My family asked me about my personal investing. I’ve done well in the market – I’ve averages over 8% returns per year for the past 11 years (2007-2017) which includes several down or flat years.
- It’s all in mutual funds in Vanguard
- I re-balance my funds about once a year unless there is a major world event in which case I’ll immediately re-configure my investments (think war, economic collapse of a country/region, etc.)
- I’m invested 80% in equities and 20% in bonds. The bonds are a hedge against the stocks. You can be more aggressive by having more equities or by having more aggressive equities (emerging/international markets and/or small cap).
- My specific investments and percentages
- VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares – 40%
- VEMAX Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares – 15%
- VWETX Vanguard Long-Term Investment Grade Fund Admiral Shares – 20%
- VSGAX Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares – 25%
- This means that my portfolio is a good mix of aggressive and conservative, US and international. This is a secret to investing – diversification! That can’t be stressed enough – don’t put all your eggs in one stock or even one mutual fund. Here’s my mix:
- 40% invested in large US companies (stable growth)
- 15% invested in international companies (stable with some speculation)
- 20% invested in bond (conservative part of my portfolio)
- 25% invested in small cap or aggressive companies
A few rules for investing
- “A rising tide lifts all boats.” When the market is going up, you don’t have to be particularly smart or good to do well.
- “Be a pig, not a hog. Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered.” Go for gains of all kinds but don’t get greedy and chase after the high flyers each week or even each month.
- “Never fall in love with your investments.” They don’t love you back. Investments are tools, nothing more. Be willing to bail on them whenever necessary.
Lead On!
Steve