Investing with TD Ameritrade
Investing with TD Ameritrade
Has anyone setup a 3 Fund Portfolio with TD Ameritrade? I have a traditional IRA setup there and am considering moving my 401k plan from work to TD Ameritrade. It would make it easier to have all the accounts at one location. I know that TD Ameritrade has a charge for some of the Mutual Funds and would probably go with ETFs. Since I plan on doing Asset Allocation moves once a year, the costs would not be a big factor anyway with Mutual Funds.
If someone has compelling advise to go directly to Vanguard, I would be interested in hearing it.
Thank You!
If someone has compelling advise to go directly to Vanguard, I would be interested in hearing it.
Thank You!
-
- Posts: 221
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2016 1:44 pm
- Location: New York for now.
Re: Investing with TD Ameritrade
They have an outstanding assortment of commission free ETFs, many of which are Vanguards. If you like the actively managed funds, they also offer T. Rowe Price commission free.
-
- Posts: 18461
- Joined: Tue Dec 31, 2013 6:05 am
- Location: 26 miles, 385 yards west of Copley Square
Re: Investing with TD Ameritrade
I look at NTF ETFs at both Schwab and TDAmeritrade. They make it cheaper to build a portfolio that way. I keep my taxable in ETFs at Schwab and set up a Roth for my son at TDA with VTI as his ETF holding.
Bogle: Smart Beta is stupid
Re: Investing with TD Ameritrade
If you are going to do bi-weekly or monthly contributions or withdrawals, be aware of the commissions if you use ETFs. Mutual funds avoid this but there may be fees if the fund is managd at a different investment firm.
I enter orders on TD Ameritrade for a relative. I'm trying to get him away from buying individual stocks but haven't researched NTF funds available yet.
I enter orders on TD Ameritrade for a relative. I'm trying to get him away from buying individual stocks but haven't researched NTF funds available yet.
Re: Investing with TD Ameritrade
TD ameritrade has a no commission list of over 100 ETFs including some vanguard ones that you could do a three fund portfolio. You just have to opt into it before doing a trade.
- RyeWhiskey
- Posts: 864
- Joined: Thu Jan 12, 2012 9:04 pm
Re: Investing with TD Ameritrade
My HSA is with TD Ameritrade, while my taxable account and Roth are with Vanguard directly.
TDA is fine. You must be sure to "activate" the no-commission ETF list before you buy the ETFs or you will be charged. There are ample low-cost options for a 3-fund portfolio there, including Vangaurd ETFs. As a previous poster mentioned, ETFs are not the best vehicle for automatic investments. but if you're only rebalancing once a year, I don't see any issues.
Personally, if I could I'd move this account to Vanguard because I value simplicity and the institutional setup of Vanguard. TDA has way too many bells and whistles that they want you to try, read: generate fees via trading, but you can ignore it if you want. But until Vanguard offers to take over this HSA brokerage account, I'm stuck with TDA. Not a bad place to be stuck, all in all.
TDA is fine. You must be sure to "activate" the no-commission ETF list before you buy the ETFs or you will be charged. There are ample low-cost options for a 3-fund portfolio there, including Vangaurd ETFs. As a previous poster mentioned, ETFs are not the best vehicle for automatic investments. but if you're only rebalancing once a year, I don't see any issues.
Personally, if I could I'd move this account to Vanguard because I value simplicity and the institutional setup of Vanguard. TDA has way too many bells and whistles that they want you to try, read: generate fees via trading, but you can ignore it if you want. But until Vanguard offers to take over this HSA brokerage account, I'm stuck with TDA. Not a bad place to be stuck, all in all.
This post was brought to you by Vanguard Total World Stock Index (VTWSX/VT).
Re: Investing with TD Ameritrade
I am in a three fund portfolio across a three different places (TIAA/CREF and Fidelity at work, and TDA for individual IRAs and a taxable acct.). I use the commission-free Vanguard ETFs from TDA and haven't had a problem. They did a fine job a few years ago in moving my wife's work 401K to her individual IRA when she stopped working. I add to my TDA taxable acct by taking a check to the local office every few months, where I can get individual help if needed.
