Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of creating a balanced investment portfolio tailored to individual investor profiles, including age, risk tolerance, and financial goals [1] ETF Analysis - The Vanguard Total Market ETF (VTI) provides exposure to over 3,500 stocks across the entire U.S. stock market, including mid-cap and small-cap stocks, and has generated an average annual return of 14% over the past decade [3][5] - The Vanguard Growth Index ETF (VUG) focuses on leading growth stocks, particularly in the technology sector, which constitutes over 60% of its portfolio, achieving a yearly return of 17.4% over the past decade [6][8] - The Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) invests in dividend-paying stocks outside the U.S., with a portfolio comprising approximately 43% European companies, 26% from Asia Pacific, and over 20% from emerging markets, recording an average annual return of more than 13% over the past five years [9][11][12] - The Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) invests in a mix of government, corporate, and mortgage-backed securities, owning over 11,000 bonds, but has only averaged a 1.9% yearly return over the past decade, although it has rebounded by about 6.7% in 2025 [13][15][16]