I think you're on the right track with your thinking. If your job is pretty secure, then I think it makes sense to put much or all of your long term savings in

I think you're on the right track with your thinking. If your job is pretty secure, then I think it makes sense to put much or all of your long term savings into an index ETF such as (or exactly as) VTI. Make sure you guys are maxing out any tax advantaged retirement plans available to both of you before putting money into your taxable long term savings. Savings for short term purchases/emergencies that exceed what a couple of paychecks will pay for can go in things like CD ladders or Series I bonds. You're right, lots of people, many of whom mainly want to make money from your money, will recommend more complex strategies and products. I started saving before ETFs became a mainstream thing I felt comfortable with, and ended up with a palette of mutual funds before I switched to only buying more VTI, and some of them have done better than VTI over time, and some worse, and each costs more than VTI. However, I've just coached my son to pile everything into VTI while he debates adding home ownership to his mix.