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Where Should I Put My 401k Money?
FreeRepublic ^ | 08.06/2009 | Oshkalaboomboom

Posted on 08/06/2009 9:32:49 AM PDT by Oshkalaboomboom

I have a 401k in a Vanguard stock fund that I would really like to get out of. I rode it up over 12,000, rode it down all year and now I'd like to cut my losses before it takes another dump. What other Vanguard funds are safer, or even a money market? I can't just cash it in or the government would slaughter me at tax time. What's a safe haven to ride the coming depression out?


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; Society
KEYWORDS: 401k; investments; stockmarket; stocks; vanguard
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To: Oshkalaboomboom

Read “The Great Depression Ahead” and watch Harry Dent- I’m following his advice though I did bail out of stocks already
If he is right, the worst is ahead by end of year, into 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYVrjV9-iSA&feature=related

Get into a self-directed account where you can quickly reallocate into money market/high quality bonds to ride out crash and troughs. NO Buy-and-hold unless you have 20 years to recover

And get out of debt as fast as you can


21 posted on 08/06/2009 9:54:26 AM PDT by silverleaf (If you can't be a good example, at least don't be a horrible lesson)
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To: Oshkalaboomboom

Put 50 percent into a SCRWU and the other half in a 402FU.


22 posted on 08/06/2009 9:54:51 AM PDT by dragnet2
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To: agere_contra

bttt


23 posted on 08/06/2009 9:55:28 AM PDT by petercooper (GOP: Big Tent Party??? Not if you are a CONSERVATIVE.)
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To: Oshkalaboomboom

I’ll put mine in my wallet. It should fit.

And one of these days when I save up some more, I’m gonna buy me a shiney new buckle.


24 posted on 08/06/2009 9:57:00 AM PDT by envisio (Foxtrot Yankee Bravo Oscar)
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To: Oshkalaboomboom

Safest: Bank CD.
Really Safe: Vanguard Money Market Fund.
Darned Safe: Vanguard Inflation Protected Securities
Pretty Safe: Vanguard Short Term Bond Fund.
Somewhat Safe: Vanguard Intermediate Bond Fund
A Little Risky: Vanguard Wellington (a managed balanced fund)
Moderately Risky: Vanguard Total Stock Market Index

You sound like you don’t want to go anywhere past Moderately Risky. You may wish to spread your money around the funds above. Diversification remains key over longer (5+) periods of time.

In the long run (10+ years) I think that inflation is a key risk, and stocks are a key way to beat inflation. So, you don’t want to completely avoid them.

Gold helps beat inflation, but has just about no other useful value, so you don’t want to overload on Gold. I own just a smidgen of the Vanguard Precious Metals and Mining, which owns companies, not the metals.

Summary: Spread money among the funds above. You’ll lose a little in a really bad downturn, but you have lots of protection against lots of bad outcomes. You’ll never get rich on that mix. You’ll never lose your shorts.


25 posted on 08/06/2009 9:57:04 AM PDT by Uncle Miltie (It's the spending, stupid!)
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To: Oshkalaboomboom

Vanguard doesn’t have gold investments, plus it doesn’t deal well in an environment that isn’t stable for buy and hold investors (like now). I would recommend using another broker for your 401k.


26 posted on 08/06/2009 9:57:41 AM PDT by Lakeshark (Thank a member of the US armed forces for their sacrifice)
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To: Oshkalaboomboom

Send all your money to me.


27 posted on 08/06/2009 9:58:35 AM PDT by School of Rational Thought (I saved 10,000 jobs today.)
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To: Oshkalaboomboom

Honestly? I would look into the mortuary business. 0bamacare will be creating LOTs of new “customers.”


28 posted on 08/06/2009 9:59:50 AM PDT by Trod Upon (Obama: Making the Carter malaise look good. Misery Index in 3...2...1)
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To: Trod Upon

I’m going to invest in metals - coffee cans, lots to them, fill them with money and bury them in the back yard.


29 posted on 08/06/2009 10:20:32 AM PDT by Cyclone59 (Everything that hits the fan is not evenly distributed)
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To: RexBeach
My experience with fear is, generally, a good signal to buy instead of sell.

