Index funds from vanguard ? How will i get started?

You need a $3,000 minimum for most of vanguard's funds. Go to www.vanguard.com and you can navigate from there pretty easily. The basic questionnaire about your risk appetite will tell you if you should do equity or debt funds.

I strongly recommend you see a financial planner, you may be able to get into the funds with as little as $100 each and you will also be able to identify the correct index funds and fund mix for yourself, did you know Vanguard has a lifestyle series?? goto www.ofp.net.au, i have found them very hepful

Vanguard has also ETFs which are index funds but trade like stocks, you can trade them for any amount you want anytime during the day or you can put them on automatic investment plan and pay only $4.00 a trade at sharebuilder.com.
ETFs have very low expense ration which over time will give you a better rate of return. You can trade ETFs at any online broker.

Index funds are a great choice for investing. I use them almost exclusively in my own portfolio.

The easiest way it to sign up for an account online. Go to www.vanguard.com and follow the instructions

1) Step 1: determine the type of account you want. Will this be a regular taxable account, or do you want a tax-advantaged account for retirement (like a Roth IRA)?

2) Pick one or more funds that you would like to invest in. The STAR fund needs $1000 to get started. Most other funds need $3000 to get started. If you have only a few thousand dollars, I would suggest using one of their fund-of-funds which invest in several index funds for you. Their lifestyle funds and target-date retirement funds do this.

3) Set up an electronic transfer of your money from your bank's checking or savings account. Get out your checkbook to look up the bank's routing number and your own account number. This is the easiest and safest way to purchase mutual fund shares. The vanguard website will prompt you when to enter in this info.

For help on investing, see my free book at http://www.invest-for-retirement.com . If my writing style is too dry for you (which it is for some people), then read a book called "Mutual Funds for Dummies", by Eric Tyson. Either book should help you with picking mutual funds.