Jack Bogle is the founder of Vanguard Investment Group and is a vocal proponent on the superiority of index funds for investors.  In the USA, Bogle has almost a cult like following.  One of those followers is Taylor Larimore is a former IRS officer and retired chief of the Small Business Association's finance division in South Florida.  He is co-author of two Bogleheads' books: The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing (Wiley, 2007) and The Bogleheads' Guide to Retirement Planning (Wiley, 2009).

Taylor was recently interviewed with the summary now posted on Morningstar's website.  Even though Taylor's comments relate to the US market, they are extremely applicable to Australian investors, especially those who want a simple, no-fuss investment portfolio in retirement.

If that's you, then please take a look at the Morningstar article - What the Bogleheads know for sure

Taylor's concluding comments speak clearly to me:

If you could sum up what you have learned during a lifetime of investing experience, what would you say?

My advice to be a successful investor is this: Save regularly, develop a personal asset-allocation plan, use a few broad market index funds, keep costs low (including taxes), avoid mistakes, strive for simplicity, and stay the course.

Sounds simple doesn't it.

Regards,
Scott Keefer