How is your 401k going?

[chief52]

From 7/12/2006 through 12/31/2007 my 401k was up 23.3%. From 1/1/2008 until 7/11/2008 it is down 12.8%.

Overall from 7/12/2006 until 7/11/2008 my 401k is up 7.5%.

How is your's doing...honestly.

[the Talking Can]

like ManDingo working over one of the Olsen twins....the market to my money....

[KC Jones]

Oh lord - I just checked mine and my god have I gotten raped over the last year. I'm not too upset about it because I only just started putting much in but this reminds me I need to review what I'm investing in.

My IRAs on the other hand have been surviving the storm just fine.

[Bearcat]

From 1/1/2008 until 7/11/2008 it is down 12.8%.


That sounds about right... around -10%. :banghead:

[Stewie]

I don't have many options in my 401k and I moved to a conservative fund about a year ago. It has made 4.5% in the last year. I wouldn't even be in the plan if it wasn't for the company match because the investment options are horrible.

Outside of my 401k I'm doing quite well, but I'm an aggressive contrarian investor.

[Buehler445]

I only have options for types of fund (largecap, smallcap, international etc.), and it has been complete ass. I can't get on to look at it becuase the horse****ers need to reset my password, but I think I was down like 7% or something. Not really worried about it, because I'm 25, but its frustating.

The good news is next month my employer starts matching. That way I can lose other people's money:).

Another interesting point is that the largest percentage of my money is in large caps (40% or something like that) and that is my biggest loss sector. It was supposed to NOT take huge losses!:cuss:

[Buehler445]

I don't have many options in my 401k and I moved to a conservative fund about a year ago. It has made 4.5% in the last year. I wouldn't even be in the plan if it wasn't for the company match because the investment options are horrible.

Outside of my 401k I'm doing quite well, but I'm an aggressive contrarian investor.

Really, that's interesting. Do you do that for a living or do you just use your investments?

[Stewie]

Really, that's interesting. Do you do that for a living or do you just use your investments?

I'm an engineer, so no I don't invest for a living. I do have savvy advisors who guide me down the road with my personal investments.

[HypnotizedMonkey]

my mom gave me a dollar and dropped me off in the parking rot.

[Buehler445]

I'm an engineer, so no I don't invest for a living. I do have savvy advisors who guide me down the road with my personal investments.

I'm interested in getting some help with investing. Can you tell me who you go through or is it just individuals?

[Stewie]

I'm interested in getting some help with investing. Can you tell me who you go through or is it just individuals?

I have two individuals who advise me. They don't recommend specific stocks, but analyze market trends and recommend sector plays.

If you're looking for an advisor look for a fee-based advisor. They aren't trying to sell you anything and are more apt to give less subjective advice. Of course, you need to find someone who thinks like you as far as risk, etc.

[Buehler445]

I have two individuals who advise me. They don't recommend specific stocks, but analyze market trends and recommend sector plays.

If you're looking for an advisor look for a fee-based advisor. They aren't trying to sell you anything and are more apt to give less subjective advice. Of course, you need to find someone who thinks like you as far as risk, etc.

Fair enough. I certainly don't have enough money to commit to it now, but down the road, I'd like to. I'd much rather do that than sink that money into a boat or camper (they're big here at Cabela's).

Thanks for the insight.

[TrebMaxx]

I have been afraid to look at it since I checked it last in April. I just keep saying to myself "Let it ride". At least my contributions are buying low right now.

[Stewie]

Fair enough. I certainly don't have enough money to commit to it now, but down the road, I'd like to. I'd much rather do that than sink that money into a boat or camper (they're big here at Cabela's).

Thanks for the insight.

I wasn't trying to be evasive just trying to help. The first thing you need to do is understand markets and investing. That may mean taking a class unless you're well versed in the markets and how different investments work. It's better to be educated than rely on an adviser. Advisers help ALOT but you need to understand what you're investing in. After all, it is your money.

[istas]

How much do you need in your 401k to retire on? I heard someway say
about $1million. What do you think?

[Bwana]

Not so hot this year........

[blueballs]

Redrum's mom gave me a dollar and dropped me off in the parking rot.

.

[King_Chief_Fan]

From 7/12/2006 through 12/31/2007 my 401k was up 23.3%. From 1/1/2008 until 7/11/2008 it is down 12.8%.

