I have money in all three types. Mutual funds with a monthly, drafted investment is easiest. Individual stocks can burn you.

Going through this now. I plan on retiring in the next couple of years. I am interviewing retirement brokers
to find the best match for me. I have a pension and a 401K.

I�ve got mine in a Vanguard target retirement fund. Low fees. Fee % is in the prospectus and $$$$ in my statements. Used Vanguard for over 20 years.

My BIL has a guy he says has done well for him; however, he does not know how much it costs him.

Got a good friend who went with a guy. Friend started asking him about his fees and cost to handle the investments. Guy wouldn�t give him a straight answer. Kinda complicated. Not straightforward.

I�m good with Vanguard. Don�t need a guy.

Please find someone who is licensed, educated, and trustworthy to start a discussion with. Depending on what your idea of retirement is/will be, current vs. future tax liability/situation, as well as short term goals and priorities prior to retirement the answers may differ. Keep in mind that while you occasionally may hit a home run with an investment, many balls games are won with simple singles and doubles. Long term returns come from appropriate asset allocation/diversification as well as asset placement.

I've been saving all my natty cans. I figure another 20yrs and if aluminum futures rise I'll be sitting real nice.

Look at Vanguard MF ETF. I would also look a Blackrock.

Find a financial adviser that is a fiduciary.

Real estate.

I also think it is very important to go into retirement debt free. I would be working on that if you have debt.

I use vanguard. I would highly recommend it. The long and the short of it is you should put the money in deep discount index funds. If it's for retirement look at something like vanguards "target retirement 2045" funds. (of course adjust based on when you plan to retire). If you are just saving for something over the horizon say more than 3 years out, I'd look at something like Vanguards 500 index fund Admiral shares.

The main key is to use a reputable company and to pay super close attention to fees. Vanguard for instance charges .04% for every dollar you invest into the 500 index admiral account. Edward and Jones charges 5.75% (last I checked). So if you invested 1000 in vanguard you'd have to pay 4 dollars, if you invest 1000 in Edward and Jones you'd have to pay 57 dollars. That is a MASSIVE difference.

Avoid individual stocks like the plague unless your investment options are the roulette wheel or individual stocks. Even then you'd probably get more enjoyment out of the roulette wheel.

Find a financial advisor, not a broker.

It depends on where you are at in life. You can start a little risky when you're further out from retirement, then once you build up some $$$ protect it with less risky investments the closer you get to retirement.

As someone who has spent my entire career and adult working life in the financial services industry, my advice would be to work with a reputable advisor. There is far more to planning a retirement and getting your financial house in order than just constructing a properly diversified portfolio.

Beyond risk management inside of your investment accounts, you have insurance considerations, tax implications, estate planning concerns, retirement income planning, and planning for things like future long term care expenses. A qualified advisor can help you wade through things like cost basis, RMD's, Medicare, etc. There are plenty of holes that an advisor can plug that'll keep you on track in the event something unforeseen happens to you or somebody you love. After all that, you still want to fund an enjoyable life after you quit working. I could go on, but you get the idea.

Can a person do all of that themselves? Sure, some can - most can't. It takes 3 things to self manage all of that. You need the time, knowledge, and inclination. If all you have is 2 of the 3, you'd be far best served to pay for advice. Free financial advice is worth exactly what you pay for it. Find a qualified advisor, pay a fee, and as mentioned, get somebody that will work as a fiduciary...then that advice means something. In no uncertain legal terms, it will have meaning.

A good advisor is worth every penny of that 1-1.5% he or she will charge you.

I do realize that isn't exactly an answer to your question about ETF's vs. stocks vs. mutual funds, but that was the best reply I could think of that had any significance.