🌍 US vs International Index Funds

A NurseMoneyDate® Investment Discernment Guide (Not a Rulebook)

There is no “correct” international percentage that works for everyone.

The goal is alignment with your values, comfort level, timeline, and ability to stay invested. Use the questions below to guide your decision.

1️⃣ Home Bias Check 🇺🇸

How comfortable am I investing outside the U.S.?

Ask yourself:

• Do I feel safer when my investments are mostly U.S.-based?

• Do international headlines make me uneasy or curious?

• If international markets underperform for several years, could I stay invested without panic?

🧠 Insight:
A strong preference for U.S. stocks isn’t “wrong” it just signals risk perception and emotional comfort.

2️⃣ Diversification Belief 🌎

Do I believe diversification actually helps me sleep better?

Ask yourself:

• Do I understand that different countries perform well at different times?

• Do I value smoother long-term outcomes over short-term performance?

• Does spreading risk across economies feel stabilizing or unnecessary?

🧠 Insight:
International investing isn’t about chasing returns, it’s about not relying on one country to do all the work.

3️⃣ Time Horizon & Career Stability ⏳

How long can I leave this money alone?

Ask yourself:

• Is this money for 20–30+ years in the future?

• Do I have stable income (or earning power) as a nurse?

• Would short-term international underperformance bother me if my timeline is long?

🧠 Insight:
Longer timelines = more room for global cycles to play out.

4️⃣ Currency & Global Exposure Awareness 💱

Am I okay owning assets tied to other currencies and economies?

Ask yourself:

• Do I understand that international funds introduce currency risk?

• Am I comfortable knowing some returns may be influenced by global exchange rates?

• Do I like the idea of my portfolio being tied to the global economy, not just the U.S.?

🧠 Insight:
Currency exposure adds complexity but also diversification.

5️⃣ Performance Expectations Reality Check 📉📈

How do I react when something lags?

Ask yourself:

• How do I feel when I see part of my portfolio underperforming?

• Do I compare my returns to headlines or to my long-term plan?

• Would I be tempted to abandon international funds after a few “bad” years?

🧠 Insight:
The “best” allocation is the one you can stick with during boring or uncomfortable seasons.

6️⃣ Simplicity vs Precision ⚖️

Do I want simple or nuanced?

Ask yourself:

• Do I prefer fewer funds and less monitoring?

• Or do I enjoy intentional diversification and understanding the “why”?

• Will adding international funds make my plan feel empowering or overwhelming?

🧠 Insight:
A simpler plan that’s followed beats a perfect plan that’s ignored.

7️⃣ Values Alignment 💛

Does global investing reflect how I see the world?

Ask yourself:

• Do I value global interconnectedness and shared economic growth?

• Do I like supporting companies across different regions?

• Does global exposure align with my personal or ethical worldview?

🧠 Insight:
Your portfolio can reflect both strategy and values.

🌍 A Grounding Close: What’s Typical (Not What You Must Do)

To give you some context most globally diversified index portfolios include some international exposure, but the exact amount varies widely.

You may commonly see:

• 0% international → very U.S.-focused, simple, emotionally comfortable for some

• 10–20% international → light global exposure, common for investors easing in

• 20–40% international → broadly diversified, often cited in long-term investing frameworks

These are reference points, not recommendations.

There is no “better,” “more sophisticated,” or “more responsible” choice here.

🧠 Important NurseMoneyDate® Reminder

• A 100% U.S. portfolio is not lazy or wrong

• A globally diversified portfolio is not smarter or more evolved

• A small international allocation is not “playing it too safe”

• A larger international allocation is not “taking more risk the right way”

Your portfolio is not a reflection of your intelligence, discipline, or values as a person.

It is simply a tool designed to support your life, nervous system, and long-term goals.

💛 The Real “Best” Allocation

The best international allocation is the one that:

• You understand

• You can explain in your own words

• You can stick with during boring years and disappointing headlines

• You won’t abandon when one part of the portfolio lags

Consistency > optimization.
Self-trust > perfect percentages.

NurseMoneyDate® Reflection Prompt

“Based on what I know about myself right now, the level of international exposure that feels most supportive and sustainable is:
_______%

This is not permanent. I’m allowed to revisit this as I learn and grow.”