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Thread: So I made my 2nd IFT....

  1. #25

    Default Re: So I made my 2nd IFT....

    Quote Originally Posted by Nate View Post
    I dont mean to beat a dead post, but Ive had an ongoing confusion with the general TSP lingo used here.
    If i understand it correct: my contribution allocation (aka allocation) tracked by the autotracker is my monthly contribution into the TSP fund.
    I dont know what term is for what TSP referrs to as my account distribution. I'd assume its distribution.
    I ask, because i've gotten alot of recommendations regarding allocations. Do most of you here divide up your "distribution" similar to your allocations? -Or quite differently?

    For the record, the education im getting here is passed along to a friend also....a fellow soldier I've known since Basic. Shes had her funds sitting in G for the last 1-1/2 year. Were both looking into some seriously needed TSP classess offered by the Army.
    We don't talk about our monthly contributions into our accounts much and if we do they are usually referred to as "monthly contribution." What the autotracker tracks is the amount of the total TSP account (contribution and any interest earned) that is placed into each Fund (G, F, C, S and I Funds), which may be what you meant by "distribution."

    Keep asking, we'll keep trying to help. If you have a question about something, someone else probably wants to know the answer too.

    Maggie
    "When asked if my cup is half full or half empty, my only response is that I am thankful I have a cup." -Sam Lefkowitz

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  3. #26

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    Default Re: So I made my 2nd IFT....

    Thanks for the quick reply & helping me not feel stupid lol.
    To clarify.....like described, the autotracker lists what individual funds im contributing to monthly, as well as the percentages gained/lost.
    IE: Im currently putting $X this month into 40% C fund, 30% C fund, and 30% I fund, and made X% YTD & monthly.
    But, I have a balance in my TSP of $X sitting in the G fund. I guess this is where im getting confused. A screenshot may better explain.


    Should the autotracker reflect the G fund, even though my monthly TSP deposits dont go into the G fund?
    S.E. Cupp has my vote!

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  5. #27

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    Default Re: So I made my 2nd IFT....

    Quote Originally Posted by Steel_Magnolia View Post
    We don't talk about our monthly contributions into our accounts much and if we do they are usually referred to as "monthly contribution." What the autotracker tracks is the amount of the total TSP account (contribution and any interest earned) that is placed into each Fund (G, F, C, S and I Funds), which may be what you meant by "distribution."

    Keep asking, we'll keep trying to help. If you have a question about something, someone else probably wants to know the answer too.

    Maggie
    Maggie is right. The tracker does not reflect your monthly contribution to your account. The tracker is just a teaching tool. It may or may not track your real TSP account, that is up to you. For most of us we use the tracker to show how we change the % in the different funds we are in. As an example my tracker position (165) shows that I am 40%, 30% & 30% in the C, S & I funds. That does reflect the % that I have in my real account. At the beginning of the year we all start with $100,000.00 in the tracker. That way it keeps us all on the same playing field for comparision purposes. Make sense? Keep asking questions.
    May the force be with us.


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  7. #28

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    Default Re: So I made my 2nd IFT....

    So if the tracker should reflect how we change the % of different funds we are in, I am actually able to change two different % of funds per the table below. When I registered with Tom for the tracker, my "initial" allocation is currently 40% C, 30% S, 30% I

    Yet, the percentages of my "account distribution " of 2.34% C, 1.75% I, 1.76% S, and 94.15% G have monthly % gains, can be changed as well, but are not part of the autotracker?

    Im only mentioning this as when Boghie gave me some ideas, he stated:
    "discussion of contributions is radically different from discussion of allocation. You want the market to be cheap when you buy (contributions from your pay check). But, if you want to play with the money already in your account you can fudge your allocation based on where you think the market is going".

    If I choose to follow someone on the autotracker, I assume Im following their contributions, but I dont know what their allocations may be...?...


    Wait a minute Nasa....youre saying the autotracker doesnt reflect the % of what in your real account? Are you telling me these are make-believe numbers just to win a coffee mug?
    S.E. Cupp has my vote!

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  9. #29

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    Wink Re: So I made my 2nd IFT....

    Nate,

    Contributions - This is the NEW money you are placing in your account every month. My current contribution of NEW money is split this way: 40% C, 30% S, 30% I. At my age (mid-40's) and at my risk tolerance (something less than BirchTree but higher than Amoeba) I like to use my new money to buy stock. Maybe when the stock funds (C/S/I) become overly expensive I'll buy F. But, I don't think so.

    Thus, my paycheck contributions are split like this:




    Allocation - This is the breakdown of assets ALREADY in your TSP account. My current allocation is: 10% F, 40% C, 10% S, 40% I. It is an odd allocation for me. I generally try to keep to something closer to the three allocations I noted previously. However, like Birch, I think that the weak dollar will positively affect the I Fund. And, the S Fund had a bigger chance to swing radically. I may accept risk, but I don't love it.