Overall from 7/12/2006 until 7/11/2008 my 401k is up 7.5%.

How is your's doing...honestly.

in the last 10 days -100k. Too much incompany stock that has dropped for no apparent reason. company continues to beat last year numbers and exceeds expectatins of market. That plus the normal market losses.

[King_Chief_Fan]

How much do you need in your 401k to retire on? I heard someway say
about $1million. What do you think?
Why a Million Dollars is Not Enough to Retire On
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/358692/why_a_million_dollars_is_not_enough.html

This article suggest not depending on how far out in the future you will retire.

[dtebbe]

in the last 10 days -100k. Too much incompany stock that has dropped for no apparent reason. company continues to beat last year numbers and exceeds expectatins of market. That plus the normal market losses.


You are violating the #1 rule of 401k.

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, buy company stock in your 401k. You company goes tits up, and so does your 401k. Just ask the folks who worked for MCI.

DT

[chief52]

You are violating the #1 rule of 401k.

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, buy company stock in your 401k. You company goes tits up, and so does your 401k. Just ask the folks who worked for MCI.

DT

Actually, the #1 rule does not say to NEVER buy company stock. It says to stay diversified. A little company stock in your profile is no big deal. My matching only goes to company stock, but I can move it. 100% is a recipe for disaster. Add ENRON to the MCI...and there are many, many more. Your job is already tied to how the company does. No use compounding your problems if they go under.

[dtebbe]

Actually, the #1 rule does not say to NEVER buy company stock. It says to stay diversified. A little company stock in your profile is no big deal. My matching only goes to company stock, but I can move it. 100% is a recipe for disaster. Add ENRON to the MCI...and there are many, many more. Your job is already tied to how the company does. No use compounding your problems if they go under.

Seriously, most experts say ZERO:
http://clarkhoward.com/liveweb/shownotes/2007/09/14/12667/

DT

[wutamess]

Like you I raped the market for 24.2% growth last year. This year I'm down 13.8%
It says I'm up 20.1 percent from 7/12/08 - 7/10/08 but that doesn't seem right I'm thinking that's because I re-allocated my funds to other investments.

However, my Roth IRA has gained 14.14% since I joined it this time last year. Go FNARX

[Buehler445]

I wasn't trying to be evasive just trying to help. The first thing you need to do is understand markets and investing. That may mean taking a class unless you're well versed in the markets and how different investments work. It's better to be educated than rely on an adviser. Advisers help ALOT but you need to understand what you're investing in. After all, it is your money.

I understand. I was just trying not to be invasive.

I have a pretty good handle on understanding the markets. Some of the technical aspects of individual investments I don't know about, that's what I would need to brush up on.

Where I lack is time to watch the market. I also don't have any technical analysis training or experience. If I were to put money out there, it would just be to buy a stock and hold onto it for awhile. I am nowhere near where you are.

[chief52]

Just curios how the week day shift may be doing. Guess misery loves company... But it is all long term. Still putting away the max.

[El Jefe]

Just curios how the week day shift may be doing. Guess misery loves company... But it is all long term. Still putting away the max.

I don't have a 401k, so that's my position.

[Otter]

Not so hot this year........

I'll go with this answer.

[chasedude]

Just started my first about a couple months ago. I need to talk with my Rep and get online access to see what it is doing.

[Kerberos]

my mom gave me a dollar and dropped me off in the parking rot.

That's why DAD named you Joe Dirt.

[kepp]

Mine is down about 10 - 15% this year. I've been thinking of moving to more conservative investments for the time-being. Wise or not?

[DaKCMan AP]

Mine is down about 10 - 15% this year. I've been thinking of moving to more conservative investments for the time-being. Wise or not?

Depends. If I had a bunch of $$ in there that was losing then yeah I'd move it to more conservative funds. Since I've only had my 401k for a little over a year I don't have a large sum built up and I can withstand the losses of the more aggressive funds while buying a larger share at a lower price.

[ChiefsFan4Life]

At the moment I am at -5.85% :(

[Bwana]

Bump:

Man, I'm getting my ass kicked and am considering loading it into 3-month treasury bills until things even out. This is crap.

[chief52]

I wish I would have done something in July when I made this post. Damn, I considered it, but I have been riding it out. Downward as you can imagine. I've got some time, but it still sucks!

