Search found 2497 matches

by George$
10 Sep 2014 14:15
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: Charity Recommendations
Replies: 71
Views: 2567

Re: Charity Recommendations

I'm quite impressed with - Lifewater Canada

With lots of good information -like
Over the past decade, governments and donor agencies such as the World Bank have spent up to $100/person to provide safe drinking water in underdeveloped areas. Lifewater Canada does this same work for $10/person by:
•Being run by volunteers working from home to keep overhead under 5% - see our $$ Statements
•Focusing on low cost technologies
•Empowering local people
•Doing the "Easy One's First"
And lots of pictures and data on 1413 projects to date
by George$
08 Sep 2014 11:29
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: Microsoft (Symbol-MSFT) - whereto
Replies: 244
Views: 47760

Re: Microsoft (Symbol-MSFT) - whereto

I keep peeking at MSFT

This morning it is again up over 1% - while the rest of the market is dipping down - why?
MSFT is now at about $46.50 per share as I type.
See https://www.google.ca/finance?q=NASDAQ% ... 44FY&hl=en

It seems to go up one day - then down the next a bit - then up - in that fashion over and over again. In general it is going up. It makes me wonder is somebody is slowly acquiring a large position in MSFT - and must do so patiently - not all at once - to avoid going up high too quickly?

:?
by George$
07 Sep 2014 05:54
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: to buy new or used car?
Replies: 1590
Views: 126869

Re: to buy new or used car?

I happen to know SQRT from another forum where he encountered bias and sarcasm from people who began to think he was rich. I encouraged him to come to FWF because I said they were a more mature group who could handle income inequality better. For me that's not the issue. I simply fail to see the attraction in a $100k car when a $30k one will do. Although I can afford the former I have no interest in doing so. As far as I'm concerned the latter will get me to my destination just as quickly (legally!) and almost as comfortably as the former. I don't see 3x the car in a MB/BMW vs a Honda/Subaru. Sure if you have special needs (6'4" tall, need for cargo/towing capacity, drive in the mountains, etc.) then there's likely greater marginal va...
by George$
05 Sep 2014 09:05
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: What to do with mid/long bonds?
Replies: 65
Views: 4550

Re: What to do with mid/long bonds?

About bonds - have you folks viewed the profiles for bonds over the last 200 years - and see where the % return is today -
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2013/01/lo ... o-present/
by George$
05 Sep 2014 09:01
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: What to do with mid/long bonds?
Replies: 65
Views: 4550

Re: What to do with mid/long bonds?

gsp_ wrote:
George$ wrote:I think I agree - except I never cared about bonds - always went for equities - and willing to accept Buffett's comment - "Don't invest in equities unless you can live ok with a 50% equity drop in the market." (A short term shallow risk - not a deep risk - :thumbsup: )
Spoken like a man with a large DB pension. :wink:
Not quite so. My pension today has an equal DC pension (after 11 years) income as my 30 year DB plan (which is missing about half of the assets for its pension promises). I can do without my DB plan. (In my opinion many DB plans are Ponzi pension plans.)

If you want a longer memo on my DB vs Dc views and experience - send me your email address via the "pm" here. :beer:
by George$
05 Sep 2014 04:57
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: What to do with mid/long bonds?
Replies: 65
Views: 4550

Re: What to do with mid/long bonds?

apater wrote:For better or worse, I bit the bullet and sold all my interest rate sensitive funds. :shock: It's a (small) gamble, but I think that they will suffer a permanent capital loss over the next year or two. I don't have the time nor skills nor inclination to try and time it closer, so I acted now and used the proceeds to buy lower priced equities.

Apart from a bit of cash in case there is another Taper Tantrum event, all of my holdings are in equities.


I think I agree - except I never cared about bonds - always went for equities - and willing to accept Buffett's comment - "Don't invest in equities unless you can live ok with a 50% equity drop in the market." (A short term shallow risk - not a deep risk - :thumbsup: )
by George$
05 Sep 2014 04:46
Forum: Financial Planning and Building Portfolios
Topic: Risk = ??
Replies: 491
Views: 108503

Re: Risk = ??

... This seems somewhat related to Baader-Meinhof syndrome/recency illusion cognitive bias. I found this interesting - but I am not familiar with your reference here. What might your background be? One of my beliefs when I was younger was that investing success was due to financial knowledge. After doing modestly well, I realized that I was terribly misguided. Likewise I spent about 10 years when I was young (from 1962 to 197?) - searching for the "wise and smart" investor managers - and funds - until I realized that was foolish and naïve on my part Investing success has more to do with individuals with better emotional bias management taking advantage of others who didn't. After that revelation, things became easier for me...and...
by George$
03 Sep 2014 10:45
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: Beer in Tronna (2014)
Replies: 78
Views: 2004

Re: Beer in Tronna (2014)

I don't have my picture on the FWF
So
here is somewhere else you can use to recognize me - see the YouTube on left side of
http://www.wcsymposium.com/

:beer:
by George$
03 Sep 2014 09:06
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: Beer in Tronna (2014)
Replies: 78
Views: 2004

Re: Beer in Tronna (2014)

Jo Anne wrote:I think it's a great idea. IIRC, I did the same at Beer in Picton.

