If you could only invest in only one fund ever, it would be...?

[Stache In Training]

If (for some weird reason) you could only invest in one taxed fund, for the rest of your life, what would it be?  (Ignoring retirement/tax-managed funds, as they are their own beast)

I know that there's no magic bullet, and everyone's situation is different.  But think of this as an exercise to give people just starting a mustachian lifestyle a good point to start investing. 

Lets get specific funds, not just "an index fund."  Then I'll combine the answers (maybe make a poll for more data, and...) so that all the answers are in one place, for convenience.

Cheers!

[Cecil]

VTSAX.

[Rust]

honestly, not trying to sound like a troll but I truly believe this.

The best investment you can make if you can only one, is to make that investment in yourself.  Investing time, money and effort to learning new things will provide the best long term return.

For example, If you invest the time and money to learn about plumbing you will for the rest of your life save money from being able to do things others would have to hire out.

***
but to the heart of the question.  I'd invest in whatever the lowest cost S&P 500 indexed fund is.  I personally think that this gives you global exposure and has demonstrated long term success.

[Crash87]

Do lifecycle funds count?

2050 lifecycle fund: VFIFX

If not I'll go with an S&P500 index fund: VFIAX

[Zaga]

Total market index.

If the requirement that it be in taxable was taken away, I'd pick the Vanguard Wellington Fund.

[matchewed]

A total US Market ('Murica Fuck Yeah!).

Jokes aside I see no actual lessening of US consumption in the long run. The last two dips (Dot Com and Recession) are just small kicks in the sack so to speak. I don't see a change in our culture. In fact I would say if you assume that television is a reflection of current culture that we're just as obsessed with material wealth and get rich quick schemes as ever. If you don't assume that well you're probably drawing different conclusions.

[madmax]

80% VTSAX/ 20% Cash (Ally CDs for example)

[marty998]

The best investment you can make is one you make in yourself.

My first boss told me that years ago. Never a truer word spoken.

1 Fund? An S&P ASX 200 tracker (divs reinvested).

1 stock? At this moment in time: Avanco Resources (run baby run, hopefully it will pay off my mortgage soon).

[jrhampt]

Another vote for S&P500 index fund: VFIAX.  This is what I started with in my taxable account.  I have since added an international index fund and a muni bond fund to round it out, but I consider VFIAX to be my core fund.

[Stache In Training]

Looks like we've got the following funds:
Total stock market index fund
S&P 500 index (and the Australian equivalent, so I'll count that as the same)

Any others?

I did leave out the lifecycle, as that is more for retirement purposes.  And yes, investing in yourself is by far the best!  :)