When I retire I plan to consolidate to two places, most likely TDA and Fidelity.
When I retire I plan to consolidate to two places, most likely TDA and Fidelity.
-
- Posts: 1728
- Joined: Tue May 27, 2008 10:48 am
- Location: West Coast
Re: Investing with TD Ameritrade
A number of Bogleheads use TD Ameritrade. I definitely prefer it, and part of it is the technology and user interface. I have a slightly more complicated portfolio than the three fund, but with the aforementioned commission free ETFs, you can keep your costs down. I think the ER is a fraction higher on ETFs, but hardly enough to concern me. I am very happy with them, and don't plan to use anything else, even though most of my funds are Vanguard funds.
-
- Posts: 221
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2016 1:44 pm
- Location: New York for now.
Re: Investing with TD Ameritrade
The commission on Vanguard ETFs are the same as the admiral fund.
- Earl Lemongrab
- Posts: 7270
- Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2014 1:14 am
Re: Investing with TD Ameritrade
If moving to TD Ameritrade, be sure to look into their transfer bonus program:
https://www.tdameritrade.com/offer/1000brex/index.html
For information about bonuses, see The Final, Definitive Thread on Brokerage Transfer Bonuses
Earl
https://www.tdameritrade.com/offer/1000brex/index.html
For information about bonuses, see The Final, Definitive Thread on Brokerage Transfer Bonuses
Earl
- Earl Lemongrab
- Posts: 7270
- Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2014 1:14 am
Re: Investing with TD Ameritrade
I think you mean expense ratios.Outafter20 wrote:The commission on Vanguard ETFs are the same as the admiral fund.
Earl
-
- Posts: 221
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2016 1:44 pm
- Location: New York for now.
Re: Investing with TD Ameritrade
Oops, that's what I meantEarl Lemongrab wrote:I think you mean expense ratios.Outafter20 wrote:The commission on Vanguard ETFs are the same as the admiral fund.
Earl
Re: Investing with TD Ameritrade
Note that TDA can only sell Investor Class mutual funds. If you want Admiral Class, you'll be out of luck on getting the lower expense ratio.
I recently transferred from TDA to Vanguard for this reason.
I recently transferred from TDA to Vanguard for this reason.
- Earl Lemongrab
- Posts: 7270
- Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2014 1:14 am
Re: Investing with TD Ameritrade
That's why ETFs are so good. You can hold and move them anywhere without the restrictions of Admiral funds.blueblock wrote:Note that TDA can only sell Investor Class mutual funds. If you want Admiral Class, you'll be out of luck on getting the lower expense ratio.
Earl
Re: Investing with TD Ameritrade
I like TD Ameritrade because of its ease of use, ability to manage all accounts at the same time, and that it gives me the option to buy individual stocks, should I want to some day. I use TD Ameritrade for my 3 fund portfolio. VTI, VEU, and BND are all commission free and will give you expense ratios and performance the same as the admiral funds. If you add a taxable account and are in a higher tax bracket, you can substitute the municipal bond fund MUB for BND, still commission free.
I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.
- Earl Lemongrab
- Posts: 7270
- Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2014 1:14 am
Re: Investing with TD Ameritrade
Actually it sounds like you might be a better fit at Merrill Edge if you have enough assets for Preferred Rewards. The free trades you get can be used for ETFs or stocks.Impromptu wrote:I like TD Ameritrade because of its ease of use, ability to manage all accounts at the same time, and that it gives me the option to buy individual stocks, should I want to some day. I use TD Ameritrade for my 3 fund portfolio. VTI, VEU, and BND are all commission free and will give you expense ratios and performance the same as the admiral funds. If you add a taxable account and are in a higher tax bracket, you can substitute the municipal bond fund MUB for BND, still commission free.
Earl