Long time listener...first time caller.....

[KyCards]

After reading this site, in addition to several others, I have finally gotten up the nerve to just post a simple introduction, and say "Hello" to all those active readers in the forums.
Although many of you have been in the TSP for several years, I am only in my 2nd full year of federal service, and therefore, have many....many....many....years to go before I am looking at retirement....

Yet, I enjoy the theory and debate amongst everyone, and the thought that perhaps....I could get an early start on preparing for retirement.

To give you a background of myself.....
25 year old, college grad, working now as a Fed Employee.

I change my investment amount (% from paycheck) periodically, but generally invest in the following percentages....
L2040 16%
L2030 4%
L2020 4%
L2010 4%
LI 1%
G 15%
F 13%
C 5%
S 12%
I 26%

My mix is has worked for me, and I don't generally use IFT's but once every 3 months. Even then, I tend to take from G, and send it to work (play??) in a F or C fund.

Youth is on my side for now, and I am agressively trying to tweak my percentages.

I like to chit-chat, so, if anyone has any suggestions...comments....or would just like to say "hello" back, please feel free to do so.

 

[tsptalk]

Hi KyCards! Welcome to the site.

That's quite a diversified account - probably overkill, but if works for you...

At your age, I would definitely be looking for opportunities to get more aggressive, i.e. lose the L-funds and some of that G and F, OR use L2040 exclusively. If you are timing the market you are doing fine, but this isn't a very good long-term allocation for someone your age. Too conservative. I guess it depends on the type of investor / trader you want to be.

Good luck! If you have any questions, let us know.

 

[nnuut]

Welcome to the Message board KyCards, plenty of chit chat here, enjoy!! That is one heck of a diversification you have there!
Norman

 

[malyla]

Welcome! I hope you will continue to find this site educational - I certainly have

On your allocation - I would tend to agree with Tom on the conservative aspect of your allocation. I one thing I regret about managing my tsp retirement account (I have two regrets really - the second one is not finding this site when it started) is being too conservative for the first 10 years of my service. I started fed service in a economic downturn and if I had been more agressive, I would have more than double my balance right now. I also did not max out my contributions until 5 years in. Using Tom's spreadsheets and some modifications of same clearly show this. Anyway, just my opinion as you must do what you are comfortable with.

There are alot of good people here all betting on a win - not a zero sum game scenario - just a win/win for everyone.
Good Luck. Malyla

 

[KevinD]

Welcome!

I don't have any words of wisdom...just a welcome.

 

[Frixxxx]

Welcome!

I'd love to see a strategy sheet that backtested those percentages of distribution.

Anyway, have fun, read, learn, and share!!!!!

Frixxxx

 

[ATCJeff]

Welcome

 

[Birchtree]

I agree with Tom, you are way too thin. Remember we are 6,000 points down from the previous top and now is not the time to be shy - buy only stock funds and hope we don't run back up as quickly as we came down. You really need to accumulate as many shares as you can while we are this low in pricing.

 

[justbizness45]

Welcome Ky, I also tend to agree with the others. Awesome job of looking ahead at such a young age. If you play it right you could have a 7 figure account by the time you are 50. Good luck!!

 

[EW_ret]

Welcome to our forums. You can join our Automated Tracker once you have 10 posts. Read the Automated Tracker Rules in my signature. Click Members Ranking to see the current return rankings of our members.

 

[Kentucky]

Welcome to a fellow Kentuckian.

So far, the only disappointing thing I can see is the "Cards" part of your name!

I graduated from WKU!

 

[Guest2]

Welcome Aboard !

 

[Callme_CO]

Nothing wrong with the cardinals. I'm a fan

 

[gonefishin]

Hello fellow Kentuckian, the Bluegrass is being represented. I agree with Tom also. I have been in TSP for 15 yrs now and man if could of had this kind of learning tool-wow. Anyway, Wildcats vs Cards Jan. 4 (GO CATS) :nuts:. <*(((><

 

[oncken]

From one noob to another welcome.