Search found 66 matches

by Jtf6
Sat Dec 23, 2023 6:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Any reason not to stuff it all into VTSAX?
Replies: 55
Views: 8599

Re: Any reason not to stuff it all into VTSAX?

I had this exact thought today. And in fact, I ran some numbers to see the difference from what I did vs what I could have done. For the first 14 years of my career in my TSP I was all in L 2040 fund (mix of stock, bonds, international, fixed income). Then in 2020 I moved in to the C Fund (VFIAX equivalent). I think I only started to max contributions in 2013. My current balance is $700k in my TSP. Had I been all C fund since I started with the job, I would have been at $1 million today. Had I stayed with the L 2040 through this year I would be at $600k. Now I'm not one to flinch under market crashes (I still own Bitcoin since 2017, gulp), so a more aggressive posture works for me. If you are one to sell when the market is tanking then life...
by Jtf6
Sat Jul 10, 2021 10:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Self Directed IRA
Replies: 1
Views: 398

Self Directed IRA

I have an small amount ($9k) of TSP money saved in a uniformed services account from when I was in the military. Since I left the military, in 2003, I joined the federal service, and have been contributing to my civilian tsp account, where I have a large healthy balance, with many more years to contribute. I also have a Roth IRA that I max out yearly (along with HSA, etc).

I was wondering if I am allowed to open a SDIRA, and rollover my uniformed service balance in to the SDIRA in order to invest in some more exotic type of investments. This would be a one time rollover action. Is this something I am allowed to do considering I also have a Roth IRA?
by Jtf6
Sat Jul 10, 2021 9:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Quit now, or work four more years for federal healthcare?
Replies: 88
Views: 10474

Re: Quit now, or work four more years for federal healthcare?

This is a good topic. For you fellow feds, can you clarify some things for me? I am 43, started in my agency when I was 27, however with my military time bought back, I have a service comp date of 10/2003. I see a pension penalty mentioned here but not sure what that is. I am planning on retiring no later than my MRA, which would be 57, which would give me 32 years. What is this pension penalty? Additionally, my agency often offers early out retirement, where I think you can leave with 20 years in or at 50 with any amount of years in. I was considering that option depending on how my taxable accounts performed. If I qualify for early out, could i take my FEHB with me? If I qualify for VA benefits based on a 30% service connected disability,...
by Jtf6
Sun Aug 02, 2020 6:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: HSA Really Worth It In California?
Replies: 26
Views: 4635

Re: HSA Really Worth It In California?

I literally did the same thing to calculate my dividends from fidelity using TurboTax. I put my money in to FZROX.


02nz wrote: Sun Aug 02, 2020 1:08 pm
SB1234 wrote: Sat Aug 01, 2020 11:28 pm In my experience calculating taxes on HSA investments took less than 30 minutes.
I use TurboTax, and the CA module flagged for me the need to enter capital gains and distributions from my HSA. I used my Fidelity HSA year-end statement, which had these amounts clearly listed. Total additional time for all this was maybe 3 minutes. The tax is very minimal if you didn't sell (use ETFs since they generally only have dividend distributions) and not a reason to avoid an HSA in CA.
by Jtf6
Fri Mar 20, 2020 11:37 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: How Is Your Job Being Impacted By The Current Crisis?
Replies: 505
Views: 68884

Re: How Is Your Job Being Impacted By The Current Crisis?

Government employee. Today we were told that staff could WFH, however management needs to be in the office to facilitate the work. So I guess I'll be going in the office.

I just want to get through this thing so we can get back to business.
by Jtf6
Sat Feb 29, 2020 4:20 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help w Fed Employee TSP C Fund
Replies: 33
Views: 3109

Re: Help w Fed Employee TSP C Fund

I'm 42 fed employee down about $50k this week, but I'm not sweating it. I have 13-15 years before I retire.
by Jtf6
Wed Feb 05, 2020 2:40 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: HSA Bank > Fidelity?
Replies: 31
Views: 8014

Re: HSA Bank > Fidelity?

