I am am 27, 1st time investor. Want to invest in company's deferred comp program. Where should I invest?

I have about $200K in debt including mortage and student loans. I want to have a nice retirement nest egg for myself and my wife and family, no kids yet. So far I have done some research and am looking to invest in the following mutual fund categories: 5% in bonds, 15% balanced, 27% Equity Large Cap, 27% Mid Cap Growth, 21% Small Cap Growth and Blend, and 10% International. I am looking for moderate returns, approximately 10% return, the higher the better, and am willing to take modrate risk. Should I change my percentages or look into an alternative investment option outside of my company's plan? Any other solutions to appropriatley handle my money for both short term and long term positive returns?

At age 27, you can afford to reduce the amount you put into bonds and "balanced" and invest that in Growth opportunities.

Think about it, bonds will grow at 3-5% until you retire more than 30 years from now; stocks may return 20% one year and minus 10% the next, but over a thirty year period they will return an average of 10-12% a year.

If your boss came to you tomorrow, and said "either I have to give everyone a 10% paycut, or lay you all off", most likely you would find a way to live on 10% less rather than have everyone lose their jobs; so give yourself that paycut! Your deferred comp percentage should only be up to the company match until you pay off your loans, though. Debt always grows faster than investments, and it's no good having a million in savings if you retire with nine-hundred-thousand in unpaid debts!

Good luck!

Just get it going, dude. You can work the numbers until the cows come home, but if you want to start earning money you have to start socking it away. You sound like you are on the verge of suffering a paralysis from analysis.

Take advantage of any company matching plans, then do an IRA. Good luck.

I would pay off some of your non-mortgage debt, especially if you have credit card balances. This is a much better return on investment than any of the mutual fund options you have.

Think of it this way: if you have a credit card that charges you 15% interest and a balance of $1000, the annual interest payment is $150. However, if you are paying 30% income taxes, you'd have to earn $214 pre-tax to pay the interest on the 15% loan. Therefore, the pre-tax rate on this credit card is 21%!.

Paying off expensive debt is a much better return on investment than any of the mutual funds you are considering. Think of it as a sure 21% vs 10% return on stocks even in an optimistic case.

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