RetireBy90
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Hi to the great minds.
I finally fired my investment advisor earlier this year and took over myself. I'm working on a plan now for asset allocation, and finding funds to implement the plan. I have about 10 years before FIRE. My DW and I are both retired military, at about $45K/yr. My DW also is covered by a defined benefit plan from the county that should pay about $9,600/yr in 5 years. So...that is my fixed income part of my investments. Both are adjusted for CPI. Social security will provide some income, but I want to plan to not have it and be surprised when we get something. I'm 53, DW is 56. We have an rental property. Rent pays close to the house note. We plan to sell our current home and move into this property when we retire.
My AA plan is:
50% total market index fund
10% large cap - Fidelity Contra (FCNTX)
10% mid cap - Fidelity low priced mid cap (FLPSX)
5% small cap
20% developing or non-us international - Currently Fidelity Intl Discovery (FIGRX)
5% individual stocks I pick poorly
Questions need some help or advice with:
1) since we have the defined benefit plans, is it reasonable to keep my others mostly in equity?
2) Any comments on the AA plan ? I want to keep is simple as possible
3) For the total market index fund, I've been looking at Vanguard (VTSMX) and Fidelity Spartan (FSTMX). Both seem to have similiar expenses, performance, and Morning Star ratings (only 3 stars ?) So is there any real reason to pick one over the other ? I know Vanguard is the home team here, but since my accounts are with Fidelity...
4) Any comments on the other funds? they are Morning star 4/5* funds
5) Any suggestions for Small Cap funds ?
I finally fired my investment advisor earlier this year and took over myself. I'm working on a plan now for asset allocation, and finding funds to implement the plan. I have about 10 years before FIRE. My DW and I are both retired military, at about $45K/yr. My DW also is covered by a defined benefit plan from the county that should pay about $9,600/yr in 5 years. So...that is my fixed income part of my investments. Both are adjusted for CPI. Social security will provide some income, but I want to plan to not have it and be surprised when we get something. I'm 53, DW is 56. We have an rental property. Rent pays close to the house note. We plan to sell our current home and move into this property when we retire.
My AA plan is:
50% total market index fund
10% large cap - Fidelity Contra (FCNTX)
10% mid cap - Fidelity low priced mid cap (FLPSX)
5% small cap
20% developing or non-us international - Currently Fidelity Intl Discovery (FIGRX)
5% individual stocks I pick poorly
Questions need some help or advice with:
1) since we have the defined benefit plans, is it reasonable to keep my others mostly in equity?
2) Any comments on the AA plan ? I want to keep is simple as possible
3) For the total market index fund, I've been looking at Vanguard (VTSMX) and Fidelity Spartan (FSTMX). Both seem to have similiar expenses, performance, and Morning Star ratings (only 3 stars ?) So is there any real reason to pick one over the other ? I know Vanguard is the home team here, but since my accounts are with Fidelity...
4) Any comments on the other funds? they are Morning star 4/5* funds
5) Any suggestions for Small Cap funds ?