A very long new member introduction and a few questions

[OkieJay]

I am new to TSP Talk, the TSP fund and investing, basically I know squat. Before I ask my questions perhaps a little background will help. After 35 years in the private sector I became a federal employee in Feb, 2014. I am putting 6% into the TSP right now and plan to change that to 8-9% soon and then try to bump it 2% every year after. Until I found this site and The FED trader I had my money in the L2030 fund, I am now split between the C and S funds. While in the private sector I worked almost 20 years for various dot com companies with crappy 401k matches ($500 for the entire year at one) and/or worthless stock options at others so I have no 401k money. I did manage to setup my own Roth IRA with Primerica, it has a decent chuck of money but not near enough. I have about 10 years to go before I retire and I really need to build up a nice nest egg. I have been married for over 35 years to a wonderful women. She worked until our second son came along and then she became a full time wife and mother. My biggest concern is that my retirement money will run out in her lifetime. The men in my family do not live to see 80 but the women in my wife's family live into their late 90s and even 100s. I do not want my wife to become a burden on her sons. I want her to have the money she needs to live comfortably ever after (I just made that up :smile.
My questions:
I was considering moving my IRA into the TSP but now I am having second thoughts. In reading Intrepid Timer's Premium Service information, it sounds to me like his service not only provides advice on TSP trades but also on Mutual Funds.
Does his service include mutual fund trade advice? Do the other premium services provide mutual fund advice? Is their any additional charges for that service?
I tried to learn more about mutual funds and trading them online but it is not really making sense to me. Can anyone point me to a good resource to learn more?
I have been doing some research and it looks to me like Vanguard has decent fees on Roth IRAs but can I trade in mutual funds with those IRAs?
Is their a way I can contact Intrepid Timer to discuss his premium service, I want to make sure that I am not hopelessly confused about what to expect from his service.
I know I have asked a lot but I intend to become a regular here and I will pass on what I learn. I can also provide excellent BBQ advice, I did competitions for about 4 years and had quite a few top five calls.
Thank you in advance for your time and assistance,
OkieJay

 

[burrocrat]

i think that clearly, by far, your best asset is that wife. so whatever you do with your money, do not lose that one and you will be fine.

 

[jpcavin]

As for the BBQ, if you cook it we will come.

 

[Intrepid_Timer]

Yes, my service provides trading signals for trading outside of TSP at no additional cost and I provide examples of various trade pairings that one can use with my timing system, including mutual funds. For 3X ETFs, the pairing I recommend is UPRO (long S&P) for buy signals and TLT (long bonds)for sell signals, with an occasional trade using SPXU (short S&P) if bonds don't look enticing at the time. Using my signals, that pairing as produced a 53.88% return as of Friday's close.

Previous year's it has returned:

2015: 53.02%
2014: 38.36%
2013: 68.02%
2012: 117.64%

I also provide examples of Profunds mutual funds that one can use and trading ULPIX (S&P) for buys and GVPIX (bonds) for sells has returned 25.45% so far this year.

This first thing I would personally do if I were you is transfer that Roth IRA to my own self-directed IRA at some online broker (Scottrade, etc) so you can use 2X mutual funds from Profunds. I believe Priamerica only offers simple mutual funds of their own choosing and managed accounts where the main emphasis is on collecting fees. I may be wrong though..............

 

[Cactus]

i think that clearly, by far, your best asset is that wife. so whatever you do with your money, do not lose that one and you will be fine.

I have to agree with Burro here. An important point is to keep your wife involved and make sure she is comfortable with what you are doing. I speak from experience here. There is nothing as devastating to your male ego as having your wife re-enter the workforce and start over after raising a family, not because she wants to, but because she has lost confidence in your retirement planning and thinks she has to to fund her retirement after you're gone. Those crashes in 2000 & 2008 did a number on our retirement funds and were a wake up call for my wife. Make sure your wife is OK with what ever you decide.

 

[Scout333]

I have to agree with Burro here. An important point is to keep your wife involved and make sure she is comfortable with what you are doing. I speak from experience here. There is nothing as devastating to your male ego as having your wife re-enter the workforce and start over after raising a family, not because she wants to, but because she has lost confidence in your retirement planning and thinks she has to to fund her retirement after you're gone. Those crashes in 2000 & 2008 did a number on our retirement funds and were a wake up call for my wife. Make sure your wife is OK with what ever you decide.

Great advice for investing Cactus! Remember you're a team! Also she may have to handle things after you're gone so the more she or he knows the better!

 

[Stoplight]

Okie,

GREAT intro of yourself, and your situation ! Keep posting, and asking questions...lot's of great people here, with various approaches to investing, who are willing to share their knowledge...but only YOU can decide what works for you !!!

I don't recall seeing a lot of posts from people in your situation...a non-Fed, until recently ! But that's what makes this Board so cool ! I look forward to seeing the responses you get ! If nobody has suggested it yet, create a "member account" thread on the Board, and post your questions, and your TSP moves, there !!! GUARANTEE you'll get feedback ! Good or bad...you decide !!!

Me ? I'm an already retired Fed, following a premium service with my retirement balance...

Heck...I think there's even a thread around here somewhere that has Q' as a focus !!! :smile:

Best Wishes !!!


Stoplight...

 

[OkieJay]

Thank you all for your kind comments and suggestions. I am looking forward to learning more about retirement investing and becoming much more involved in the process. I sat down with the wife and we decided to move my Traditional IRA into my TSP account and move my Roth IRA to a ScotTrade self administered IRA so I can do some hands on trading. As soon as I figure out how to sign up for Intrepid Timer's premium service I am going to do that. I hope to use his method to grow both my TSP and my IRA. I am going to start slow on the mutual fund trading with my IRA while I wind up the probate process on my parent's estate. Once that is done I will have the time and focus to get very serious.
Again, thanks for all the input.
OkieJay

 

[nasa1974]

Thank you all for your kind comments and suggestions. I am looking forward to learning more about retirement investing and becoming much more involved in the process. I sat down with the wife and we decided to move my Traditional IRA into my TSP account and move my Roth IRA to a ScotTrade self administered IRA so I can do some hands on trading. As soon as I figure out how to sign up for Intrepid Timer's premium service I am going to do that. I hope to use his method to grow both my TSP and my IRA. I am going to start slow on the mutual fund trading with my IRA while I wind up the probate process on my parent's estate. Once that is done I will have the time and focus to get very serious.
Again, thanks for all the input.
OkieJay

OkieJay,

Sounds like you are moving in a positive direction.

Before you move your money into your new TSP account do you understand the restrictions the account has?
You are allowed only 2 moves a month with unlimited moves into the G fund. Moves into the G fund can also count as one or both of your monthly moves. Also all IFT's (Inter Fund Transfers) must be made by noon EST.
I'm not trying to tell you not to make the move just trying to make sure you understand what TSP is all about.
Good luck and it sounds like you have a great wife and teammate.