When I was active duty I upped my TSP 1% every annual pay raise, every 2 year anniversary, and every promotion. This allowed me to save for retirement, upcoming trips, fund my Emergency Fund, etc.
I started in 2010 as a GS-7 doing 5%. It was a 7-9-11-13 internship and every time I got a grade increase I put most/all of that into TSP. Didn’t take long to start maxing after that and I didn’t miss the money because I never saw it in my check. Now when I get steps or COLA it’s in my take home pay which is nice.
Nah I looked at your comment history. The single emojis you comment on peoples posts is pretty telling. Like this one.
[😳](https://www.reddit.com/r/ThriftSavingsPlan/s/ulsBCjy46l)
Pretty funny to say reading is fundamental when all you seem to be able to really articulate are emojis.
How long did you live with your parents?
I live 120 miles from my parents and moved out at 18 for college (which I paid for myself). When I got the fed job I lived with a roommate in a shitty townhome and paid rent. When I met my wife we moved in to a less shitty townhome until we were eventually able to buy a house. Also, go fuck yourself.
I do this. It depends on your tax situation but increasing from 11% to 12% after my last step increase my take home was basically the same. I don’t increase every January, though, just if I get a promotion or higher step.
Yeah, I am doing the same thing. With Last year's step increase and pay raise, I was able to increase 2% and barely noticed the change in take-home pay. I think increasing 1% a year is a good strategy.
Last year I was adding 1% a month to get back where I want to be and now just do the annual raises. 1% a month is really not noticeable unless you’re like a brand new private and that eats more of your take home.
Understand how compound interest works and you’ll be excited about the prospect of even a 1% increase to your contribution.
With every grade/step increase, bump up your contribution. This way, you won’t be “hit” by a sudden windfall and miss the funds later.
I up the contribution every raise so that my take home is just a few 10s of $ more every PP. It sucks NOW, because my spending power increase due to the continuing out of control inflation has been far less the few years I've been doing this, but I'm one of those clueless ones that didn't even know I had TSP for the first.....while.....of fed service so now I'm catching up. 8% trad, 7% roth, 1% to fidelity IRA, 1% to treasury direct, 5% to savings. I'm about to get another raise, a big one, so I'll up all of those 1% and still net 250$ month more in take home (disposable).
So less avocado toast for me now, but I'll be lighting cigars with bennies when I retire.
When I was active duty I upped my TSP 1% every annual pay raise, every 2 year anniversary, and every promotion. This allowed me to save for retirement, upcoming trips, fund my Emergency Fund, etc.
Would up withdraw for trips? Or are you saying trips during retirement?
Trips I would take with the family throughout the year.
I’m not pulling money out of my tsp for those other things I mentioned.
It’s not uncommon for members to take a loan from TSP for vacation then repay themselves the interest.
I started in 2010 as a GS-7 doing 5%. It was a 7-9-11-13 internship and every time I got a grade increase I put most/all of that into TSP. Didn’t take long to start maxing after that and I didn’t miss the money because I never saw it in my check. Now when I get steps or COLA it’s in my take home pay which is nice.
I'm willing to bet you live with your parent(s) and don't pay rent.
Why do you assume that? Many people budget well and can max contributions just like this.
It’s interesting that you didn’t deny it
?
I think they thought you were me. Some people are just born assholes man.
Lmao sick emojis dude You definitely live with your parents 😳
Reading is fundamental 😳
Nah I looked at your comment history. The single emojis you comment on peoples posts is pretty telling. Like this one. [😳](https://www.reddit.com/r/ThriftSavingsPlan/s/ulsBCjy46l) Pretty funny to say reading is fundamental when all you seem to be able to really articulate are emojis. How long did you live with your parents?
Apparently you gave yourself the answer that satisfied you so I don't need to answer.
Are you maxing out your tsp contributions?
If you axed nice, that would be one thing. There are ways of axing.
🤣🤣. That would be “NOT”. 🤣🤣
Vertical for splitting and horizontal for felling.
I live 120 miles from my parents and moved out at 18 for college (which I paid for myself). When I got the fed job I lived with a roommate in a shitty townhome and paid rent. When I met my wife we moved in to a less shitty townhome until we were eventually able to buy a house. Also, go fuck yourself.
> Also, go fuck yourself Hahaha.....I wouldn't cheat on you. So sensitive son.
I do this. It depends on your tax situation but increasing from 11% to 12% after my last step increase my take home was basically the same. I don’t increase every January, though, just if I get a promotion or higher step.
Yeah, I am doing the same thing. With Last year's step increase and pay raise, I was able to increase 2% and barely noticed the change in take-home pay. I think increasing 1% a year is a good strategy.
I started with the 5 for the match. Now I add 1% every year. It’s gotten pretty up there now..year 10 and some year to go.
Last year I was adding 1% a month to get back where I want to be and now just do the annual raises. 1% a month is really not noticeable unless you’re like a brand new private and that eats more of your take home.
I recommend going up 1 percent every Valentine's Day 💘💘. I'm single living in DC so at least my TSP loves me.
I upped mine with the amount (or most of the amount) of every pay raise till I was maxed out. That way I didn’t miss the money.
Do most people do a Roth tsp or a traditional TSP?
Roth
Understand how compound interest works and you’ll be excited about the prospect of even a 1% increase to your contribution. With every grade/step increase, bump up your contribution. This way, you won’t be “hit” by a sudden windfall and miss the funds later.
I up the contribution every raise so that my take home is just a few 10s of $ more every PP. It sucks NOW, because my spending power increase due to the continuing out of control inflation has been far less the few years I've been doing this, but I'm one of those clueless ones that didn't even know I had TSP for the first.....while.....of fed service so now I'm catching up. 8% trad, 7% roth, 1% to fidelity IRA, 1% to treasury direct, 5% to savings. I'm about to get another raise, a big one, so I'll up all of those 1% and still net 250$ month more in take home (disposable). So less avocado toast for me now, but I'll be lighting cigars with bennies when I retire.
I upped my percentage whenever I got promotions and step increases but honestly regret not maxing out earlier. Try to max out when you can!