Talk about the market and investing

**06savefor2012** · 09-29-2009, 03:21 PM

OK, lately I posted a new high in my TSP. A few months ago I was down to $199,000 after a high of $292,000. I recently Sept 09 hit a new high of $314,000 by going to the "S" and the "I" funds, After fridays sell off I decided to go 100% to the "G" and sort of lets things cool down. I will retire in two years and have stayed 100% in S and I for the last 7or 8 years looking to max out before I can retire. It has worked out pretty well for me. I am not afraid of risk but I am afraid of wide spread criminal activity on Wall Street. I am hoping for a big correction in the next couple of weeks and will jump right back in 100% after we get it. I maintain an E-Trade account and everything I purchased after the big crash a few months ago has doubled or tripled in price. For example I purchased GE around $7.00. I wish I had been brave enough to mortgage my house and bought "a lot more". This was a no brainer trade as were so many other stocks such as GS, and RIMM. Younger less experienced traders/investors need to learn and recognise the importantance of major sell offs in the market. You only get a couple of these in a life time! Take advantage of them when they happen and GOOD LUCK to all!
PS I am at this time a GS-11 pay grade. I was a GS-9 when the TSP started. What do you think? Does my TSP amount compare to yours or ????

**Birchtree** · 09-29-2009, 03:32 PM

That was a nice post - you got the right attitude. Buy'em when no one else wants them. This bull market may last for several years - so think where you'll be when you retire. You'll have even more time to invest for the greatest opportunity.

**Gumby** · 09-29-2009, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by 06savefor2012

PS I am at this time a GS-11 pay grade. I was a GS-9 when the TSP started. What do you think? Does my TSP amount compare to yours or ????

You have done well. Congrats on being brave enough to hang on after nearly a $100,000 hair cut. It worked out for you.
The two IFT's per month has made investing in TSP much tougher for my account......and many others.

**GUCHI** · 09-29-2009, 03:49 PM

along those same lines !!! i plan to retire in 4 1/2 yrs at age 55. but if I got this right I plan to keep my balance in L2040 (fairly high risk) when I retire. my understanding is that you don't have to take out until 62 yrs of age, is this correct ?? I am under the CSRS system so I will have a federal retirement to pull from. My thinking is why not try and maximize the largest amount of money in my TSP account depending on the current market conditions at that time. any feed back on this is greatly appreciated. cmon MB help me find my retirement paradise !!!!
thanks
john

**mayday** · 09-29-2009, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by GUCHI

along those same lines !!! i plan to retire in 4 1/2 yrs at age 55. but if I got this right I plan to keep my balance in L2040 (fairly high risk) when I retire. my understanding is that you don't have to take out until 62 yrs of age, is this correct ?? I am under the CSRS system so I will have a federal retirement to pull from. My thinking is why not try and maximize the largest amount of money in my TSP account depending on the current market conditions at that time. any feed back on this is greatly appreciated. cmon MB help me find my retirement paradise !!!!
thanks
john

You can wait until your 72 years old to withdraw the minimum from your retirement.

**GUCHI** · 09-29-2009, 05:01 PM

MD
WONDERFUL !!! I can hold out another 10, if I need to maximize my account balance. that is if I don't need to dip into it !!!! does any other agencies have what we call ACES employees ?? they are part time often former employees coming back to work for an agreed price.

**mayday** · 09-29-2009, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by GUCHI

MD
WONDERFUL !!! I can hold out another 10, if I need to maximize my account balance. that is if I don't need to dip into it !!!! does any other agencies have what we call ACES employees ?? they are part time often former employees coming back to work for an agreed price.

I could be wrong. You might have to start withdrawing at 70 or 70 1/2. Just like a regular I.R.A.

**GUCHI** · 09-30-2009, 01:58 PM

MD
in any event I have more time.

thanks

**06savefor2012** · 10-14-2009, 05:09 PM

Still waiting for that correction! Must be patient, It will come! When it does I am going in big "S" fund 100%. 2-3 years until retirement! Must be patient. Keep fingers off keyboard! Be patient, ok so I lost thousand of dollars being safe. I am a risk taker, should have stayed the course. These corrections have been steep but are over very quickley, right? Risk takers must stay away from the G fund. Be patient, get back in when AND IF THIS CORRECTION EVER COMES!!!!! Log back into ETRADE account, might as well lose some money there too! Good Luck to all the players, this is one big bubble! Ride the snake.

**Birchtree** · 10-14-2009, 05:17 PM

Rallies usually peak amid buying frenzies, as the last buyers jump in for fear they're missing out and prices rise to levels not justified by earnings projections. The error a lot of individual investors make is that by focusing on lagging data they may be missing out on one of the biggest rallies of their lifetime. Sticking with the trend is truly the only way to play the stock market.

**Bullitt** · 10-14-2009, 06:15 PM

Just remember that when the correction comes that you are hoping for, most every news channel and headline will be talking about how bad things are getting. Do some checking into headlines from March 09, early July 09, early Sept 09, and recently early Oct 09 so that you're emotionally prepared for the next correction.

**James48843** · 10-14-2009, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by 06savefor2012

...Must be patient. Keep fingers off keyboard! Be patient, ok so I lost thousand of dollars being safe. I am a risk taker, should have stayed the course. ...

THAT sometimes can be the hardest thing of all- NOT doing something when your fingers keep telling you to do it. But hey- it's only money.

Sometimes you ride the bull,

and sometimes you step in the bull____.

We all have been there.