Technically, phrase thrown at Bogleheads is, "Nobody knows nothing."
We choose to passively invest by using index funds since passive always beats active for average investors. The stock market is a loser's game.
We also do not know what the future holds, so we can't be confident.
Acknowledging these facts, we should hold low-cost
diversified investments.
Additionally, stick to allocation %. That judges how well a portfolio will do in the future. Swaying away from it results in underperformance and even disaster. In other words, stay the course.
I don't know. Neither should you say what the S&P 500 or international investment will do because when it starts performing not to your liking, will you sell everything?
Back in 2000-2008, investors were talking about international, and now everyone shits on it.
I like this paper written in 2012 by Vanguard. Take a read:
Considerations for investing in non-US equities
Knowing that much about international, I would be uncomfortable holding 0% in any portfolio.
FSKAX since it's more diversified.
3381 stocks > 503 stocks
If you want (and if available) to be a guinea pig, you are welcome to invest in zero expense ratio fund FZROX. It however contains only 2521 stocks. Also given Fidelity's tracking history errors, don't expect this fund to match equivalents. It has so far matched in its very short history, but I wouldn't count on that to last.
Plenty of posters here invest at Fidelity.
Here's a guide:
https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Fidelity
You can also invest Blackrock iShare ETFs commission-free there.
FTIHX
The zero fund equivalent doesn't make sense to me, but if you want to do it, I can't stop you.
No to robo investor. Keep your investing simple.
Last time I read somewhere that ITOT is more tax-efficient than VTI. Haven't verified myself.
3-5 year CD. See if you can get a rate of 3.5% or higher.
I don't expect rates to last. US is the only country giving very high positive interest rates when compared to the rest of the world.
Bogle in his final revision of his little book to investing is pretty dismal in investing outlook. A US-only equity portfolio is only expected 5% gain for the next ten years. He also only expects 3% from bond investments (2% for treasury, 4% for corporate bond).
Nobody knows nothing.