*Web Novel chapter below*
How to Invest in Index Funds: A Beginner’s Guide to Effortless Wealth-Building
Investing can feel like a maze of confusing options and risky bets—especially if you’re just starting out. But there’s one strategy that cuts through the noise with its simplicity, low cost, and proven results: index fund investing. If you’re searching for a beginner-friendly way to grow your wealth over time, index funds are your golden ticket. In this guide, we’ll explain what index funds are, why they’re perfect for beginners, and how to get started today—complete with trusted platforms where you can sign up. By the end, you’ll have a clear, actionable path to launch your investment journey.
What Are Index Funds?
Imagine owning a small piece of the entire stock market without having to pick individual stocks. That’s the magic of an index fund. It’s a type of mutual fund or exchange-traded fund (ETF) that mirrors a specific market index, like the S&P 500 or the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Instead of betting on one company, you’re investing in hundreds—like Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon—all at once. It’s less about chasing winners and more about riding the market’s natural growth.
Why Index Funds Are Perfect for Beginners
Index funds are the go-to choice for new investors, and here’s why:
- Instant Diversification: One fund spreads your money across hundreds of companies, so a single stock’s stumble won’t derail your progress.
- Low Fees: No need for expensive stock-picking experts—index funds keep costs down.
- Set It and Forget It: No market expertise needed. Just invest and let time do the heavy lifting.
- Proven Track Record: Studies show index funds often outperform actively managed funds, making them a reliable path to long-term wealth.
How to Start Investing in Index Funds: A 3-Step Guide
Ready to take control of your financial future? Follow these simple steps to begin your index fund journey.
Step 1: Choose a Brokerage Account
A brokerage account is your gateway to buying index funds. Think of it as your investment dashboard. Here are three top platforms perfect for beginners:
- Vanguard: The pioneer of low-cost index funds. Sign up here.
- Fidelity: Offers zero-fee index funds with no minimums. Get started.
- Charles Schwab: Known for stellar customer support. Open an account.
Pro Tip: Look for platforms with low fees, a variety of funds, and an easy-to-use interface. Most let you start with as little as $1!
Step 2: Pick the Right Index Fund
Once your account is set up, choose a fund that matches your goals:
- S&P 500 Index Funds: Tracks the 500 largest U.S. companies (e.g., Vanguard’s VOO). Perfect for broad market exposure.
- Total Stock Market Index Funds: Includes small, mid, and large-cap stocks (e.g., Schwab’s SWTSX). Maximum diversification.
- International Index Funds: Invests globally (e.g., Fidelity’s FZILX). Adds worldwide balance.
Newbie Hack: Start with an S&P 500 or total market fund for simplicity and growth potential.
Step 3: Make Your First Investment
Now, it’s time to put your money to work:
- Fund Your Account: Transfer as little as $1–$100 to get started.
- Buy Your Fund: Search for your chosen fund (e.g., VOO at Vanguard) and hit “buy.”
- Automate It: Set up automatic investments—like $50 a month—to grow your wealth effortlessly.
Quick Links:
Why Index Funds Are a Smart Choice
- Lower Risk: Diversification cushions you from single-stock disasters.
- Tax-Friendly: Fewer trades mean fewer taxable events.
- Long-Term Gains: With the market’s historical 7–10% annual return, index funds are a retirement-building powerhouse.
Risks to Keep in Mind
No investment is bulletproof. Here’s what to watch:
- Market Swings: When the market dips, so does your fund. But history shows it bounces back.
- No Big Wins: You won’t beat the market—but for most, matching it is a win.
Tips for Index Fund Success
- Invest Regularly: Use dollar-cost averaging to smooth out market highs and lows.
- Diversify Further: Add international or bond funds as your portfolio grows.
- Stay the Course: Don’t panic-sell during downturns. Long-term investors win by holding steady.
Real-Life Success Story: Sarah’s $240,000 Nest Egg
Meet Sarah, a 30-year-old teacher who invested $200 a month in an S&P 500 index fund. After 30 years, her $72,000 in contributions ballooned to over $240,000—thanks to the market’s average 7% return. No stock-picking, no stress—just consistent investing through platforms like Fidelity or Vanguard.
Start Your Investment Journey Today
Index funds are your beginner-friendly path to low-cost, reliable wealth-building. Sign up with a trusted brokerage like Vanguard, Fidelity, or Charles Schwab, pick a fund, and start with as little as $50 a month. The sooner you begin, the more time your money has to grow. Take that first step now—your future self will thank you!
