Hi, Long time lurker, first time caller. Totally on board with the Boglehead philosophy but not sure I know exactly what I’m doing.
Seeking advice on married couple’s combined investment portfolio etc.--
Fixed income 25%
International 20%
Large cap 26%,
Mid cap 3%
Small cap 8%
Real estate (REIT) 10%
Emerging markets 8%
Specifically, seeking input on whether these truly random picks we’ve been sticking with are any good or if anything needs to change. Concerned about overlap/duplication as well as haven’t seen the breakdown within funds. No idea about tax efficiency. Should’ve asked this question a decade ago!
Hers:
Schwab Fundamental US Large Company Index Fund SFLNX (e/r 0.250%),
Schwab US REIT ETF SCHH (e/r 0.070),
Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF SCHE (e/r 0.110%),
Schwab International Index SWISX (e/r 0.060%),
Schwab Fdmtl Emerg Mkts Lg Co Index SFENX (e/r 0.390%), and
Schwab US Aggregate Bond Index SWAGX (e/r 0.040%)
TSP Government Securities or G-Fund
His:
Vanguard
Fidelity® 500 Index FXAIX (e/r 0.015%),
Vanguard Total Intl Stock Index I VTSNX (e/r 0.080%)
Vanguard 500 Index Admiral VFIAX (e/r 0.040),
Vanguard Real Estate Index Admiral VGSLX (e/r 0.120%),
Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Adm VBTLX (e/r 0.050%),
Vanguard Emerging Mkts Stock Idx Adm VEMAX (e/r 0.140%),
Vanguard Small Cap Index Adm VSMAX (e/r 0.050%), and
Vanguard Total Intl Stock Index Admiral VTIAX (e/r 0.110%)
Other than rebalancing every quarter, we don’t do much (no idea how funds are performing other than taking stock annually of the total net worth).
Uneasy about the high fees associated with the energing market and international funds and not much growth but have stayed the course (because of the advice just sit there, don’t do anything)
Net worth: A couple million (haven’t checked this year!)
401k, Backdoor Roth and HSA maxed.
We have umbrella insurance. Term life probably not recommended? Work provides diability insurance.
We have a trust for our 2 kids in public elementary school, No 529 (intentional for flexibility, open to international college education)
Mid-40s couple.
HHI ~500k her’s 160k-fed (who knows about tomorrow/health)
1 pension (why count on it, though)
Husband offered stock options but not acting on it to maintain diversification?
Living in a HCOL area (DC metro), small mortgage for now $3000.
Decent risk tolerance in that we just stay the course.
Also, sometimes wonder if investing in index funds has gone mainstream then should we be doing something slightly different/more? Probably don’t have enough actual real estate which is supposedly one way to get ahead(debatable). Stretch example: buy and hold condo in NYC!
When should we start Roth IRA for the kids (8 and 5 years old now)?
Thank you so much in advance for your time and insight!
Seeking advice on portfolio and funds
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- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sat Sep 16, 2023 9:25 am
Seeking advice on portfolio and funds
Last edited by futureperfect on Sun Sep 17, 2023 2:10 pm, edited 8 times in total.
Re: Seeking advice on portfolio and funds
OP welcome to the forum!
Let me get you started with the Wiki, in particular the section on:
Tax Efficient Placement: https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Tax-eff ... placement ;
Three-Fund Portfolio https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Three-fund_portfolio
and Bogleheads investment philosophy https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Boglehe ... ilosophy
That should get you started and please come back with specific questions.
Let me get you started with the Wiki, in particular the section on:
Tax Efficient Placement: https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Tax-eff ... placement ;
Three-Fund Portfolio https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Three-fund_portfolio
and Bogleheads investment philosophy https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Boglehe ... ilosophy
That should get you started and please come back with specific questions.
Bogleheads Wiki: https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Main_Page
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- Posts: 2509
- Joined: Mon Jan 22, 2018 2:55 am
Re: Seeking advice on portfolio and funds
Really should use the template and write out the full names of your funds to get the best advice. I only recognize around a third of them. Knowing nothing else, I’d say you have too many funds.
