Topgun514's Account Talk

[Topgun514]

First Time poster here, I have no idea what to do as well, could use some help.

Hey Guys,

I recently got my first TSP account and I am lost on what I should do. I have never invested nor have any experience in retirement or TSP's or anything. Currently, I am in the G-Fund but am looking at making my money do more. The F-Fund seems promising but I keep hearing about this bubble that is soon to burst for bonds. I also am a tad confused as to how many times I could move my money around. Can I move it from G -> F, then back and forth, only 2 moves for the month, or only 2 moves for the LIFE of the TSP?

Also, being a youngster, I have heard I can pull my money out, which may be nice for home-buying in the distant future. Could I get some insight on how to do this effectively.

Sorry, I do apologize to how new I am. I have read through some of the online documents but want to make my money work best and get some help on how to do so.

Thank you in advance!

 

[craigerv]

Welcome Topgun! I think you will find this place very rewarding. My advice is to read read read and follow some of the daily posters' Account Talk threads. Read Tom's daily blog entry. I am mostly self-taught but have gotten loads of insight from the others here. Just keep reading and looking stuff up that you don't understand and ask questions. In my opinion, finding a trading system that you understand and can follow are key.

FYI, you have 2 IFT's per month, but can always transfer funds to the G Fund. That means that if you have exhausted your two IFTs and all your money is in the C Fund and you want to bail, you can move it all or any % to the G Fund but not vice versa.

 

[Sensei]

First Time poster here, I have no idea what to do as well, could use some help.

Hey Guys,

I recently got my first TSP account and I am lost on what I should do. I have never invested nor have any experience in retirement or TSP's or anything. Currently, I am in the G-Fund but am looking at making my money do more. The F-Fund seems promising but I keep hearing about this bubble that is soon to burst for bonds. I also am a tad confused as to how many times I could move my money around. Can I move it from G -> F, then back and forth, only 2 moves for the month, or only 2 moves for the LIFE of the TSP?

Also, being a youngster, I have heard I can pull my money out, which may be nice for home-buying in the distant future. Could I get some insight on how to do this effectively.

Sorry, I do apologize to how new I am. I have read through some of the online documents but want to make my money work best and get some help on how to do so.

Thank you in advance!

Interfund Transfers (IFTs) can be made twice per month. Rules are a bit more complex than that, but that's the gist. Somewhere in the forum or on tsp.gov you should be able to find a clear description of the rules.

Stocks have taken a dive since the election. Currently 8-11% below the recent highs. That's what's called a correction (or pullback for those being more modest). If the object is to buy low and sell high, we should theoretically be getting to a good time to buy. So maybe read up on how to make an IFT and consider which fund(s) you'd like to go with. If you're young and uncertain, you can throw it all in a Lifecycle fund - they mostly sit in stocks, with a little G and F fund mixed in for "safety".

The loan thing I don't have any experience with, but I think you can borrow up to 50% of your account balance, and the interest rate is very low (varies, but usually under 2%).

Good luck, and hang in there. We all have to start somewhere!

Sensei

 

[nnuut]

Welcome to the Message Board Topgun514. Plenty of info on this site, you need to look around and read, read, read. Good folks here and always willing to help a new member.
Best of luck, right now markets are down and nobody knows for sure where it's going, the "G" Fund can't lose money and is a good place to be for now.
Norman

 

[Topgun514]

Thanks guys, I was thinking to wait until the "fiscal cliff" has been reached or breached to start heavily trading back and forth. I am definitely going to monitor this site as much as I can too!

Is it just me however, or are the lifecycle funds looking dismal right now? I know the main theme of the stock markets is if you keep your money in for long enough time, you will gain (main theme, I didn't say 100% of the time) but the C,S, and I are looking weak, while F is growing steadily over the past few years.