MFW Diary - Take 1!

Calfuray

edinburgher wrote: »

CSD have great customer service (no affiliation other than happy customer, looking forward to the 2014 tax year starting for a lump sum).

I should point out that once you've set up a DD, you also need to set up a monthly payment/purchase. I sat around for about a fortnight until they emailed me to explain

If you haven't decided on asset allocation yet, Monevator just covered it with a bit of humour.

Well that answers that question! I had emailed them about the monthly purchase, my fund was higher than my investment amount, and the website won't let you purchase a fraction of a unit like it should, so they're doing it manually. I had just sent them an email to do that and asking if I needed to set up a DD or if they took it out the details I provided on setup. So thanks for answering that! Is the only way to do a DD really a form?

Thanks for the link, I've loving Monevator since I've found him. I've started with Vanguard LifeStrategy 80% Acc funds, and will add different ones in once I feel more secure.

You proud of me for shutting up and jumping in?

edinburgher

I don't remember re. form, sorry Cal, but I'm very proud of you for getting started, of course

I'll not repeat this point ad nauseum, but the LifeStrategy funds are diverse, balanced portfolios for a variety of risk tolerances. There really is no point in adding anything else if you've been won over to the light side of index tracking. Whenever I see people on the investment board talking about adding other, actively managed funds, I seriously question whether or not they get 'it'.

What you may wish to do at some point (in about a billion years, as you are currently 15), is to buy a second LifeStrategy fund to 'lifestyle' your portfolio (i.e. reduce your exposure to equities as you age).

For example, I'll be adding some LS 60% to my LS 100% to reduce my exposure, as I'd quite like to retire at 50 and won't be quite as 'risk on' for the full 20 years. 25% in LS 60% and 75% in LS 100% = 90% equities, and so on...

Calfuray

edinburgher wrote: »

I don't remember re. form, sorry Cal, but I'm very proud of you for getting started, of course

I'll not repeat this point ad nauseum, but the LifeStrategy funds are diverse, balanced portfolios for a variety of risk tolerances. There really is no point in adding anything else if you've been won over to the light side of index tracking. Whenever I see people on the investment board talking about adding other, actively managed funds, I seriously question whether or not they get 'it'.

What you may wish to do at some point (in about a billion years, as you are currently 15), is to buy a second LifeStrategy fund to 'lifestyle' your portfolio (i.e. reduce your exposure to equities as you age).

For example, I'll be adding some LS 60% to my LS 100% to reduce my exposure, as I'd quite like to retire at 50. 25% in LS 60% and 75% in LS 100% = 90% equities, and so on...

Yeah, I seem to have to print off a form and send it to set up a DD, grr.

And thanks I am not that comfortable with risk, and get that since I am young, and volatility will happen over time but should average out well etc, etc.... but I'm still terrified! Hence the temptation to add extra bonds in etc.

I will be good and sit on my hands, and adjust 10 years down the line. 15! Hah! I wish

edinburgher

The fact you're young should increase your risk tolerance, you have a tiny mortgage and will have plenty to invest over the next 25 years or so

Calfuray

edinburgher wrote: »

The fact you're young should increase your risk tolerance, you have a tiny mortgage and will have plenty to invest over the next 25 years or so

Thanks, I will be brave!(r) :j

Calfuray

Productive day today!

Went from shortlist of 6 internships down to final three, and have written cover letters for these. First ones I have ever written, so asked friend who has graduate job to look over them. Hopefully they are okay. Also have to decide what preference to give these. I have to say if it's my 1st/2nd/3rd choice, and they will also use that to determine whether to give me an interview etc! :eep: Two are in USA (:eep:) and one in Scotland. Have to hand them in by 11am tomorrow, not sure if I should just send them away tonight or wake up and read over them tomorrow for last minute sanity check. I've only told a couple of people in RL about this as I don't want to say anything in case I'm one of the people who end up without one. 250 people in this stage, 150 applicants, but the odds also depend on how many people applied for the ones you applied to!

Tomorrow, meeting with research supervisor, and need to post DD mandate form to CSD, and R85 to 1st Direct.

All up to date with VO and 1P survey sites. I am so close to payout with VO! Gr. I'm loving 1P's short and sweet surveys, just wish I wasn't getting screened out of over 50% of them

Now need to go dig around the fridge to see what to make for dinner, there's butternut squash, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, broccoli, bacon and bits and bobs needing used up soon!

Hope everyone's had a good day

Calfuray

Question for anyone who used MFP - if you are making a recipe that doesn't have calorie information listed, is it enough to just count the calories of the individual ingredients?

Alchemilla

Yes of course. You can also quick add just the calories.

Calfuray

Alchemilla wrote: »

Yes of course. You can also quick add just the calories.

Okay, thank you! I know it sounds like a silly question but I wasn't sure how it worked with stuff like bread etc if you were making it from scratch.

Alchemilla

Not silly at all, and I notice you are doing really well.