Subject: Money Fund Newbie
Hi,

I'm interested in learning what to do with cash sitting in several Schwab investment accounts, some taxable, some not.

I read the article in WSJ regarding brokerages, like Schwab, sweeping funds into low-paying bank vehicles, while others, like Fidelity and Vanguard, automatically move them to higher paying money market funds.

During the last few years, I bought a some Ibonds through Treasury Direct, but that's the extent of my experience.

This morning I had an interesting chat with GPT about which cash funds I could purchase through Schwab in my untaxed accounts. They suggested, SWTXX*, SWGXX, SWUXX, SWSBX and SWPXX.

The Schwab website lists the following funds:

Prime Money Funds (Taxed):
SWVXX, SNAXX

Government and Treasury Money Funds (Taxed):
SNVXX, SGUXX, SNOXX, SCOXX, SNSXX, SUTXX

Municipal Money Funds (non-taxable)
SWTXX*, SWOXX, SWKXX, SCAXX, SWYXX, SNYXX, SWWXX, SCTXX, (*SWTXX was the only one listed by GPT)

Variable Share Price Money Funds (Taxed)
SVUXX

So, it looks complicated. Tax, not taxable? Expense ratios, 7-day yield, 30-day yields(?, w or without waivers (?),. Bonds? Treasuries?

I find I am a defensive (!) investor because I know too much and not enough so fear i could get into trouble. I would appreciate knowing a relatively safe place to start with ideas of how i could learn from there. I don't use an investment advisor.

Is it wise to keep my accounts at Schwab or move them to Fidelity and Vanguard? I'm 71, husband is 69, so conserving principle is primary. Still have 55% in stocks like Berkshire and company.


Thanks for any sane suggestions. :)

Elizabeth