26-Year-Old Asks Fellow Investors to 'Roast' His Portfolio on Reddit – 'I'm Currently Investing About 25% of My Gross Income'

Some people turn to Reddit for honest feedback as they look to improve themselves. This trend came up again in the Bogleheads subreddit. A 26-year-old shared this post where he asked for feedback on his portfolio. 

The portfolio consists of the Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund ETF VTI, Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value ETF AVUV, and Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund ETF VXUS. 

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VTI makes up 75% of his portfolio, AVUV makes up 15%, and VXUS covers the remaining 10%. The Redditor contributes 25% of his gross income to a TSP and an IRA. He's also increasing his contributions every year.

The post got plenty of attention, and Reddit was pretty honest with its feedback. 

Not Enough International Exposure

A few commenters were quick to point out that the Redditor's portfolio doesn't have enough exposure to international stocks. One commenter said that this arrangement is only okay if the Redditor believes the U.S. will continue to outperform and that the dollar will remain expensive indefinitely. 

When investors decide how to allocate their capital, they should have investment theses guiding some of those decisions. If the Redditor believes U.S. stocks will continue to outperform, then it makes sense that U.S. stocks make up most of his portfolio. However, if the Redditor has any doubts, boosting exposure to international stocks can make sense.

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The emphasis on international stocks comes at a time when President Donald Trump's tariffs are impacting global trade. Many people on Reddit are nervous about this development, but the original poster still favors U.S. stocks.

The 26-year-old mentioned that he is optimistic about corporate tax rate cuts, which will further bolster the U.S. as a country with "some of the friendliest business policies in the world."

Set It and Forget It

One of the commenters suggested that the Redditor sets and forgets his portfolio. At this point, the Redditor should continue to invest while focusing on increasing his income. The Redditor seems to have this mentality based on a desire to increase his contribution each year. Furthermore, he is providing for a wife and two kids, and you get into a different mindset when you have to provide for others.

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The commenter once again suggested that the 26-year-old increases his exposure to international stocks. However, the commenter also suggested lowering small cap exposure once he reaches his 30s.

The Roasts Were Light

When you buy a few ETFs, there isn't as much roasting you can do about someone's portfolio. The Redditor has three ETFs, with VTI making up the bulk of the portfolio. While growth-oriented ETFs can deliver higher returns, it's important to consider your risk tolerance before getting started.

The Redditor is on active duty and plans to stay in the military for 20 years to get the retirement benefits. Those significant benefits and steady investments will make it easier for the Redditor to achieve his goal of retiring before he turns 50.

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