PessOptimist's Account Talk

[PessOptimist]

Well sasaphrat! My TSP is going down the toilet. My contribution Monday is gone plus several thousand dollars.

Yeah, I know I can avoid that by payroll allocations going to G and making clever IFTs at the proper time. That means of course that I must monitor the market every day and make a 1200 EST prediction. Too bad I have a real time job where I don’t sit on my ass all day in front of a computer connected to the internet.

Retirement time is 2.4 years out. At the pleasure of the constantly changing management hierarchy of course. Two years ago I told an “acting” manager my projected retirement date. I watched said manager type that info in to a file. Said manager has now come back as permanent manager but claims they have never had any contact with me. Said manager signed my performance review while acting manager. Such is the confidence I have in my current management.

Speaking of which, my new manager’s boss was at meetings last Friday doing his thing and being assigned tasks by his boss etc. Monday morning he no longer existed in the context of a boss of bosses. An e-mail was sent from the boss’s boss’s boss that it was due to admin concerns and not to be alarmed.

Life couldn’t be better for me right now. I am retirement eligible. I am sticking around until I am made an offer I cannot refuse. I feel badly for some of my peers as their futures are less certain.

All the proletariat worker bees really want is to do the job they were hired for and have some confidence that a new manager will not halt the job they are doing and declare they should never have done that job and are bad and will be punished.

I take great pride in saying that my peers keep on doing assigned tasks and keeping things going in spite of the fact we don’t really know who is in charge or what their goals are. Other than the managers furthering themselves of course.

Enough of my usual rambling “stuff”. When is it time to go to G fund or get funds out of TSP? I am 63, Will work for two or more years unless declared redundant.

PO

 

[FogSailing]

Hi PO. You are quite correct. It is difficult to juggle making a living and managing your TSP portfolio. You have to stay on top off the news and the data. And I hear you about "poor management". The federal government, (for all the positive benefits associated with retirement) are not always the best people to work for. My career was a mixed bag when it came to management. About half were good and half... less than good. In the first case (good managers were fair and honest) and in case 2 (assholes and egoists). I ended up relocating for new jobs about every 8 years so I could move up the chain and get a fresh start. My saddest day was when I took my job in Oklahoma (which I ended up loving BTW) and moved from Alaska. I so loved Alaska but I was stuck in a job that wouldn't help me with a reasonable retirement check.

Have you thought about using a Premium Account. I never felt flush enough (while I was working) to buy the service but I'm quite sure that if you used one of the services you have a better chance of making and not losing. I've come to the conclusion that the Top 50 are important to watch everyday. So I look at this site on the Forum managed by Ocean TSP Talk AutoTracker every day. This is just stuff...not advice. I'm not good at advice. Anyways, the Tracker helps me.

Just remember, you are really in a good place in life...retirement eligible....It's all in your control...I hope that you things sorted out in a way works best for you.

All the best.

FS

 

[PessOptimist]

Thanks for the reply and reading my whining. Yes, you are correct I am in a good position. I remain active mostly because I like my job, what I do and enjoy it.

This may not be the proper forum for whining about J.O.B. issues. Such whining used to take place at break areas outside the buildings. Recently statements made in such areas seem to have come to managements attention and used as examples in warnings about gossip and questioning of policies as a possible offenses requiring disciplinary action. So now we don't talk. Better judgement tells me I should not post things here.

A premium service is something I have been thinking about for years but still would require action on my part. Probably is not going to happen.

PO

 

[99percent]

Thanks for the reply and reading my whining. Yes, you are correct I am in a good position. I remain active mostly because I like my job, what I do and enjoy it.

This may not be the proper forum for whining about J.O.B. issues. Such whining used to take place at break areas outside the buildings. Recently statements made in such areas seem to have come to managements attention and used as examples in warnings about gossip and questioning of policies as a possible offenses requiring disciplinary action. So now we don't talk. Better judgement tells me I should not post things here.

A premium service is something I have been thinking about for years but still would require action on my part. Probably is not going to happen.

PO

That's why I'm out Sept 30. It's happening everywhere. Me, Postal Service. Planned to stay longer but got tired of some 30 yr old little sh*t trying to tell me how i've been doing my job all wrong after 32 years! I'll take my pension and get a job at a liquor store!

 

[PessOptimist]

Hey, 99, I feel for ya. The people mentioned in my chain are actually 50 something former engineer/craft who were not very good at that and have been floating around the .gov system running various programs. Now they are running the place.

PO

 

[FogSailing]

Yes! And just to light fuel on the fire again...many of these same geniuses that "know it all" are the same folks that that let the Chinese steal all of our identities and work history, etc.

It really makes me sad to hear these stories. Where have the good leaders gone and what has happened in the federal workplace that makes it right to destroy corporate knowledge and instill fear in the workplace. What has happened to the SES ranks. When I was young, I always looked up the senior folks because they knew how the system worked best. Most of these kids appear to be out for themselves.

It reminds me of the old adage " The beatings will continue until morale improves...

