Turn your allocation percentages into exact dollar amounts.
Asset allocation is the primary driver of long-term portfolio returns and risk — more important than individual security selection. A common framework is the "60/40" portfolio: 60% equities, 40% bonds. Modern portfolios often add alternatives like commodities or real assets for diversification.
Review and rebalance your allocation periodically (annually or when allocations drift more than 5% from target). Rebalancing naturally enforces buy-low/sell-high discipline.