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401k question

Posted on 9/18/22 at 5:36 pm
Posted by kung fu kenny
Birmingham
Member since Sep 2017
2098 posts
Posted on 9/18/22 at 5:36 pm
this might be a dumb question but that's what message boards are for, right? i was just thinking about this while looking at my 401k - if the "experts" are correct and we are headed for a downturn and recession for the next year or however, would it be foolish to move all elections in my 401k to bonds for the time being? i know that would over-expose me (obviously) but it just seems like a simple way to fight the downturn. i'm sure there are things i'm not considering but what do y'all think?
Posted by TigerintheNO
New Orleans
Member since Jan 2004
44205 posts
Posted on 9/18/22 at 6:08 pm to
if stocks are going to be on sale, why not buy?
Posted by baobabtiger
Member since May 2009
4935 posts
Posted on 9/18/22 at 6:25 pm to
Bonds are getting hit right now too.
Posted by FLObserver
Jacksonville
Member since Nov 2005
15852 posts
Posted on 9/18/22 at 6:40 pm to
Why would you not let your allocation for stocks stay? you are now buying more shares with prices being cheaper. When the turn around comes you now have more shares that will make you more money.
Posted by Niner
Member since Apr 2019
2033 posts
Posted on 9/18/22 at 6:49 pm to
Don't try to time the market because eventually you're going to have to decide on when to get back in and that is the hardest investment decision you'll ever have to make. It will be especially hard if the market starts rebounding before you think it should. Then you second and third and fourth guess EVERYTHING. You will have nothing but regrets.
Posted by FLObserver
Jacksonville
Member since Nov 2005
15852 posts
Posted on 9/18/22 at 7:12 pm to
Hey Niner any ETF's your recommending right now? or you more of a fund guy? Just looking for a few suggestions
Posted by Pelican fan99
Lafayette, Louisiana
Member since Jun 2013
38929 posts
Posted on 9/18/22 at 7:30 pm to
Unless you are retiring anytime soon just let it ride or maybe bump up your contribution if anything
Posted by kung fu kenny
Birmingham
Member since Sep 2017
2098 posts
Posted on 9/18/22 at 8:20 pm to
quote:

if stocks are going to be on sale, why not buy?


:thumbsup:

Makes sense. I knew this was trying to “get too cute” and figured I wasn’t thinking about this the right way. But was just wondering. Thanks
Posted by Niner
Member since Apr 2019
2033 posts
Posted on 9/18/22 at 8:51 pm to
quote:

Hey Niner any ETF's your recommending right now? or you more of a fund guy? Just looking for a few suggestions
We use both in our portfolios. I can't give specific recommendations because some are only available to advisors, but we do have some Dimensional ETFs and some iShares ETFs. We find and have done tons of research on funds (mutual and exchange traded) that provide exposure as we expect and want. For example, we don't want a US large cap mutual fund where the manager(s) actually buys some small cap to try and outperform peers. That's not why we want the fund. If that makes sense.
This post was edited on 9/18/22 at 8:52 pm
Posted by JimMorrison
The Peninsula
Member since May 2012
20747 posts
Posted on 9/18/22 at 8:51 pm to
quote:

eventually you're going to have to decide on when to get back in and that is the hardest investment decision you'll ever have to make.


It's not this serious. You can easily decide to start averaging back in once the economic view clears up. It's going to be months before there's a possible new uptrend starting in the stock market.

Op, it all depends on how active you are in keeping up to date with economic news and investing in general. If you moved your funds to a money market, no one here is going to tell you when you should rebalance and start moving that cash back to stock funds. It's going to be up to your own research.

The problem you're facing right now is that you're asking the question after a notable selloff on the indices (should have sold during the summer rally when everyone was euphoric and greedy).

There's still a good deal of downside risk from these levels. It may be prudent to build a cash position so that you have more capital to average in later. Stock indices aren't rallying to ATH anytime soon so don't worry about missing out.
Posted by NBR_Exile
Houston via Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2012
1856 posts
Posted on 9/18/22 at 9:42 pm to
Kenny, I'm 56 years old. I've been through the Dot Com bubble and the housing recession. Just keep ploughing your money into the 401k. Don't look at it all. Time will work in your favor. Not sure how old you are, but if you are young keep the allocation as aggressive as you can.
Posted by thegreatboudini
Member since Oct 2008
7097 posts
Posted on 9/19/22 at 6:05 am to
quote:

while looking at my 401k


First mistake.
Posted by fallguy_1978
Best States #50
Member since Feb 2018
53116 posts
Posted on 9/19/22 at 8:05 am to
If you are 10+ years from retirement I wouldn't even worry about short term moves in the market.
Posted by Turf Taint
New Orleans
Member since Jun 2021
6010 posts
Posted on 9/19/22 at 8:08 am to
quote:

move all elections in my 401k to bonds for the time being


Do you need the money in the next 5 years?

Do you have a financial plan (ie, for retirement as this is 401k), matched to long-term risk you are willing to take?

When I did not think long-term and did not have a plan, I played whim games with my money, until I realized whims were at least as risky as the market risk.

Point: make a plan and stick to it, barring black swan after black swan, stick to your plan. Speaking from experience.
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