Thread: Deployment advice??

Get the matching fund what ever you do. I have been kicking around the idea of cutting back my contributions to 5% from 15%and fully funding my ROTH. The most important thing is to contribute the 5% and get the matching fund. It's money in the bank.

Good luck on the deployment and thank you.:^

Put it in your Roth and invest in an Energy fund or ETF(XLE) and concrete companies(FRK). This particular company hasn't really had a down yoy in over 10 years.

JMHO

M_M

Oh, I agree with show-me also, put the 5% in your TSP.

mlk_man wrote:

Put it in your Roth and invest in an Energy fund or ETF(XLE) and concrete companies(FRK). This particular company hasn't really had a down yoy in over 10 years.

JMHO

M_M

Ha! My co-workers and I were just talking about Mexican concrete companies. Luv the energy and railroads. ACI, BTU, BNI, UNP, and NSC. Milk two more I have been watching are PANL and OLED. Not energy related but cutting edge stuff. Cooooool!

I'm active duty. What matching funds are we talking ab out?

Let me do some searching.

http://www.tsp.gov/uniserv/features/index.html

This is a link to the Uniformed Services page at tsp.gov. Unfortunately it looks like the government employees that deserve it the most are not eligible for matching funds. Sorry, that really sucks.

Service contributions:

The law that extended the TSP to the uniformed services allows the secretary responsible for that service to designate critical specialties for matching contributions. Members serving in these specialties who agree to serve on active duty for 6 years may be eligible for matching contributions. The matching contributions are made during the 6-year active duty obligation. If you are eligible to receive matching contributions, your service will match your basic pay contributions dollar-for-dollar on the first 3 percent of basic pay you contribute and 50 cents per dollar on the next 2 percent of pay per pay period. (As of the date of this publication, matching contributions had not been authorized by any of the uniformed services.)

Being that you do not get any “matching funds� I personally would use any tax exempt monies to fund my Roth IRA first.

Kendrickg,

Don't worry about the Roth until you return - you can fill that sack at any time, you are limited to $4000.

Remember starting in 2006 there are no more % caps - you can put in $15,000.

Adjust your TSP account to an auto-pilot mode - and concentrate on your job and keeping your head down. Go with the best America has to offer from a value stand point - 100% C fund and adjust your allocation to reflect same. If we continue to trend sideways or go into a prolonged correction you make out like a bandit buying lower priced shares every two weeks - simple as simple can be - and very cost effective. If you notice your balance is decreasing don't worry - just keep the TSP on auto-pilot. If you are not way ahead by the time you return - come squeeze the fool that gave you these suggestions. You will be surprised how many shares you can accumulate when prices are cheap - but here is the catch. You more than likely will be making the majority of you purchases on the up side because the C fund is destined to out perform for the next couple of years - and you still end up doing fine. The goal is to accumulate shares on a consistant basis in all types of markets.

Are how many share you can accumulate by going to G and let it fall and cram your money back in.

Just like this:



C fund better hold 1220. :shock::shock:

Here's what I learned so far, after being 'in country' for just over a month:

Unless you have serious debt that you can't pay off by the time you leave the mobe station that would negate or offset any TSP earnings, pay that off, then do this:

• Save up $10K for the Soldier Savings Plan at the mobe station so that you can 'max' the program right when you get here. Borrow the money if you have to. It is a RISK-FREE investment backed by the government that pays 10%/year, you have 90 days to withdraw after you get home, so you net about $1300.
• MAX TSP at 10%; Special Pay / Bonuses / Incentive Pay at 100%.
• If you are enlisted and want to re-enlist, do it incountry so the entire bonus is tax-free. Do the right thing with that money and put it towards your future.
• When October rolls around, MAX everything so you can kick the full $15K
• MAXyour Roth
• Two words: FREE COLLEGE
• Hang out with the TSP Talk folks and learn what to do with all that money!

I know right now it sounds impossible, but you can do it. It just takes discipline. I see lots of Joes here spend money onmeals/pop at the PX when it is FREE at the DFAC, and live from paycheck to paycheck whenthere is really not much to buy here. At the end of the tour, you will be proud of yourself for doing these things. Rock on!