What To Do with Cash and a 403B Account?

[Dahudze]

Though I'm proud of how well I've educated myself to handle my finances over the past few years (I'm debt-free and my house is paid for) I still consider myself over my head when I read many of the in-depth subjects discussed here. I'm hoping I can get some advice on protecting what assets I have.

I agree with Janszen's idea that market-based investment aren't the best strategy right not. With that in mind I want to divest from my 403B plan (it's only around $15k).

I'm also wondering about the $100k or so my wife and I have in savings. What would you suggest I do with this? I've got gold (though I wish I'd bought more) but I don't want to put too much more into that.

Any advice or feedback is appreciated.

[jpetr48]

Re: What To Do with Cash and a 403B Account?

emerging market bond funds from net energy exporter countries look at local currency income funds if you want to move from dollar and are not too concerned of volatility. Second thing is look at breakout between allocation to foreign corp. and foreign govt.
If you think market is headed higher than allocation weighted more on foreign corp makes sense.

morningstar forums under discuss will give you a flavor for fund types. watch loads if mutual fund.
hope this helps
joe

[phinolerun]

Re: What To Do with Cash and a 403B Account?

I like jpetr48's comment.

Personally, I have been using the I-tulip strategy but slightly modified it. I am about 60% gold, 15% cash and 25% emerging market bond / global bond funds and some miscellaneous investments. Look into:

DLENX - Doubleline Emerging Market Debt (this is the management of the TCW fund, TGEIX that switched in 2010)
TGBAX - Templeton Global Bond fund
PRPFX - Permanent Portfolio - Gold, silver, treasuries, swiss frances, oil/growth stocks
ATOIX - Tax free municipal short duration bond fund

That should give you a good start. Invest in the appropriate share class. My particular situation allows me to buy funds at NAV so be sure you buy the correct share class for your situation if applicable.

What suggestions do other Itulipers have?

[jpetr48]

Re: What To Do with Cash and a 403B Account?

couple of qualifiers since I wrote this on emerging market bond funds
1. long term this is a good play
2. Finster's forecast shows dollar rally over next few months and my relative strength charts for EMLC:SPY shows a top in place- may want to wait a few months if entry important
side note is look at TGWIX- local currency income fund that will do well in dollar decline - they have hedges place for rising rates

[jk]

Re: What To Do with Cash and a 403B Account?

consider energy - a few nominations: cve, bte, su, tlm, erf, pwe, pgh, pvx.
especially consider energy if you use oil to heat your house- you can hedge your energy costs that way.