The Final 2009 AutoTracker Numbers...

[tsptalk]

The final 2009 AutoTracker numbers have been posted!

http://www.tsptalk.com/tracker/tsp-tracker.php

And the Annual Returns Contest winners are:

http://www.tsptalk.com/images/mb/2009_winners_full.gif

I decided to go with the top 11 for prizes since it was so close. These 11 had a great year, all ending up with returns over 30%.

The top 3, BigJohn, Skooby, and Barney, will have their choice of any two items on the prize page (http://www.tsptalk.com/mb/showthread.php?p=223426#post223426) (including RevShark's book). Or you can choose one item from the prize page (http://www.tsptalk.com/mb/showthread.php?p=223426#post223426) plus a golf shirt or sweatshirt. I have your a limited number of the sweatshirts and golf shirts, so please check with me about availablity in your size.

The next 8 on the list, from clester down to Guchi, can select any one item from the prize page (http://www.tsptalk.com/mb/showthread.php?p=223426#post223426) (including RevShark's book).

I will need your shipping information and, if you are taking any shirts, I need your size.

http://www.tsptalk.com/images/mb/2009_winners_part.gif

While the partial year winners did not qualify for the annual prizes, their returns were nonetheless outstanding. Let me know if any of you four would like a TSP Talk T-shirt.

Again, please send me your shipping information and the size shirt you need.

Nice job everyone!

It was a great year. Thanks for participating! Happy New Year and good luck in 2010!!

[nasa1974]

Tom,

Do not worry about the tracker tonight. I think we can all survive one day without an update. Enjoy the basketball game (I was at the Cavs game last night) and have a wonderful evening.
Thanks for all your hard work and dedication to the MB

Happy New Year!!

[grandma]

:d +1 :d

[tsptalk]

The final 2009 AutoTracker numbers have been posted!

http://www.tsptalk.com/tracker/tsp-tracker.php

I will figure out the monthly and annual prizes situation soon and notify the winners.

Thanks, and Happy New Year!

[Show-me]

Those are some very nice numbers! Congratulations!!!

[Rod]

Wow, great numbers!

CONGRATS TO ALL!:cool:

[Intrepid_Timer]

Just curious why you stopped giving quarterly prizes? I believe a 3-month return is much more noteworthy than a monthly return.

Just my opinion of course.................... :)

[Boghie]

Missed it by thaaaaatttttttttttttttttttt much...

One bad day, the Nine Nazgul of the I of Sauron gallop past...
Enough of them still alive!!!
Oh well...

:)

But hey, I'm tied for 1st place now:p

Thanks for all the tools available on this site. Some of the stuff in the AutoTracker has been a tremendous help. After getting to know the folks, I can watch the those with my risk tolerance move around the market. All in all, this site is a great benefit to TSP holders.

Great returns everyone, this year will be fun to watch - eh...

[Boghie]

Just curious why you stopped giving quarterly prizes? I believe a 3-month return is much more noteworthy than a monthly return.

Just my opinion of course.................... :)

After giving 'prizes' for not losing as much per quarter in 2008 he probably got a bit depressed. Maybe nobody wanted anything for losing just 15% in 2008 4th Quater and 20% in 2009 1st Quarter so he has a bit of excess inventory:p

[tsptalk]

Just curious why you stopped giving quarterly prizes? I believe a 3-month return is much more noteworthy than a monthly return.
I actually had the best return in the 4th quarter of 2009 (+15.74%): http://www.tsptalk.com/tracker/tsp_user_balance_returns_2009.php , so there must be a flaw in the quarterly returns process. :D

I actually don't remember the quarterly prizes, but if you say so I probably did it. It does sound familiar. I increased the monthly winners from the top 3, to the top 5 last year, and with the 10-15 annual winners, I am giving away probably 50 to 70 mugs, shirts, hats, etc., a year.

Normally if someone is on top of the monthly lists, they are probably favored to be on that quarter's list as well. But you are right I_I - we should at least recognize the quarterly winners, but I'm not sure I'll send prizes for them unless we want to cut back down to the top 3 for monthly winners.

One other thing, the boxes I found for the new mugs can be sent at the < 1 lb usps priority rate of $4.95. I used to throw in pens and/or TSP Talk lanyards but it is so close to that 1 lb that adding just one pen pushes the shipping cost up to like $8 + for each mug. The hats and T-shirts are cheaper to send so you are more likely to get a few extras with those.

More than the cost of the items and shipping, I hate going to the post office. I try not to go during business hours because I like to use the automated machine for postage rather than waiting on long lines, but even then I always seem to get stuck behind a 90 year old who takes 20 minutes to buy a stamp. :)

[grandma]

....automated machine for postage rather than waiting on long lines, but even then I always seem to get stuck behind a 90 year old who takes 20 minutes to buy a stamp. :)

And. of course, being the gentlman you are, you feel rebuffed when your assistance is refused ! :laugh:

Seriously, tho, I thought there was a system inplace, that you could order pick-up thru their internet site for no extra cost....

[tsptalk]

And. of course, being the gentlman you are, you feel rebuffed when your assistance is refused ! :laugh:
I want to just jump in and do it for them, but I'm afraid of scaring them as they fumble with their credit card in the small empty room.


Seriously, tho, I thought there was a system inplace, that you could order pick-up thru their internet site for no extra cost....

I might have to look into that.

[KevinD]

I actually had the best return in the 4th quarter of 2009 (+15.74%): http://www.tsptalk.com/tracker/tsp_user_balance_returns_2009.php , so there must be a flaw in the quarterly returns process. :D



Tom - Since you brought up that link I have a question about the "WTD returns" column.

1969-12-26?

The WTD is the same as the YTD for the part year participants and I don't think I was down -4.29% last week.

Just curious. :)

[Steadygain]

Tom,
I barely glanced over a few posts and may have misread what stuck out to me.

You (in my most humble and sincerest opinion) DO NOT owe anyone any prizes. The fact that you have offered this site freely for all of us to interact. The fact that you have allowed ME to express myself as I have from day one -- let alone my gentler brothers and sisters (Birch, Buster, CB, Phil, Luv2read... and all the rest).

The TRUTH is -- it is wholly the relationships that have evolved and the enormous ways we all have so much is common that makes this such a wonderful place.

Your GIFT to everyone of us is first and foremost this SITE itself; and then the absolutely endless patience and understanding you have displayed with people like ME -- so I can learn to be better in a wide variety of ways.

So PLEASE don't ever feel like you have to give any Gifts beyond what I've expressed here.

[tsptalk]

The WTD is the same as the YTD for the part year participants and I don't think I was down -4.29% last week.
:embarrest: I noticed that and tried to work on it last night.

I created a new database for 2009 so we can still have a record of it, but for some reason the dates are a little screwy. The data is OK. It is a date process that isn't working right. I will have to continue to work on it.

[tsptalk]

So PLEASE don't ever feel like you have to give any Gifts beyond what I've expressed here.
Thanks Steady. I know I don't have to, but I know that you guys don't have to post here either. But you do - and I appreciate it! It's the least I can do to show my appreciation.

[Medic72]

sorry been out of town for a while :) looks like i finished in 3rd woohooo. i was looking at the prize winners etc, most of us had to restart our auto tracker and didnt do it till march :( but did i see that the top 4 that didnt qualify get a t-shirt? ill gladly wear one lol.

anyway great numbers everyone! this year should be a little better for everyone i hope!

[tsptalk]

The winners have been posted at the top of this thread, along with the prize information...

http://www.tsptalk.com/mb/showthread.php?t=7918