Author Topic: Frontloading 401k  (Read 1585 times)

icyappraiser

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 62
Frontloading 401k
« on: February 14, 2019, 08:11:42 AM »
This may have been discussed before but I can't get the search function to work properly on this forum...

I plan to max out $19k into my 401k this year and am considering frontloading it with my bonus I will be getting at the end of this month. I plan to contribute 4% throughout the year to not miss out on any of my company match, but would fill in the rest from my bonus.

All else being equal, it seems like this is a good idea mathematically, since the market goes up and to the right so I want to be in it sooner.

Accurate or am I missing something?

Thanks for your thoughts :)

watchitgrow

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 9
Re: Frontloading 401k
« Reply #1 on: February 14, 2019, 09:28:23 AM »
Yes, I recommend bookmarking this link https://www.google.com/search?q=site:http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/+front+loading&spell=1&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjq5qSlzrvgAhVYIDQIHRf6AdoQBQgrKAA&cshid=1550160625662166&biw=1920&bih=978 and modifying the search critera when as needed.

I'm always hearing "It's time in the market not timing the market." so that sounds pretty accurate to me. Some may argue that we are at near all time highs and that you could regret that decision if there is a large drop in the market. But have you seen the top is in thread?

terran

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3796
Re: Frontloading 401k
« Reply #2 on: February 16, 2019, 06:28:49 AM »
Yes, it's a good idea: https://www.madfientist.com/front-loading/

You seem to have the caveats covered: make sure you'll get the full match and front-load from new money, not by saving throughout the year so you can front load at the beginning of the year as that would result in keeping money out of the market until the new year.

thesis

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 407
Re: Frontloading 401k
« Reply #3 on: February 21, 2019, 02:19:23 PM »
Funny enough, I finished front-loading my 2018 401k last fall, right before the big dip. It kinda made me sad to see, and it's ever so close to full recovery now, but I still wouldn't say it was the wrong thing to do, especially since nobody knows the future. What is cool is the fact that I maxed out my 401k last year, and that means a lot more to me than timing the market. I handled it well and I feel that is good proof that I'm doing things right :). Any day now it could be higher again. I'm not worried about it, my savings rate is doing all the heavy lifting anyway

soccerluvof4

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7161
  • Location: Artic Midwest
  • Retired at 50
    • My Journal
Re: Frontloading 401k
« Reply #4 on: February 21, 2019, 02:44:49 PM »
I can only say that before I fire'd for the very reasons you mentioned that was my train of thought and practice before I read or came across all these blogs.