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Holding Bond Funds at 40 years old

Posted on 4/1/21 at 9:51 am
Posted by buffbraz
Member since Nov 2005
5731 posts
Posted on 4/1/21 at 9:51 am
Here is our current portfolio:
His Rollover IRA at Vanguard:
4.9% BND Total Bond Market ETF
2.1% BNDX Total Intl Bond Index ETF
20.9% VXUS Total Intl Stock Index Fund ETF
25.7% VTI Total Stock Market ETF

Her Rollover IRA at Vanguard:
28.8% VTI Total Stock Market ETF

Joint Brokerage Taxable Account at Vanguard:
2.0% VXUS Total Intl Stock Index Fund ETF
4.8% VTI Total Stock Market ETF

3.0% AAPL on E*TRADE

4.1% VMFXX (emergency fund)

0.9% VASGX (529 plan)

His HSA:
0.6% mandatory cash balance
1.0% VFIFX
1.0% VGSNX

We just started a 401K at work and I am investing fully in 2065 Blackrock target date retirement fund as it was the best that was available.

My question is, are investors on this board who have a 20+ year time horizon still holding bond funds? I am considering moving some or all the bond funds in my IRA to ARKK, QQQ, or splitting it into My current 70% VTI/ 30% VXUS I’m currently using or a combination or those. I did not ask this question on bogleheads bc I know they would not advise it. Curious to know what this board thinks.
Posted by jfw3535
South of Bunkie
Member since Mar 2008
5437 posts
Posted on 4/1/21 at 9:58 am to
I have less than 20 years until retirement and I have zero money invested in bonds. I am still 100% in the market. I think with 20+ years of investing left, you would be foolish to have anything but the most nominal amount, if any, in bonds.
Posted by TDTOM
Member since Jan 2021
24767 posts
Posted on 4/1/21 at 9:58 am to
Probably not. Also, this rising rate environment will not be favorable for bonds.
Posted by buffbraz
Member since Nov 2005
5731 posts
Posted on 4/1/21 at 10:08 am to
Probably not. Also, this rising rate environment will not be favorable for bonds.

Exactly What I was thinking..... Considering my AA and what I’m already invested in, what are some
Opinions on how to proceed? Move it now? Wait for a correction? Dollar cost average? What funds to use?
This post was edited on 4/1/21 at 10:26 am
Posted by 632627
LA
Member since Dec 2011
14680 posts
Posted on 4/1/21 at 10:12 am to
I’m turning 40 this year and have zero bond exposure, and probably wouldn’t even contemplate it til I’m at least 50.
Posted by TigerintheNO
New Orleans
Member since Jan 2004
44181 posts
Posted on 4/1/21 at 1:18 pm to
late 40's zero in bonds
Posted by el Gaucho
He/They
Member since Dec 2010
58514 posts
Posted on 4/1/21 at 1:59 pm to
Man you boomers sure love your bonds
Posted by meansonny
ATL
Member since Sep 2012
26041 posts
Posted on 4/1/21 at 2:15 pm to
No reason to hold bonds unless you want secure access to funds in the next 30 months.

Every massive dip has recovered in 24 months.

Im probably not holding bonds in my retirement.
Posted by RoyalWe
Prairieville, LA
Member since Mar 2018
4317 posts
Posted on 4/1/21 at 2:52 pm to
quote:

Every massive dip has recovered in 24 months.
That's why I have a portion of my money in bonds. I buy dips.
Posted by buffbraz
Member since Nov 2005
5731 posts
Posted on 4/1/21 at 3:54 pm to
I transferred my BNDX for ARKK.
Posted by tigersfan1989
Baton Rouge
Member since Oct 2018
1265 posts
Posted on 4/1/21 at 4:34 pm to
Bond fund? Not this guy
Posted by EA6B
TX
Member since Dec 2012
14754 posts
Posted on 4/1/21 at 4:46 pm to
quote:

No reason to hold bonds unless you want secure access to funds in the next 30 months.

Every massive dip has recovered in 24 months.

Im probably not holding bonds in my retirement.


I amm in my 60s retired for 10 years now, 100% in equities aand will remain that way.
Posted by geauxpurple
New Orleans
Member since Jul 2014
16601 posts
Posted on 4/1/21 at 5:19 pm to
Statistics will tell you that the best strategy is for you to be 100% invested in stocks. That said, I never did this. I always felt more comfortable with a little padding.
Posted by JohnnyKilroy
Cajun Navy Vice Admiral
Member since Oct 2012
40313 posts
Posted on 4/1/21 at 6:47 pm to
quote:

My question is, are investors on this board who have a 20+ year time horizon still holding bond funds? I am considering moving some or all the bond funds in my IRA to ARKK, QQQ, or splitting it into My current 70% VTI/ 30% VXUS I’m currently using or a combination or those. I did not ask this question on bogleheads bc I know they would not advise it. Curious to know what this board thinks.


I'm roughly 23 years from retirement and I have 0 dollars in bonds and don't plan on changing that anytime soon.
Posted by jwn0002
Member since Oct 2019
29 posts
Posted on 4/1/21 at 7:19 pm to
(no message)
This post was edited on 11/30/24 at 8:27 am
Posted by LSUStjames
Member since Dec 2005
3521 posts
Posted on 4/1/21 at 7:24 pm to
I’m 46 and about 30/70. I was 100% securities until 2 years ago, I plan on retiring in 4 years though.
Posted by slackster
Houston
Member since Mar 2009
91362 posts
Posted on 4/1/21 at 7:33 pm to
quote:

Every massive dip has recovered in 24 months.


Except for the entirety of the 2000s, sure.
This post was edited on 4/1/21 at 7:37 pm
Posted by slackster
Houston
Member since Mar 2009
91362 posts
Posted on 4/1/21 at 7:39 pm to
quote:

That's why I have a portion of my money in bonds. I buy dips.


Yeah it really depends on your portfolio size and contribution rate IMO. Bonds suck until they don’t.
Posted by rocket31
Member since Jan 2008
41887 posts
Posted on 4/1/21 at 7:39 pm to
imagine voluntarily holding a countries sovereign debt as an asset

brutal to think people do this
Posted by slackster
Houston
Member since Mar 2009
91362 posts
Posted on 4/1/21 at 7:44 pm to
quote:

imagine voluntarily holding a countries sovereign debt as an asset

brutal to think people do this


I supposed you could always hold crypto currencies that are highly correlated to equities.

I understand the demo of this board isn’t going to be fond of bonds, but depending on your withdrawal rate, they can provide needed insulation when you’re in the withdrawal phase.
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