Investing

There are several high quality companies to invest with. These companies include Vanguard, T.Rowe Price, Charles Schwab, and Fidelity. They all offer very competitive rates and have great customer service options.


There are many schools of thought on specific investment strategy's. I typically follow the Bogelhead's Core Four Fund Lazy Portfolio posted up by Rick Ferri. Which includes the following Vanguard funds: 

Core-Four Portfolio, Funds

Fund	Mutual Fund		ETF Fund (ER)
	Investor's (ER)	Admiral's (ER)
Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund	VBMFX (0.20%)	VBTLX (0.07%)	BND (0.07%)
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund	VTSMX (0.17%)	VTSAX (0.05%)	VTI (0.05%)
Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund	VGTSX (0.22%)	VTIAX (0.14%)	VXUS (0.14%)
Vanguard REIT Index Fund	VGSIX (0.26%)	VGSLX (0.12%)	VNQ (0.12%)

  This provides a well diversified portfolio of bonds, stocks, international stocks, and REIT's.


Following is the asset allocation options proposed by Rick. I personally follow the 80/20 split, but as I age I will be more likely to move over into the 60/40 camp.

Core-Four Portfolio, Asset Allocations

Desired Stock/Bond Allocation Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Vanguard REIT Index Fund 60/40 40% 30% 24% 6% 80/20 20% 40% 32% 8%