Agree on all points.  My question How could one know? was sarcastic, I just forgot the smiley

Pointedstick wrote: I hope you're not one of those 72 people!

How could one know? As far as I've read, it's impossible for one to know if they've been placed on a watchlist.  Though I guess you would find out if/when you're denied the ability to travel.

It's actually one of the reasons I'm not a huge fan of my job, because it is a job I'm not really having growth in and isn't challenging me to be better. I'll let MG make the quips (have to say it felt like an opening to me as well), but I can definitely relate to this.  I worked a job for a year w...

What a great lesson about market predictions. :) This is the thing that has really struck me since deciding to create a PP this calendar year. I've always held gold (so it's not specifically about that), but having 4 uncorrelated assets and observing them daily makes it very clear the markets are f...

Libertarian666 wrote: A second passport.

+1

.22LR and .223?

Libertarian666 wrote: But if you can't fire them, how will they work against werewolves?

Pound them in with a hammer/rubber mallet?

I have to admit I was a bit disappointed when I realized I couldn't actually fire it out of my .308 rifle.  Far less attractive 

Why buy junk silver when you can buy silver bullets?

http://www.apmex.com/category/73323/apm ... er-bullets

(just saw this and had to share!)

that is with the pp being down 2% and my model being up 1.70%  . not a great difference , but depending on the stage of life you are in and if your  portfolio is at maximum dollars  the differences can be huge . that is true on the way down as well . I think this is a key point. Yes, tracking error...

What information would make a difference in this decision? That's a very good question. I imagine it'll be a somewhat emotional decision -- eg 'does this portfolio really suit my temperament?'. It has certainly re-enforced that I don't know what direction the markets/economy are headed, so a lazy/d...

I've been 'buying into' the PP from a largely cash position since early February. I continue to do so (especially as I sell off company stock as it vests), buying to roughly maintain 25x4.  Right now about 40% of my net worth is in the PP, the rest in cash and company stock, and the money allocated ...

The thing that we all should remember is that there is more to life than the markets and money.  We should all try to protect and grow whatever money we have in the way we each think is most appropriate, but once we decide on that approach, I think that it's wise to move on to other things that bri...

so i think for the next 5 years  we may have to take pick out what you think will be the lead horse , cut the opposition from th other choices down and  hope your pick runs with the ball . i think trying to cover all the bases equally will not only stifle gain but may make even turning positive muc...

AnotherSwede wrote: With a reported inflation of 1%, true inflation of 3%, nominal returns of maybe 4-5% doesn't look too great.

Really? That looks great to me -- Not only am I preserving my purchasing power, but my wealth is passively growing, with relatively low volatility and diversified risk.

Sign me up!

After all, they created this website and persuaded most of us to invest in this manner. I just feel that for the two of them to disappear literally for months at a time when the PP has gone absolutely nowhere for 3 years and has returned  100+% less than stocks since 2009 borders on negligence. Yik...

as i pointed out since 1975 a reinvested 1 month t-bill performed better than gold . Aren't you contradicting yourself here? You're arguing against looking in the rear-view mirror, yet here you are discounting gold's future performance based on what's in the rear-view. All anyone can do right now i...

how many in 1975 would have sat 40 years with a dog like gold  not even beating a t-bill when other investments were soaring around them ? . If one's only goal is growth, then sure.  But the PP isn't a "growth" allocation, it's a defensive allocation, no?  Sure, it has provided modest gai...

The problem is "everything is not doing poorly", only the PP. You gave up returns from 2011-2015 invested in this allocation while telling everyone how great it was. From what I've seen (as a lurker for months), PS and others have been very good about being balanced with their opinions an...

Just registered to be able to say I'm happy to see this thread.  Been lurking/reading for a few months and am relatively new to the HBPP.  Discussion/Debate/Dissenting opinions are certainly helpful for evaluating the path you're on.  An echo chamber isn't really helpful, though neither is a constan...