The Independent Vanguard Adviser
Tested. Invested. Unbiased.
Seasoned insights on Vanguard funds that most investors don’t know—and Vanguard won’t tell you.
Count me in!The only independent newsletter written for Vanguard investors, by Vanguard investors.
The Independent Vanguard Adviser is the go-to resource for the serious Vanguard investor who doesn't want to make moves every minute, but wants every move to count.
Join over 15,000 Vanguard investors who aren’t just better informed; they’re invested.
Learn More
WEEKLY BRIEF | Another War, Another Market Test
War tests investors | PRIMECAP’s Joel Fried is retiring | Supplemental distributions coming | Vanguard settles Texas lawsuit
Don’t Rush for the Exit
Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank failures | Money Market funds | Is Vanguard Safe? (Yes) | Inflation check-in | Supplemental distributions ahead
Bond Funds Own Bonds | Bonds 101
Have you ever wondered whether it's better to buy your own bonds or to invest in a bond mutual fund? Are you unsure whether you should be buying a taxable and a tax-free bond fund? This week, I'll help you answer those questions.
Fed’s Finger on the Button
The Fed is worried about inflation | Housing market slowdown | Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF launch | Backlash for backing out of the NZAM | Distributions ahead
Trade-Offs in Action | Bonds 101
“Jeff, how do you balance the trade-offs when allocating to bonds in your own account and in the Model Portfolios?” I saw many versions of that question come in from subscribers after I shared the latest installment of the Bonds 101 series, Balancing Trade-Offs. So, before moving on to some
Europe In the Lead?
Hello, this is Jeff DeMaso with the IVA Weekly Brief for Wednesday, March 1st. There are no changes recommended for any of our Portfolios. To investors’ dismay, stocks and bonds fell together in February. While that seems like a repeat of 2022's market, I explained in the Monthly
Investing Beyond the AI Hype
2026 OUTLOOK | The market’s baseline is growth—but in an AI-driven, fully-priced world, diversification matters more than ever.
The AI Footprint in Your Vanguard Portfolio
MAILBAG | A comprehensive look at Vanguard funds tied to the AI narrative, as well as those that aren’t—and how the IVA Portfolios stack up.
PRIMECAP Finds Its Edge … Again
A strong 2025 reminds investors why patience with PRIMECAP still pays.
Vanguard and The Vanguard Group are service marks of The Vanguard Group, Inc. We are not affiliated in any way with The Vanguard Group and receive no compensation from The Vanguard Group, Inc.
Hi, I’m Jeff DeMaso.
Welcome to the Independent Vanguard Adviser.
I’ve been a Vanguard investor for over a decade, co-editing the leading newsletter on Vanguard funds and ETFs. I’m a big Vanguard fan, but they are not perfect (nobody is). I’ll tell you the good and the bad when it comes to Vanguard.
Over two decades while working at a multi-billion-dollar investment firm, I held titles of intern to CIO (and everything in between). I’ve seen investors make avoidable mistakes time and time again. I aim to share the investment insights and advice I want my family and friends to have so that you can make meaningful investments for yours.
When investing, I believe in simplicity, diversification and spending time in the market. A simple promise: My family and I will invest in the same funds I recommend to you!
When I’m not poring over Vanguard’s most recent prospectus, you can find me chasing my toddler around the playground or trying to avoid an injury while reliving the glory days on the soccer pitch.