[Belle]

I feel a bit embarrassed to ask this, but here goes:
Getting ready to file my taxes and my accountant just told me that, for 2024, I can contribute a maximum of $30k to my SEP, which is VOO and FIOFX.

I came from a really volatile and poor upbringing so I tend to freeze up around money. As an example, I have $67,611.62 in the SEP container but in CASH b/c I freeze up.

I know I have to make this decision on my own–and I will ,but if you were me, can you take a swing at these 4 questions:
Would you dump the $30k in all at once or would you pace it out

Would you take the $67k and, in one lump sum, move it to FIOFX and VOO

Also, would you divide evenly between VSTAX and VOO?
If you would pace it out, how would YOU do it?

For example, would you do $5000/week until you hit $97k.

Would you do chunks of $5k every week for 20 weeks, etc, etc?

[Frank]

It looks like you are a long ways from retirement. Assuming that’s true, Put it all in.

Dump FIOFX and replace with another stock index fund.

VTSAX and VOO are so similar there is no point in holding both. And you should never buy VTSAX at Fidelity — use VTI.

[Cris]

I’m going to give you a different real life example that I went through.

I had 40K in student loan debt and I wasn’t sure how I wanted to pay it off because my pause was mental, not mathematical, just like your case.

I put 10K towards it, waited a week and reflected how I thought about that. Then I put another 10K towards it and I felt empowered. The next month I paid it all off.

So lean into your mental pause. Invest a chunk that you feel comfortable with.

Give yourself some time to see how you feel then make another decision.

[Rick]

$5k per X day at Y time is how you avoid freezing up. $5k a week is not specific enough.

Do that and I am sure you will be happy with your plan and may even be sad when the last of the cash is invested.

I felt that way when doing a plan like that in the past.

I would personally do it as $10k but either amount will be fine.

[Sean]

1. Lump sum. Make sure that is the amount you can contribute based on your income.

And assuming you are self employed perhaps consider a solo 401k going forward instead, as that’s usually better in almost all scenarios.

2. I think you should lump sum. I think target date funds are fine but it’s not my preference.

I think voo is great.

3. No those to funds are way too similar I wouldn’t split between the two, choose one.

[Mia]

I also come from a financially unstable background so I check everything a million times before I decide.

I wonder if some number crunching on what it would have earned would help.

How long have you had the cash sitting in SEP unallocated?

[Lori]

Put it all in at once. Tomorrow. Total stock market index and don’t touch it. Don’t even open the statements.

Don’t ever touch it until you retire.

[Blair]

Suggestion to buy VT for international diversification. You only need one equity ETF. And statistically, investing as soon as you have the money is best (lump sum).

But if that’s too hard, it’s okay to invest it over the course of a few weeks or months.

Just set a deadline to have it all invest by, and sooner is generally better.

[Manu]

There are a few important factors to consider here. If you’re referring to a SEP IRA and this money is intended for your retirement and especially if you’re still many years away from retirement then a straightforward, long-term strategy is often the most effective.

In that case, allocating the entire amount to a broad-market, low-cost index fund such as VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) or VTSAX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund) could be a good approach.

These funds are well-diversified, historically stable, and designed for long-term growth, making them ideal for retirement portfolios.

Since you mentioned FIOFX, it suggests you’re possibly at least 20 years away from retirement.

If I were in your position, I’d consider investing the full amount at once (lump sum) into either VOO or VTSAX and then letting it sit and grow over time without trying to time the market or over-engineer the portfolio.

However, if this money is not earmarked for retirement, the strategy would shift.

In that case, it’s important to clarify your investment goals: are you aiming for short-term gains, capital preservation, or medium- to long-term growth?

Your risk tolerance and time horizon will help determine which ETFs are most appropriate.

[Author]

Posts