As a Californian, my strategy is to max out my HSA in fidelity FZROX fund for next 20 years. Front end my deductibles (if needed) out of my savings, and use my HSA as a retirement account. The back end state tax hit will only be a factor if I am actively trading or making withdrawals.
by Jtf6
Wed Feb 05, 2020 2:30 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity HSA California strategy
Replies: 67
Views: 18293

Re: Fidelity HSA California strategy

I live in California, I max out an HSA and I put my money in fidelity FZROX fund. I'll deal with the state tax implications. As far as I know,as long as I don't make any trades within my HSA, the only tax hit I have to worry about is not having my earnings ($2600 not including the $900 passthrough payments) tax exempt.

I'll still have to pay state taxes at withdrawal but maybe by that point I won't be living in California. I'm using my HSA as another retirement account and reducing my federal income allows me to continue to be eligible for a Roth IRA (barely).

Any medical expense I just front end from my savings.
Am I missing something?
by Jtf6
Tue Nov 26, 2019 8:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Retirement age for planning purposes
Replies: 41
Views: 3914

Re: Retirement age for planning purposes

Ever since I started my government gig the plan was to retire at 55 with 30 years of service. I am half way there. Not wanting to get their soon, but just enjoying the ride.

This summer I plan on hiking the John Muir trail. Luckily i am in the 8 hour leave by category which allows me to take a month off to finish the trek.
by Jtf6
Sun Nov 17, 2019 11:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Are federal health benefits worth postponing early retirement?
Replies: 60
Views: 7614

Re: Are federal health benefits worth postponing early retirement?

I will be 42 in February and will hit the 16.5 year mark with my agency then. I bought back about 18 months of military time, but my SCD is 2005. I started my job when I turned 27. So will reach 30 years of service at 57. I wish I could retire earlier maybe 50 or 55, but the health benefits are too good to pass up. I'll also have well over 2080 hours of sick leave saved by 57 as well. So I guess I'll have roughly 32 or 33 years of service by the time I'm 57.

I'm in management by the way.
by Jtf6
Mon Sep 02, 2019 2:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Federal Employee Burn or Sick Leave [before retirement]
Replies: 125
Views: 13401

Re: Federal Employee Burn or Sick Leave [before retirement]

Michdad

Why didn't you take the two week time off award and just donate more of your annual leave?
by Jtf6
Mon Sep 02, 2019 12:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Federal Employee Burn or Sick Leave [before retirement]
Replies: 125
Views: 13401

Re: Federal Employee Burn or Sick Leave [before retirement]

I have about 16 years in my agency, but that is because I bought back 18 months of active duty military time. I also have 1300 hours of sick leave saved, and I carry over 240 hours of annual leave each year because my second year in my agency I took no leave. Funny enough, my first year in my agency, I was a sick leave abuser calling out on Fridays. My supervisor counseled me which got me scared to death that management was watching me. So the discussion changed my behavior. These days I only take sick when I have doctor's appointment or the rare occasion I have a medical issue. I donate one day of annual leave a year to a random person on the leave donation list. My goal is to continue to carry over 240 hours of annual leave and not take a...
by Jtf6
Thu May 09, 2019 12:10 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard HSA anyone?
Replies: 13
Views: 2454

Re: Vanguard HSA anyone?

I'm really happy with leaving HSA Bank and opening an account with Fidelity.
by Jtf6
Tue Jan 22, 2019 7:37 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Has anyone with HSAs with HSABank tried rolling over to Fidelity?
Replies: 24
Views: 10025

Re: Has anyone with HSAs with HSABank tried rolling over to Fidelity?

I decided to use their FZROX total market index fund. I set up automatic investment of my employee contribution, so all I have to do is transfer my insurer pass through contribution a couple times a year from HSA bank to fidelity and everything else is set and forget.
by Jtf6
Tue Jan 22, 2019 10:38 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Has anyone with HSAs with HSABank tried rolling over to Fidelity?
Replies: 24
Views: 10025

Re: Has anyone with HSAs with HSABank tried rolling over to Fidelity?

I have GEHA health savings adavantage. I am under self only enrolled. No spouse at this time nor am I eligible for any catch up contributions. I'm thinking I should play it safe and use one of their target date funds. If I max out my HSA, will Fidelity recognize my insurance contributions as just that and not count it towards my max? I actually don't plan on maxing out but if I I did? Or does HSA limit include insurance contributions? HSA limit includes the “premium pass-through” as well as employer contributions. NFC has a big disclaimer when one sets his or her HSA allotment that it is up to the employee to ensure the correct amount. Do you have GEHA Health Savings Advantage or some other plan? Are you Self Only enrolled or Self Plus One ...
by Jtf6
Mon Jan 21, 2019 9:18 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Has anyone with HSAs with HSABank tried rolling over to Fidelity?
Replies: 24
Views: 10025

Re: Has anyone with HSAs with HSABank tried rolling over to Fidelity?

