Ask Paul: Which platform should I use to buy shares?

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Dear Paul,

We wish to purchase the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS).

What would be the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing either through CommSec or directly with Vanguard's own trading platform? - Heather

ask paul clitheroe vanguard shares commsec

Not a lot, Heather. Obviously, take a look at the buy costs, but either way these will be modest. I think the question is more likely to be what platform to hold other investments on. It makes a lot of sense to me to keep your investments on one platform as much as possible.

It never ceases to amaze me how many of us "lose" our investments, in particular as we get older.

Regardless of which way you go, this is a very convenient and low-cost way to give you access to a diversified portfolio of Australian shares.

Both the Vanguard and CommSec customer teams are knowledgeable and friendly, I think it would be worth your time to give them both a call and listen to their opinions in regard to the benefits of their platforms.

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Paul Clitheroe AM is founder and editorial adviser of Money magazine. He is one of Australia's leading financial voices, responsible for bringing financial insight to Australians through personal finance books, the Money TV show, and this publication, which he established in 1999. Paul is the chair of the Australian Government Financial Literacy Board and is chairman of InvestSMART Financial Services. He is the chair of Financial Literacy at Macquarie University where he is also a Professor with the School of Business and Economics. Ask Paul your money question. Unfortunately Paul cannot respond to questions posted in the comments section. View our disclaimer.
Comments
Annette Burns
December 30, 2020 11.16pm

As a novice investor with only super to date. How do I go from this experience. I want to invest for my grandchildren. I've no idea but would like to invest around 2000 each. It's a small amount but I'm hoping over time it will appreciate enough to be a help to them.

useless article
March 5, 2021 4.31pm

Useless ... basically telling you to go ask commsec and vanguard and compare yourself.

[Edited for profanity.]