FS

 

[Scout333]

Yes! And just to light fuel on the fire again...many of these same geniuses that "know it all" are the same folks that that let the Chinese steal all of our identities and work history, etc.

It really makes me sad to hear these stories. Where have the good leaders gone and what has happened in the federal workplace that makes it right to destroy corporate knowledge and instill fear in the workplace. What has happened to the SES ranks. When I was young, I always looked up the senior folks because they knew how the system worked best. Most of these kids appear to be out for themselves.

It reminds me of the old adage " The beatings will continue until morale improves...

FS

Even worse is when these geniuses come with "new" ideas that been tried unsuccessfully multiple times over the past 30 years (before they were even born). They are rarely smart enough to listen to the "old-timers" who were there when said idea failed miserably. Oh well they are the boss and its their ass.

 

[Tiger25]

PO -- Get the hell out. It sounds like you work for the COE's where I retired from. You need to borrow my white flag?

 

[99percent]

The secret to a happier, healthier life: Just retire - MarketWatch

 

[PessOptimist]

What else that happens is a "new" idea is proposed that was proposed in the last century and might actually work but it is a "new" idea. Another one is when you are told to do something you have been doing for oh, say, 18 years. Gives you a lot of faith in the knowledge of day to day operations by the managers. Doesn't matter if you have been doing it, it is a new idea starting on the day the manager mentioned it. Bonuses and promotions for all. Except the workers.

White flag hell. I'm sticking around for FERS 63YO+20years. Unless I don't.

PO

 

[PessOptimist]

Well. Interesting last several days. I saw one post where poster said they were beating S&P500 So I had to look. Me too. Woohoo!

Since there is no urgent action to take right now, I went to look at 1997, 2001, 2008, and 2012 to see what I did. I found that for all the stupid data I have compiled since 1998 I have no easy way to find a record of IFTs. They are all in a paper file somewhere but an easy way of getting a picture would be my quarterly statements. I had apparently stopped my project to download them at 2008. That is how I found the tsp.gov site not working for a short while. It seems to be working OK now and I got all my statements. I have them on paper, much to TSP.govs disgust but this was easier in the long run.

Believe it or not I made a few IFTs back in those days. Gave me a -.23% gain for 08, 1.88% for 2011, 3.65% for 2012, 15.39 in 2013. After that I got lazy. Made a 40G60C IFT in 3/14 and let it go. Made 9.04% in 2014 and thought “OK”. No need to worry. Read everything public there was to read on TSPTalk and did absolutely nothing. Now my dreams of a Mazda MX-5 Miata with a retractable hardtop are reduced to a used Fiesta. Or keeping the 01 Dakota until I die. Or until it dies.

No need to worry. I rode my TSP down 4+% and no need to bail out yet. It will go back up. Sometime. Problem is I have only 2.35 years until retirement.

Speaking of which, my boss’s boss asked me again today if I would consider planning to stay longer. WTF?

OK. I am considering going to G or F this week. But only considering. I would like to lose no more but also get back to at least to where I was on July 17[SUP]th[/SUP]. Probably not going to happen.

Keeping the Dakota may not be so bad. Last time the grand kids were here we strapped all the car seats in the back seat (not easy to do on a 2001 vehicle) and went for a ride. The oldest grandchild exclaimed “you can see everything from up here and this truck could go anywhere”. With that kind of enthusiasm maybe it still can. DIL suggested we not try “anywhere” that day. Mom stays home next time.

This TSP stuff is one of the hardest things for someone who got to be a lazy buy and hold type. I’m not sure what motivated all those IFTs 2008-13.

PO

 

[Cactus]

I wouldn't knock Buy & Hold, PO. It's beating 90% of us traders on the AT right now.

Watch out about trying to get back to where you were. I've been trying to do that since 2000 and it hasn't worked for me. I'm still looking up at the G Fund.

Good to hear that your boss want's to keep you. Are you considering it? Remember, every year extra you stay gives you another year to shovel more $ into your TSP and one less year of retirement to fund. It's like getting 2 for 1. I'm still 7 years out from my projected retirement date, but given my track record I can't see getting out then. I plan to stay longer if they'll keep me and my health holds out.

 

[PessOptimist]

I wouldn't knock Buy & Hold, PO. It's beating 90% of us traders on the AT right now.

Watch out about trying to get back to where you were. I've been trying to do that since 2000 and it hasn't worked for me. I'm still looking up at the G Fund.

Good to hear that your boss want's to keep you. Are you considering it? Remember, every year extra you stay gives you another year to shovel more $ into your TSP and one less year of retirement to fund. It's like getting 2 for 1. I'm still 7 years out from my projected retirement date, but given my track record I can't see getting out then. I plan to stay longer if they'll keep me and my health holds out.

Thanks for the reply Cactaceae person. The most radical move I would likely make is moving it all to G at some point. Maybe not. I just don’t know at this point. You are doing a lot better than I on the autotracker at the moment.

