What is your Goal?

[TiCKed]

What is your goal?

This is inspired by some wise words from another thread.

To paraphrase: You won't know if you are successful, (and won't be able to prove it to others), unless you have a goal to begin with. And it's wise to realize that not everyone's goal will be the same! It will depend on each individuals risk tolerance and time horizon.

I'd like to see some of those goals. I'm sure many have been stated or alluded to in other threads, but I think it would be useful to see them in one place.

So, what is your investing goal? (Specifically in TSP, but overall if TSP only reflects a portion of your overall plan).
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To start us out, I'd say my plan/goal can be summed up in a couple short sentences:

1) Get what the market gives. Depending on where you look for advice, a diversified portfolio has historically returned from 8%-12% per year in the long run. I want that, so have generally set my allocations and outlook based on a diversified portfolio. To prove that this goal is a winner for me, I've projected my investments assuming a 7% return on stocks, and 4% return on bonds. It gives me a rather nice retirement...end of story! (This goal requires no maintenance, no study, and requires no "TSP Talk").

2) If possible, I would like to be able to miss some of those occasional drops in the market. So far, no joy on this front....but I keep looking for opportunities where I feel comfortable. (This is why I read "TSP Talk", and keep an eye on the market).

[rokid]

S&P 500 return (12%) with a less volatility (10%).

[FundSurfer]

To consistantly beat the S&P 500. The further ahead of the S&P 500 that I get the happier I am. Consistancy is the key.

[Griffin]

I am using these early years as I build towards a power account to make a determination. If I can consistently beat a 50% S, 50% I - Buy and Hold Strategy, I will continue to actively manage my TSP account, into the future. Otherwise, it is a waste of time. I expect to hit the power account level (400K) in about 7 years.

Therefore, I set my goal at meeting or beating the annual return of the best performing fund with the recognition that I will probably consistently fall a couple % short.

In a few years, when I feel that I have consistently done my best, and have a couple of years of good data, I will make that call.

[mlk_man]

If your beating "The Great Carnac", you're doing well. Oh, that's just about everyone...........:nuts:

[Birchtree]

My goal is to accumulate and accumulate some more until my pockets are full. My target is to acquire at least 40,000 shares of the C fund before the game is finished. How long that will take depends on many factors - the future being the primary factor. At some point I'll start doing a little position trading but not yet. Let's see - 40,000 x $20.00 would be ideal.

[Gilligan]

Everyone of us should want the best TSP return possible. My financial goal is to retire with a net worth in excess of $1,000,000. And a positive cash flow of at least $6,000 per month.

[Birchtree]

Gilligan,

One has to be careful on the cash flows or Peaches from the IRS will be knocking on your door - your Uncle has expectations you know.

[Gilligan]

Gilligan,

One has to be careful on the cash flows or Peaches from the IRS will be knocking on your door - your Uncle has expectations you know.
The IRS is our friend. Or not!

That positive cash flow is after all expenses including taxes. I do pay taxes and keep all receipts in case Peaches wants to do an audit. Depreciation has saved me thousands in taxes. Tax evaders don’t have it to bad; Federal prison camps are like country clubs with racket ball, swimming pools, golf and other amenities.

[Spaf]

I have a yearly meeting with Peaches, generally my numbers lady gets me off.
My internet trading firm helps out too.
A bunch of Peaches relatives work in our building, so I get free advice.
Bottom line. In tax-paid account trading, ensure U got good records. Other wise Peaches will be claiming Ur gold........;) ..........Spaf

[Dave M]

Gilligan, chasing the best returns possible has cost a lot of people a lot of money, including me. I have given up on that goal; it is unrealistic.

Rather I have chosen a (somewhat arbitrary) dollar-figure. I have only three years to go, so the milestones and waypoints are easily calculable. So long as I am on track I am happy.

Along the way, my goal is to beat the L2040. If I start falling off my curve, and at the same time falling behind the L2040, then I will join it. So far, it is very close.

Goal-setting is not my style in life. I prefer a more lassez-faire approach, que sera sera. (Why does English lack the right aphorism?) Nevertheless I think it is the sine qua non of investing.

Dave

[Wheels]

I prefer a more lassez-faire approach, que sera sera. (Why does English lack the right aphorism?) Nevertheless I think it is the sine qua non of investing.

Dave
How 'bout "what----ever"

Dave
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[Wimpy]

The IRS is our friend. Or not!

