Passive strategies have costs as well. Ask somebody with all of their money in VTI from 2001-2006.
Educating yourself and being opportunistic about seeking best value introduces risk but also unique opportunities. Personally, I like to realize gains over time and keep them liquid until a good opportunity presents itself.
Unless you really enjoy the time you spend doing it, seems like the opportunity cost of that 104 hrs/yr might be a bit steep both in terms of the cost of the time itself and the lost earnings from not having it with Vanguard's plan.
Also, I have a couple of different portfolios that I manage differently. I enjoy learning about companies and different industries as a hobby, so it's not lost time to me. If anything I get some knowledge that helps in other areas.
If you were the "average" 30-something index investor in 2008, you took a bath. I made a boatload of money, because I commited the cardinal sin of market timing and bought a bunch of stuff cheap with the cash position that I maintain.
People abandon human advisors because their liability issues result in bland advice that you can get for $0 from the Charles Schwab newsletter, unless you are qualified investor.