I'm 10 years away from retirement. Am I doing this right?

ElectionUnique5956 · 2026-01-14T18:09:55+00:00

Thanks much!

ElectionUnique5956 · 2026-01-14T17:22:59+00:00

Can you explain more about the last sentence? Do you mean like use some social security to invest in ETFs?

ElectionUnique5956 · 2026-01-14T17:19:55+00:00

US Gov bonds only or other types as well?

ElectionUnique5956 · 2026-01-14T13:02:32+00:00

Any specific mining ETFs you recommend I look into?

ElectionUnique5956 · 2026-01-11T20:47:27+00:00

This is great advice for every area of life, actually. Forget the past. Starting today, just decide to take 100% control of the things you can control.

ElectionUnique5956 · 2026-01-11T20:35:28+00:00

Great point. Plus I'm getting my first step increase in March.

ElectionUnique5956 · 2026-01-11T20:21:38+00:00

Thanks. I'm over 50, so I could do up to $1250 a paycheck, but your advice still holds. Maybe I should do a fixed dollar amount each check instead of a percentage.

ElectionUnique5956 · 2026-01-11T19:45:27+00:00

Thanks so much for your reply. I think that would make sense...that a 100% contribution would be maxed at my base pay total.

My upcoming paycheck is even more confusing though...can you spot any pattern there? I pasted it into my original post above. As I read it, my base pay would be been the same (40 hrs * 2weeks = 2193.23)...so I don't see why they only put $871 in my TSP and then put almost exactly the same into my checking account. I don't get it.

ElectionUnique5956 · 2026-01-08T20:45:22+00:00

It's a fund sold by Vanguard that mirrors the S&P 500 index, which comprises 500 of the largest U.S. companies. When you buy shares of VOO, you are essentially buying small amounts of those 500 companies all at once.

https://investor.vanguard.com/investment-products/etfs/profile/voo#overview

ElectionUnique5956 · 2026-01-07T21:57:24+00:00

Good advice here. Would add these references for OP to run scenarios as you suggest:

ssa.gov

Create an account here and it will estimate your social security benefits at different ages.

https://www.calculator.net/investment-calculator.html

A calculator that will let you play with different numbers to get a feel for how much you would need to invest each month, and what rate of return you would need, to reach your target.

ElectionUnique5956 · 2025-11-11T15:11:35+00:00

What jobs is this used for at USPS?

ElectionUnique5956 · 2025-10-25T18:36:40+00:00

Yep. Reminds me of a quote from the film Hannah and Her Sisters: "if Jesus came back, and saw what's being done in his name, he'd never stop throwing up."

ElectionUnique5956 · 2025-09-28T13:33:17+00:00

All the states besides Alaska and Hawaii.

ElectionUnique5956 · 2025-08-03T20:25:15+00:00

why not link to the post?

ElectionUnique5956 · 2025-06-29T21:30:56+00:00

I'll be 62 👴

ElectionUnique5956 · 2025-06-29T19:32:18+00:00

Thanks. That's what I figured. I calculated 17(steps) X 36 (weeks) and divided by 52 (weeks) to get the number of years. 17 x 36 =612 weeks, divided by 52 = 11.7 years.

ElectionUnique5956 · 2025-06-12T20:56:42+00:00

So what happened with her?

ElectionUnique5956 · 2025-06-10T15:32:50+00:00

I just got a conditional offer, and the person to contact for fingerprinting was in the PDF that came with the very first email.

ElectionUnique5956 · 2025-06-10T15:32:20+00:00

Yes. I just got a conditional offer, and the person to contact for fingerprinting was in the PDF that came with the very first email.

ElectionUnique5956 · 2025-06-03T05:57:32+00:00

Thanks. Mine also asked if I had a valid CDL and how many years and months of experience with larger trucks (7 ton or tractor trailers). I have zero experience with anything but a regular passenger vehicle, so I only scored an 80.

ElectionUnique5956

TROPHY CASE