Search found 3980 matches

by NormR
29 Dec 2023 23:41
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: Stock/Bond/Index/Fundamental/Asset Class/Quotes - Sources
Replies: 544
Views: 114431

Re: Stock/Bond/Index/Fundamental/Asset Class/Quotes - Sources

I had to move webhosts by the end of 2023 and was informed of the change just before Christmas. As a result, things have been a little busy. Here are links to the new Asset Mixer and Periodic Table of Annual Returns for Canadians In the move I had to dig into the code for both and make changes. In the process, I decided to track U.S. bonds using FRED data for 3-month Treasury Bills, 5-year Treasury Bonds, and 10-year Treasury Bonds. The returns for 3-month bills are approximated by simply using yield. The other two bootstrap returns using Aswath Damodaran's method ... To compute the return on a constant maturity bond, I add two components - the promised coupon at the start of the year and the price change due to interest rate changes. The r...
by NormR
29 Dec 2023 20:41
Forum: Financial Planning and Building Portfolios
Topic: Stingy Investor (NDIR.com) Website Down?
Replies: 3
Views: 541

Re: Stingy Investor (NDIR.com) Website Down?

ndir.com is back up in operation. Phew! Many thanks to those who offered to lend a hand!
by NormR
29 Dec 2023 19:09
Forum: Financial Planning and Building Portfolios
Topic: Stingy Investor (NDIR.com) Website Down?
Replies: 3
Views: 541

Re: Stingy Investor (NDIR.com) Website Down?

Just a goofed up url transfer. Thank you net sol! (The ones I had elsewhere worked just fine.)

Go to https://www.stingyinvestor.com/

Oh and here are the new Asset Mixer and Periodic Table
by NormR
26 Dec 2023 11:19
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: Merry Christmas!
Replies: 32
Views: 1959

Re: Merry Christmas!

hamor wrote: 26 Dec 2023 08:46 Stephen Fry "Merry X-Mas, formerly known as ..." you'll have to listen to find out.
A great man
by NormR
25 Dec 2023 20:37
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: Merry Christmas!
Replies: 32
Views: 1959

Re: Merry Christmas!

Ho Ho Ho!
by NormR
24 Dec 2023 17:16
Forum: Taxing Situations
Topic: UFile 2023
Replies: 28
Views: 3637

Re: UFile 2023

HardWorker wrote: 24 Dec 2023 14:13 Yeah I just copied and pasted the email. I'll let you know if they respond to the question about password protected files.
FWIW the .exe scanned clean for me.
by NormR
24 Dec 2023 13:28
Forum: Taxing Situations
Topic: UFile 2023
Replies: 28
Views: 3637

Re: UFile 2023

HardWorker wrote: 24 Dec 2023 12:31 You can download the software by using the link:

https://cdn.ufile.ca/ufile/UF2023ANGH8G ... ile2023exe

If you have difficulties, please download the software from the following link:

https://cdn.ufile.ca/ufile/UF2023ANGH8G ... ile2023zip

Click on "Extract" to unzip the zip file into a folder, then run setup.exe. This one will install the software.
I think your links are missing the '.' before exe and zip. i.e.

https://cdn.ufile.ca/ufile/UF2023ANGH8G ... le2023.exe
https://cdn.ufile.ca/ufile/UF2023ANGH8G ... le2023.zip
by NormR
24 Dec 2023 11:11
Forum: Taxing Situations
Topic: UFile 2023
Replies: 28
Views: 3637

Re: UFile 2023

Arby wrote: 22 Dec 2023 17:54
Peculiar_Investor wrote: 22 Dec 2023 12:45 The UFile for Windows 2023 download is now available.
I clicked on the link in Download and Install instructions in my purchase transaction, but I got a message "Insecure Download Blocked". In order to proceed with the download I had to click on "Keep"'
The link they sent uses http not https - and you can't just add the s. Seems like an unfortunate oversight for tax software.
by NormR
20 Dec 2023 12:06
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: Programming language recommendations for website [split from Webhosting]
Replies: 11
Views: 660

Re: Programming language recommendations for website [split from Webhosting]

Looks like I can persist using perl, after some suitable updates :)

But I think I might give php a try on the Periodic Table. If successful, I'll probably port the Asset Mixer over too.
by NormR
15 Dec 2023 12:17
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: Programming language recommendations for website [split from Webhosting]
Replies: 11
Views: 660

