new at this thrift thing

**johnysboy** · 03-01-2010, 12:07 AM

been a career postal employee for three years and looking to invest the minimum 5% to avoid losing out on the 5% match. i am 32years old with two kids and would like to hear from some veteran investors for some direction and advice. thanks

**WorkFE** · 03-01-2010, 12:14 AM

Get it revved up johny, you're already 3 years behind. You're in the right place but your expectations should be for investment insight not advice. IMO.

Good Luck

**tsptalk** · 03-01-2010, 12:17 AM

Welcome jonsboy! 5% is the best way to start. I would recommend using COLA raises to increase that percentage each year if possible, or put the additional amount into an IRA if you want more investment choices, but yes, getting that 5% match is your #1 priority.

As far as direction and advice, it is important to decide what approach you will take to investing. Do you want to be active with your account, or do you prefer buy and hold, etc.? You will get all kinds of advice here, but you want to be comfortable with your style.

Good luck!

**nnuut** · 03-01-2010, 12:54 AM

Welcome johnysboy, you have many years to go , a good opportunity to take advantage of the system. Put in as much as you can scrape together, I wish I had!!
Best of luck
Norman

**ezmoney** · 03-01-2010, 01:08 AM

Originally Posted by johnysboy

been a career postal employee for three years and looking to invest the minimum 5% to avoid losing out on the 5% match. i am 32years old with two kids and would like to hear from some veteran investors for some direction and advice. thanks

Your future retirement is in your hands. Invest as much as you possibly can. Every cost of living raise, increase your tsp, if you don't get a cost of living raise what do you do? That's right you live without it you have no choice. So every cost of living raise increase your TSP. Every promotion or step increase the same applies increase your TSP. If you don't get a promotion or step increase what do you do, exactly you live off what you have? So if you get the cost of living the promotion or step increase do the same with your TSP make an increase. It is up to you increase, increase, increase every opportunity you have. Good Luck and prosperous investing johnysboy, welcome aboard.

**dannyboy** · 03-01-2010, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by johnysboy

been a career postal employee for three years and looking to invest the minimum 5% to avoid losing out on the 5% match. i am 32years old with two kids and would like to hear from some veteran investors for some direction and advice. thanks

Welcome to the TSPCIRCUS,
You are in the right place to help you in maximizing your federal experience. I would hope that you follow;
Follow those on the board, you like
The mess-ages left on the message board, read current and past posts,
Follow the leaderboard, (but beware of HEAD-fakes?)
Take it easy and put your $$$, where is most needed (2 kids?)
However, word's out with the pro's;
if your %'s do well and you are 15%, then you retire at 55 instead of 65

? With just SSA, that's doubtful at best?
DB

**Frixxxx** · 03-01-2010, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by johnysboy

been a career postal employee for three years and looking to invest the minimum 5% to avoid losing out on the 5% match. i am 32years old with two kids and would like to hear from some veteran investors for some direction and advice. thanks

Attaching an investment chart for your review....Remember if you adjust % it is pre-tax dollars....Your kids are big write-offs and going from 5-6% may mean $15-20 a paycheck...... Which you can budget for pretty easily. Also, remember what tsptalk (smart guy) said below~ when COLA hits - adjust your contributions.....

Welcome!