So apparently if you move to certain European countries, they will punitively tax the fuck out of your American index fund holdings (Apparently the US does the same to Americans holding foreign index funds'). After talking to a bunch of other expats in similar situations, one solution people have suggested is to buy individual stocks that approximately represent the desired index fund's composition. This could mean for eg. buying the top 10-15 stocks from lets say VTSAX.

Now my question to y'all who can VTSAX and chill without the taxman calling: How hard would it be for me to recreate it approximately?

1. How likely am I to get in the earnings ballpark by holding the top 10-15 VTSAX stocks ?

2. Would a twice a year rebalancing be enough?

3. What would the rebalancing entail? I imagine its something like

   1. Find out what percentage of VTSAX is MSFT
   2. Find out what percentage of my portfolio is MSFT
   3. Calculate difference in terms of stock units
   4. Buy or sell # of stock units on difference
   5. Repeat 10-15x based on holdings

   This doesnt sound like my idea of a fun evening but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.