I wrote this to my friend who wanted to know what I would do for a conservative account

In regards to management fees of mutual funds, I believe you should not worry about it, but whether it has strong management. If there is not strong management then fees matter.

In markets like this, I believe value investing is the way to go…I own the value fund and am looking to own the international value as well. http://www.thirdavenuefunds.com/ta/ I also like the Fidelity fund you mentioned, but EWC is similar and an etf so it's more liquid.

I would not rush into buying into anything since the markets are overbought. And all the money you are using will not be needed by you and not cause stress of any kind.

But everytime there is a panic, that is the time to buy at a discount. Since you are saving for the long term, discounts add up. In truth there is no telling what will happen, but a conservative approach should help weather the storm. If I was to have a portfolio that captures the trend of global economies and should stay the course in both an inflationary as well as deflationary scenario…All of them should be equal weight and not bought at once…If had my choice of 1, it would be IOO…the second would be tavfx

1) IOO—100 of the largest global cos.
2) SPY—SP 500 (this is optional)
3) EWJ—Japanese stock market has been bearish for 20 some years, and trading way below book value (this is optional)
4) TAVFX—classic value fund
4a) TAVIX –classic internation value fund (either or Tavfx)
5) FICDX - Fidelity fund encompassing large cap Canadian companies
5a) EWC—Canadian stock market (this sector is optional but since you are Canadian)

Since the world may be going to a basket of currencies, a resource rich and balance sheet strong economy should help diversify ones savings.
1) CYB-Chinese currency (500billion surplus)
2) FXC-Canadian (resource rich)
3) BZF-Brazilean (strongest country in s America)
4) JYF-Japanese (fiscally responsible )
5) FXF-Swiss (the swissie has been a haven in time of trouble)
6) GLD-Gold (the barbaric relic)

ALSO SET ASIDE SOME MONEY FOR SPECULATIVE STOCKS IN AN AREA THAT YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE IN…AS TIME PROGRESSES ONE OR TWO OF THEM MAY PAN OUT FOR YOU…DON’T KNOCK YOUR OWN LIFE EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE IT WILL HELP!!!!!!!!