<prompt> Human: I finally made an account today after 8 months of researching and reading this sub because - although Im grateful for the in-depth information available to me - Ive become so overwhelmed by my options that Im scared to make a move. I have had zero guidance as I have no family and have taken care of myself since high school. Ive taught myself everything I know and its been hard for me to reach where I am now.About me: 29 year old female living in Southern California No debt Annual income: 72,000 Savings: 11,000 including 4,200 emergency fund Living expenses rent bills: 1,400mo ROTH 401k Contribution: 10 employer now matches 3 Right now I have 40,000 in the Vanguard account but because of my employer, Im automatically enrolled in Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Inv VFFVX and when I tried to contact Vanguard for advice, they said my company doesnt pay for that and they couldnt help me.I have paid off my student loans and I have 11,000 sitting in a Wells Fargo Savings Account that Ive been contributing to since I turned 15, it includes my emergency fund, and I think I should move a chunk of my savings to an account where Ill at least make some money from interest rates.I am so lost and overwhelmed by my options. Ive done so much research and reading and I cant decide whether or not I should open my own IRA, invest in a CD or move my savings to a Money Market Account. Then more recently I started wondering if I should instead invest in bonds. Ive talked to my financially savvy friends and each person is doing something different or had a lot more money to invest. I also spent weeks researching the stock market but the more I learn the more confused I become.I am approaching 30 and panicking about the fact I feel completely financially illiterate despite the amount of time Ive spent researching and reading. I thought about hiring a financial adviser and have talked to a few who said they want to meet but I feel silly because I really only have 7,000 to move around after subtracting an emergency fund. I dont know if its smart to pay someone to help me.I guess my questions are: Should I move my emergency fund to an account other than my Wells Fargo Savings account? Whats the smartest thing I can do with my 7,000? Should I spread the money out? Should I just hire a financial adviser or is that a waste? I recently got a higher paying job and have started to save 500 per month in the Wells Fargo Savings Account. What should I do with the additional 500 per month moving forward? I mean where should I put it?My goals: Invest in something long term to reap benefits of compound interest save for retirement Simultaneously invest in something where I can reap benefits dividends etc. in the short term so I can have some spending money toward traveling attending friends weddings baby showers. I know there is a lot of advice out there and on rpresonalfinance so I have waited months before posting to ask for help but I really need guidance. Ive read about compound interest and Im so eager to start investing but my fear of making the wrong decision has me paralyzed. Thank you in advance for any input.Assistant: Wow, youre ahead of 95 of your peers. Well done. The first thing I would do is get away from Wells Fargo but, after that, youre in pretty good shape. Youre already invested in the stock market if youre in a target date fund. They mask the details for you. Since you have such a healthy emergency fund, I might take 5,000 and put it in a low-fee SP500 market index fund. In a regular brokerage account. Then Id add the 500 a month to that. Take the other 2,000 and treat yourself to a trip, a cruise, or something fun. You are doing a good job and its okay to reward yourself. Human: I feel like Im so behind, but thank you. Is there an online broker you recommend? I hear a lot about Ally and Ameritrade.Assistant: Just being curious here, but why do you feel like youre so behind?50 of Americans do not have 1,000 in cash to their name, savings or otherwise.Are you comparing yourself to peers in and around your line of work?if so, I think you may want to experience a bit more of the country and then compare.I know this may come off as rude, but your comment really took me by surprise.Human: Im comparing myself to my friends. My family is in the Middle East South America and if I compare myself to them, I am very rich. I just see how financially savvy my friends my age are and I want to feel like Im being proactive to secure my future.  <response>: Please do not feel panicky. You have no debt, a significant start on retirement savings, an emergency fund and some savings. Actually, congratulations are in order. So, congratulations. You ARE doing the right things. Could you know more about savings? Sure, but so could all of us. If you can stomach the market risk of being heavily invested in stocks, the Vanguard 2055 is a good choice. If you want less risk, some other Vanguard funds which are balanced funds with long records are Vanguard Wellington about 65 stocks and Vanguard Wellesley Income about 35 , stocks. 