If you don't mind the volatity, you could do a lot worse than picking a single fund that covers the whole US stock market. It is simple, very low cost, diversified among 3,000 different companies, and has a long track record of exceptional returns.
Vanguard Total Stock Market VTSAX | 100% |
Fidelity Total Market FSKAX | 100% |
Schwab Total Stock Market SWTSX | 100% |
Fancy using just one low cost fund? This fund gives you all the stocks in the US and all the bonds in the US in a fixed 60/40 balance
Vanguard Balanced Index VBAIX | 100% |
One of Vanguard's oldest actively managed funds gives you a 65/35 stocks/bonds ratio. This is the actively managed alternative to Balanced Index, though it mostly behaves like an index fund, and is still low cost by fund standards and has shown consistently good performance over decades.
Vanguard Wellington VWELX | 100% |
The two fund portfolio is a simple mix between a US stock market and bond funds, as recommended by the likes of Jack Bogle and Warren Buffet. The classic portfolio is 60/40 stocks/bonds, which some might find too conservative, so simply adjust for your risk tolerance.
Vanguard Total Stock Market VTSAX | 60% |
Vanguard Total Bond VBTLX | 40% |
Fidelity Total Market FSKAX | 60% |
Fidelity U.S. Bond Index FXNAX | 40% |
Schwab Total US Market SWTSX | 60% |
Schwab Total Bond SWAGX | 40% |
The default in many retirement plans. The fund uses all US and international stocks and bonds in an asset allocation that gradually gets less aggressive as the years go by. Too international heavy for my taste, but nonetheless a solid fund.
Vanguard Target Retirement 2040 VFORX | 100% |
I use a very simple two fund porfolio that I tilt towards growth and away from international. I wanted something similar to the Wellington Fund, but with more control over the allocation.
Total Stock Market ETF VTI | 55% |
S&P 500 ETF VOO | 25% |
Inter-Term Bond ETF BIV | 10% |
Inter-Term Corp Bond ETF VCIT | 10% |