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Which of these funds would you recommend (401k)?

Posted on 11/29/10 at 12:08 pm
Posted by The Mick
Member since Oct 2010
44888 posts
Posted on 11/29/10 at 12:08 pm
My story:
38 yrs old, lost everything in a real estate deal. Just started new job that matches .75 cents on the dollar in the 401k. Unfortunatley Im starting from scratch at 38 yrs old. Which of these funds would best suit me in your opinion?

thanks for your input.

Stocks

Large Company
American Funds Growth Fund of Amer American Funds Invmt Co of Amer R4
First Eagle US Value I
Schwab S&P 500 Index 25
Allianz NFJ Small Cap Value Admin Columbia Acorn Z
First Eagle Fund of America Y
Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value Instl Perimeter Small Cap Growth I

Intl/Global
American Funds EuroPacific Gr R4 5
First Eagle Overseas I
Harbor International Growth Inv
Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Inst Bonds
BlackRock Inflation Protected Bond
Loomis Sayles Bond Instl
PIMCO Total Return Admin

Balanced
First Eagle Global I 0
Schwab Mngd Ret Trust 2010 Cl III
Schwab Mngd Ret Trust 2020 Cl III
Schwab Mngd Ret Trust 2030 Cl III
Schwab Mngd Ret Trust 2040 Cl III
Schwab Mngd Ret Trust 2050 Cl III
Schwab Mngd Ret Trust Income Cl III

Capital Preservation
Schwab Stable Value Instl
Posted by foshizzle
Washington DC metro
Member since Mar 2008
40599 posts
Posted on 11/29/10 at 12:38 pm to
Since you're starting from scratch, for the first few years it doesn't really matter very much. I like index funds because they cost less (the expense ratio is lower) and they almost always outperform actively managed funds because of this.

The biggest problem you will have though isn't so much the fund choice as it is the fact that if you are going to have a halfway decent retirement you must maximize your 401(k) and IRA (or Roth) contributions. If they offer a subsidized stock ownership plan, do that too. For example, if your company offers a stock match it may be worthwhile to invest in that first, then cash out some of the stock and contribute to the 401 at the end of the year.

However you do it, tighten the belt, draw up a budget, drive an old car. Contribute to these plans until it hurts. Then do it some more.

or ...

Get involved in another startup and hope it goes better than the last venture. Obviously the higher risk option but if it does work you're better off.
Posted by The Mick
Member since Oct 2010
44888 posts
Posted on 11/29/10 at 1:04 pm to
Thanks for the advice. I was always frugal with spending and was in a position to own my final family home outright and be retired before I was 50. We bit off more than we could chew back in 2004 developing a subdivision and it took everything... feel like a kid again, but not in a good way.
Posted by GeauxTigerTeam
Member since Oct 2010
88 posts
Posted on 11/29/10 at 1:30 pm to
I, too, am a big fan of index funds because of the low fees. Good luck to you!
Posted by tirebiter
7K R&G chile land aka SF
Member since Oct 2006
10710 posts
Posted on 11/29/10 at 1:41 pm to
Can you post tickers and expense ratios of the funds? I see no R4 class on Morningstar, etc.

First suggestion is researching the stable value fund as to current yield and how much switching into and out of the fund the plan allows to take advantage of any potential major drops in the world equity or fixed income markets. I am cautious these days for more than few reasons.
Posted by foshizzle
Washington DC metro
Member since Mar 2008
40599 posts
Posted on 11/29/10 at 9:54 pm to
quote:

Thanks for the advice. I was always frugal with spending and was in a position to own my final family home outright and be retired before I was 50. We bit off more than we could chew back in 2004 developing a subdivision and it took everything... feel like a kid again, but not in a good way.


Ouch, that's gotta hurt.

I'm 43, fwiw. My initial impression (since I don't know real specifics about your situation) is that your main choice is whether to do more development once things start looking up again, or go the long-term 401(k), Roth, etc. route.

Like I was saying, the latter way is fine but you are late to the party, the trick is to pile up as much as you can as fast as you can. If you decide to go that way fund choices aren't nearly as important right now as just accumulating equity. Index funds over the long haul do tend to deliver slightly better returns but a 1% edge isn't that important unless you have a lot invested.

Or, you can try to leverage your experience in development in a new venture. That may indeed be the better way to go, you are the better judge of this.

That's really the biggest decision here IMHO, which fund you invest in isn't as important right now.
Posted by silstang23
Bossier City, LA
Member since Oct 2007
4961 posts
Posted on 11/29/10 at 10:15 pm to
What is the sales charge for index funds in comparison to Class A funds?
Posted by foshizzle
Washington DC metro
Member since Mar 2008
40599 posts
Posted on 11/29/10 at 11:48 pm to
What sales charge? I have a Schwab account and buy there at no cost or commission, although several other brokerages have a similar deal.
Posted by The Mick
Member since Oct 2010
44888 posts
Posted on 11/30/10 at 11:57 am to
quote:

Or, you can try to leverage your experience in development in a new venture. That may indeed be the better way to go, you are the better judge of this.
I cant see myself doing it again after this experience. I am heavily tending towards being conservative but like you said, Ive wasted 15-18 yrs now...

Im just in the mode of stashing as much as I can and rebuilding a comfort zone.
Posted by keeper007
Austin
Member since Feb 2008
1511 posts
Posted on 12/1/10 at 9:11 am to
I've got a question:

I want to start a 401K plan but don't have an employer match program. What's the best route then? I'm 28 and want to/can only put away about 500/month max.
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