<prompt> Human: Just curious, my dad insists on using his financial planning company Prudential, but I always read of Vanguard here. Is there an optimal company? In addition, are there any exceptional resources that help me decide where to put the funds like in which index or stock?EDIT: Turns out I misheard. He uses Fidelity.  <response>: For the big firms it doesnt matter, just dont buy vanguard funds through prudential, use prudentials equivalent, because likely youll be charged higher fees than going right through vanguard.I chose fidelity, only because thats my 401K and ESPP administrator, and I wanted the ease of having all my funds through one company. Unless your parents REALLY know what they are doing with their money, question their motives. My parents have their investments in their credit unions IRA, because thats what you did before the internet made it easy. They have no idea what any of these investment vehicles were, and when they turned 60, tried to cash it all out into their savings they felt like they wanted all their money in one account -- easier to follow. Thankfully someone at the bank explained that thats not a good idea and talked to them about it. 