The Gold Standard of Indexing

Build wealth with
calm assurance.

For 50 years, we've helped investors reach their goals through low-cost, evidence-based investing. No noise. No gimmicks. Just proven strategies for long-term growth.

How to maximize returns

The market is unpredictable. Your strategy shouldn't be. Focus on the proven principles you can control.

Keep costs low

Every dollar paid in fees is a dollar less working for you. Compounding works for expenses, too.

Diversify broadly

Don't look for the needle; buy the haystack. Own the entire market to reduce single-company risk.

Time in the market

Timing the market is a fool's errand. Consistent, long-term participation captures the market's natural upward trajectory.

Stay the course

Market volatility is normal. Stick to your asset allocation and ignore the short-term financial noise.

Tax efficiency

It's not what you make, it's what you keep. Utilize tax-advantaged accounts and efficient index funds.

Know your risk profile

Your ideal portfolio depends on your timeline and tolerance for volatility. Stocks drive growth but carry higher short-term risk. Bonds provide stability and income.

Conservative (20% Stocks / 80% Bonds)

Prioritizes capital preservation and income. Best for those in or near retirement.

Moderate (60% Stocks / 40% Bonds)

Balances growth and stability. A classic approach to long-term investing.

Aggressive (90%+ Stocks)

Maximizes long-term growth. Expect significant volatility. Best for young investors.

The Sleep Test

"If you can't sleep at night because of your stock market exposure, you have too much in stocks. Sell down to the sleeping point."

JB
John C. Bogle
Founder of Vanguard

Core Building Blocks

The foundation of a world-class portfolio. Simple, comprehensive, and incredibly cheap to own.

VTSAX / VTI

Total Stock Market

ER: 0.04%

Own essentially the entire US stock market in one fund. The ultimate bet on American business.

VFIAX / VOO

S&P 500 Index

ER: 0.03%

The 500 largest US companies. A staple of investing endorsed by Warren Buffett.

VBTLX / BND

Total Bond Market

ER: 0.05%

Broad exposure to US investment-grade bonds. The ballast for your stock portfolio.

VXUS

Total International Stock

ER: 0.08%

Diversify outside the US with over 8,000 companies across developed and emerging markets.

The Vanguard Advantage

Because Vanguard is owned by its funds, which are owned by our investors, we don't have to pay outside owners. We return profits to you in the form of lower expenses.

The Impact of 0.5%

Over 30 years, an additional 0.5% in fees on a $100,000 portfolio can cost you over $100,000 in lost compounded returns. Costs matter.

All-in-One Solutions

Don't want to manage a portfolio? Buy a single fund that does the work for you.

Target Retirement

Pick the year you plan to retire. We build a diversified portfolio and automatically shift it to be more conservative as that year approaches.

2040 FundVFORX
2050 FundVFIFX
2060 FundVTTSX

LifeStrategy Funds

A static allocation that never changes. Perfect if you want a specific risk level forever without rebalancing yourself.

Aggressive (80/20)VASGX
Moderate (60/40)VSMGX
Conservative (40/60)VSCGX

Wellington Fund

Established in 1929, America's oldest balanced fund. Roughly 65% stocks and 35% bonds, actively managed for deep-value and income.

WellingtonVWELX

Classic Portfolios

The Three-Fund Portfolio

The Bogleheads' favorite. Maximum diversification with minimum complexity using just three broad index funds. Rebalance once a year.

Total US Stock Market
VTSAX
Total International Stock
VTIAX
Total Bond Market
VBTLX

The Lazy Portfolio

Even simpler. Two funds. Total World Stock (VTWAX) for global equities, and Total Bond Market (VBTLX) for stability.

Income-Focused

For those needing cash flow. High Dividend Yield (VYM) paired with Intermediate-Term Corporate Bonds (VICSX) for steady payouts.

The Power of Patience

Historically, the S&P 500 has returned an average of roughly 10% annually before inflation. Capitalism has a long history of rewarding those who wait.

Hypothetical Growth
$10,000 invested
at 8% annual return over 30 years grows to:
$100,626