So federal employee here (not shutdown, thank God). I set up my Fidelity account, and had the money in my HSA bank transferred to Fidelity. My HSA bank account is still open to receive my insurance contributions. I plan on letting that accrue through the year and transferring it to Fidelity at the end of the year (or maybe bi yearly). If I max out my HSA, will Fidelity recognize my insurance contributions as just that and not count it towards my max? I actually don't plan on maxing out but if I I did? Or does HSA limit include insurance contributions? Also, I'm 40, healthy, and plan on contributing until I am 55, any suggestions on what fund I should invest in? For my TSP I'm in L2040 and Roth I have vanguard Target date 2035. I was thinkin...
by Jtf6
Wed Jan 16, 2019 10:21 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: John Bogle has died at age 89
Replies: 856
Views: 81280

Re: John Bogle has died at age 89

Rest in peace, father.
by Jtf6
Sun Nov 11, 2018 7:51 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: HSA How do I invest?
Replies: 8
Views: 1486

Re: HSA How do I invest?

Thanks for the response. HSA Bank seems to be just a repository to hold my contributions. TD Ameritrade is the investment tool that is linked to HSA Bank.
by Jtf6
Sat Nov 10, 2018 8:59 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: HSA How do I invest?
Replies: 8
Views: 1486

HSA How do I invest?

Last year, I opened up an HDHP from GEHA (I'm a federal employee). I was contributing $75 a pay period last year while my employer contributed as well. I have about $2k sitting in the HSA Bank. My deductible is $1500, so if I do have an unforeseen medical expense, I can cover the deductable from my balance. In 2019 I plan on maxing out my HSA (I already max out my TSP and Roth). I want to invest my HSA contributions but not sure of the best way to go about it. I have a T Ameritrade account. I heard that I can transfer money from the HSA Bank to Ameritrade. Once I do that, where would I invest my money? Is there an equalivent to a total stock market fund there? Also how would I make regular contributions to the fund? Can I set up automatic d...
by Jtf6
Tue Nov 21, 2017 5:57 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How am I doing?
Replies: 16
Views: 2726

Re: How am I doing?

Maxing out TSP reduces AGI/MAGI, which allows me to contribute to ROTH.
by Jtf6
Mon Nov 20, 2017 11:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How am I doing?
Replies: 16
Views: 2726

Re: How am I doing?

The idea of working until 62 is horrifying to me. I like my job, but don't love it. I can hang on until 57, but more than that, no can do.

What do y'all think of my savings plan?

I have zero desire to become a GS 15. The pay, isn't that much more than a GS 14-10, but the responsibility is so much more.
by Jtf6
Mon Nov 20, 2017 8:14 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How am I doing?
Replies: 16
Views: 2726

Re: How am I doing?

My monthly expenses are about $3500.
by Jtf6
Mon Nov 20, 2017 7:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How am I doing?
Replies: 16
Views: 2726

Re: How am I doing?

I will have 30 years when I retire, which should be 30% of $155k.
So $46.5k
by Jtf6
Mon Nov 20, 2017 7:45 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How am I doing?
Replies: 16
Views: 2726

How am I doing?

I may have posted something similar a few years ago.

I work for the federal government and I am a GS 14-2 in the Bay area. I am 39 years old and single, no kids.

TSP L 2040 --$290k (max out yearly)
Vanguard Roth Target 2035 --$26k (max out yearly)
Vanguard balance fund $7200 ($25 a month)
T Rowe Price Global Technology Fund $8300 ($400 a month)
Crypto currency $2700 ($200 spread between Bitcoin, Etherium, litecoin monthly)
Savings $40k (about $1250 a month deposited)

I opened an HSA for 2018 and I plan on depositing $2500 a year in it.

My goal is to retire at 55. I will get a federal FERS pension when I retire plus the social security bridge. My goal is to be financially self sufficient by age 55.

