Thanks! Most experts and DIYs are recommending adding. I didn’t hear anything about TIPS until the recent inflation jump and persistence. Or maybe my ears have been more opened to all ideas as I approach retirement
🤔😉.
Harold,
Thanks for providing your portfolio details…another variant that works for you…nice.
Including TIPs in my portfolio is another decision I’m trying to make…currently include none.
As an FYI to you and the HD community here’s Jesse Cramer’s take on TIPs: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personal-finance-for-long-term-investors/id1553180943.
(Episode 142, feel free to listen to all topics, but pick it up at 18:20 for TIPS discussion) I’ve really enjoyed this forum topic (thanks again, Larry!) and would like any and all to continue the discussion.
John, These are good pipeline stock suggestions. Thanks for providing. I have considered those, although I hadn’t heard of the AMLP ETF. I’ve read up on call strategies and it seems like a doable do, but one that I have not tried to implement. Wishing you continued success.
John, Thanks for your thoughts on REITs and dividend income. For dividend yield as a diversifier and agree with your take that energy need is REAL…I have some energy stocks: DVN, FANG, SLB (buying mostly during the 2020 dip, have sold XOM but may repurchase)…and would like to add a midstreamer. I want to avoid MLPs though, even though you state tax issues can be dealt with; my personal preference is to avoid. I also own T and VZ (I built my positions in these two at the right time :-)). I’ve struggled with this dividend play approach, considering some of those covered call ETFs (high yield era but don’t like the concept that over time it’s a decaying proposition), other high dividend ETF such as VYM, SCHD. But for now, I have settled on buying some individual dividend paying stocks. I plan to keep working this portion of my portfolio.
I started investing in REITs after the GC in a 401(k). I didn’t really look at returns. I just wanted to be the diversified in that asset as many experts recommended a portion of your portfolio to be an REITs. However, now I’m considering not investing in REITs but just capturing real estate returns in broad-base index funds that I’m already invested in.
Here is a summary of the portfolio. Several accounts for the different tax accounts between spouse and me (we all in US have to deal with this). I like mostly indexing, but still like to dabble. Taxable account contains some investments that have accumulated over the years and have capital gains and I have a messy sandbox in my Roth that I may simplify in the coming years when I don't want to play anymore :-). There are overlapping (or same) funds used in multiple accounts, so isn't as messy/complicated as it may first appear. Some clean-up is desired, but mostly like the current moderately aggressive allocation. Overall AA: 82% equity / 18% fixed income 50% US Large Cap
14% US Small Cap (some Mid cap with use of VB/VSMAX)
05% US REIT
02% company stock
11% International
10% bond mix of US Treasury short/int and Inv-grade corporate short/int
08% cash Tax-type Accounts: 60% Tax-deferred / 20% Roth / 18% Taxable / 2% HSA Tax-deferred (60%) – 3 accounts (spouse, my active retirement & old 401k)
1) (07%) VSMAX, VSBSX, VSIGX, (with sweep account VMFXX)
2) (13%) VUG, VTV, VSMAX, VSBSX, VBIRX
3) (40%) FXAIX, FTIHX, VGSNX
Note: likely to covert ~10% to Roth over next several years Roth (20%) – 2 accounts (spouse and mine with VMFXX sweep accounts)
1) (07%) VUG, VTV, VCIT
2) (13%) My “sandbox”
PRLAX, VEA, VWO, VB, XLV, XBI
Stocks: DVN, FANG, SLB, T, VZ, UNH, UBER, SNOW, NNN Taxable (18%) OAKMX, OAKIM, VWENX, VB, VIOO, AMZN, VUSXX, company stock
(with VMFXX sweep account, cash flow checking/savings accounts) HSA (2%) VFIAX, VBIRX, Cash
Comments
In the KISS approach I’m guessing TIPS are not included…just a broad bond fund (e.g., BND)?
Post: What’s in your portfolio ?
Link to comment from June 26, 2026
Thanks! Most experts and DIYs are recommending adding. I didn’t hear anything about TIPS until the recent inflation jump and persistence. Or maybe my ears have been more opened to all ideas as I approach retirement 🤔😉.
Post: What’s in your portfolio ?