Re: Programming language recommendations for website [split from Webhosting]

NorthernRaven wrote: 14 Dec 2023 23:35 Oh, Perl. I always managed to avoid that, reading Perl code always seemed to slightly repel me... :)
It really depends on the programmer and one's love of regular expressions. (There be a master of the latter around here somewhere. :wink: ) But perl is super easy for short text-heavy scripts. One can also enjoy one-liners. :wink:
by NormR
14 Dec 2023 22:34
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: Programming language recommendations for website [split from Webhosting]
Replies: 11
Views: 660

Re: Programming language recommendations for website [split from Webhosting]

NorthernRaven wrote: 14 Dec 2023 21:43 Your existing scripts are in PHP?
Thank you for your suggestions. I've a ton of old Perl code to automate things that will largely be migrated to my local machine and updates posted to the server as needed. But I have three Perl scripts that need updating before they go live again.
by NormR
14 Dec 2023 20:34
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: Programming language recommendations for website [split from Webhosting]
Replies: 11
Views: 660

Programming language recommendations for website [split from Webhosting]

I'm starting to copy my site to a new server, which seems to be going well. But my cgi scripts won't make the transition because it's time I use something half way modern instead.

What are people using today for fairly simple web scripts? Is PHP the thing to use? Something else?

While I'm not at all afraid to learn a new language, the updated versions of the Asset Mixer and Periodic Table might be delayed this year because I'm already snowed under with work this holiday season.
by NormR
11 Dec 2023 16:28
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: Webhosting
Replies: 8
Views: 861

Re: Webhosting

Thanks for all the feedback. Looks like I'll have to make the move sooner than expected.
by NormR
11 Dec 2023 15:17
Forum: Financial News, Policy and Economics
Topic: Clippings 2023
Replies: 343
Views: 32755

Re: Clippings 2023

ghariton wrote: 11 Dec 2023 14:51 Dan Rasmussen looks at private equity (PE) and tries to replicate using portfolios of publicly traded companies.
He's been fighting the good fight for several years. Those who are interested can find more via a google search.
by NormR
08 Dec 2023 17:46
Forum: Financial Planning and Building Portfolios
Topic: Is it really that simple? The Two-Minute portfolio?
Replies: 25
Views: 4799

Re: Is it really that simple? The Two-Minute portfolio?

IIRC, the two minute portfolio buys the largest 2 stocks in each sector. If true (and my memory is hazy) then the approach seems to be at variance with the observation that the largest stocks in any market tend to underperform over the longer term. (Basically the Nortel effect.) Mind you, the sector diversification should help a bit because it should push investors out of the top 10 by market cap to some degree. I don't know, it's not an obvious strategy.

Perhaps a low-cost TSX 60 index fund would be a better large-cap alternative? If I had to chose, I think I'd go with the index.
by NormR
06 Dec 2023 10:42
Forum: Property: Owning, Renting, Managing, Investing and Mortgaging
Topic: Housing Market 2023
Replies: 321
Views: 26383

Re: Housing Market 2023

Bylo Selhi wrote: 06 Dec 2023 10:32 Another "unintended consequence" of rent control. The lady I'm talking about rented at Yonge and Eglinton many years ago because her job was a short walk away. Then she got laid off. Her new job is at least an hour away by TTC. She can't move because her current residence is rent-controlled. (She doesn't have a car and can't afford one either.)
and it's not just the increase in rents. Housing prices have also made moving difficult. Add up transfer taxes, commissions, etc and it's easy to pay ~$100k+ to swap houses.
by NormR
06 Dec 2023 10:10
Forum: Property: Owning, Renting, Managing, Investing and Mortgaging
Topic: Housing Market 2023
Replies: 321
Views: 26383

Re: Housing Market 2023

Thanks Norm. I'll pass that on. The situation you relate seems to cover a redevelopment from rental to rental. What if the developer demolishes the building and replaces it with condo apartments? Are you suggesting they'd have to reserve some of those units for renters? In this case my friend is renting a house that is to be demolished (along with others) to be replaced by an apartment of some sort. I don't remember if it was to be condos or rentals. I seem to recall that the city requires subsidized housing in new (only some?) buildings? Again, my memory is hazy. That is to say, I don't know about the rental to condo transition. The rules would be toothless if they didn't account for such things, but the rule makers tend to be shifty and ...
by NormR
06 Dec 2023 09:07
Forum: Property: Owning, Renting, Managing, Investing and Mortgaging
Topic: Housing Market 2023
Replies: 321
Views: 26383

