Best Vanguard fund

[Anonymous]

I've seen people post about a Vanguard fund that has a $10K minimum. I thought it was VTSAX, but the website says the minimum is $3k, so I'm wondering if I have the wrong fund. For someone looking for their first moderate investment, which fund would you all recommend?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've seen people post about a Vanguard fund that has a $10K minimum. I thought it was VTSAX, but the website says the minimum is $3k, so I'm wondering if I have the wrong fund. For someone looking for their first moderate investment, which fund would you all recommend?

Just put it in the appropriate Target Retirement Fund Not worth trying to futz around with anything more complicated.

[Anonymous]

If you told us your investment goal we might be able to help more.

[Anonymous]

VTSAX Admiral Shares. Used to be $10k, but they lowered it to appease the commoners. Kind of like how pretty much anyone can get an Amex card now. Depending on your horizon, you may want to diversify with international (VTIAX) and bonds (VBTLX). But all VTSAX isn't a terrible strategy. Don't get your investment advice from DCUM. If you want Vanguard, go to the source (Bogleheads).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:VTSAX Admiral Shares. Used to be $10k, but they lowered it to appease the commoners. Kind of like how pretty much anyone can get an Amex card now. Depending on your horizon, you may want to diversify with international (VTIAX) and bonds (VBTLX). But all VTSAX isn't a terrible strategy. Don't get your investment advice from DCUM. If you want Vanguard, go to the source (Bogleheads).

You just gave one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you told us your investment goal we might be able to help more.

+1
How much risk are you willing to take? When do you need the money? Is this a taxable account?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've seen people post about a Vanguard fund that has a $10K minimum. I thought it was VTSAX, but the website says the minimum is $3k, so I'm wondering if I have the wrong fund. For someone looking for their first moderate investment, which fund would you all recommend?

Just put it in the appropriate Target Retirement Fund Not worth trying to futz around with anything more complicated.

This.

[Anonymous]

I just opened Vanguard accounts to do the maximum backdoor Roth each year moving forward. I put $5.5K into VIMAX, Mid-Cap Index Admiral Shares.

Great returns and ultra low costs for exposure to mid-cap companies. Yes, the risk is higher than VTSAX but so are the returns over the long-run. Price-to-book is actually lower than VTSAX.

Next year, I'll probably toss the full $6K backdoor Roth into VTSAX.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, that explains it! This is in my Roth IRA, so it’s long term. I contributed 2018 and 2019 back to back and finally had enough for VTSAX...

After this year, I will diversify and buy other funds mentioned here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, that explains it! This is in my Roth IRA, so it’s long term. I contributed 2018 and 2019 back to back and finally had enough for VTSAX...

After this year, I will diversify and buy other funds mentioned here.

In your Vanguard accout, you can create a "Watch list" of funds, ETFs, and stocks. Whenever I read about another Vanguard fund on here or Bogleheads, I add it to my Watch List. It's very handy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just opened Vanguard accounts to do the maximum backdoor Roth each year moving forward. I put $5.5K into VIMAX, Mid-Cap Index Admiral Shares.

Great returns and ultra low costs for exposure to mid-cap companies. Yes, the risk is higher than VTSAX but so are the returns over the long-run. Price-to-book is actually lower than VTSAX.

Next year, I'll probably toss the full $6K backdoor Roth into VTSAX.

I should add that I'm also in my late 30s, so I easily have another 23-25 years of working. I'm all equities at this point.

[Anonymous]

Best Vanguard ETFs:

VTI - Total market
VO - Mid cap
VB - Small cap

For ordinary retirement savers, no difference between ETF and mutual funds except no minimum investment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Best Vanguard ETFs:

VTI - Total market
VO - Mid cap
VB - Small cap

For ordinary retirement savers, no difference between ETF and mutual funds except no minimum investment.

I thought the ETFs would be more expensive, but that's not the case overall. It really depends on a case by case basis. That said, there are more mutual options than ETFs that qualify for free trading. Also, ETFs have only one tax-exempt options whereas the mutuals have a wide variety of tax-exempt funds.

It really depends on your investment perspective.

[Anonymous]

I would take my time selecting a fund, because if you don't like the fund you selected 10 years down the road, you could be paying significant capital gains if you decide to sell. If you DIY your investing, bogleheads is the best out there. I used to have a crazy slice and dice portfolio, but over the years, I have changed it to a bogleheads type portfolio.