[Bwana]

I wish I would have done something in July when I made this post. Damn, I considered it, but I have been riding it out. Downward as you can imagine. I've got some time, but it still sucks!

Like a turbo charged shopvac brother. :shake:

[luv]

I'm rich.

































ROFL

[shaneo69]

I started my new job in November '07 (coincidentally enough, working in the 401k dept), and I immediately rolled in $10,000 from my previous employer's 401k. I've been putting in 5% since 2/1/08 with a 3% match, and I looked at my account balance the other day, and it was...still at $10,000 or just a little less. So I've pretty much been throwing away 5% of all of my paychecks since Feb.

[chief52]

Like a turbo charged shopvac brother. :shake:

You got that right...

Personal Rate of Return from 01/01/2008 to 09/22/2008 is -15.9%*

:cuss::cuss::cuss:

[alnorth]

I started my new job in November '07 (coincidentally enough, working in the 401k dept), and I immediately rolled in $10,000 from my previous employer's 401k. I've been putting in 5% since 2/1/08 with a 3% match, and I looked at my account balance the other day, and it was...still at $10,000 or just a little less. So I've pretty much been throwing away 5% of all of my paychecks since Feb.

If you sell out and go to cash, THEN you will have thrown away all that money. Until you sell, its only a theoretical loss on paper. Right now you have a lot more shares than you started, so for you at least, if the market recovers it will move up faster than it would have a year ago with fewer shares.

Frankly, I'm trying to figure out if I can afford to increase my contribution, stocks are on sale right now. A lot of these banks are being forced to sell perfectly good assets that are not in trouble at fire sale prices to stay alive, and then you have panicked fools who pay too much attention to money TV shows who are really entertainers.

Buy and hold works if you have the time. (If you dont, then what the hell are you doing 100% in stocks?) If your retired or near it, you need at least 15-20 years worth of safe money to let the stocks ride. Timing the market is a fools game, and when the market recovers from a horrible down market, it does not recover slowly. If your out a month you likely miss a ton of it.

[Iowanian]

If I wasn't sinking coin into my house, I'd be buying in while its down.

More bang for my bucks when it goes back up.

I did make the mistake of looking after the -1k swing last week. Big mistake.

[Fairplay]

Like you I raped the market for 24.2% growth last year. This year I'm down 13.8%
It says I'm up 20.1 percent from 7/12/08 - 7/10/08 but that doesn't seem right I'm thinking that's because I re-allocated my funds to other investments.

However, my Roth IRA has gained 14.14% since I joined it this time last year. Go FNARX



Yeah, right, you always make money in a very down year, whatever.

[alnorth]

If you sell out and go to cash, THEN you will have thrown away all that money. Until you sell, its only a theoretical loss on paper. Right now you have a lot more shares than you started, so for you at least, if the market recovers it will move up faster than it would have a year ago with fewer shares.

Frankly, I'm trying to figure out if I can afford to increase my contribution, stocks are on sale right now. A lot of these banks are being forced to sell perfectly good assets that are not in trouble at fire sale prices to stay alive, and then you have panicked fools who pay too much attention to money TV shows who are really entertainers.

Buy and hold works if you have the time. (If you dont, then what the hell are you doing 100% in stocks?) If your retired or near it, you need at least 15-20 years worth of safe money to let the stocks ride. Timing the market is a fools game, and when the market recovers from a horrible down market, it does not recover slowly. If your out a month you likely miss a ton of it.

I think I'm going to back off on this just a bit. Buy and hold works 99.99% of the time. The other 0.01% of the time could happen in the next few months.

If this $700B bailout deal completely falls through and we hear that its definitely not going to happen, then I would advise everyone to run to cash and/or commodities for a while. I don't believe in timing the market, but this is going to be as hard to predict as gravity's impact on an egg.

[MahiMike]

Monday morning before the opening, I sold a bunch. 65% cash right now. I'm going to convert mine to a guaranteed fixed annuity. No matter who gets elected, if they pass the bailout, taxes are going up and we're headed for recession.

Hold on to your ASSets!

[chagrin]

Honestly I need to check the numbers but I sunk everything in my Chase employee stock; since we're basically the only bank making a solid profit, it's golden :)

[chief52]

You got that right...