Re: Housing Market 2023

Her fear is that her landlord, a major player in the rental business, will force her out in order to profit from redeveloping the property. If that happens she won't be able to afford current rents let alone the price of a condo. Fortunately in her case she can move out of the GTA to be closer to family. But then she'd also have to retire from her job a bit early. One of my friends lives in the area and his rental is slated for redevelopment. The problem isn't immediate because it takes a few years for permissions, planning, etc. But evidently he has a bunch of protections for being in a rent controlled apartment. My, admittedly vague memory, being that the rules were highly favourable to renters. Something like a rental top up to cover a ...
by NormR
04 Dec 2023 19:05
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: Self-Driving Cars ... When?
Replies: 110
Views: 12558

Re: Self-Driving Cars ... When?

AltaRed wrote: 01 Dec 2023 10:33 I believe no one is going to win. This self-driving concept is just a 'bridge too far' given the variables involved, even with AI developments.
I'm hopeful the troubles will be worked out, but it sure is taking longer than I'd like. (Still, it's not as overdue as fusion.)

Might we be in something of an "uncanny valley" where it take another 10x or 100x improvement? Who knows.
by NormR
03 Dec 2023 11:07
Forum: Financial News, Policy and Economics
Topic: How large should investment assets be for a couple to retire comfortably at 65 ?
Replies: 23
Views: 1419

Re: How large should investment assets be for a couple to retire comfortably at 65 ?

Koogie wrote: 02 Dec 2023 15:16 Using approximations however they have said happiness peaks at or around 75K.
IIRC, the 75k study was refuted by a subsequent one that shows happiness continues to climb.
by NormR
01 Dec 2023 14:37
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: Audio Books
Replies: 2
Views: 245

Re: Audio Books

I've found https://toronto.overdrive.com/ to be very easy to use on PCs. (They also have an app.) The link is for the Toronto Public Library, but other libraries use the service.
by NormR
28 Nov 2023 23:18
Forum: Financial News, Policy and Economics
Topic: Define "rich"
Replies: 71
Views: 4268

Re: Define "rich"

ghariton wrote: 28 Nov 2023 23:00 Sorry, Norm, I should have made clear that I exclude you from my comment.
Don't worry, I didn't take it badly. There is a great deal about journalism to be disappointed about. :wink:
by NormR
28 Nov 2023 22:50
Forum: Financial News, Policy and Economics
Topic: Define "rich"
Replies: 71
Views: 4268

Re: Define "rich"

ghariton wrote: 28 Nov 2023 22:36 I am continually disappointed by financial journalists
Typically I have to describe what a median is should I decide to use one. Don't get me started on standard deviation. I should try semi-variance one day.

Problem is, the general public has no idea what a median is. IMHO, stats should be mandatory in high school.
by NormR
28 Nov 2023 22:29
Forum: Financial News, Policy and Economics
Topic: Define "rich"
Replies: 71
Views: 4268

Re: Define "rich"

Norbert Schlenker wrote: 28 Nov 2023 21:18
optionable68 wrote: 28 Nov 2023 20:16 the average 1% has a gross income of $512,000
There's huge skew up there. Median 1% is just over $250k.
Also known on being able to afford a mortgage on a new house - just. :wink:
by NormR
27 Nov 2023 18:24
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: Covid 19 - Vaccine shots
Replies: 66
Views: 4577

Re: Covid 19 - Vaccine shots

I had success on getting a course of Paxlovid from a local pharmacy thanks to a neighbor doing the delivery work. It's still fully paid for by Ontario. Good timing because, as with most colds, the symptoms are getting a little worse. The Paxlovid did a good job at getting rid of the virus. I was basically back to 80% the day after first taking it and avoided what was shaping up to be night of chills and fever (based on prior colds.) Back to 90% the day after and almost entirely symptom free today (the 5th and last day for taking the pills.) That is, it worked great. On the downside, I encountered a common side effect (up to 1 in 10 people) in the form of a bitter taste in the mouth for part of the day, which is irritating but solved by dri...