That positive cash flow is after all expenses including taxes. I do pay taxes and keep all receipts in case Peaches wants to do an audit. Depreciation has saved me thousands in taxes. Tax evaders don’t have it to bad; Federal prison camps are like country clubs with racket ball, swimming pools, golf and other amenities.

...and if they tire of playing 'drop the soap' in the communal prison showers, they can punch a guard out and get a private room with meals delivered, private showers, popcorn and movies on the weekend, mobile library with room to room service, and all the free medical care they can handle. If they want more 'personalized' and tender care, they can swallow a bedspring or a spoon and get their postop 100mg of Demerol 3 times a day for a month. :D

[Gilligan]

Gilligan, chasing the best returns possible has cost a lot of people a lot of money, including me. I have given up on that goal; it is unrealistic.

Rather I have chosen a (somewhat arbitrary) dollar-figure. I have only three years to go, so the milestones and waypoints are easily calculable. So long as I am on track I am happy.

Along the way, my goal is to beat the L2040. If I start falling off my curve, and at the same time falling behind the L2040, then I will join it. So far, it is very close.

Goal-setting is not my style in life. I prefer a more lassez-faire approach, que sera sera. (Why does English lack the right aphorism?) Nevertheless I think it is the sine qua non of investing.

Dave
Dave M,
Wants and Goals are two different things. I think you misunderstood me. I want to have the best possible return, but that is not my goal. I thought I was doing good by beating the C fund, then a few years ago the S & I funds came out and blew the C fund out of the water. My goal this year is to beat all the funds. Right now the S & I are still ahead of me but I am closing the gap.

Without anymore contributions and a 10% return I will have in excess of one million in my TSP when I retire. I have a lot more money invested in real estate and it growing at a faster rate. So, I believe my goals are low and easily achievable.

BTW, Key West is nice, my wife and I stopped there last year on our cruise.

[SkyPilot]

The IRS is our friend. Or not!

That positive cash flow is after all expenses including taxes. I do pay taxes and keep all receipts in case Peaches wants to do an audit. Depreciation has saved me thousands in taxes. Tax evaders don’t have it to bad; Federal prison camps are like country clubs with racket ball, swimming pools, golf and other amenities.

Interesting... Having worked for the Fed Prison system for over a decade, I have yet to locate one of the country clubs you speak of. Can you be more specific?

[Gilligan]

Interesting... Having worked for the Fed Prison system for over a decade, I have yet to locate one of the country clubs you speak of. Can you be more specific?
The two with the swimming pools were originally military bases but those are now closed. I have seen inmates swimming by flooding their cells. There is an FCI in California, maybe Lompoc, that has miniature golf. I have seen golf played with softballs and bats. Racket ball is popular. Pool tables were abundant a few years ago, I don’t know if they still have them.

[nnuut]

To beat Systemtrader by the end of the year!! Yuk YUK!!:D
I'm sneakin' up on him right now!:p

[Machinist Mate]

Not to use Spellchecker and not phlagarise to get my point across on this site.Do not read NY Times.Do not watch CBS,ABC,NBC,or CNN.Only FOX.Try to understand why Muslim murderers get all the maidens.Watch the History channel more.Try to figure out why people cannot understand our Presidents true motives,and finally make sure no Democrat makes it to the Presidency,and when I retire in several years,take a trip to the North Pole to see it melt.(Thats what Gore said)

[TiCKed]

To quote Machinist Mate in another thread:

"Lets not let TSP Talk turn into a political blog...."

[peterson82]

Hello, everyone.

This is my first post, and fittingly, this weekend will be my first deposit into my brand new tsp account.

My goal is to learn as much as possible from sites like these, and hopefully beat the standard 2040 option. I am thinking about DCAing early on, and build a solid base while the stocks are down.

[nnuut]

Welcome to the Messsage Board peterson82. Looks you have an opportunity to end up with a beautiful retirement if you put the money in and handle your investments well, wish I could start over again. I would put as much as I could afford in the TSP. Lots of info here and many good people that are willing to help. See you around.
Norman:D

[Bullishreturn]

Welcome aboard p'82.

My goal is to be able to beat the "C" fund by 5%, each and every year until retirement.

Then, I think I'll simply put it all into L Income, and live off the proceeds.

IF I can beat the "C" by 5% every year until then, I'll be fine.

But it ain't easy....

[squalebear]

Welcome aboard p'82.

