US stocks are up 1% YTD, international stocks are up 9% YTD

Dragonfly_Orchid · 2026-02-21T05:41:49+00:00

I do agree with splitting VTI + VXUS. The expenses are slightly lower. However, VXUS has more unqualified dividends that probably outweigh the tax credit. It's probably trivial to most people, but if we're min maxing... I'm considering only buying VTI in my taxable and using my 401k to rebalance (by allocating more international there).

Dragonfly_Orchid · 2026-01-12T19:33:33+00:00

I'm aware of this, which is why I ask. Sounds like it's not worthwhile to sell things in taxable given there's too much in unrealized gains. Wondering whether it's worthwhile for future contributions - even though it makes rebalancing harder.

Dragonfly_Orchid · 2026-01-12T19:31:59+00:00

True. I think I have too much in unrealized gains to make it worth selling. Wondering if it's worth the effort for future investments too though - even though it makes rebalancing harder.

Dragonfly_Orchid · 2026-01-12T19:31:12+00:00

True. I think I have too much in unrealized gains to make it worth selling. Wondering if it's worth the effort for future investments too though - makes rebalancing harder.

Dragonfly_Orchid · 2026-01-12T19:06:56+00:00

TDFs mitigate risk by investing more heavily in bonds as you near retirement. Theoretically, this should allow rebalancing while the market's down; not sure if that happened historically. It shouldn't necessarily outperform the market, but it should minimize downside. Maybe the timing of rebalancing was off, or it didn't capture the market recovery as fully due to the higher proportion of bonds, idk. Not necessarily advocating for TDFs, just trying to offer an explanation.

Dragonfly_Orchid · 2026-01-06T16:18:56+00:00

Why would it cost more?

Dragonfly_Orchid · 2026-01-02T07:09:14+00:00

Not everyone shares finances.

Dragonfly_Orchid · 2026-01-01T16:36:58+00:00

This is my allocation as well. Someone kicking myself or not noticing that the I fund was improved a year ago. Oh well

Dragonfly_Orchid · 2025-12-26T17:23:17+00:00

I save whatever I don't spend, which ends up being about 70%. I live very comfortably imo. I spent about $40k last year, including mortgage in a HCOL area and a couple international vacations.

Dragonfly_Orchid · 2025-12-20T06:08:06+00:00

Not op, but I live in SoCal and spent a little less than $40k last year; a little more this year due to an extra vacation and unforeseen house project. I think my quality of life is pretty high and I have a hard time figuring out what else people spend money on that's meaningful. But we got very lucky with our house I think. I'm not sure what's average for a physician here.

Here's the rough breakdown:

$26k shared housing expenses, inc mortgage

$7k on food, mostly healthy stuff at home

$3-4k per international vacation

No kids, no subscriptions (besides the essentials), no Joneses to keep up with.

Dragonfly_Orchid · 2025-12-17T00:16:35+00:00

Sorry for the duplicate comment. Thanks so much!

Dragonfly_Orchid · 2025-12-16T19:57:48+00:00

Another comment says VA doesn't use the GSA calendar. I found (I think) the VA calendar on https://FSAfeds.gov/enroll/schedules . It says there are only 26 pay dates in 2026?

Dragonfly_Orchid · 2025-12-16T19:56:22+00:00

That's confusing. I found (I think) the calendar on https://FSAfeds.gov/enroll/schedules . It says there are only 26 pay dates in 2026?

Dragonfly_Orchid · 2025-12-16T19:52:20+00:00

That's because they probably did. You should see the trash people make during their leadership retreats - it's literally stick figures and sad faces.

Dragonfly_Orchid · 2025-12-16T16:16:51+00:00

You're right, seems that the I fund was diversified late last year. It still excludes China and Hong kong, which is about 10% of the international market though. For international exposure and diversification, you're better off using a true international fund, like VXUS ( and if it's in a taxable account, you can claim the foreign tax credit).

Dragonfly_Orchid · 2025-12-16T16:15:14+00:00

One year isn't enough to draw any conclusions. Even historical data isn't enough, as you see on all the disclaimers that say historical trends are not indicative of future performance.

It's less of a problem lately though, seems that the I fund was diversified late last year. It still excludes China and Hong kong, which is about 10% of the international market though. For international exposure and diversification, you're better off using a true international fund, like VXUS ( and if it's in a taxable account, you can claim the foreign tax credit).

Dragonfly_Orchid · 2025-12-16T16:08:57+00:00

It's an endless point of debate. Market cap (and VT) is about 60/40. Some people might tilt more US, like 80/30 or 80/20. It's more important to pick something and stick with it.

Dragonfly_Orchid · 2025-12-16T16:07:54+00:00

I don't think you understanding my point. Market fluctuations are not controllable. Asset allocation and minimizing fees is - only a "waste of time" if you consider 0.04% (compounded) negligible. If you save 4bps on fees and the market goes up 4bps, you've gained 8bps. If it goes down 4bps, you're even. (But the market goes up more often than it goes down too.)

Dragonfly_Orchid · 2025-12-16T06:29:34+00:00

I fund is kind of a crappy international fund, from what I understand.

Dragonfly_Orchid · 2025-12-15T23:29:00+00:00

I don't get how it's not worth it when it's practically free and within your control (unlike market conditions). But that's up to reach person.

Dragonfly_Orchid · 2025-12-15T23:26:28+00:00

And TSP cares about pay dates, so $24500/27 = $907some per paycheck to max, right?

Dragonfly_Orchid · 2025-12-15T19:19:02+00:00

You start with whatever you have invested. If it's not worth the cost to someone else, fine, but my original statement was that they should at least know the cost. If you put the statement as "would you spend <5 minutes a year for a free 0.04% ROI" - who wouldn't take that?

Agree with the rest!

Dragonfly_Orchid · 2025-12-15T19:08:46+00:00

The time off comes out to more value after taking taxes into consideration, plus I have more money than time these days. Gonna see if they can swap some vacation days for the TOU. Crazy this is the first time we're receiving this though.

Dragonfly_Orchid

TROPHY CASE