Comments on: Playing Planner with My 401k http://blog.filife.com/playing-planner-with-my-401k/ A production of FiLife, a new personal-finance site that goes live later this year. Thu, 04 Dec 2008 04:02:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: CW http://blog.filife.com/playing-planner-with-my-401k/#comment-632 CW Fri, 25 Jan 2008 23:06:11 +0000 http://www.filife.com/playing-planner-with-my-401k/#comment-632 Like the aggressiveness. No real need to move into any Fixed Income yet. If the market loses 40% tomorrow, think of it as the opportunity to improve your dollar cost --the money is staying in your 401k for 30 more years. Like the aggressiveness. No real need to move into any Fixed Income yet. If the market loses 40% tomorrow, think of it as the opportunity to improve your dollar cost –the money is staying in your 401k for 30 more years.

]]> By: Buz http://blog.filife.com/playing-planner-with-my-401k/#comment-225 Buz Fri, 05 Oct 2007 14:34:58 +0000 http://www.filife.com/playing-planner-with-my-401k/#comment-225 Vanguard is right. 10% in fixed income is a good idea. Consider incorporting emerging markets (VWO)into the international mix. Passive investing is superior to active management. "Playing" financial planner is like children "playing" doctor. Even if you do your own investing you still should try to find a CFP who will evaluate your overall financial picture. Buz Vanguard is right.

10% in fixed income is a good idea.

Consider incorporting emerging markets (VWO)into the international mix.

Passive investing is superior to active management.

“Playing” financial planner is like children “playing” doctor.

Even if you do your own investing you still should try to find a CFP who will evaluate your overall financial picture.

Buz

]]> By: Jen http://blog.filife.com/playing-planner-with-my-401k/#comment-216 Jen Thu, 04 Oct 2007 16:52:57 +0000 http://www.filife.com/playing-planner-with-my-401k/#comment-216 I have reviewed some of the Target allocation funds when re-allocating my husband's deferred comp. I find that, to my taste, most of them are underweighted to international equities. Given the falling dollar and the rate of growth overseas, I am willing to make a bigger long-term bet outside of the U.S. Granted, a lot of the large U.S. corps will also benefit from these factors, but I still think that most Target Funds have international allocations that are too low. I have reviewed some of the Target allocation funds when re-allocating my husband’s deferred comp. I find that, to my taste, most of them are underweighted to international equities. Given the falling dollar and the rate of growth overseas, I am willing to make a bigger long-term bet outside of the U.S. Granted, a lot of the large U.S. corps will also benefit from these factors, but I still think that most Target Funds have international allocations that are too low.

]]> By: Lawrence Vick http://blog.filife.com/playing-planner-with-my-401k/#comment-59 Lawrence Vick Tue, 18 Sep 2007 03:57:04 +0000 http://www.filife.com/playing-planner-with-my-401k/#comment-59 Tara, I think you have a great strategy. Though using the target funds is a good default for a lot of people who have the blinders on, they do have their faults. The fee's are slightly higher and they are definitely more conservative. I think you can start to make some minor tactical adjustments over time (i.e. maybe have a target of 5% Real Estate but drop to 3% when it is pricey) I would definitely have 5-10% in fixed income. It is proven that you are taking undue risk for the same return of a 90/10 portfolio. Good Luck! Lawrence Vick Tara,
I think you have a great strategy. Though using the target funds is a good default for a lot of people who have the blinders on, they do have their faults. The fee’s are slightly higher and they are definitely more conservative. I think you can start to make some minor tactical adjustments over time (i.e. maybe have a target of 5% Real Estate but drop to 3% when it is pricey) I would definitely have 5-10% in fixed income. It is proven that you are taking undue risk for the same return of a 90/10 portfolio. Good Luck!

Lawrence Vick

]]> By: Michael Biondi http://blog.filife.com/playing-planner-with-my-401k/#comment-40 Michael Biondi Thu, 13 Sep 2007 02:25:46 +0000 http://www.filife.com/playing-planner-with-my-401k/#comment-40 Tara, I'm a firm believer in index funds, because they are low cost and due to the law of averages, the average of all stocks in a given index tend to do better than the average stock. Vanguard has some very nice low cost index funds. If I do buy non-index funds in my 401K, I try to take advantage of the fact that 401K money is tax free. Tara,

I’m a firm believer in index funds, because they are low cost and due to the law of averages, the average of all stocks in a given index tend to do better than the average stock. Vanguard has some very nice low cost index funds. If I do buy non-index funds in my 401K, I try to take advantage of the fact that 401K money is tax free.

]]> By: Steve Heideman http://blog.filife.com/playing-planner-with-my-401k/#comment-34 Steve Heideman Mon, 10 Sep 2007 20:45:29 +0000 http://www.filife.com/playing-planner-with-my-401k/#comment-34 Tara, Have you ever heard that you can self direct your 401(k) and IRA funds? That way you are not relegated to merely stocks, bonds and mutual funds. You can invest in hard money loan pools, direct real estate ownership, private placements of great non-public businesses and the like. You can still invest in traditional traded assets as well. A great website to learn about these is www.penscotrust.com If you like to play "planner" this is one of the most fun ways to do it. Enjoy! Steve Heideman Tara,
Have you ever heard that you can self direct your 401(k) and IRA funds? That way you are not relegated to merely stocks, bonds and mutual funds. You can invest in hard money loan pools, direct real estate ownership, private placements of great non-public businesses and the like. You can still invest in traditional traded assets as well. A great website to learn about these is http://www.penscotrust.com If you like to play “planner” this is one of the most fun ways to do it. Enjoy!

Steve Heideman

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