet in a couple of hours from a user.
by 6 Iron
Sat Jun 26, 2010 1:15 am
Forum: Cash
Topic: Cash level and the accumulation phase
Replies: 2
Views: 4893

Cash level and the accumulation phase

When I add to my permanent portfolio, it goes into the cash component initially, regardless of the account (retirement, taxable, etc). When my cash component exceeds 25%, I use the surplus to buy the most lagging component, but do not allow my cash component to drop much below 25%, allowing for mino...
by 6 Iron
Sat Jun 19, 2010 9:42 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Rebalance how often?
Replies: 10
Views: 8835

Re: Rebalance how often?

Clive wrote: .....rebalancing yearly to rebalancing at 15/35 bands using MIDWAY rebalancing.
Clive, could you clarify what you mean by midway rebalancing? Thanks.
by 6 Iron
Sat Jun 05, 2010 11:36 pm
Forum: Gold
Topic: Gold leasing
Replies: 4
Views: 4806

Re: Gold leasing

Being the only reply to your own thread is probably the social equivalent of taking your mom to the prom. Still, this topic intrigues me because I read of some investors that do not trust GLD, or IAU, and speak of market manipulation. The concept of gold leasing struck me as mysterious. I can see re...
by 6 Iron
Sat Jun 05, 2010 11:20 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Vanguard as IRA Custodian for USian HBPP via ETFs
Replies: 15
Views: 12236

Re: Vanguard as IRA Custodian for USian HBPP via ETFs

The recent changes in the Vanguard fee structure for trading make holding ETF's more attractive. At present, my Vanguard holdings are in funds (except for TLT and a little SGOL). But this brings to mind a question regarding maximizing returns on volatility. With ETF's it would be possible to place s...
by 6 Iron
Wed Jun 02, 2010 9:41 pm
Forum: Gold
Topic: Gold leasing
Replies: 4
Views: 4806

Gold leasing

What,if any, thoughts do my fellow posters have on gold leasing by the central banks, and, its potential impact on the performance of the permanent portfolio? I have thought of this as I think of the weather; interesting to talk about, but beyond my sphere of influence beyond wardrobe and activity s...
by 6 Iron
Thu May 27, 2010 10:11 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Rebalance how often?
Replies: 10
Views: 8835

Re: Rebalance how often?

I like the idea of absolute standards taking the guesswork out of a rebalance trigger. That said, I am more comfortable with a 20-30% trigger band than a 15-35% band. It would push me out of my comfort zone to be sitting on 34.6% exposure to long bonds, or 15.3% exposure to stocks, and say, "let it ...
by 6 Iron
Tue May 25, 2010 10:50 pm
Forum: Stocks
Topic: Ok to use VT (world ETF)"
Replies: 13
Views: 38460

Re: Ok to use VT (world ETF)"

A Permanent Portfolio, however, already has very strong currency insurance from the gold allocation.  Adding international stocks seems redundant to me.  Adding international stocks to the mix increases expenses and complexity, neither of which is a good thing. None other than Harry Browne would ag...
by 6 Iron
Tue May 25, 2010 6:40 pm
Forum: Stocks
Topic: Ok to use VT (world ETF)"
Replies: 13
Views: 38460

Re: Ok to use VT (world ETF)"

I'm just starting out. I plan to put $25,000 in GTU, VGSH, VGLT and VT. I'm a Vanguard fan and I also believe I need "world" exposure. Fred, with VT, well over 50% of your equity exposure will be outside of the US. That is more than I personally want, and I have opted for a blend of 80% in VTI, and...
by 6 Iron
Sat May 22, 2010 3:32 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: What causes the Permanent Portfolio to go down?
Replies: 42
Views: 25514

Re: What causes the Permanent Portfolio to go down?

Hey, I'm still only on p.55 at bogleheads...  ;D Thanks for the link. I'm now in the stage of thinking it might be a high-point to buy in but leaning to DCA in; waivering on a low-point is not really an issue to me, as I'd use money outside of the PP. Would be nice if we had data going all the way ...
by 6 Iron
Sat May 22, 2010 12:28 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: What causes the Permanent Portfolio to go down?
Replies: 42
Views: 25514

Re: What causes the Permanent Portfolio to go down?

Craig, you seem a very level-headed skeptic about this all, so can I ask what you, being intimately versed in the subject, see as the shortcomings or weakest side of the PP beyond simply a restrained upside? What are the devil's arguments out there against the PP? stylo~, I believe the greatest ris...
by 6 Iron
Fri May 21, 2010 10:42 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Favorite place you have been.
Replies: 4
Views: 5697

Re: Favorite place you have been.

For winters Canary Islands (Tenerife), particularly in February to catch the Santa Cruz carnival.  Tenerife has one of the lowest temperature swings between summer and winter (ranging between something like 15 and 25 degree's Celsius). Well done, Clive. Your Canary Island destination intrigues me t...
by 6 Iron
Wed May 19, 2010 9:26 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Favorite place you have been.
Replies: 4
Views: 5697

Favorite place you have been.

As a member of the permanent portfolio family, I enjoy learning from you, and value your opinions. On this, the "other" page, I thought it might be interesting to hear of the favorite (or for Clive, favourite) vacation/place that you have been. For me, it was a Grand Canyon rim to rim hike with this...
by 6 Iron
Tue May 18, 2010 6:36 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: feedback on implementing US PP in IRA via ETFs, using Wellstrade as custodian
Replies: 4
Views: 4828

Re: limit order question

If I were to buy VEA with a limit order, would I enter a price of $30.35?  Or is it prudent to "give 1 (or more) penny" to increase the chance of the order actually executing, such as a price of $30.36 (or when selling, do the opposite & enter a price of $30.34)? In a limit order, you will specify ...