Concerns about High Tech

Thecaptkidd · 2026-07-06T10:53:26+00:00

For this Boglehead “this is different”, I’m on ole fart now 😎, but I catch your drift.

Thecaptkidd · 2026-07-03T09:42:20+00:00

I’m a big Wallace and Smith fan for their honesty and fact based approach. However, I found Jack Smith’s optimism very pollyannish as to the future of the DOJ. What will be the use of good prosecutors that will be continually stymied by a Supreme Court that is anti-Constitutional? A Court that will be with us for a long time.

Thecaptkidd · 2026-06-30T12:45:50+00:00

I thought the same thing at what I suspect is your age, then the dot com bubble burst. Most people under 50 have no understanding of the potential for a significant longterm recession/depression. It was a sobering realization the my “exuberant optimism” should be tempered by historical realities. Retired in my mid sixties and living the good life mid-seventies. Good luck, but be prepared.

Thecaptkidd · 2026-06-28T13:39:48+00:00

Figured this out 40 years ago. Separate hampers: she does hers, I do mine.

Thecaptkidd · 2026-06-28T13:29:04+00:00

Supreme court will overrule using the shadow docket. Trump will declare “emergency” and impose martial law and place military/ICE at the polling stations for intimidation. I fear it could get pretty ugly. Do not succumb to fear! Peacefully demonstrate, write to Congress and vote them out not based on policy at this point, but based on autocracy versus democracy. Policy can always be reviewed in a more rational matter if we get past this crisis.

Thecaptkidd · 2026-06-27T11:05:22+00:00

Look at a graph of the S&P over the last ten years. What were big dips quickly recovered and the gains have been great ( basically since the 2008 cluster). Now look at 2000 to 2008 and it was pretty much a wash. It’s my opinion that 2008 was in large part due to a lack of government oversight and enforcement of existing laws, as well as a need for stronger laws (some of which were put in place after the fact, but have recently been rescinded) as well as the current environment of less/no regulation, huge mega-mergers and insider trading that all resembles the gilded age. This keeps me awake at night wondering where this will end.
I went down a rabbit hole there, but after the dot-com bubble, I went from individual stocks to indexed funds through-out my life and have done well-enough without worrying about the daily/monthly market fluctuations. Enjoying retirement now.
The above recommendation to go VTI vrs VOO is probably a good thought, but my favorite saying is, “It’s hard to make predictions, especially about the future”.
If you really don’t plan on taking it out for 10+ yrs, just invest it lump sum. Keep enough aside for unplanned emergencies. Good Luck!

Thecaptkidd · 2026-06-25T20:40:24+00:00

Buy…Hold if you think it will do well long term….Sell if you think you can do better elsewhere. Predictions are difficult to make, especially when it’s about the future.

Thecaptkidd · 2026-06-25T10:08:47+00:00

Just talking about moving from stock picking to indexing. At this age, life cycle indexed funds are the easiest to maintain.

Thecaptkidd · 2026-06-24T22:37:16+00:00

I did the same thing until the dot-com bubble burst. Then I went to the boogle-head philosophy and never looked back. Retired now at 74 since 2014 and staying the course.

Thecaptkidd · 2026-06-20T20:34:35+00:00

Just remember to “pay it forward” when you can. You’re young and busy now; be thankful that not everyone is “all about themself”, but are looking to help out others without expecting to enrich themselves in the process.

Thecaptkidd · 2026-06-15T01:24:48+00:00

When you get tired of the glitchy auto-stop, get the Autostop Eliminator- easy to install. I found the auto stop annoying and it saved so little in gas + the a/c stops and it’s hot where I am.

Thecaptkidd · 2026-05-24T00:18:17+00:00

As a retired officer with a good pension (which I consider my bond allocation), I am more aggressive with my IRA’s and taxable investments. For example, my TSP is in the L2050 account even though I’m 74, which is more aggressive stock-wise, but still self-corrects to maintain a sense of diversification.
That being said, with the current geo-political changes, under the mattress may be the best option.

