New to the board....

[Lost-in-Maine]

Hi from Maine. I was directed to the TSP talk site by a co-worker. Very interesting to see everyones opinion on TSP investments. Looking forward to the next 20 plus years of investing in the TSP

I am new to the federal government. Have been investing since my very first pay check in 2009. TSP website shows an 18.49% 12-mth return rate for me. Not sure if this is the norm or just because I was buying at the right time. Invested as 40% in the I fund, 30% in the C & S funds.

 

[Frixxxx]

Welcome L-I-M,

Clearly, you have dropped a few dollars in the game of investing. Welcome....with 12% or more you can show these peeps here a few things.....remember to join the autotracker at the beginning of the year to let us in on some good trades!

Good Luck!

 

[Steadygain]

Hi from Maine. I was directed to the TSP talk site by a co-worker. Very interesting to see everyones opinion on TSP investments. Looking forward to the next 20 plus years of investing in the TSP

I am new to the federal government. Have been investing since my very first pay check in 2009. TSP website shows an 18.49% 12-mth return rate for me. Not sure if this is the norm or just because I was buying at the right time. Invested as 40% in the I fund, 30% in the C & S funds.

We're thrilled to have you join us -- really -- and you've got thousands and thousands of others beat by a land slide.

18.49% is absolutely 'out standing' and way above 'norm'. It's from buying at the right time and having the guts to stand with your decisions in the style and manner you did --- and have.

That's what puts you way up there -- and we could sure gain a lot from your example.

Being NEW -- is good -- Federal Security is far beyond any other job and the 'benefits' are way beyond the others. You get an 'immediate' 5% MATCH every 2 weeks.

Splitting your investments immediately makes you stand out -- and that's to your advantage. Ignore the 'doom and gloom' - and strive to think in terms of '20 years' and NOT the here and now (cause all this is crap).

Anyway -- Maine is a beautiful place -- welcome !!

Steady

 

[PessOptimist]

Welcome Maineiac. I think I can say that cause I grew up in Cowhampsha.

Your success is largely based on timing. See https://www.tsp.gov/investmentfunds/annual/annualReturns.shtml
for the various funds performance over the last ten years.

Not to say your allocations are wrong, just want to make sure you are aware your success is not typical of long term "buy and holders". But you sure are doing good right now.

That is why you are here, to try to decide when to take profits and when to stick it out. Good luck.

BTW, I am one of the worst investors on the MB.

 

[PessOptimist]

Hey Lost

I hope my reply or any other didn't discourage you from participating.

There is lot's of good info over on the questions about tsp transactions thread right now aimed at another newbie. I hope you are reading it.

 

[tsptalk]

Welcome L-I-M! Thanks for joining us.

 

[nnuut]

Good return LIM, and 20 years to go contribute as much as you can while you can.
Best of luck
Norman

 

[Boghie]

Hi from Maine. I was directed to the TSP talk site by a co-worker. Very interesting to see everyones opinion on TSP investments. Looking forward to the next 20 plus years of investing in the TSP

I am new to the federal government. Have been investing since my very first pay check in 2009. TSP website shows an 18.49% 12-mth return rate for me. Not sure if this is the norm or just because I was buying at the right time. Invested as 40% in the I fund, 30% in the C & S funds.

We have had a very good 18 months in the equities market (C/S/I) so you have grabbed the gains.

Uuuummmmm, that is how it is done.

A job well done.


Take a bit of time and surf this site. Find a style you like and start communicating with folks in their threads and yours. And know that your retirement DEPENDS on TSP as a FERS employee (ie. the Federal retirement system since the mid-80's). 20+ years of service will net you a smallish pension that will be dwarfed by your investment in TSP. Think of the pension as a backstop - kind of like Social Security.

So, best advice, get as much tax advantaged mullah working for you as possible as early as possible. Time makes a huge difference. And, don't get worried if your 18% gain averages out to 8% to 12% over time. That is a good norm for equity investing with respect to whatever risk you want to take at the age I am guessing you are. At an average of 18% gain, if you are 30 years old, start at $0 and contribute just $5,000 to TSP till you are 65 you will end up with over $400,000 in annual after tax inflation adjusted income in retirement:nuts:. Not likely. But the same $5,000 at a 10% return results in $46,000 in annual after tax inflation adjusted income. Not bad, eh.