Newest of the new

[offroad]

Well have a lot saved in TSP and guess I better find out how to optimize the earning power there.

Any advice or links to a crash course on how to make sure I can keep that money in the plus column and not the minus?

There is a lot of information that just all flies above me when I look at discussions and advice.

 

[tsptalk]

Welcome, offroad! The only way to guarantee a positive return is parking in the G fund. Of course that is not the way to go if you're looking for growth into retirement - assuming you aren't already retired.

I think the folks here who started out as a novice and have became informed contributors, basically came by regularly to read the posts and ask questions, until they got a feel for what's happening. The more you read, the more it ill start to make sense.

Those who have very little interest seem to come and go. There has to be some level of interest in order to absorb this stuff.

Good luck!

 

[nnuut]

Welcome to the Forum offroad.
Ditto to what Tom said!
Best of luck
Norman

 

[rlundy]

Assuming you can afford to put in the IRS max each year which is currently $17,500 X 30 years you would have a nest egg around $500 - 600K just by staying in the G fund. The unknown is what will that buy you in 30 years. 30 years ago my parents purchased a house for $25K. Today that same house will cost several hundred thousand. I was buying gas to fill up my moped for .25c not today.

Of course in the beginning most cannot afford to put in the max each year. I didn't see any real growth until my account hit about $100,000. 2008 I saw all profits I made the previous 18 years disappear. Kept waiting for the market to come back. ouch. Is 2014 another 2008/9? Don't know. Also the Fed playing with policy behind the scenes made for a good buy and hold year 2013.

Good luck in whatever you do.

 

[offroad]

Am at the 50 racing to 60 years old level of investing. Lucky if I have ten years. How does someone loose so much money in 2008 if you just flip it into the G fund. Unless you waited too long. Like by six months. If the market goes major south you drop out. Hope to learn that.

 

[offroad]

2% loss last Friday. But usually market increases last week of January. So this week. If not drop then drop to g fund.

 

[nasa1974]

offroad, welcome aboard. The hardest thing is to stay informed and stay involved. Don't be afraid to make a move and don't second guess yourself. We all have our comfort zone. Find yours and stick with it. Good luck.

 

[offroad]

Well I subscribed to the revshark newsletter. No access to that premium forum discussion area yet. Parked my money into G fund at the close yesterday, which gain back some loss.

Will try to get a forum administrator to activate me for that under premium services.

 

[tsptalk]

Just responded to your PM, but for anyone listening, access is instant if everything went correctly at sign-up. It looks like your account does have access.

Thanks,
Tom