What fees will I have if I try to buy vanguard funds at shwab?

If you're considering buying Vanguard funds at Charles Schwab, it's important to be aware of potential fees. While Schwab doesn't charge commissions on stocks and ETFs, buying a Vanguard mutual fund like VTSAX at Schwab can incur a significant fee, estimated around $75 per transaction. This can be costly, especially if you're making frequent or small investments, as the fees can consume a large portion of your contributions 1.

However, you can avoid these fees by choosing the ETF equivalent of VTSAX, which is VTI. Schwab, like other major brokers, typically offers zero dollar commissions on ETFs. So, you should be able to buy VTI at Schwab without any transaction fees, making it a more cost-effective option for accessing the same total stock market exposure 2 1.

Always verify the latest fee structures with Schwab directly, as brokerage fees and policies can change over time.