Linda marshall
Level 2 Member
I have to say that one of the real benefits of discovering manufactured spending this year has been that it has opened my eyes about my financial situation overall-- I've started to take some interest in where things stand and how I can really start using my money to work for me! In line with this pursuit, I was setting up Mint.com this morning and in doing so, logged into my Vanguard IRA. If you had asked me last year, I would have been thrilled at the idea of having any amount of money set aside in an IRA and wouldn't have given the actual amount a second thought (I know, it's sad.) Now? I'm utterly shocked to find that this year alone, despite depositing $400/month, my net increase since January 15 is only $248!!! I was under the naive impression that the economy has been on the upswing this year. Either I am wrong about that or I need to make some adjustments to either how vanguard is spending my money or where I am investing it.
Is it just me or does this "rate of return" seem particularly low considering the fluctuations over the past year?
Some details in case they are necessary:
The account type: "Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares"
Contribution: My monthly contribution is divided into two payments ($200 from my account/$200 from my husbands) -- Q: does it make any difference if I have a single $400 deposit or 2 $200 deposits?
If I remember correctly, my age plays at least some role in how I should be investing, so for the record, I am 48.
The website only goes back 10 years, but I'm pretty sure I've been investing with Vanguard for closer to 20 years. (Hmmm, I wonder why they don't show more than 10 years?) I didn't always contribute the maximum and I know the market has had some pretty big swings during the past 2 decades, but I'm surprised to see that my current portfolio is worth only $56K (peaked at around 63K in July). That seems low compared to the amount I must have invested over the years. Does this sound low to those of you with knowledge in this area? I do realize the question is difficult to answer with any certainty without knowing more about $ amounts and how the funds were invested, but in general, does this seem like it falls within an average range?
Assuming I need to make adjustments here, without knowing a lot about the stock market/IRA investing and with even less time to learn about it in any great depth, are there any suggestions for how I proceed from this point?
Certainly for those of you who are financially minded, my lack of awareness must seem pathetic, but please be kind and take heart- at least I'm looking!!
Is it just me or does this "rate of return" seem particularly low considering the fluctuations over the past year?
Some details in case they are necessary:
The account type: "Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares"
Contribution: My monthly contribution is divided into two payments ($200 from my account/$200 from my husbands) -- Q: does it make any difference if I have a single $400 deposit or 2 $200 deposits?
If I remember correctly, my age plays at least some role in how I should be investing, so for the record, I am 48.
The website only goes back 10 years, but I'm pretty sure I've been investing with Vanguard for closer to 20 years. (Hmmm, I wonder why they don't show more than 10 years?) I didn't always contribute the maximum and I know the market has had some pretty big swings during the past 2 decades, but I'm surprised to see that my current portfolio is worth only $56K (peaked at around 63K in July). That seems low compared to the amount I must have invested over the years. Does this sound low to those of you with knowledge in this area? I do realize the question is difficult to answer with any certainty without knowing more about $ amounts and how the funds were invested, but in general, does this seem like it falls within an average range?
Assuming I need to make adjustments here, without knowing a lot about the stock market/IRA investing and with even less time to learn about it in any great depth, are there any suggestions for how I proceed from this point?
Certainly for those of you who are financially minded, my lack of awareness must seem pathetic, but please be kind and take heart- at least I'm looking!!