Finally introducing myself!

[bazinga!]

Hello all!
I've been lurking around for the past 8 or so months and decided to introduce myself.
I feel like I almost know some of you from reading and learning so much from your posts...thank you.
Having been a federal employee for 21 years, you think I would have paid attention to my TSP account before now. It is embarassing to admit how "green" I am. I did not even know that I had been a "buy and holder" for almost 20 years----sitting in the C fund all that time!! But NO MORE! I am finally stepping up to the plate and at least trying to take charge of my retirement and investments.
It was very overwhelming at first, but I am just now feeling like a have a slight grip on what is going on.
Now you know for sure I don't have much of a clue about the message board as I cannot get rid of this emoticon!!
Ha! It probably needs to stay on all my posts. It's quite appropriate for the way I'm feeling. Now that I've introduced myself, I will probably bombard you all with questions (showing my ignorance) but that's OK (swallows pride----makes money!) Thanks for listening and I will see you around!
Lori

 

[RealMoneyIssues]

Welcome Lori !!

Good luck!!

 

[coolhand]

Hello all!
I've been lurking around for the past 8 or so months and decided to introduce myself.
I feel like I almost know some of you from reading and learning so much from your posts...thank you.
Having been a federal employee for 21 years, you think I would have paid attention to my TSP account before now. It is embarassing to admit how "green" I am. I did not even know that I had been a "buy and holder" for almost 20 years----sitting in the C fund all that time!! But NO MORE! I am finally stepping up to the plate and at least trying to take charge of my retirement and investments.
It was very overwhelming at first, but I am just now feeling like a have a slight grip on what is going on.
Now you know for sure I don't have much of a clue about the message board as I cannot get rid of this emoticon!!
Ha! It probably needs to stay on all my posts. It's quite appropriate for the way I'm feeling. Now that I've introduced myself, I will probably bombard you all with questions (showing my ignorance) but that's OK (swallows pride----makes money!) Thanks for listening and I will see you around!
Lori

Welcome to the board! Just so you know, this was the first message board I ever got involved with, which was about 9 years ago. At the time, I felt the same way you do right now. Overwhelmed and filled with emotion. But it's been quite a learning experience and I'm glad I took the risk back then. Again, welcome!

 

[Birchtree]

Gosh, if I were Lori, I'd stay with that C fund for another 20 years and retire rich. You know she's already made good money with her discipline.

 

[nnuut]

Welcome to the forum bazinga38. Lori I hope you make big bucks for your retirement. About time you posted by the way!
Best of luck.
Norman

 

[DreamboatAnnie]

Hi Lori. ... Welcome.. And wish the best!

 

[tsptalk]

Having been a federal employee for 21 years, you think I would have paid attention to my TSP account before now. It is embarassing to admit how "green" I am.

Welcome Lori! I'm glad you found us. The reason I started TSP Talk was because of people just like you. I knew based on many of my co-workers, that most people had no idea what to do. I thought - How cool would it be to start a site to bring TSP folks together and each other? 9 years later, we're still doing it, and it's very rewarding. I hope we can answer your questions and point you in the right direction too.

 

[nasa1974]

Lori, welcome aboard. This is a great place to learn. I agree with Birch. Being in the "C" fund for 20 years should have gotten you into a nice area for retirement. Like the rest of us we are still learning how to better manage our account. Good luck.

"Big Bang" fan?

 

[bazinga!]

Wow! I feel special with all the Rock stars replying to my post and welcoming me! Thank you all.
Yes I was fortunate with my "dumb luck" (not discipline) in the C fund.....well, until 2008, that is. But C was good to me for the last 5 years. But now that I know the little that I do, I realize that I must pay attention as I may have to retire early to move to Florida and help my parents who are in their 80's (at some point.) The two emotions I am trying to stay away from are fear and greed, so I follow a premium service which has helped tremendously at keeping those emotions in check. Now, for the most part most of my emotions are excitement, elation and relief.
Coolhand, I hope I will be a 9er like you someday, and look at you now---moving up with the Big Dawgs in the Premiums. Congrats!
I have so so so much more to learn, but with everybody's help, I'm taking baby steps and I'm on my way---Bazinga!!!!
Yup---a Big Bang fan.
Thanks again for the warm welcome!

Lori

 

[coolhand]

Wow! I feel special with all the Rock stars replying to my post and welcoming me! Thank you all.
Yes I was fortunate with my "dumb luck" (not discipline) in the C fund.....well, until 2008, that is. But C was good to me for the last 5 years. But now that I know the little that I do, I realize that I must pay attention as I may have to retire early to move to Florida and help my parents who are in their 80's (at some point.) The two emotions I am trying to stay away from are fear and greed, so I follow a premium service which has helped tremendously at keeping those emotions in check. Now, for the most part most of my emotions are excitement, elation and relief.
Coolhand, I hope I will be a 9er like you someday, and look at you now---moving up with the Big Dawgs in the Premiums. Congrats!
I have so so so much more to learn, but with everybody's help, I'm taking baby steps and I'm on my way---Bazinga!!!!
Yup---a Big Bang fan.
Thanks again for the warm welcome!

Lori

I moved to Florida after spending about 20 years in San Diego. The beaches, no state tax, warm climate (too warm sometimes) and lower cost of living attracted me. But my parents live here too, and they're in their 70's, although still independent. My Father-in-Law already lives with me and he's in his 80's so I understand your motivation to be close to your parents.

Thanks for the congrats! I'm looking forward to it.

 

[uscfanhawaii]

Welcome, bazinga! (I am also a BB fan.)
I started in TSP when FERS first came out (I transferred from CSRS) and always stayed with the stock funds, as much as they allowed. When I got to 33/34/33, C/S/I, I stayed that way all the way up to 2008. It was then that I realized that my 'Dollar Cost Averaging' was dwarfed by market changes, so tried to control my account. I've had mixed results. As BT said, it might be best to stick with the buy and hold system. It IS hard to accept what happened in 2008 tho. I finally caught up to my Dec 2007 high last year! B&H with DCA is definitely a valid system. Try different systems and then stick with the one that you find best!
And...GOOD LUCK!!