Want $1 Million in Retirement? 2 Simple Index Funds to Buy and Hold for Decades.

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of disciplined investing to achieve the goal of retiring a millionaire, highlighting the role of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in facilitating this process through low management fees and diverse investment strategies [1]. Investment Strategy - The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (NYSEMKT: VTI) offers a comprehensive investment approach by including all 3,544 publicly traded companies in the U.S., thus providing extensive market exposure [3][4]. - The fund tracks the CRSP U.S. Total Market Index, ensuring a diversified equities portfolio across all sectors, with an annual expense ratio of only 0.03%, equating to $3 for every $10,000 invested [4]. Performance Metrics - The average annual return for the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF is approximately 9.2%, not accounting for inflation. Various investment scenarios illustrate how different initial investments and monthly contributions can lead to reaching the $1 million goal over 30 years [5]. - For example, an initial investment of $10,000 with a monthly contribution of $525 can grow to $1.03 million in 30 years [5]. Investment Philosophy - The article suggests that a longer investment timeline reduces the required monthly contributions to achieve the $1 million target, while also noting that past performance does not guarantee future results [6]. - The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF is presented as a straightforward investment option that allows investors to benefit from the power of compound earnings and interest [8].