Thread: Financial Advice

Here are my thoughts.

How much would a large portfolio have to earn to pay that $300 fee? Percentage wise, not a lot. That doesn't mean that I go out and spend $300 on a regular basis either. Not all advice is equal. It comes down to this, I'd be willing to pay for advice I really trusted.

If I was a retiree, I'd agree with you completely Spaf. The lowest fees and several low risk choices make staying in TSP a no brainer. However, since I am younger I see a need for riskier investment options in my portfolio. You can't get that in TSP (although you could make the arguement that by being a trader I'm getting that extra risk.)

I see one of the greatest assets of the TSP is the ability to trade daily without any fee. I think that it could be a little better but give the TSP board time.

I retired last year under CSRS with 36 years service. My approach is conservative regarding my current financial asset allocation. I am presently at 36/19/45 (equities/bonds/cash) in all my accounts. I have a small amount remaining in my TSP account, but transferred the majority of my TSP to a Vanguard Rollover IRA account earlier this year. I know I'll be paying more for account maintenance at Vanguard (0.2% versus 0.04%), but I get free yearly financial planning services at Vanguard because I am Voyager client. The increase in maintenance fees cost me about $220 a year for financial planning service. I figure the cost is worth it.

My financial plan's asset allocation is 60/30/10 (equities/bonds/cash). I am moving cautiously to this allocation over the next three months. I see a correction coming so I want to dollar cost average into the higher equity position in a falling market. I am having doubts about this strategy lately in light of the market making new highs in September, October, now November. I have had to postpone buying more equities because the markets keep rising.

FundSurfer,
I know that you are younger. But, you have also got some good trading skills. Hey so go get em.
What I do know, Is that with a few trading skills one can manage their funds with minimum risk, and be assured to be able to read the market for capital preservation. Plus, given the market information from TSPTalk, RevShark and other board members, one can do quite well with investments.

EWGuy,
Using Vanguard. They were high on my list for a rollover. I think that they are an excellent company. Keep in touch on how it goes with them!

The day after I retired, my dog ate my previous strategy for investing. And ever time we open the cubbard he checks the dog food and doggie treats!