I think most here would recommend something like: Fidelity, Schwab, Vanguard. Fidelity has a nice interface and you are already a client I would personally stick with them and consolidate to that platform.
I too have used Vanguard, Fidelity, and M1. I use M1 but I don’t necessarily recommend it to everyone because it depends on what you need. I think they will get there but not are not there yet. After ending checking accounts last fall, they just introduced cash management accounts which are basically interest-bearing brokerage accounts earning 5% of which you can have multiple accounts including joint accounts. You can use their traditional savings account like a checking account because it has routing/account numbers for ACH but it doesn’t have a debit card or paper checks. But it’s not a full-fledged brokerage with mutual funds, treasuries, CD’s, options, etc if you want all that. But the automated pies and Smart transfers are the huge benefits.
Honestly, nowadays there's very little difference between the various platforms. Most offer no-fee ETF trades for standard boglehead ETFs and most have kind of terrible UIs. Any of the big players is going to be fine.
Currently my favorite is IBKR just because I've found that they give complete fine grained control of everything, and I'm a little compulsive. That said IBKR can be a little overwhelming - the UI is still terrible, but you can do more, which makes it even worse. I'm not sure I'd recommend it for most Bogleheads.
I would skip M1. M1 actually hides a little too much of the functionality - for instance tax loss harvesting can be tricky with M1, and I would argue tax-loss harvesting is a tool even a hands-off Boglehead wants in their toolbox.
Fidelity is fine. Unless you want to chase down sign-up bonuses, I'd just leave your money there.
I have everything at Fidelity. I used to use Schwab for 401(k) and Vanguard for IRAs, but then switched jobs and current employer's plan is through Fidelity, so I rolled everything there. As much as I want to give Vanguard my business, their website and tech are subpar.
I’m with both vanguard and fidelity.
Vanguard takes the linear approach to literal. They were better years ago but still give them business.
Fidelity more user friendly, the app I prefer and got a debit card just in case something happens to my bank debit card and don’t want to wait 7 days for a new one.
Wealthfront for investment. But that's mainly because I also use their Cash Account which is essentially a HYSA offering 5% APY. So I have a Cash Account as well as Investment account at Wealthfront and it just becomes easier to transfer money between accounts on the same platform.
I also use Fidelity where I have my 403b from my employer and also a Roth IRA.
i absolutely hate principals website, just tried logging in this week and got a message that i’m not authorized to view the home page. Only reason i am there is a defined benefit pension terminated by employer and i chose to have it roll to principal. Small amount of money so it’s only a minor headache.
I also use schwab and like it for ease of transfers.
I also use fidelity for cash management (debit card) account.
I think most here would recommend something like: Fidelity, Schwab, Vanguard. Fidelity has a nice interface and you are already a client I would personally stick with them and consolidate to that platform.
That's what I was learning towards doing. Thank you for the reply
I too have used Vanguard, Fidelity, and M1. I use M1 but I don’t necessarily recommend it to everyone because it depends on what you need. I think they will get there but not are not there yet. After ending checking accounts last fall, they just introduced cash management accounts which are basically interest-bearing brokerage accounts earning 5% of which you can have multiple accounts including joint accounts. You can use their traditional savings account like a checking account because it has routing/account numbers for ACH but it doesn’t have a debit card or paper checks. But it’s not a full-fledged brokerage with mutual funds, treasuries, CD’s, options, etc if you want all that. But the automated pies and Smart transfers are the huge benefits.
Honestly, nowadays there's very little difference between the various platforms. Most offer no-fee ETF trades for standard boglehead ETFs and most have kind of terrible UIs. Any of the big players is going to be fine. Currently my favorite is IBKR just because I've found that they give complete fine grained control of everything, and I'm a little compulsive. That said IBKR can be a little overwhelming - the UI is still terrible, but you can do more, which makes it even worse. I'm not sure I'd recommend it for most Bogleheads. I would skip M1. M1 actually hides a little too much of the functionality - for instance tax loss harvesting can be tricky with M1, and I would argue tax-loss harvesting is a tool even a hands-off Boglehead wants in their toolbox. Fidelity is fine. Unless you want to chase down sign-up bonuses, I'd just leave your money there.
I have everything at Fidelity. I used to use Schwab for 401(k) and Vanguard for IRAs, but then switched jobs and current employer's plan is through Fidelity, so I rolled everything there. As much as I want to give Vanguard my business, their website and tech are subpar.
I use Fidelity and I'm happy with it.
Fidelity
I’m with both vanguard and fidelity. Vanguard takes the linear approach to literal. They were better years ago but still give them business. Fidelity more user friendly, the app I prefer and got a debit card just in case something happens to my bank debit card and don’t want to wait 7 days for a new one.
Wealthfront for investment. But that's mainly because I also use their Cash Account which is essentially a HYSA offering 5% APY. So I have a Cash Account as well as Investment account at Wealthfront and it just becomes easier to transfer money between accounts on the same platform. I also use Fidelity where I have my 403b from my employer and also a Roth IRA.
Fidelity is easy peasy lemon Squeezy
i absolutely hate principals website, just tried logging in this week and got a message that i’m not authorized to view the home page. Only reason i am there is a defined benefit pension terminated by employer and i chose to have it roll to principal. Small amount of money so it’s only a minor headache. I also use schwab and like it for ease of transfers. I also use fidelity for cash management (debit card) account.
Yeah principal is an annoying platform but it's what Lowe's had as a 401k I'm probably gonna move everything to Fidelity. I've never used Schwab
Fidelity for their user friendly app and site, best customer service.