Ready to get serious

[tashabh]

Hello everyone,

I just recently found this site and am happy to see you all. I am a 35 year old federal employee and I've been contributing to the tsp for 5 years now. I've typically just leave the money in a lifecycle fund, but I think I'm ready to take a more aggressive approach at ensuring a financially healthy retirement. The problem is that I have no idea what I'm doing. :blink: Any help, tips, suggestions would be appreciated. I think in the meantime I'm just going to follow someone who's done well over the last couple of years.

Happy Holidays!

 

[tsptalk]

Welcome tshabh! I hope you know what you are getting into. Addiction, sleepless nights, ups, downs, fear, greed, etc..... it's great!

Thanks for joining us! Good luck!

 

[nnuut]

Welcome to the Forum tashabh.
Join in the fun.
Norman

 

[Nordic]

Welcome tashabh, and good luck!

 

[Frixxxx]

Welcome tashabh, This is the right place to be to ask questions and learn some things!

 

[czapor1967]

Hi tashabh! I would suggest signing up with one of the premium services, they can make a world of difference over "buy & hold" and guessing when to get in and out... I started off thinking that I knew what was going on, and worked my way into a -16.6% hole. I then started following one of the services and it got me out of that hole. I did end up at exactly 0.00 for the year, but I'll take that over a negative any day. I've made money every year since!
best of luck to you!

 

[Tiger25]

tashabh-When I was your age I used to walk to work everyday through the snow and we could only select C or G funds. You should stick every bit of loose change in this TSP thing and find the right team and you will be a happy ex federal employee one day. Good Luck. These guys are fun and pretty nutty.

 

[Boghie]

tashabh,

It would be real hard and very dangerous to start trading or allocating your retirement assets without basic knowledge. I would STRONGLY recommend two Ric Edelman books:

• The Truth About Money
• The Lies About Money

I, myself, kinda preferred 'The Lies About Money'. After the quick read - and it is not a hard read and it is rather fun to boot - you get a little quiz that will lead you to one of 40+ allocations. You have to mess a bit with his allocations because he has lots of asset classes. For example, the big U.S. Equities major grouping can be split between your C and S Funds. The harder ones to deal with are REITS and Commodities and Foreign bonds. 'The Truth About Money' is more well rounded and gives you a better overall feel of retirement, insurance, budgeting, etc..

Edelman, Lucia (Buckets of Money), etc. are allocators. Many here are swingers. They bang from high risk to low risk while trying to time the market. Not for me, but some are doing quite well.

 

[tashabh]

lol, I'm looking forward to it! thanks!

 

[tashabh]

thanks cazpor1967, will do!

 

[MrJohnRoss]

You may be in luck. With the market correcting, you may be able to get some C Fund on sale soon. Next year is forecast to be a banner year.

Good luck,

JR

 

[tashabh]

oh boy....homework on the first day :notrust:. Thanks, I need all of the help I can get!

 

[john770]

Welcome to the site Tashabh. As a new member myself I recommend, as others have, to read read read and if so inclined sign up for one of the premium services. Best $20/month I've spent in years

 

[maui21ice]

Welcome to TSPtalk and good idea becoming more active and involved in where your money is going and doing for you!

Still learning the ropes myself so I did also follow experienced users and saw when they decided to move their money and when to be patient. Then as time goes by you pick up on these things and find your own timing to move money and make choices. It's a learning game, and always something new to learn! Enjoy and best of luck investing!

 

[Handballer]

Check those at the top of AutoTaracker for this year and last. Gal at top would be a good one.