Not too long ago, we started a simple yet powerful journey: investing $50/week into VOO, one of the most reliable and diversified ETFs on the planet. After crossing a key milestone, we leveled up by adding QQQ, putting $50/week into both.
That means we’re now investing $100/week — split evenly between broad U.S. growth (VOO) and tech-forward innovation (QQQ).
But if you’re anything like me, the longer you stay in the game, the more you want to refine your strategy and keep your dollars working smarter. So today, we’re asking the next logical question:
💡 What should be the third ETF in our weekly investing lineup?
Let’s walk through the contenders.
🥊 The Final Four: SCHD, VXUS, VTI, and VIG
We’ve already got strong U.S. coverage — both wide and deep — thanks to VOO and QQQ. But every great portfolio benefits from balance, and that’s what these next four ETFs offer.
🧱 Option 1: SCHD – Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF
- Focus: U.S. dividend-paying stocks
- Dividend Yield: ~3.5%
- What it brings: Income, stability, and high-quality companies
- The case for SCHD:
If you’re craving reliable cash flow and long-term income growth, SCHD is a winner. It’s a fan-favorite among dividend investors. But one caveat — many of SCHD’s top holdings (like Pepsi, Merck, and Amgen) lean toward the value side, which can be slower-growing compared to VOO/QQQ.
🌍 Option 2: VXUS – Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
- Focus: Stocks outside the U.S.
- Dividend Yield: ~3%
- What it brings: Global diversification
- The case for VXUS:
International exposure reduces your dependency on U.S. markets — that’s a good thing. But, international stocks (especially emerging markets) have underperformed the U.S. over the last decade. While VXUS makes sense for the long term, it might not be the best immediate addition for someone looking to build momentum now.
🧮 Option 3: VTI – Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF
- Focus: Entire U.S. stock market (large, mid, and small caps)
- Dividend Yield: ~1.3%
- What it brings: Full U.S. exposure beyond just the S&P 500
- The case for VTI:
Already own VOO? Then you already have most of what VTI offers. Yes, VTI includes small and mid-caps that VOO doesn’t, but there’s quite a bit of overlap. Adding VTI might be like putting another scoop of vanilla into your vanilla milkshake — still good, but not very different.
💎 Option 4: VIG – Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF
- Focus: U.S. companies with 10+ years of dividend growth
- Dividend Yield: ~2%
- What it brings: Stability, quality, and long-term compounding
- The case for VIG:
VIG strikes a beautiful middle ground — it doesn’t just chase high dividends; it filters for companies that grow their dividends consistently, which usually means they’re financially healthy, profitable, and built to last.
It’s less volatile than QQQ, more growth-focused than SCHD, and complements VOO without duplicating it.
🎯 Why VIG Is the Logical Next Step
Now that we’ve laid the foundation with:
- VOO – for core market exposure
- QQQ – for innovation and aggressive growth
…it makes sense to round things out with a “defensive growth” layer. That’s where VIG shines:
✅ Here’s why VIG fits like a glove:
- You’re still growing — with companies that don’t just pay dividends, but raise them year after year.
- You reduce portfolio risk — by owning companies that tend to hold up better during downturns.
- You’re building long-term wealth — with an ETF designed to reward patience and consistency.
Think of VIG as the responsible older sibling — not as flashy as QQQ, but always reliable, quietly compounding your money behind the scenes.
📆 What’s Next?
Starting this week, we’ll begin investing $50/week into VIG, bringing our total weekly investment to $150 — $50 each into:
- 🟢 VOO
- 🔵 QQQ
- 🟡 VIG
This trio gives us:
- Broad U.S. exposure (VOO)
- Innovative tech growth (QQQ)
- Dividend-growing blue chips (VIG)
The perfect recipe for long-term, sustainable wealth-building.
🧠 Final Thoughts
You don’t need to predict the market to grow your wealth — you just need a plan, consistency, and the right building blocks. By adding VIG to your weekly investing mix, you’re not only diversifying your strategy — you’re also laying down the foundation for long-term financial freedom with every $50 invested.
Ready to level up?
Let’s keep compounding. 💪📈
Related Articles:
- How to Invest in VOO with Just $50 a Week: A Simple Guide to Growing Your Wealth
- Invest $50 Weekly in VOO: Higher Returns Than Lattes
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