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Don't wait to invest in your future

You've got all the makings of a successful investor. We're here to support you.

Use our Quick Start tool to discover resources tailored to your goal

Goal Type Retirement Selected.

Retirement

Prepare for the golden years of your life after working.

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General investing

Save for a home, a car, or other life milestones or expenses.

Goal Type Emergency Fund.

Emergency fund

Don't get caught off guard. Prepare for a rainy day.

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Holding Cash vs Investing

Does investing work? Don't take our word for it. See how $10,000 has historically performed in the market compared with not investing at all. Past performance doesn't guarantee future performance, but the results speak for themselves.

Explore more from Vanguard

We're known for offering high-quality, low-cost ETFs (exchange-traded funds) and mutual funds that are recommended by analysts time and time again. As a Vanguard client, you have access to dozens of these ETFs, and our product comparison tools can help you select the right funds for you.

Keys to successful DIY investing

Asset allocation: Key to your investment climate

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Asset allocation: Key to your investment climate

Learn about asset allocation with Vanguard. Discover how to diversify your investments effectively to balance risk and achieve your financial goals.

Vanguard portfolio allocation models

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Investment portfolios: Asset allocation models

How do you choose how much you want to invest in stocks or bonds? Asset allocation models can help you understand different goal-based investment strategies. To find the asset allocation that's right for your investment portfolio, it's important to have a clear understanding of your goals, time frame, and risk tolerance.

Save for retirement

IRAs offer an opportunity to save for retirement and benefit from long-term tax advantages.

Learn more


Start a college fund

A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged account for education savings. You can save for your child, another family member, or even for yourself.

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Get help choosing investments

The investments you choose for your portfolio should depend on your goals and investing style. Here's how to decide.

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4 principles are at the heart of Vanguard's investing philosophy

There are 4 core investing principles at the heart of Vanguard's philosophy: goals, balance, controlling costs, and discipline.

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Understand our costs and fees

Our commissions and fees lead with low costs no matter what you trade.

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Keep up with market news and trends

Stay informed on market trends and news with insights from our experts.

Market volatility

News & perspectives

Vanguard's low fees can help you save * $28,574

$513,090

Average investment firm $484,516

*As of December 31, 2024, Vanguard's average mutual fund and ETF expense ratio is 0.07%. Industry average mutual fund and ETF expense ratio: 0.44%. All averages are asset-weighted. Industry averages exclude Vanguard. Sources: Vanguard and Morningstar, Inc., as of December 31, 2024. This is a hypothetical calculation that does not represent any particular investment and does not account for inflation. Results shown are not guaranteed. There may be other material differences between investment products that must be considered prior to investing.

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Frequently asked questions

The type of account you open will depend on several factors, including your investment goals and overall financial situation. Understanding your investment goals is important because certain accounts are geared toward specific goals and may have different tax implications or penalties. Common account types include general investing, retirement, and higher-education savings.

Read more about account types at Vanguard or use our Quick Start tool to help you decide.

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For more information about Vanguard mutual funds or ETFs, obtain a mutual fund or ETF prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are contained in the  prospectus; read and consider it carefully before investing.

You must buy and sell Vanguard ETF Shares through Vanguard Brokerage Services (we offer them commission-free online) or through another broker (who may charge commissions). See the Vanguard Brokerage Services Commission and Fee Schedules for limits. Vanguard ETF Shares are not redeemable directly with the issuing Fund other than in very large aggregations worth millions of dollars. ETFs are subject to market volatility. When buying or selling an ETF, you will pay or receive the current market price, which may be more or less than net asset value.

Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. The performance of an index is not an exact representation of any particular investment, as you cannot invest directly in an index.

All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of money you invest.

Commission-free trading of Vanguard ETFs applies to trades placed online; most clients will pay a commission to buy or sell Vanguard ETFs by phone. Commission-free trading of non-Vanguard ETFs applies only to trades placed online; most clients will pay a commission to buy or sell non-Vanguard ETFs by phone. Vanguard Brokerage reserves the right to change the non-Vanguard ETFs included in these offers at any time. All ETFs are subject to management fees and expenses; refer to each ETF's prospectus for more information. Account service fees may also apply. All ETF sales are subject to a securities transaction fee. See the Vanguard Brokerage Services commission and fee schedules for full details.

Enrollments in Vanguard Digital Advisor require at least $3,000 in each Vanguard Brokerage Account. For each taxable account you wish to enroll, the entire balance must be in the brokerage account's settlement fund. For each traditional, Roth, or rollover IRA you wish to enroll, the entire balance must be in certain investment types (based on eligibility screening by Digital Advisor at the time of enrollment) and/or the brokerage account's settlement fund. The Vanguard Digital Advisor service is offered through Vanguard Advisers, Inc. ("VAI"), a federally registered investment advisor.

Vanguard's advice services are provided by Vanguard Advisers, Inc. ("VAI"), a registered investment advisor, or by Vanguard National Trust Company ("VNTC"), a federally chartered, limited-purpose trust company.

The services provided to clients will vary based upon the service selected, including management, fees, eligibility, and access to an advisor. Find VAI's Form CRS and each program's advisory brochure here for an overview.

VAI and VNTC are subsidiaries of The Vanguard Group, Inc., and affiliates of Vanguard Marketing Corporation. Neither VAI, VNTC, nor its affiliates guarantee profits or protection from losses.

Investments in Target Retirement Funds are subject to the risks of their underlying funds. The year in the Fund name refers to the approximate year (the target date) when an investor in the Fund would retire and leave the work force. The Fund will gradually shift its emphasis from more aggressive investments to more conservative ones based on its target date. The Income Fund has a fixed investment allocation and is designed for investors who are already retired. An investment in a Target Retirement Fund is not guaranteed at any time, including on or after the target date.