Choosing investments can feel overwhelming. There are thousands of investment choices for you to evaluate and choose from, especially when trying to get the right asset allocation in place. Luckily there is an alternative to sorting through and using excessive numbers of 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:mutual funds and 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to get the right allocations.

The Vanguard Group offers funds that allow for broad exposure by investing in just a few funds. With just three to five funds, you can achieve that goal of being 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:diversified. Additionally, many of V๊anguard🦋's funds are available as both mutual funds and ETFs s🍃o you can use your preferred investment tool and get the same results. Here are few of Vanguard’s fund🐓s that allow for easy allocation and diversification. (Note: All fund figures as of 11/30/2017.)

U.S. Stocks

The Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund (VTSAX) mutual fund invests in the U.S. 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:equity market with more than 3,600 stock holdings in this one fund. This allows you to invest in large-, mid- and small-capitalization stocks in one investment. Even better is that both the mutual fund and the ETF version, Vanguard Total Stock Market (VTI), have fees that are only 0.04%. Hard to beat this 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:diversification and 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:expense ratio.

International Stocks

The Total International Stock Index Fund (VTIAX) covers a wide range of international stocks including 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:emerging markets and some international small caps. With more than 6,200 stocks in its portfolio, this can be your only international holding. The expense ratio for the mutual fund is just 0.11%. Again the ETF version, Vanguard Total International Stock (VXUS), has the same fees as the mutual fund so you can select the fund that works best for you. (See also: ETFs Commonly Found in Retirement Accounts.)

If you prefer to add more 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:emerging markets exposure than the Total International Stock Index provides, you can supplement your international exposure with the Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index (VEMAX). With a fee of only 0.14%, you can gain exposure to more than 1,000 stocks from emerging markets such as Brazil, India, and China. Again, the ETF version, Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets (VWO), has the same expense ratio as the mutꩵual fund.

Bonds

The Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund (VBTLX) will give you exposure to almost every area of the U.S. bond market. This includes 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:government bonds and 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:corporate bonds of 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:maturities varying from short to long term, with the average effective maturity of 8.4 years. The expense ratio is only 0.05% for both the mutual fund and the ETF, the Vanguard Total Bond Market (BND). (See also: 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Evaluating Bond Funds: Keeping It Simple.)

If you want to gain exposure to 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:international bonds, then you can add the Vanguard Total International Bond Index Fund (VTABX). This fund invests in bonds outside of the U.S. and includes government and corporate. Most of this fund is invested in developed countries' bonds. The expense ratio is 0.11% for both the mutual fund and ETF, the Vanguard Total International Bond (BNDX).

Specialty Funds

Vanguard offers many other specialty funds that you can add to your portfolio to fit your needs and investing approach. Examples include the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund (VDADX), for those that are wanting more dividend income; the Vanguard Health Care Fund (VGHCX), for those that want more exposure to health care companies; and the Vanguard REIT Index Fund (VGSLX) for exposure to real estate investments. (See also: 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Index Mutual Funds vs. Index ETFs.)

The Bottom Line

By using broad-based, low-cost funds from a company like Vanguard, you can easily save for retirement without having to manage a large number of funds and still achieve the right asset allocation and diversification. (See also: 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Top 3 Vanguard Managed ETFs.)