How do you compare to others at your station in life?

General TSP Discussion.

Moderator: Aitrus

User avatar
evilanne
Posts: 2067
Joined: Thu May 14, 2015 6:52 pm

Re: How do you compare to others at your station in life?

Post by evilanne »

60minman...7 years is enough time to hit that 7 figure mark with maxing out your contributions :mrgreen:

GUTK...I highly recommend retiring early. With FERS & Military pensions you should be in good shape :mrgreen:

JJbat150...Glad you finally decided to post :mrgreen:

James1018
Posts: 35
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2017 7:17 pm

Re: How do you compare to others at your station in life?

Post by James1018 »

Just joined everyone and was pointed here. Here's the info.

Occupation: Firefighter
9yrs
Age:27
Annual Salary: 70k
TSP Acct Balance: $117,091.75
Fund balances and %'s:
G Fund 10% $11,628.00
C Fund 45% $52,663.25
S Fund 45% $52,800.50
Monthly Contributions including match: 20% $638.66
Under Special Retirement I could go at 43 and some change.
25 yrs. at any age or 20yrs at 50. Have to go at 57yrs.

Looking for advice because the guys that do know what's going on with the TSP aren't very forthcoming with knowledge and the ones that have no clue are "very knowledgeable" and are very opinionated with no basis.

Goal is to hit that 500k mark.

mmmmmbeer
Posts: 917
Joined: Wed May 11, 2016 11:00 am

Re: How do you compare to others at your station in life?

Post by mmmmmbeer »

James1018 wrote:Just joined everyone and was pointed here. Here's the info.

Occupation: Firefighter
9yrs
Age:27
Annual Salary: 70k
TSP Acct Balance: $117,091.75
Fund balances and %'s:
G Fund 10% $11,628.00
C Fund 45% $52,663.25
S Fund 45% $52,800.50
Monthly Contributions including match: 20% $638.66
Under Special Retirement I could go at 43 and some change.
25 yrs. at any age or 20yrs at 50. Have to go at 57yrs.

Looking for advice because the guys that do know what's going on with the TSP aren't very forthcoming with knowledge and the ones that have no clue are "very knowledgeable" and are very opinionated with no basis.

Goal is to hit that 500k mark.


First off with the current balance you have in your TSP and the time you have left, you'll destroy 500k way before it's time for you to to at 50. If things work out, there's zero reason you shouldn't have 1 million by that time. Absolutely serious brother.

I started doing a "Monthly Seasonal" investment strategy called Jahbulon's Old Mix in June 2016. During that year I was a bit apprehensive at what I was following and listened to some advice to go off plan for one month, in July 2016. During that month I had my funds in the 100% F fund. Unfortunately the original plan called for 100% C. The F returned .62%, the C returned 3.68% or something along those lines. I ended up finishing my 12 month experiment in May 2017. I got 13.9% return and some change. My money went from $192k - $249k in that time frame. I max out my contribution at $693 per pay period too so that should be factored at $18k + match for a total of $24k. It would/should have been 17% if I would have stuck with the original program. This year, from Jan 1 until now I have a rate of return of 11.41% so far. Hopefully if things go well I'll snag at least another 2-5% before the end of the year, putting me somewhere between 13-16% for the year.

Go to tsp.gov to this page: https://www.tsp.gov/PlanningTools/index.html In there go to "how much will my savings grow" and put your current balance, how much your saving, and number of years until you retire. Put something conservative like a 7% rate of return. Then try messing with it... do 9%, 11%, 14%... you see just how much difference a few percentage points a year will make. Dude it's going to blow your mind. Then... take one of those end balances say the 9%, and go to the "TSP Monthly Payment Calculator" and put in that end money... and just keep the 9%... withdraw.. say 5k a month... see how your money still grows.... do the 11-14% etc... and wow. Let me know what you think.

The goal for all of us here is to get the best rate of return we can. Look at Aitrus's Seasonal Musings thread and look at the average rates of return for the Jahbulon's Mix, the tmj100's Mix etc... The daily mixes are somewhat new, but they are showing to be pretty accurate so far in their returns.

My goal is to get at least 1% a month in cumulative grow, for a yearly goal of 12%. If I can hit that... I double my whole TSP balance in a few years.

As you can see from the info above... if things go well I should hit my yearly goal hopefully this month.
Those who 'abjure' violence can do so only because others are committing violence on their behalf.

James1018
Posts: 35
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2017 7:17 pm

Re: How do you compare to others at your station in life?

Post by James1018 »

Awesome. Thanks for the words of encouragement. Todays plan: Do and study everything you said to do and study. I'm going to up my TSP contributions today to 18k. Ill post back after I do some of the calcs. Where do I find the seasonal mixes that your talking about?

James1018
Posts: 35
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2017 7:17 pm

Re: How do you compare to others at your station in life?

Post by James1018 »

Also when you speak of your ROR what numbers are you going off of. Your own calculations or your PIP off of the TSP account site?

mmmmmbeer
Posts: 917
Joined: Wed May 11, 2016 11:00 am

Re: How do you compare to others at your station in life?

