Review Insights · App Store
TSP TIPS
Investry Analytics LLC · 145 ratings · ★ 3.3
3.3
★★★★★
145 ratings
🎯 Build a better version
Top complaints - extracted from 39 negative reviews
Recurring phrases mined from 1-2★ reviews. The bigger the percentage, the more users have the same problem. Fix the top 2-3 in your version and you have product-market fit on day one.
1
"money"
17 negative reviews mention this · 44% of all complaints
★★★★★ "No Notification for Suggested Changes. Extremely disappointed in this service. Have been used to getting email and push notifications when they have new recommendations. I received notifications on Sunday stating no changes recommended. On Tuesday, they made recommended changes …" - Splain2u
2
"better"
10 negative reviews mention this · 26% of all complaints
★★★★★ "All Reviews ARE years old. This product is a scam, buyer beware there is not legitimate advice given. You are better doing 60/40 then having some Chinese app steal your info here." - Stumachu
3
"year"
10 negative reviews mention this · 26% of all complaints
★★★★★ "All Reviews ARE years old. This product is a scam, buyer beware there is not legitimate advice given. You are better doing 60/40 then having some Chinese app steal your info here." - Stumachu
4
"advice"
9 negative reviews mention this · 23% of all complaints
★★★★★ "All Reviews ARE years old. This product is a scam, buyer beware there is not legitimate advice given. You are better doing 60/40 then having some Chinese app steal your info here." - Stumachu
5
"years"
8 negative reviews mention this · 21% of all complaints
★★★★★ "All Reviews ARE years old. This product is a scam, buyer beware there is not legitimate advice given. You are better doing 60/40 then having some Chinese app steal your info here." - Stumachu
6
"funds"
8 negative reviews mention this · 21% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Look at my actual data, do not buy!. I bought this app and followed its recommendations for exactly 1 year (2019). According to my TSP Annual Statement, my account increased by 13.83%. Looking at the standard L funds for 2019; L2030 earned 17.6%, L2040 earned 20.69% and L2050 …" - Shawn024
7
"service"
7 negative reviews mention this · 18% of all complaints
★★★★★ "No Notification for Suggested Changes. Extremely disappointed in this service. Have been used to getting email and push notifications when they have new recommendations. I received notifications on Sunday stating no changes recommended. On Tuesday, they made recommended changes …" - Splain2u
8
"been"
7 negative reviews mention this · 18% of all complaints
★★★★★ "No Notification for Suggested Changes. Extremely disappointed in this service. Have been used to getting email and push notifications when they have new recommendations. I received notifications on Sunday stating no changes recommended. On Tuesday, they made recommended changes …" - Splain2u
9
"recommendations"
7 negative reviews mention this · 18% of all complaints
★★★★★ "No Notification for Suggested Changes. Extremely disappointed in this service. Have been used to getting email and push notifications when they have new recommendations. I received notifications on Sunday stating no changes recommended. On Tuesday, they made recommended changes …" - Splain2u
10
"lost"
7 negative reviews mention this · 18% of all complaints
★★★★★ "No Notification for Suggested Changes. Extremely disappointed in this service. Have been used to getting email and push notifications when they have new recommendations. I received notifications on Sunday stating no changes recommended. On Tuesday, they made recommended changes …" - Splain2u
11
"market"
7 negative reviews mention this · 18% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Late on advice. I have tried this app for several years. Works will when markets are booming. But with volatility the advice is a a week late and has continued to cost me money. They do. good job of explaining where the market went but poor at giving fut…" - Troutman34
12
"tips"
7 negative reviews mention this · 18% of all complaints
★★★★★ "They sneak up on you.. You must keep an eye on your billing cycle because they sneak up on you to re-bill you. Reputable apps advise customers of upcoming charges but not these guys. Yes, I’m sure it’s in the micro-fine print so they zsm ‘gotcha!’ But still, …" - Wehrmont
📋 All 39 negative reviews
Every 1-2★ review we fetched. Use the copy button to grab them all for your own analysis (paste into ChatGPT/Claude with a prompt like "summarize core user problems, group by theme, ignore bugs, focus on missing features").
No Notification for Suggested Changes
Extremely disappointed in this service. Have been used to getting email and push notifications when they have new recommendations. I received notifications on Sunday stating no changes recommended. On Tuesday, they made recommended changes but never notified subscribers. Because I wasn’t aware they suggested changes, I lost A LOT of money over the past 2 days! Save your money; no longer trust this service!
