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Investing Simplified: A Guide for Everyone

An all-inclusive template for honing in on your investment goals -- whatever they may be!

🏃‍♂️ Getting Started

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Step 1️⃣: Plan out your investment goals + budget

This template is meant to both encourage beginner investors and supplement those of you experienced money makers with ideas on making the most of your investments. Think carefully about what your budget and motivations are for investing. For example, are you planning on purchasing your first home in 5 years, ensuring you can retire before 50, or just want to see how much your money can grow 🌱?

Step 2️⃣: Start the process by filling out the table

Fill in or edit the rows of the table based on your portfolio of investment motivations. Consider your personal budget, the purpose (which will be used to assess your risk appetite and related strategies) of your investment, and acceptable funds you would be happy with! This can range from the safety of government bonds, flexibilities of ETFs, and more. You can edit or add a new row ➕ in the table to fill this out, and the columns that need to be filled in are coloured in grey. Press the 🔁 icon in the suggested columns to see how to best spend your coin 🪙, as suggested by AI.

Don’t fret that the table is long — scroll left and right to get all the pertinent information. Be sure to also check out the

expense tracking template⁠

offered by Coda in tandem to make the most of your budgeting/investing goals. As a bonus, if you’ve got a TD Ameritrade account, check out

the investments pack⁠

which allows you to manage your investments all within Coda!

💡 Pro Tip 1 : Check out the Glossary!

Have a peep 👀 at the glossary below for some simple definitions of complex terms that are hard for everyone. If there is any new information generated from the table, press the 🔁 icon in the glossary to get an up-to-date list of all definitions.

💡 Pro Tip 2: Do your due diligence carefully ✏️

Although we are very proud of this AI-powered template, remember that it relies on historic hypothetical data that might not perfectly align with the most current market conditions. We encourage you to use this template as a jumpstart to investment planning, but make sure to carefully consider all information carefully 🤔.

Investments by Budget 💸💸

Investments by Budget 💸💸

Name

Budget

Investment Purpose

Acceptable Funds

AI suggested funds

Reasoning

Suggested Breakdown Sample

Sample Value

Condo down payment

$70,000.00

Buying a house in 5 years

ETF

Government Bonds

Vanguard 500 Index Fund (VFIAX)

Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX)

T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund (TRBCX)

American Funds Growth Fund of America (AGTHX)

Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund (VTSAX)

Fidelity Total Market Index Fund (FSKAX)

Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund (SWTSX)

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV)

Vanguard 500 Index Fund (VFIAX): This fund provides exposure to the entire US stock market, which typically has strong long-term growth potential. Investing in this fund can help grow the investment within the given budget.

T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund (TRBCX): This fund invests in large-cap companies that have a history of steady earnings growth. Investing in this fund can provide stability and consistent returns within the given budget.

American Funds Growth Fund of America (AGTHX): This fund invests in companies that have a strong growth profile and have the potential to provide higher returns over the long term. Investing in this fund can provide higher returns within the given budget.

Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund (VTSAX): This fund invests in the entire US stock market, providing broad diversification and exposure to a wide range of companies. Investing in this fund can help mitigate risks and provide long-term growth potential within the given budget.

Invest $35,000 in Vanguard 500 Index Fund (VFIAX)

Invest $10,000 in Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX)

Invest $10,000 in T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund (TRBCX)

Invest $5,000 in American Funds Growth Fund of America (AGTHX)

Invest $5,000 in Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund (VTSAX)

Invest $2,500 in Fidelity Total Market Index Fund (FSKAX)

Invest $2,500 in Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund (SWTSX)

Invest $5,000 in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV)

$75,000.00

Retirement savings

$50,000.00

Retirement in 30 years

ETF

S&P 500

Small Cap Stocks

NYSE stocks

Vanguard 500 Index Fund (VFIAX)

Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX)

T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund (TRBCX)

Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund (SWPPX)

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV)

Vanguard 500 Index Fund (VFIAX): This fund is a low-cost, passively managed index fund that tracks the S&P 500. It is a good choice for long-term investors who want to invest in a diversified portfolio of large-cap U.S. stocks. With a budget of $50,000, investors can purchase over 300 shares of VFIAX and benefit from its low expense ratio of 0.14%. Investing in VFIAX can provide consistent returns over the long-term and is a good choice for retirement planning.

Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX): This fund is a actively managed large-cap growth fund that invests in companies with strong growth potential. The fund has consistently outperformed its benchmark and has a strong track record. With a budget of $50,000, investors can purchase over 900 shares of FCNTX and benefit from its low expense ratio of 0.85%. Investing in FCNTX can provide strong returns over the long-term and is a good choice for investors looking for growth in their retirement portfolio.

T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund (TRBCX): This fund is an actively managed large-cap growth fund that invests in blue-chip companies with strong growth potential. The fund has a strong track record and has consistently outperformed its benchmark. With a budget of $50,000, investors can purchase over 700 shares of TRBCX and benefit from its low expense ratio of 0.7%. Investing in TRBCX can provide strong returns over the long-term and is a good choice for investors looking for growth in their retirement portfolio.

Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund (SWPPX): This fund is a low-cost, passively managed index fund that tracks the S&P 500. It is a good choice for long-term investors who want to invest in a diversified portfolio of large-cap U.S. stocks. With a budget of $50,000, investors can purchase over 1,500 shares of SWPPX and benefit from its low expense ratio of 0.02%. Investing in SWPPX can provide consistent returns over the long-term and is a good choice for retirement planning.

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV): This fund is a low-cost, passively managed exchange-traded fund that tracks the S&P 500. It is a good choice for long-term investors who want to invest in a diversified portfolio of large-cap U.S. stocks. With a budget of $50,000, investors can purchase over 270 shares of IVV and benefit from its low expense ratio of 0.03%. Investing in IVV can provide consistent returns over the long-term and is a good choice for retirement planning.

Invest $20,000 in Vanguard 500 Index Fund (VFIAX)

Invest $15,000 in Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX)

Invest $10,000 in T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund (TRBCX)

Invest $5,000 in Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund (SWPPX)

Invest $5,000 in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV)

$50,000 invested in the suggested funds for 30 years will amount to an estimated grand total of $338,641 based on historical returns.

College savings

$10,000.00

Children’s college fund in 10 years

Government Bonds

S&P 500

Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund

Fidelity 500 Index Fund

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF

Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund

Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund: This fund provides exposure to a diversified portfolio of stocks of small, mid, and large-cap companies in the US, making it a good choice for long-term growth potential. It has a low expense ratio of 0.14% which is beneficial for maximizing returns.

Fidelity 500 Index Fund: This fund tracks the performance of the S&P 500 index, which is composed of the 500 largest US companies, making it a good choice for long-term growth potential. It has a low expense ratio of 0.09% which is beneficial for maximizing returns.

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust: This fund tracks the performance of the S&P 500 index, providing exposure to a diversified portfolio of large-cap stocks in the US. It has a low expense ratio of 0.09% which is beneficial for maximizing returns.

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF: This fund provides exposure to a diversified portfolio of stocks of large and mid-cap companies in developed markets outside of the US, making it a good choice for diversification. It has a low expense ratio of 0.32% which is beneficial for maximizing returns.

Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund: This fund provides exposure to a diversified portfolio of investment-grade bonds in the US, making it a good choice for stability and income. It has a low expense ratio of 0.05% which is beneficial for maximizing returns.

Invest $4,000 in Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund

Invest $4,000 in Fidelity 500 Index Fund

Invest $1,000 in SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

Invest $1,000 in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF

Invest $2,000 in Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund

The grand total of the suggested breakdown sample in 10 years is $19,186. This is calculated by using an assumed rate of return of 7% and factoring in the expense ratios for each fund.

Making extra cash

$10,000.00

Short term capital gains in 2 weeks

NYSE stocks

S&P 500

Small Cap Stocks

Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund

Fidelity Contrafund

T. Rowe Price Growth Stock Fund

Vanguard 500 Index Fund

American Funds Growth Fund of America

Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund, Fidelity Contrafund, T. Rowe Price Growth Stock Fund, Vanguard 500 Index Fund, and American Funds Growth Fund of America are all well-performing funds in recent years.

The $10,000 budget allows for diversification across multiple funds to mitigate risk.

The short-term investment purpose aligns with the funds' focus on growth and capital appreciation.

These funds have low expense ratios, making them cost-effective options for investors.