Any suggestions?
by Jtf6
Sun Oct 08, 2017 10:28 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Growing old without kids or younger caring relatives
Replies: 123
Views: 30597

Re: Growing old without kids or younger caring relatives

I'd rather my parents spend their final years with me, rather than a community. When my dad was really sick, we were all at his bed in the hospital. That is something I would love for myself.

I need to hurry up, and make some children.
by Jtf6
Tue Aug 29, 2017 7:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What should the savings be for an average professional
Replies: 168
Views: 25649

Re: What should the savings be for an average professional

This is a site for super savers, so we are obviously not the norm, and can't expect the average person, professional or not, to save as much as we do. I save about 30% of my income, which is way more than most people I know. My sister is not fortunate enough to make as much as I do, but I was still able to convince her to contribute 10% of her income to her 401k. If in 20 years, she can have $100-200k saved, it would put her light years ahead of most people in her income bracket, and in addition to her social security benefits, and the hopeful assistance of at least one of her 4 kids, she should be ok during retirement. I have colleagues who make $120k now, I'm their late 30s and contribute nothing to their retirement plans. Every year they...
by Jtf6
Mon May 29, 2017 1:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Career Issue -- How do I recover?
Replies: 55
Views: 9001

Re: Career Issue -- How do I recover?

I do work with and for very nice people who are very forgiving. After my boss promoted me, she confronted me in a private meeting and told me that she heard I was bad mouthing her and other people. She told me that things go around fast and to not do it again. So it really is shocker that they gave me another shot.

As far as me being a good employee, I work hard and the executives in my agency like me so I guess they cut me a lot of slack. I've been constantly given special assignments. Assignments that many others aren't given.

But I have learned to be greatfull​ and keep my mouth shut now. But as I said there was a lot of luck that gotten me here.
by Jtf6
Mon May 29, 2017 11:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Career Issue -- How do I recover?
Replies: 55
Views: 9001

Re: Career Issue -- How do I recover?

I like to follow up on my original post. Not getting that position affected me greatly. I did not take my friends advice, and I took my frustrations out on everyone. The hiring official, the woman who got the job over me, her friends (who I saw as my enemies), and whoever I thought was the reason for my failure. Not only that, but I shared my discontent with anyone that would hear me out. And my bosses heard about my whining. This lead to more problems for me with the higher ups. In fact, since losing out on the position I was reassigned to progressively worst positions. I was even "exiled" to no man's land for a while. I was in bad straights, with my career prospects in peril, and no friends to rely on. Then life happened. A seri...
by Jtf6
Thu Mar 24, 2016 9:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Improving Employee Morale
Replies: 44
Views: 5689

Re: Improving Employee Morale

All great ideas everyone. I had a meeting with the management staff today. Something's I want to implement are to reassign some work from the more stressed staff to the unit that has less work. I might increase the amount of OT I allow the staff to work, but that is dependent on how big our allocation is. I'm going to look in to bringing on another senior volunteer, which will reduce some clerical stuff like mail that our admin person handles. We are definitely bringing on two new employees, but I'm going to try and bug my boss in to giving us a couple additional employees. I also plan on giving them more background on how we are performing as an office and compared to other offices. I talk to the staff, and eat in the lunchroom with them. ...
by Jtf6
Wed Mar 23, 2016 9:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Improving Employee Morale
Replies: 44
Views: 5689

Re: Improving Employee Morale

No we no longer have on the spot awards. The agency got rid of that years ago. Step increases can be given, but is required approval at a much hire level than me, and is only given after the end of the current performance year. As I think of it, there is no one I can see giving one to. Additionally these things are kept private. We don't announce that An individual employee was given a quality step increase. We do give out awards twice a year in front of the staff. Our job is to interpret and apply federal regulations. The training is 4 months, and it takes three years to be considered fully proficient. Their biggest complaint is work volume. The only way to mediate that is hiring, which takes time and I'm working on that. I have to admit, ...
by Jtf6
Wed Mar 23, 2016 8:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Improving Employee Morale
Replies: 44
Views: 5689

Improving Employee Morale

Mods, feel free to delete this post if it is not appropriate for this board. I am a manager in the federal government, so we are restricted by ethics rules around gift givings and monetary awards. Issue: I work for an agency where the work is not necessarily stressful, but the volume of work is substantial and continuous. The work keeps coming in, demands for performance are high, and we have lost our best staff through promotions over the last year. It takes about a year for new hires to be fully productive workers, and that is only if they are very smart and motivated. I predict we will get 3 new employees in the coming months which is helpful. Our employees deal with the public directly, which can be difficult as it is, without the added...
by Jtf6
Fri Oct 02, 2015 5:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: To pay for [children's] college education? Or not ...
Replies: 206
Views: 24421

Re: To pay for college education ? Or not ...