Personal Rate of Return from 01/01/2008 to 09/22/2008 is -15.9%*

:cuss::cuss::cuss:


Personal Rate of Return from 01/01/2008 to 10/07/3008 is - 22%

Damn...I guess I am just along for the ride now. :cuss:

[chief52]

Honestly I need to check the numbers but I sunk everything in my Chase employee stock; since we're basically the only bank making a solid profit, it's golden :)

So was ENRON...

[Buehler445]

Personal Rate of Return from 01/01/2008 to 10/07/3008 is - 22%

Damn...I guess I am just along for the ride now. :cuss:

I have been from the get go.

[DaKCMan AP]

Depends. If I had a bunch of $$ in there that was losing then yeah I'd move it to more conservative funds. Since I've only had my 401k for a little over a year I don't have a large sum built up and I can withstand the losses of the more aggressive funds while buying a larger share at a lower price.

Hasn't changed. The company stock has been taking the biggest hit but I'm not making any contributions there. All of the matching (until I'm 100% vested) goes there but I can't control it and it's not my money so whatever.

[BWillie]

I don't have one but my dad called me drunk the other day saying he's lost about 60-70 grand recently in his 401k and told me to buy a safe, take my money out of the bank, and put it under my bed lol

[Sure-Oz]

it keeps going down, i just stop looking, damn economy

[chief52]

it keeps going down, i just stop looking, damn economy

I know. I have been in for a long time and am riding the highs and lows. Definitely feel it is the right way to go. Need to stop looking...

Now a days it is so easy to check on daily progress. Probably not a good thing.

[Silock]

I don't have a 401k, but my investments are doing just fine right now.

You just have to know where to put your money when the times get tough.

[philfree]

My company just moved our 401 k from one investment firm to another and all my money was still in a cash account when the crisis started. Baring a complete collapse of the market I should be in a good position to reinvest my money and get large gains as the market corrects itself. :clap:

PhilFree:arrow:

[chief52]

I don't have a 401k, but my investments are doing just fine right now.

You just have to know where to put your money when the times get tough.

Really...so you are not in the stock market or real estate? What do you invest in?

[Silock]

Really...so you are not in the stock market or real estate? What do you invest in?

Stocks . . . they're fine. Down a little, but whose aren't? Certainly not tanking too badly. Remember, even in a down economy, everyone buys toilet paper.

[DaneMcCloud]

Stocks . . . they're fine. Down a little, but whose aren't? Certainly not tanking too badly. Remember, even in a down economy, everyone buys toilet paper.

What?

The market's down below 10,000. It's down more than 2,000 points.

More than 2 TRILLION DOLLARS.

And you're down a "little"?

What, do you have $300 dollars in your 401k?

What the fuck?

We've lost more than $60k in a MONTH.

[Silock]

What?

The market's down below 10,000. It's down more than 2,000 points.

More than 2 TRILLION DOLLARS.

And you're down a "little"?

What, do you have $300 dollars in your 401k?

What the fuck?

We've lost more than $60k in a MONTH.

I told you, it's not a 401k, just individual investments. And I'm not even saying I'm not losing money, because I am. But I'm not panicking. There's no reason to panic. It's going to get worse before it gets better. But it's a great time to invest, and it will become even more attractive as the market keeps adjusting. In the grand scheme of things, though, I'm still up from when I started. So, yeah, I'm down "a little." It won't last. They'll get this thing worked out.

[DaneMcCloud]

I told you, it's not a 401k, just individual investments. And I'm not even saying I'm not losing money, because I am. But I'm not panicking. There's no reason to panic. It's going to get worse before it gets better. But it's a great time to invest, and it will become even more attractive as the market keeps adjusting. In the grand scheme of things, though, I'm still up from when I started. So, yeah, I'm down "a little." It won't last. They'll get this thing worked out.

How much are you investing that you're only down a little?

$100?

My financial consultant was on NPR last week. I've got friends on Wall Street. I've got friends basically every where in the financial sector. The ONLY thing that's doing well for me is my tax-free money market account and that's only because it didn't LOSE money this past month.

I find it hard to believe that any with $350k or more in the market since January 2008 hasn't lost a significant amount of money.

[Silock]

How much are you investing that you're only down a little?