App issue
For the past few weeks, there has been technical issues and unable to submit or report any issues. Does not save the data I input to mirror my tsp balance. Doesn’t show the graph of increase or decrease data on all the timeframe. I have deleted the app twice assuming it will correct the issue and still has not resolved the problem. Hopefully, this will get the issues taken care of.
All Reviews ARE years old
This product is a scam, buyer beware there is not legitimate advice given. You are better doing 60/40 then having some Chinese app steal your info here.
Sell Low
These guys are a day late. The philosophy seems like sell low and buy high.
Not working
I have downloaded this app repeatedly, but it will not open. Just has 3 dots that move back and forth and never opens.
Terrible app - no support
There is no way to contact support. It’ll bill up and email where you can send a response but you can never send it, there’s no option to send. I’ve lost $6000 over the last year and my wife lost $4000 the last year following their “tips”. This app is great I’d you want to lose money. I swear that nobody is actually doing any research or reviewing these comments. I think it is set up to run autonomously with an algorithm that clearly does t work! They renewed me automatically and now I’m trying to get my money back for the year. Like one person said, I’d like to see the results of their “tips” vs the actual returns over the years/months! They won’t provide that because it will should huge loses!
Terrible advice.
Tried the free trial while doing my own thing. They missed the crash, the recovery, and have underperformed other similar services. They are weeks behind in the correct advice and the reasoning behind the moves is not sound. Use another service or try an L fund. Or do what they appear to be doing...blindly throwing darts at a board for advice.
Look at my actual data, do not buy!
I bought this app and followed its recommendations for exactly 1 year (2019). According to my TSP Annual Statement, my account increased by 13.83%. Looking at the standard L funds for 2019; L2030 earned 17.6%, L2040 earned 20.69% and L2050 earned 23.33%. Do not buy the subscription for this app since based the above numbers, you can do significantly better by investing directly in any of the above mentioned L funds.
Not a good service.
I used the service for 1 year. What a mistake. My return I’ve the year was under 8.7%. By comparison the L funds from 2020 to 2050 was 9.38% 17.60%, 20.69% and 23.33%. It seems that with this advice you’ll lose money.
Buy High / Sell Low
I’ve had this app for a couple years now, and I have consistently lost money by following its advice. The times I forget to check the app? Then I make money.
It does the opposite of what it promises and it will gradually charge you more for its failure. Don’t waste your time. Use buy and hold or L Funds.
It does the opposite of what it promises and it will gradually charge you more for its failure. Don’t waste your time. Use buy and hold or L Funds.
Does not beat the market
My PIP as of Dec 2019 17.56% after using tsptips
My friends’ PIP’s who started the same time as me and have everything in the C fund
23.26%
You’re a sucker if you think you can beat the market
My friends’ PIP’s who started the same time as me and have everything in the C fund
23.26%
You’re a sucker if you think you can beat the market
Lost Money! Terrible allocation advice!
Terrible allocation advice! Lost 11% this year! You’re better off leaving it in the G fund! I’m active duty military and my hard earned money (more than $1k) went down the drain! Look elsewhere!
Bad Advice
My TSP LOST 10% the past year using this app’s advice, when everyone else had GAINS. This is my worst loss in 25 years of contributing to this fund. My money is back in the L2030 fund.
Great idea, terrible customer service
I like the idea of the illusion of being able to actively manage your account. That being said, it would be better if I was able to actually see the tips. The account is supposed to be tied to my email address but after renewing for the year, it won’t send me the updated weekly tips and keeps saying that I am Not subscribed. I’ve sent numerous emails requesting assistance. If I ever get resolution I’ll amend my review, but as of now I am disappointed and will be filing a complaint with my credit card to get a refund. Don’t waste your money on poor customer service.
Horrible returns!!
Since this app launched here are the annual returns that it has given you: 2014=0.45%, 2015=(-3.90%), 2016=5.67%, 2017=10.57%, 2018=(-2.37)% for a total cumulative return of 10.42%. If you would have bought and held C fund for those same 5 years you would have seen a total cumulative return of +44.66%. In my opinion this app is junk, you would be much better off buying and holding. DON’T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS SCAM.
SCAM
Justin and Roy with TSPTips fail to show any quality effort in providing frequent advice yet continue to collect thousands of dollars from subscribers that use their ‘service’. Please look elsewhere for tips/recommendations such as TSPCalc.com!! It is free and many strategies (such as 57171 and 66635) have a consistent 30% average rate of return on your investment!
Terrible
I’ve been using this app for a year and following their recommendations. My 12 rate of return via the TSP site is .95%.