My brother and I will retire in about 16 years. He's always been a big proponent of 401Ks, and generally knows what he's talking about. I question his advice about one thing though: Says to put most of my current contributions into stocks now while the prices are cheap, then back off and diversify future contributions when the market is up.

Is this a reasonable plan? I do have a good mix from past contributions, and I didn't start saving until I was 40, so I need to be aggressive.

30 posted on 08/06/2009 10:31:36 AM PDT by scan59 (Markets regulate better than government can.)
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To: scan59

Risk and return go together.

How much do you want to earn? How much can you afford to lose?

If this were easy, everyone would be rich.


31 posted on 08/06/2009 10:33:56 AM PDT by Uncle Miltie (It's the spending, stupid!)
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To: scan59

16 years is a good spell of time with which to work.

I believe buying stocks with half of your 401(k) contributions and the other half in bonds is prudent.

If you can do that with your plan, that might be a good thing to look into.

Naturally, you should consult an adviser before making any changes. It’s important for you to understand what you’re doing, and why you’re doing it.

Good luck to you, and don’t worry - think instead. It’s more profitable!


32 posted on 08/06/2009 10:38:19 AM PDT by RexBeach
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To: Oshkalaboomboom

A better question is, “why are you asking for specific financial advice from an online forum where you don’t know the people giving advice.”

Seriously, talk to a couple of financial advisors.


33 posted on 08/06/2009 10:47:48 AM PDT by Husker
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To: Husker
A better question is, “why are you asking for specific financial advice from an online forum where you don’t know the people giving advice.”

Seriously, talk to a couple of financial advisors.

BUMP!

34 posted on 08/06/2009 10:55:03 AM PDT by Constitution Day
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To: Oshkalaboomboom

Invest in canned goods ,small arms ammo ,small arms , meat packing/butcher equipment(meat hooks),metal products(piano wire).


35 posted on 08/06/2009 11:35:33 AM PDT by Nebr FAL owner (.308 reach out & thump someone .50 cal.Browning Machine gun reach out & crush someone)
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To: agere_contra
ultrashort ETF

If it's going down, shorting the ultralong would be better. The ultra ETFs have a terrible track record no matter ultrashort or ultralong. They don't actually short but use high cost derivatives and leverage.

36 posted on 08/06/2009 12:06:39 PM PDT by Reeses (Leftism is powered by the evil force of envy.)
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To: Husker
A better question is, “why are you asking for specific financial advice from an online forum where you don’t know the people giving advice.”

Because I was interested in seeing where people are moving their money to. I feel I get a better perspective from folks who are playing with their own assets than from advisors who get a commission off of somebody else's money and they get the commission whether or not their advice goes sour. I was also wanting to hear from people with different Vanguard funds. They are low cost and low fee so more of your money works for you and not them. I expect a certain percentage of wiseacres and silly comments but there will be a few nuggets of genuine wisdom, hopefully something I can use when I talk to the mutual fund people.

37 posted on 08/06/2009 2:24:47 PM PDT by Oshkalaboomboom
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To: Oshkalaboomboom

Gun’s are a safe haven.


38 posted on 08/06/2009 3:09:52 PM PDT by Dusty Road
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To: Oshkalaboomboom

In addition to precious metals, I would also recommend that you should buy land that can grow food and support some animals...


39 posted on 08/07/2009 5:25:57 AM PDT by eleni121 (The New Byzantium - resurrect it!)
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To: Oshkalaboomboom

James 5:3
Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.
James 5:2-4 (in Context) James 5 (Whole Chapter)

Revelation 18:18-20 (New International Version)

“Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. 18When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city?’ 19They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out:
“ ‘Woe! Woe, O great city,
where all who had ships on the sea
became rich through her wealth!
In one hour she has been brought to ruin!
20Rejoice over her, O heaven!
Rejoice, saints and apostles and prophets!
God has judged her for the way she treated you.’ “

I am going the food, ammo, and gun investment.


40 posted on 08/07/2009 5:50:34 AM PDT by bmwcyle (Obama's lies make Bill Clinton's lie small)
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