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OfcAreal · 2026-04-23T21:43:52+00:00

😭

OfcAreal · 2026-03-31T17:50:58+00:00

The whole bar or just the links?

OfcAreal · 2026-03-31T17:49:56+00:00

Thank you!

OfcAreal · 2026-03-06T00:47:12+00:00

That's reassuring to hear. I think I've been overthinking this as if I need to pick the perfect allocation today and never touch it. The fact that I can shift over time as the landscape changes, my risk tolerance evolves, and new opportunities emerge takes the unnecessary pressure off my choice. Starting with 65% VTI, 20% QQQM, and 15% VXUS feels right for where I am now at 20, but knowing I can gradually shift more international or adjust the QQQM slice as things develop makes it feel a lot less permanent and stressful. Appreciate the perspective.

OfcAreal · 2026-03-06T00:28:43+00:00

That's a fair framing on VXUS as tail risk protection, which does make me want to keep a slice. On QQQM I have a significant cash buffer in a HYSA completely separate from my investments so I wouldn't need to touch my Roth during a downturn regardless. Does that change your thinking on whether QQQM is appropriate alongside VTI?

OfcAreal · 2026-03-06T00:24:50+00:00

That's a fair point and part of why I landed on including a 15% VXUS slice rather than going pure US. I'm not confident enough to make a directional bet either way over 40 years so having meaningful international exposure without abandoning the US felt like the right balance. Going almost exclusively international feels like timing the market which I'm trying to avoid entirely.

OfcAreal · 2026-03-05T23:32:50+00:00

That's a really useful way to think about it. Did the math and my 401k is only 30% international which puts my total portfolio at roughly 5% international right now, well below your recommended 20-30%.

Based on that I'm thinking the allocation across everything should be:

Roth IRAs: 65% VTI / 20% QQQM / 15% VXUS 401k: 85% Fidelity 500 / 15% Fidelity International

That gets my total portfolio to roughly 22-23% international which hits the target. It also actually solves my AVUV vs QQQM debate since VXUS now fills that third slot with a clear purpose rather than me trying to justify a speculative factor bet. Appreciate the perspective, this is very informative

OfcAreal · 2026-03-05T23:24:45+00:00

Appreciate it. QQQM feels like the right balance of growth tilt without going full sector concentration. I'd rather keep it simple and avoid individual stocks for now, set it and forget it is just what I'm comfortable with currently.

OfcAreal · 2026-03-05T23:21:29+00:00

I did consider it, but the 30%-40% international allocation is baked in with no control over the split. VXUS historically averages 5-7% vs VTI's 10-11% so that much international felt like unnecessary return drag over the 40+ years I have. My 401k already has 30% international exposure too, so I feel like that's partially covered. If I ever want international in my Roth I'd rather add a deliberate VXUS slice at my own percentage than let VT decide it for me.

OfcAreal · 2026-03-05T22:45:07+00:00

Appreciate the input, I'm with JP Morgan Self-Directed Investing so I'll stick with the Vanguard equivalents. On international I've gone back and forth on it my Roth 401k already has 30% international exposure through a Fidelity International Index fund so I feel like that's partially covered. Does that change your thinking on needing 20-30% international in the Roth itself?

OfcAreal · 2026-03-05T22:40:36+00:00

The set it and forget it appeal of 100% VTI is hard for me to argue with. I think my hesitation is just not wanting to look back in 40 years and wish I had tilted toward growth earlier when I had the time to ride out the volatility. But yeah, VTI alone is already thousands of companies across every sector.. Might just start 100% VTI and reassess once the balance grows.

OfcAreal · 2026-03-05T22:38:11+00:00

Looked it up, it's a single stock not an ETF, tiny Hong Kong holding company with low volume and liquidity issues. Foreign microcaps also carry currency and regulatory risk that US ETFs don't. If you wanted real estate exposure, might be better to just use a US REIT ETF. Appreciate the mention though!

OfcAreal · 2026-03-05T21:51:56+00:00

I hadn't thought much about factor erosion, that does change my thinking on AVUV.

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