Setting Up Vanguard Investments (In Canada)

[AJDZee]

Hey y'all,

(Shout out for my first MMM forum post!)

I'm looking to set up Vanguard investments, and would like to have an automatic monthly deposit program (obviously).

Reading some of MMM's advice it sounded like Vanguard has it's own account/platform, but when I go to the Vanguard site it just has a link to financial advisors or you can purchase on your own if your a 'self-directed investor'

I have a Questrade account (online brokerage) and could purchase Vanguards ETFs through there.. But not really sure how do the MER fees get applied if I hold the mutual funds with a 3rd party broker?

I also don't want to pay broker fees every time I contribute to my 'stache.

Anyone that can lend me some advice to help me on my way would be greatly appreciated!
(Sorry if this is posted already somewhere, I checked  the first 8 pages already haha)

Thanks!
AJD

[Cecil]

I too am Canadian and have a Questrade account. I'm mostly invested in Vanguard ETFs. The good news is ETF purchases are free through Questrade! It costs nothing to buy, and $5-$10 to sell (but that shouldn't matter if you aren't selling).

I'm guessing the MER fees just get subtracted yearly or monthly from the NAV. I'm not really sure how that works.

[Spudd]

Yeah, you don't see the MER, it just gets deducted from the value of your holdings invisibly.

[AJDZee]

Thanks Cecil, do you have automatic program set up where questrade takes funds from your regular bank and buys the ETFs?  Can Queatrade even do that? (I find Queatrade confusing now with their platforms and website...)

[Cecil]

No, I don't have that. I just manually do a bill payment to Questrade and corresponding ETF purchase once a month or so.

[AJDZee]

No, I don't have that. I just manually do a bill payment to Questrade and corresponding ETF purchase once a month or so.

I talked to someone at quest ride today and confirmed they don't profile that service where it automatically purchases ETFs for you. I guess I'm just spoiled with the ease of my Manulife and ING accounts.  It's no big deal to do it manually... I just find savings it much more powerful when it automatic and it's harder to 'miss' a month