{
  "id": 16459834,
  "title": "How to Split $10,000 Across 5 ETFs and Not Touch It for 20 Years",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/how-to-split-10-000-across-5-etfs-and-not-touch-it-for-20-years",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-25T10:11:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Motley Fool",
    "slug": "motley-fool",
    "url": "https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/10/25/how-to-split-10000-across-5-etfs-and-not-touch-it/?source=iedfolrf0000001"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "When planning for long-term investments, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are a popular choice due to their stock-like trading nature, which makes them easier to buy and sell compared to mutual funds. Below is a recommended selection of five ETFs that provide diversification and have low expense ratios.\n\nThe first ETF is Vanguard's S&P 500 index fund, which has been a trusted recommendation from Warren Buffett and The Motley Fool for many years. This fund includes 500 of the largest companies in America, representing about 80% of the overall market. It is essentially a bet on America's future. With a low expense ratio of 0.03%, investors pay just $3 per year for every $10,000 invested. Recent top holdings include Nvidia and Apple.\n\nThe second ETF is the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF, favored for its solid dividend payments and growth potential. It tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, featuring 100 stocks with a history of paying dividends for at least 10 years. With a low expense ratio of 0.06%, this ETF offers a dividend yield of 3.24% and recent top holdings include Texas Instruments, Procter & Gamble, and Chevron. It has historically delivered annual gains of 28% over the past decade and 52% over the past three years.\n\nThe third ETF in the mix is an international fund, providing exposure to global markets outside the U.S. It includes 8,800-plus companies and has a low expense ratio of 0.05%. It has averaged annual gains of 9% over the past decade and nearly 15% over the past year. Recent top holdings include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and SK Hynix.\n\nLastly, this ETF offers exposure to bonds with an ultra-low expense ratio of 0.03%. It has averaged annual gains of 1.85% over the past 15 years and a yield of 4.2%. It tracks the Bloomberg US Aggregate Float Adjusted Index, encompassing investment-grade, fixed-rate, taxable bonds. This fund complements the others by adding stability through fixed-income investments.\n\nBy investing $2,000 in each of these ETFs, an initial $10,000 investment could potentially grow to over $100,000 over 20 years. However, past performance does not guarantee future results, and market fluctuations are a reality. It is crucial to maintain a long-term investment approach while periodically monitoring the performance of these funds. Ultimately, investing is a means to secure a better financial future beyond relying solely on Social Security.",
  "summary": "You might be able to turn that $10,000 into $115,347 -- or more. (Or less.)",
  "key_points": [
    "Invest $2,000 in each of five ETFs totaling $10,000",
    "Vanguard S&P 500 ETF offers low expense ratio of 0.03%",
    "Expected growth could reach over $100,000 in 20 years"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Prioritizing low expense ratios and broad diversification across domestic stocks, international markets, and bonds offers a structured path for long-term investors seeking to build wealth beyond Social Security.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Nasdaq Markets",
        "title": "How to Split $10,000 Across 5 ETFs and Not Touch It for 20 Years",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/how-to-split-10-000-across-5-etfs-and-not-touch-it-for-20-years-16467644",
        "published": "2026-10-25T10:31:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}