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Started By
Message
Two years in a row, I’ve gotten screwed on my 401(k).
Posted on 4/2/26 at 9:26 am
Posted on 4/2/26 at 9:26 am
I get a large bonus in February every year, and I max out my 401(k) at that point. I have a very good employer match as well.
Last year… Downturn right after I frontloaded. This year… Downturn right after I frontloaded.
Maybe next year I’ll divide it out over the course of the year to do a more dollar cost average. Of course next year the market will probably be steady for 12 months.
Last year… Downturn right after I frontloaded. This year… Downturn right after I frontloaded.
Maybe next year I’ll divide it out over the course of the year to do a more dollar cost average. Of course next year the market will probably be steady for 12 months.
13
Posted on 4/2/26 at 9:28 am to mule74
Sometimes you just gotta laugh
Posted on 4/2/26 at 9:54 am to mule74
Right there with ya bud, mine is always the last week in February.
It’ll still be up huge in 20 years when I pull it, but frick man
It’ll still be up huge in 20 years when I pull it, but frick man
Posted on 4/2/26 at 10:22 am to mule74
Meh, history shows that over time this doesn’t matter. It’s a 401k. You’re not trading. Stop worrying about it. You haven’t been screwed.
Posted on 4/2/26 at 11:05 am to mule74
quote:
I get a large bonus in February every year, and I max out my 401(k) at that point.
I don’t think this matters much. If it bothers you, you can drop your contribution rate right before your bonus hits, then raise it back up to steadily max over the rest of the year.
Posted on 4/2/26 at 11:08 am to mule74
DCA makes this more manageable. You should try to max regardless of the bonus
Posted on 4/2/26 at 12:18 pm to mule74
Over the long term it will be up.
Look at the market in February of 2017 compared to February of 2026.
You are golden pony boy.
Look at the market in February of 2017 compared to February of 2026.
You are golden pony boy.
Posted on 4/2/26 at 12:28 pm to mule74
quote:
Last year… Downturn right after I frontloaded. This year… Downturn right after I frontloaded.
Was just about to suggest DCA and then saw you already landed there.
Timing matters little if you don’t need the money for 5+ years. What matters most is that you are consistently investing over long time period. Tax shield of 401k helps!
(1+k)^n
I started my career focused on maximizing k (rate of return).
I concluded my career convinced n (time) is the real engine of wealth building.
Fret not on highest return and timing. Focus on consistent investing over time. You will win independence!
One more FWIW, win the mind set. Wealth building comes first. DCA is paying yourself first. Using annual “bonus” is not.
Good luck!
This post was edited on 4/2/26 at 12:39 pm
Posted on 4/2/26 at 1:22 pm to mule74
My 401K went up $80K in Feb and then dropped $100K when the war started. Welcome to the roller coaster. It’s back up a little yesterday.
Posted on 4/2/26 at 9:46 pm to mule74
Trolling has to be
Posted on 4/3/26 at 8:58 am to Everyday Is Saturday
quote:
You will win independence!
Posted on 4/3/26 at 9:05 am to mule74
quote:More importantly, may want to make sure you are maximizing the match. Depending on your salary, you may be losing some match by dumping a large amount into one paycheck.
I get a large bonus in February every year, and I max out my 401(k) at that point. I have a very good employer match as well.
Last year… Downturn right after I frontloaded. This year… Downturn right after I frontloaded.
Maybe next year I’ll divide it out over the course of the year to do a more dollar cost average. Of course next year the market will probably be steady for 12 months.
Posted on 4/3/26 at 9:52 am to mule74
You could always set your contributions to invest in something stable and manually transfer over to stocks monthly etc. take a bit of work but if you are worried about out it it would be worth it.
Posted on 4/3/26 at 5:31 pm to mule74
I do a set percentage once I know what my bonus is going to be that takes from every paycheck sufficient to hit the $80,000 maximum allowed this year (with catch up). I’d recommend you do the same.
For me 15 percent out of each paycheck including the bonus paycheck gets me to $80,000 (with employer match).
For me 15 percent out of each paycheck including the bonus paycheck gets me to $80,000 (with employer match).
This post was edited on 4/3/26 at 5:35 pm
Posted on 4/3/26 at 8:06 pm to StreamsOfWhiskey
I always lower my 401k contribution to like 2% for my bonus check and then up it back afterward.
Posted on 4/4/26 at 9:58 am to Upperdecker
quote:
DCA makes this more manageable. You should try to max regardless of the bonus
Posted on 4/5/26 at 9:32 am to SuperSaint
quote:
independence
Financial independence (to me) - manifests best on a Sunday!
When the Sunday blues of upcoming work week, pressure of delivery and weight on shoulders for others turns to dust…
and alarm clock goes away, sleep is joyous and what you do (or do not do) is nearly completely in your hands.
And it is an incredible feeling!
Tell Dave to keep up great work (except for that absolute no debt thing. If can’t manage low cost debt, suppose there is no thought of independence anyway).
This post was edited on 4/5/26 at 9:41 am
Posted on 4/5/26 at 6:47 pm to mule74
Looks like timing the market guy is back
Posted on 4/6/26 at 11:17 am to NOSHAU
quote:
More importantly, may want to make sure you are maximizing the match. Depending on your salary, you may be losing some match by dumping a large amount into one paycheck.
This. I do not think it's a good strategy to load up your 401K in this manner.
Unless you continue to contribute over the rest of the year in order to get the match, and then roll the "over the limit" dollars into an IRA before Apr 15 of the following year.
Posted on 4/6/26 at 11:18 am to StreamsOfWhiskey
quote:
For me 15 percent out of each paycheck including the bonus paycheck gets me to $80,000 (with employer match).
You need to retire, baw
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