What to do

[stryped]

I am going to turn 40, married and have an 11 year old and a 6 year old. I am worried about retirement. I would love to be able to retire early but not sure how to go about it. I have a 401k but as everyone knows, the stock market is not so good anymore. I will have my house payed off if all goes well by the time my daughter is 18 and needing money for college. I dont have a very good mind for investing concerning my 401k. Here is my investments as of today:
JPMorgan U.S. Equity A
Large Cap Stock - Blend

30%​

Fidelity Magellan Fund
Large Cap Stock - Growth

25%​

Dreyfus Opportunistic Midcap Value A
Mid Cap Stock - Blend

25%​

Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund
Mid Cap Stock - Growth

10%​

Janus Wordwide Fund Class T
Global Stock - Growth

10%​

These are my total options for 401k investments:

Stable Value

Union Bank Stable Value Fund A 1187,1261,1262,1263,1264,1391,UB01 Fund Summary
0.20%
0.99%
2.57%
3.43%
3.81%


Fixed Income - Money Market

HighMark Diversified Money Market Fid HMDXX 0003,0006,0029,0035 Fund Summary
0.00%
0.01%
0.07%
2.29%
2.09%
0.76%

Fixed Income - Intermediate Bond

Highmark Bond Fund HMBDX 0006,0029,0035,1254 Fund Summary
1.01%
1.06%
6.88%
6.88%
5.63%
1.01%

Balanced - Value

Dodge & Cox Balanced Fund DODBX 0006,0029,0035 Fund Summary
-0.38%
4.92%
21.70%
2.80%
5.85%
0.53%

Large Cap Stock - Value

Fidelity Equity Income Fund FEQIX 0006,0029,0035 Fund Summary
-1.58%
6.44%
23.88%
1.48%
2.92%
0.69%

Large Cap Stock - Blend

Fidelity Spartan U.S. Equity Index FUSEX 0006,0029,0035,1476 Fund Summary
-1.14%
5.91%
25.88%
3.27%
2.55%
0.10%


JPMorgan U.S. Equity A JUEAX Fund Summary
-1.64%
4.68%
23.64%
5.46%
3.28%
1.08%

Large Cap Stock - Growth

American Funds Growth Fund of Amer R3 RGACX 0006,0029,0035 Fund Summary
-1.73%
5.24%
23.57%
3.02%
3.67%
0.97%


Fidelity Magellan Fund FMAGX 0006,0029,0035 Fund Summary
-2.22%
5.43%
21.29%
1.06%
0.78%
0.60%


HighMark Large Cap Growth Fid HMGRX 0006,0029,0035 Fund Summary
-1.84%
4.95%
25.27%
4.21%
1.63%
1.21%

Mid Cap Stock - Value

Lord Abbett Mid-Cap Value P LMCPX 0006,0029,0035 Fund Summary
-0.57%
8.03%
33.54%
3.35%
6.34%
1.25%

Mid Cap Stock - Blend

Dreyfus Opportunistic Midcap Value A DMCVX 0006,0029,0035,1569 Fund Summary
-0.57%
9.83%
34.37%
9.33%
7.35%
1.18%

Mid Cap Stock - Growth

Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund FRSGX 0006,0029,0035,0042 Fund Summary
-2.36%
8.42%
35.15%
6.33%
4.42%
1.06%

Small Cap Stock - Blend

Wells Fargo Advantage Sml Cap Value A SMVAX 0006,0029,0035,0042 Fund Summary
-3.34%
4.09%
20.08%
5.75%
9.91%
1.36%

Global Stock - Growth

Janus Wordwide Fund Class T JAWWX 0006,0029,0035,0141,1325,1538 Fund Summary
-2.96%
3.14%
26.14%
2.95%
0.35%
0.92%

International Stock - Blend

Fidelity Advisor Diversified International Fund FADIX 0006,0029,0035,0141 Fund Summary
-3.12%
3.08%
30.22%
-0.41%
5.87%
1.55%


Thornburg International Value Fund R3 TGVRX 0006,0029,0035,0141 Fund Summary
-2.50%
4.20%
31.21%
6.25%
8.77%
1.63%




I am just at a loss right now. My dad is hoping to retire in about 2 years but I am worried they will run out of money or I might end up taking care of him and my mom. Just a little scared right now.

 

[DblDoc]

The good news is you are thinking about this long before many do. It is impossible for us to help you make decisions about your investments until you have some basic understanding of the principles involved.

I would recommend doing some reading from the wiki Getting Started - Bogleheads and from the recommended reading lists here http://www.early-retirement.org/for...reading-list-with-a-military-twist-46732.html or here Investment Books. Once you have some specific questions post here or at bogleheads.

DD

 

[stryped]

The good news is you are thinking about this long before many do. It is impossible for us to help you make decisions about your investments until you have some basic understanding of the principles involved.

I would recommend doing some reading from the wiki Getting Started - Bogleheads and from the recommended reading lists here http://www.early-retirement.org/for...reading-list-with-a-military-twist-46732.html or here Investment Books. Once you have some specific questions post here or at bogleheads.

DD

I know a little. I guess I am wondering if my investment choices are sound. And, is it worth it to contribute more to a 401k if you are at the maximum match right now?

 

[Webzter]

And, is it worth it to contribute more to a 401k if you are at the maximum match right now?

Maybe; depends on expense ratios, if you can get the AA you want, and what it'd do to your taxes.

Are you doing a college fund for your kids? (It sounds like you're planning at least some financial assistance there)

Do you have an emergency fund in place?

You're right, stocks aren't doing well right now... which either means that it's time to load up on more, or we're all doomed and it won't matter so you might as well buy more anyway.

 

[travelover]

It can be confusing, but many of us here have figured out simple strategies for investing.

A couple of books that I find to be easy to understand and also to be well researched are:

Amazon.com: The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing (9780471730330): Taylor Larimore, Mel Lindauer, Michael LeBoeuf, John C. Bogle: Books

Amazon.com: The Bogleheads' Guide to Retirement Planning (9780470455579): Taylor Larimore, Mel Lindauer, Richard Ferri, Laura F. Dogu, John C. Bogle: Books

You need to figure out what your expense ratios are for the available investments in your 401(k). That will help in putting together an asset allocation strategy.

 

[stryped]

Maybe; depends on expense ratios, if you can get the AA you want, and what it'd do to your taxes.

Are you doing a college fund for your kids? (It sounds like you're planning at least some financial assistance there)

Do you have an emergency fund in place?

You're right, stocks aren't doing well right now... which either means that it's time to load up on more, or we're all doomed and it won't matter so you might as well buy more anyway.

I do not have a college fund in place but would like to but I have no idea what I need to do in that arena.

I do have an emergency fund in place.

How to I figure expense ratios?

 

[travelover]

..........How to I figure expense ratios?

The fund must disclose them. Some are transparent and for some you may need to read the fine print. Hint: anything over 0.5% is high, especially for an index fund.

 

[robbridg]

If you're worried about your parents you should look at there finances and living expenses with them, if they're willing, and help them determine if they're in good shape. As well, you should figure out what you're income and expenses are in order to be confident that you're doing all you can for your family's future. Good luck! Read those recommended books and all you can here on the forum.