$100?

My financial consultant was on NPR last week. I've got friends on Wall Street. I've got friends basically every where in the financial sector. The ONLY thing that's doing well for me is my tax-free money market account and that's only because it didn't LOSE money this past month.

I find it hard to believe that any with $350k or more in the market since January 2008 hasn't lost a significant amount of money.

Dude, I'm not into e-bragging, so I'm not going to say exactly how much money it is. And I'm only 27. I haven't had a lot of time to rack up cash in the market. The only thing I will say is that it's over $50k. Not going into more detail than that.

Perhaps you and I simply have different perceptions of what constitutes "a little." Like I said before, I'm still WAY up compared to the amount of money I started investing with.

[DaneMcCloud]

Dude, I'm not into e-bragging, so I'm not going to say exactly how much money it is. And I'm only 27. I haven't had a lot of time to rack up cash in the market. The only thing I will say is that it's over $50k. Not going into more detail than that.

Perhaps you and I simply have different perceptions of what constitutes "a little." Like I said before, I'm still WAY up compared to the amount of money I started investing with.

Hey, don't get me wrong. I applaud ANYONE that's up right now.

It's just hard for me to believe.

But, if you're a Fund Manager, I'd have to say, your clients are VERY lucky.

[Silock]

Hey, don't get me wrong. I applaud ANYONE that's up right now.

It's just hard for me to believe.

But, if you're a Fund Manager, I'd have to say, your clients are VERY lucky.

No, I'm not a fund manager.

I'm just saying that compared to where I was 5 years ago, I'm still up, even though I'm down in the short term. I expect it's going to get much, much worse, too. But it will rebound eventually. It has to. It's a marathon, baby :) I'm just looking at this in the big, big picture, because the short term is very ugly. Gotta be optimistic, you know?

In other crazy news, overseas markets are crashing HARD. Russia is down 14%, the Nikkei is down 9.38%, SK market is down . . . British markets open now. They're bailing out their banks to the tune of $87B with a $350B line of credit.

[DaneMcCloud]

No, I'm not a fund manager.

I'm just saying that compared to where I was 5 years ago, I'm still up, even though I'm down in the short term. I expect it's going to get much, much worse, too. But it will rebound eventually. It has to. It's a marathon, baby :) I'm just looking at this in the big, big picture, because the short term is very ugly. Gotta be optimistic, you know?

In other crazy news, overseas markets are crashing HARD. Russia is down 14%, the Nikkei is down 9.38%, SK market is down . . . British markets open now. They're bailing out their banks to the tune of $87B with a $350B line of credit.

Yeah, I'm watching now.

My Fund Manager is bumming HARD. Not for his clients like me or his multi-millionaire clients but for those that are actually living off of their 401k's. Those folks are in BAD shape.

I was out to dinner with several "well-connected" peeps (many of whom I gave info out in the DC that came true - WaMu, Wachovia, Lehman going down) that said the market WILL go down to 8,000.00.

It's gonna be a rough ride...

[Silock]

Yeah, I'm watching now.

My Fund Manager is bumming HARD. Not for his clients like me or his multi-millionaire clients but for those that are actually living off of their 401k's. Those folks are in BAD shape.

I was out to dinner with several "well-connected" peeps (many of whom I gave info out in the DC that came true - WaMu, Wachovia, Lehman going down) that said the market WILL go down to 8,000.00.

It's gonna be a rough ride...

Yeah, luckily, I'm not going to be in need of a 401k for a very long time, if armageddon doesn't come before I'm of retirement age ROFL

I am certainly thankful that I have that luxury where many do not.

I don't doubt the 8,000 at all. I've been trying to tell my father that it's going down to 8,000 at least. I'm not convinced it will go much lower.

[DaneMcCloud]

Yeah, luckily, I'm not going to be in need of a 401k for a very long time, if armageddon doesn't come before I'm of retirement age ROFL

I am certainly thankful that I have that luxury where many do not.

I don't doubt the 8,000 at all. I've been trying to tell my father that it's going down to 8,000 at least. I'm not convinced it will go much lower.

I moved a ton of money into tax-free money market accounts and actually made money this past month. It's a very, very conservative move but maybe something your father should consider.

[Silock]

I moved a ton of money into tax-free money market accounts and actually made money this past month. It's a very, very conservative move but maybe something your father should consider.

