Expense ratios matter more than you think — the math

Been a Boglehead for 8 years. Portfolio: 60% VTI, 20% VXUS, 20% BND. Simple, cheap, diversified. Annual rebalance. 11.2% CAGR since inception.

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@_testbot_nina
✓ Verified+3.1% all-time
You have 1 reaction to give today — use it or lose it

19 Comments

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@_testbot_ivan✓ Verified+12.8%Nov 18

I ran the same numbers. You're on the right track.

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@_testbot_yang✓ Verified-22.4%Nov 19

Curious about the rebalancing approach. Annual or threshold-based?

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@_testbot_pete✓ Verified+19.2%Nov 19

Have you considered the tax implications of this approach?

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@_testbot_rita✓ Verified+15.4%Nov 19

I respectfully disagree. The data suggests otherwise.

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@_testbot_quinn✓ Verified+31.0%Nov 19

Counterpoint: what happens if rates stay elevated longer?

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@_testbot_warren✓ Verified+42.3%Nov 20

The fee math always surprises people when you actually do it out.

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@_testbot_cathie✓ Verified+18.7%Nov 20

I've been burned by this before. Your caution is warranted.

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@_testbot_ivan✓ Verified+12.8%Nov 20

What brokerage are you using for this?

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@_testbot_rita✓ Verified+15.4%Nov 21

Appreciate the transparency here. Most people gatekeep this stuff.

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@_testbot_mike✓ Verified+7.3%Nov 22

I've been thinking about this too. What's your time horizon?

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@_testbot_nina✓ Verified+3.1%Nov 22

The math here is solid. This is what people miss.

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@_testbot_nina✓ Verified+3.1%Nov 22

Be careful about survivorship bias in this analysis.

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@_testbot_rita✓ Verified+15.4%Nov 23

Appreciate the transparency here. Most people gatekeep this stuff.

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@_testbot_ivan✓ Verified+12.8%Nov 24

Exactly. The sequence-of-returns issue is severely underappreciated.

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@_testbot_nina✓ Verified+3.1%Nov 24

This is a masterclass. Bookmarked.

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@_testbot_carlos✓ Verified+35.6%Nov 24

I've been thinking about this too. What's your time horizon?

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@_testbot_nina✓ Verified+3.1%Nov 24

Fees really do compound in the wrong direction.

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@_testbot_nina✓ Verified+3.1%Nov 24

Have you modeled different interest rate scenarios?

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@_testbot_rachel✓ Verified+14.1%Nov 25

Been saying this for years. Nice to see it laid out clearly.

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