The Rob Berger Show

Join the newsletter: https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm... Click "Show More" to see Ad DisclosureFidelity launched its ZERO index funds in 2018 to much fanfare. As their names suggest, these funds carry no expense ratios, a first in the industry.As great as a “free” mutual fund may sound, however, many wonder whether there is a catch. Recently a viewer named Samir asked the following questions:"Could you please share your thoughts on Fidelity ZERO funds vs their fee based funds?Fidelity ZERO International Index Fund (FZILX)Fidelity ZERO Total Market Index Fund (FZROX)Fidelity ZERO Large Cap Index Fund (FNILX)Fidelity ZERO Extended Market Index Fund (FZIPX)Is FNILX + FZIPX = FZROX ?ZERO funds have no fees, but other than cost, do you see any reason why one should invest in fee based instead of zero funds?If you could please create video and share your thoughts, that would be very helpful."Let’s dive into the details to get a better understanding of the Fidelity ZERO funds.

Exploring the possibility of retiring at 49 with a 100% investment in VTI sparks critical discussions. The risks of relying solely on a stock portfolio are highlighted, including the potential failure of the 4% Rule in challenging markets. Concerns about the long-term sustainability of a U.S.-focused investment strategy emerge, emphasizing the need for diversification and inflation adjustments. This thoughtful analysis urges listeners to weigh the risks versus rewards before making such significant financial decisions.

Robo-Advisors can be a low cost way to get help with your investments. There are several that I like and have used: https://robberger.com/best-robo-advis...However, not all automated investing services are created equal. And some that are marketed as "free" actually have some hidden costs. In this video I take a look at SoFi Automated Investing and Schwab's Intelligent Portfolios to undercover the hidden costs in both services.Join the newsletter: https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...

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A viewer recently sent me a portfolio with nearly 20 ETFs and mutual funds. She didn't create it. An advisor from a major bank recommended it. Ridiculous.The truth is that the number of mutual funds you own tells you nothing about how well diversified the portfolio is or what types of investments you have. A single mutual fund can give an investor exposure to U.S. stocks, bonds, international stocks, REITs, and even commodities. The fewer mutual funds you have, the easier it is to understand and manage your portfolio. This becomes really important when you go to rebalance your investments. It's also critical as you head into retirement and start making withdrawals from you investments each year.In this video, I explain why for the vast majority of investors, all you need is 3 funds.

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I've received hundreds of emails from viewers asking me questions about their investments. They want to understand whether their investment portfolio is sound. While I'm not a financial advisor, I do believe do it yourself investors can evaluate their own portfolios with the help of some free tools.In this video I walk through how I evaluate an investment portfolio. I could also be useful for those just starting to invest. I hope you find it helpful in your own investing journey.Join the newsletter: https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...

Join the newsletter: https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...In this video we look at a portfolio of a viewer who is 10 years from retirement. Her advisor has her invested in a 50/50 portfolio. We'll look at the "Smart Sector" and Momentum ETFs she has, consider the impact of the 50 basis point fee, and examine whether a 50/50 portfolio makes sense.

Investing for short term goals of 5 years or less can be tricky. Savings accounts pay about 0.50%, but stocks can lose money in the short term. Many saving for a down payment on a house face this problem.In this video I'll cover an approach that can enable short-term savers to benefit from stock market returns without taking excessive risk of losing money over the next few years.

Join the newsletter: https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...A Roth IRA is arguably the single best way to save for retirement. One question I receive frequently is how to invest in an IRA. And specifically, is a 3-fund portfolio a sound approach to investing in an IRA. The short answer is that it's an excellent approach for beginners just starting out.There is one situation, however, where I would make an adjustment. If you also have traditional retirement accounts, I would use them for the bond allocation, reserving the Roth IRA for stock ETFs and mutual funds.