I plan to make an ift to 7%f 45%s and 48%i on Wednesday as long as I see the sp500 between 1050 and 1075 by Tuesday night (80% certain this will happen). I expect to net a 5-7% proffit in august. Forgive the shorthand... iPhone keyboard

Best of luck. I hope it works out.

I'm still evaluating the I Fund. Foreign mkts typically lag the us mkts by six months and it should be time for them to pop.

Thanks for the advanced notice, plus some analytics. I just started but you are one that I will be watching. I was hoping the S&P would get down to previouse ranges (1027 or so) but corporate earnings are too strong right now.

I don't see the S&P getting to that range by Tuesday night. Are you staying on the side?

yeah, today's growth was much more than I expected lol. The things that are influencing my decision are the technicals and seaonality of august. I would feel 100% comfortable to get invested if I saw the s&p in that range this week, but I'll kick myself if I miss out on growth in august. I expect us to give up most if not all of today's gains on tuesday and if that happens the rising wedge will break to the downside toward the range I am shooting for. However, I don't want to buy at the top of the wedge so I'll sit it out until I can call another buying opportunity in advance. (note: Because I no longer add to my TSP I am much more conservative than I was before this year.)

pursue another investment program?

I don't think you should be more conservative because you don't add to your TSP. Once you get your TSP to a certain level, it's not about adding, it's only about compounding.

And that is why I have an after tax trading program. Everyone should.

I think the conservative part comes from being closer to retirement. If you had 1M in your TSP at the beginning of 2008 and felt that was enough to retire... then kept investing in a similar pattern and had only 500k at the end of the year you would be screwed. Being conservative with the money needed is a necessity once you have limited earning years left, otherwise you run the risk of being broke in retirement after having saved all those years.

I came off active duty this year and I'm going to college full time. Normally I take more risk by being buy and hold because when my tsp portfolio value decreases I feel like I'm getting a discount with my bi-monthly contributions. I am not sure if we are at a good buying point or selling point, but if I was invested now I would be selling, so I will sit it out for a while longer. I'll try to give advance notice again before I make my next move. Thanks to everyone for your questions and input!

College is what you make of it so study hard. Is this a Master's degree?

nope, BS, graduating in may!

the Masters. Take a look at your college handbook. The Bachelor Program describes courses variously as "the student will appreciate, understand, utilize...." The Masters Program states: "Apply, direct, manage, assess, implement..." The difference is night and day. Especially noteworthy is the tendency for those with advanced degrees to gather together when in a group situation. The level of conversation is the draw. Interesting. Anyhow. Congratulations, best wishes, but keep an eye on your TSP Account. The balance needs to grow to support you in just a few decades....