Log in

View Full Version : Just opened my first brokerage account-questions


Tradd
9-17-25, 9:32pm
I have NEVER invested outside of my 401K/IRA (IRA is a rollover 401K from a job 20 years ago).

I decided I wanted to start investing on my own. Since roller 401K and high yield savings are with Vanguard, I decided to keep everything in one place. Opened account and have $100 on the way. Here’s my question: I want to buy VOO, which is Vanguard’s S&P 500 ETF. But shares of VOO are $600ish each.

It appears my money has to sit in the settlement fund until I have enough to buy a share. Is that correct?
Tybee
9-17-25, 9:40pm
I have NEVER invested outside of my 401K/IRA (IRA is a rollover 401K from a job 20 years ago).

I decided I wanted to start investing on my own. Since roller 401K and high yield savings are with Vanguard, I decided to keep everything in one place. Opened account and have $100 on the way. Here’s my question: I want to buy VOO, which is Vanguard’s S&P 500 ETF. But shares of VOO are $600ish each.

It appears my money has to sit in the settlement fund until I have enough to buy a share. Is that correct?

At Fidelity you can buy partial shares, don't know about Vanguard, just ask them--is there a chat feature?
Tradd
9-17-25, 9:44pm
No chat feature. I attempted to buy a partial share and it said minimum of one.
Tradd
9-17-25, 9:50pm
Just found an article saying that Vanguard does allow partial shares. Will have to play with the website again. Figured it out. Thanks!
Tybee
9-17-25, 10:02pm
That's great, and congratulations on your new account, that's wonderful news!
Tradd
9-17-25, 10:10pm
I joked to a friend that I feel like a real grownup! LOL
pinkytoe
9-17-25, 11:21pm
We went with VTI at half the share cost.
iris lilies
9-17-25, 11:51pm
Good for you Tradd!

my main IRA is at Vanguard and I have a lot of it in a CD because that allows me to sleep at night. But I have a fair amount in something else, and I don’t even remember what type. I’m fairly irresponsible at investing and don’t really pay attention.
Tybee
9-19-25, 7:13am
Tradd, this is a nice video comparing VTI and VOO. My favorite thing about VOO is that it's a pun on the 500 stocks it follows, since V is Roman Numeral for 5, in addition to being a fund like all the Vanguards starting with V. It's also what Warren Buffett said to put his family's accounts in, and it's what I buy for my kids when I do buy them index funds.

Bing Videos (https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=vti+or+voo&&mid=3FA2CF40DFDD5549D5363FA2CF40DFDD5549D536&FORM=VAMGZC)
Tradd
9-19-25, 5:05pm
Tradd, this is a nice video comparing VTI and VOO. My favorite thing about VOO is that it's a pun on the 500 stocks it follows, since V is Roman Numeral for 5, in addition to being a fund like all the Vanguards starting with V. It's also what Warren Buffett said to put his family's accounts in, and it's what I buy for my kids when I do buy them index funds.

Bing Videos (https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=vti+or+voo&&mid=3FA2CF40DFDD5549D5363FA2CF40DFDD5549D536&FORM=VAMGZC)

Thanks! I will watch the video later. Yes, I had heard Warren Buffet recommended VOO. That’s one of the reasons I chose it.
Tybee
9-19-25, 7:30pm
Tradd, I know you love to read and research so check out the Boglehead forums if you have not found them yet.
Tradd
9-19-25, 7:50pm
Definitely will, thank you!