How many ETFs do I actually need? I’m overwhelmed

Is your portfolio diversified, or just complicated? Jess is only five months into investing and she’s already got seven ETFs and a stock. What is each investment actually adding? She’s starting to think maybe she’s overcomplicated things… Then community member Hamish sent in a question about whether it makes more sense to own one diversified ETF or build a portfolio from several ETFs. Jess took it as a sign to get back to basics. So she sits down with financial adviser Glen Hare to unpack how to think about building an ETF portfolio, including How many ETFs is too many? How to spot overlap between ETFs What you gain, and give up, by keeping things simple Three example approaches: one diversified ETF, Australian + global ETFs, and a portfolio built across different regions Chapters: 00:00:00 How Many ETFs? 00:03:38 Has Jess Overcomplicated? 00:08:07 All-In-One ETF Benefits 00:16:08 Avoiding ETF Overlap 00:24:54 Which Strategy Suits You? 00:32:48 The ETF Selection Checklist ETFs Mentioned: We talk about a handful of ETFs in this episode so here is a list, in order of appearance to help you follow along if you need it! From Hamish’s Question: Betashares Global Share ETF (ASX: BGBL) Betashares Diversified All Growth ETF (ASX: DHHF) iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV) Betashares Global Shares Ex US ETF (ASX: EXUS) Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAE) From Jess Portfolio: Betashares Global Share ETF (ASX: BGBL) Betashares Wealthbuilder Global Geared Complex ETF (ASX: GGBL) Betashares Australia 200 ETF (ASX: A200) Betashares Wealthbuilder Aus200 Gear ETF (ASX: G200) Betashares MSCI Emerging Markets Complex ETF (ASX: BEMG) Global X AI Infrastructure ETF AUD (ASX: AINF) Betashares Welathbuilder Nas100 Gear ETF (ASX: GNDQ) Others: Vanguard Diversified High Growth Index ETF (ASX: VDHG) Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) Links mentioned in this episode: 📩 Sign up to the Get Started Investing newsletter here 📩 Share your investing story with us submit here Want more Equity Mates? Across books, podcasts, video and email, however you want to learn about investing – we’ve got you covered. ——— Thanks to MLC for sponsoring this series and helping keep our content free. If you’re the type of person who spends weekends comparing ETF’s, keeps an eye on crypto, and never misses an episode of Equity Mates, here’s one investment you may be overlooking – your super. MLC knows it might not seem as exciting as picking your next investment, but thanks to tax advantages and decades of compound growth, it could end up being one of the hardest working investments you own. See how your super could be working harder with MLC at mlc.com.au Disclaimer: Products issued by NULIS Nominees (Australia) Ltd as trustee of MLC Super Fund. General information only. Read the PDS & TMD available at mlc.com.au and consider if it’s right for you. ——— In the spirit of reconciliation, Equity Mates Media and the hosts of Get Started Investing acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people today. ——— Get Started Investing is a product of Equity Mates Media. This podcast is intended for education and entertainment purposes only. Any advice is general advice, and has not taken into account your personal financial circumstances. Before acting on general advice, you should consider if it is relevant to your needs. If you are unsure, please speak to a financial professional. The hosts of this podcast and their guests may have positions in the companies mentioned. Equity Mates Media is part of the Betashares group but maintains editorial independence. Equity Mates Media operates under Australian Financial Services Licence 540697.