<prompt> Human: Hi! Im 19 and I work about 45 hours a week at two jobs both pay 10hr, one is at a restaurant where I get 30 of tips, usually an extra 10-20 each shift. I want to retire early because I want to travel nomadically, so Ive started binge-reading this reddit and reading articles and watching youtube videos trying to get a handle on all this financial jargon that would usually just fly over my head. If you want to treat me like Im just visiting here from the ELI5 subreddit, thats a-okayFirst things first, Im trying to decide who to open it with. Im looking at Charles Schwab, Vanguard, Fidelity, and E-Trade. I dont know how to compare what they offer though. Theres minimum deposits on some, charges per trade...I wish there was just a data table that compared them all in a straightforward way. What should I look for?Secondly, Im all confused on what kind of investments you can make. What are mutual funds? ETFs? CDs? AND WHAT DO THEY STAND FOR?! I think I have an idea of what stocks and bonds are... These are all things that Ive just heard about in passing but have never had explained to me.So any help would be greatly appreciated. And if you want to just tell me how to run my entire financial life, thatd be alright with me too. Too bad I cant afford a financial adviser. The irony.  <response>: Along with what uwhawha1234 said, You should read this and its recommended reading listFor your IRA, youll find index mutual funds easier to deal with because youll be able to invest in any dollar amount after you meet the minimum. For Vanguard you need 1000 to start the account in a target date retirement fund, but after that you are able to place in any dollar increment anytime you want. ETFs will require you to have the amount of money required to purchase on share. 