Going to max out my retirement, and here’s where the money is going and its asset allocation:

Vanguard 500 Index Signal — 45 %

• MER: 0.6%
• Return Since Inception: 3.17%

Vanguard Balanced Index Signal — 45%

• MER: 0.12%
• Return Since Inception: 5.44%

Selected American Shares D — 5%

• MER: 0.6%
• Return Since Inception: 4.47%

Invesco Stable Value — 5%

• MER: 0.2%
• Return: 5.39%

HOW I DECIDED

1. Betting on the American economy to bounce back — I am very confident here
2. Looked at MER (management expense ratios) for the cheap ones
3. Looked at their returns since inception (good range covering the highs & lows of economy)
4. Looked at the stocks the fund was made up of — big ones, etc
5. Kept in a moderate risk frame of mind for now — I can always change later

I am interested in returns, but I think just a moderate return is fine for a retirement plan.

I like a “set it and forget it” sort of thing, but I don’t want the expenses of an actively managed fund where they target your retirement date and shift the assets into bonds as you age.

WHAT I MAY DO IN THE FUTURE

Change a few funds. I am going to do more research (it was a quick, 1-hour scan and pick situation), and re-allocate as I see fit.

I am also going to be moving my money over here, so I need to figure out if I want to put my money into the same brokerage, or go with Vanguard directly.