Yeah, good to hear my bosses want me to stick around. The bottom line will come when I have my end of year review with my “supervisor” My immediate bosses cannot be a “supervisor”. Their “supervisor” is the same as mine and the supervisor’s views do not always match the desire to keep things running. One must take in to consideration the water bucket analogy where leaving a job is like taking your hand out of a bucket of water. The hole fills in quickly.

All that crapola being said, yes I am considering staying a little longer. Sticking around for six more months takes me to SS ”full retirement age” and makes whatever annual leave I sell back extra cash instead of living money for six months. Health is a consideration, mental health important in dealing with the increasingly bizarre environment. That decision will have to be made by the end of March 2017 as I will have to project leave for 2017. Many things to decide.

Hmmm. Fear. Yup it is there. Today’s gain still leaves me negative for the year but only down the price of a modest new car. What to do? Wait and see is my decision.

Two goals for the near future:

Make a decision about an IFT or letting it ride.

Remember to look for the quarterly TSP statement when I pick up the mail and quietly file it. I have no idea what is going to happen with S&P500 or C fund in the next three trading days but have no doubt that if SO sees that statement things will be circled in red, I will be told I am an idiot and be given lots of suggestions about who should be advising me. SO only understands increasing balance. If SO does not see statement, all will be well. I heard SO tell a friend on the phone "oh no problem, he moves it around all the time". I am doomed.

PO

 

[burrocrat]

if SO sees that statement things will be circled in red, I will be told I am an idiot and be given lots of suggestions about who should be advising me.

i hate to be the one to have break this to you, but...

you will be told you are an idiot and given lots of suggestions no matter what you do or how well the tsp investment performs.

that is what princesses do, no matter how well you do whatever, it could always be more, they are never satisfied, it is the nature of the beast.

now, you can quit your job and leave your wife and start over flat broke, but the last time i did that i ended up working for the government for 13 years and have no intentions of stopping, so you might want to be careful about that.

i would just make sure i hold out for some regular pussy if i was you and call it a good deal.

 

[burrocrat]

i hate to be the one to have break this to you, but...

you will be told you are an idiot and given lots of suggestions no matter what you do or how well the tsp investment performs.

that is what princesses do, no matter how well you do whatever, it could always be more, they are never satisfied, it is the nature of the beast.

now, you can quit your job and leave your wife and start over flat broke, but the last time i did that i ended up working for the government for 13 years and have no intentions of stopping, so you might want to be careful about that.

i would just make sure i hold out for some regular pussy if i was you and call it a good deal.

p.s. the real question you might want to worry about is whether or not the statement thingy ever comes back from so circled in green. that is a good future indicator. and the earlier you figure out which direction it is pointing, the more money you will save.

 

[PessOptimist]

Never comes back circled in green. Positive statements are just filed.

Well geeze. Things are back up a little. Investment question is if it looks like I might get to 0% for the year should I try to figure out what day to go to G and be happy? Of course that means predicting what the S&P will do for four hours after the decision. I hate that 1200 restriction most of all the restrictions.

This year doesn’t matter, I will be happy with no loss but the retirement in 2.2 years does. If I can get back to 0% should I put it all in G and be happy with about 2% plus my contributions? Should I just put it all in G no matter what my loss is or what happens? If I do that will C/S or I go up 30% in the next two years? So many questions, so many unknowns.

I read everything on this board and never have a clue.

Just venting. I am considering going to 100% G fund which might reach one of my goals before retirement money amount wise. Be safe, be stupid, be smart. Which will I choose?

PO

 

[PessOptimist]

Ben a bad 2nd quarter for a ignorer aka buy and holder.

Anyone got a clue when S&P 500 will get up to 2035 or so?

If so let me know and I will go 100% G on that day and leave it all there for the next 2.3 years and then make a decision about what to do with it. Somewhere around 2% is better than a negative gain.

In the mean time, having ignored all the advice on the MB I am negative for this year so far. Not for the lifetime fortunately. So far.

Since the market is not going up this quarter and therefore this year I am under the usual pressure to "make some money" and being told I am an idiot for not having the money in dividend paying equities. Mentioning the 5% matching gets replies like how much more I could get if I went with <insert brokername> as a one time incentive if I abandon TSP. I suppose I am just stupid.

Whatever, I am glad I am the sole proprietor of the TSP while I am alive and will take all the Fliegerabwehrkanone I get. For instance, I am asked "why didn't you move it all to G on August 20th". My answer is "I must be stupid".

That is why it must all go to G fund. I am too stupid to see what anyone looking at a chart one month later can plainly see.

Life goes on and thank you for everything posted here about investing.

PO

 

[GUCHI]

PO
its always easy to look in the rearveiw mirror and say shoulda woulda coulda. Let those who can see into the future do there thing and u do you. You can hear arguments on both sides of trading,to be in or out of market. Who is right??? Hang in there

 

[Cactus]

PO, I agree with GUCHI. Hang in there. And remember don't should on yourself.

 

[PessOptimist]

Hi everyone, just performing a little test. Sorry for any inconvenience.

PO