Everything posted by nunya
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Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Q&A
"You need to be maxing BOTH the TSP and an IRA when you're able."
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Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Q&A
You're right, I meant CFP... A guy who's earned this: https://www.cfp.net/about-cfp-board/cfp-certification-the-standard-of-excellence
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Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Q&A
TSP isn't a managed fund at all. TSP is a plan housing several index and target date funds. You could say the Lifecycle funds are "managed" because the weightings were set by a manager, but the underlying funds are index funds, so even that's a stretch. That's part of what keeps the expense ratios incredibly low. bluedevil, I think your question though is about asset allocation. We'll assume we're only talking about your retirement assets - more about that later on. You can google "asset allocation" and find months of reading if you desire. I'll give you my OPINION. I'm not a CFA or any other credentialed anything. As a 1Lt with a stable job and many, many more years left in your career, I'd be (and I was) very aggressive. 100% stocks. S or C fund is the only question, and I'd do a mix of both. (I get my international exposure via non-TSP funds because I want broader exposure than what you get in the I fund.) Maybe 70/30 C/S, maybe 50/50. The C is going to do better in some parts of the business cycle, the S is going to do better in others. You're better off not timing it. Read up, pick your allocation, and leave it alone. I don't like the Lifecycle funds because I think they waste space. L2050 right now has almost 10% in the G fund. In your mid-20s, I consider the G fund a waste. There's no reason to accept that low of a return when you can handle more risk. You need to be maxing BOTH the TSP and an IRA when you're able. Preferably both of the Roth persuasion, too, because your taxable income/AGI while in the military is about as low as it'll ever be. Now, as to your comprehensive financial strategy: Retirement is only one piece, under which you have your TSP, your IRA, eventually your 401K, etc. You also need an emergency fund, savings, checking, etc. Read up on those topics and decide how to allocate your assets across the entire spectrum. I love talking about this stuff, but again, I'm not your advisor. If you want professional help, look for a CFA that charges by the hour. Get them to make you a plan and go from there.
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Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Q&A
Statistically, you're better off maxing out your TSP as early as you can anyway, instead of trying to plan it so you put in your maximum dollar in December. (3.33, repeating, of course.) https://pressroom.vanguard.com/content/nonindexed/7.23.2012_Dollar-cost_Averaging.pdf And yes, TSP will take care of any overage. Just be careful if you have more than one account (i.e. airline and TSP). Neither knows the other exists and both will allow you to contribute up to the maximum, then it's on you to withdraw the overage.
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Employer using absence management firm to process mil leave for reservists.
Know your laws. follow them to the T, and don't sweat it. They're not going to risk a USERRA lawsuit.
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Free app for tracking mil pay, DTS, AROWS etc.
Got it for my Moto X running 5.1. Overall I like it. I've been using a homemade spreadsheet with the same functions, but this one fits in my pocket. I did have one recurring crash and I sent a report to Google about it. It crashed if I used the back button while in the TDY TRACKER function. Of course I can't recreate it now. Will Google send you the crash report and log files?
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Advanced Instrument School (AIS)
A helo guy at AIS? You must be even more bored than the Herk guys! Make sure you brief that ALSF-2 on your next approach. For a real answer: https://armypubs.army.mil/doctrine/DR_pubs/dr_a/pdf/fm3_04x240.pdf
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Questions on ribbons/medals
I had to personally send my Navy medal to the Awards guy at MPF, then it shows up on vMPF and my 214. If you didn't do that, I don't think it's going to show up.
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C-130 down in Afghanistan
One of the loads: https://fox6now.com/2015/10/02/he-is-my-hero-u-s-air-force-member-with-wisconsin-roots-killed-in-c-130-crash-in-afghanistan/
- Investment showdown -- beyond the Roth, SDP, & TSP
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C-130 down in Afghanistan
Have we narrowed it down to it must be a Dyess crew? Or was that picture only meant to represent a generic J?
- Investment showdown -- beyond the Roth, SDP, & TSP
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Investment showdown -- beyond the Roth, SDP, & TSP
For the airline guys (or anybody with a decent 401K option): How do you practically handle your TSP alongside your 401K? I'm thinking about not contributing anything to my 401K (no match at my airline) and putting my entire Guard paycheck into the TSP. TSP has lower expense ratios and I'll invest in broad market index funds in the TSP or the 401K. What am I overlooking in my plan? Any other techniques?
- Technician Discussion (aka Wing XP Technician)
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VA Loans
There are higher jumbo limits if you're in the one of these counties: https://www.fhfa.gov/DataTools/Downloads/Documents/Conforming-Loan-Limits/Counties_with_increases_cy2015.pdf https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/purchaseco_loan_limits.asp edit: If your NY location is accurate, looks like you're stuck with the $417K if you don't want to make a down payment. I'm surprised no NY counties made the 2015 list.
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First Class Medical
100 to 150.
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ADS-B in Military Aircraft
As of January, AFFSA was saying it's a standoff between FAA and DOD. DOD expects waivers, FAA says not this time.
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Jalapeno Popcorn
E for Situational Awareness/Headwork.
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Post-Pregnancy Deployment & PCS Deferment
So what if it's a lesbian couple? They're both "military mothers," right?
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Post-Pregnancy Deployment & PCS Deferment
Don't be silly. Dads don't need to bond with their babies.
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Which Aircraft At Which Base?
Can you attach a zip file? (I can't tell on my iPad if you can.) If you can, zip it and attach that.
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AFRC/ANG Retirement Questions
DSG = Drill Status Guardsman = traditional part timer.
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ANG: Be Careful What You Ask For
Flew with one of our ANG 0-6 types last week. He said recent conferences appear to point towards a move like you describe. Fighters on the coasts with RPAs, airlift, and tankers scattered throughout.
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Fighter Unit Question
A NJANG pilot told me this weekend they have a hard time finding guys because nobody wants to live in Atlantic City. Convince them you'll move up there and maybe that'll help your chances.
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How weird is it if I report in for interview? (civilian)
Nevermind - next answer is mo betta. Good luck at the interview.