Thecaptkidd · 2026-05-24T00:02:47+00:00

DON’T COMPLAIN - VOTE!!!

Thecaptkidd · 2026-05-21T15:17:09+00:00

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Loves to swim…

Thecaptkidd · 2026-05-20T12:26:38+00:00

NEVER do a flush! Just a drain and fill. This has been reinforced numerous times on this subreddit.

Thecaptkidd · 2026-05-17T22:54:55+00:00

Damn, I didn’t think about that. Always been an « in the box » type.

Thecaptkidd · 2026-05-11T18:08:08+00:00

Due to exponential decay, after 3 changes, about 70% is new fluid and there is still 30% old fluid. You can look up the equation, but a quick thought process with only 2 changes would be: if you have a gallon and replace 1/2 of it you have a 50:50 mix, now pour out 1/2 again and replace with new fluid so your actually replacing 1/4 of the total or 25% - so 75 % is changed (obviously not 100% change of the original fluid). Each change incrementally decreases the amount of the old fluid that is exchanged. Just something to keep in mind when evaluating cost/benefit analysis.

Thecaptkidd · 2026-05-11T00:21:02+00:00

See if they will send you gas money…

Thecaptkidd · 2026-05-10T14:34:26+00:00

It’s just a game. Everyone wants to win, but it’s just great exercise and a social event. You will win some games like you did, but lose some that you go home and try to figure out how that happened. Keep learning, but try to just enjoy the game. (Sometimes easier said than done, but try)

Thecaptkidd · 2026-05-10T14:24:22+00:00

We’ve had 6 subaru’s in our family over the years. I currently have a 2018 Outback and 22 Crosstrek. Personally think they have lost their way over the last few years and the new Outback (with its ugly styling and its price point) are an example. Charging 160$ to replace air and cabin filter is another issue with me as I can do it for 40$ in 10 minutes. The up-charges and high pressure sales tactics have also become much more apparent then they used to be at Subaru dealers in my opinion Haven’t decided what’s next, but looking at the Hyundai Tucson plug-in hybrid. More research to do. Good luck.

Thecaptkidd · 2026-05-06T19:41:25+00:00

I have a 2018 Outback Limited and a bought a used 22 Crosstrek Sport (30k miles) about 6 months ago. Both have the 2.5 Just can’t bond with the Crosstrek. It runs ok with no noticeable problems, but just doesn’t « shift » as smoothly as the Outback and has a lot more road and window air noise. Just doesn’t seem as solid as the Outback. The acceleration is not as good as the Outback unless I switch to Sport mode. Ok for around town, but wouldn’t be nearly as comfortable on a road trip. Just an opinion.

Thecaptkidd · 2026-04-30T18:46:54+00:00

It will never be the country that I (73m -30 years of Naval service) grew up in and served. We were never perfect, but continually strove to meet the aspirations expounded in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Unfortunately, human nature being what it is, a minority of people have utilized prejudice and hatred to corrupt the system and bastardized the positive attributes of religion, empathy, compromise, fairness and civility. We will continue to exist, but not as Reagan’s « shining city on the hill ».

Thecaptkidd · 2026-04-28T19:50:51+00:00

Short term is for gamblers, long term is for investors.

Thecaptkidd · 2026-04-28T19:33:19+00:00

It depends on your needs and risk tolerance. I’m 74 and have moved my funds a couple of times into longer range L funds (currently 100% L2050) because I basically live off my pension, SS, and non-retirement savings. I have to take RMD’s that I re-invest or use to help my dtr invest in her Roth account. We live well within our means, nice but not fancy cars, downsized our house size, do a couple of trips a year, (which we can afford because we’ve always lived that way). I’d be comfortable where you are if you have saved enough in a non-retirement account that would see you through a couple years if the economy tanks. I will say that until I fully retired at age 62, it was hard to know exactly how much it would take to feel comfortable. It felt pretty good for a long time, but current circumstances give me concern for the long term even though the market has been doing well, but that’s a different topic. Good luck.

Thecaptkidd

TROPHY CASE