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3 Simple ETFs to Buy With $1,000 and Hold for a Lifetime

Hey friends,

If you handed me $1,000 today and told me to invest it for the long run—no trading, no timing the market, just set it and forget it—I know exactly what I’d do.

I’d buy ETFs. Just three of them.

Why? Because they’re simple, low-cost, and powerful. And if you pick the right ones, you could build real wealth without needing to watch the market every day.

So in this issue, I’m going to share with you 3 simple ETFs that I would personally buy with $1,000—and hold for the rest of my life.

Let’s dive in.

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First, What’s an ETF?

Before we talk about which ETFs to buy, let’s quickly break down what an ETF even is.

An ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) is like a basket of stocks.

Instead of buying one company like Apple, you’re buying a slice of many companies at once.

It trades like a stock, but gives you instant diversification, which means your money is spread out and less risky.

And the best part? ETFs often have very low fees. Some are even almost free to own.

Why $1,000 Is Enough

A lot of people think you need tens of thousands of dollars to start investing.

That’s not true at all.

With just $1,000, you can start building a portfolio that grows with you over time.

It’s not about getting rich overnight. It’s about letting compound interest work its magic year after year.

That $1,000 could easily turn into $2,000, $4,000, or even $10,000 one day if you leave it alone and stay invested.

What Makes a Good "Forever" ETF?

Here’s what I look for when I pick ETFs to hold for life:

✅ Diversified – I don’t want all my eggs in one basket
✅ Low-cost – Fees eat into returns, so I want cheap
✅ Track major markets – Like the U.S. or global economy
✅ Long-term performance – I want solid, proven growth
✅ Easy to understand – No fancy stuff, just simple funds

Now let me show you the 3 ETFs that check all those boxes.

1. VTI – Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF

Let’s start with what I believe is the GOAT of ETFs: VTI.

VTI stands for Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund. It gives you exposure to the entire U.S. stock market—from giants like Apple and Microsoft to small and mid-sized companies too.

When you buy VTI, you’re basically investing in over 4,000 U.S. companies at once.

It’s one of the most diversified, low-cost ETFs out there.

Why I love it:

• It’s super simple. One ETF, total market.

• It has a low expense ratio of just 0.03% (that’s just 30 cents per $1,000).

• It’s backed by Vanguard, one of the most trusted names in investing.

• It’s grown steadily over time, averaging around 8–10% returns per year over the long run.

If I could only buy one ETF, this would probably be it.

2. VXUS – Vanguard Total International Stock ETF

Now, even though the U.S. stock market is strong, I don’t want to put all my money into just one country.

That’s where VXUS comes in.

This ETF gives you exposure to non-U.S. companies—places like Europe, Japan, China, India, and more.

It’s like the global version of VTI.

Why I include VXUS:

• It gives my portfolio more balance.

• Some of the world’s biggest companies aren’t American (think Samsung, Nestle, or Toyota).

• If the U.S. slows down, other parts of the world might pick up the slack.

• It covers over 7,000 stocks across 40+ countries.

VXUS also has low fees (just 0.07%), and while it may not grow as fast as U.S. stocks, it gives important diversification.

3. SCHD – Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF

The third ETF on my list is a little different.

SCHD focuses on high-quality U.S. companies that pay dividends.

What’s a dividend? It’s money some companies pay out to shareholders just for owning their stock. It’s like a bonus on top of growth.

SCHD picks companies that not only grow but also share profits with you through regular payouts.

Why I love SCHD:

• It invests in strong, stable companies with a long history of paying dividends.

• It has a solid yield—around 3–4% annually.

• It grows AND pays you, so it’s perfect for passive income.

• It’s super cheap too—only 0.06% in fees.

If I ever want to live off my investments someday, this ETF will help me get there.

A Quick Example: What $1,000 Could Look Like

Let’s say you split your $1,000 like this:

• $400 in VTI

• $300 in VXUS

• $300 in SCHD

Now let’s assume these ETFs give you around 8% average annual return (a conservative long-term estimate).

Here’s what your $1,000 could become if you never touch it:

Not bad for doing nothing but holding!

What About Risk?

Good question.

Yes, even ETFs can go down during bad years. In 2022, for example, most ETFs were in the red.

But history shows us that markets always recover. Patience is key.

That’s why I call these “forever ETFs.” They’re not for trading or flipping. They’re for buying, holding, and letting grow.

What If I Don’t Have $1,000?

That’s totally okay.

You can start with any amount, even $10 or $100. Most brokers now allow fractional shares, so you can own a piece of any ETF.

The important thing is to start. Get the habit going. Over time, small amounts add up.

$50 a month into these ETFs can become life-changing in 20+ years.

Where Can I Buy These?

You can buy all three ETFs from any major brokerage account:

• Vanguard

• Fidelity

• Charles Schwab

• Robinhood

• Webull

• Interactive Brokers

• Tiger Brokers (for international investors)

Just search for the ETF by ticker: VTI, VXUS, or SCHD.

Final Takeaways

If I had to sum it all up in one sentence, it would be this:

These 3 ETFs—VTI, VXUS, and SCHD—are strong, simple, and well-rounded.

They give you exposure to:

✅ The entire U.S. market
✅ The entire world outside the U.S.
✅ Strong dividend-paying companies for income

With just these three, you’ve got a lifetime portfolio that can build wealth, protect you during tough times, and even generate passive income down the road.

You don’t need to be a stock-picking genius. You just need to start, stay consistent, and let time do the heavy lifting.

Thanks for reading,

[Live Life Grow Wealth]

DISCLAIMER

I make no representations, warranties, or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content provided is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. Past performance is not indicative nor a guarantee of future returns.

I am an individual content creator and not regulated or licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) as I do not provide investment services.

All forms of investments carry risks, including the risk of losing your entire invested amount. Such activities may not be suitable for everyone. You are strongly encouraged to seek advice from a professional financial advisor if you have any doubts or concerns.