<prompt> Human: Hi all : First, I would like to say thank you to all the wonderful contributors and lurkers on this subreddit its an amazing community and Ive learned a great deal from all of you. Im currently 22, fresh out of university. I opened a ROTH IRA account maybe about a year ago and maxed out 11,000 in there. I have about 20,000 remaining in my savings account and I really would like to move this over into index funds, because it seems to have far greater returns than letting it sit there and collect 15 a month. I messed around with Robinhood for a bit earlier last year but was way off with my timing and my porfolio was heavily tech as that is what Im familiar with. So in terms of doing stocks, I think Im going to lay off right now until I get a steadier income. Im interested in ETFs and Vanguard- affiliated index funds as I have a brokerage account with them. Im thinking maybe VOO, QQQ, VTI. But in your guys opinion, how much should I be putting into it? Or is this index fund plan a bad idea? I apologize for my lack of jargon; in my early stages of understanding personal finance! Thank you so much! christinaAssistant: maxed outMake sure you invested that, didnt just leave it in the settlement account. I have about 20,000 remaining in my savings account and I really would like to move this over into index fundsKeep 6 months emergency fund in savingschecking. If you are about to incur moving expenses or something, buffer that more. But in your guys opinion, how much should I be putting into itAnything in excess of 6 months emergency fund and retirement accounts available. Or is this index fund plan a bad idea?Sure though personally Id suggest maybe just VT to keep it simple.Human: Thank you for your quick response! Okay shit, its been sitting there.. what should I do now? Maybe Im confused I was told that the money in my RothIRA shouldnt be touched. That if I wanted, I should be adding more money to buy separate index funds?Assistant: So just like Robinhood, you need to purchase investments with the cash deposited into your Roth IRA! If youre not sure what to invest in, just pick something low-maintenance like VT or a target date fund that you can buy and hold.Human: I feel so stupid right now-- I just realized my money has been sitting in settlement fund this whole time... a waste of 7 months! Im thinking of doing 5050 with VTI and VXUS to mimic VT seems to have more control this way. Initially, I was going to do target fund, but I feel like Id rather invest in 100 stock, rather than 80 stock and 20 bonds. Is that a correct mentality? Should I wait for market correction before investing in the ETFs though? Thank you for your response!  <response>: Considering the US market just gave up all its yearly gains via the indexes as benchmark you might be unintentionally better off having not jumped in earlier. 