The Independent Vanguard Adviser

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Seasoned insights on Vanguard funds that most investors don’t know—and Vanguard won’t tell you.

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The only independent newsletter written for Vanguard investors, by Vanguard investors.

The Independent Vanguard Adviser is the go-to resource for the serious Vanguard investor who doesn't want to make moves every minute, but wants every move to count.

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Weekly Brief
LATEST INSIGHT -

Are You a Trading Wizard?

Keep politics (and geopolitics) out of your portfolio | Elm Wealth’s crystal ball trading challenge

3 min read
More Insights
IVA Research

Are ETFs More Tax Efficient? No.

ETFs have long been crowned more tax-friendly than mutual funds. That may be true across much of the industry, but not at Vanguard. Compare apples to apples, and there’s no difference from a tax standpoint between a Vanguard Admiral-class index fund and its ETF sibling.

| 18 min read
In The News

RIABiz Twofer: ESG and QEG

Over the past few months, I've covered how Vanguard's ability to buy utility stocks was threatened by a coalition of attorney generals arguing that Vanguard wasn't as passive an investor as the index giant claimed—most recently here. Vanguard was ultimately granted authorization to

| 2 min read
In The News

WSJ | Vanguard Pays for Misleading Shareholders

I spoke with the Wall Street Journal about Finra slapping Vanguard on the wrist with an $800,000 fine.

| 1 min read
Monthly Recap

Storm Clouds Clear

JUNE 2023 | Markets took the debt ceiling debate in stride, growth stocks beat value stocks and the municipal money market yield roller coaster slows. Plus, an article roundup and the IVA Factor Tracker.

| 7 min read
Weekly Brief

Manager Merry-go-round

A deal on the debt ceiling | Vanguard fires itself | Wellington’s Abrams announces his retirement | Emerging Markets Select Stock picks up more managers | FINRA fines Vanguard

| 5 min read
Featured

Vanguard: ”Don’t call us, we’ll …”

Vanguard has threatened to terminate accounts of investors they feel call too often. Is this any way to run an investment company?

| 7 min read

The First Shall Be Last

2024 OUTLOOK: A turning point within the market, not for the market.

| 18 min read

The Value of Ownership?

Vanguard loudly trumpets that it is owned by shareholders of its mutual funds and ETFs. But what rights do we owners actually have?

| 5 min read
Disclaimer

Vanguard and The Vanguard Group are service marks of The Vanguard Group, Inc. We are not affiliated in any way with The Vanguard Group and receive no compensation from The Vanguard Group, Inc.

Jeff DeMaso

Hi, I’m Jeff DeMaso.

Welcome to the Independent Vanguard Adviser.

I’ve been a Vanguard investor for over a decade, co-editing the leading newsletter on Vanguard funds and ETFs. I’m a big Vanguard fan, but they are not perfect (nobody is). I’ll tell you the good and the bad when it comes to Vanguard.

Over two decades while working at a multi-billion-dollar investment firm, I held titles of intern to CIO (and everything in between). I’ve seen investors make avoidable mistakes time and time again. I aim to share the investment insights and advice I want my family and friends to have so that you can make meaningful investments for yours.

When investing, I believe in simplicity, diversification and spending time in the market. A simple promise: My family and I will invest in the same funds I recommend to you!

When I’m not poring over Vanguard’s most recent prospectus, you can find me chasing my toddler around the playground or trying to avoid an injury while reliving the glory days on the soccer pitch.