Rebalancing without overthinking it

Once or twice a year is plenty, and a simple threshold rule can keep costs and taxes low.

A portfolio drifts as winners grow. Left alone, a 60/40 mix can become 75/25 after a long bull market, which means more risk than you signed up for.

A sensible next step

The simplest approach is a calendar rebalance on a fixed date, or a band rule such as trading only when an asset class is five points off target. Using new deposits to top up laggards avoids selling and triggering taxes.

None of this is a forecast, and past performance does not predict future results. Fees, taxes and time horizon matter at least as much as the product itself, and a plan you can stick with through a bad year usually beats a clever one you abandon.

Once or twice a year is plenty, and a simple threshold rule can keep costs and taxes low.

The case in plain English

This article is for information only and is not investment advice. Figures are illustrative and may be delayed or simulated for demonstration purposes.

Try it: move the yield, watch your numbers

If the 10-year yield were…

Illustrative model · not a quote
2.5%6.5%
$100k$800k
Typical 30-yr fixed rate
Yield + ~1.8% lender margin
Monthly payment
Fixed savings on $10,000
/ yr
At about on a 2–5 yr fixed deal
Monthly payment across yields · 30 years
2.5%3.5%4.5%5.5%6.5%

For information only — not investment advice.

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