Across Borders: My US Market Journey

Investing in the Entire U.S. Market: VTI vs. ITOT vs. SCHB When it comes to investing in the U.S. stock market, most people think of the S&P 500 or the Nasdaq 100. But what if you want to invest in the entire U.S. stock market—large caps, mid caps, small caps, and everything in between? That’s where total market ETFs come in. In this article, we’ll compare three of the most popular options: VTI , ITOT , and SCHB . Table of Contents Quick Comparison Table What Is a Total Market ETF? Differences Between VTI, ITOT, and SCHB Performance Overview Dividend Yield and Tax Efficiency Which One Should You Choose? Summary Quick Comparison Table ETF Issuer Expense Ratio # of Holdings Dividend Yield Inception Year VTI Vanguard 0.03% ~3,900 ~1.5% 2001 ITOT iShares 0.03% ~3,700 ~1.4% 2004 ...

Why I Like SCHD: A Dividend Growth ETF for Long-Term Investors Table of Contents What Is SCHD ETF? Key Features of SCHD Sector and Holdings Breakdown SCHD Performance Overview How Does SCHD Compare to Other Dividend ETFs? Is SCHD a Good Investment for You? Why I Personally Like SCHD FAQs About SCHD Conclusion What Is SCHD ETF? SCHD, officially known as the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF, is one of the most popular dividend-focused ETFs available today. Managed by Charles Schwab, it was launched in October 2011 and has since gained massive popularity among long-term and income-focused investors. It tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, which includes high-quality U.S. companies with a consistent record of dividend payments and strong fundamentals. Ticker: SCHD Launch Date: October 20, 2011 Expense Ratio: 0.06% Issuer: Charles Schwab Assets Under Management (AUM): Over $55 Billion Key Features of SCHD ✅ Di...

Top Nasdaq ETFs in 2025: Comparing QQQ, QQQM, and More Table of Contents 1. Why the Nasdaq Matters 2. What Is the Nasdaq Index? 3. Comparing Top Nasdaq ETFs 4. Breakdown of Each ETF 5. Final Thoughts 1. Why the Nasdaq Matters The Nasdaq Composite Index includes many of the world’s most innovative technology companies. Over the past few years, it has become a popular choice for investors who want exposure to high-growth sectors. Although the index is more volatile compared to the S&P 500, it has offered substantial returns—especially during the tech and AI boom in recent years. 2. What Is the Nasdaq Index? The Nasdaq index tracks more than 3,000 companies listed on the Nasdaq exchange. It's known for its heavy weighting in technology stocks, including Apple, Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Amazon. Historically, the Nasdaq has experienced greater ups and downs than other indices. However, its long-term performance remains impressive. Lon...

S&P 500 ETFs Compared: Which Fund Is the Right Pick for You in 2025? Overview of the S&P 500 ETFs Table of Contents 1. How I Began with Index Funds 2. What Is the S&P 500 Index? 3. Comparing Popular S&P 500 ETFs 4. Overview of Each ETF 5. Which ETF Should You Choose? 6. Final Thoughts 1. How I Began with Index Funds I first started investing in U.S. stocks by buying familiar companies like Apple and NVIDIA. But I often sold too quickly and missed out on long-term gains. That experience taught me the value of a more patient, hands-off strategy. 👉 Curious how I got started? Read my full story here . In this post, I’ll break down four popular ETFs that track the S&P 500—helping you decide which one best fits your investment style. 2. What Is the S&P 500 Index? The S&P 500 tracks 500 major U.S. companies, weighted by market value. It's widely used as a benchmark and naturally provides diversification across secto...

Why I'm Investing in the U.S. Stock Market as a Foreigner Table of Contents How I Got Started with U.S. Stocks Why I Shifted to Index Investing The Strength of the U.S. Market Over Time What I Like About Index Funds Challenges for Foreign Investors How I Make It Work While Working Full-Time Final Thoughts for Fellow Foreign Investors How I Got Started with U.S. Stocks A few years ago, I didn’t know much about investing. Living in Korea, I started by buying well-known U.S. stocks like Apple and NVIDIA. I thought I was investing, but really, I was just reacting. I sold my shares as soon as they moved up a little, afraid they might drop. Looking back, I missed out on bigger gains—especially in 2023 when markets surged. I wasn’t checking the markets regularly because of work, and I realized this approach wasn’t sustainable. Why I Shifted to Index Investing I began asking myself: how can I invest without needing to track prices all the time? That questio...