Hello again:

I first recommended a 3-fund total market indexed portfolio in 1999..  Last Friday I checked the returns and rank-in-category for the 3-funds.

  Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund (VTSMX)

RETURN------PERIOD-----RANK
9.39%............3-years.......Top 33%
8.52%............3-years.......Top 21% (after tax)

11.98%..........5-years.......Top 25%
11.30%..........5-years.......Top 18% (after tax)

4.29%..........10-years.......Top 32%
3.85%..........10-years.......Top 23% (after tax)


Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund (VGTSX)

18.84%...........3-years.......Top 23%
17.88%...........3-years.......Top 14% (after tax)

22.39%...........5-years.......Top 23%
21.69%...........5-years.......Top 06% (after tax)

7.59%...........10-years.......Top 14%
6.94%...........10-years.......Top 11% (after tax)


Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund (VBMFX)

4.89%............3-years.......Top 12%
3.07%............3-years.......Top 13% (after tax)

4.29%............5-years.......Top 20%
2.59%............5-years.......Top 20% (after tax)

5.68%..........10-years.......Top 16%
3.58%..........10-years.......Top 14% (after tax)

Conclusion: A simple portfolio of broad market index funds is hard to beat.

Best wishes.
Taylor