Help with allocating 401k contribution allocation

[diggingout]

As much as I read here, I still find stocks pretty tricky and I just landed a job with a 6% 401k match.  As such, this is actually my first time investing and would so appreciate any help in how to allocate my contributions.  To me, the funds I have to select from aren't the best options, but I definitely want to contribute to get the match for now.  I'm not sure if I'll be able to reply any time soon (getting married in a couple weeks so everything is bonkers), but I look forward to coming back to your responses and thank you for any help you all can provide! P.S. I'm getting a late start on investing at 30 :(


Name                                           Gross Expense Ratio**   
AF GRTH FUND AMER R6 (RGAGX)   0.33%   
FID 500 INDEX INST (FXSIX)              0.035%   
MFS VALUE R6 (MEIKX)                      0.51%   
ARTISAN MID CAP INST (APHMX)        0.95%   
FID LOW PRICED STK K (FLPKX)         0.78%   
VANG MIDCAP IDX INST (VMCIX)        0.07%   
DFA US SMALL CAP I (DFSTX)             0.37%   
VANG SM CAP IDX INST (VSCIX)         0.07%   
FID DIVERSIFD INTL K (FDIKX)           0.92%   
FID GLB XUS IDX INS (FSGSX)            0.09%   
FID FDM IDX 2005 IPR (FFGFX)            0.19%   
FID FDM IDX 2010 IPR (FFWTX)          0.19%   
FID FDM IDX 2015 IPR (FIWFX)           0.18%   
FID FDM IDX 2020 IPR (FIWTX)           0.18%   
FID FDM IDX 2025 IPR (FFEDX)           0.18%   
FID FDM IDX 2030 IPR (FFEGX)           0.19%
FID FDM IDX 2035 IPR (FFEZX)           0.19%   
FID FDM IDX 2040 IPR (FFIZX)            0.19%   
FID FDM IDX 2045 IPR (FFOLX)           0.19%   
FID FDM IDX 2050 IPR (FFOPX)           0.19%   
FID FDM IDX 2055 IPR (FFLDX)           0.19%   
FID FDM IDX 2060 IPR (FFLEX)            0.19%   
FID FDM IDX INC IPR (FFGZX)             0.19%   
MIP II CL 2                                         0.47%   
PIM TOTAL RT INST (PTTRX)                 0.47%   
VANG TOT BD MKT INST (VBTIX)          0.04%   
FIMM GOVT INST (FRGXX)                   0.65%
Short Term Investments                     0.18%   

[MoonLiteNite]

Looks pretty generic and the same as what most people get.

Simple thing to do is just go with the target date funds.

Or for the FI/RE folks, do, throw most of it in the S&P500 tracker.

To mix it up a bit, you could put some in the small or mid cap index funds,

And i am not too sure, but i don't see any international on there, only FLPKX? Which is like 60% US.

[Raenia]

I'm impressed by the low expense ratios offered by your 401k plan, so congrats on that!  The plans I've had available have always been much worse.

Another vote here for the S&P500 tracker, and if you feel the urge to diversify with bonds, VBTIX is also a good choice.  As MoonLiteNite suggested, you can add in small and mid cap funds if you start feeling bolder, but I'd stick with FXSIX until you're comfortable with investing and have done some research into asset allocation.

[Gumption]

You are young...100% in S&P, plow as much as you can in there and forget about it for 10 years

[Proud Foot]

To me, the funds I have to select from aren't the best options, but I definitely want to contribute to get the match for now. 

Name                                           Gross Expense Ratio**      
FID 500 INDEX INST (FXSIX)              0.035%      
VANG MIDCAP IDX INST (VMCIX)        0.07%      
VANG SM CAP IDX INST (VSCIX)         0.07%   
VANG TOT BD MKT INST (VBTIX)          0.04%   

I'm not sure how you determined the funds aren't the best options. You have great options with low expense ratios.

Definitely contribute to the 500 Index.  If you want more of a total market approach add a little of the vanguard midcap and small cap indexes at a ratio of 81%-4%-15%.  If you want more diversity than just equities then add the Vanguard total bond fund.