§ 01
| Order type | What it does | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| Market order | Buys at the current price, immediately | Buying a liquid index fund or ETF -- simplest, fills instantly |
| Limit order | Buys only at a price you set or better | You want price control on a thin or volatile name; it may not fill |
§ 02
For a broad index fund or ETF, a market order is almost always fine -- the bid-ask spread is tiny and you are holding for decades, so a few cents does not matter. Limit orders earn their keep on illiquid or volatile single stocks, not on VTI.
§ 03
Link your bank, start an ACH transfer of an amount you won't need soon, and set up an automatic recurring buy of a total-market fund every payday. Then close the app.
§ 04
§ 05
You want to buy a broad index ETF you'll hold for 20 years. Which order type is the simplest sensible choice?
Five questions · AI feedback
Sit with the ideas.
After funding your account, what is the single highest-impact habit for long-run returns?
Why: