Which Online Broker?

[Rob007]

I'd like to do some investing outside my TSP, with funds or ETFs that would mirror the TSP funds, at low trading cost. I'm sure this has been dealt with at length, but my searches aren't coming up with much.

What do you all recommend and why?

Thanks!

[MakeMe$$$$]

I've been using Vanguard and it has been a bit of a learning curve for me but the site is pretty easy to navigate.

[maxbobcat]

If you're looking for index funds that mirror the TSP, Vanguard ETFs will have you covered. No trading fees for Vanguard ETFs and the lowest Expense Ratios out there.

[RGEN]

Are there any trade liminations on the Vanguard ETFs?

[MakeMe$$$$]

Are there any trade liminations on the Vanguard ETFs?

The only limitation besides minimum purchase is that once you exit a fund, partial or total, you are restricted going back into that fund for 90 days. That is for mutual funds.

ETFs trade like stocks.

[wwwtractor]

https://www.fidelity.com/etfs/overview

You can compare Vanguard with Fidelity.

Fidelity has 84 commission free ETFs with a 10 year market total return ( MTR) of about 10% by the top one. They have a screener which can be used with multiple factors.



ISHARES S&P MIDCAP 400 GROWTH ETF
IJK Code

$158.06 Market Price

+08.71% MTR (1 Yr)
+18.58% MTR (3 Yr)
+16.49% MTR (5 Yr)
+09.84% MTR (10 Yr)

[inthecloud]

Are there any trade liminations on the Vanguard ETFs?

The only limitation besides minimum purchase is that once you exit a fund, partial or total, you are restricted going back into that fund for 90 days.

Eh? So if you sell some S&P 500, you can't buy more for 90 days? Sounds more restrictive than TSP. In TSP, you can move in/out of funds any time you want as long as you have ETFs available, with new ones coming every 30 days.

[MakeMe$$$$]

Are there any trade liminations on the Vanguard ETFs?

The only limitation besides minimum purchase is that once you exit a fund, partial or total, you are restricted going back into that fund for 90 days.

Eh? So if you sell some S&P 500, you can't buy more for 90 days? Sounds more restrictive than TSP. In TSP, you can move in/out of funds any time you want as long as you have ETFs available, with new ones coming every 30 days.

Ya...I kinda wrote that wonky...that applies to mutual funds, not ETFs. The limitation for mutual funds is up to 90 days.

[inthecloud]

Index funds are unlimited ETFs though?

[MakeMe$$$$]

Index funds are unlimited ETFs though?

I'm not sure I understand.

BTW...I was wrong about Mutual Funds...there can be a 60 day period for going back into a Mutual Fund

Here are the rules...

If you sell or exchange shares of a Vanguard fund, you will not be permitted to buy or exchange back into the same fund, in the same account, within 60 calendar days. However, this rule does not apply to:

Vanguard money market and short-term bond funds.

Vanguard ETF® Shares.

Transaction requests submitted by mail to Vanguard from shareholders who hold their accounts directly with Vanguard or through a Vanguard brokerage account. (Transaction requests submitted by fax, if otherwise permitted, are subject to the limitations.)

Transactions made through Vanguard’s Automatic Investment Plan, Automatic Exchange Service, Direct Deposit Service, Automatic Withdrawal Plan, Required Minimum Distribution Service, and
Vanguard Small Business Online®.

Sales of shares by Vanguard to pay fund or account fees.

Transfers and re-registrations of shares within the same fund.

Purchases of shares by asset transfer or direct rollover.

Conversions of shares from one share class to another in the same fund.

Sales of shares through checkwriting.

Section 529 college savings plans, certain approved institutional portfolios and asset allocation programs, as well as trades made by Vanguard funds that invest in other Vanguard funds. (Please note that shareholders of Vanguard's funds of funds are subject to this policy.)