4 Vanguard ETFs to Buy With $2,000 and Hold Forever

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of creating a balanced investment portfolio by mixing stocks and bonds, suggesting a typical allocation of 60% in stocks and 40% in bonds, with variations based on individual risk tolerance [1][2][4]. Group 1: Stock Investments - A balanced portfolio should include both U.S. and international dividend-paying stocks, with the Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) focusing on U.S. stocks and the Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) covering international stocks [5][7]. - The Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF consists of over 580 U.S. dividend-paying companies, with a dividend yield of 2.8%, which is more than double that of the S&P 500 index [6]. - The Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF includes over 1,500 international stocks, offering a higher dividend yield of 4.1% [7]. Group 2: Bond Investments - The bond market is larger and more complex than the stock market, making bond ETFs a suitable choice for most investors. The Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) provides exposure to the entire U.S. bond market [9]. - The Vanguard Total International Bond Market ETF (BNDX) complements the U.S. bond exposure by offering a diversified global bond portfolio, with yields of approximately 3.8% for BND and 4.2% for BNDX [10]. - A recommended allocation for bonds is to keep 60% to 75% in domestic bonds and the remainder in international bonds, ensuring diversification across the bond market [11]. Group 3: Portfolio Management - The proposed portfolio consisting of four ETFs is designed for long-term income and capital appreciation, requiring minimal management with only four trades to start and annual rebalancing [12].