sarah
Senior Member
Cash: $ 359.62
Posts: 1683
Joined: 02 Mar 2005
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| TSP Talk |
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Last edited by sarah on Sat Sep 02, 2006 12:58 am; edited 9 times in total |
Fri Mar 11, 2005 10:29 am |
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BlankenshipFP
Money Talk Advisor
Cash: $ 79.56
Posts: 390
Joined: 05 Oct 2004
Location: Illinois
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Hi, sarah -
I've had some involvement in making recommendations within the TSP, so I'm familiar with the funds. The fund you're fully invested in at this point is the international fund.
While it makes good sense to have some exposure in international markets, I think a 100% allocation there is too much. I generally recommend no more than 10% to 15% of the stock portfolio in international funds, with the remainder allocated among small cap and large cap funds (S and C funds). I realize that the I fund has performed the best of all of the funds recently, but proper diversification can help you to weather storms when one particular fund is underperforming.
How old are you? When are you thinking about retirement, and will you be using these funds at that time?
Jim Blankenship, CFP®, EA
Blankenship Financial Planning, Ltd.
www.BlankenshipFinancial.com
Standard IRS Circular 230 Notice Applies
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Fri Mar 11, 2005 1:28 pm |
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sarah
Senior Member
Cash: $ 359.62
Posts: 1683
Joined: 02 Mar 2005
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Last edited by sarah on Sat Jul 08, 2006 4:05 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Fri Mar 11, 2005 2:07 pm |
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BlankenshipFP
Money Talk Advisor
Cash: $ 79.56
Posts: 390
Joined: 05 Oct 2004
Location: Illinois
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The maxim that is sometimes overlooked in this business is: "You should do what works best for you".
I understand your perspective with regard to the diversification issue. Most folks aren't in a position or they don't have the impetus to follow their funds as closely as you indicate you are - and as a result, diversification is their best friend. In your case, though, it sounds like you have the matter well in hand. That is, for your particular situation, your time horizon, and your careful monitoring of the account.
One thing that I might mention is that the information you've posted (the returns for the funds) is all trailing information, and as you know "past performance is no guarantee of future results". But I'm sure you understand that concept and have already considered that in your decision-making process.
So, I guess in answer to your original post - if you aren't interested in a diversified allocation then the non-diversified allocation you've chosen is the one for you.
Good luck -
Jim Blankenship, CFP®, EA
Blankenship Financial Planning, Ltd.
www.BlankenshipFinancial.com
Standard IRS Circular 230 Notice Applies
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Fri Mar 11, 2005 3:09 pm |
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domskynetlabs
Full Member
Cash: $ 21.09
Posts: 95
Joined: 24 Nov 2004
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| Re: Govt TSP Allocations |
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I am also contributing I have 50% in I and S funds. They have been the 2 most successfull. Are you a civilian or military employee?
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Fri Mar 11, 2005 6:06 pm |
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sarah
Senior Member
Cash: $ 359.62
Posts: 1683
Joined: 02 Mar 2005
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Last edited by sarah on Sat Jul 08, 2006 4:06 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Fri Mar 11, 2005 6:17 pm |
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mlk_man
Full Member
Cash: $ 23.37
Posts: 89
Joined: 12 Mar 2005
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Hiya sarah, nice to see you again. Thanks for letting me know about this site. 
I too am 100% I, although I really don't like it much. Too many varibles. My expertise is the S fund and backtested it for 5 years so I've gotten to know it pretty well. It should be bouncing back soon, but till it does, I'll either be I or G.
I've added you to our e-list. Please let me know if you get my e-mail Monday. We typically say what we going that day around 11-ish if you can get on then.
Good luck,
Mike
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Sat Mar 12, 2005 12:24 pm |
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sarah
Senior Member
Cash: $ 359.62
Posts: 1683
Joined: 02 Mar 2005
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Last edited by sarah on Sat Jul 08, 2006 4:21 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Sat Mar 12, 2005 12:47 pm |
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mlk_man
Full Member
Cash: $ 23.37
Posts: 89
Joined: 12 Mar 2005
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Don't you ever sleep? 
The main reason I don't like the I fund is because I hate seeing the EFA up but then seeing the price of the I fund down. I"m mainly a numbers guy and have a system that I follow, usually anyway.......
I agree the S will not lead anytime soon, I love the volitility of it though and am able to make more money playing the swings. Plus the mutual funds I invest in track the Russell 2000 so I like to follow the small caps.
Some want me to start a website but not sure if I really have the time to put into it.
I think I'll take a nap now so have a great weekend!!
BTW, some of the people on my e-list are: chaplain, mike, fundsurfer, wonder_woman, smine, Rod, pyriel, swsop. You'll be our 4th female so it's not totally male dominated........ 
Guess I'll have to put a leash on mike though, LOL
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Sat Mar 12, 2005 1:01 pm |
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sarah
Senior Member
Cash: $ 359.62
Posts: 1683
Joined: 02 Mar 2005
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Last edited by sarah on Sat Jul 08, 2006 4:23 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Sat Mar 12, 2005 1:14 pm |
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mlk_man
Full Member
Cash: $ 23.37
Posts: 89
Joined: 12 Mar 2005
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LOL, I hear ya................
I guess I could always invite MT..............NOT!!
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Sat Mar 12, 2005 1:22 pm |
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sarah
Senior Member
Cash: $ 359.62
Posts: 1683
Joined: 02 Mar 2005
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Last edited by sarah on Sat Jul 08, 2006 4:25 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Sat Mar 12, 2005 10:14 pm |
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David Briggs
Senior Member
Cash: $ 57.86
Posts: 289
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
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Sarah~~ The continued uptrend of the I shares is a bet on oil and pharmaceuticals (and the weakness of the dollar). The fund has a big stake in BP (British Petroleum), Total S.A., HSBC Holdings, and Royal Dutch Petroleum. I noted with irony your regret at having missed the latest bull market in oil, when in fact it has accounted for much of your great success in the I shares!
Drug makers GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis continue to demonstrate strenth, while their U.S. counterparts have been punished by unfavorable news about some major product lines.
Vodfone has flattened.
Royal Bank of Scotland has taken a significant hit in the last few days.
Toyota and Nestle have not contributed at all to the run-up, sticking mainly to a trading range.
So watch the performance of the big holdings and you will know when the time has come to make your swap. But swap to what? Look forward to that discussion!
~~David
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Sun Mar 13, 2005 1:58 am |
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mlk_man
Full Member
Cash: $ 23.37
Posts: 89
Joined: 12 Mar 2005
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Wow, thanks for the insight David, haven't heard this before.
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Sun Mar 13, 2005 3:42 am |
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mlk_man
Full Member
Cash: $ 23.37
Posts: 89
Joined: 12 Mar 2005
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Wow, thanks for the insight David, haven't heard this before. Didn't realize the I fund was invested so much in oil. Thought it just basically followed foreign idices and the dollar and "adjusted" as TSP saw "fit"..........< )
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Sun Mar 13, 2005 3:46 am |
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