For investors seeking a straightforward and effective way to participate in the long-term growth of the U.S. economy, few options are as compelling as a broad-market index fund. The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (NYSEARCA: VTI) stands out as a prime example, offering investors exposure to virtually every publicly traded U.S. company. The question many new investors ponder is: how much can a modest $1,000 investment truly grow over time? The answer, while not guaranteed, reveals significant potential.

VTI has a proven track record of delivering solid long-term returns, tracking the performance of the entire U.S. stock market. Since its inception in mid-2001, the ETF has generated an impressive average annual return of 8.75%. Compounding at this historical rate, a $1,000 investment patiently held in VTI for 30 years could theoretically swell to approximately $12,385. This demonstrates the powerful effect of compounding even with seemingly modest annual gains.

However, the potential could be even greater. If VTI were to maintain the more robust pace it has set over the past decade, which saw annualized returns of 12.1%, the outcome would be even more substantial. At this higher rate, that same $1,000 investment could potentially blossom into a remarkable $30,773 over a 30-year period. This highlights how even a slight increase in average annual returns can dramatically impact long-term wealth accumulation.

It’s crucial for investors to approach these figures with a healthy dose of caution. While historical performance provides valuable insights, it is by no means a guarantee of future results. The stock market is inherently cyclical, and prolonged economic downturns, unexpected market corrections, or shifts in the broader economic landscape could certainly impact VTI’s future performance. Nevertheless, for those committed to a long-term, buy-and-hold strategy, VTI offers a foundational approach to wealth building.

Investing $1,000 in the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) offers a simple way to gain broad U.S. market exposure. Based on its historical average annual return of 8.75% since 2001, $1,000 could grow to over $12,000 in 30 years. If it sustains its more recent 12.1% average, it could reach over $30,000. While past performance doesn’t guarantee future results, VTI remains a strong long-term investment for patient investors.

Next: [No Brainer Gold Play] – “Show me a better investment.”

Warren Buffett is sitting on $325 billion in cash – his largest hoard ever.

Not because he wants to – but because he can’t find value in the usual places.

Now, as US government spending spirals out of control, Buffett knows he’s losing billions of dollars to inflation.

That’s why I predict Buffett’s next investment will catch millions of people off guard.

It’s not another bank… railroad company… or more shares of Apple.

It’s a gold company. How do I know?

Because the math doesn’t lie:

You can buy the average gold developer for $30 and get back $13 a year —
That’s a 43% ROI annually.

Over 10 years, that’s $130 on a $30 investment.

Tell me where else Buffett can get that.

But there’s one specific miner Buffett likes best:

It’s the best-managed major gold miner in the industry…

Has massive cash flow…

Is trading at a deep discount to fair value…

Positioned at the heart of Trump’s new mining push…

Don’t wait for Buffett to reveal his position in his 13F filing on August 15th…

Right now, you have the chance to front-run the greatest investor of all time. Go here and I’ll give you the name and ticker – along with details on my top four small miners.

P.S. A lot of investors write in to tell me how much they’ve made in Bitcoin. My reply? Good for you. First off, gold investing is cyclical. You really only want to own gold at one specific time in the cycle. That time is now. Second, the world’s governments are not buying Bitcoin. They’re betting on gold. All of them. Bitcoin (does anyone really know for sure the US government didn’t create it?) will be a good bet… until it isn’t. It may end up doing great. Or it may be eclipsed by any number of tech developments.

Meanwhile, gold will continue to do what it’s done for almost 6,000 years of recorded human history: Protect wealth through chaos. Go here if you want the name and ticker of Buffett’s likely gold play… and details on my top four miners.