I'm not a dad YET, but I have nephews and nieces. As a former Marine, and a benefactor of the GI Bill, I have been secretly (my sister doesn't like the idea) been encouraging the boys to join the Air Force or Navy when they graduate high school in order to gain some maturity, life experience, and access to the very lucrative GI Bill.

I think I'm getting to the older one, he is 12 now.
by Jtf6
Tue Sep 08, 2015 1:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Career Issue -- How do I recover?
Replies: 55
Views: 9001

Re: Career Issue -- How do I recover?

Also leaving my agency really isn't an option. I've been here for a decade amped don't really know how to do anything else. If I left, I would have to start over, which would require a substantial pay cut. At 37, and with my responsibilities, I cannot start over. Then the harsh truth is, you have zero leverage, and few options. Others won't put it so starkly. I will. I ran into a similar issue at my place of employment. But I had minimal obligations, and loot saved. I left with two others, started our own business. Best decision ever, it took us three years of almost no income, but after that, we absolutely destroyed our previous limited positions in terms of autonomy, responsibility, optionality, and compensation. The party continues to t...
by Jtf6
Tue Sep 08, 2015 1:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Career Issue -- How do I recover?
Replies: 55
Views: 9001

Re: Career Issue -- How do I recover?

To the OP, I would offer a rather unappealing interpretation, sorry. I work in academia, where staff positions are semi-permanent, in the sense that very few people ever get fired. In fact, it is VERY difficult to fire people, b/c we need to go through multiple negative evaluations (on an annual cycle)...takes 2-3 years, basically. And performance and attitude during that 2-3 years can be nil, which is very damaging to the enterprise if it is a critical position. That said, we do, of course, have staffing issues. Sometimes we really need a person who can completely 'cover' a certain complex suite of interrelated tasks and responsibilities without intensive management, (e.g. an executive secy or lab manager) and we already have a person in ...
by Jtf6
Sun Sep 06, 2015 2:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Career Issue -- How do I recover?
Replies: 55
Views: 9001

Re: Career Issue -- How do I recover?

It seems you did get lots of support (loyalty?) from your direct supervisor. They must feel bad that they got overridden. As for skyrocketing into a wall, this happens so many times that you will see it over and over and over. As in, "Whatever happened to …? Oh, they made it to VP, then flamed out." Or "They made got a great position, but never got tenure." Or "They made it to Colonel, but never to General". Usually this happens in one's late 30s and one starts getting sideways promotions such as Base Commander and not Wing Commander and Wing Commander twice and not Joint Chiefs of Staff. Wow, that is kind of scary. But yes, I've seen folks that have been in this position for like 20 years. At some point they ...
by Jtf6
Sun Sep 06, 2015 1:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Career Issue -- How do I recover?
Replies: 55
Views: 9001

Re: Career Issue -- How do I recover?

You said yourself that the person who was hired, you consider to be a toss-up (tie) with you. But you also admitted that you know the other candidate's employment record gave the other candidate an edge over you. If your management had made a hiring decision based on subjective personal relationship (I expected loyalty/my boss appreciates me/I did his dirty work) instead of who was the best candidate on paper, that decision could be called into question. It could even be subject to an EEO complaint. Your management chain would have to justify their decision and would be held accountable if it was found unjustifiable. The positive is, it sounds like in your organization you won't be passed over in the future just because your potential new ...
by Jtf6
Sun Sep 06, 2015 11:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Career Issue -- How do I recover?
Replies: 55
Views: 9001

Re: Career Issue -- How do I recover?

