Portfolio remodeling

[NC Jayhawk]

Folks,

I feel fortunate over the years I have been able to do less than serious damage with the dollars I have put away for retirement, kids college education accounts, etc. I use Fidelity as my brokerage where I have three tax deferred accounts and one taxable account. My overall percentages between tax deferred and taxable right now is 40 equities/40 bond funds/20 cash

My goal right now is to remodel my taxable account to make it more tax efficient. I am nearing a timeframe I can seriously consider not having to pull the wagon so hard after doing it the past 35 years. Two kids in high school, college tuition in place for Public universities, mortgage paid, etc. My timeframe on getting out of the rat race could be between 2-5 years.

Suggestions on getting my taxable account in order would be appreciated. It currently holds the following:

Nine Stocks in different companies: (10% in the taxable account)

Motorola - Telecom
Amerisource Bergen - Health
Bristol Myers - Health
Flextronics - Computer/Electronic
Merck - Pharma
Tyson Foods - Consumer
Williams Companies - Energy
Service Corp International

Equity Funds/ETF's: (30% in the taxable)

FSTMX - Fidelity Total market index
VB - Vanguard Small cap
VFH - Vanguard financials
VGK - Vanguard International - Europe
VIS - Vanguard Industrials
VUG - Vanguard Growth
VPU - Vanguard Utilities
EWH - Ishares/Hong Kong
ITB - Ishares/Home contruction
VIS - Vanguard Industrials


Bonds/Others: (37% in the taxable)

VWEHX - Vanguard High Yield Corporate
VWAHX - Vanguard High Yield Tax exempt
VWITX - Vanguard municipals - tax exempt
VWLTX - Vanguard municipas - tax exempt
TGLMX - TCW Total return bond
VIPSX - Inflation protected

Cash - 23%

I didn't end up with this mix with any great forethought, just trying to follow the trends as far as diversification goes, and minimize costs which Vanguard as we all know does a good job with. I bought the municipals and high yield corporates over the past 18 months and have enjoyed the run up and the yield, but not sure they are a good fit in this account, at least the corporates.

Anyways, my taxable account is much larger than my non taxable so I am somewhat limited in what I can do in the non taxable accounts.

If anyone has any suggestions here, or confirming that this makes sense or not, I'd be greatly appreciative.

Many thanks.

 

[travelover]

My first suggestion would be to go over to Bogleheads for detailed suggestions.
Bogleheads Investing Advice and Info

Quickly, I'd suggest keeping taxable bonds in your tax sheltered accounts and index equities in your taxable account. The managed funds throw off more capital gains.