Here's How Investing in the Stock Market Can Help You Retire Early

By David Jagielski, CPA – Mar 31, 2026 at 1:30PM ESTKey PointsThe Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF is a diversified low-cost fund that pays an above-average dividend.Making weekly investments into the fund can be a way to steadily build up your nest egg.Did you know that according to a recent study, nearly one-third of Americans aren't sure of when they might retire, or if they'll be able to do so at all? If you fall into that category or are just worried about your retirement, you may want to consider investing in the stock market. Even if you don't have any money saved up today, you can make modestly sized investments into the stock market every week, which, through the effects of compounding, can become much larger in the future. That can set you up for a much stronger financial future, potentially even helping you retire early. Below, I'll show you how much a $50-per-week investment into a diversified exchange-traded fund (ETF) can be worth in 10, 20, and 30 years down the road. Image source: Getty Images. Here's how much a weekly $50 investment might grow to be worth Nowadays, with commission-free trading options, it's easier than ever to invest small amounts on a weekly basis, without having fees take a big chunk. A good ETF that can make the most of your money is the Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM +1.45%). It pays a dividend of around 2% (which is higher than the S&P 500 average of 1.2%) and gives you exposure to more than 500 different stocks, while charging an extremely low expense ratio of 0.04%. Historically, the S&P 500, which is a collection of the largest and most valuable stocks, has averaged a return of around 10% per year. Assuming that the Vanguard ETF can generate similar types of returns (when including dividends), this is how a $50-per-week investment in the fund might grow over the long term. YearPortfolio Balance (Assuming 10% Growth)10$44,69320$166,06630$495,673 Table and calculations by author. The more investing years you have and the earlier you start, the more significant the payoff will be in the end. By being able to set aside money each week and putting it into a solid ETF such as the Vanguard High Dividend Yield fund, you drastically improve your prospects for not just retiring comfortably, but also retiring early. ExpandNYSEMKT: VYMVanguard High Dividend Yield ETFToday's Change(1.45%) $2.11Current Price$147.59Key Data PointsDay's Range$146.36 - $148.3952wk Range$112.05 - $157.29Volume36K Why making weekly investments can be a great idea By investing every week into the Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (or similar fund), you can drastically simplify the investing process. You don't have to think about which stocks to buy right now or even worry about the market conditions. Keeping the process as simple as possible can also be key to sticking to it over the long term. If you're worried about your retirement, it may be worth the effort to start making modest investments each week, as they can lead to life-changing returns later on.Read NextMar 26, 2026 •By Daniel FoelberThese 3 High-Yield Dividend ETFs Are Crushing the S&P 500. Here's the Best Buy for April.Mar 24, 2026 •By Katie Brockman3 Unstoppable Vanguard ETFs to Load Up On if the U.S. Enters a RecessionMar 20, 2026 •By Stefon Walters1 Dividend ETF That Could Turn $500 Monthly Into a $725,000 Portfolio That Pays $21,750 AnnuallyMar 17, 2026 •By Matt DiLallo5 Best High Dividend Mutual Funds to Buy in 2026Mar 13, 2026 •By Daniel FoelberThe Largest Stock Holding in the Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF Just Delivered Blowout Earnings. Here's Why the ETF Is Crushing the S&P 500 in 2026 and Worth Buying in March.Mar 12, 2026 •By Sara AppinoVYM Plays It Broad and Safe, FDVV Adds Tech Titans Like Nvidia to the Dividend MixAbout the AuthorDavid Jagielski, CPA, has been a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst covering healthcare, consumer staples, consumer discretionary, and technology stocks since 2017. David has more than 10 years of experience in finance roles across businesses of different sizes and sectors. He holds a Certified Public Accountant designation in Canada.TMFdjagielskiStocks MentionedVanguard High Dividend Yield ETFNYSEMKT: VYM$147.58(+1.44%)+$2.10*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.