He's pretty evasive sometimes, but I think that's where he's got a lot of his money. He did say that he's got enough in cash to pay all the bills for 3 years, but that his 401k is crap and he'll probably have to keep working even if he gets a retirement offer/force out this year.

[DaneMcCloud]

He's pretty evasive sometimes, but I think that's where he's got a lot of his money. He did say that he's got enough in cash to pay all the bills for 3 years, but that his 401k is crap and he'll probably have to keep working even if he gets a retirement offer/force out this year.

Man, that sucks.

I'm just about positive he's worked enough.

Good luck to you and your family.

[Silock]

Man, that sucks.

I'm just about positive he's worked enough.

Good luck to you and your family.

Thanks, man. I mean that.

I really was hoping he'd just be able to retire. He works such long hours that he doesn't have time to take care of himself. Ever since I had to start taking night classes, I haven't been able to get him to the gym with me. Looks like that won't be happening any time soon.

Ah well.

[penguinz]

Mine has a RoR of -25.36% for the year 2008. :(

[Demonpenz]

I am 27 and my 401 K from a couple years was going down too fast. I took it out to get a big screen

[King_Chief_Fan]

-27% and falling as we speak

[wutamess]

401k: -40.9%
Roth IRA: -41.58%

Nothing to do but ride it out.
I can't take it (penalty free) for another 33 years anyways.

Thinking about going into the stock market to get in on this fire sell for the future too. Will wait a month or so.

Everything is hitting 52 week lows. Should be great buying times.

[cookster50]

I've moved mine from stocks to a fund that doesn't lose money, but doesn't gain much either. It's kept me from losing too much so far.
Down something like 8 percent on the year, waited too long to move to cash.

[gblowfish]

I'm afraid to look.
Might as well have just wiped my ass with $30,000.

[Elwaysux]

Not my 401K but got my statement yesterday on my son's 529 plan for college. Ouchhhhh. I have lost over 10% since the first of the year. At this rate he will have to transfer from KU to JCCC to finish his last 3 years.

[chasedude]

As a starting 401k contributor this year, I don't have much faith in it lately. I've taken a loss on everything I've put in, hell it's like being taxed on this. I'd have a better chance putting it in savings.

[wutamess]

As a starting 401k contributor this year, I don't have much faith in it lately. I've taken a loss on everything I've put in, hell it's like being taxed on this. I'd have a better chance putting it in savings.

WRONG!
You're getting funds/stock at a helluva discount currently.
You won't be saying that in 5-10 years. You'll appreciate the recession/depression.

[Iowanian]

I'm afraid to look, but since I'm not cashing out.....I look at this as an opporunity to buy low.

I'll scratch up some cash and buy some more......and be willing to ride this ship to the bottom of the ocean.

[chasedude]

WRONG!
You're getting funds/stock at a helluva discount currently.
You won't be saying that in 5-10 years. You'll appreciate the recession/depression.

I'm no financial guru, but I hope you're right. It is tough to see the way the gov't has handled this whole crisis and be optimistic.

[Iowanian]

Don't even watch...just keep putting in and believe you're buying at a bargain price(IMO).

I got cleaned out in my first job after college with the last go-round of this....had everything in high risk-high reward funds and got clobbered. I think I took a $10k bath when I cashed out for $600. I should have ridden that storm out too.

[Infidel Goat]

Honestly I need to check the numbers but I sunk everything in my Chase employee stock; since we're basically the only bank making a solid profit, it's golden :)

Maybe the employee stock is something different, but it looks like to me that Chase started the year at $25 per share and is closer to $10 per share now.

Ouch. Great P/E ratio, though, so it should rebound.

[chief52]

Personal Rate of Return from 01/01/2008 to 11/21/2008 is -43.3%

" Isn't that special " :doh!::doh!::doh!:

Well, obviously I am riding this thing out. Hopefully the long term will be good to us.

[PhillyChiefFan]

it isn't.

[raybec 4]

-42%

[King_Chief_Fan]

If you don't want to buy stock, buy gold and cash securities. It has stopped the bleeding and has trended up a little. Not the best way to make some money, but better than losing. Looking forward to jumping back in the stock in the near future. When you only have 5 years before retirement, you do what you got to do.