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A basic knowledge of variability is essential for managing your investments in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). I am always interested in the FedSmith.com TSP related articles regarding decisions investors are making in managing their funds and moving money between the various funds.
How do you avoid buying high and selling low? On the flip side, how do you take advantage of buying low and selling high? Would you get better returns if you did nothing and took advantage of averaging? By contributing ...

The Thrift Savings Plan, “TSP”, has always been a good way to save money for retirement. It’s gotten even better in 2012 with the addition of a “Roth” option for contributions. Before going into the details of the new choices, I’d like to start with a quick refresher on the existing TSP program.
In the TSP, much like a private sector 401(k), all contributions are made pre-tax. Taxes are also deferred on the growth of the account, and finally paid upon withdrawal of the funds at the current ...

Stocks pulled back yesterday giving the Dow and S&P 500 their third straight day of losses. The Dow lost 78-points but it had been a triple digit loss earlier in the day.


For the TSP, the C-fund lost 0.71% yesterday, the S-fund fell 1.02%, the I-fund gave up 0.39%, and the F-fund (bonds) added 0.04%.

Since this rally started in December, 2 to 3 day ...

TSP Talk Sentiment Survey results for the week of 3/26/12- 3/30/12

Buy: The TSP Talk Sentiment Survey came in at 35% bulls, 56% bears, for a bulls to bears ratio of 0.63 to 1. That is buy signal in a bull market which means the system will remain 100% S Fund for the week of 3/26/12 - 3/30/12.

Bull market rules are in affect since the week of 1/09/12:

See latest survey results

To discuss or comment on the Sentiment Survey, go to Sentiment ...

Stocks were mixed yesterday as the Dow and S&P 500 saw minor losses, while the Nasdaq and small caps closed higher. The Dow lost 46-points on the day.


For the TSP, the C-fund fell 0.18% yesterday, the S-fund added 0.08%, the I-fund lost 0.56%, and the F-fund (bonds) gained 0.32%.

After the short-lived excitement a couple of weeks ago, the S&P 500 has been back in a slow ...