I have to admit, every time I see “VOO and chill” in Facebook FIRE groups or personal finance forums, it makes me chuckle (whether you’re a fellow advisor or a client, please don’t make fun of me!). It’s a clever catchphrase that implies all you need to do is invest in Vanguard’s S&P 500 ETF (VOO), sit back, and let your money grow. Sounds simple, right?
If you’ve been “VOO-ing and chilling” over the past decade, you’ve probably done pretty well. But will this strategy continue to perform well? No one can say for sure. And is it truly the best possible strategy for your portfolio? Probably not. As I often tell my clients (and I may sound like a broken record here), every portfolio is unique. What’s ideal for one person’s financial stage and risk tolerance may be entirely different for another.
1. There’s a Whole World Beyond the S&P 500
If you’re invested solely in VOO, you’re betting exclusively on the largest U.S. companies. These giants can certainly provide solid returns, but let’s remember that even big names stumble—Blockbuster and Lehman Brothers, anyone? And not every “giant” was a part of the S&P 500 from the beginning. Check out when the Magnificent 7 joined:
By sticking with VOO, you miss out on the growth potential of smaller-cap companies and other asset classes. My favorite quilt chart (source: JP Morgan) shows how U.S. large-cap stocks, represented by a green block, aren’t always the top performers over the last 15 years.
2. VOO Doesn’t Have a “Safety Net”
Stock markets dip—and sometimes dramatically! The S&P 500 has had its fair share of downturns, from the dot-com bust to the 2008 financial crisis. Though it always bounces back, wouldn’t it be nice to have a smoother ride? The reality is, the majority of us will need to be on a smoother ride at some point. Think about your life obligations that come with children, mortgage, jobs, retirement and etc.. You just can't be all in without a cushion. Diversifying into bonds, real estate, or alternatives can cushion the impact of these drops. While bonds may not shine in bull markets and took a hit in 2022 with rising rates (you can have your fair doubt about bonds), they’re still a steady friend when things get rocky.
3. Sometimes It’s Nice to Have Income
If you’re holding VOO, you’re mostly betting on capital appreciate—it yields just around 1.19%. What if you want and actually need a steady income coming in along the way? Dividend stocks, REITs, and bonds offer cash flow, which is helpful when you just need a little bit of that extra cash flow to help with education costs, a large purchase, early retirement and etc.. Or you are simply not in your 20s and don’t have that long horizon to wait for returns.
4. Different Life Stages, Different Needs
Investment strategies aren’t one-size-fits-all. A VOO-heavy portfolio might work well in your 20s, but as retirement nears, stability and income become priorities. A diversified portfolio acts like a Swiss Army knife, adapting as your income needs, life stage, and risk tolerance evolve. Imagine reaching your 60s with all your savings in VOO right before a correction. Diversification helps you sleep better at night.
5. Not Tax-Efficient
When you only invest in a single fund like VOO, you may miss out on some tax advantages. As you move through different income levels over the years, your tax needs often change. By using strategies like direct indexing, you can sell investments that have lost value during volatile times to offset gains (a strategy called tax-loss harvesting). For example, you can sell Pepsi when it lost value and buy back Coca-Cola to maintain the same position in the market. Why? You can buy back Pepsi right away because it triggers wash-sale. You buy back Coca-Cola because it is a very similar stock and moves the same direction as Pepsi. In lower-income years, you can also sell certain investments for gains to take advantage of the lower capital gain tax rates. Remember, 0% capital gain tax rate does exist! This flexibility can make a significant difference in what you keep in the long run.
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