Link to comment from June 26, 2026
Harold, Thanks for providing your portfolio details…another variant that works for you…nice. Including TIPs in my portfolio is another decision I’m trying to make…currently include none. As an FYI to you and the HD community here’s Jesse Cramer’s take on TIPs: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personal-finance-for-long-term-investors/id1553180943. (Episode 142, feel free to listen to all topics, but pick it up at 18:20 for TIPS discussion) I’ve really enjoyed this forum topic (thanks again, Larry!) and would like any and all to continue the discussion.
Post: What’s in your portfolio ?
Link to comment from June 25, 2026
John, These are good pipeline stock suggestions. Thanks for providing. I have considered those, although I hadn’t heard of the AMLP ETF. I’ve read up on call strategies and it seems like a doable do, but one that I have not tried to implement. Wishing you continued success.
Post: What’s in your portfolio ?
Link to comment from June 25, 2026
John, Thanks for your thoughts on REITs and dividend income. For dividend yield as a diversifier and agree with your take that energy need is REAL…I have some energy stocks: DVN, FANG, SLB (buying mostly during the 2020 dip, have sold XOM but may repurchase)…and would like to add a midstreamer. I want to avoid MLPs though, even though you state tax issues can be dealt with; my personal preference is to avoid. I also own T and VZ (I built my positions in these two at the right time :-)). I’ve struggled with this dividend play approach, considering some of those covered call ETFs (high yield era but don’t like the concept that over time it’s a decaying proposition), other high dividend ETF such as VYM, SCHD. But for now, I have settled on buying some individual dividend paying stocks. I plan to keep working this portion of my portfolio.
Post: What’s in your portfolio ?
Link to comment from June 25, 2026
Thanks for your reply, Bill.
Post: What’s in your portfolio ?
Link to comment from June 25, 2026
I started investing in REITs after the GC in a 401(k). I didn’t really look at returns. I just wanted to be the diversified in that asset as many experts recommended a portion of your portfolio to be an REITs. However, now I’m considering not investing in REITs but just capturing real estate returns in broad-base index funds that I’m already invested in.
Post: What’s in your portfolio ?
Link to comment from June 25, 2026
Seems like an appropriate strategy. I’m leaning towards doing just that. Thanks for your reply.
Post: What’s in your portfolio ?
Link to comment from June 25, 2026
Andrew, A beautiful tribute to your sister. You are a skilled writer.
Post: What Addiction Couldn’t Take: My Sister’s Story
Link to comment from June 25, 2026
Here is a summary of the portfolio. Several accounts for the different tax accounts between spouse and me (we all in US have to deal with this). I like mostly indexing, but still like to dabble. Taxable account contains some investments that have accumulated over the years and have capital gains and I have a messy sandbox in my Roth that I may simplify in the coming years when I don't want to play anymore :-). There are overlapping (or same) funds used in multiple accounts, so isn't as messy/complicated as it may first appear. Some clean-up is desired, but mostly like the current moderately aggressive allocation. Overall AA: 82% equity / 18% fixed income 50% US Large Cap 14% US Small Cap (some Mid cap with use of VB/VSMAX) 05% US REIT 02% company stock 11% International 10% bond mix of US Treasury short/int and Inv-grade corporate short/int 08% cash Tax-type Accounts: 60% Tax-deferred / 20% Roth / 18% Taxable / 2% HSA Tax-deferred (60%) – 3 accounts (spouse, my active retirement & old 401k) 1) (07%) VSMAX, VSBSX, VSIGX, (with sweep account VMFXX) 2) (13%) VUG, VTV, VSMAX, VSBSX, VBIRX 3) (40%) FXAIX, FTIHX, VGSNX Note: likely to covert ~10% to Roth over next several years Roth (20%) – 2 accounts (spouse and mine with VMFXX sweep accounts) 1) (07%) VUG, VTV, VCIT 2) (13%) My “sandbox” PRLAX, VEA, VWO, VB, XLV, XBI Stocks: DVN, FANG, SLB, T, VZ, UNH, UBER, SNOW, NNN Taxable (18%) OAKMX, OAKIM, VWENX, VB, VIOO, AMZN, VUSXX, company stock (with VMFXX sweep account, cash flow checking/savings accounts) HSA (2%) VFIAX, VBIRX, Cash
Post: What’s in your portfolio ?
Link to comment from June 25, 2026