Bogleheads.org

So if using past performance to predict future returns is a bad idea, then how do you, and why does Vanguard show you past performance? Isn't that how people make decisions in picking funds or at least part of the decision making process?

So is there an advantage to holding some international shares in a portfolio as to not?

So then is it better to fund a tax (advantaged account (Roth IRA) with individual funds (total stock market, total international stock, total bond) or is it better to go with a Life Strategy or balanced all-in one type account? I'm looking for 60/40 asset allocation.

Both funds offer a 60%/40% allocation Stock/Bonds, the difference being VSMGX (Vanguard Life Strategy Medium Growth) holds international shares whereas, the Balanced Index fund does not. But the Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares seems to outperform the Life Strategy fund, and it's operatin...

The hardest time when investing, is the first move, in my case when picking a fund or funds and pushing the button to execute the purchase or sale. I hem and haw over it literally for weeks, and watch the stock market pitch and yaw.. with full knowledge that in the long run, it is still completely ...

Here's what I would do in your shoes. 1. Open Roth IRAs at Vanguard for both you and husband. Contribute $10K for 2012 and $11K for 2013. Purchase Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund (VASGX) - 80/20 Stock/Bond allocation. https://personal.vanguard.com/us/funds/snapshot?FundId=0122&FundIntExt=INT#...

Since we don't know how much of the taxable account will be invested, it is not possible to give you specific suggestions. However, something like what hoppy posted above is what I would suggest as well - fill the TSP and IRA(s) with bonds, hold the stocks in taxable, add muni's to taxable if neede...

I understand all the responses and they give me food for thought.
EF is about 50K
Hubby isn't a building contractor. He's a defense contractor.
There is a reason we're looking at investments separately, for now. I want to get the ball rolling in my corner now, and then he will follow.

hoppy08520 Forgetting about this account-centric thinking is hard to do at first because you ask yourself, "Why would I be 100% in bonds in my IRA?!" or "Why would I put 100% of my 401(k) in just a US stock fund!?! What if the market goes down??" You can't think that way. You ne...

Thanks for the replies. Twins Fan: I know what you mean. I see and don't see my concerns also. Maybe this is how I got myself in this situation in the first place (being cash heavy). I'm not sure how much income we would need until we found work again. My fear would be that we wouldn't find work aga...

Thank you all for your responses! I hope I can address the holes in my initial post. Twins Fan and hoppy 08520: The 300K is solely my savings and separate from emergency funds. We are hesitant to pay cash for the home, (although it has crossed my mind) mainly because we're not sure of our job stabil...

First off, I would like to say what a wonderfully knowledgeable group of people you bogleheads are! I’ve been lurking around the forum and feel not only is there a wealth of information, but that the people who respond are genuine and have a real love and respect for investing and making financially...