<prompt> Human: Hi,Checked my statement today, -15.5 return this year. I am 26 years old, my 401k portfolio is: 35 target date 2050 fund 50 growth fund of america growth 15 new world fund growth is 65 into growth funds too much? is everyone else negative this year as well? Also, I contribute 6 with 2 employee match, if that matters at all. Thanks for your advice.Assistant: Growth Fund of America and New World Fund both have 5.75 sales charges, which is a rip off. The expense ratios are also high. If you invested in low cost index funds, your returns would be better because you wouldnt be paying all these fees.I dont know which target date fund youre investing in so I cant say anything about it. What company runs it?That said, everyones down right now. Youre just down more than you should be, because of the unnecessary fees youre paying. However, you may not have any better options in your 401k -- but its definitely worth looking into.Your asset allocation is aggressive but at 26 thats not unreasonable.Human: thanks for the reply. Im using American Funds. The target date fund is American Funds 2050 Target Date Fund R3. Also, I checked on those funds and they have expense ratios of 1.25 - 1.75 Of the 20 or so choices I have to direct my money, there is one index fund, Columbia Mid Cap Index Fund Z, with expense ratio of .20. Its considered a growth fund. are you saying Im probably better off with my 65 going there? Thanks for your help!  <response>: expense ratios of 1.25 - 1.75 Yeah, thats expensive. A decent index fund is around 0.2. Yes, diversification and costs should be your first considerations, hence index funds. 