Post by mmmmmbeer »

James1018 wrote:Awesome. Thanks for the words of encouragement. Todays plan: Do and study everything you said to do and study. I'm going to up my TSP contributions today to 18k. Ill post back after I do some of the calcs. Where do I find the seasonal mixes that your talking about?


The Monthly Seasonal Mixes are explained in Aitrus's Seasonal Musings thread. He explains the first few and after thag you get the gist. If you're more of a excel workbook guy shoot me a PM with your email and I'll get one to you with the most popular mixes in it.
Those who 'abjure' violence can do so only because others are committing violence on their behalf.

mmmmmbeer
Posts: 917
Joined: Wed May 11, 2016 11:00 am

Re: How do you compare to others at your station in life?

Post by mmmmmbeer »

James1018 wrote:Also when you speak of your ROR what numbers are you going off of. Your own calculations or your PIP off of the TSP account site?


The 12 month PIP is easily found and a good tool from tsp.gov, but many of us track our own. You can do it pretty easily with an excel spreadsheet.

Also if you're doing a daily seasonal, and follow it correctly so you're not off plan, the tspcal.com site does a nightly update showing the "month to date" % in you're given strategy. The daily seasonals can be found here:

http://www.tspcalc.com

I follow strategy 7980, so if you want to take a look at that there is a small box on the front page "Jump To" you enter 7980 in and hit enter.

The results will be the historical averages the plan returns, how much time in the CSI funds, and a current rate of return for this year and month.

If you choose to follow one of the Monthly Seasonals, Aitrus usually will post in his Musings thread prior to the end of the month the upcoming options for the Inter Fund Transfer (IFT) and usually in the first week in a month will post how the previous month performed.
Those who 'abjure' violence can do so only because others are committing violence on their behalf.

James1018
Posts: 35
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2017 7:17 pm

Re: How do you compare to others at your station in life?

Post by James1018 »

Ok. Following strategy 7980. Just moved to the S fund. I know its 3 days late but the reward is worth the risk to me. Ill stick to it for 2018 and well see how it goes. He's already at 18% for the year with 4 months to go. Avg. 35% since 04. We shall see....

JJbat150
Posts: 13
Joined: Thu Nov 19, 2015 11:19 am

Re: How do you compare to others at your station in life?

Post by JJbat150 »

James1018 wrote:Just joined everyone and was pointed here. Here's the info.

Occupation: Firefighter
9yrs
Age:27
Annual Salary: 70k
TSP Acct Balance: $117,091.75
Fund balances and %'s:
G Fund 10% $11,628.00
C Fund 45% $52,663.25
S Fund 45% $52,800.50
Monthly Contributions including match: 20% $638.66
Under Special Retirement I could go at 43 and some change.
25 yrs. at any age or 20yrs at 50. Have to go at 57yrs.

Looking for advice because the guys that do know what's going on with the TSP aren't very forthcoming with knowledge and the ones that have no clue are "very knowledgeable" and are very opinionated with no basis.

Goal is to hit that 500k mark.


How the times have changed -

I started with Veteran's Affairs in 1990 as a temporary GS4 firefighter ($17K per year). As soon as I was eligible to contribute, I was putting 5% + into TSP based on advice of some very knowledgeable friends. They basically told me that with the agency match, 5% is doubling my money - but didn't educate me to the benefits\down falls of the various funds. Good part was the scheduled allowed for a second job, so I was able to pump a lot into TSP during my FD time.

I left the fire dept. before the Federal Firefighters Overtime Pay Reform Act took effect, and dropped the second job, so it's taken a long time to get my TSP to where I am now.

Like mmmbeer said - your actions has you sitting pretty to be set @ retirement. Good job jumping into TSP contributions with both feet early (and now maxing it out) and taking steps now to insure your ROR is as high as possible.
Last edited by JJbat150 on Fri Aug 25, 2017 4:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.

OkieTSPer
Posts: 119
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2016 2:44 pm

Re: How do you compare to others at your station in life?

Post by OkieTSPer »

mmmmmbeer! You got it going on. Well said.

James1018
Posts: 35
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2017 7:17 pm

Re: How do you compare to others at your station in life?

Post by James1018 »

JJbat150 wrote:
How the times have changed -

I started with Veteran's Affairs in 1990 as a temporary GS4 firefighter ($17K per year). As soon as I was eligible to contribute, I was putting 5% + into TSP based on advice of some very knowledgeable friends. They basically told me that with the agency match, 5% is doubling my money - but didn't educate me to the benefits\down falls of the various funds. Good part was the scheduled allowed for a second job, so I was able to pump a lot into TSP during my FD time.

I left the fire dept. before the Federal Firefighters Overtime Pay Reform Act took effect, and dropped the second job, so it's taken a long time to get my TSP to where I am now.

Like mmmbeer said - your actions has you sitting pretty to be set @ retirement. Good job jumping into TSP contributions with both feet early (and now maxing it out) and taking steps now to insure your ROR is as high as possible.