Total joke. They only put out guidance over the weekend which is based on the previous weeks market actions. With the way the market fluctuates up and down from one week to the next their recommendations are the exact opposite of what you should do.
If you want to learn how to buy high and sell low only to buy back in even higher this is the app to follow.
Total joke. They only put out guidance over the weekend which is based on the previous weeks market actions. With the way the market fluctuates up and down from one week to the next their recommendations are the exact opposite of what you should do.
If you want to learn how to buy high and sell low only to buy back in even higher this is the app to follow.
I’m Done
Added this app 3 years ago to give a good test of value. After 3 years of actual data, comparing to my wife’s lazy hold-and-buy practices I’ve found that her method provides better returns.
App has DOUBLED in price in that period of time. It has NOT changed, improved, or doubled in value. To me this latest price increase of $20 more is simply price gauging. They just want more of your/my money with no plan to provide you more for it.
App has DOUBLED in price in that period of time. It has NOT changed, improved, or doubled in value. To me this latest price increase of $20 more is simply price gauging. They just want more of your/my money with no plan to provide you more for it.
Stop please
Hello.
I’ve been trying to reach this company for the pass week or so. Sending out a couple of emails explaining that I do not want to use this app anymore and to also please stop charging me. I went so far to even freeze my account. No one has reached back to me and I’m trying to handle this on the lowest level possible. Can someone please contact me back.
Thank you
I’ve been trying to reach this company for the pass week or so. Sending out a couple of emails explaining that I do not want to use this app anymore and to also please stop charging me. I went so far to even freeze my account. No one has reached back to me and I’m trying to handle this on the lowest level possible. Can someone please contact me back.
Thank you
Don’t fall for it
This is basically an attempt to get you signed up for the monthly exorbitant subscription. The monthly subscription $6 might not sound much to you but it really adds up multiplying that by 12. It’s not worth it because their predictions or projections have been below par, it’s laughable. I will not recommend them look else where for a lower fee and better results.
Be smart...buy and hold.
It's better than leaving your money in G, but that said I found I get way better results being a Buy and Hold investor. You can't constantly time the market....you’ll hit the same as you miss. Stick with your stocks and you'll make money (buy and hold). I’ve tracked my B&H approach for 2 years against these recommendations and average 18% more than this app. Do your research and buy and hold on index funds.
Reset password
I forgot my password and every time I click “forgot password” it kicks me out of the app and won’t let me in. Find this extremely useless
Baloney!!!
Just read the post by AlasCat posted Dec 20th 2017.
Why do you think there are LifeCycle funds??
Why do you think there are LifeCycle funds??
What a bunch of baloney!
This app is nothing more than a means to get you to sign up for their monthly fees. Don't be fooled. And when they claimed that they made money in 2008 when the economy tanked, let's see some proof. Was this service even in business then?
And then there's the reviews. Several different (4&5 star) reviews mention the "nominal" fees. Odd word to have pop up in several different reviews. Sound suspicious to you? Me too.
If you don't know enough about timing the markets to shift your investments around, what makes you think that these guys know any more? Because of their undocumented claims and some ginned up reviews on their app? Put your money in the lifecycle funds and go about your life. That's what they're there for.
And then there's the reviews. Several different (4&5 star) reviews mention the "nominal" fees. Odd word to have pop up in several different reviews. Sound suspicious to you? Me too.
If you don't know enough about timing the markets to shift your investments around, what makes you think that these guys know any more? Because of their undocumented claims and some ginned up reviews on their app? Put your money in the lifecycle funds and go about your life. That's what they're there for.
Waste of money
The data they provide is literally available all over the Internet for free. Even the TSP website offers education. Educate yourself on your money and future, don’t pay someone else to do the thinking for you.
Not worth paying for.
Not worth paying for.
Updates?
No updates since Dec 10, 2016.
What's going on??
What's going on??
Why
These guys are not delivering what they are advertising. Biweekly recommendations? Last one was 10 dec...its 2 feb! Well at least you get a 30 day trial...well not really as you are siphoned into buying a subscription instead. Not measuring up at the moment.
Update bugs
What gives with update. Keeps shutting down right after opening.
Lost bunch of money
Lost lot of money. I subscribed unnecessarily. Later realized
Marginally useful at best
I'm writing this review after the major stock market losses as a result of the U.K. Brexit vote. I signed up for the monthly membership expecting to receive some guidance on properly allocating my tsp. What I received was almost little to no guidance. There was no guidance updates whatsoever regarding allocation; especially before, during, and after this particularly volatile time. No news either. Definitely will not renew the paid subscription service when it expires.
