If You Invest in ONE Index Fund, Make it This One

In this video, I’ll reveal four index funds to watch and the one fund to buy that will give you the perfect combination of market returns and low price. I’ll also explain index fund investing and why every investor needs at least one fund. Then I’ll show you exactly what to look for before you buy!

New video series on Let's Talk Money! The stock market has fallen hard this year but that doesn't mean you can't make money. In fact, 150 stocks in the S&P 500 index are posting positive returns with 42 stocks up more than 40% over the last year. You CAN make money in any market, you just need to find the stocks to buy. In each video, we'll look at an investing strategy or a group of stocks and I'll show you exactly what to look for to find the best stocks to buy right now.

An index fund is a group of investments bundled together and then shares of the entire group are sold to investors. Buying a share of the fund means you get the returns on everything in the group instead of having to buy hundreds or thousands of stocks separately and for this, you pay a percentage fee to the manager. Buying an index fund means you get that broad market exposure, you are the market and you know you’ll get all the diversification and return you can only get from the entire market.

My Investing Recommendations 📈

I want to show you what to look for in an index fund, how to find these investments on your own. For that, it all comes down to three simple things you want to look for and compare to find the best index fund for your portfolio. First, you want an index fund that is as broad as possible, one that covers the entire market. You also want a fund that isn’t going to duplicate too much of your other ETFs or stocks. And something you want to do for all ETFs or funds before you invest, check that expense ratio

0:00 Index Fund Investing Made Simple
1:21 SPY vs VOO for Best S&P 500 Index Fund
2:44 What is an Index Fund?
3:05 How are Index Funds different from ETFs?
4:03 Why You Should Buy an Index Fund
5:37 An Index Fund for Growth Stocks
6:38 A Bond Market Index Fund
7:27 What to Look for in Index Fund Investing
9:45 An International Stocks Index Fund
10:39 The Top Index Fund with Everything

#indexfunds #investing #stocks

Joseph Hogue, CFA spent nearly a decade as an investment analyst for institutional firms and banks. He now helps people understand their financial lives through debt payoff strategies, investing and ways to save more money. He has appeared on Bloomberg and on sites like CNBC and Morningstar. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is a veteran of the Marine Corps.

[liamhenry]

Please I need someone to help me trade or invest the market because I'm tired of trading in losses myself. I've blown my account twice and it's frustrating.

[ryanmartinage]

I hold 4 funds. VOO, SCHD, VNQ, and BND. Equity in VOO, Equity /dividend in SCHD, VNQ for stability/ added income from REITS, and BND for a solid low cost bond index. If things are more volatile, I put more in SCHD/VNQ or if on sale, I lean more into VOO. BND always gets a small % of all contributions. So far has been very solid for me.

[arigutman]

Couldn't agree more on picking a rock solid index that covers the broad market if someone is to only buy just one equity if you will... My index of choice is VTI which covers the broad market both value and growth with a great, balanced mix of small-, mid- and large caps..

[lisavartforlife]

Great video, I made a million dollar few years ago mostly from my real estate investment, my work mainly is to collect the rent, is getting boring for me, I want to do something else, something new, looking to diversify into stock, I believe something awaits me there.

[_itineraryguy]

Joseph let me know your thoughts on this one. I am currently able to invest 3k USD/month in this allocation.

VTI - 15% (US)
VOO - 15% (US)
SCHD - 10% (US)
FLIN - 10% (India) Low Expense Ratio
FLCH - 10% (China) Low Expense Ratio
BRKB - 10% (US)
IAU - 10% (Gold)
BSV + BND - 10% (Bonds)
VNQ - 5% (Real estate)
VGT - 5% (Tech, like qqq)


Goal - I do not want to pick stocks in my 401k, making it totally passive. Also since this money is locked up it takes away the emotions of buying/selling/fear.

[dannykeoe]

I've been away far too long.
For the average joe/jane...this has to be one of, if not, the BEST channel on investing.
I have told many, and will tell many more.
You ask for feedback/suggestions. Here is mine: just shut up and listen. You WILL be successful if you just....
My best to you, Joseph...my absolute best.

[alyciagordon]

Now is the right time. If you really want to grow your money and attain financial independence. Start investing, that's the best way to accumulate wealth. Spent my 30s and 40s investing in stock and several multifamily real estates. That’s the best I did for myself as it has consistently beaten my expectations of a return. Lately, discovered ¢rypto, and life feels better.

[snowfirel]

Voo is good, many of those stocks are in other countries as well, MCD is in other countries, and VOO does have a couple of the little guys too, like PFE, a small dog stock.

[phoenixankaa]

I am seriously binge watching your videos. Thanks so much for all of this valuable information

[_itineraryguy]

How do you like VGT vs QQQ? lower expense ratio and also better performance overall.

[alejadroigoyanes]

WHATS YOU FAVORITE ETF THAT INVESTS IN PRIVATE EQUITY?

[MelindaMatturro]

This stuff usually goes over my head because there’s TOO much info out there to sift through. THANK YOU for making this so easy to digest! It’s exactly what I need as a beginner! Got a sub out of me 👍🏻

[MrTy]

I wish the spammers would disappear, your videos are amazing and I love your thoroughness. I am studying for Cfa level 1

[Demogrunt]

Why do you never suggest "SPLG"? it is the same as "SPY" but for new investors on you feed?

[spalace]

Posted this on another one of your videos: Video idea/request: "12 Index or ETF Stocks that put money in your pocket every week". Have a great day.

[anthonyjames]

Have you ever looked into IIPR? Talk about volatile!

[lloydbanks]

I hold VYM as for its Dividend, if it's not a true Index Fund what would be a better excluding SCHD?

[Comeadventurewiithme]

What stocks can I buy with div and not worry about. I'm 52 with no retirement and must build fast. I know the market will go up with div that why. I why I need a larger profile.

[garyschmelzer]

Hey Joseph, I got a question. I’m 55 years old. Would it be a wise decision to start investing and index funds I invest with Fidelity.

[RustMoments]

Check out ticker TQQQ, it does 3x what the QQQ does. So if the QQQ goes up 1.2%, TQQQ will be up 3.6%, same if it goes down