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What are the best index funds for beginners?

Quick answer

Common picks: VTI/VTSAX (Total Stock Market), VOO/VFIAX (S&P 500), VXUS (International), BND (Bonds). A simple 3-fund portfolio: 60% US stocks (VTI), 30% international (VXUS), 10% bonds (BND). Or use a target-date fund (e.g., Vanguard 2050) which auto-adjusts allocation over time.

More context

Common picks: VTI/VTSAX (Total Stock Market), VOO/VFIAX (S&P 500), VXUS (International), BND (Bonds). A simple 3-fund portfolio: 60% US stocks (VTI), 30% international (VXUS), 10% bonds (BND). Or use a target-date fund (e.g., Vanguard 2050) which auto-adjusts allocation over time. The exact answer depends on your specific situation — the numbers above are a strong starting point, but the right next step is to plug in your actual figures.

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