The Bride-Hunting Tale: I’ve Failed 20 Marriage Proposals Already. I Don’t Need Titles Like Dragon Slayer or Hero Who Saved the Nation—All I Want Is a Cute Wife!
Dark Heal for Medical Examination.
From the palms of my hands, the black healing magic flows into the albino elf—BZZZZT! It crackles like purple lightning, flashing dimly in the darkness of the night.
“GUGAH… GAAAAAH—!!”
The albino elf screams, but offers no further resistance.
I had been concerned that Marrow might attempt some kind of interference, but—
“No, it seems he can’t!”
Back in Elden, the saint had once unleashed a massive burst of holy power—had she done that now, my magic would have been forcibly expelled, and the effect of the Demon’s Lightning would have been nullified.
He wouldn’t be foolish enough to overlook that possibility.
“Kuhaha! I see now! I’ve caught a glimpse of the truth behind this ‘possession’ holy art…!”
Most likely, it’s something akin to remote control, isn’t it?
I hypothesize.
At first glance, it appears to be a phenomenon rooted in spirituality and the occult. But in reality, it might be more like a form of electrical transmission—or even a higher-dimensional connection—used for remote consciousness manipulation or sensory synchronization.
Either way, it’s an advanced technique. But once the link is disrupted, Marrow seems incapable of further interference—his Achilles’ heel.
“Hey! The sanctuary just vanished!”
A voice calls out from below—Ulcrow, who had carried me through the air.
“Did you kill that elf possessed by Marrow?”
“No way, no way.”
Why would I waste such a valuable specimen?
BZZZZT.
Even as we free-fall, I continue channeling the Demon’s Lightning.
“I’ve successfully neutralized them. Judging by the lack of resistance, I’d say the possessing Marrow itself is already gone.”
“What about that elf’s own threat level?”
“Low, I’d say. According to what Rose told me, those possessed by Marrow don’t have their own unique holy arts.”
“Tch. So they’re just puppets, existing solely to be taken over by Marrow? That’s disgusting.”
We continue plummeting toward the ground, dragging the neutralized albino elf along with us.
Urklow supports both me and the elf as we land safely. Touching down beside us at the same time are Shes and Swan, with Swan having carried Shes during the fall.
“Looks like it went well. As expected of you, Lord Kiwi.”
“Doctor! You’re safe!”
BZZZZT.
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
I dismount from Ulcrow’s back and check on the two of them.
No injuries—good.
“You both provided excellent support. Thank you.”
“Hah. Such praise is wasted on me. The real credit goes to Swan’s courageous flight. He maneuvered us cleanly past that bastard’s laser attack.”
At this, Swan’s eyes widen in surprise.
“N-no, not at all! It was only thanks to Shes’s relentless assault!”
“Nonsense. Without you, I wouldn’t have been able to move in midair at all.”
“That was just part of the initial plan…”
For some reason, Shes and Swan devolve into a bizarre game of deflecting credit onto one another.
Would it be so hard to just say, “You were both amazing”?
BZZZZT.
“Kiwi, that was impressive. The plan was a huge success.”
Silently, from the shadows of the trees, Anemone and the others from the standby team emerge.
“So, Kiwi… how long do you plan to keep channeling the Demon’s Lightning? That albino elf might die of shock, you know?”
“Oh.”
BZZZZT.
Even now, my hands are still locked onto the elf’s shoulders, continuously discharging Dark Heal.
I’d completely forgotten.
The albino elf’s body twitches faintly in constant convulsions.
“Ah, my apologies.”
The moment I release my grip, the elf’s body slackens, eyes rolling back as they collapse. I check their carotid artery—still pulsing. Just unconscious.
“Alright, let’s restrain them.”
“You’re taking them prisoner?”
“Yes. No reason to kill them if we don’t have to.”
After all, this is a rare albino elf.
It’s entirely possible that their physiology differs in ways not recorded in any of the books I’ve read—differences that set them apart from Anemone and the others.
“Would that be acceptable to you, Ulcrow?”
“…Well, you were the one who came up with this plan. It’s your call what to do with the results.”
“I appreciate it.”
Then it’s settled—capture and transport.
Naturally, we’ll ensure humane treatment.
I leave the binding to Shes. This is a battlefield, after all—it’s best to tie them up securely, just in case.
“One more thing, Kiwi.”
“Is this going to take long? We need to decide our next moves quickly.”
I hate to rush Anemone, but we just fought a major battle here. It wouldn’t be surprising if more elves or new vessels for Marrow arrived soon.
