We have most of our investments (not counting the house) in equities (stocks and mutual funds). This includes the retirement accounts, which are stock heavy. We are temporarily cash heavy at the moment- probably close to 10% .
Was reading this https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/circuitbreaker.asp about the stock market circuitbreaker. Level 1 (7% drop) and 2 (13% drop) triggers a 15 minute time out (unless its close to the end of the trading day). A level 3 (20% drop) would stop the trading for the day, if I am reading it correctly.
We are 50% in equities and we re-balance every three months to make sure it stays that way. Just did it last week, after it had crawled up to 53%. I like locking in gains.
ETA: We are 69 (me) and 67 (DH) and, for all intents and purposes, are effectively retired.
So we have a good amount of stocks. I feel like having it all under one TD america account as we do now is …somehow risky…do any of you divide your accounts? More worried about security/hackage than the market drop (which we can weather). We (ok, my husband) have the super-double check security blah on our account…but still. Thoughts?
Understood, @IxnayBob. It just seems the likelihood of a massive downfall of the market, without other indications (Nikkei drops, etc) would be unlikely.
We have a much higher percentage in equities than Bogle’s recommendation and most of you and that’s why I have no qualms about having several years of $ in cash equivalents. We definitely have skin in the game despite having a chunk of $ out of the market.
@TempeMom We do have the majority of our assets with one firm. A good portion of our cash isn’t, though.
We have a much higher percent of investments in equities than that Bogleheads recommendation noted in post 458 above. But I guess we are not thinking its likely the bottom will fall out of the market. That said, the current climb is … interesting.
@busdriver11 , I had forgotten about our open HELOC, there’s a year’s income should it come to that.
DH has no pension. I will have a whopping $19000/year teacher pension (came late to the game). So we need to rely on our 401k/403b/outside investments for expenses.
I would like two or three year’s expenses outside of the market. I think we probably have that if money funds at, say Vanguard, are safe enough. That’s my big question.
And if we have a long-term setback like Japan? I guess the whole family moves in together like the 1930s…
Nothing wrong with that, @dragonmom, shoot we are keeping our kids rooms as is, just in case. I would be comforted to have them here, as long as they were happily doing something productive.
In terms of net worth, about 35% home equity, 10% capital account in accounting firm, and the rest is in a 50/50 portfolio of stocks and bonds. Keep things really, really simple. The stock portion is in a Vanguard Total Stock Market funds and/or ETFs. The bond portion is in short term TIPS (also Vanguard).
Not counting home equity, about half our net worth is in rental real estate. The other half is in retirement accounts, which is divided about 80/20 stocks/cash. The real estate is essentially equivalent to a high-yield non-equity fund IMO, with some upside appreciation possible, and income appreciation possible as rents rise over time.
We keep very little in cash in our non-retirement accounts, because there are always mortgages to be paid down. We do have a HELOC we can use for cash if needed.
@HImom , it may be crowded for you , but we have a Texas sized house. Wish we lived where you do, but We could probably do a minor remodel and house all our children and a small second generation (to God’s ears,)
If it all craps out, we have plenty of space for the offspring and even their offspring. Plus - there is water in the swamp that I gather we have rights to. Firewood - not so much. The tree nazis say it is sacred.
Yes, we could remodel and build a 2nd story or make a small accessory dwelling unit. Our lot is 7500 sq ft and the home is about 1200 sq ft with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
We do have a 3bedroom 1bath 800 sq ft rental which is the home H grew up in that our kids could live in as needed (currently generating rental income). Has lovely view and is 66 steps from street to front door!
" I will have a whopping $19000/year teacher pension (came late to the game)" - That is really not so bad (especially if there is option for discounted medical insurance). Fewer and fewer retirees qualify for traditional pension plans. The new cash-accumulation corporation plans I’ve hear about would (as annuity) generate far less than that.
You want firewood, come to my house. We have a massive willow tree that just fell into the water. I always hated that tree, it was so ugly and huge, but now I feel kinda bad that we lost it. Will have firewood for a very long time now.
My kids live near DILs parents. They can move in there. So can DILs sister and her family. That would be cozy. Gee, for that matter my other s and his fiancee could pile in there too. They’d all be able to commute to work.
Firewood - not so much. The tree nazis say it is sacred. 
