Portfolio - May update

So, I have 2 additions from the last Portfolio update from March - VTSMX in my Roth IRA & VWO an ETF

My profile has increased 15K since March; thats 5K per month, pretty good!!

My monthly cash flow

Monthly cash flow

Gross Pay 6500.42
401K 390.02
Taxes 1725.02
Net Pay 3417.00
IRA 500.00
Expenses 2500.00
Remaining 417.00

So, the plan is to invest as much as I can in stocks & ETFs & save aside for India & parents trip

My 401K - X Ray Overview from Morningstar

Losing weight

I finished reading "Total body makeover" by Bob Greeene & I thought it was a great book. I used to be around 20 pounds over weight around 6 months back, but right now I am around 5 pounds over weight. Right now I am around 170 pounds, my ideal weight should be less than 165 pounds. I am aiming for 160 pounds by August 2007.
His steps for losing weight & becoming fit are simple but effective; no fancy diets but good old exercising!

1. Drink lots of water
   I've been doing this since some time now
2. Have a nice & healthy breakfast
   I have a breakfast every day
3. Avoid alcohol
   I drink rarely so this shouldn't be a problem
4. Do cardio 6 days a week (5 days for 30 mins & 1 day for 60 mins)
   Working out 6 days a week, week after week is not a simple task. But I hope to work out at least 4 days a week
5. Do weight training for 3-4 days
   Should do weight training 4 days a week
6. Avoid fatty, unhealthy food
   I tend to eat outside around twice a week but avoid places like McDonald's, so I should be okay. But I need to switch to brown rice

March 2007: My weight = 170 pounds

Portfolio - March update

My portfolio was looking pretty decent before the last week. But after this week's crash; its not looking that good. But thats fine; I'm glad I am not panicking at all. There will be periods of ups & downs in the market; its all a part of the game.
If the market is down the next week too; I might buy some stocks or ETFs since there are so many stocks at a discount.

Scottrade versus Vanguard for my IRA

Well, I still don't have my IRA. I am just thinking if I should open a Vanguard account for that or use my existing Scottrade account.
Suppose I buy a Index fund & put $100 per month; that would mean
Initial cost = $3000 + 100*12 = $4200

Vanguard expenses
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$10 + $10 = $20

Scottrade
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$17 buy + $2 per transaction so that's $17 + 2*12 = $41

Of course if I do 'Systematic reinvestment' not every month but every 3 months; that would lower the expenses since I would have to pay 2*4 = $8 instead of $24. But then I'm keeping that $100 in my bank instead of letting it grow through this index fund.

But if I use Scottrade, I have the advantage of putting Stocks in my IRA & having just 1 investment broker for my IRA & taxable investments (of course I have Fidelity for my 401K)

I think I should not be worrying so much about $41 versus $20 in fees; Scottrade looks like a good option for my IRA. I should do this by end of February

IRA & 401K - is that too much?

I am regularly investing money in my 401K & I plan to continue doing so. I put 6% of my salary in my 401K & my employer matches 50% of that; so that makes it 9% Well, if I continue doing that till I retire, I will end up with close to $1 million. $1M for just 401K is I think pretty good. If I continue being sincere with my 401K, savings & other investments I think I would amass pretty decent money when I retire. I am not being cocky but I think if I (or for that matter any one) is sincere & regular with his investments he should be pretty rich

Now, the question I have is should I invest in Roth IRA. Isn't 401K investment good enough for retirement? Plus, I don't know if I am going to stay in USA for ever. And, if put so much stuff is in my retirement account, I won't have a ot of money to "play with" right now. Is this okay?

Well, these are tough questions to answer. But I think Roth IRA should be a good investment. With Roth, I can withdraw my investment any time without penalty. And If I have to withdraw the amount, I will lose 10%; I think 10% is something I can afford to risk.

After doing plenty of research I have decided to go with Vanguard for my Roth IRA & invest in Index funds. I plan to buy VFINX first. I plan to buy Small Cap Value Index funds, Total International Stock MArket fund & REIT Index fund in the future. Go Vanguard!