I began investing with Vanguard years ago and started small, but each year as I added what I could I saw it grow.  Yes, I lost "some" with the recent crash, but not as much as others and I've gotten most of it back.   I took advantage of their coaching and diversified so that it would be relative to my age and my personal goals.  I found a long time ago you had to take some personal responsibility and not just leave it to the experts....unles youare very, very sure you have told the experts everything you expect. (and to be honest, when I started, I did not know what my life would be now, so...