James48843 Account Talk

Sort by newest Sort by date
Looks like the professionals are still in heavy too - NAAIM up from 79 to 110. VIX is still very low. Hopefully the steam roller is going slow and we will see it pick up speed in time to jump to the lily pad.
 
James48843 said:
Capitulation.

That's my word of the day.

I gave up and moved everything- 100%-- into the S fund.

No words.
Click to expand...

Good luck man. I like your moxie ... and have this irritating feeling I may be envying you in a few days or a week -- hell, maybe even two weeks or more -- because I'm still sitting fairly light 25S/15C.
 
So, here us a question.

How much is “enough”?

I’m sitting here, absorbing every last drop of upside movement I can on this S fund anomaly (yes, I think it’s an anomaly. There really isn’t the earnings growth to support this much movement upwards in the s fund.).

I’m 60 years old and have now retired.

I don’t expect to last except maybe to 74 or so, if I’m extremely lucky. 72 is probably about right. If I’m fortunate.

I’m obese, have a host of medical issues- heart disease, high blood pressure, and if I get a few years to do things, I’ll be happy. I KNOW I am never going to be 85 years old.

So how much is “enough”?

I’m taking $1,000 a month right now from the TSP, on top of my roughly $4k pension income. On paper it looks like I COULD be taking like 7 or 8 k per month, and not run out of money. I have now $1,165,000 in TSP and it’s growing, not shrinking, at this point.

But I don’t feel like that yet. I’m still thinking I need to scrimp pennies and save for later.

How do you know when it’s time to spend some if that ?


Sent from my iPhone using TSP Talk Forums
 
James,
If your comfortable with what you are doing then why make a change.
The only other thing would be to take out a little extra a month and put it away in savings or checking. I know it doesn't make any interest but then you might have some extra on hand to purchase something you would like or when Covid is over go on a vacation somewhere. Just enjoy it and have some fun.
 
TSP has an annuity calculator that shows what your balance would be depending on how much you take out each month and what return rate you think you will be able to get. Play with the numbers. Even with a very conservative 3% annual return, at the rate you are taking it out ($1000/month) you are going to keep going up until you have required distributions at age 70. Can you use any of the money to improve your health and give you more time to enjoy it? I know you can't "buy" health but perhaps you can afford to spend money on things that would improve your health (personal trainer, nutritionist, other treatment recommended by your physician, etc?) My feeling is you can't take it with you so enjoy it while you can - I think you could probably do that without wiping out what you have saved even with a conservative investment strategy. Congratulations on your retirement and your successful savings!
 
It depends on what you have in your will regarding what happens with your money when you are gone. If you have kids and wish to leave it to them then maybe being conservative is good. However, if not, enjoy the money you earned. Travel the world and do whatever makes you happy since that money isn't going to do you any good when you leave this earth.
 
James48843 said:
So, here us a question.

How much is “enough”?

I’m sitting here, absorbing every last drop of upside movement I can on this S fund anomaly (yes, I think it’s an anomaly. There really isn’t the earnings growth to support this much movement upwards in the s fund.).

I’m 60 years old and have now retired.

I don’t expect to last except maybe to 74 or so, if I’m extremely lucky. 72 is probably about right. If I’m fortunate.

I’m obese, have a host of medical issues- heart disease, high blood pressure, and if I get a few years to do things, I’ll be happy. I KNOW I am never going to be 85 years old.

So how much is “enough”?

I’m taking $1,000 a month right now from the TSP, on top of my roughly $4k pension income. On paper it looks like I COULD be taking like 7 or 8 k per month, and not run out of money. I have now $1,165,000 in TSP and it’s growing, not shrinking, at this point.

But I don’t feel like that yet. I’m still thinking I need to scrimp pennies and save for later.

How do you know when it’s time to spend some if that ?


Sent from my iPhone using TSP Talk Forums
Click to expand...
James, there's much you can do to improve your health and live longer to enjoy your retirement.
I recommend the book by Dr Caldwell Esselstyn, "Prevent and reverse heart disease" as a great place to start.
Wishing you a long and healthy retirement!


Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk
 
IMO, enough is when you have what you want. That could be a bigger house, fancier car or time to finally destress of years of worrying while working "will I have enough"? The latter was the right choice for me and my SO. Retired at 55 with quite a bit less than you have, I am currently 63. After house remodels and expensive purchases we decided to downsize since I realized I was chasing others dreams. Our monthly income is similar to yours and that is plenty for us, we still contribute to our IRA and haven't had to use it, BTW I believe the minimum distribution on TSP is now 72. I also can say that it took a few years to isolate the the things that were important to me after chasing "more", raising 6 kids and various bumps in the road it takes time. So take a breath, work on your health, I have that too big for my britches weight as well, and realize you now have options. Blessings and the best to you.
 
Thanks all!

By the way- thank you to the nurses at the VA hospital who are working today- a holiday. They gave me my initial dose of Pfizer Covid vaccine today.

Nurses- YOU ROCK!

First dose is done and in the arm, thanks to you!

I love socialized medicine! :-)

Image1613427966.842415.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using TSP Talk Forums
 
James48843 said:
Thanks all! ... By the way- thank you to the nurses at the VA hospital who are working today- a holiday. They gave me my initial dose of Pfizer Covid vaccine today. Nurses- YOU ROCK!
Click to expand...

JAMES -- Sounds like YOU ROCK also! Look what you've done - wow - worked very hard, served your country well for many years, watched the pennies while loving & taking care of your considerable family! Congrats on Retirement. I'll likely retire FERS after 38-years Fed-Service, lucky to have solid TSP but not as flush as yours is. It struck me that you must have some interests/goals you've not gotten to yet to take up & focus the mind & body, perhaps add in some volunteering for NPOs (local or far, it helps and always feels great) adding your considerable know-how and talents... and perhaps focus on investment in your health as diligently or more-so as you've focused on saving, working career and investing all these past years? Others on here replied with great tips/thoughts. I don't have it all figured out, have ailments that will likely shorten my lifespan, that's why I want to retire while I still have physical capacity and some vigor; I plan to stay very active and work of a number of things - sweat-equity major house-repair & - improvements projects, volunteering, get an RV and travel here & some more to Europe, and exercise more and teach myself to play guitar, and lots of time for family (not all in that order) ... will have to see if I stick to that plan.
I've always appreciated your sharing, thoughts, comments on TSPtalk! Thank you! Here are my prayers and wishes for continued blessings and fortune to you and yours. ...... Kurt
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

TommyIV
  • Article Article
TSP Talk Weekly Wrap Up - Who Bought the Dip?
Replies
0
Views
4K
TommyIV
TommyIV
TommyIV
  • Article Article
TSP Talk Weekley Wrap Up - Members Take Profits
Replies
0
Views
2K
TommyIV
TommyIV
tsptalk
  • Article Article
TSP Talk - Santa came to town on Tuesday
Replies
2
Views
152
TommyIV
TommyIV
tsptalk
  • Article Article
TSP Talk - Stocks mixed as Santa tries to find his way on Wall Street
Replies
0
Views
86
tsptalk
tsptalk
TommyIV
  • Article Article
TSP Talk AutoTracker - Buying the December Dips
Replies
0
Views
242
TommyIV
TommyIV
Back
Top