Core Insights - Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have reached $10.3 trillion in U.S. assets, yet many investors still overpay for basic market exposure [2] - Vanguard's unique investor-owned structure allows it to offer lower expense ratios, such as 0.03% for its S&P 500 fund, significantly undercutting competitors [2][5] - The difference in expense ratios can lead to substantial long-term wealth retention, with a 0.03% fee allowing investors to keep 97% of their returns compared to higher fees [3] Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) - The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF has an expense ratio of 0.03%, equating to a fee of $3 per year on a $10,000 investment, and has delivered a total return of 16% over the past year [5] - This fund is a core holding in portfolio construction, with major tech companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia making up over 20% of its holdings [6] - The fund offers a 1.16% dividend yield, which can be reinvested to compound returns over time [6] Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) - The Vanguard Growth ETF has an expense ratio of 0.04% and targets 200 leading growth companies, returning nearly 25% annually over the past three years [8] - The fund includes profitable companies like Amazon and Alphabet, providing growth exposure without high active management fees [9] Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) - The Vanguard Information Technology ETF has an expense ratio of 0.09% and focuses on the tech sector, which has been a major driver of market earnings growth [10] - The fund has delivered annualized returns of nearly 27% over the past three years, with the top 10 holdings representing about 60% of its assets [11] Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) - The Vanguard Real Estate ETF offers REIT exposure with a 0.13% expense ratio and yields about 3.5%, providing diversification and income generation [12] - Historically, REITs have outperformed during periods when the Federal Reserve cuts rates, making this fund a strategic choice for investors [13] Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) - The Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF charges an expense ratio of 0.07% and provides access to 835 smaller companies trading at discounted valuations [14] - This segment has historically delivered the highest risk-adjusted returns, offering better risk-reward balance compared to large-cap growth stocks [15]