A beginner's ETF portfolio

[loosbastard]

As said above, I'm pretty much a novice when it comes to investing.

20% Vanguard Growth ETF
20% Vanguard Value ETF
15% Vanguard Small Cap ETF
15% Vanguard Europe Pacific ETF
15% Schwab Short-Term Bond Fund
15% Schwab Total Bond Fund

My main objective was a simple, low-maintenance, low-cost base portfolio. I plan on playing w/ some sector ETFs once I get a better feel for how everything works. Any suggestions/opinions? Am I totally lost...or does this look like a decent start?

[philnewall]

Why growth? I would use total stock market + total international + total bond market, then adding small and value ETF's depending on how much extra return you want to earn.

[mtgordon]

In case you care here is what I'm doing:

25% VTI (total market)
17.5% VB (Small Cap)
17.5% VBR (Small Cap Value)
5% VPL (Pacific)
5% VGK (Europe)
15% VWO (Emerging)
15% VTRIX (International fund)

I'm not using bonds because I'm in it for the long run and I believe bonds < equities in the long run.

[gull]

That looks fine.

Why not just use 55% VTI (a total market ETF) instead of 20% large value, 20% large growth, and 15% small?

Also, I would suggest using TIPS as perhaps half of your fixed-income portion of your portfolio.

Remember, there are many roads to Dublin.

[captZEEbo]

[ QUOTE ]
That looks fine.

Why not just use 55% VTI (a total market ETF) instead of 20% large value, 20% large growth, and 15% small?

Also, I would suggest using TIPS as perhaps half of your fixed-income portion of your portfolio.

Remember, there are many roads to Dublin.

[/ QUOTE ]any specific funds you recommend for TIPS?