VANGUARD MONEY MARKET RESERVES INC
497, 1996-11-27
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                                  Fund Profile
                                      for

                                    VANGUARD

                             MONEY MARKET RESERVES
                             ---------------------
                                PRIME PORTFOLIO

                                December 2, 1996


                         The Prime Portfolio is part of
                        Vanguard Money Market Reserves,
                   which also includes the Federal Portfolio.



                                  A Member of
                               THE VANGUARD GROUP



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1     OBJECTIVE

Vanguard Money Market Reserves-Prime Portfolio seeks to provide maximum current
income while preserving your investment and protecting your ability to convert
to cash when needed.* The Portfolio may not meet this objective.

2     INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

The Prime Portfolio invests in high-quality money market obligations issued by
banks and other financial institutions, nonfinancial corporations, and the U.S.,
state, and municipal governments and their agencies.  

The Portfolio seeks an average maturity of 90 days or less, and maintains the
following quality ratings:

    MONEY MARKET                           MINIMUM
    OBLIGATIONS                      QUALITY RATINGS **
    ---------------------------------------------------
    Certificates of Deposit (CDs)            A-1
    Commercial Paper
     (short-term promissory notes)         Prime-1
    Short-Term Corporate Obligations         Aa3

3     RISKS

Investors in the Portfolio are exposed to . . .

o A VERY LOW degree of interest rate risk because the short-term nature of the
  Portfolio's investments tends to minimize the impact of interest rate changes.

o A HIGH degree of income risk (the possibility that the Portfolio's income will
  fluctuate when interest rates change).

o A LOW degree of credit risk (the possibility that the issuer of a money market
  instrument will fail to repay interest and principal) because of the 
  high quality of the Portfolio's securities.

*  An investment in a money market fund is neither insured nor guaranteed by
   the U.S. Government, and there is no assurance that the fund will be able
   to maintain a stable net asset value of $1.00 per share.

** As rated by Moody's Investor Service, Inc.




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4     APPROPRIATENESS

This Portfolio may be suitable for investors who . . .

o    Are seeking a market rate of income in very short-term securities.

o    Want to protect the value of their investment.

o    Have short-term goals or need a temporary place to hold money.

The Portfolio is not suitable for investors who . . .

o    Want a steady level of income.

o    Are seeking capital growth.

5     FEES AND EXPENSES

The Prime Portfolio--like all Vanguard Funds--is offered on a pure no-load
basis (that is, the Portfolio has no 12b-1 fees or charges to buy or sell
shares).

The Portfolio's operating expenses are deducted from its total assets before
daily share prices and income distributions are calculated.  The Portfolio's
expense ratio for fiscal year 1995 was 0.32% of assets.

    ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
    ----------------------------------------------------
    Investment Advisory Fees...................... 0.01%
    Distribution Costs............................ 0.03
    Other Expenses................................ 0.28
                                                   ----
    Total Operating Expenses ..................... 0.32%
                                                   ==== 

The following example illustrates the expenses that you would incur on a $1,000
investment over various periods, assuming (1) a 5% annual rate of return and (2)
redemption at the end of each period.

    1 YEAR         3 YEARS        5 YEARS       10 YEARS
    ----------------------------------------------------
      $3             $10            $18            $41

This example should not be considered a representation of past or future
expenses or performance.  Actual expenses may be higher or lower than those
shown.


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6     PAST PERFORMANCE

                                  PERFORMANCE
                         ACTUAL RETURNS (%) 1986-1995


                                                 LIPPER
                         VANGUARD            NON-GOVERNMENT
                          PRIME               MONEY MARKET
                        PORTFOLIO             FUNDS AVERAGE+
                        ---------             --------------

1986                       6.6                     6.3
1987                       6.6                     6.1
1988                       7.6                     7.0
1989                       9.4                     8.8
1990                       8.3                     7.8 
1991                       6.1                     5.7
1992                       3.7                     3.3
1993                       3.0                     2.6
1994                       4.1                     3.7
1995                       5.8                     5.4


                               PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
                       (PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996)


                        AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
                         PRIME             LIPPER
                        PORTFOLIO          AVERAGE+
- ---------------------------------------------------
1 Year                    5.4%               4.9%
- ---------------------------------------------------
5 Years                   4.4%               3.9%
- ---------------------------------------------------
10 Years                  6.0%               5.5%

Performance figures include the reinvestment of all dividends. All returns are
net of expenses. The performance data quoted represent past performance; future
returns will fluctuate.

                        Annualized current yield for the
                   seven-day period ended September 30, 1996:


                                     5.21%

                     For the latest yield, call Vanguard at

                                 1-800-662-7447

The average annualized current yield represents the Portfolio's average income
less all expenses for the seven-day period, annualized by 365 days and 
divided by the average total net assets over the same period.




+Lipper Non-Government Money Market Funds Average is an industry benchmark of
non-government money market funds with similar investment objectives and
policies, as measured by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.


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7     INVESTMENT ADVISER

The Portfolio is managed by Vanguard Fixed Income Group, which manages total
assets of some $77 billion. 

John Hollyer, Principal of Vanguard, has managed the Portfolio since 1989.

8     PURCHASES

You may purchase shares by mail, wire, or exchange from another Vanguard Fund.
The minimum initial investment is $3,000 ($1,000 for IRAs and custodial accounts
for minors).

9     REDEMPTIONS

You may redeem shares by writing a check ($250 minimum), sending a letter to, or
calling Vanguard. 

10    DISTRIBUTIONS 

Dividends are declared each business day and are paid on the first business day
of each month. Dividend distributions can be automatically reinvested or
received in cash. Dividend distributions are taxable to you whether reinvested
in additional shares or received in cash.

11   OTHER SERVICES

o    Free checkwriting.

o    Vanguard Fund Express(R)--electronic transfers between your bank account
     and the Portfolio.

o    Vanguard Tele-Account(R)--around-the-clock access to Vanguard Fund
     information, account balances, and some transactions by calling
     1-800-662-6273 (ON-BOARD).

o    Investor Information--toll-free access to Vanguard Associates by calling
     1-800-662-7447 (SHIP).



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  THIS FUND PROFILE CONTAINS KEY INFORMATION ABOUT THE PORTFOLIO. IF YOU WOULD
     LIKE MORE INFORMATION BEFORE YOU INVEST, PLEASE CONSULT THE PORTFOLIO'S
  ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS. FOR DETAILS ABOUT THE PORTFOLIO'S HOLDINGS OR RECENT
   INVESTMENT STRATEGIES, PLEASE REVIEW THE PORTFOLIO'S MOST RECENT ANNUAL OR
  SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT. THE PROSPECTUS AND REPORTS MAY BE OBTAINED AT NO COST BY
                             CALLING 1-800-662-7447.



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                               THE VANGUARD GROUP



1296-42M    (C) 1996 Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor           FP30



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