The One ETF for Life: Simplifying Investing with Equity Mates
Apr 25, 2025
By Molly Benjamin, Founder of Ladies Finance Club
Listen to the full podcast here.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of investing, like choosing from 2,358 companies on the Australian stock market kind of overwhelmed, then this podcast episode is for you. Molly Benjamin from Ladies Finance Club chats with Bryce and Alec from Equity Mates, one of Australia’s most trusted investing podcasts, to simplify the jargon and break down how you can build wealth through just one ETF.
What Is an ETF and Why Should You Care?
Let’s start with the basics. ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds) are a game-changer for people looking to get into investing without needing to be glued to the stock market. Bryce and Alec explain that an ETF is essentially a basket of shares, so instead of buying one company, you’re buying a whole collection. This could include Australia's top 200 companies or even companies from around the world.
They also touch on index funds, which track a specific segment of the market (like the S&P 500 in the US). The beauty of ETFs and index funds is that they let you invest broadly, easily and cost-effectively.
How Many ETFs Are There in Australia?
Currently, there are more than 350 ETFs available on the Australian stock market. That’s a lot to choose from and it’s no wonder many people feel stuck at the starting line. Luckily, you don’t need dozens in your portfolio.
Why One ETF Could Be All You Need
The “one ETF for life” strategy that Bryce and Alec advocate for is about keeping investing simple, accessible and stress-free. They suggest two key ETFs to research:
- BetaShares All Growth Diversified ETF (DHHF)
- Vanguard Diversified High Growth ETF (VDHG)
These ETFs offer broad exposure to both Australian and global markets, are low-cost and require no active management. In other words, you can set it and forget it while still building long-term wealth.
Understanding Market Returns and Long-Term Investing
One of the biggest takeaways from this chat? You don’t need to be a stock market expert to get good returns. Historically, the Australian stock market has delivered around 13% annual returns since 1900. That’s powerful stuff when you consider compound growth.
Bryce highlights that with just $50 invested weekly for 35 years (assuming a 13% return), you could end up with over $1.4 million, from less than $100,000 invested out-of-pocket.
Active Investing vs. ETFs: What Works Long-Term?
While it might be tempting to let a fund manager actively invest on your behalf, the stats show that most active funds underperform the market over time. In fact, 82% of active managers in Australia underperformed the ASX 200 over the past decade. Index investing through ETFs consistently beats most active alternatives, especially after fees are considered.
Building Financial Habits That Last
Bryce and Alec stress that building wealth isn’t about chasing hot stocks, it’s about forming strong financial habits. Start small, be consistent and automate your investments. Even $10 a week can snowball into significant wealth over decades. This mindset is at the heart of long-term investing.
Crypto, Stock Picking and the ‘Get Rich Quick’ Trap
Bryce and Molly also chat about why get-rich-quick schemes like crypto or meme stocks often don’t lead to lasting wealth. The key difference with investing in companies (via ETFs) is that you’re buying into real businesses that are working to grow and innovate over time.
Final Advice from Equity Mates
If you’re sitting on the sidelines wondering if now is the right time to invest, Alec has one piece of advice: there’s always a reason not to invest, but long-term data shows that starting early and staying consistent wins every time.
Whether it’s through their book “Don’t Stress, Just Invest” or their Get Started Investing podcast, Equity Mates are all about empowering Australians with practical financial education. As Molly says, they make the complex simple and fun.
If you’re new to investing or want to revisit the basics, check out Equity Mates’ podcast and their beginner-friendly book. And if you learned something today, share this with a friend who might need a nudge to get started!