- ruralavalon
- Posts: 25450
- Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2008 9:29 am
- Location: Illinois
Re: Seeking advice on portfolio and funds
Welcome to the forum
.
Please add this information in this format: Asking Portfolio Questions.
Please simply add this to your original post using the edit button the pencil icon near the upper right corner of your post), it helps a lot all if your information is in one place.

Your information is incomplete, more data is necessary to answer.futureperfect wrote: ↑Sat Sep 16, 2023 12:44 pm Hi, Long time lurker, first time caller. Totally on board with the Boglehead philosophy but not sure I know exactly what I’m doing.
Seeking advice on investment portfolio-
Fixed income 25%
International 20%
Large cap 26%,
Mid cap 3%
Small cap 8%
Real estate (REIT) 10%
Emerging markets 8%
Specifically, seeking input on whether these random picks we’ve been sticking with are any good or if anything needs to change:
Schwab SFLNX, SCHH, SCHE, SWISX, SFENX, SWAGX
Vanguard FXAIX, VTSNX, VFIAX, VGSLX, VBTLX, VEMAX, VSMAX, VTIAX
TSP G fund
Other than rebalancing every quarter, we don’t do much.
Net worth: A couple million.
401k, Backdoor Roth and HSA maxed.
2 kids in public elementary school, No 529 (intentional)
Mid-40s couple.
HHI ~500k (who knows about tomorrow)
1 pension (not counting on it, though)
Living in a HCOL area DC metro, small mortgage for now $3000.
Thank you for your time and insight!
Please add this information in this format: Asking Portfolio Questions.
Please simply add this to your original post using the edit button the pencil icon near the upper right corner of your post), it helps a lot all if your information is in one place.
"Everything should be as simple as it is, but not simpler." - Albert Einstein |
Wiki article link: Bogleheads® investment philosophy
Re: Seeking advice on portfolio and funds
Whatever else comes from considering the references above regarding asset allocation, tax efficiency, and fund selection it is almost impossible that you need that many funds. To be more explicit I would head for the three fund concept and start there. Keep in mind that funds such as a total stock market fund include all the size classes and all the value classes at once. Real estate funds and emerging market funds are possible additions but are not necessary and may not even be helpful.
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- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sat Sep 16, 2023 9:25 am
Re: Seeking advice on portfolio and funds
Appreciate the initial feedback about simplification. Have edited to add additional information.
- ruralavalon
- Posts: 25450
- Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2008 9:29 am
- Location: Illinois
Re: Seeking advice on portfolio and funds
It's very important to use the Asking Portfolio Questions format showing each account, and the funds held in each account, their percentage of the overall portfolio, and the funds offered in the each of the 401k plans.
Otherwise we cannot tell if you are using the best available funds, how best to reduce overlap, and how to achieve good tax efficiency.
Are you doing a Roth IRA for each of you?
It is important to make maximum use of all available tax-advantaged accounts.
Do you each have disability income insurance?
Index investing is mainstream. That is no reason to do more than invest in index funds.
In my opinion investing in a REIT index fund is probably preferable to buying a condo you don't need for a place to live.
Otherwise we cannot tell if you are using the best available funds, how best to reduce overlap, and how to achieve good tax efficiency.
You could reduce your allocation to international stocks (currently 37% of stocks), to perhaps 20% of stocks. You might drop the higher cost Schwab Fdmtl Emerg Mkts Lg Co Idx (SFENX) ER 0.39%.futureperfect wrote: ↑Sat Sep 16, 2023 12:44 pm Hi, Long time lurker, first time caller. Totally on board with the Boglehead philosophy but not sure I know exactly what I’m doing.
Seeking advice on married couple’s combined investment portfolio etc.--
Fixed income 25%
International 20%
Large cap 26%,
Mid cap 3%
Small cap 8%
Real estate (REIT) 10%
Emerging markets 8%
Specifically, seeking input on whether these truly random picks we’ve been sticking with are any good or if anything needs to change. Concerned about overlap/duplication as well as haven’t seen the breakdown within funds. No idea about tax efficiency. Should’ve asked this question a decade ago!
