Posted: 5/30/2011 5:38:34 PM EDT
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I just opened an account at Vanguard. Since I'm a virgin at this, any tips or tricks, links to some good reading, anything that can help a brother out?
TIA edit*** I don't have a problem doing all the research on my own, I just haven't a clue where to begin. |
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Read this and you'll know everything you need: http://www.amazon.com/Four-Pillars-Investing-Building-Portfolio/dp/0071385290
RF |
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I would second what everyone else said. Try reading this: http://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Lazy_Portfolios John Bogle is the founder of Vanguard. The bogleheads website discusses many of the questions you ask, especially the importance of maintaining a diversified and balanced portfolio. The lazy portfolios allow you to get a well diversified portfolio with only a few funds. If you buy Vanguard funds or ETFs, you don't pay any commissions either. The Four Pillars book is excellent as well. |
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Oldskewlsk8ter,
I would recommend "The Booglehead's Guide to Investing" (978-0471730330) and "All About Asset Allocation" (978-0071429580) in addition to the Four Pillars of Investing. You are off to a good start by opening an account at Vanguard and I would echo what others are saying about index funds. Two things you need to do (these books will help), the first is to determine the mix of bonds to stocks(equities) that you want. At that point you can determine your asset allocation within those two categories. |
| +1 for Morningstar forums...they have a bogleheads subforum and alot of good vanguard info. Vanguard has some great funds and some great etf's. My only complaint with some of their funds is their minimums are a little high for beginning investors, but you can open an account with 1 etf and no transaction fees. I currently have schwab but can see yself moving everything to vanguard in the not too distant future... |
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You can't beat that company. I've had stuff with them since 1986 and still have my original investment in STAR fund. It's a great company and they go out of their way to make sure you are happy. There's not many companies I've done biz with for that long and recommend them to everyone I know.
I currently hold about a dozen of their funds. All long term investments. |
Broad mkt benchmarked ones, TSM TISM TBM, those are the etf symbols FWIW