The Money Mustache Community

General Discussion => Welcome and General Discussion => Topic started by: detroital on May 03, 2018, 09:22:58 PM

Title: ***CDs
Post by: detroital on May 03, 2018, 09:22:58 PM
For purposes of minimizing risk, how about, we put our nest eggs in CDs?  They are paying 2.9 to 3.2 percent for 3 to 5 year certificates.  That's an extremely safe way to do a 3 percent rule. 
Title: Re: ***CDs
Post by: inline five on May 03, 2018, 09:49:30 PM
For purposes of minimizing risk, how about, we put our nest eggs in CDs?  They are paying 2.9 to 3.2 percent for 3 to 5 year certificates.  That's an extremely safe way to do a 3 percent rule.

With no appreciation you will lose money with inflation, assuming you don't reinvest the interest back into the principal.
Title: Re: ***CDs
Post by: VoteCthulu on May 03, 2018, 09:50:56 PM
Inflation is what kills that plan. The 4% rule for a balanced portfolio uses the real return (inflation adjusted), which is equivalent to a 7-8% CD rate.
Title: Re: ***CDs
Post by: inline five on May 03, 2018, 10:33:33 PM
Not to mention if you aren't concerned about appreciation just buy PMF, it's a Pimco muni fund that isn't taxable as Fed income, it pays 5.5% yield...
Title: Re: ***CDs
Post by: detroital on May 04, 2018, 04:02:54 AM
CDs are FDIC insured.  Is the Pimco fund?
Title: Re: ***CDs
Post by: DreamFIRE on May 04, 2018, 05:21:34 AM
With inflation on the rise, those CDs may not even keep up with inflation over that long of a time span, and don't forget tax.  The PMF fund doesn't look good, either.
Title: Re: ***CDs
Post by: alanB on May 04, 2018, 11:29:23 AM
Great strategy, just reduce that SWR to 2% then you should be good for another 50 years ;P
Title: Re: ***CDs
Post by: Radagast on May 04, 2018, 12:51:42 PM
That has huge risks on both ends. On the one end, inflation could destroy CD's. On the other end, 3 and 5 year CD's have reinvestment risk: maybe CD rates will drop to 0-1% for the next 30 years, and your 3% CD's will expire in 3-5 years. If your horizon is less than 30 years and you are OK losing your principal, a TIPS ladder could work. Usually I recommend at least 50% in stocks for the long run though.