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re: Best Vanguard funds for an investing novice
Posted on 5/9/15 at 10:54 pm to Patrick_Bateman
Posted on 5/9/15 at 10:54 pm to Patrick_Bateman
On the top of the VTSAX page, it says also available as Investor shares. Click that to take you to VTSMX.
They are the same fund, but with lower fees for a higher balance.
They are the same fund, but with lower fees for a higher balance.
1
Posted on 5/9/15 at 11:13 pm to Sigma
OK, I see. And thanks for that link on the previous page. Like WG_Dawg, I'm new to the investing game. I'll definitely be spending some time on that site. 
Posted on 5/10/15 at 4:05 pm to Patrick_Bateman
To recap the funds mentioned in this thread (and so I'll be able to revisit this thread in a few years):
VTSMX/VTSAX/VTI - Total Stock Market Index Fund
VGTSX/VTIAX/VXUS - Total International Stock Index Fund
VGSTX - Star Fund
VDIGX - Dividend Growth Fund
VSTCX - Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund
VTMSX - Tax-Managed Small Cap Fund
VISVX/VSIAX/VBR - Small Capitalization Value Index Fund
VIGRX/VIGAX/VUG - Growth Index Fund
VMGIX/VMGMX/VOT - Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund
VISGX/VSGAX/VBK - Small Capitalization Growth Index Fund
VWIGX/VWILX - International Growth Fund
VGSIX/VGSLX/VNQ - REIT Index Fund
VGHCX/VGHAX - Health Care Fund
VFFVX or VTTSX - Target Retirement 2055 or 2060
* Where two funds are together (A/B), A is Investor Shares, and B is Admiral Shares. Where three funds are together (A/B/C), A is Investor Shares, B is Admiral Shares, and C is an ETF. Admiral Shares are desirable because of their lower expense ratios, but they have a higher minimum investment requirement.
VTSMX/VTSAX/VTI - Total Stock Market Index Fund
VGTSX/VTIAX/VXUS - Total International Stock Index Fund
VGSTX - Star Fund
VDIGX - Dividend Growth Fund
VSTCX - Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund
VTMSX - Tax-Managed Small Cap Fund
VISVX/VSIAX/VBR - Small Capitalization Value Index Fund
VIGRX/VIGAX/VUG - Growth Index Fund
VMGIX/VMGMX/VOT - Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund
VISGX/VSGAX/VBK - Small Capitalization Growth Index Fund
VWIGX/VWILX - International Growth Fund
VGSIX/VGSLX/VNQ - REIT Index Fund
VGHCX/VGHAX - Health Care Fund
VFFVX or VTTSX - Target Retirement 2055 or 2060
* Where two funds are together (A/B), A is Investor Shares, and B is Admiral Shares. Where three funds are together (A/B/C), A is Investor Shares, B is Admiral Shares, and C is an ETF. Admiral Shares are desirable because of their lower expense ratios, but they have a higher minimum investment requirement.
Posted on 5/10/15 at 5:07 pm to Patrick_Bateman
Put us all together and we'd have one hell of a diversified portfolio 
All jokes aside, don't let it overwhelm you. The funds are secondary. Your primary concern is to develop a plan. Decide how much of your portfolio you want to devote to:
equity vs bond
small vs mid vs large cap
domestic vs foreign (developed vs emerging markets)
growth vs dividend
Just to give you an example, I'm a relatively young guy in my late 20's, so because my investment timeline is so long, I've got a fairly strong stomach for risk. So, I'm 100% equity. After doing some research, I think a foreign exposure of about 30% gives solid diversification without taking on undue risk, so I have a 70/30 split. I have my doubts that anyone can do much to predict the US market, so my 70% domestic holding is in VTSAX, which being a total market fund, gives me instant diversification across all capitalization levels and sectors. Unlike in the domestic market, I think some measure of international prognostication can be conducted, so for my foreign holdings I use VWIGX as a nice balance of active management while not going overboard.
Now, I'm not telling you to do what I've done. My point is that I developed a plan, then chose funds to meet that plan. Be very careful chasing funds based on past performance.
All jokes aside, don't let it overwhelm you. The funds are secondary. Your primary concern is to develop a plan. Decide how much of your portfolio you want to devote to:
equity vs bond
small vs mid vs large cap
domestic vs foreign (developed vs emerging markets)
growth vs dividend
Just to give you an example, I'm a relatively young guy in my late 20's, so because my investment timeline is so long, I've got a fairly strong stomach for risk. So, I'm 100% equity. After doing some research, I think a foreign exposure of about 30% gives solid diversification without taking on undue risk, so I have a 70/30 split. I have my doubts that anyone can do much to predict the US market, so my 70% domestic holding is in VTSAX, which being a total market fund, gives me instant diversification across all capitalization levels and sectors. Unlike in the domestic market, I think some measure of international prognostication can be conducted, so for my foreign holdings I use VWIGX as a nice balance of active management while not going overboard.
Now, I'm not telling you to do what I've done. My point is that I developed a plan, then chose funds to meet that plan. Be very careful chasing funds based on past performance.
This post was edited on 5/10/15 at 5:09 pm
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