Random Thought.

[NSTG8R]

Second time [out of 4] I got laid off from McDonnell Douglas (Boeing now), I had some shares of MD stock and had no friggin idea (20+ something) what to do with it. I thought I rolled everything into a Prudential IRA, but found out like a year later that the MC stock didn't transfer, and went to a Broker (because Prudential didn't accept stock?) Good news for me because it tripled within that year! Bad news, because I was young and desperate for money and cashed it in [I do the math in my head...and weep]. So...as old as I am now, I'm sad to say I've not learn much more than I did then about "The Way the Stock Market Works, and Whose Going To Screw You".

[Note to self: Check Audible to see it there's a book on that]

 

[Coss]

Second time [out of 4] I got laid off from McDonnell Douglas (Boeing now), I had some shares of MD stock and had no friggin idea (20+ something) what to do with it. I thought I rolled everything into a Prudential IRA, but found out like a year later that the MC stock didn't transfer, and went to a Broker (because Prudential didn't accept stock?) Good news for me because it tripled within that year! Bad news, because I was young and desperate for money and cashed it in [I do the math in my head...and weep]. So...as old as I am now, I'm sad to say I've not learn much more than I did then about "The Way the Stock Market Works, and Whose Going To Screw You".

[Note to self: Check Audible to see it there's a book on that]

But think about this; if you had hung on to it, what would it be worth around 2008? and what would it be worth now after taking a hit like everyone did in 2006-7?

 

[NSTG8R]

But think about this; if you had hung on to it, what would it be worth around 2008? and what would it be worth now after taking a hit like everyone did in 2006-7?

Well. At the time it was 200 shares [McDonnell Douglas]. I did a three-way split (during my lay-off, and I was totally unaware of it), and then split again a year later. So it would've gone from 200 shares to 1200 shares in a little over 2 years. Regardless of the value of those shares (Boeing's at around 140+/- right now), the number of shares would be the same, and I'd still have them. Same reason I don't freak out when the bottom falls out of the market. I get more shares of 'whatever fund' per paycheck. So when the market makes a recovery (not so much in 2015), the increase in the value of my 401(k) reflects the additional shares I was able to purchase at a discounted rate. In 2008 I increased my contribution rate from 15% to 25% per pay cycle. When the market (Dow) crossed the 18k mark, I dropped it back to 20% and plan to leave it there until we have another 'tank' in the market...Which might be starting today considering the games that China's playing. Until I retire I'm not going to worry too much about the volatility. When I get within a year or so of "hanging up my air tools for good" [aircraft-wise], I'll be looking for a more stable place to let it ride. They have some "Retirement Calculators" on our investment website. I like what I'm seeing.

 

[CheeseheadEarl]

In 2008 I increased my contribution rate from 15% to 25% per pay cycle

I didn't have that kind of forward thought. I have put every penny of raise money in the last 10 years or so straight to my 401. I'm at 19% now. If I never see the $ I don't miss it. I plan to raise contributions as I pay off a couple of loans too.

I intend to retire early enough to enjoy it. I'm starting to grow the Roth (post tax) portion of my 401 now, if I can retire before 59.5, the principal of that can still be taken penalty free.

 

[Husker1]

My random thought while driving the other day. Eeeww this is going to hurt a little! As I pay attention to pot holes in the middle of my lane.

 

[msmith5150]

All that math in this thread, the nerd is strong in the forum!

 

[JEBar]

My random thought while driving the other day. Eeeww this is going to hurt a little! As I pay attention to pot holes in the middle of my lane.

when this discussion surfaced a few months ago, I got to paying attention to where the potholes are in the roads we travel .... the vast majority have been on the outer edges of the road and in the areas where tire traffic is the heaviest .... I have seen a few in the center lane area but out of the total number, very few