Hers:
Schwab Fundamental US Large Company Index Fund SFLNX (e/r 0.250%),
Schwab US REIT ETF SCHH (e/r 0.070),
Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF SCHE (e/r 0.110%),
Schwab International Index SWISX (e/r 0.060%),
Schwab Fdmtl Emerg Mkts Lg Co Index SFENX (e/r 0.390%), and
Schwab US Aggregate Bond Index SWAGX (e/r 0.040%)
TSP Government Securities or G-Fund
His:
Vanguard
Fidelity® 500 Index FXAIX (e/r 0.015%),
Vanguard Total Intl Stock Index I VTSNX (e/r 0.080%)
Vanguard 500 Index Admiral VFIAX (e/r 0.040),
Vanguard Real Estate Index Admiral VGSLX (e/r 0.120%),
Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Adm VBTLX (e/r 0.050%),
Vanguard Emerging Mkts Stock Idx Adm VEMAX (e/r 0.140%),
Vanguard Small Cap Index Adm VSMAX (e/r 0.050%), and
Vanguard Total Intl Stock Index Admiral VTIAX (e/r 0.110%)
Other than rebalancing every quarter, we don’t do much (no idea how funds are performing other than taking stock annually of the total net worth).
Uneasy about the high fees associated with the energing market and international funds and not much growth but have stayed the course (because of the advice just sit there, don’t do anything)
Is she making maximum annual employee deferrals to her Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) account?futureperfect wrote: ↑Sat Sep 16, 2023 12:44 pmNet worth: A couple million (haven’t checked this year!)
401k, Backdoor Roth and HSA maxed.
Are you doing a Roth IRA for each of you?
It is important to make maximum use of all available tax-advantaged accounts.
Low cost term life insurance is recommended rather than whole life insurance.futureperfect wrote: ↑Sat Sep 16, 2023 12:44 pmWe have umbrella insurance. Term life probably not recommended? Work provides diability insurance.
Do you each have disability income insurance?
What are the terms of the stock option program? How much discount, and how long must you hold the company stock?futureperfect wrote: ↑Sat Sep 16, 2023 12:44 pmWe have a trust for our 2 kids in public elementary school, No 529 (intentional for flexibility, open to international college education)
Mid-40s couple.
HHI ~500k her’s 160k-fed (who knows about tomorrow/health)
1 pension (why count on it, though)
Husband offered stock options but not acting on it to maintain diversification?
In my opinion an asset allocation with 25% in fixed income in the mid-40s is within the range of what is reasonable.futureperfect wrote: ↑Sat Sep 16, 2023 12:44 pmLiving in a HCOL area (DC metro), small mortgage for now $3000.
Decent risk tolerance in that we just stay the course.
futureperfect wrote: ↑Sat Sep 16, 2023 12:44 pmAlso, sometimes wonder if investing in index funds has gone mainstream then should we be doing something slightly different/more?
Index investing is mainstream. That is no reason to do more than invest in index funds.
Why do you feel that you don't have enough in actual real estate?futureperfect wrote: ↑Sat Sep 16, 2023 12:44 pmProbably don’t have enough actual real estate which is supposedly one way to get ahead(debatable). Stretch example: buy and hold condo in NYC!
In my opinion investing in a REIT index fund is probably preferable to buying a condo you don't need for a place to live.
You cannot start Roth IRAs for children who do not have their own earned income.futureperfect wrote: ↑Sat Sep 16, 2023 12:44 pmWhen should we start Roth IRA for the kids (8 and 5 years old now)?
Thank you so much in advance for your time and insight!
Last edited by ruralavalon on Mon Sep 18, 2023 6:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"Everything should be as simple as it is, but not simpler." - Albert Einstein |
Wiki article link: Bogleheads® investment philosophy
Re: Seeking advice on portfolio and funds
I appreciate that you’ve added some more information, but the details you have provided are still insufficient to provide helpful advice for your specific circumstances. Please follow the requested format closely.futureperfect wrote: ↑Sun Sep 17, 2023 1:44 pm Appreciate the initial feedback about simplification. Have edited to add additional information.