TRACKING RETURNS

[Guest]

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Since the subject came up again can I ask for some assistance in finally getting my confusions cleared up on how to enter one's allocations and which excel template to use? I would really like to be able to track my own returns but can''t because I was never able to get my confusions clarified. If I could get some input from our 3 gurus here, Tom, Fundsurfer and Pyriel I would greatly appreciate it. Below are my confusions:

A while back there seemed to be a debate whether to enter data into the excel template on the day one sold shares of a fund or on the day one's new allocations actually became effective. My understanding was that Tom entered data the day he sold shares and that his excel template is desiigned for this method. Now I could never decipher the logic of Tom's method but given my limited training in this area this is not saying much.

Then Fundsurfer said he does it differently. That is, he enters the allocation percentages for the days one actually earns or looses money based on the share prices for those days, (i.e. hypothetically I went to 100% G and this allocation begins on 4/10 so data is entered in the worksheet for 4/10. Then after changing allocation to 100% C whcih begins on 4/13 then data is entered into the worksheet for 4/13). Fundsurfer has a different template than Tom's designed to handle data entry for this method. Fundsurger tried to help me out with this in the past and sent me this other version of the worksheet. However, I think when I went to use it and saw the creator was Tom, I figured it was the wrong version.

Now Pyriel has been doing many tracking reports. I believe he started out entering data the way Tom does and using Tom's excel template but later switched to Fundsurfer's method and template. I may be wrong here but when I examine Pyriel's reports it appears this way to me.

Could one or all of you, Tom, Fundsurfer, Pyriel set me straight for once and for all. I would love to track my own funds but I haven't been able to because of the above confusions. If one or all of you could assist me, here on the board or through PMs or email, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you .......

 

[cowboy]

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This may help you some WW (Wild Woman). The TSP has the quarterly reports on the site and the quarterly statement for 2005 just came out. It will show all your transactions and what you made for the quarter. Maybe you can use that to help you track on the spread sheet and compare. I have never run their spreadsheets but I believe their is nothing wrong with Tom's. I am going to run my yearly thruTSP Talks (Tom's) exceland maybe I'll post the results.

 

[Guest]

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Thank you for your suggestion, cowboy.....

 

[cowboy]

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As I said I decided to try Tom's calculator. I went fine with the calculator until the date of 1/25/05. Then this is what happened on 1/25/05 I moved 50% that I had in the C fund and put it to I fund. TSP gave me the closing $12.46 price but did not update the I fund at close and updated on 1/26/05. I'm thinking TSP errored! If they gave me the closing price on 1/25/ shouldn't they put in the I fund on that day. The difference in the I fund from close of 1/25/ to 1/26close was $.17 share.

I called TSP and they are checking out what occured that I got the close on 1/25/ but not updated until the 1/26. I must say the person on the line was very concerned and very cooperative. He noticed that I make a lot of moves and watch my TSP account. He stated that they would need 48 hours to get the facts to what happened on that transaction and if there is an error they have to correct everything. Please look at your quarterly statements. I may even review back further.

Now this could play out, where they could say I didn't make the move until after 12;00 and they had a typo error on the date but now I have to wait and see. I usually make my moves prior to the noon deadline so I am thinking the move was prior to that but there was times I had problems getting through the system.

 

[cowboy]

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cowboy wrote:

As I said I decided to try Tom's calculator. I went fine with the calculator until the date of 1/25/05. Then this is what happened on 1/25/05 I moved 50% that I had in the C fund and put it to I fund. TSP gave me the closing $12.46 price but did not update the I fund at close and updated on 1/26/05. I'm thinking TSP errored! If they gave me the closing price on 1/25/ shouldn't they put in the I fund on that day. The difference in the I fund from close of 1/25/ to 1/26close was $.17 share.

I called TSP and they are checking out what occured that I got the close on 1/25/ but not updated until the 1/26. I must say the person on the line was very concerned and very cooperative. He noticed that I make a lot of moves and watch my TSP account. He stated that they would need 48 hours to get the facts to what happened on that transaction and if there is an error they have to correct everything. Please look at your quarterly statements. I may even review back further.

Now this could play out, where they could say I didn't make the move until after 12;00 and they had a typo error on the date but now I have to wait and see. I usually make my moves prior to the noon deadline so I am thinking the move was prior to that but there was times I had problems getting through the system.

I have since rechecked and found that making the transaction Imade an error when reading my statement andcalled TSP and they are stopping the research. This I can see is going to be very tricky.

