Year End asset report

[iris lilies]

I recently traded in my 13 year old Tacoma and got a very decent trade-in value. I never once had it in the shop for any repairs, but the new truck is zippy, notably smaller, and really all I need for the city anymore and will still haul a sheet of plywood. It was Motor Trend's truck of the year, and seemed to have above average reliability rating from CR. And a hybrid. I suspect in spite of it all, they don't make them like they used to. It was just time.

Attachment 6685

by “smaller” I guess you mean the bed is not as long.

one of my garden club lady friends has a Ford Ranger the same year as ours, and it is a double cab. Those are nice for hauling along a dog in the back.

but since we have decided to preserve our Ford Ranger and drive it only when we have to, to keep miles down, it no longer really matters to us.

DH’s Ford Ranger was hit from behind about seven years ago and “totaled “by the insurance company, but we fixed it and it’s been fine ever since.

[Rogar]

by “smaller” I guess you mean the bed is not as long.

It is not a full sized pickup and is smaller all around including the height, bed length and width. It's basically an SUV with an ample bed for light work. Interestingly, the cab space is about the same as the larger pick ups. Some people require more and larger for their lifestyle. Some people have trucks just because or some sort of real man image projection. An old work truck and a city car or two would be idea some couples especially for big remodeling or trade jobs. People hold onto the old pickups just for fun or hobby sometimes, I think. There are a few in my block and maybe it harkens back to memories from one's younger years. None of them gets good gas mileage, which doesn't seem like the concern it was a few regimes ago.

[pinkytoe]

I have been spending hours a day the past few trying to figure out investments - many of which have grown substantially from DH's inheritance two years ago. He has zero interest in dealing with it so I am putting together a notebook with all the accounts and their holdings etc. It helps me to see what's in what and makes me realize that he missed a lot of IRA growth by ignoring his original accounts. Mutual funds, ETFs, stocks, bonds, dividends, cap gains - I have learned a lot just trying to make sense of it. Once I do the taxes for this year, I will have a better idea of next steps to hopefully keep it growing.

[rosarugosa]

That's a nice-looking truck, Rogar. What kind is it?

Whenever I look at my 401k, it says that my allocation is too aggressive. I probably need to take a closer look at that.

[Rogar]

It's a Ford Maverick.

It's probably been a good time to be over aggressive, although my Fidelity advisor says that I'm the opposite and too conservative.

[rosarugosa]

It has been a good time, but it probably won't last forever. I used to have amazing fortitude about my even more aggressive allocation when I was working. I employed the ostrich strategy of never looking at my accounts when the markets were down, and that served me well. I never panic-sold when times were bad. Now that I'm retired, I don't think I'll be able to weather downturns with the same equanimity.

I wish you many good years with your lovely new truck!

[Tradd]

It's a Ford Maverick.

It's probably been a good time to be over aggressive, although my Fidelity advisor says that I'm the opposite and too conservative.

Nice looking truck!

I've recently upped my 401K contributions by an extra $400/month. I have a target date fund. Last time I looked (few months ago), I had about 70% in stocks.

[pinkytoe]

Reading a book now called How Not To Invest which cites research showing that over time index funds with auto contributions end up doing better than most other investments. He states that mutual fund managers aren't really worth their expense given their track records. The old "keep it simple" tactic might be best. It is kind of fun though to "bet" on individual stocks since it mostly feels like gambling.

[Rogar]

I just browsed throughThe Little Book of Common Sense Investing. It is a classic by John Bogle who founded Vanguard and formed the first index fund. I followed the Early Retirement forum, which is basically a bunch of Boglehead disciples, a few years before retiring. Right or wrong, it has worked out OK.

[Tybee]

I just browsed throughThe Little Book of Common Sense Investing. It is a classic by John Bogle who founded Vanguard and formed the first index fund. I followed the Early Retirement forum, which is basically a bunch of Boglehead disciples, a few years before retiring. Right or wrong, it has worked out OK.

The Boglehead forums are great, and pinkytoe, take a look at JL Collins The Simple Path to Wealth.