3 Vanguard ETFs to Buy With $1,000 and Hold Forever

Key Points

• Track the S&P 500 with the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF and pay industry-low fees.

• Home in on tech stocks and ride the AI boom with the Vanguard Information Technology ETF.

• You can go all in on growth stocks with the Vanguard Growth ETF.

• 10 stocks we like better than Vanguard S&P 500 ETF ›

Vanguard has a long history of offering a variety of great exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that not only give you exposure to a variety of investments, but also do it at a a very low cost. Most of Vanguard's ETF charge industry-low expense ratios, allowing you to keep more of the investment returns you make.

But which Vanguard ETFs should you consider, if you've got $1,000 to invest today? Here are three great options -- including one that's one of my top holdings.

Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue »

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1. Vanguard S&P 500 ETF: Buy a whole basket of stocks

Legendary investor Warren Buffett recommends that most investors put their money into S&P 500 index funds because they provide exposure to the biggest companies and do so at a very low cost. He even went so far as to recommend one such fund in a Berkshire Hathaway annual letter, noting, "I suggest Vanguard's."

Buffett was referring to the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: VOO), which invests in stocks in the S&P 500 and has the goal of closely tracking the index's returns. This fund is personally one of my largest holdings and is a great option for investors who want to put money into stocks but would rather not have to make regular changes to their investment strategy.

Aside from being a great way to invest in a wide variety of stocks across all sectors, you'll get the added benefit of one of the cheapest expense ratios available. The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF charges just 0.03% in annual fees, which works out to be just $0.30 for every $1,000 invested.

2. Vanguard Information Technology ETF: Ride the tech wave

The Vanguard Information Technology ETF (NYSEMKT: VGT) is designed for investors who want to focus their investment strategy on technology companies, while still spreading out some of the risk. The fund tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Information Technology 25/50 index, which includes more than 300 small- and large-cap technology companies.

That's important because it means the Vanguard Information Technology ETF helps you invest in some of the leading artificial intelligence stocks of today -- including Nvidia and Palantir -- while also giving you exposure to the smaller tech companies that could become big players in the coming years. The fund also charges a very reasonable annual expense ratio of just 0.09% -- equal to $0.90 for every $1,000 invested -- allowing you to keep more of the returns you make.

3. Vanguard Growth ETF: Grow with the biggest companies

If you want to focus your investments on more growth stocks, then the Vanguard Growth ETF (NYSEMKT: VUG) may be the right fund for you. This ETF tracks the performance of the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index and includes more than 300 of the largest U.S. growth stocks.

Growth stocks are often technology-focused in the U.S., so you'll have plenty of exposure to trends like AI and cloud computing -- through companies including Nvidia -- but you'll also have exposure to consumer stocks, including Eli Lilly. You'll also pay a low annual fee of just 0.04% with the Vanguard Growth ETF, far less than the average 0.93% similar funds charge.

Just remember that in order for these ETFs to work their magic, you've got to hold onto them for the long haul. Dipping in and out of these funds won't do you much good -- the real gains will come as you hold them (and buy more) through boom and bust cycles.

Should you invest $1,000 in Vanguard S&P 500 ETF right now?

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Chris Neiger has positions in Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Berkshire Hathaway, Nvidia, Palantir Technologies, Vanguard Index Funds - Vanguard Growth ETF, and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.