For most people in most situations, tax-deferred savings plans are the way to go. That means maxing out your 401k (assuming you have decent fund choices), then maxing out individual (and if appropriate spousal) traditional IRA. If you have or are eligible for an HSA, consider that. Some people may have deferred compensation plans, the specific of your situation will dictate whether those are appropriate. And then after that, after tax savings in low cost mutual funds with Vanguard or Fidelity would be my next step.
