How much should I save?

Common Money Mistakes (That Are Easy to Miss) | Vanguard

Many money mistakes aren’t obvious failures—they’re missed opportunities. This episode highlights common, easy to overlook choices that can quietly slow progress, and how small changes can make a meaningful difference over time. What you’ll learn: * The most common easy to miss money mistakes and how to spot them. * Why combining employer match + time can have an outsized impact on savings. * How to avoid high interest debt traps and redirect cash more strategically. Watch more from In My Finance Era: https://vgi.vg/4euSd8Q [https://teams.microsoft.com/l/message/19:1d36f69b7ee543db99e459b5c7543020@thread.v2/1781704467605?context=%7B%22contextType%22%3A%22chat%22%7D] These findings are based on a poll conducted by Vanguard in February 2026 among 1,346 U.S. respondents, including 544 adults between the ages of 18 and 34. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 2.9 percentage points, at the 95% confidence level. The survey was conducted using Ipsos KnowledgePanel, an established online, probability-based panel designed to be representative of the U.S. adult population. For this study, a larger-than-usual sample of adults ages 25 to 44 was collected and then weighted to reflect their correct proportion within the U.S. population. The data were weighted to match the U.S. population across key demographics, including gender by age, race and ethnicity, education, census region, metropolitan status, and household income. These benchmarks were sourced from the 2025 March Supplement of the Current Population Survey. As part of quality control, 19 respondents were removed from the weighted dataset for skipping 50% or more of the questions for which they were eligible. All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. Vanguard Quick Polls. February 2026. Copyright 2026, The Vanguard Group, Incorporated. All rights reserved.

Pay Off Debt or Save First? A Simple Strategy | Vanguard

Should you focus on paying down debt—or start saving first? In this episode, we walk through a practical order of operations that helps you make progress without feeling stuck or overwhelmed. What you’ll learn: * How to prioritize debt by interest rate to help reduce long-term costs. * How to start building an emergency fund in realistic, achievable steps. * How budgeting can support better decisions without feeling restrictive. Watch more from In My Finance Era: https://vgi.vg/4ekWbBR [https://investor.vanguard.com/investor-resources-education/in-my-finance-era] These findings are based on a poll conducted by Vanguard in February 2026 among 1,346 U.S. respondents, including 544 adults between the ages of 18 and 34. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 2.9 percentage points, at the 95% confidence level. The survey was conducted using Ipsos KnowledgePanel, an established online, probability-based panel designed to be representative of the U.S. adult population. For this study, a larger-than-usual sample of adults ages 25 to 44 was collected and then weighted to reflect their correct proportion within the U.S. population. The data were weighted to match the U.S. population across key demographics, including gender by age, race and ethnicity, education, census region, metropolitan status, and household income. These benchmarks were sourced from the 2025 March Supplement of the Current Population Survey. As part of quality control, 19 respondents were removed from the weighted dataset for skipping 50% or more of the questions for which they were eligible. All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. Vanguard Quick Polls. February 2026. Copyright 2026, The Vanguard Group, Incorporated. All rights reserved.

Index Funds, Risk, & Compounding: Investing Basics | Vanguard

If investing terms like “risk” and “compounding” feel abstract, this episode makes them concrete. In this episode of In My Finance Era, we break down how investing actually works—how money can grow over time, what different types of risk really mean, and why many long‑term investors choose diversified index funds instead of trying to pick winners. Rather than focusing on short‑term market moves, this conversation helps reframe investing around time, consistency, and understanding what you can and can’t control. What you’ll learn: * How compounding works and why time often matters more than market timing   * The different types of investment risk, including the often‑overlooked risk of inflation   * What index funds are and how diversification can help reduce single‑stock risk   If you’ve ever felt unsure where to start or worried you need to “know more” before investing, this episode is designed to help you feel more confident and grounded. Watch more from In My Finance Era:  https://vgi.vg/4nG9FeA [https://investor.vanguard.com/investor-resources-education/in-my-finance-era?cmpgn=PIM:OSM:XX:SD:20260520:SPOTIFY:XX:NMyFinEra:AWARE:NONE:NONE:IMFE3:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX] All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss.  These findings are based on a poll conducted by Vanguard in February 2026 among 1,346 U.S. respondents, including 544 adults between the ages of 18 and 34. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 2.9 percentage points, at the 95% confidence level. The survey was conducted using Ipsos KnowledgePanel, an established online, probability-based panel designed to be representative of the U.S. adult population. For this study, a larger-than-usual sample of adults ages 25 to 44 was collected and then weighted to reflect their correct proportion within the U.S. population. The data were weighted to match the U.S. population across key demographics, including gender by age, race and ethnicity, education, census region, metropolitan status, and household income. These benchmarks were sourced from the 2025 March Supplement of the Current Population Survey. As part of quality control, 19 respondents were removed from the weighted dataset for skipping 50% or more of the questions for which they were eligible.   Vanguard Quick Polls. February 2026. Copyright 2026, The Vanguard Group, Incorporated. All rights reserved.

