Big idea: You don’t need many investments to have a strong portfolio — and simple portfolios are often easier to stick with.
Beginners often think they need lots of ETFs or shares for diversification. But the truth?
A simple portfolio built from one to three ETFs can cover most of the world’s major markets.
All-in-one ETFs are juts one option, but there are other investing options as well:
The 'core and satellite' idea
This strategy is popular because it’s simple and easy to stick with.
Your
core
is your main investment — usually one or two broad, well-diversified ETFs that form the foundation of your portfolio.
Your
satellite
is the smaller, 'fun' section where you can explore ideas: a company you’re curious about, or a thematic ETF covering a niche like AI, clean energy, or crypto.
Here's an example of a core-satellite portfolio:
- Core (90–95%) → one or two broad ETFs
- Satellite (5–10%) → optional small additions (like a thematic ETF or a favourite company)
The core does the heavy lifting.
The satellite keeps things personal and lets you experiment — without risking your long-term plan.
Examples of simple core ETFs
- One global ETF
- One Australian ETF + one global ETF
- One all-in-one ETF
Why simple works
So much of successful investing comes down to keeping things simple and sensible.
The less complexity you build into your portfolio, the less you’ll feel the urge to tweak, tinker, or second-guess yourself.
Simplicity keeps you on track — and staying on track is what grows your wealth over time.
A simple portfolio means:
- fewer decisions to make
- less overlap between investments
- lower fees overall
- easier automation
- clearer understanding of what you actually own
- less chance of emotional tinkering
Simple may be boring, but it’s also powerful. It helps you invest with confidence and stay focused on the long game.
Why should I care?
Because complexity often equals confusion.
And confusion often leads to inaction — or selling at the wrong time.
Simplicity helps you stick with your plan for decades.
Try this today
Write down what a 'simple' two-ETF portfolio could look like for you.
