Posted on Feb 23, 2016
What tools do you use to keep track of your TSP?
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I always try to keep track on TSP and check it, at least, weekly. I've been using the Gov Exec App since is the easiest and simplest way to see changes in the market.
What tool do you use to keep track of your TSP?
Useful links:
http://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/tsp/
Android App:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.govexec
Iphone App:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/government
What tool do you use to keep track of your TSP?
Useful links:
http://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/tsp/
Android App:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.govexec
Iphone App:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/government
TSP
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Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 5
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I just use the TSP website. Honestly, unless your attempting market timing, there isn't much reason to check it that often. It's a long term investment so I simply allocate it based on my risk preference (I dislike their age based portfolios) and reallocate every year if needed.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
SPC Paul Jennings, J.D. I don't like losing money when I can be making. I like to be on top of it and check it regularly, 1% can make a difference.
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SPC Paul Jennings, J.D.
SGT(P) (Join to see) - the question is though, how are you making that one percent? Is it through timing the market? Market timing is largely regarded as a losing proposition as you chase gains and loses. Mental accounting makes it appear worthwhile as you tally perdived larger gains and downplay loses, but overall it's unlikely to work. Now that being said, you can allocate certain amounts towards sectors (hard to do with only five funds to choose from, especially when the three stock funds have heavy correlation), but that's less market timing and more strategic allocation. Even that though is hard since the TSP only lets you perform two, if I remember right, inter fund transfers a month. It's just my personal opinion, but I don't see the huge gain to be had from daily market watching with the TSP.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
SPC Paul Jennings, J.D. I don't change allocations that often, actually I've changed them once in the last year. However, I do like keeping track of changes. I'm far from being an expert and I'm not willing to be, but if I can make a change on time I definitely will. Thanks for all that info.
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Although not an indicator of what will happen in the future, from say 1986 to 2013, the return of stock, bond, and secure government was the same at the end of 27 years. During that time, there were three instances where bailing out of stocks to G Fund and then back would pay big time. Those are the ones you want to hit. There were good indicators on them. I tended to bail about 6-9 months early but didn't want the pucker factor to rule my life. Got two of them right (Energy and Housing busts, sat a touch too long on dot.com and lost 4%). So many look at tinkering frequently with long term portfolios and become blinded to the bigger picture. There's a time to prune the tree and a time to chop it down. Keep your ax sharp.
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SPC Paul Jennings, J.D.
I'm curious where you're getting these numbers sir. Even a cursory look at the returns since inception of these three funds shows massive differences in returns. It seems somewhat unlikely, especially during 2013 in a market upswing, that these three funds would have an annualized average return over 27 years that was exactly the same.
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Also, as everyone else has mentioned, TSP is a long term investment. Unless you are about to to take distributions from it, you shouldn't have to worry. The market itself over the past 100 years has been going into the same direction
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I tried using SigFig (great app if you have a 401(k), IRA, Individual account). But it doesn't seem to update my TSP. I personally look every afternoon on the TSP's website. Not sure if there is a way (comment if you know), but see what exactly is in each fund, as in tickers.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
I don't know but I'm almost sure SPC Paul Jennings, J.D. can bring some light here.
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SPC Paul Jennings, J.D.
There aren't any traditional ticker symbols used for the TSP funds, but if you want a fairly good performance of how their doing you can follow similar index funds that use the same benchmark. I'd recommend vanguard mutual funds since like the TSP they trade once a day and have low fees. There will be a small bit of variance, but usually only about .01%. The G fund, however, can't be tracked since it's a non-marketable security fund that is exclusively sold to the TSP.
Here is a quick breakdown on what funds equate to what.
F fund = Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Inv (VBMFX)
C fund = Vanguard 500 Index Inv (VFINX)
S fund = Vanguard Total Stock Mkt Idx Inv (VTSMX)
I fund = Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund Investor Shares (VDVIX)
Here is a quick breakdown on what funds equate to what.
F fund = Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Inv (VBMFX)
C fund = Vanguard 500 Index Inv (VFINX)
S fund = Vanguard Total Stock Mkt Idx Inv (VTSMX)
I fund = Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund Investor Shares (VDVIX)
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Gentlemen before assuming you are smarter or luckier than everyone else read the following link. Of note look at the return of the individual investor to their own investments. http://www.investopedia.com/articles/stocks/08/invest-on-your-own.asp
And for those wanting to time the market look here: http://www.forbes.com/sites/advisor/2014/04/24/why-the-average-investors-investment-return-is-so-low/#274959d063a4
I am not saying it can't be done but on average the masses are not being successful at managing their own investments or timing the market.
And for those wanting to time the market look here: http://www.forbes.com/sites/advisor/2014/04/24/why-the-average-investors-investment-return-is-so-low/#274959d063a4
I am not saying it can't be done but on average the masses are not being successful at managing their own investments or timing the market.
Manage My Own Investments? Are You Kidding? | Investopedia
Investors need not rely on professional advisors, but going it alone isn't easy.
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