Boglehead Core.
The classic indexed core.
Build a simple stock-and-bond core from broad index funds. In the US version that lands cleanly as three funds; in the EU UCITS version, the international equity sleeve is split into separate regional funds.
- US Equities35%
- European Equities20%
- Emerging Markets15%
- Global Bonds30%
Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF
US Equities
Vanguard FTSE Developed Europe UCITS ETF
European Equities
Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS ETF
Emerging Markets
Vanguard Global Aggregate Bond UCITS ETF (Hedged)
Global Bonds
EU tax note: Splitting US and international makes specific tax-loss harvesting possible in jurisdictions that allow it (notably US taxable accounts).
Educational, not advisory. Starters illustrate published asset-allocation structures. They are not recommendations, and you remain responsible for choices that fit your jurisdiction, taxes, and horizon.
Strengths
Precise control over US versus international weighting.
Historically difficult to beat after costs and taxes.
Each component is index-broad: minimal style or sector drift.
Trade-offs
A small set of positions to keep in target weight.
Home-country bias becomes an explicit choice rather than a default.
Bond fund duration is fixed by the index, not by your horizon.