Invest $4,000 in Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund

Invest $2,500 in Fidelity Contrafund

Invest $2,000 in T. Rowe Price Growth Stock Fund

Invest $1,500 in Vanguard 500 Index Fund

Invest $500 in American Funds Growth Fund of America

Based on the Suggested Breakdown Sample and the costs of these funds suggested, the grand total in the estimated time span dictated in Investment Purpose amounts to $10,500.

Dog fund

$500.00

To buy a puppy in 1 year

ETF

S&P 500

Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund (VTSMX)

Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX)

T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund (TRBCX)

Vanguard Growth Index Fund (VIGRX)

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV)

Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund (VTSMX): This fund provides exposure to a wide range of U.S. stocks, which can help mitigate risk and provide long-term growth potential. With a minimum investment of $3,000, the suggested budget of $500 can be used towards this fund.

Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX): This fund tracks the performance of the S&P 500 index, which includes large-cap U.S. stocks. Investing in this fund can provide diversification and long-term growth potential. The minimum investment for this fund is $0, so the suggested budget of $500 can be fully invested.

T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund (TRBCX): This fund invests in large-cap growth stocks, which can provide higher returns but also higher risk. Investing in this fund can provide potential for growth and capital appreciation. The minimum investment for this fund is $2,500, so the suggested budget of $500 can be used as part of a larger investment.

Vanguard Growth Index Fund (VIGRX): This fund invests in large-cap growth stocks, similar to TRBCX. However, VIGRX has a lower expense ratio and a minimum investment of $3,000. Therefore, the suggested budget of $500 can be used towards this fund as part of a larger investment.

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV): This ETF tracks the performance of the S&P 500 index, similar to FXAIX. However, IVV has a lower expense ratio and can be bought and sold like a stock. Investing in this ETF can provide diversification and long-term growth potential. The suggested budget of $500 can be fully invested in this ETF.

Invest $250 in Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund (VTSMX)

Invest $100 in Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX)

Invest $75 in T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund (TRBCX)

Invest $50 in Vanguard Growth Index Fund (VIGRX)

Invest $25 in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV)

The total amount to be invested based on the suggested breakdown sample is $500. Assuming a time span of 1 year, the estimated grand total would be the initial investment of $500 without factoring in any potential gains or losses.

There are no rows in this table

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Glossary

ETF: Exchange-Traded Fund, a type of investment fund traded on stock exchanges.

Expense Ratio: The annual fee that an investment company charges to manage an investment fund.

Government Bonds: Debt securities issued by a government to finance government spending.

NYSE: New York Stock Exchange, the largest stock exchange in the world by market capitalization.

S&P 500: Standard & Poor's 500, a stock market index that measures the stock performance of 500 large companies listed on US stock exchanges.

Small Cap Stocks: Stocks of companies with a relatively small market capitalization, typically between $300 million and $2 billion.

Stock Market: A market where stocks and other securities are bought and sold.

Vanguard 500 Index Fund (VFIAX): A mutual fund that tracks the performance of the S&P 500 index, offered by the investment management company Vanguard.

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV): An exchange-traded fund that tracks the performance of the S&P 500 index, offered by the investment management company BlackRock.

Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund: A mutual fund that tracks the performance of the CRSP US Total Market Index, offered by the investment management company Vanguard.

Fidelity Contrafund: A mutual fund that seeks capital appreciation by investing in securities of companies with strong growth potential, offered by the investment management company Fidelity.

T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund (TRBCX): A mutual fund that invests in large-cap growth stocks of US companies, offered by the investment management company T. Rowe Price.

American Funds Growth Fund of America (AGTHX): A mutual fund that invests in the common stocks of companies with strong growth potential, offered by the investment management company American Funds.

Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund (SWTSX): A mutual fund that tracks the performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index, offered by the investment management company Charles Schwab.

Fidelity Total Market Index Fund (FSKAX): A mutual fund that tracks the performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index, offered by the investment management company Fidelity.

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust: An exchange-traded fund that tracks the performance of the S&P 500 index, offered by the investment management company State Street Global Advisors.

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF: An exchange-traded fund that tracks the performance of the MSCI EAFE index, which includes stocks of companies from Europe, Australasia, and the Far East, offered by the investment management company BlackRock.

Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund: A mutual fund that tracks the performance of the Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Bond Index, offered by the investment management company Vanguard.

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