My results probably are about what a balanced portfolio of ETFs would be for this year. I self direct and have no fees with Fidelity. I am 75 so my portfolio is probably a lot different than most people who are younger. I am heavily weighted in CDs and even one non taxable ( Federal ) municipal bond fund. The Mrs. has a non stock 403b Annuity for safety. My 403b equivalent is ( age related ) 75 percent cash, 25 percent stock fund, and only 5 percent bond. Bonds have underperformed badly but who knows what the future will be. High interest rates are very bad for bonds. What stocks I do have are heavily weighted toward dividends, but are of course subject to risk too. The biggest downside to CDs is the interest is taxable in the year earned so say good bye ( my bracket ) to 22 percent of it to Fed taxes and 7 percent to my Greedy State Ct. That’s a big nut. Since 1926 the market has returned 10 percent a year average, but I can’t risk a 20 year of a down market. I can’t advise you on what to do. My brother and sister pay big fees to advisors. So far I have done better than they have, but could be just luck. Anyway, good luck. It’s a tough decision. Also somewhat time consuming with self directing. The good part of that is even though I am a dinosaur
compared to the younger tech crowd, I am able to do everything I. need to do on my phone and at the touch of a couple of buttons on my phone, I can move money either way from my bank to Fidelity. I’m not necessarily plugging Fidelity, just saying it works for me. Good luck again.