Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the benefits of long-term investment in low-cost ETFs, highlighting their potential for wealth accumulation through dollar-cost averaging and compounding [2][5]. Group 1: Vanguard S&P 500 ETF - The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is recommended as a top choice for long-term investment, mirroring the performance of the S&P 500 and providing exposure to 500 major U.S. companies [3][4]. - The ETF has shown strong performance with average annual gains of 13.6% over the past decade, encompassing both bull and bear markets [4]. - It features a low expense ratio of 0.03%, making it an attractive core holding for investors [5]. Group 2: Vanguard Growth ETF - The Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) is positioned as a suitable option for investors seeking growth stocks, focusing on large-cap companies with strong sales and earnings momentum [6][8]. - This ETF has outperformed the broader market with average annual returns of 16.3% over the past decade, benefiting from a higher weighting in growth-oriented companies like Nvidia [7]. - It maintains a low expense ratio of 0.04%, providing a cost-effective alternative to actively managed funds [8]. Group 3: Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF - The Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) offers international exposure and dividend income, tracking non-U.S. companies with above-average dividend yields [9][11]. - The ETF has performed well, with a nearly 27% increase this year and average annual returns of nearly 14% over the past five years [10]. - It has a higher expense ratio of 0.17% compared to domestic Vanguard ETFs, but remains competitive for international funds, adding diversification and yield to U.S.-focused portfolios [11].

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of not waiting for market pullbacks to invest, as this strategy can lead to missed opportunities for gains [2] - Dollar-cost averaging is presented as a more effective investment strategy, allowing investors to gradually invest over time and benefit from compound growth [3] Vanguard ETFs Overview - The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) provides exposure to 500 major U.S. companies, delivering an average annualized return of 13.6% over the past decade, with a low expense ratio of 0.03% [6][7][8] - The Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) focuses on fast-growing companies, averaging annualized returns of nearly 16.3% over the past decade, with an expense ratio of 0.04% [9][10][11] - The Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) offers concentrated exposure to the tech sector, achieving an average annual gain of 21.6% over the past decade, with an expense ratio of 0.09% [12][13][14] - The Vanguard Mega Cap Value ETF (MGV) targets large value-oriented companies, delivering a 14.3% annualized return over the past five years and a 10.8% return over the past decade, with an expense ratio of 0.07% [15][16][17] - The Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) provides international exposure and has gained nearly 26.8% year to date, with annualized returns of 13.8% over the past five years, and an expense ratio of 0.17% [18][19][20]

Building long-term wealth requires consistency. With the stock market near all-time highs, some investors may be hesitant about entering the market now. However, trying to time the market rarely ends well, and you can often get left out of big gains waiting for a pullback. That said, there's a better path. Instead of trying to time the market, keep it simple by buying high-quality index exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and consistently dollar-cost averaging into them. With $1,000 to start -- and the discipline ...

Should you buy the shares as they trade below $315 (as of July 25)? Warren Buffett's stamp of approval The great Warren Buffett has a stringent filter for what Berkshire Hathaway owns in its portfolio. So investors should take notice of the fact that American Express is one of the top holdings for the conglomerate. This means that the company must have some merits. One area worth mentioning is the company's durable performance in these uncertain economic times. Through the first six months of 2025, Amex's r ...

Core Insights - The article emphasizes that successful investing relies on time in the market rather than timing the market, highlighting that new market highs are common and often lead to sustained growth [1][2] Investment Strategies - Dollar-cost averaging is recommended as a key strategy for building long-term wealth, particularly through the use of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) [2] - Vanguard ETFs are highlighted as a cost-effective option for investors looking to implement this strategy [2] Recommended ETFs - **Vanguard S&P 500 ETF**: - Provides exposure to the 500 largest U.S. companies, including major players like Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Alphabet, and Amazon, which together account for nearly 25% of the index [4][6] - The ETF has an average annual return of 13.6% over the past 10 years and a low expense ratio of 0.03% [6] - **Vanguard Growth ETF**: - Focuses on large-cap companies with strong earnings and sales growth, primarily in tech and consumer sectors [7][9] - It has produced an annual average return of 16.2% over the past decade, with an expense ratio of 0.04% [9] - **Vanguard Information Technology ETF**: - Concentrates on leading tech companies, particularly in semiconductors, software, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence [10][12] - This ETF has generated an average return of 21.4% annually over the past 10 years and has a low expense ratio of 0.09% [12]