“I’ll keep it short. It’s about the world tree settlement child who was used as bait in the trap—”
“Prisoner.”
“Understood. I’ll take them back.”
Anemone makes an “OK” gesture and jogs toward the trees, where Rose waits with a young elf girl in tow.
…Well, I suppose we can leave her in the hands of the elf trio for now.
“Kiwi, what’s next?”
Urklow turns to me.
“Prisoners are a burden. We can’t march while carrying them.”
“True.”
I suspect that his real concern isn’t just taking in prisoners, but how it affects our mobility as a unit.
It’s fair. In the middle of an ongoing battle, collecting prisoners left and right is reckless.
However—
“Then how about this? We divide the unit.”
“Are you nuts? Splitting forces is a terrible idea! It would put a fatal gap between the forward troops and the group escorting the prisoners. They’ll never be able to regroup during combat!”
“No—we divide into three units.”
“Huh?”
“First, the Frontline Maintenance Unit—they’ll hold this position and prevent any further elf incursions from the rear. Second, the Return Unit—a minimal force tasked with escorting the prisoners back to our forward base, while also calling for reinforcements.”
“Well… I guess that way, at least we keep this position secure. But still—”
Urklow ’s expression hardens.
“That’s the ‘defensive move.’ Right now, it’s an attacking chance right after we’ve struck down the enemy’s main force, isn’t it? Why do we need to fall back into defense? It doesn’t suit my nature… This is a moment for advancing, no question.”
“Of course, Urklow -dono, you’d think that way. With just these two units, the frontline defense will be exposed to concentrated elf attacks until the return unit can arrange reinforcements. Marrow’s new vessel might also arrive.”
“So you want to tough it out with just you and me as a team?”
“No, that’s where the third unit comes in… but before that, I have a question.”
I look up at Urklow .
“Urklow -dono, when you say we should advance, is that your true opinion?”
“Huh? Of course it is.”
“No, that’s not it. You want to attack. With that overwhelming power of yours, you want to trample the enemy’s forces, don’t you?”
“That’s right. That’s why I want to advance—”
“You realize that you alone could cause much more damage by rampaging uncontrollably, yet you still want to take the whole unit with you?”
“…!?”
Seeing Urklow ’s wide-eyed expression, I can’t help but grin.
Just as I thought.
I raise three fingers and continue speaking.
“The third unit is to rush deep into enemy territory at high speed, wreak havoc on any enemy forces we encounter, and return after we’re done… In other words, Urklow -dono, you and I will be the two of us.”
“You and Kiwi, just the two of us…!?”
“We’ll name this third unit the ‘ravaging unit.’ Naturally, the ravaging unit will attract the enemy’s attention. That way, we can avoid the frontline forces from being overwhelmed by the elves’ attacks.”
“Yeah, that’s right. The enemy will try desperately to surround me and you, Kiwi, to capture us…”
“But they won’t be able to. Not if you’re freed from the chains of the unit.”
I can say this with certainty.
Because Urklow had survived alone, left behind on the battlefield before.
He had used the instincts and physical abilities of the magical wolf species, all for himself.
I’m going to make that happen again in this battlefield.
Now with me as the Dark Healer, a new factor added.
“Urklow -dono, I will bring out your maximum firepower.”
“My…?”
“With those legs of yours, charge through the battlefield as you wish, rampage as you like. You needn’t worry about injuries; as long as I have magic, I will heal all of them.”
“Hey… Hey, hey, Kiwi…!”
Urklow starts shaking, chuckling in a small, unsteady manner, then suddenly—
Grasp!
“Now that’s the best proposal ever!!!”
He puts his arm around my shoulder and forcefully pulls me in.
“Alright, I love you, Kiwi! Marry me!!”
“No, I won’t marry you.”
“Don’t hold back! We’re already close, just like the ravaging unit!!!”
“Does that mean… it’s my strategy?”
“Of course, I’m all in!!!”
Good, good.
Now we can successfully balance capturing prisoners and attacking with our forces.
Through this mission, I’ve also found an answer to the question of what “mobile medical support” is.
With the unexpected recovery of combat power, the offensive medical support that breaks through the enemy’s stronghold—that’s what “mobile medical support” is.
In other words, the unexpected ravaging actions by Urklow -dono, ignoring damage, will be a move that the enemy never saw coming, and that’s the key strategy for this mission.
Ah, I feel truly relieved.
As a beginner in war, I finally found a way to properly use our forces in the traditional, orthodox way.