Help the nervous new guy

[rigdog]

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First off, HELLO. I've learned a lot already. I recently joined the naval reserves last year. I jumped right on to the TSP. It has remained in the G fund since then. After a liitle research I've decided against the F fund. I wanted to diversify between C,S, and I. The problem is I'm not sure if this is a good time to move. My research suggets I should stay in G until march. Am I making a smart move or making a rookie mistake?

 

[namor]

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"Welcome to the real world" said Morpheous.

It's hard to comment on your particular strategy because none of us has a crystal ball or a time machine.

You should do what I did. Instead of leaving your money sitting there, try moving it around for a few weeks. Move 100% into a single fund and see how it performs. Move it around, 100% at at time.Keep learning. You willmake some good moves and probably some bad ones. But don't stop, for you will have been awakened.

BUT the best piece of advice from thisTSP Vegas gambler: DON'T EVER be worried about your losses. Everybody loses at some point if they move money around.You can even lose by being in the wrong fund only gaining a pennywhenother funds rocket ahead. You will not learn until you move money around, but when you start, don't lose sleep over it. Think of it as an ocean beach. There's always another wave coming, even if this one was bad. Learn from your mistakes.

Surf's up. Good luck in your investments.

 

[Rolo]

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Welcome, rigdog!

What leads you to stay in G until March? (1st? 31st?) So far this year, your strategy is working!

 

[learning]

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There is a theory out there that if you were to get out on April 1st and then in on Nov 1st you would make money over all with less risk. You would miss some of the big positive gains to be sure. You would also miss some of the big falls if you were to look at the history of the stock market in the U.S. Think before you act. This is your retirement. Make the most of it.

Yes, if you were to stay in year round over-all you would have even been more up. It is the risk factor that your willing to take. I Believe things have changed on the short run. Long run market will be good for some time to come. Or so I really hope and pray.

Last- Perhaps do not do 100% into a fund and just move around. Watch and learn. Then move a little and see how you do. Of course if you really want to make money get a monkey to throw darts at a stock index. Or a steer to randomly it's pies on a huge stock index. They do better then the experts. Tried and proven. :l So think for yourself, but, listen to what others have to say. This is your retirement and you live with your deciesions not us. So you decide and do not blame us if you lose. Then again if you profit you get the reward and credit. How cool is that.:!

 

[Dakota]

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I agree, leave about 50% in g and try a little in c s and I see how it works, although I'm shying from I right now. There is a little optimism in c and s by some folks, I'm one of them. good luck. Dakota

 

[rodneywa2002]

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as a new person at this, only in since september.

I am moving my stuff around while I'm reading everthing I can. been reading this board off and on for a while

I don't have much money in right now soI would rather make a hugemistake now than later.

I went all C fund for a while, now spread around C, S, I.

I expect a weaker dollar

G fund sorta meant to me go in when you think interest rates are going down or your close to taking the money out.



I put 15% in each payday goverment won't put anything in for me till June

 

[grandma]

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Welcome, Rodneywa2002 - thank you for posting ..

Washington State-er? Several current & former's around !!! - including me - :!



Best of all on building uuuuup your funds!!

 

[TheMailman]

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I was the same way, I was Navy active duty and now USPS , I have learn alot from this site , I had all muy funds in G Fund but then S now I split the money around and today , I made about 200 bucks ontop of what I had save , Risk is always there but also the rewards. ABH2 Now The Mailman

 

[IBD Fan]

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rigdog wrote:

First off, HELLO. I've learned a lot already. I recently joined the naval reserves last year. I jumped right on to the TSP. It has remained in the G fund since then. After a liitle research I've decided against the F fund. I wanted to diversify between C,S, and I. The problem is I'm not sure if this is a good time to move. My research suggets I should stay in G until march. Am I making a smart move or making a rookie mistake?

Hello and welcome! Do your research until u find a stratgey for investing. The market doesnt seem to be moving out in any one direction right now (its been choppy) and since the beginning of the new year has been overall down a bit. Its hard to predict the market now but the overall trend seems to be up. Under these conditions it may be best to leave it in G fund. When you think the market is moving in a particular direction then try out the others C, S, or I. Your chances of making moremoney (then the G fund) are way better in an up market. However since you are new and if you intend to stay in the federal system for long you have the advantage of time on your side. So if you make some wrong calls and decide to ride the downs you can still recover. But your overall objective is make as much as you can which means being defensive when the market is going down and aggressive when its going up. All you got to figure out is when is it going up or down, then make your choices.