(Oct 26) [10/31/05 - I'm midway though the purchase process. After more research, I've decided to make a few changes. While the Bose MediaMates at $60 / pr. are a great value -- especially for home use -- I've decided to look for something more portable. Stay tuned for an update after all the pieces are in ...    Read

(Oct 25) I’m about to invest upwards of $700 in a high-end iPod system. This amount consists of birthday money (I’m now 50!), plus $200 earned writing this blog the past few months. Bottom line, I intend to make this a truly “frivolous purchase.” [10/31/05 - I'm midway though the purchase process. After more research, I've decided ...    Read

(Oct 10) Morningstar recently published an article titled "The Ins and Outs of Long-Term Care Insurance." The article addresses 11 questions you should answer prior to investing in LTC insurance coverage. Personally I believe that LTC insurance is an expensive, but worthwhile investment. Read Morningstar's article. Learn the specifics of my MetLife LTC coverage.    Read       (2 Comments)

(Oct 2) Has my balanced fund continued to outperform a broadly diversified balanced index fund? What, if anything, am I giving up in tax efficiency for being in an actively managed vs. passively managed index fund? For this post, I used Morningstar's "fund compare" tool to review YTD return and tax efficiency for my balanced fund. Vanguard's ...    Read     (1 Comment)

(Oct 2) Has my bond fund continued to outperform a broadly diversified bond index? How is my fund doing when compared to individual bonds? What, if anything, am I giving up in tax efficiency for being in an actively managed vs. passively managed index fund? For this post, I used Morningstar's "fund compare" tool to review YTD ...    Read       (12 Comments)

(Oct 1) Have my international funds continued to outperform a broadly diversified international stock index? What, if anything, am I giving up in tax efficiency for being in actively managed vs. passively managed index funds? For this post, I used Morningstar's "fund compare" tool to review YTD returns and tax efficiency for my two international funds. Vanguard's ...    Read

(Sep 28) Financial experts tell us: “Withdraw no more than four percent of savings a year; allocate investments in a balanced mix of stocks and bonds, etc." This advice, while good, is generic –- and does not take into account the many peculiarities of my financial situation. Rather, as a cautious, semi-retired 49 year old, I want ...    Read

(Sep 28) This graph is Fidelity's projection for my annual income and expenses. My comments follow the graph. [View first post in this series.] My annual income / expenses    Read