Boy my eyes just got opened! Yikes

[MTboatguy]

I was just looking at my 401K and figured out, I am not doing so well, what and eye opener!

 

[tpenfield]

Oh what the heck, retirement is overrated

 

[aspeck]

All depends on what day I look at mine. If you have been in it for the long haul and not doing well, then better check what you are doing. If it has been a fairly recent thing, then it is to be expected, patience Grasshopper.

 

[gm280]

Diversify... You can't let everything in one retirement account. If things don't pan out in that investment, other investments cover for it. Diversify!

 

[bruceb58]

If you are talking year to date, yes, market has been basically flat.

That last week in August basically killed the market for the year..

As far as being diversified, you can be diversified in one account. Depends on what your positions are in the account.

 

[Tim Frank]

I had a long discussion with my investment adviser a few weeks ago.
After reviewing my account and my goals, describing the current global economy, energy markets, political instability in key geographic areas, and various North American issues, he concluded that he is very bullish on lotteries.

 

[alldodge]

The way I do it: So long as your more then 5 years away, I do index funds. The index fund cost to run is one of the lowest for management. Once inside the 5 year window for use, need to move to more bonds and Government securities.

Tried an experiment about 5 years ago, moved half funds from Vanguard Index to Vanguard Wellesley fund. The Wellesley is 65% bonds rest index. To date the index has out performed the Wellesley but not by a huge amount, about 1 percent, but the load on the Wellesley is a bit higher

 

[aspeck]

And the market is up 1.5% today already ... hate looking at my portfolio on a day or hourly basis ... it is what it has done over time, and what it is doing currently compared to the market ... answering those to questions, not here, but to your adviser, will tell you where you need to be.

 

[WIMUSKY]

That's why I don't look at mine. At one point I lost 50%. I got that back and a bunch more. I don't need the stress of watching it go up and down unless I'm getting ready to retire. And I will retire! God willing.........

 

[angus63]

The third quarter smacked everyone pretty good. They call it a correction. Don't know why they do, everything was going pretty good for a while and didn't need fixin'!!

 

[Volphin]

I had to start over in 2008. I don't know if I will ever retire. I like the idea of owning a pub by the beach.

 

[bruceb58]

For everyone that hung in there after December of 2007 which was the peak before the fall, you were rewarded with a 26% increase since that point. I just looked at it as a good dollar cost averaging. My portfolio was probably better overall if you include the crash since I was still contributing to my 401K during that fall and subsequent rise.

If you sold off during 2008 or early 2009, you were pretty much screwed.

 

[bruceb58]

Nice to have 300 point days on the Dow!

EDIT: Knock on wood!

 

[aspeck]

Nice to have 300 point days on the Dow!

EDIT: Knock on wood!

knock, knock ... ouch, my head hurts!

 

[boatman37]

i'm pretty big into the market. i day-traded for awhile. very stressful and you had to be parked in front of your computer. now i swing trade short swings. both up and down playing options. my best day was about 2 months ago when the market tanked. it sucks on the 401k side but nice to make extra to cover those losses by playing the downside. i'm usually in a trade for about 4 or 5 days then out. just trying to supplement my 401 so i can hopefully retire someday. BTW-i had alot of puts on today and got hit pretty hard with the big surge. sold a few for losses or small gains but will hold the rest to see what happens the next few days

 

[tpenfield]

The Admiral told me that I can retire at age 70 . . . . :facepalm: That seems like a long way off. Was hoping to make a full-time hobby of boats before then . . .

 

[bruceb58]

My goal is 59...I am almost 57 now.

 

[alldodge]

For those that want to retire early and are willing to leave the country I see that Panama and Mexico are good spots, a smaller amount of money can still let you live like a king. Panama is said to have very good medical and prices

 

[robert graham]

Best not to stare at your 401....it'll drive you nuts. If you haven't sold any issues then you haven't lost a nickel. Any issues you purchase during a down turn may well be at bargain prices......It's all going to work out fine!....

 

[boatman37]

^^ agreed