[masraum]

I read the regular column by Paul Merriman at MarketWatch, and I have ready some of the books that he offers for free on his website Paul Merriman. He's a retired investment advisor. He's got an article about why Vanguard is a great option.

Vanguard is actually owned by the shareholders of its mutual funds. If the company is profitable (and it is), those profits go to the people who own Vanguard funds, not to outside investors.

This is an unusual business model, similar in some ways to that of credit unions and other cooperatives that ultimately operate for the benefit of their customer-members. Fidelity, on the other hand, is owned by the company's employees and by a series of family trusts.

He's also got a nice article about diversification that he backs up with math and figures. He calls his plan "the Ultimate Buy and Hold Strategy"

He also has specific recommendations for funds to own to fit his strategy specific to Vanguard, Fidelity and T.Rowe.

Or if you want to use ETFs instead of mutual funds... again, specifics for Vanguard, Fidelity and Schwab

I'm not associated or making money, just think it's a bunch of good info.