Late on advice
I have tried this app for several years. Works will when markets are booming. But with volatility the advice is a a week late and has continued to cost me money. They do. good job of explaining where the market went but poor at giving future predictions. Also it’s a one size fits all approach, wish they would consider telling tsp investors advice based on where you are in your career.
They sneak up on you.
You must keep an eye on your billing cycle because they sneak up on you to re-bill you.
Reputable apps advise customers of upcoming charges but not these guys.
Yes, I’m sure it’s in the micro-fine print so they zsm ‘gotcha!’ But still, be a good player and remind people of upcoming charges.
Also, the TSP tips are lethargic at best.
I moved my TSP investments to the stable G find way back in February before the pandemic took hold, meanwhile these guys were asleep at the wheel and had I not been vigilant, I would have lost 40% of my retirement TSP investment.
Reputable apps advise customers of upcoming charges but not these guys.
Yes, I’m sure it’s in the micro-fine print so they zsm ‘gotcha!’ But still, be a good player and remind people of upcoming charges.
Also, the TSP tips are lethargic at best.
I moved my TSP investments to the stable G find way back in February before the pandemic took hold, meanwhile these guys were asleep at the wheel and had I not been vigilant, I would have lost 40% of my retirement TSP investment.
Better Off in a Lifecycle Fund on the TSP site
After completing my three month trial and one year subscription, I will not be coming back. My coworkers are getting double digit returns for the last year and TSP tips was about 4%. Not worth the money or hassle if you miss the trading date. You’re better off using one of the free TSP Lifecycle funds that matches your risk level. It’s free and they’ll do all the work.
Annual fee went up $25
Annual fee was $35.99 and now 59.99. So that’s terrible, but tips still work...
Solid App, tip not so much
I have been following the tips for over a year. There was some gain prior to the year 2018. However, a loss according to my TSP 4th quarter statement which shows a personal rate of return of-0.99%. Not impressed.
Buy and hold Wins
I stopped following there advice for two reasons. Their policy of only making changes Monday morning is often too late. Maybe because they do there number crunching on Saturday? Regardless of the market going up or down they always are about a week or two late to the party. I think you are better off with a buy and hold plan or follow the tsptalk website for very good free advice. Most important, maximize your contributions, you can’t afford not to:)
Active participation
I've put money into the various accounts without much thought on how my money was being managed. I looked at my account last fall, after listening to a radio personality discussing the in and outs of the funds with a guest caller. I decided I needed to pay more attention and found this app. I spend more money at my kids football games than I paid for this, so why not. Ive gone from 7% safe growth to just over 13% since October. I know the market is booming now, so time will tell. The app provides a means of tracking, that's all. They send you the emails for any recommendations. I wish it would have a notification for a new recommendation. It works...
Aug ‘18 update: I was happy with the app until a recent update. I have an iPhone SE (smaller screen), when updating my balance, the sections to enter my percentages in show “What percentage in ...”. This is completely useless as it asks for a number only. Someone didn’t test this on a smaller device, it’s a mandatory field, so I end up entering 100 in the first row to continue.
As for the services they provide, I ran 23% up until Twitter January, now I’m seeing a 8.3% this year. I’m overall happy with my investments.
Aug ‘18 update: I was happy with the app until a recent update. I have an iPhone SE (smaller screen), when updating my balance, the sections to enter my percentages in show “What percentage in ...”. This is completely useless as it asks for a number only. Someone didn’t test this on a smaller device, it’s a mandatory field, so I end up entering 100 in the first row to continue.
As for the services they provide, I ran 23% up until Twitter January, now I’m seeing a 8.3% this year. I’m overall happy with my investments.
What's the deal
This app is nice to have just got it so can't really say much as to how well it works.
One issue I have is the graph so if I tap say the F fund on the pie chart it will highlight the G fund to right rather than the F fund. This concerns me. Am I allocating my money into the proper fund? Which one is right? The fact that you pay for this app and use it to invest a significant amount of money for your future and it has a issue like that I'm not sure how much I trust it.
One issue I have is the graph so if I tap say the F fund on the pie chart it will highlight the G fund to right rather than the F fund. This concerns me. Am I allocating my money into the proper fund? Which one is right? The fact that you pay for this app and use it to invest a significant amount of money for your future and it has a issue like that I'm not sure how much I trust it.
Sentiment summary
56%
Positive (4-5★)
8%
Neutral (3★)
36%
Negative (1-2★)