    And, my overall account allocation (tracked on the AutoTracker) is split like this:




    We use the AutoTracker to track allocation. Why? Because generally you will have much more money in your account than what you are putting into it with your paycheck. The allocation affects earnings much more than your contribution. But, as BirchTree stated, buying the C Fund at $7 with your contributions was sure tasty...

    By the way, you found two of the folks who are quite good at swing trades. Just not my style. And, by the way, I'm not used to being mid-pack
    Lookin' up at the 'G Fund'!!!

  10.  
  11. #30

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    Wink Re: So I made my 2nd IFT....

    Nate,

    I can make this real clear now that I have reread your last post.

    1. The "account distribution" of 2.34% C, 1.75% I, 1.76% S, and 94.15% G is what is normally called ALLOCATION.
    2. Your CONTRIBUTION is 40% C, 30% S, 30% I.


    So, you kinda got the AutoTracker reversed...

    But, you gained postion in our little competition because of your mistake. I'm going to have to report this grevious error. You might knock me out of my #128 position - yuk, yuk.

    At your age - and with the amount you probably have in your account - I would recommend having nothing in the G Fund. It is completely wiping out your gains. The 'G Fund' is gaining (guaranteed) 0.01% per day. That is fine if you are a Kennedy and have lots of money in the account, but you probably have very little. Use the 'G Fund' as a cash holding till you figure out what to do with your allocation.

    Finally, I would recommend reviewing how lots of folks trade and not be too concerned with current AutoTracker position. That can change rapidly. And, one style may be good this year and rather lousy next.

    Finally, finally (yuk, yuk), I recommended Edelman's books BECAUSE they are financial planning books. With TSP you aren't trying to win with 'The Big Short', you are trying to win with a long run plan. You don't game with retirement money. You invest with retirement money.
    Lookin' up at the 'G Fund'!!!

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  13. #31

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    Default Re: So I made my 2nd IFT....

    Ok got it finally! So......I just enrolled with autotracker a few days ago, and I now believe my initial allocation provided to Tom is incorrect. Not so important. -But, when looking over some numbers you've suggested, I needed to fully understand "what" money should go where.
    Thanks a million Boghie for all your help!
    S.E. Cupp has my vote!

  14.  
  15. #32

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    Default Re: So I made my 2nd IFT....

    When you get a bit more used to the lingo start taking a peak at the blogs.

    They are more in depth and can be very technical – pun intended. If you don’t get my cr@py joke, a technical trading style is very dependent on market momentum and charting. I think the swingers fall into that camp. Others take the ‘fundamental’ approach – that is, they use earnings and pricing to make their choices. Finally, others will allocate using long term analysis and kinda let it ride –reallocating when the percentages get out of whack or when their situation changes.

    Then you got me.
    I ain’t got a plan nor a style.
    Maybe a momentum influenced allocator.
    But, I know a good beer when I drink one – that’s something.

    Don’t let this stuff overwhelm you…
    Have some fun with it…
    Happy Hunting…
    Lookin' up at the 'G Fund'!!!

  16.  
  17. #33

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    Default Re: So I made my 2nd IFT....

    Quote Originally Posted by Boghie View Post
    Nate,

    At your age - and with the amount you probably have in your account - I would recommend having nothing in the G Fund. It is completely wiping out your gains. The 'G Fund' is gaining (guaranteed) 0.01% per day. Use the 'G Fund' as a cash holding till you figure out what to do with your allocation. With TSP you aren't trying to win with 'The Big Short', you are trying to win with a long run plan. You don't game with retirement money. You invest with retirement money.
    Yeah, this is why I needed to clarify what was what. I pulled out premature and seeing the error of my ways now. I had a feeling & just wanted to get in at a lower-low. Not so much worried about that anymore.

    Quote Originally Posted by Boghie View Post
    That is fine if you are a Kennedy and have lots of money in the account.
    I would never be a Kennedy!
    - A DuPont maybe.
    S.E. Cupp has my vote!

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  19. #34

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    Default Re: So I made my 2nd IFT....

    Quote Originally Posted by Boghie View Post
    Another sample to the Kindle. 2 in one morning. Thanks for the link.

  20.  
  21. #35

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    Default Re: So I made my 2nd IFT....

    RE: IFT's, I thought I read that a move to the G fund does not count regarding your 2 monthly IFT's. Is this true?
    S.E. Cupp has my vote!

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  23. #36

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    Cool Re: So I made my 2nd IFT....

    Nate,

    Your FIRST two (2) IFTs are the ones that count. It does not matter how you reallocate.

    After your first two IFTs in a month you can only move assets into the 'G Fund'. Actually, you can use Squalebears '<1%' IFT reallocations to move back into equities (this technique is expained in a sticky thread on this site).

    If you are planning on swinging or trading in TSP those two IFTs are the most valuable things you own...



    Quote Originally Posted by Nate View Post
    RE: IFT's, I thought I read that a move to the G fund does not count regarding your 2 monthly IFT's. Is this true?
    Lookin' up at the 'G Fund'!!!


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