Pope Flick Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 And if so, what's your matrix? Any economists here suggest setting up contributions any certain way these days? I ask generally, since times are so unique, I'm not worried about "Long Term Aggresive/Conservative" planning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Neutron Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Yes, and it feels a lot like when I was 18 months old and had a fascination with the toilet. "Gee, mom's necklace flushed. I'll go find something else and try it again." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoJoTheWebToedBoy Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 You Betcha.... This is the perfect time to use the "Buy Low" part of Buy Low, Sell High....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeR Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Why would you stop contributing? Not sure what "what's your matrix" means. You mean investment strat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SheikYerbuti Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Last week the Sheikette said "So I'm thinking about opening a 401K through my job." My reaction: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westvirginia Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 You Betcha.... This is the perfect time to use the "Buy Low" part of Buy Low, Sell High....... +1 Matrix is pretty much the same as always - mostly indexed mutuals with some emerging markets type stuff thrown in for seasoning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pope Flick Posted February 19, 2009 Author Share Posted February 19, 2009 Why would you stop contributing? Not sure what "what's your matrix" means. You mean investment strat? Poor choice of word. Yes, the strat plan. I haven't 'stopped' but I started a new job and am nearing the end of the 90 day waiting period before I can contribute. I'm setting it up this weekend and am wondering what changes anyone has made. I'm down with the Buy Low part, as I actually jacked my contributions up at my old place over the summer when things began to slide. I haven't done anything since Dec 1, and much has changed since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skippy Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 I have increased mine starting in November and just yesterday I helped my boy sign up for his 401K with a maximum amount that he work would withhold as his choice. I think we are in the buy low time and I wish that I would not have put then money in there that I did over the past two years and wish I had it right now to plop down at today’s rate. However, I know nothing about investments so I could be way wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 I am contributing as usual, but my employer is no longer doing their matching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 I just maxed mine to the legal limit including old fart catchup. I'm sticking with the most aggressive strategy. Having "lost" nearly $60k since it's highest value, I figure I might as well go for broke.......literally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocknrobn26 Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 I'm converting all my 403's, annuities, etc. to fixed. I'm just "tucking the nuts in" until the market gets better.Really got killed this year. Thank God i don't rely on it for income. God Bless the ones who DO have to rely on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 I'm taking everything I have to invest and putting it in a CD....that's the safest bet right now.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmarc117 Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 im contributing still and my employer matches. but im still all cash. thinking of putting some money to work soon. when i do, im mainly etf's and particular stocks. looking into muni's too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeR Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 (edited) I have a fair chunk of change sitting in cash reserves right now and the only place it might go is a CD. But my 401K I haven't touched a bit. Aggressive as ever. God bless dollar-cost averaging. Eventually. Edited February 19, 2009 by BeeR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinL Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 I just decided yesterday that 1) We haven't hit bottom yet 2) I'll have an idea when things start to turn around If those 2 things are true (and I'm not smart enough to know for sure) then it makes sense for me to move my $ and contributions to fixed, and that is what I did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puddy Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 I'm converting all my 403's, annuities, etc. to fixed. I'm just "tucking the nuts in" until the market gets better.Really got killed this year. Thank God i don't rely on it for income. God Bless the ones who DO have to rely on it. I just decided yesterday that1) We haven't hit bottom yet 2) I'll have an idea when things start to turn around If those 2 things are true (and I'm not smart enough to know for sure) then it makes sense for me to move my $ and contributions to fixed, and that is what I did. Guys...those are classic investment mistakes. You already took a beating. Don't miss out on the upswing. Trying to time the market is a poor strategy (especially for you Kevin given your age). Sure it may go lower. But nobody knows. That's why you should invest in regular intervals. Take advantage of the cost averaging. RR - if you aren't counting on that money in the near future don't go to fixed yet. We aren't smart enough to time the market (well at least I'm not). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robash Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 The military doesnt have 401k's, they have something similar call the TSP for government employees. military members dont get matched, so i stopped contributing to it a while ago. another reason i stop is because you cant acess the money outside of a loan till your 65. I did however open up a Roth IRA for myself and a 529 for my daughter this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaumont Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 dollar cost averaging Then again, the amount I have lost in the market in the past 12 months is staggering, so dont listen to me ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Guys...those are classic investment mistakes. You already took a beating. Don't miss out on the upswing. Trying to time the market is a poor strategy (especially for you Kevin given your age). Sure it may go lower. But nobody knows. That's why you should invest in regular intervals. Take advantage of the cost averaging. RR - if you aren't counting on that money in the near future don't go to fixed yet. We aren't smart enough to time the market (well at least I'm not). Listen to the Pudster, he is wise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinL Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Guys...those are classic investment mistakes. You already took a beating. Don't miss out on the upswing. Trying to time the market is a poor strategy (especially for you Kevin given your age). Sure it may go lower. But nobody knows. That's why you should invest in regular intervals. Take advantage of the cost averaging. RR - if you aren't counting on that money in the near future don't go to fixed yet. We aren't smart enough to time the market (well at least I'm not). I understand the theory and if the market so much as steadies, I'll get right back into my index funds. Trying to time the market in normal economic times is certainly a poor strategy. But right now, the market is pretty predictable. I'm losing thousands every month, and I'm sick of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Scorp Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 I have continued to contribute and my employer is matching but as I work for Wells Fargo and the threat of nationalization is looming I am getting really nervous. I probably need to move out of WF stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 I'm losing thousands every month, and I'm sick of it. I'm still fully contributing to my Roth IRAs. 5k per person per year is just too good of an investment (tax free on growth) for the wife and I's retirement. I don't need the money for over 30 years so I don't see a good reason to stop investing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irish Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 I'm taking everything I have to invest and putting it in a CD....that's the safest bet right now.. I have a fair chunk of change sitting in cash reserves right now and the only place it might go is a CD. But my 401K I haven't touched a bit. Aggressive as ever. God bless dollar-cost averaging. Eventually. What does Chief Dick do with the money then? I have a 403b through Equitable to supplement when I retire. I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to investing. All I know was that I was told by countless people to open an account when I started out so that it would have a nice long time to build up. Problem is like everyone else's dough, the account has only decreased in value. I'm hoping that in the long haul, the next 20+ years, things will bounce back nicely. At some point, I also need to increase my bi-weekly contributions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 What does Chief Dick do with the money then? I have a 403b through Equitable to supplement when I retire. I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to investing. All I know was that I was told by countless people to open an account when I started out so that it would have a nice long time to build up. Problem is like everyone else's dough, the account has only decreased in value. I'm hoping that in the long haul, the next 20+ years, things will bounce back nicely. At some point, I also need to increase my bi-weekly contributions. I'm not sure what the dollar will amount to, but I'd try to put my money into another currency and let it sit where that country is... I want to find out how to do that...or if they'll even take USD anymore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoJoTheWebToedBoy Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 We went thru this same crap when the tech bubble burst. The bottom fell out, 401ks took a beating. But eventually it all came back. The same is going to happen this time, just not as fast. This one may take 5 years to recoup, but it will eventually come back. IMO, if you take what is left right now and move it into something more safer.... You are just guaranteeing you will lose money. You are making the recent losses permanent. If you can afford it (your not living off that money now) ride it out..... Don't let the bastards take your money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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