How are we doing?

[Bcp1984]

Sorry for the frustration in the above post.

I guess the question should have been how am I doing and what should i be doing from this point forward.

I understand that I have an amont most would consider more than nessecary in an emrgency fund. I could put it into CD's, hwoever the interest rate isnt worth locking that money up for an extra .3 percent(I get .70 in my high yield savings right now). It also is at an amount that i am comfortable leaving it at, and I dont worry about money at night. So for me security is reason enough for me to leave it alone.

My goal was to lock up the extra cash when CD rates rise, and when inflation is rising so that i could lock in long term with a much higher rate.

I forgot to mention, I also contribute $200 a month to mutal funds (income fund), although that fund is down considerably right now, it has average 9 percent since inception (1982)

Next years goals look something like this:

Max out IRA
Pay down considerable balance on car
Try to maintain 17% contribution to TSP even when wife quits her job

Not sure where I should go from there. I think I have all the pieces in place, but I will have to buckle down a little harder next year when i am deployed.

Brandon

[jpg7n16]

Originally Posted by Bcp1984

I could put it into CD's, hwoever the interest rate isnt worth locking that money up for an extra .3 percent

So for me security is reason enough for me to leave it alone.

My goal was to lock up the extra cash when CD rates rise, and when inflation is rising so that i could lock in long term with a much higher rate.

I totally agree. But I was thinking something more along the lines of one of these (or split between the mid and short):

Short term bond funds 5 star and long management tenure: (look closer at the longer managed ones)
http://screen.yahoo.com/a?cc=CS&nm=&...&vw=1&db=funds

Mid term bond funds 5 star and long management tenure:
http://screen.yahoo.com/a?cc=CI&nm=&...&vw=1&db=funds

The short term funds are relatively price stable, and are yielding about 2%. The mid term are slightly more risk, but most are yielding around 5%.

And if inflation is a large concern for you, have you considered I-bonds? Individual - I Savings Bonds

I know your goal is to feel secure. So would you still feel secure if you had $12,000 in cash and $37,000 in one (or two or three) of those investments?

I forgot to mention, I also contribute $200 a month to mutal funds (income fund), although that fund is down considerably right now, it has average 9 percent since inception (1982)

All good businesses buy low and sell high

Next years goals look something like this:

Max out IRA
Pay down considerable balance on car
Try to maintain 17% contribution to TSP even when wife quits her job

Not sure where I should go from there.

well we're here to help you reach your goals. To many of us, being debt free is an important goal, so that'll show up a lot in our advice.

Sometimes it's a necessity in order to win financially. But for you, a 3.5% loan is probably a lower priority.

But we don't have to live with your choices, you do.


Your goals look good to me. If you accomplish them, you'll be doing very well.