How to Build Your Lazy Portfolio Today (Like, Right Now)
Now that you understand these lazy portfolio strategies, it’s time to take action. Setting it up is as simple as investing in any other fund.
Step 1: Choose your platform
Many platforms offer index funds with minimal fees, including Vanguard, Fidelity, and Schwab.
Personally, I recommend Vanguard, as they pioneered low-cost index investing and have a proven track record of long-term performance.
Step 2: Open an account
If you don’t have an investment account yet, now’s the time to open one. If you’re eligible, I recommend starting with a Roth IRA, since it offers tax-free growth.
If you’ve already maxed that out, no problem—just use a regular brokerage account to keep investing.
Step 3: Fund your account
Once your investment account is set up, transfer an amount you’re comfortable starting with. Don’t overthink it—whether it’s $100 or $500, the key is to just start.
Step 4: Buy your funds
Once your account is funded, it’s time to invest. Search for the ticker symbols of the funds in your chosen portfolio and buy them according to the recommended allocation.
For example, if you’re following the two-fund portfolio with $1,000, you’d allocate $600 to VT (Total World Stock ETF) and $400 to BND (Total Bond Market ETF). If you’re using a three- or four-fund portfolio, adjust your purchases accordingly to match the target percentages.
Step 5: Set up automatic investments
The final—and most crucial—step is to automate your investments. Set up a recurring transfer from your bank account to your brokerage account each month to ensure you’re consistently building your portfolio. Even small contributions like $50 or $100 a month can grow into a significant sum over time, thanks to the power of compounding.
With these simple steps, you can set up a powerful, no-fuss investment strategy—one that could outperform 80% of professional investors over time.
It doesn’t really matter which portfolios you choose; just go with the one that makes the most sense to you and get started.
Automating Your Lazy Portfolio (for Peak Laziness)
After you finally start investing in your lazy portfolio, you can take your laziness even further by automating your finances.
I talk about this often because it’s one of the smartest ways to invest, save, and grow your money effortlessly. By setting up a system that automatically allocates a portion of your paycheck to your investments, you remove the guesswork and keep yourself disciplined, ensuring consistent growth over time without having to think about it.
Here’s how to set it up
- Automate your paycheck deposit into your checking account.
- Set up automatic bill payments for fixed expenses like rent, utilities, and subscriptions.
- Schedule automatic transfers to your savings accounts for specific goals (e.g., emergency fund, vacation, down payment).
- Create automatic investments that go straight into your lazy portfolio—ideally right after payday, so you never “see” that money sitting in your checking account.
- Review every few months and adjust as needed to ensure everything is running smoothly.
Automating your lazy portfolio ensures that you stay on track without the emotional ups and downs of investing. You won’t panic sell during market dips, and you won’t forget to invest or let extra cash slip away on impulse purchases. With this system in place, you’re building a seamless, stress-free financial plan that works in the background while you go about your life.
If investing has ever felt overwhelming, lazy portfolios prove it doesn’t have to be. No hedge fund managers, no stock picking, no stressful day trading—just steady, consistent investing that quietly builds real wealth.