Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen,
I recently discovered this useful site. I am primarily asking advice from retired military personnel or those who find themselves getting close to retirement from the service, but others feel free, please. I am 23, commissioned through AFROTC (University of Alabama), and went active January 2010. Finance has recently been an obsession for me as I find myself reading financial books, listening to Dave Ramsey, and reading information on this site. I recently purchased an older vehicle (2000 accord, original owner) to sell my current vehicle (2005 accord) to put the money I earn off the sell into a cd, or a bond. Once I sell the 05 accord, I will have roughly 17K in savings. I just started contributing 20% of my pay to the TSP (C-30%, S-35%, I-35%). I also have 5,200 in a roth ira offered through usaa. It is the balanced strategy fund (USBSX). I am looking to put roughly 5-7k in a short term investment (about 6 months-1 yr) for a future purchase of an engagement ring for my girlfriend (if she plays her cards right, jk). I worked throughout college and have zero debt. I would like to ask you what you would do if you were in my shoes? Is the USBSX a good fund? I read some posts saying that USAA's funds are not the best. Would you invest in some other investments? If so, which ones? What financial institutions should I take a look at? I am relatively young so I'd like to be more aggressive in my investments while I can. I really appreciate you taking the time to help this "newbie" out.
V/R
Ronnie
I recently discovered this useful site. I am primarily asking advice from retired military personnel or those who find themselves getting close to retirement from the service, but others feel free, please. I am 23, commissioned through AFROTC (University of Alabama), and went active January 2010. Finance has recently been an obsession for me as I find myself reading financial books, listening to Dave Ramsey, and reading information on this site. I recently purchased an older vehicle (2000 accord, original owner) to sell my current vehicle (2005 accord) to put the money I earn off the sell into a cd, or a bond. Once I sell the 05 accord, I will have roughly 17K in savings. I just started contributing 20% of my pay to the TSP (C-30%, S-35%, I-35%). I also have 5,200 in a roth ira offered through usaa. It is the balanced strategy fund (USBSX). I am looking to put roughly 5-7k in a short term investment (about 6 months-1 yr) for a future purchase of an engagement ring for my girlfriend (if she plays her cards right, jk). I worked throughout college and have zero debt. I would like to ask you what you would do if you were in my shoes? Is the USBSX a good fund? I read some posts saying that USAA's funds are not the best. Would you invest in some other investments? If so, which ones? What financial institutions should I take a look at? I am relatively young so I'd like to be more aggressive in my investments while I can. I really appreciate you taking the time to help this "newbie" out.
V/R
Ronnie