[JGarcia]

Investment people will tell you to have a 'diverse portfolio' meaning you should invest in a number of different things. And in the TSP program you will notice there are a number of different funds to invest in. You may choose which percentage of your investment to place in each fund.

For a while, I chose to be diverse and invest equally across most funds. Then I noticed that the 'international fund' or I Fund, consitently and significantly outperformed the others, so now I have a preponderance of my investment in the I Fund.

There is an element of risk in doing this because investments can go up or down, having all of your eggs in one basket can really get you hammered if the fund takes a dive. So beware. Diversify, and watch your money on the table. Place your bets accordingly.

Invest as much as you can afford. You can elect to have special pays and bonuses invested differently than your regular pay. For instance, IIRC say you get a re-enlistment bonus, if you set up your TSP properly 100% of that money will go into whatever fund(s) you chose, thereby avoiding the higher taxes you would normally pay when you receive a bonus. If you simply received the bonus uncle sam will tax the shit out of it - unless - you received the bonus while deployed to a tax free combat zone.