investing with USAA

[ben]

Does anyone have experience with USAA's investment programs? I'd like to put some money away in the next couple of months, maybe start an IRA. I bank with USAA and know they offer several levels of investment planning, but the help comes with a hefty pricetag. Advice/comments? What about their different investment funds? Also - anyone got some insight on TSP?

Thanks in advance.

 

[asise]

InveStart program

For general investments, USAA has an InveStart program which lets you make regular monthly payments into some fund, and then USAA waives the Minimum Initial Investment. I like it as I don't have several thousand to just throw around at the moment.
As for IRAs, I do mine through Datek, but that was because I set it up before I really looked into investing with USAA. Overall I have been pleased with them for investing, banking, insurance, etc... always very helpful. You should call them and ask about this program, I'm sure they will set you up with no problem.
-Adam

 

[stevew]

I only have the best things to say about USAA. I use them for everything. Banking, Insurance and even a little bit of investing. Right now I'm not to heavy on the investing because I got burned pretty badly (with another company) when the markets took a hit. But if you are going to invest USAA is the way to go. As asise said, the Investart program looks nice. I currently have my money in a money market mutual fund with them. Aside from my checking and savings account.

 

[asise]

I think the monthly payments range from $20 to $50 - which is a lot easier than putting down $3,000 or even $10,000 as a minimum initial investment.
I think you only get to choose from USAA funds, however, but they have money so far.
Yeah, USAA is great. I'm even thinking about switching my IRA over to them. They are always very helpful and they're web service makes things easy.

 

[Rainman]

I'll give a USAA endorsement. Also have lots of crap through them. They were perfect until I had a sour experience with a totalled vehicle. . but I think that was just a single baffoon. . .I have a ROTH through them. .everything I need is on their website. . great insurance pricing (especially for my rice burner cycle). Every time I call I get knowledgeable people on the line. ..good organization. Good low-load funds.

So back to the advice column . . would recommend a ROTH IRA for max allowable per year through USAA . . (quick easy painless. .good performance) OR Vanguarad, Fidelity, Janus. .another larger company. . .

my $0.02

 

[ben]

Thanks. I know that Roth is definitely the way to go. I seriously doubt that I'll have enough spare time to track the market myself... so it's either a managed mutual fund or an index. I'm glad to hear that USAA has served all of you well.

Rainman - be careful on that bike. I used to ride, but had an accident (girl didn't see me, bad deal) that totally changed my perspective on motorcycling. You can email me if you want the details, but I'll say that it was without a doubt the most painful experience that I have ever gone through. I got a second chance at life and don't really want to risk my Navy career and everything else on a nice ride through the twisties. It's fun, but so is breathing.