Couch Potato- USA

[Katoslake]

I’ve long followed different advisors from Lynch, Cramer and Bogle. The strategy that intrigues me most in the straight couch potato; 50% US Stock and 50% US Bonds. I’m sure it’s been discussed on this site, but can’t find it (new to FIRE). Anyone actually following this strategy long term ? Tired of chasing hot fund performance. Thanks

 

[Onward]

Sounds like a good, fairly conservative portfolio to me.

As I recall this is the allocation on which Bill Bengen based the original 4% safe-withdrawal rate, though he tested other allocations.

 

[Koolau]

I’ve long followed different advisors from Lynch, Cramer and Bogle. The strategy that intrigues me most in the straight couch potato; 50% US Stock and 50% US Bonds. I’m sure it’s been discussed on this site, but can’t find it (new to FIRE). Anyone actually following this strategy long term ? Tired of chasing hot fund performance. Thanks

The Couch Potato Portfolio was presented by Scott Burns. Here's a source to start (YMMV.)

https://couchpotatoinvesting.com/about/

 

[Done]

Here’s an article on the general concept of lazy portfolios, including couch potato. https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Lazy_portfolios

Bogleheads generally refer to Vanguard funds, but if you use a different brokerage, search for it on bogleheads.org to see similar recommended funds. For Fidelity, see the table under Tools: https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Fidelity

Also note that if you have both taxable and tax-deferred accounts, the location of equity versus bond funds makes a difference. https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Tax-efficient_fund_placement

 

[Katoslake]

Thanks for all the information and helpful links. I’ll read before asking more questions. Thanks again !

 

[pb4uski]

The Couch Potato Portfolio was presented by Scott Burns. Here's a source to start (YMMV.)

https://couchpotatoinvesting.com/about/

And here is a Portfolio Visualizer run comparing Scott Burns Couch Potato, 50/50 Stock/Bond and Bll Bernstein No Brainer.... conclusion, it doesn't much matter. To try other portfolios, click on the button next to Portfolio#1, Portfolio#2 or Portfolio#3.

https://www.portfoliovisualizer.com...location5_3=25&symbol6=VGTSX&allocation6_3=25

 

[DrRoy]

I'm pretty close to that - 57/43. Virtually no Int'l. Makes it easier to sleep.

 

[npage]

Took me a while to stick with it but I have for years now. Though a bit unique I use muni bond funds for my bond portion. That comes from managing income tax while working. That hopefully ends in 4 months but I am comfortable with strategy at this point and probably just keep it.

 

[PatrickW]

Lazy QQQ/GLD

And here is a Portfolio Visualizer run comparing Scott Burns Couch Potato, 50/50 Stock/Bond and Bll Bernstein No Brainer.... conclusion, it doesn't much matter. To try other portfolios, click on the button next to Portfolio#1, Portfolio#2 or Portfolio#3.

https://www.portfoliovisualizer.com...location5_3=25&symbol6=VGTSX&allocation6_3=25

Plugging in 80% QQQ and 20% GLD yields vastly better results in Portfolio Visualizer than anything else that I can find.

But nobody’s talking about that. It seems like a good lazy portfolio.

Am I missing something...?

- Patrick

 

[Out-to-Lunch]

Only this: Past Performance Is No Guarantee of Future Results

True of every portfolio, I admit.

 

[Katoslake]

Thanks again for all the feedback !

I’m inclined to get on the smoothest ride possible. I’ve found I get more motion sick as I age. This is true for actual roller coasters and investing