It sounds like this new position still reports to your manager or am I wrong? If it does, it is odd that his manager had the final say in the promotion. If it is an equivalent position to your manager, then I can understand why his manager was the one who decided the promotion. The person who got the job - who did she report to? A different manager? In my experience it's very common for a higher-level manager to have the final say in a hiring/promotion decision, and to sometimes override the wishes of the person who will be the direct-report manager. This is what I figured, and my boss had to pretty much support his boss. He couldn't say "well, I wanted to pick you but I was made to pick this other person". That would just lead t...
by Jtf6
Sun Sep 06, 2015 10:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Career Issue -- How do I recover?
Replies: 55
Views: 9001

Re: Career Issue -- How do I recover?

It sounds like this new position still reports to your manager or am I wrong? If it does, it is odd that his manager had the final say in the promotion. If it is an equivalent position to your manager, then I can understand why his manager was the one who decided the promotion. The person who got the job - who did she report to? A different manager? In my experience it's very common for a higher-level manager to have the final say in a hiring/promotion decision, and to sometimes override the wishes of the person who will be the direct-report manager. This is what I figured, and my boss had to pretty much support his boss. He couldn't say "well, I wanted to pick you but I was made to pick this other person". That would just lead t...
by Jtf6
Sun Sep 06, 2015 10:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Career Issue -- How do I recover?
Replies: 55
Views: 9001

Re: Career Issue -- How do I recover?

tibbitts wrote:You haven't exactly said whether the person who got the job really does have more or less experience or seniority, or more/less education, certifications, etc. etc.

Why do you feel you were you given the temporary assignment and the other person wasn't?
I was given the temp assignment because my boss really really likes me and has seen my work capacity in person as I was his direct report in his office.

Well the other person does have more years in than me (but we are the same age), and does have more experience doing the job albeit in a smaller capacity.
by Jtf6
Sun Sep 06, 2015 10:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Career Issue -- How do I recover?
Replies: 55
Views: 9001

Re: Career Issue -- How do I recover?

ieee488 wrote:It sounds like this new position still reports to your manager or am I wrong?

If it does, it is odd that his manager had the final say in the promotion.

If it is an equivalent position to your manager, then I can understand why his manager was the one who decided the promotion.

The person who got the job - who did she report to? A different manager?
Oh it is just the way it works in my job . My bosses boss makes the final decision. The person who got the job reported to someone else.
by Jtf6
Sun Sep 06, 2015 10:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Career Issue -- How do I recover?
Replies: 55
Views: 9001

Re: Career Issue -- How do I recover?

Well I will be on our internal job page and look for other positions in the agency in different capacity. The thing is that I work for federal government, and I can apply throughout the state and country, but depending in cost of living, a promotion may not be much of a pay increase. As I said, this is my first real job. If I tried to leave to the private sector or another organization, I might not even make half my salary. I make over six figures now.

I actually really like what I do and who I work for.
by Jtf6
Sun Sep 06, 2015 10:42 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Career Issue -- How do I recover?
Replies: 55
Views: 9001

Re: Career Issue -- How do I recover?

Oh the person who got the job over me is my best friend at my agency. Which makes it even more complicating for me. Yes, she will do a fabulous job, if I was a third party, it would be a toss up, and I very well could have hired her over me. It's just that I expected a little more loyalty from my boss. When I worked under him at a different capacity, I did a lot of his dirty work for him and he really appreciated my contributions.

I've really never not gotten what I've wanted at the job, so this is all a first for me.
by Jtf6
Sun Sep 06, 2015 10:31 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Career Issue -- How do I recover?
Replies: 55
Views: 9001

Career Issue -- How do I recover?

I've been rather blue these past couple of days. I was temporarily assigned to a new position with more responsibility. During my assignment I was told I did a great job. The assignment was opened as a permanent position, I applied for it, and someone else was selected. When my boss called me up to tell me the bad news, his explanation for going with someone else is that that person has more experience than me and comes highly recommended. I asked my boss what I can do to be more competitive next time and he said that I did a great job, he knew I was going to do a great job, that I'm one of his top people, and that other things may open up in the future that I can apply to. So he really didn't give me any other insight. All I know is that h...
by Jtf6
Sat Jun 06, 2015 8:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Thoughts on Federal Employment
Replies: 86
Views: 16348

