Comments on: Vanguard Review

By: Austin @ Foreigner's Finances

Austin @ Foreigner's Finances — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 08:24:44 +0000

Hey Fred –

No need to panic. I believe that is the fund that Vanguard automatically puts your initial funds in. Once they are there, you can purchase your $3,000 with a Roth and a different fund.

To be safe, go here and ask Vanguard for clarification. It never hurts to double check: https://personal.vanguard.com/us/ContactUsSecureEmail?CompLocation=IRA_overview

Good luck!

By: Fred

Fred — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 12:04:32 +0000

Hi Austin, I’m SO glad I found your blog!! I’ve decided to open a Roth IRA with Vanguard but I’m kinda confused about certain things. When I opened an account it automatically opened a Prime Money Market account along with the Roth account and it says the minimum amount for the money market is $3000. Does that mean I have to put in $3000 for the money market account as well as the $3000 for my Roth? Help!

By: How to Save for Retirement While Working Abroad | Foreigner's Finances

How to Save for Retirement While Working Abroad | Foreigner's Finances — Sat, 15 May 2010 06:08:23 +0000

[...] still have the option of investing your money in taxed accounts in America through a broker like Vanguard, Schwab, E*trade, or Zecco but you don’t receive any tax benefits and have to pay taxes on [...]

By: Savings? Check. But, Now What? | Foreigner's Finances

Savings? Check. But, Now What? | Foreigner's Finances — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 13:33:53 +0000

[...] If you cannot tell a balance sheet from an income statement and you have no urge to know the difference between the two financial documents, investing in index funds or mutual funds is going to be your best bet. [...]

By: Austin

Austin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 02:42:44 +0000

That’s some good advice for new investors. The low fees are definitely worth the high minimums, but getting there can be hard for a lot of people.

My grandpa still uses Merril Lynch for his investments and I don’t even want to know the fees he’s paying them.

How long have you used Vanguard?

By: Daddy Paul

Daddy Paul — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 01:50:56 +0000

I like Vanguards low fees. My advice is for someone to put money in with a fund company such as Hodges who will take a 250 minimum save and build it up and then move it to Vanguard.

By: Austin

Austin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 02:47:45 +0000

That’s honestly the best and smartest decision you’ll ever make in your life.

You’ll never worry about allocation, you’ll never worry about stock prices, and you won’t worry about messing it up. If you lose $10,000 of potential earnings when you’re 65, who cares? The ease of the fund are totally worth it and I’m a little jealous I didn’t go with it.

I love your site design, Craig. It’s by far one of the best pf blog designs. Keep it up, man!

By: Craig

Craig — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:20:43 +0000

That’s exactly what I did. It’s supposed to be about 85% the best thing for you, but I don’t have the knowledge to search and fix and balance out on my own now so this works for me. I set up a 2040 target date and then created a general investing mutual fund target date for 2020 to save for 10 yrs when I will need the money more.

By: Austin

Austin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:17:40 +0000

Thanks for the comment Craig.

Are you referring to the Target Date Retirement Funds? If so, that’s the fund my girlfriend just bought a couple of days ago to start off her retirement savings. There great funds for 98% of people, cheap, and low maintenance.

Doesn’t get much better than that.

By: Craig

Craig — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:37:53 +0000

I set up a Roth IRA and mutual fund account also through Vanguard last year. The miniums were $3,000 but it was worth it to get started full well knowing I am leaving it there. I am a very novice investor, don’t know anything. Vanguard has these Lifecycle funds which basically do all the work for you until the designated time of the fund runs out. Seems good for me, someone who doesn’t know anything and wants no stress at all. So far I have had no complaints.