<prompt> Human: So Im learning about IRAs. Ive come to the understanding that a good bet would be a Vanguard 3-fund Roth IRA, for me. The vast majority of the funds I find most people suggesting have 3,000 minimums but the annual maximum is 5,500... Am I confused? I take it this means one must build a 3-fund portfolio over a minimum of 3 years?Assistant: I was in the same conundrum quite recently. To answer your question yes you can. Instead of opening an account with Vanguard directly, open the IRA with TD Ameritrade: they let you buy Vanguard ETFs commission free and the account opening minimum is 0. If you go this route youll get access to the ETF versions of the same Vanguard mutual funds and can go with more funds I use 7 if you want a little more diversification. Hope that helps! Oh also read up on rfinancialindependence - you can reach FI much sooner than you thinkHuman: I like this. Are there any downsides to this approach?  <response>: You could buy the ETFs directly from Vanguard without needing to worry about fund minimums as well, just the minimum for opening the account in the first place. I prefer mutual funds because theyre easy to do automatic investments with and easier to rebalance.Again though since its inside an IRA you can sell and switch your investments whenever. 