Time to cut back on 401K contributions, or just let it do whatever?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Time to cut back on 401K contributions, or just let it do whatever? (Page 1 of 3)

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:22:07 PM EDT

My company only gives a 4% match, but I'm putting in 20%.
Right now it is not hurting me, but we've just had a lay off, there are rummers of pay cuts, etc.
I don't make much as far as Arfcom standards (a little over $50K a year), but I am not starving.
Anyway, seeing as how I'm putting in about 2 car payments or 1 house payment a month, it gets frustrating seeing it going down.

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:23:07 PM EDT

[#1]

Fuck the 401k, buy a AMG GT instead

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:23:49 PM EDT

[#2]

Buying less when prices are down doesn't make much sense.

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:24:54 PM EDT

[#3]

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Quoted:
Buying less when prices are down doesn't make much sense.

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Posted: 5/13/2022 11:26:00 PM EDT

[#4]

So don't buy the dip?

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Might I suggest this thread https://www.ar15.com/forums/General/Are-you-poor-/5-2552562/

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:26:00 PM EDT

[#5]

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Buying less when prices are down doesn't make much sense.

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if you have followed OP's other threads. It makes perfect sense.

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:26:19 PM EDT

[#6]

I just increased my contribution. Buy low sell high. Pretty simple concept.

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:26:50 PM EDT

[#7]

Buy high sell low.

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:27:06 PM EDT

[#8]

Now is when you're buying stocks that are on sale. If you can afford it, keep up the pace. You'll appreciate it in the future.
Look up dollar cost averaging. By regularly buying with a consistent amount you're automatically buying more stock at a cheaper price and less at an expensive price.
It will definitely help in the long run.

The advantage to putting as much into the 401k is that you'll accrue capital gains tax free on pre-tax money. It's a win-win for decades of saving.

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:27:47 PM EDT

[#9]

Dollar cost averaging is a thing. If you've got enough time still left in the market, like 10+ years, you can buy stocks and funds on sale right now.

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:27:53 PM EDT

[#10]

Rummers?

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Posted: 5/13/2022 11:28:24 PM EDT

[#11]

You should fell bad when you already bought high.

You should feel good you are buying low now

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:28:37 PM EDT

[#12]

Cash has a quality all its own (especially if you’re unemployed)...

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:29:13 PM EDT

[#13]

If you keep on doing what youre doing, and haven't made some crazy mistakes in your 401k allocations, you will have a very comfortable life ahead.

If you want to accelerate things, increase your income

All of this is predicated on the assumption that you do not carry some sort of foolish debt.

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:29:39 PM EDT

[#14]

Buy all the Sears and Blockbuster stock you can.

Hodl.

Yore welcome.

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:29:51 PM EDT

[#15]

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Quoted:
Buying less when prices are down doesn't make much sense.

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Technically you are doing the opposite of what you need but I’ve seen so many people do the same in your shoes.

I say go for it, pull out at the bottom, wait for the market to get high to get back in.

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:29:51 PM EDT

[#16]

if you have faith that the economy will recover, right now is the time period your money will effect you the most in the future.

opportunities like this dont come along very often.

boomers are institutionalized and think their "financial advisors" create money out of thin air. but really they just have a steadier hand than other emotional people.

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:30:08 PM EDT

[#17]

Shit is on sale OP! Buy

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:30:49 PM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:
if you have faith that the economy will recover, right now is the time period your money will effect you the most in the future.

opportunities like this dont come along very often.

boomers are [/s]instiutionalized and think their "financial advisors" create money out of thin air. but really they just have a steadier hand than other emotional people.

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This.

If you don't, well, I'd like to our your underground bunker.

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:31:14 PM EDT

[#19]

Now is the time to max it out.

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:33:34 PM EDT

[#20]

No one knows, but my guess is we’ve bottomed. My hope rather.
I would ignore it at this point and check it again in 3 years.

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:34:47 PM EDT

[#21]

Yeah OP, stop buying when shit is cheap! Wait to get back in until stocks are expensive again!

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:34:53 PM EDT

[#22]

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No one knows, but my guess is we’ve bottomed. My hope rather.
I would ignore it at this point and check it again in 3 years.

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*laughs in two additional 50 basis point rate hikes*

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:35:19 PM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:
if you have faith that the economy will recover, right now is the time period your money will effect you the most in the future.

opportunities like this dont come along very often.

boomers are institutionalized and think their "financial advisors" create money out of thin air. but really they just have a steadier hand than other emotional people.