Yeah man. I really can't take much credit. I the guys that have lived and learned it have a lot to do with the times changing. I remember hearing my first Captain tell me "Before you get used to the money coming in, take at least 10% and put it in your TSP". Obviously me at 18, my face was like *whats a tsp??*. Glad I listened to those guys though. Only took 9 yrs to ask the right questions though. Better late than never I guess.

Where did you end up transferring to? FD is an awesome, fun job and I'm super happy but I always get caught up on the money side of things. A FF here caps out at a 7. Captains at an 8. If I go any higher than that then I wont be riding fire trucks and well....that would suck because that's all the fun! Not a better job imo but the pay isn't there :(.
Last edited by Aitrus on Fri Aug 25, 2017 8:35 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Reason: Moderator: edited to show the quote properly.

User avatar
ewok55
Posts: 77
Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2017 5:39 pm

Re: How do you compare to others at your station in life?

Post by ewok55 »

Been in federal service for four years, but have only been eligible for tsp for 3.5 years, putting in 5% each year (plus the match). Was gs11 3.5 years ago but am now gs13 where I hope to stay for the next 26 years. Have 30k in my tsp currently, mostly due to (sadly) having been in the l2040 fund until 8 months ago. Am close to 14% ytd return since getting out of L2040 and mostly following seasonal patterns.

Edit: I'm 35 years old now
Tomanyiron wrote: :shock: We should've went to G before lunch, (yesterday). :cry:


Current:
#20931

Past:
18.88% - 2017 (GClapper's Mix)
11.44% - 2016 (L2040)
0.89% - 2015 (L2040)
6.59% - 2014 (L2040)

Octjan2
Posts: 332
Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2016 8:01 pm

Re: How do you compare to others at your station in life?

Post by Octjan2 »

I know it is a risk because of everything that is been going on in Washington, but if everything works out the way I think it will with tax reform, etc, S fund is going to do well the rest of the year. However the risk is that nothing gets done and the S fund drops. I guess it all depends on how much you trust the policy agenda of Trump getting passed in 2017. I'm hedging my bets that something gets done.

User avatar
evilanne
Posts: 2067
Joined: Thu May 14, 2015 6:52 pm

Re: How do you compare to others at your station in life?

Post by evilanne »

ewok55 wrote:Been in federal service for four years, but have only been eligible for tsp for 3.5 years, putting in 5% each year (plus the match). Was gs11 3.5 years ago but am now gs13 where I hope to stay for the next 26 years. Have 30k in my tsp currently, mostly due to (sadly) having been in the l2040 fund until 8 months ago. Am close to 14% ytd return since getting out of L2040 and mostly following seasonal patterns.

Edit: I'm 35 years old now

Way to climb the pay ladder, well done! Your salary has increased over 40% in short period of time, suggest you consider increasing your TSP contributions and/or other investments. Are your contributions Traditional or Roth?

User avatar
ewok55
Posts: 77
Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2017 5:39 pm

Re: How do you compare to others at your station in life?

Post by ewok55 »

evilanne wrote:
ewok55 wrote:Been in federal service for four years, but have only been eligible for tsp for 3.5 years, putting in 5% each year (plus the match). Was gs11 3.5 years ago but am now gs13 where I hope to stay for the next 26 years. Have 30k in my tsp currently, mostly due to (sadly) having been in the l2040 fund until 8 months ago. Am close to 14% ytd return since getting out of L2040 and mostly following seasonal patterns.

Edit: I'm 35 years old now

Way to climb the pay ladder, well done! Your salary has increased over 40% in short period of time, suggest you consider increasing your TSP contributions and/or other investments. Are your contributions Traditional or Roth?


They were initially in Roth, but I switched to traditional to help make Student Loan repayments on an income-based repayment plan lower (also hoping for public service loan forgiveness in another 7 years). Will hopefully go back to Roth after I get things stabilized with student loans and other debts incurred while having gotten married, bought house, starting family, etc.
Tomanyiron wrote: :shock: We should've went to G before lunch, (yesterday). :cry:


Current:
#20931

Past:
18.88% - 2017 (GClapper's Mix)
11.44% - 2016 (L2040)
0.89% - 2015 (L2040)
6.59% - 2014 (L2040)

Post Reply

Fund Prices2024-03-28

FundPriceDayYTD
G $18.15 0.05% 1.05%
F $19.08 -0.06% -0.74%
C $82.21 0.11% 10.55%
S $82.43 0.30% 6.92%
I $42.57 -0.24% 5.95%
L2065 $16.38 0.02% 8.37%
L2060 $16.39 0.02% 8.38%
L2055 $16.39 0.02% 8.38%
L2050 $32.73 0.01% 6.95%
L2045 $14.91 0.02% 6.58%
L2040 $54.38 0.02% 6.22%
L2035 $14.34 0.02% 5.79%
L2030 $47.67 0.02% 5.38%
L2025 $13.15 0.03% 3.43%
Linc $25.61 0.03% 2.82%

Live Charts

Pending Allocations

Under development. For now, you may view Pending Allocations by going to "fantasy TSP" and selecting "Leaderboard sort" of "Pending Allocations".