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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: ReadyToStash on March 07, 2015, 03:27:45 PM

Title: Starting With Vanguard
Post by: ReadyToStash on March 07, 2015, 03:27:45 PM
Hey all,

I'm just now ready to start turning some cash into index funds. I have $3000 to put into some index funds, but I am pretty confused about which one to start with. VTI? VTSAX (needs a minimum $10k)? Etc?
I'm lost and would love either some advice or a link to an existing thread. Thanks!
Title: Re: Starting With Vanguard
Post by: MDM on March 07, 2015, 03:40:34 PM
You could do worse than starting with https://investor.vanguard.com/mutual-funds/target-retirement/#/ and going from there.
Title: Re: Starting With Vanguard
Post by: JasonS on March 07, 2015, 04:24:02 PM
VTI is a good place to start, why not?
Title: Re: Starting With Vanguard
Post by: kib on March 07, 2015, 04:27:23 PM
Always check the descriptions.  VTSAX also has a non-admiral equivalent, VTSMX ($3000 minimum, you can work up to the lower-fee admiral fund), as well as an ETF equivalent in which you can put however much you happen to have.
Title: Re: Starting With Vanguard
Post by: ChrisEE on March 07, 2015, 05:25:43 PM
Assuming you'll be adding regularly I would start with the investor shares of VTSAX which also have a $3000 initial investment.  A bit more expense ratio than VTI version, but because it is a mutual fund instead of ETF you can add regularly without paying commissions and when you reach $10,000 can convert  to VTSAX and have the lower fees.  Either way a good choice.

Sounds like you're off to a good start with this fund, but not sure exactly what you're investing in or why.  I would highly recommend reading JL Collins Stock Series.  It was extremely helpful to me personally when starting off with managing my own investments and he is highly thought of by many around here.

I wrote a review of the stock series here if interested which will then in turn link you to his site:  http://eatthefinancialelephant.com/diy-investing-resource-1-jl-collins-stock-series/

Hope that helps.

Cheers!
Title: Re: Starting With Vanguard
Post by: astvilla on March 07, 2015, 08:05:46 PM
Assuming you'll be adding regularly I would start with the investor shares of VTSAX which also have a $3000 initial investment.  A bit more expense ratio than VTI version, but because it is a mutual fund instead of ETF you can add regularly without paying commissions and when you reach $10,000 can convert  to VTSAX and have the lower fees.  Either way a good choice.

Sounds like you're off to a good start with this fund, but not sure exactly what you're investing in or why.  I would highly recommend reading JL Collins Stock Series.  It was extremely helpful to me personally when starting off with managing my own investments and he is highly thought of by many around here.

I wrote a review of the stock series here if interested which will then in turn link you to his site:  http://eatthefinancialelephant.com/diy-investing-resource-1-jl-collins-stock-series/

Hope that helps.

Cheers!

WAAAITT! I thought Vanguard ETFs are commission free in a Vanguard account?! Or am I mistaken?

Otherwise the advice is sound OP. VTI/VTSMX/VTSAX are good choices. They are all the same fund.
Title: Re: Starting With Vanguard
Post by: ReadyToStash on March 08, 2015, 06:40:48 AM
Thanks for all the great information!
I was starting to suffer paralysis from overanalysis over here.