So I will bring name tag stickers and a soft pen for it. See you.

:thumbsup:
by George$
02 Sep 2014 17:02
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: Beer in Tronna (2014)
Replies: 78
Views: 2004

Re: Beer in Tronna (2014)

Hi:

I will be there tomorrow.

I really have problems with names - plus a poor memory.

Does the following make sense?

Have stickers available - where we can put our FWF name + real world name?

I will bring the stickers and soft pen - if others think if worthwhile. :?
by George$
01 Sep 2014 15:52
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: High interest rates for savings, GICs and MMFs (2014)
Replies: 576
Views: 53790

Re: High interest rates for savings, GICs and MMFs (2014)

adrian2 wrote:
jeremy wrote:3% interest at Tangerine until November 30 on new deposits between September 1-15:

https://www.tangerine.ca/en/landing-pag ... index.html
5 family members, each with Tangerine + PCF -> time to reshuffle! :D


Adrian - am I correct understanding that you are now moving $s from pdf to tangerine - to increase your return on the moved $s from 1.3% to 3.0% for three months (Sept+Oct+Nov)?

Me too. :thumbsup:
by George$
31 Aug 2014 12:30
Forum: Retirement, Pensions and Peace of Mind
Topic: Annuity Rates
Replies: 92
Views: 13101

Re: Annuity Rates

ghariton wrote:Thanks, Scomac

I notice that, as ever, there are no quotes for annuities indexed to inflation.

I suspect that is because very few Canadians, including financial advisers, understand inflation.

George
Yes, I agree that inflation is most important - but is this not quoted in http://www.lifeannuities.com/annuity-ra ... index.html as - Index Annuity Rates?

In addition I always wonder what uncertainty there is in the survival of the annuaity issuer - and on the opposite end , how much "profit" do they buil in?
by George$
31 Aug 2014 08:37
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: Which Charity Is The least Worthy Of A Donation
Replies: 108
Views: 19262

Re: Which Charity Is The least Worthy Of A Donation

As an engineer I was disappointed by the over-managed processes and wasteful ways that many charities adopt for the essentially simple process of providing wells - so when I eventually stumbled over Lifewater it was like a breath of fresh air. Are you referring to EWB? ISTM they do good work in providing engineering solutions to basic problems in the developing world, including provision of clean water, sanitation, light, etc. I should be more familiar with EWB (Engineers Without Borders) - but am not. They seem to have a good website http://newsite.ewb.ca/about-us In looking at the 2012 investments at https://newsite.ewb.ca/donate - it seems a fair % goes to fundraising, administration and management And there is much to look at and read ...
by George$
30 Aug 2014 14:56
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: Which Charity Is The least Worthy Of A Donation
Replies: 108
Views: 19262

Re: Which Charity Is The least Worthy Of A Donation

pmj wrote:One of my favourites: http://www.lifewater.ca - constructs wells in remote communities. It's not uncommon for some women to spend half their day collecting water - so providing a well to a village that didn't have one can have enormous benefits.
Lifewater appear to use its income very efficiently - and no voluntourism :).
Again thanks. After reading their web site and communicating with Jim Gehrels (President of Lifewater Canada) in Thunder bay - I made my contribution for 2014 and hope to continue doing so in the years ahead.
George
by George$
25 Aug 2014 14:17
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: Which Charity Is The least Worthy Of A Donation
Replies: 108
Views: 19262

Re: Which Charity Is The least Worthy Of A Donation

pmj wrote:One of my favourites: http://www.lifewater.ca - constructs wells in remote communities. It's not uncommon for some women to spend half their day collecting water - so providing a well to a village that didn't have one can have enormous benefits.
Lifewater appear to use its income very efficiently - and no voluntourism :).
Thanks Peter. This interests me - very efficient and basic - helping with providing water and sanitation.

In looking at donation webpage at http://www.lifewater.ca/donate.htm
It reads - Donate your publicly traded Canadian Stocks, Mutual Funds or Bonds
Does this means they cannot accept US stocks - like MSFT? (Easy to contact them and find out - :? )
by George$
24 Aug 2014 14:01
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: Which Charity Is The least Worthy Of A Donation
Replies: 108
Views: 19262

Re: Which Charity Is The least Worthy Of A Donation

Yes to the Menonnite efforts - MCC - and in part from my meeting with them in northern Labrador communities. I plan to make more donations there.

Recently I have also tried to be generous to Doctors Without Borders - http://www.msf.ca/

And to the StephenLewis foundation - http://www.stephenlewisfoundation.org/

I welcome more experiences and views on how to do more with each $ donated
by George$
19 Aug 2014 14:32
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: How do I print or copy from a video presentation?
Replies: 22
Views: 283

Re: How do I print or copy from a video presentation?

