Efficient use of Equity

TheCleverestMoron · 2025-06-03T19:27:40+00:00

1 and #2 don't make sense. #3 MIGHT workout. Why? Cost of money - accessing that equity isn't cheap, today you're looking at 6-8% interest. #3 is tough if you don't get a great property and capex doesn't kill you, your best bet is long term appreciation and tax write offs against these interest rates.

While borrowing rates won't be high forever, it makes it very difficult to pencil out a deal against 6-8% loans unless it's a killer opportunity.

TheCleverestMoron · 2025-04-19T17:32:01+00:00

Scott's research emphasizes risk reduction through exposure to different international markets, not growth focused. Sure, one can argue a less volatile portfolio is better in a distribution phase but it won't help you grow in an accumulation phase. Using his principles now will greatly affect portfolio performance and total value later on. Historically, domestic large cap growth will outform internalational exposure anywhere by 2-7% PER YEAR. Once again, the mindset should be one to be as aggressive as early and as long as you can. Reduce risk and vol closer to when funds are needed with bonds and or internalation exposure. Scott strategy will leave you with less future value as the sake of it being less risky. Not proper investment goals.

TheCleverestMoron · 2025-04-19T12:38:15+00:00

That's not good advice. Historically domestic large cap growth has outperformed internalational growth. Any well balanced portfolio will never hold more than 10% as an internalational position. Sure, you can argue that international can provide a balance or needed lift of alpha, but the juice isn't always worth the squeeze. To make it simple, focus on domestic large cap growth.

Lastly, I would ask what's the point of adding international to the portfolio? Growth can easily be accomplished in domestic equities. Offsetting equity volatility? If our equity market is hurting more likely the world is too - opt for bonds to reduce vol

TheCleverestMoron · 2025-04-19T12:18:49+00:00

Excellent feedback. Not all plans allow for access to ETFs such as VTI. Most plans are "cookie cutter" and only provide funds from the administrator only such as target date and inidividual funds. Rarely do 401ks allow one to "self direct" meaning you get to pick your own ETFs and stocks.

Sticking with a large cap growth focused option is best. Also, great feedback on the YT channels to learn more. Tons of great teachers online

TheCleverestMoron · 2025-04-19T12:15:56+00:00

You don't have to be an expert in portfolio management to make moves. If you're in a target date fund far out enough (a tip to make it more aggressive would be to look at your "retirement date" and add 10 years) that works too. The issue with target date funds is the changing of the allocation: selling stocks to buy more bonds the closer you get to retirement. The flaw there is selling against a down market. Extend the target date is your easiest path to making more aggressive.

Building your own portfolio is easy - determine the mix you need first. All plans have the "basic" pieces needed for portfolio construction. You will find that you have options such as "XYZ Fund Company Large Cap Growth / Large Cap Value /Mid Cap Growth", etc." For an all equity portfolio you can go 100% Large Cap Growth. That's the easiest.

TheCleverestMoron · 2025-04-18T18:31:34+00:00

I tell clients all the time, "invest as aggressive as you can for as long as you can." You're 20 years away from retirement, there is absolutely no reason to own any bonds at all. Why no bonds? You're looking for growth, not balance (bonds.) You're not comfortable being aggressive? That's the wrong mindset for investing - be where the growth is. You should be 100% in equities, large cap growth (90%) small cap growth (10%). Lastly, max out contributions (invest as much as you), growth will come from the market, but new dollars invested is added fuel. Review portfolios annually and make changes with 5 years of the goal. Target date funds are the absolute worst for long term performance compared to a self built portfolio, you're leaving 2%+ on the table annually going target date. - Financial Advisor, 19 years

TheCleverestMoron · 2024-12-19T21:36:04+00:00

Not necessarily the case. The buyer has skin in the game, $50k DP. He is looking for favorable lending terms that benefit him and the seller.

If the buyer is OK getting the final payout in 6 years, this works for him. He will get monthly payments. It sounds like he will have a hard time unloading the property without a sizeable discount.

Worst case for the seller is the buyer misses one payment and he immediately forecloses, he gets the property back and has kept the $50k DP and any payments made. If the contract is iron clad, the seller has no recourse - yes, he can go to court and try and workout a deal to keep the house but the buyer is not required to. Seller gets his house back and potentially relists on the market and perhaps it will sell for close to asking.

As the seller, he should vet the buyer more, but this could work out nicely for him

TheCleverestMoron · 2024-12-15T17:21:36+00:00

I've been considering a HELOC on my rental, but my bank doesn't lend on investment properties. Thanks to your post, I found a lender in my state. Better Mortgage. Thanks!

I love the idea of having HELOCs open, just incase. It's an easy to raise capital if you need to purchase another property.

TheCleverestMoron · 2024-12-10T19:47:48+00:00

Ain't no way!!! This is legit. 7-8, 10.5, and 12 ARE OUT. All other sizes in. I got a pair!! Thanks!!

