Over the past few months I’ve been reading through multiple Reddit communities regarding investing and watching some YouTube videos. Now I want to start investing myself, I don’t want to do any high risk investing I’m interesting in a set and forget scenario. A retirement fund that I can put money into each paycheck and leave it for 20-30 years and let compound interest do its thing.
I’ve seen VOO, VTI, VXUS, VT, and FXAIX & FZILX for fidelity, my issue is I’m not sure which combo to do as I’ve seen so many people suggest each option. Just VOO? Just VT? VTI and VXUS? Go with fidelity and do FXAIX? Or do 80% 20% split FXAIX and FZILX? And which ones have the best fees? And do the fees really matter? Like $50 in fees to pay in 20 years isn’t an issue, but hundreds in fees I would be less inclined to pay.
Now some context for my financial and living situation, I’m 24 and luckily I am blessed and privileged to have parents that love me very much and want me to live with them and don’t want me paying rent, I am extremely grateful for my parents and everything they do. I currently work part time making $430 a week but will move to full time with better pay in a couple months. Because of all that I will be able to invest part of my paycheck each week and would be able to max out a Roth IRA in 2026.
My main 3 questions are, which platform should I use to invest? Fidelity? Schwab? Vanguard? Robinhood(with the gold bonus)? Which fund or funds should I invest in?? And for example on fidelity it asked if you wanna open a general investing account or a retirement account(IRA), which one do I choose? I get I’m asking for advice on investing for the long term and not short term high risk investments but even with a general investment account can’t I set and forget as well? If I select the IRA on fidelity it gives me the option of a traditional IRA and a ROTH IRA, which should I go with in my situation?
I know some people might comment telling me to do more research online or watch more videos on YouTube but I am still watching videos and learning. Would love some real serious advice from the community!! Thanks!!