Much thanks to Shakes and tri1066ca (and maybe Norm :wink: )

But I must confess there is much I am lacking in PC practice - and a bit slow in learning. Can you advise?

I used the PrintScrn key and then found the whole web page (including a slide in the page) it in Word Clipboard.
What do I do next? How do I select what I want?

:|
:oops:
by George$
19 Aug 2014 12:40
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: Microsoft (Symbol-MSFT) - whereto
Replies: 244
Views: 47760

Re: Microsoft (Symbol-MSFT) - whereto

cashinstinct wrote:Contrary to Microsoft in the 1990s, Amazon in the 2010s does not make serious money. They seem interested in money-losing stuff every year like streaming videos.

I think misrepresented.
True Amazon is mostly interested in market share at present - not P/E - but that will come if they are smart and successful.
Jeff Bezos is smart and patient - and very young compared to Buffett.
by George$
19 Aug 2014 12:35
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: How do I print or copy from a video presentation?
Replies: 22
Views: 283

How do I print or copy from a video presentation?

I was just looking at a presentation at CFA Institute

Leo de Bever: "Taking the Long View in Pens..."
at
http://new.livestream.com/livecfa/Bever

And wanted to print or copy some of the overheads Leo showed - but could not figure out how to do it. Is it possible?
by George$
19 Aug 2014 11:27
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: Beer in Tronna (2014)
Replies: 78
Views: 2004

Re: Beer in Tronna (2014)

adrian2 wrote:For the 2nd reunion, with Keith on September the 3rd, I'm nominating C'est What, a place where we met with Norbert not so long ago. Plenty of craft beer to choose from.

I'll make a reservation as the date draws closer.


And I should be ok for Sept 3, 2014. :thumbsup:
by George$
19 Aug 2014 11:19
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: Microsoft (Symbol-MSFT) - whereto
Replies: 244
Views: 47760

Re: Microsoft (Symbol-MSFT) - whereto

Just noticed that MSFT gone a bit over $45 per share - has not been there since 2000. No idea why? Have a look at MSFT via google finance - https://www.google.ca/finance?q=NASDAQ%3AMSFT&ei=L2TzU_hVh6fyBoSZgYAG&hl=en - and then link to "all" time in the above This shows you MSFT since about 1986 - to today There have been share 9 splits in all since start in 1986 And also many dividends since 2003. I bought in 1992 - and so enjoyed 6 splits - or x64 increase in my initial shares - since 1992 - plus dividends. I'm very fortunate - but no idea today how to achieve something like this again today. I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time and knew from experience the power - or force of software protective moa...
by George$
18 Aug 2014 10:14
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: WebBroker - interest rate on cash - TDB8150
Replies: 12
Views: 7404

Re: WebBroker - interest rate on cash - TDB8150

Peculiar_Investor wrote:Previous discussion that might be of interest (pun intended) -- Cash Alternatives at TDW.

Again - much thanks - to all the posts on this from all contributors! :thumbsup:
by George$
17 Aug 2014 08:46
Forum: Retirement, Pensions and Peace of Mind
Topic: Frontline: Retirement Gamble Tue Aug 19, 10:00 pm
Replies: 4
Views: 1529

Re: Frontline: Retirement Gamble Tue Aug 19, 10:00 pm

Yes, worth seeing

It is also available as a video on your PC at
http://video.pbs.org/video/2365000843/

"“The Retirement Gamble” Facing Us All

April 23, 2013, 10:09 am ET · by Martin Smith

Retirement is big business in America, but is the system costing workers and retirees more than what they’re getting in return, asks FRONTLINE correspondent Martin Smith. "
by George$
16 Aug 2014 21:50
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: WebBroker - interest rate on cash - TDB8150
Replies: 12
Views: 7404

Re: WebBroker - interest rate on cash - TDB8150

Much thanks ltr and IdOp :)

While my posting shows my lack of details - I must confess I never thought about cash sitting at WebBroker - until now :oops:

Again thanks to FWF and .... :thumbsup:
by George$
16 Aug 2014 18:21
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: WebBroker - interest rate on cash - TDB8150
Replies: 12
Views: 7404

WebBroker - interest rate on cash - TDB8150

Just learned about TDB8150 today.

I have cash sitting in WebBroker accounts - earning no interest (including in my SDRIF) and so called TD WebBroker.
I don't want to lock up this cash.
Here is the solution - but it is not sitting in cash - must be transferred to TDB8150.
I need to use TDB8150 to earn 1.25% annual interest - why the manual transfers? - I don't understand - except to see it as another example to aid TD income. :?

See
https://www.tdassetmanagement.com/solut ... /index.jsp
or
http://www.td.com/to-our-customers/tdhe ... =d0254f719

Perhaps there are more informed colleagues reading this. :wink:
Comments welcome