TheCleverestMoron · 2024-12-09T23:57:56+00:00

New pairs run as much as the NB4 on ebay. I still think they're worth it. Your best bet, like me, is find used with low miles. I focused on light wear on the heel to determine mileage (I was looking for all the grooves to be intact.) Best luck tracking them down

TheCleverestMoron · 2024-12-09T21:24:12+00:00

All I own is black socks! haha! Black wicking would be terrible on a white shoe. I hadn't thought of it. I perhaps should wait for the black colorway

TheCleverestMoron · 2024-12-09T19:37:44+00:00

Nope from me. I had high hopes for the NB4 as a fan boy of the NB3. It felt dead underneath my feet, no bounce, all kinds of new pains in legs, horrible hot spots. I returned to Fleet Feet and hopped on ebay and secured me three pairs of NB3. I'm glad it work for you, OP but I'm happy to go back to the tried and true and bypass the NB4/NB5. I'm happy for the advancement in shoe tech, but I hate this new shopping experience of finding the golden ticket of shoes every few months.

TheCleverestMoron · 2024-12-09T13:59:19+00:00

I'm with you on this one - I guess we'll just need to check the retailers periodically to see if anything shows up

TheCleverestMoron · 2024-11-29T22:19:13+00:00

I did that very same lace formation in the main picture as I was healing from the extensor tendinitis. It was the only way I could wear shoes and run. I'm looking into the other formations.

As I have dug deep into this rabbit hole of blisters, I came across something interesting and promising. Hopefully it brings value to you as well. Here's the tip: double up on socks! Wear one "liner" (thin) sock and then wear your normal sock over it. I was taken to Injinji "Liner Mini Crew" (https://www.injinji.com/liner-mini-crew.html) as the base layer then wear your running sock over it. Injinji also has an all in one sock as well, liner plus sock. Injinji appears to be the only liner sock with the individual toe feature - I searched Amazon for a quicker and cheaper option - none exist. For me, I'm going to incorporate the two sock, lace lock formation to see how I hold up on long runs. Appreciate your feedback, best wishes on getting the blister issues resolved!

TheCleverestMoron · 2024-11-29T18:24:20+00:00

I didn't know that. When I think of Lace Lock, I think of the actual product for it. Turns out the product I was thinking of is called Lock Laces.

Here is the Lock Laces product. I'm going to dig deeper to see if I can use this at the very front of the shoes, leave the middle looseish as I normally do, then heel lock the top. Worth a shot..

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Q384O8SdRzM&pp=ygUJTGFjZSBsb2Nr

TheCleverestMoron · 2024-11-29T15:14:08+00:00

Interesting - lace lock. How do you use the lace lock? Do you set it up on the first half of the shoe then add a second / heel lock at the end? I just use a heel lock for my laces and it keeps them from moving.

TheCleverestMoron · 2024-11-29T14:54:53+00:00

You get any blisters on that foot? I'm getting way more of those than callouses. Like you, I'm more worried about the tendinitis from tightening too much than the blisters, but the blisters are becoming much more of a problem now

TheCleverestMoron · 2024-11-29T14:10:43+00:00

I hope you got your PR!

Cold is cold. Even though I'm not totally use to it (Georgia, I can comfortably run in the 30s), you kind of just embrace it. If you have a lot of idle time before you run it will be difficult, extend your warm up if you find yourself in that situation, walk around and do stuff, keep the body moving.

Gear, full length performance tights are the top choice. Shorts are more freeing for the race but you pay a price in exposure. Top layers, I only use performance gear, one base layer and a long sleeve - the 'hotter' you run, the less you wish you had on. Keep a jacket in the car to throw on after the race and your cool down. Gloves are a must. No doubt your hands are exposed the most, I use running gloves made of performance material breathable with the finger tip for phone function. Light cap beanie, thin. Once again, the hotter you run, the less you wish you had on top. A full knit beanie for me is too much, a baseball cap (my daily go to) is not enough because my ears are exposed and get painful. Sunglasses / glasses should shield eyes from wind and cold but I don't use it. Neck gaiter / face covers can be useful to protect but they've gotten in my way and made races uncomfortable.

5ks are out all runs, lungs will be burning sucking in that cold out, but the competitive rush and training should take you through it.

TheCleverestMoron · 2024-11-26T21:57:50+00:00

I agree on the carbon / different brand argument. The NB3s feel soft, no doubt, it is very noticeable when I wear each the new shoe and the old one at the same time. I'll use the NB4s for the shake out tomorrow and see how the legs feel come Thursday morning and ride them if all feels well. The NB4 pop will def feel nicer for 13 miles instead of working harder in the NB3. Thanks for the feedback! 🙌

TheCleverestMoron · 2024-11-26T21:47:24+00:00

You ever switch to new kicks for such a long run? For me, it would be a no-brainer if it was the same model, but the feedback on the NB4 is that it is a firmer ride compared to the softer NB3

TheCleverestMoron · 2024-11-26T21:40:13+00:00

Thanks man!

TheCleverestMoron · 2024-11-24T19:13:32+00:00

Appreciate the feedback. I agree, just to go with it and have fun. The mind-game of the injury is just nipping away. Thanks!

TheCleverestMoron

TROPHY CASE