The biggest advantage (IMHO) of opening a brokerage account at Vanguard is the ability to purchase Vanguard ETF's with no-commission. Assets must be held in the account for 90+ days, but this shouldn't be a problem. Ask about this. Fidelity offers an identical program for purchasing Fidelity ETF's, and they likewise have funds that mirror those at Vanguard (ex: VTSAX=FXTVX, etc). Ask about dividend reinvestment vs taking dividends as cash in FIRE so you can at least get their take on which would be most beneficial. Ask about self-guiding investing - they may want to push you into a managed account, but be clear for yourself on whether you think you can do as well or better (hint: you can, and will) than managed accounts by simply investing in the low-cost ETF's. Ask what FREE resources you'll have available for periodic investment planning, and tax planning. And ask the same things of Fidelity.
Read JL Collin's
Stock Series. There is no need to be a 'savvy' investor - but simply invest, and as the Motley Fools used to say "invest in what you know". For myself, I've moved some assets from the 'total stock market' funds into REITS, as I think the potential for the housing market to continue on a positive trend (and give good dividends) is better than the market as a whole. I foresee a presidential-election-result-market-pull-back regardless of who wins in Nov, and I predict (based on housing costs in my area, and other HCOL areas) the dividends & growth in real-estate will overcome any short-term setbacks.