My goal is to be able to beat the "C" fund by 5%, each and every year until retirement.

Then, I think I'll simply put it all into L Income, and live off the proceeds.

IF I can beat the "C" by 5% every year until then, I'll be fine.

But it ain't easy....

If the (C) Fund is down -14% for the year,
is it your goal to be -9% or better for the year.? :embarrest:

[squalebear]

I'm guessing you want to see a +5% return each year, unless the
(C) Fund ends the year in the positive. In turn, you want to beat
the (C) Fund by at least 5%. Is that what you meant ? I'm not trying
to be a smart #$%, just a little clarification is needed for the young pups
and the slow old farts like myself ! ;)

[squalebear]

My goals would be quite similar as Bullishreturns are (if I understood them correctly).
Before the IFT limits, my goal was to beat all Funds in a positive year.
Now with the 2 IFT limits, I've had to lower my goals to beating the
(C) fund in a positive year. In a negative year, I MUST beat the (G)
and (F) Funds. Those are my goals within a Bear or Bull Market.

[Bullishreturn]

If the (C) Fund is down -14% for the year,
is it your goal to be -9% or better for the year.? :embarrest:

My goal is to be 5% better than the "C" fund over the long term.

Long term meaning each year until retirement, AND until retirement as a whole.

According to the autotracker, the "C" is down -11.05% for the year, so if I was down only -6.05%, then that would be success.

In actuality, I am up 1.87%, which is better than all funds except the "G".

I normally want to be sitting in stocks. And I have been in stocks for all but 35 trading days this year.

Seeing that it's been a bear market, I think being postive during these negative times has been a real challenge, but so far I'm doing ok.

[Bullishreturn]

By the way-

THANK YOU OCEAN for the autotracker. It is the most valuable tool I have yet seen in relation to TSP, and has helped me greatly.

[Gumby]

My goals would be quite similar as Bullishreturns are (if I understood them correctly).
Before the IFT limits, my goal was to beat all Funds in a positive year.
Now with the 2 IFT limits, I've had to lower my goals to beating the
(C) fund in a positive year. In a negative year, I MUST beat the (G)
and (F) Funds. Those are my goals within a Bear or Bull Market.

My goal has been to make a 10%+ return per year on the average. I am beating the C fund this year by about 10% but I still have a negative return.......not really what I wanted but it could be worse.
I am going to set my sites on being in the + column by the end of the year.....hopefully Birchtree's Bull will kick in sometime in the future for us all.

[XL-entLady]

I'm already making monthly withdrawals out of my TSP. So my very simple goal is to end each year with at least as many dollars in my TSP account as I had at the start of the year. So that the interest I make is covering my withdrawals. I've been making my goal but with the advent of the IFT limits it has been dificult at best. :suspicious:

Lady

[EW_ret]

Hello, everyone.

This is my first post, and fittingly, this weekend will be my first deposit into my brand new tsp account.

My goal is to learn as much as possible from sites like these, and hopefully beat the standard 2040 option. I am thinking about DCAing early on, and build a solid base while the stocks are down.

Its a great time to start your TSP account. Wish I could start over!
Welcome to our forums peterson82 . You can join our Automated Tracker once you have 10 posts. Read the Automated Tracker Rules in my signature. Click Members Ranking (http://www.tsptalk.com/tracker/tsp_user_balance_all.php) to see the current return rankings of our members.

It would be good tell us about yourself in this thread Member Introductions (http://www.tsptalk.com/mb/forumdisplay.php?f=49) (click).

My goal is to beat the L2020 fund's performance. This may seem like a low threshold to most who are working, but I am retired and no longer contribute to my retirement accounts. I am not withdrawing from my retirement accounts either, so I believe the performance of an allocation of 60% stocks and 40% bond a worthy threshold for a new retiree.

[Silverbird]

I have 2 goals:
1) Never end the year with negative returns again (I didn't lose very much during 2000-2001 but it annoyed me anyway)
2) Average Annual Return of 7% a year

[Birchtree]

My goal since inception has been to accumulate 40,000 C fund shares - not worrying about the gains or give backs during any particular year. And I'm getting ever so close. By the time minimum required distributions roll around I should be comfortably in the $1M or better zone - if a good bull kicks in to continue the mega trend secular bull market maybe I'll achieve the $2M mark.

[uscs344]

My goal is to keep it out of the negative and to retire at 57 comfortably. So far so good. Got a long road ahead of me though.:D