View Quote

*affect*

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:36:25 PM EDT

[#24]

Buy bitcoin lol

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:36:59 PM EDT

[#25]

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*affect*

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Posted: 5/13/2022 11:37:47 PM EDT

[#26]

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Buy bitcoin lol

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If you want to preserve your money for your children and grand children then 1000% yes.

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:38:41 PM EDT

[#27]

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Buy bitcoin lol

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Buy muh silver rounds?

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:38:44 PM EDT

[#28]

Do you have like 20 years at least? Just keep dumping into it and check it once a year or forget about it. If the economy crashes were all screwed but if it doesn’t, you’ll be good!

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:38:58 PM EDT

[#29]

Don't make the mistake I did. I stopped investing from 2008 to 2014.

There are ebbs and flows. Just keep paying yourself and ignore it. You'll end up rich.

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:39:13 PM EDT

[#30]

My financial "peeps" just raised a load of cash from selling stuff and looks like they are poised to BUY when things find a bottom.

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:41:35 PM EDT

[#31]

Do exactly what you've been doing.

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:42:49 PM EDT

[#32]

Quote History

Quoted:
Buying less when prices are down doesn't make much sense.

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As others have said-this man is correct.

Now is the time to fill your bags more cheaply.

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:43:33 PM EDT

[#33]

Company match, low stock prices, and a large tax deduction. Now is not the time to stop.

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:44:27 PM EDT

[#34]

I stopped contributing in March. Trying to put the money in savings account, but rather buy stupid shit because I'm bored.

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:46:59 PM EDT

[#35]

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/media/mediaFiles/sharedAlbum/87D543F5-C33B-475C-95CD-45D86133DAC9-476.gif

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Posted: 5/13/2022 11:47:18 PM EDT

[#36]

Quote History

Quoted:
Buying less when prices are down doesn't make much sense.

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I prefer to buy high

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:47:24 PM EDT

[#37]

Quote History

Quoted:
Fuck the 401k, buy a AMG GT instead

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I'm thinking of traveling.

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:48:50 PM EDT

[#38]

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I prefer to buy high

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so do most boomers.

muh savings account

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:51:48 PM EDT

[#39]

I'm putting in 20%.

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:53:02 PM EDT

[#40]

Hindsight from being laid off in the past: The time to find a better job is before that ship sinks. The guys that started looking at the first signs of smoke got the better available jobs before the rest of us were dumped on the market.

Leave the 401k alone.

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:55:09 PM EDT

[#41]

Cut back? Everything is on sale!

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:55:41 PM EDT

[#42]

Quoted:
My company only gives a 4% match, but I'm putting in 20%.
Right now it is not hurting me, but we've just had a lay off, there are rummers of pay cuts, etc.
I don't make much as far as Arfcom standards (a little over $50K a year), but I am not starving.
Anyway, seeing as how I'm putting in about 2 car payments or 1 house payment a month, it gets frustrating seeing it going down.

View Quote

The statement I'm having trouble with is:

You make 50K/year. Check

You invest 20%/10k from that. Check

You are not starving. Check

Unless you living in someone's basement with four roommates how you not living like a hood rat?

Life choices are not on your side financially, and asking to cut back while giving 4% free and buying at bottom dollar is just retarded.

I pray for you.

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Posted: 5/13/2022 11:57:09 PM EDT

[#43]

I heard a rummer that it's good to buy low and sell high.

Posted: 5/13/2022 11:57:10 PM EDT

[#44]

Unless you plan on returning soon you are getting the most for your money buying into the market when it's cheaper.

If you are worried about your job and don't have savings then might be a good idea to pad your savings for a bit especially if you don't think you could find work quickly.

Just depends on your scenario. I always try to have at least a years work of living expenses saved in case I am out of work. I'd have anxiety if I didn't have at least a few months worth of cash on hand

Posted: 5/14/2022 12:13:10 AM EDT

[#45]

Quote History

Quoted:
Buying less when prices are down doesn't make much sense.

View Quote

Posted: 5/14/2022 12:48:49 AM EDT

[#46]

I personally don’t believe we can use history to forecast the future anymore, we are in uncharted waters and awash with normalcy bias…

That said, I’m still buying the dip, because if I am right, none of it will matter one way or the other as we are proper fucked. But if I am wrong, then I made a good financial decision.

I see it literally as 50/50.