Well Vanguard does have some good stuff, but now may not be the time to jump in as I alluded to earlier. From an American stock point of view things, I am fairly certain to turn sour for a bit fairly soon, though may well recover quite quickly. From a world point of view there is plenty of money to be made especially in india and japan being that those countries are booming (ewj and ifn are two examples). Historically speaking the US market dips right in-between elections (2006), but this is not a bad thing if you
buy at that time instead of freak out and sell everything and come out with two pennies to rub together.
I think that investing takes time and lumps to learnbeing that it is a combination of Micro-economics, Macro-economics and an abundance of awareness (which is why brokers are paid so much and good brokers and paid even more). I would think it best for you to find a good broker that isn't intrenched in a huge institution as I was recommended to quite an honest fellow a couple years ago and have learned as I went along. If you don't know much about stocks and economics (and, often times, even if you do) you are bound to find people giving you very broad suggestions like Vanguard or very specific and volatile ones.
Another factor you might want to consider is wether you wish to check up on your stocks on a daly basis or you are more of a cruise control type of fellow as this really determines quite a bit of investment strategy.
To sum up, find someone who knows a lot more than you and is honest
And don't commit if you are in doubt. Hopefully someone you know at least knows a decent broker, try a friendly lawyer that you know or older family members or friends. Of course, these strategies might just end up getting you into trouble if you ask the wrong people for help.