Scott Phillips has revealed the one visual he believes every Australian should pin above their laptop before placing a single trade — and the message is brutally simple: long-term investing wins.
Speaking on Money Talks powered by Vanguard, Phillips said the most powerful piece of investing education he’s ever used is the Vanguard Index Chart, which shows what would’ve happened if you invested $10,000 and simply left it alone for three decades.
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“It’s gone from $10,000 to around $130,000 — 13 times your money over 30 years. It’s the one thing everyone should have next to their computer before they trade. Long-term investing wins,” he said.
And yet, Phillips says people fight him on the most basic rule of wealth building: just buy and hold.
“People tell me, ‘Who does that?’ That’s the point. No one does — and that’s why most people never see those long-term gains.”
He also took aim at hype-driven ETFs and “hot themes”, instead urging Australians to stick to low-cost diversified index funds — including the S&P 500 and ASX 300 ETFs, the same ones he personally owns.
“Half Australia, half US — buy an S&P 500 index fund and an ASX 300 index fund, and your job’s done,” he said.
Phillips said young Australians have a huge advantage because “time is the most powerful asset in investing”.
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