kafkaesque

I wish I was a big shot that needed high speed cable to handle my many daily 'orders' I think the current rate to call US on a cell phone is 5 B/ min. Can he swing that?

HeyOwen Would you be Irish by any chance. If so, let me buy you a Guiness. At one time I claimed I was 29 until it was obvious it wouldn't work anymore. Now I claim to be 39 and it might work for a little while longer. If I have no Bonds it is only because in my heart I am still in my 20's (with a COLA'd pension if I last another 14 years). I agree with you about Expense Ratios. One percent on a million/ year will pay the lease on a new Lexus. I live In the Boston area and I want nothing to do with RE. At my age I prefer to keep my hands somewhat clean. I have a 23 YO Chula MA canidate willing to marry me. I guess I say "willing" because I am lucky she still talks to me after 4 years. She might divorce me and take half my fortune. I'm not sure: buy sell or hold? Please share your assest allocation. Slaughta

Owen I always enjoy your posts. I am a newbie here and my only connection to Pattaya is that I use it to threaten my GF. About real estate, someone I know did well in real estate but this was only by working an extra 20 or 30 hours a week. A water heater costs $200. Hire someone to install it and raise it to $500. He wouldn't listen when I told him his net would be the same if he sold and bought TIPS and I BONDS. I don't believe in the "average rate of return". Some say just dump your money in S&P 500 and forget it until you retire. One does have to be carefull. Should I spend the same 20- 30 hours a week studying the market as my friend spent changing water heaters? My hands would be cleaner:). Smokers and Illegal Aliens are the best things for Social Security. Never buy an Annunity! My Allocation 70% SPY 30 % EEM I like to keep it simple.

Haven't seen this posted here: http://www.retireearlyhomepage.com/softlist.html I think the The Generation-X Retirement Planner is excellent as it allows one to factor in inflation and safe withdrawl rates. The only thing that troubles me with these types of calculators is the "expected rate of return" Should I use the historical rate of return for the SP 500 :) or a more conservative bond index . Forgive me if this page has been posted but I think this page has some excellent advice.