Search found 9064 matches

by MediumTex
Wed Apr 28, 2010 6:02 pm
Forum: Bonds
Topic: Permanent Portfolio treasurys vs bogle head total bond index
Replies: 22
Views: 18919

Re: PP treasurys vs bogle head total bond index

so the question is ... what are -the pros and cons of total bond vs treasuries Total bond market contains corporates and treasurys, which is going to be riskier than 100% treasuries and may provide a slightly higher return based upon the same duration of bond. In a deflationary spiral, corporates w...
by MediumTex
Wed Apr 28, 2010 5:17 pm
Forum: Gold
Topic: Narratives Drift Away
Replies: 5
Views: 6635

Re: Narratives Drift Away

There is only one true narrative:  If I invest in (insert strategy or fund) it will go down.  I think because the PP is a specific strategy, and also includes Gold—in what is interpreted as massive weighting—this truism can be particularly pronounced.  Add LT Treasuries to that (Bull Market for dec...
by MediumTex
Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:31 pm
Forum: Gold
Topic: Narratives Drift Away
Replies: 5
Views: 6635

Narratives Drift Away

I am putting this under Gold simply because the point I am going to make is especially applicable to the gold bug and anti-gold bug camps and the narratives embedded in each. The title "Narratives Drift Away" means that there are at any given point in time many different storylines in the marketplac...
by MediumTex
Wed Apr 28, 2010 10:31 am
Forum: Gold
Topic: Gold, History and Diversification
Replies: 17
Views: 14592

Re: Gold, History and Diversification

I used to have a dog that was the sweetest, most even-tempered animal you would ever want to meet.  He was one of those dogs that is almost human-like in his ability to relate to people.  I got him when he was about two years old and he had been in a couple of homes when I got him. The one tick he h...
by MediumTex
Tue Apr 27, 2010 9:53 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Greece: Going to go bust or not?
Replies: 16
Views: 13557

Re: Greece: Going to go bust or not?

The Greek economy generates insufficient surpluses to permit the repayment of their debt under any set of circumstances. Since Greece has no printing press, the debt must be restructured or liquidated.  It's just a question of how it's going to happen and whether it will happen sooner or later.  Wit...
by MediumTex
Tue Apr 27, 2010 6:25 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Funds
Topic: Are the PRPFX holdings audited?
Replies: 10
Views: 9902

Re: Are the PRPFX holdings audited?

If I recall correctly, Browne was one of the founders of PRPFX in 1982 and invested some of his money in the fund. Not exactly.  Terry Coxon, Browne's collaborator and protege started the fund.  I don't know if Browne ever personally invested in the fund. Browne preferred the 4x25% approach, but co...
by MediumTex
Mon Apr 26, 2010 11:00 pm
Forum: Cash
Topic: Using I Bonds for Cash
Replies: 29
Views: 22969

Re: Using I Bonds for Cash

I think I-bonds are awesome.  One of the things they do is instantly expand your tax-deferred space.  People will catch on to this one day I am sure. In your view, are there any limits to how far this can be taken?  Hypothetically, would you be willing to hold 100% of your cash in I-bonds during th...
by MediumTex
Mon Apr 26, 2010 8:48 pm
Forum: Cash
Topic: Using I Bonds for Cash
Replies: 29
Views: 22969

Re: Using I Bonds for Cash

MediumTex - Yes - I was referring to I series savings bonds.   If it's OK to use them for all or most of the cash component, then it certainly would allow me to "stretch" my annual contributions much further since, as you suggest, I'd probably need most of my available tax deferred space for LT Tre...
by MediumTex
Mon Apr 26, 2010 8:45 pm
Forum: Bonds
Topic: Has Anyone Bought Zeros Instead?
Replies: 3
Views: 6301

Re: Has Anyone Bought Zeros Instead?

I believe they are about 1.5 times as volatile as similar duration coupon bonds.

I own a little EDV.
by MediumTex
Mon Apr 26, 2010 5:49 pm
Forum: Cash
Topic: Using I Bonds for Cash
Replies: 29
Views: 22969

Re: Using I Bonds for Cash

Do you mean I series savings bonds or TIPS?  I am a big fan of I series savings bonds for the cash piece.  I don't like TIPS at all. I don't think there is any magic formula for tax deferred vs. non-tax deferred holdings with respect to keeping some rebalancing powder dry.  It probably makes sense (...
by MediumTex
Mon Apr 26, 2010 3:11 pm
Forum: Variable Portfolio Discussion
Topic: chicken or egg?
Replies: 2
Views: 5117

Re: chicken or egg?

I think that pattern is probably common right now just because fear is still pretty prevalent among investors.  As fear begins to wane, however, I imagine that risk appetite will steadily return and the perception of the PP will once again shift from being too risky to being too conservative. The de...
by MediumTex
Mon Apr 26, 2010 12:51 pm
Forum: Gold
Topic: goldmoney.com
Replies: 4
Views: 7567

Re: goldmoney.com

I don't know anything about this company specifically other that what I see in the ads, but conceptually it strikes me as one of those solutions that is more complicated than the problem. Assuming it is legit I'm not saying it may not be right for some people, it just strikes me as a maze of potenti...
by MediumTex
Mon Apr 26, 2010 10:59 am
Forum: Cash
Topic: ETF options for the cash component
Replies: 7
Views: 9252

Re: ETF options for the cash component

One just gives you a little longer treasury exposure and more sensitivity to interest rates. 
by MediumTex
Mon Apr 26, 2010 10:25 am
Forum: Cash
Topic: ETF options for the cash component
Replies: 7
Views: 9252

Re: ETF options for the cash component

SHY and SHV
by MediumTex
Mon Apr 26, 2010 12:10 am
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Does Permanent Portfolio protect against GDP shrinkage + currency debasement?
Replies: 7
Views: 9407

Re: Does PP protect against GDP shrinkage + currency debasement?

I think the short answer is what I have said before--if the U.S. is losing, who is winning?

The U.S. only looks bad until you look everywhere else.

A U.S.-based PP might break down at some point, but until it does I'm not worried about it.
by MediumTex
Sun Apr 25, 2010 11:53 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Welcome to the discussion forum
Replies: 11
Views: 20654

Re: Welcome to the discussion forum

What a nice surprise.

Thanks craig.