USMC6056 Talk Account

[USMC6056]

First of all I want to thank the creator of the web site and all of those who contribute their knowledge. I am new to investing and this site has been very informative. I have read a few books on investing to try to educate myself but there is so much more to learn. I also subscribed to the news letter on your site in regards to timing the market as well.

As a newbie, I have so many questions and I want to thank you for your advice in advance.

My situation:

I'm 40yoa and I've been with the Fed G for a little over 4 years now and have about 16 years left in the "G" as I am in a Federal Law Enforcement retirement system( FERS 6C).

I contribute 15k a year to my TSP which is my only retirement investment.
I would like to be aggressive in my investment stategy but have realistic return goals. Currently I am C: 30% S: 30% and I: 40% and I have used dollar cost averaging investment strategy since I began the TSP. Due to the volatility of the market over the last several weeks I have lost a considerable amount of money in the TSP.

1) Would you advise on reallocation now or wait for the market to re-adjust which I expect it to do?

2) Since you created the web site what type of return would dollar cost averaging give?

 

[Birchtree]

USMC6056,

What you have to your advantage is time. You don't lose anything until you do an IFT - your portfolio value has only depreciated which looks like a loss and may feel like a loss. Continue with the DCA and take advantage and opportunity of lower prices which allow you to purchase more shares of each fund. I wouldn't change anything for the moment - this correction is only temporary and will help you understand your own emotions - and make no mistake emotion plays a large part in investment decisions. Step back and enjoy the pain - it won't hurt that much. Accumulate the shares while the slide is in progress - I know that sounds terrible. But I'm a contrarian.

Dennis - permabull #1