So fine, a lot of "invest in index funds" advice gets thrown around here, and that's good stuff. But index funds are only part of the story. Once you decide to invest in them, there is still the question of "what percentages in what funds". This is the question of ASSET ALLOCATION, and it is responsible both for your risk AND return.
This is because, EVEN IF YOU WANT TO MAXIMIZE EV, investing isn't just a matter of finding the index fund (or stock, or whatever) with the highest EV. By diversifying you can increase EV with the same risk, or decrease risk with the same EV. This is why so many academics agree that asset allocation is the most important portfolio decision you will make.
So, I'm going to post my asset allocation, and then you guys either post yours or critique mine (or both).
About me: I am 23, and so this is very aggressive. I created it by reading "a random walk down wall street", "unconventional success", "the four pillars of investing", and "all about asset allocation."
Cool,
Tom