Five ETFsto Consider Investing $500 In for Long‑Term Growth

Host David Asman reports on a strong market day, with the Dow Jones Industrials reaching 52,000 for the first time ever. SpaceX’s stock surged over 16%, surpassing Amazon in total market capitalization.

There’s a misconception that people need thousands and thousands of dollars before they can start investing. But in today’s world, brokerage accounts can be opened with no initial deposit required, and you can start by buying just one share. That means in many cases your investing journey can start with less than the cost of a DoorDash delivery!

Whether you’re looking to get started or add to an existing portfolio, ultra‑low‑cost index ETFs are usually the best choice. Many of these give you broad market coverage and make for great core long‑term portfolio holdings.

A trader works at his post on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, on June 1, 2026. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters)

1. Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF

The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF is perhaps the best core ETF you can buy. It tracks an index that covers virtually the entire investable U.S. equity market. That’s roughly 3,500 stocks in total across all sizes and industries.

Many investors like to use the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF as the centerpiece of their portfolios. I prefer the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF because I want coverage of the entire U.S. stock market. Mid‑ and small‑cap stocks have different sector compositions and economic influences, along with higher growth potential. That works great from a diversification standpoint.

2. Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF

The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF is my choice for the best dividend ETF because of its robust selection strategy that targets stocks with the best combination of balance sheet quality, long‑term dividend growth, and yield.

A futures-options trader works on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange’s NYSE American (AMEX) in New York City, on June 8, 2026. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters / Reuters)

This fund holds the stocks of many durable companies built to withstand and thrive across multiple economic environments. Plus, its current yield of 3.3% is triple that of the S&P 500 right now and will appeal to folks seeking to draw income from their portfolios.

3. Invesco Nasdaq-100 ETF

The Invesco Nasdaq-100 ETF is one of the more commonly used proxies for the U.S. technology sector. While it comprises roughly two‑thirds technology stocks, it includes all of the major tech and artificial intelligence (AI) names that are currently in favor.

Technology and growth stocks are clearly driving U.S. market returns. This segment is often where innovation emerges, as we see with the AI boom. Consequently, it merits a place in long‑term portfolios. Additionally, the Invesco Nasdaq-100 ETF has a lower expense ratio than its sister fund, the Invesco QQQ ETF.

4. Vanguard Mid‑Cap ETF

The Vanguard Mid‑Cap ETF targets the segment between large‑cap and small‑cap stocks. Historically, this area has delivered competitive risk‑adjusted returns and should not be overlooked by investors.

5. Vanguard Small‑Cap ETF

The Vanguard Small‑Cap ETF focuses on a high‑risk, high‑potential portion of the U.S. equity market. These companies may be less established, but they often exhibit rapid growth that can translate into substantial returns under favorable conditions.

This segment includes a higher proportion of unprofitable firms, which is expected as many are still expanding. However, the fund holds more than 1,300 stocks, so the impact of any single failure is minimal. A diversified portfolio of these stocks is therefore advisable.

All of these ETFs have the characteristics you want in a buy‑and‑hold fund. They cover different areas of the market, which means they pair well together if needed. They’re low‑cost and diversified. For anybody who has even a small amount of money to be put to work, these are five to own.

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