Checking in

[ArchAngel]

Greetings and salutations from the Department of Veterans Affairs!

Totally clueless about all this buy, sell, hold, IFT, EFT, h-i-j-k-l-m-n-o-p. Looks like I have a whole new language to learn. Anyway, really glad I found this site. Looks like everyone here knows their stuff.

After looking over all the info here I'm thinking my initial strategy is to follow the Sentiment Survey to the letter. At least until I get some kind of understanding about how all of this works! But who am I to question what is obviously working right?

Just started contributing at 10% hoping to average a 15% annual return by the time I retire in 18 years (23 if I have to go until 67). Any tips, tricks or advice is welcome!

God Bless and Merry Christmas!

 

[tsptalk]

Welcome, and thanks for joining us!

 

[TravelinTom]

Gee, Archie, the solid advice anybody here will agree to is that you contribute to the matching TSP limit. Bank anything more (as much as you can) into a no-load, low fee private sector account. At your age, I would put much of that into a Roth. I am pretty much a dummy too, so I have mine in Schwab ETFs that have no fee for trades. Vanguard, Fidelity and other such funds merit exploration. Check the Morningstar ratings.

Secondly, we would all hope to average 15%. Don't allow unrealistic expectations to discourage you.

The smartest thing I did with my TSP fund was to bail early into the G fund back in 2008. Before then I was "buy and hold". Don't pay attention to my "autotracker" account here, I haven't posted it frequently. After the 2008 crash I determined that I needed stocks/savings outside of TSP to react more quickly to market conditions with unlimited transfers and without the 4 hour "blind" delay in transfers.

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." Will Rogers

 

[nnuut]

Welcome to the Message Board ArchAngel.
Best of luck with your plan, be careful out there!
Norman

 

[Frixxxx]

Greetings and salutations from the Department of Veterans Affairs!
....
God Bless and Merry Christmas!

Welcome and thanks for your service to the Vets! (Being one myself!)

James will post the #1 thread for you to read first....(recommended)

Then the sky's the limit!

Good Luck!

And God Bless YOU & Merry Christmas to you and your family!

 

[ArchAngel]

I know 15% is a pretty hefty goal, no guts no glory right? As far as putting some into other financial products like a Roth, I've thought about it but until I get a better handle on this whole thing I think I'm better off in the TSP for now. Sure wish I could've gotten into this right after the crash when everything was so low!

 

[Birchtree]

Yes, a C fund price under $8 was certainly sweet - you accumulate more shares at lower prices. It's the number of shares that will enhance your retirement.