Re: Thoughts on Federal Employment

I believe that the Feds went away from CSRS back 1983. The FERS retires are coming to retirement age, and I think it is hitting them big time at how little they will get for retirement. Don't get me wrong, a 33% of the average of your high three years after thirty year pension is a great benefit, but many of these people never saved anything else. I don't know what they were thinking, because they were eligible for TSP, but I guess they didn't contribute. I'm seeing a lot of people continue to work longer, in to their 70s. Of the CSRS folks, I am seeing many of them come back as rehired annuitants, but i think that is due more to boredom and the ability to "double dip". I max my tsp and Roth as well as own a taxable. I am not coun...
by Jtf6
Sat Jun 06, 2015 8:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Thoughts on Federal Employment
Replies: 86
Views: 16348

Re: Thoughts on Federal Employment

Federal employee here! I have to say, I love love love my career. I have just hit my 10 year mark and I am making over six figures (albeit in the highest cost of living city ). My agency is one of those few agencies that there is a straight shoot from GS 7 (where I started in 2005) to GS 14 (where I am at now). That coupled with the ability to leave work at 3:30 daily, 4 weeks vacation, access to the TSP, military time buy back (I paid my agency a small sum and was credited for my time in the military towards my federal retirement ), and FERS pension that I on,y contribute .8% towards. I'll never make $200k in this job, but $150k is 14 step 10 in San Francisco, which is decent. I started at 27 and plan on working 30, so 55 is my target reti...
by Jtf6
Mon Apr 06, 2015 10:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Massive student debt @ 6.8%
Replies: 62
Views: 9563

Re: Massive student debt @ 6.8%

Just wanted to point out that after you complete your americorps tour, you can find a job with the federal government.

https://my.americorps.gov/trust/help/me ... erview.htm

[OT comment removed by admin LadyGeek]
by Jtf6
Wed Feb 18, 2015 4:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Save for house or open taxable?
Replies: 6
Views: 1063

Re: Save for house or open taxable?

Thanks,

I plan on retiring between 55 and 59. Depending on how i feel, i guess. If i retire before 59, i would need additional money to live on as FERS retirement really isnt all that much.
Other than saving for a home deposit, i dont have any other pressing goals. I did not consider using the principle on my Roth; that could also be my emergency fund. I always thought of my Roth money would be funds that would allow me to buy a home overseas--maybe in South America or Asia.

As far as the home purchase goes, in addtition to the set savings of $1k, i was going to put additional money in throughout the years in order to raise the needed cash.

I need to think all of this through more.

Thanks
by Jtf6
Wed Feb 18, 2015 3:17 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Save for house or open taxable?
Replies: 6
Views: 1063

Re: Save for house or open taxable?

Thanks, i think i am on track with retirement with the money i have going to my tax advantaged accounts. That coupled with my FERS retirement benefits, and social security, i should be quite all right.

After i was done paying off my student loans, i was going to drop $1k a month towards a house fund. The question is where do i find the money and how much do i put in a taxable?
by Jtf6
Wed Feb 18, 2015 2:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Save for house or open taxable?
Replies: 6
Views: 1063

Save for house or open taxable?

HI there, I am trying to decide whether I should contribute to a taxable or put money in savings for a house, or do both. My investments are the following: I contribute $625 a pay period towards my TSP. ($180k) $217 a pay period towards a Vanguard Target 2030 Roth. ($8k) I have $15k in savings. $1k in checking. I am four months away from paying off my student loan with a remaining balance of $3880. I have been paying $1k a month towards my student loans. I have no other debt. I want to purchase a home in 3 years and save around $50k for a deposit. I also want to have a taxable account that I could draw from in my later years, but before I retire. Any suggestions on how I can do this, or good savings plans? I am 37, single and my current inc...
by Jtf6
Fri Jul 04, 2014 12:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: do you lie about your finances to friends
Replies: 103
Views: 14339

Re: do you lie about your finances to friends

I am govt employee, so if you know my name, you can find my salary. I keep a copy of the Bogleheads guide to investing promenantly displayed in my office. I get people asking me what it's all about, in which I state that it's the best investment book you'll ever need to read. I preach the boglehead philosophy to anyone willing to listen. I've been able to convince one work collegue to open up a Roth, and a few others to revisit their asset allocation in their TSP.

I have one close friend who introduced me to investing who I speak specifics about. We have similar financial goals, and know each other for quite a longtime. He lives on the other side of the country, so it's not like he will hit me up for a loan or anything.