 

[MR CARLO]

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I don't know if this will help. What I have been doing daily is Going to my TSP account Balance, by dragging the mouse and selecting the statement I copy(Ctrl C) and paste to excel(Ctrl V) . I made a funtion box that Subtracts the last total balance from the new balance. That tells me in Dollars and cents how I do each day. I have to type in the date for day. Thats it. There is a lot of different ways to track. I find my way as simple as I am.:dah: Good luck

 

[cowboy]

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A function box? Give us your idea Carloc? I love simple although I have not problem with Tom's spread sheet. Change and improvement helps everyone.

 

[tsptalk]

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I could show someone in 5 minutes but telling them is another story. Were the instructions of any help?... http://www.tsptalk.com/utilities/instructions.html

 

[pyriel]

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tsptalk wrote:

I could show someone in 5 minutes but telling them is another story. Were the instructions of any help?... http://www.tsptalk.com/utilities/instructions.html

Tom, Your instructions are great.

 

[cowboy]

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There is nothing wrong with the spreadsheet. I just have more trades then lines to imput them and have to copy the formulas and adjust them.

 

[grandma]

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cowboy wrote:

and have to copy the formulas and adjust them.

...and let me tell you - THAT is a bugger !! :s My excell keeps changing its mind on whether it is going to leave off the first numbers, or the last!!

 

[MR CARLO]

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OK. Here we go. Icall it a function box. In exel go to Box A1, type in =A2-A3

The value in A1 will show A2 (A2 =5) & (A3 = 5) A1should show 0. Type (=A2+A3) addition. The box with the funtion will show the value. Also you can add or subtract multiply, divide as many boxes as you want. Excel can do many funtions. Under Menu insert - function, read the list, according to your level of math will determine whatyou can do.

 

[pyriel]

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WW,

Sorry for not responding right away. I agree with Tom. It is easier to show than to explain how to do the tracker. I will try to simplify this as much as possible. Hmmm.. Lets say you are 100g close of business two days ago (4/1). Then yesterday (before 1200 est) you went 100c (4/2). Then this morning (before 1200 est), you again changed to 100i (4/3).

The easiest way for me to remember is to get the cob fund price for 4/2 and input it at 100g. This becomes the last day you were at 100g.

Now for 100c. I take the cob fund price for 4/3 and input it at 100c. This becomes the last day you were at 100c.

For 100i. I wait until cob fund price for 4/4 is released. I then put this for 100i. At this time, I usually change the date into the word "current." The next day, I cut and paste the fund price for 4/5 and input them under 100i. So on, and on, and on.

***Always rememberthe day that you did your move (1200 est deadline). COB fund price for that daywill be the last input you will makefrom your previous allocation.

I hope this makes it clear as mud.

Pyriel

 

[Guest]

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You're unbelievable Pyriel for providing me with such a thorough response on April 15th and after this diastrous market week!! For you >>

 

[pyriel]

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Ahhh... A guy giving another guy flowers? Hmmm...

 

[Guest]

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pyriel wrote:

Ahhh... A guy giving another guy flowers? Hmmm...

Oops... Sorry, Pyriel...

 

[IBD Fan]

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Wonder woman, pretty pic.

 

[FundSurfer]

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Pyriel's spreadsheet is only slightly different than Tom's. (Tom, you should look at Pyriel's version since it makes it much easier to add lines to the spreadsheet for people like cowboy, namor, and milk_man who make bunches of trades.)

For the record, Tom's instructions are confusing. It isn't his fault. It is easier to show someone than explain it on paper.

The best way to understand how to enter is to have a few values entered for you. Send me (e-mail or PM) a list of your trades (or make up a few) and I'll put them into Tom's spreadsheet (and mine) and send them to you. You can then see the dates and trades you have put into the spreadsheet. Then all you have to do is mimic the pattern. I've found some people like Tom's better, some like mine better. Maybe it is a left brain/right brain thing. I've also found that you can get used to either. I would have switched to Tom's but since I've made changes to make it easier for me to enter a lot of data for the Tally, I'm stickin' with mine.

 

[tsptalk]

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FundSurfer wrote:

Tom, you should look at Pyriel's version since it makes it much easier to add lines to the spreadsheet...

I better take a look. Is there a link to it somewhere?

Thanks

 

[Guest]

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FundSurfer wrote:

Pyriel's spreadsheet is only slightly different than Tom's.
For the record, Tom's instructions are confusing. It isn't his fault. It is easier to show someone than explain it on paper.

I've found some people like Tom's better, some like mine better. Maybe it is a left brain/right brain thing.

Thanks Fundsurfer for validating my observations re the spreadsheet. I was beginning to think I had to retreat to that part of my world where I am was born at the wrong time in the wrong place.

I will f/u on your offer.