From: "jt" 
Newsgroups: misc.invest.financial-plan
Subject: Re: Fidelity's SimpleStart IRA
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2005 12:20:39 CST
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>  I think vanguard's low expense ratio kind of makes up

Vanguard is no longer a leader in low expense ratios!  How
is it that they can coast on this outdated reputation, and on
top of it introduce more fees and nastier human factors in
dealing with them?  I'll grant they do have a wider range of
cheap expense ratio funds.

Fidelitys set of  Spartan funds about cut in half Vanguards
comparable fund expense ratios.  I don't know about the
particular plan the O.P. mentioned, and there are many
pricier options within Fidelity.  Fidelity treats you more
like an adult whereas Vanguard treats your interactions
as a potentially irresponsible cost-drain.  Fidelity gives
many features in hopes you grow into a better customer.

Etrade has lowered expense ratio of it's internal funds
even a tad lower (.09 of a percent?).  You mention the
vanguard star fund, which has components at something
like .45.  Fidelity has less simplistic and more classic
asset allocation mixes in fund-of-funds like their 4-in-1.