AircrewChief's Account Talk

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AircrewChief

AircrewChief

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Hello, everyone. My name is Brandon and this will be my Account Talk page. I'm active duty USN, and as my username suggests, I am an aircrewman and Chief Petty Officer, currently stationed in rainy Whidbey Island, Washington with my wife and two children. I have been active duty for 12 years and have been faithfully putting away at least 10% of my pay since boot camp. For the most part, I have stuck to the L-Funds and made my moves based upon news reports. After a very good 2013 and realizing that my current TSP balance represented more money than I earn in an entire year, I figured it was time that I start to learn more about the market. So a few weeks ago I bought a few basic books on investing and began learning more.

I started with Ben Graham's book, The Intelligent Investor, and despite being more than 50 years old, found it to be a fascinating resource that I continue to reach for. I'm slowly learning to read charts and do my own primitive analysis, with the intent of investing beyond the TSP this year.

I am more than open to any feedback or suggestions of ways to further my knowledge. I've been silently stalking this message board for several months, so I figured it was time to introduce myself. I look forward to sharing my investing journey with all of you.
 
BTW, I am currently allocated at 50% C Fund, 50% I Fund, with 1 IFT remaining for the month. Despite the very recent losses in the I Fund, Ukraine, and sharp decline in Chinese exports, the profit potential remains high. I am considering pulling the trigger and going 100% I Fund, with the intent of making a scramble back to G if the "fit hits the shan".
 
AircrewChief said:
sharp decline in Chinese exports.
Click to expand...

I didn't think many people paid attention to the International Goods and Services report. Do not forget that is a seasonal figure heavily impacted by the Chinese new year. Basically chinese exports / imports get low around this time of year due to it. Think of it like how we celebrate Christmas in the States. Production declines for a solid week, which is why it really throws off a month's numbers.
 
BichonFreeze said:
Do not forget that is a seasonal figure heavily impacted by the Chinese new year. Basically chinese exports / imports get low around this time of year due to it. Think of it like how we celebrate Christmas in the States. Production declines for a solid week, which is why it really throws off a month's numbers.
Click to expand...

Reading China February exports tumble unexpectedly, heighten slowdown fears | Reuters, I got the impression that this was not seasonal, but a comparison of this time last year. I don't think a 1.6% drop is anything to throw too much alarm, just something worth tracking.
 
So after a Fine February with a nifty 5.25% TSP profit, Maddening March has thus far brought me a loss of -1.46%. Three consecutive days of losses in both the S and I Fund have me wondering if I am trying to catch a falling knife. There is certainly some concern over China and Ukraine in the international markets, but the American markets may be simply facing a pullback. I'll be thinking it over this afternoon.
 
AircrewChief said:
Hello, everyone. My name is Brandon and this will be my Account Talk page. I'm active duty USN, and as my username suggests, I am an aircrewman and Chief Petty Officer, currently stationed in rainy Whidbey Island, Washington with my wife and two children. I have been active duty for 12 years and have been faithfully putting away at least 10% of my pay since boot camp. For the most part, I have stuck to the L-Funds and made my moves based upon news reports. After a very good 2013 and realizing that my current TSP balance represented more money than I earn in an entire year, I figured it was time that I start to learn more about the market. So a few weeks ago I bought a few basic books on investing and began learning more.

I started with Ben Graham's book, The Intelligent Investor, and despite being more than 50 years old, found it to be a fascinating resource that I continue to reach for. I'm slowly learning to read charts and do my own primitive analysis, with the intent of investing beyond the TSP this year.

I am more than open to any feedback or suggestions of ways to further my knowledge. I've been silently stalking this message board for several months, so I figured it was time to introduce myself. I look forward to sharing my investing journey with all of you.
Click to expand...

Welcome aboard Chief. Sounds like you have the right frame of mind for making money. This is a great place to learn. Good luck.
 
AircrewChief said:
So after a Fine February with a nifty 5.25% TSP profit, Maddening March has thus far brought me a loss of -1.46%. Three consecutive days of losses in both the S and I Fund have me wondering if I am trying to catch a falling knife. There is certainly some concern over China and Ukraine in the international markets, but the American markets may be simply facing a pullback. I'll be thinking it over this afternoon.
Click to expand...
Welcome, AircrewChief! It's hard to believe that it's already been more than 3 years since I've been posting on this forum. I didn't know the difference between a bull or bear market when I first started, so it's great you're reading up. I remember JTH posted a chart in my account thread early on, and I thought it was a screenshot from a video game or something. LOL. Just for the record, "catch a falling knife" is what you would say when you are not in stocks (when you're in G or F funds), and you decide to do an Interfund Transfer (IFT) into one of the stock funds (C, S, or I) while they are falling/losing value. That's what I'm debating about doing right now, as a matter of fact. In your situation, you are already in stocks (one of the L funds?), so you need to decide whether to wear "sticky pants" - ride out the downside action in order to take full advantage of the next bounce - or go to the "lily pad" - our word for the G fund when you want to wait for lower prices. I can't tell you what to do. Maybe Birchtree can. (He tells everyone to buy buy buy & hold - not necessarily bad advice)

Good luck!
 
Sensei said:
Just for the record, "catch a falling knife" is what you would say when you are not in stocks (when you're in G or F funds), and you decide to do an Interfund Transfer (IFT) into one of the stock funds (C, S, or I) while they are falling/losing value.
Click to expand...

I understand. I meant going full I Fund, which, I was considering.


I'm still not saying "sticky pants" under any circumstances. The imagery is just too horrible.
 
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