Investing 101: Principles for Investing Success | Vanguard

Investing doesn’t require perfect timing or constant monitoring. In this episode of In My Finance Era, we share an answer‑first framework built around a few core principles that help investors stay focused, disciplined, and aligned with long‑term goals, even when the market feels noisy.Instead of chasing trends or reacting to headlines, this conversation breaks investing down into simple ideas that can help you build confidence and tune out the distractions. What you’ll learn: * The four core principles of investing: goals, diversification, costs, and discipline.   * What dollar‑cost averaging is and why automating can help remove emotion. * How to avoid “playing someone else’s investing game.”  If you’re looking for a calmer, more intentional way to approach investing, this episode helps you focus on what actually matters. Watch more from In My Finance Era: https://vgi.vg/4d4UQNA [https://vgi.vg/4d4UQNA] All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss. Dollar-cost averaging does not guarantee that your investments will make a profit, nor does it protect you against losses when stock or bond prices are falling. Investments in bonds are subject to interest rate, credit, and inflation risk. These findings are based on a poll conducted by Vanguard in February 2026 among 1,346 U.S. respondents, including 544 adults between the ages of 18 and 34. The margin of sampling error is plus-or-minus 2.9 percentage points, at the 95% confidence level. The survey was conducted using Ipsos KnowledgePanel, an established online, probability-based panel designed to be representative of the U.S. adult population. For this study, a larger-than-usual sample of adults ages 25 to 44 was collected and then weighted to reflect their correct proportion within the U.S. population. The data were weighted to match the U.S. population across key demographics, including gender by age, race and ethnicity, education, census region, metropolitan status, and household income. These benchmarks were sourced from the 2025 March Supplement of the Current Population Survey.As part of quality control, 19 respondents were removed from the weighted dataset for skipping 50% or more of the questions for which they were eligible. Vanguard Quick Polls. February 2026. Copyright 2026, The Vanguard Group, Incorporated. All rights reserved.

401(k) Match + HSA Basics | Young Money Moves | Vanguard

Getting started with retirement saving can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of In My Finance Era, we break down two of the most important early career money moves: understanding your employer’s 401(k) match and making sense of health savings accounts (HSAs), especially if you’re changing jobs. Instead of trying to do everything at once, this conversation focuses on a few simple ideas that can help you avoid common mistakes and make the most of the benefits already available to you. What you’ll learn: * How a 401(k) employer match works and the first step to avoid leaving money on the table. * How HSAs work and when they can support both health costs and long‑term saving. * What to do with your 401(k) when you change jobs, including common rollover mistakes. If you’re early in your career or just trying to get more intentional about saving, this episode is a good place to start. Watch more from In My Finance Era → https://vgi.vg/4cp3ho5 [https://vgi.vg/4cp3ho5] All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. We recommend that you consult a tax or financial advisor about your individual situation. Investments in target-date 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 workforce. The fund will gradually shift its emphasis from more aggressive investments to more conservative ones based on its target date. An investment in target-date funds is not guaranteed at any time, including on or after the target date. 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. These findings are based on a poll conducted by Vanguard in February 2026 among 1,346 U.S. respondents, including 544 adults between the ages of 18 and 34. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 2.9 percentage points, at the 95% confidence level. The survey was conducted using Ipsos KnowledgePanel, an established online, probability-based panel designed to be representative of the U.S. adult population. For this study, a larger-than-usual sample of adults ages 25 to 44 was collected and then weighted to reflect their correct proportion within the U.S. population. The data were weighted to match the U.S. population across key demographics, including gender by age, race and ethnicity, education, census region, metropolitan status, and household income. These benchmarks were sourced from the 2025 March Supplement of the Current Population Survey. As part of quality control, 19 respondents were removed from the weighted dataset for skipping 50% or more of the questions for which they were eligible. Vanguard Quick Polls. February 2026. Copyright 2026, The Vanguard Group, Incorporated. All rights reserved.