02 / 04Complexity 2 of 4

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-domiciled (Vanguard)

Optimized for
  • US Equities50%
  • International Equities30%
  • US Bonds20%
HoldingTickerWeight

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF

US Equities

VTI50%

Vanguard Total International Stock ETF

International Equities

VXUS30%

Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF

US Bonds

BND20%

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.

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