*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!
Rou-chan’s Glorious Exploration Record
Today, my father brought me to the royal capital for the first time.
I’m seven years old, and I have finally set foot in the royal capital!! Behold my greatness!!
Oh, but apparently, I’ve actually been here a few times before, even though I don’t remember it.
After all, my father’s father—my grandfather and the former head of the Melissa family—lives in the royal capital.
My grandfather… the illustrious Grandpa Hana, doesn’t like long journeys or the countryside, so he never leaves the capital. That means our family has to come visit him instead.
I don’t remember any of it, but we must have traveled back and forth enough to maintain our family ties.
This is totally one of those moments where someone says, “I changed your diapers when you were little, and now look at you!”
When I stepped down from the carriage, a large two-story mansion stood before me.
As expected of my father’s father, it was noticeably bigger than any of the houses I saw from the carriage window on the way here—excluding the royal castle, of course.
It even has a vast garden.
As expected of the Melissa family, the renowned herbalist household!!
“This mansion is called the Grand Hana Manor, and it’s home to one of the three most infamous noble families in the capital. The mansions look similar, so you might get confused, but Grandpa Hana’s house is the one in the middle,” my father explained as he saw me looking around curiously.
“Understood!!”
Apparently, it was actually three mansions in one. In that case, it was rather modest for a noble estate.
Hmm… but more importantly, Grandpa Hana’s house is widely known as “one of the three most infamous noble residences in the capital.”
…Which means?
It’s a landmark of the royal capital! If I ever get lost, I just need to ask for “the infamous noble’s mansion,” and I’ll find my way back!
The capital’s streets and houses were far more densely packed than I had imagined, so I was a little worried about getting lost, but this solves everything!
I can’t wait to explore the capital tomorrow!
I also need to find a souvenir for Heine-kun!
“You brought your grandson with you, huh?! If I remember correctly… Heine-kun, right?”
“……”
“No, I’m the third son, Rouville .”
“Of course, I knew that~ That was just a little joke!”
The first time I saw Grandpa Hana…
He was wearing an eye-catching, flamboyant kimono.
The embroidery and jewels decorating his clothes reflected the sunlight so intensely that they sparkled and shimmered.
He looked like a walking mirror ball!!
There was even a bright highlight on his face, as if the lighting was intentionally set up to make him shine.
…Huh?
For some reason, words are coming to me more smoothly than usual. Every phrase that pops into my head feels just right.
It’s like my field of vision has expanded, and words are flowing together effortlessly…
I see… So this is the stimulation of the big city!!
“Rouville … Row-chan, right?!”
“Well then, I’ll leave him in your care, so just watch over him as you see fit.”
“Okay! Leave it to me! Row-chan, let’s play together!”
“……”
As expected of Grandpa Hana, the extroverted social butterfly. He’s coming at me full force, even though we just met.
“…I’m not interested in being picked up, thank you.”
“…”
I know how people like him operate.
If I don’t clearly reject them, they’ll interpret everything in their favor, push their way into my personal space, and trample all over my boundaries.
I must stay vigilant…
“…Oh? Could it be that Row-chan is a rather unique child?”
“Well… he does seem to be an indoor type. But as long as he has an herbal encyclopedia, he’ll quietly read, so you don’t need to entertain him too much.”
“…I-I see?”
“Rouville , Grandpa Hana’s house has books about herbs that we don’t have at home. Make sure to take a look.”
“!! Understood!! Excuse me for intruding!”
The moment I heard that he had books on herbs that weren’t in our collection, my heart leapt with excitement.
The adults probably had a lot of catching up to do, so as a well-mannered, low-maintenance child, I quickly made my way inside Grandpa Hana’s house.
“Oh! Row-chan?!”
“Don’t mind me~”
Important books are usually stored in an important-looking place! Following this sixth sense, I immediately began exploring Grandpa Hana’s house.
My goal: the grand collection of herbal books!
I sharpened my senses and sniffed the air, searching for any scent that didn’t belong.
Huh? …Soil?
There’s a scent of soil indoors…? Could it be… there’s a basement?!
This has the makings of a great discovery!!
“Row-chan?! The library is on the second floor! Hey, where are you going? The stairs are this way!”
Grandpa Hana was calling out some misleading information, but such childish tricks won’t fool me.
Body of a child! Mind also of a child! But I am the third son of the Melissa family! Now is the time to prove my worth!!
I’ll find those precious herbal books!!
I dashed down the stairs with light, energetic steps, only to find…
An empty underground field.
No books, unfortunately.
As expected of the noble family rumored to be the most infamous in the royal capital.
In this secluded underground space, Grandpa Hana must be secretly cultivating herbs in secret.
Alright, let’s see what kind of rare and potentially dangerous plants he’s growing here! Let’s dig a little…
【Side: Grandpa Hana】
After a long period of estrangement from my son, I tried playing the doting grandparent by saying, “I’d love to see my grandson’s face every now and then…”
And now, almost like clockwork, my grandson comes to visit the royal capital every month.
The first to visit was my eldest grandson, Alecharut. True to his role as the Melissa family’s firstborn, he was a flawless model of excellence, strikingly similar to my son.
I tried bringing up various topics and taking care of him, but he maintained a polite, distant attitude, never breaking the formal boundary between us.
He was already too perfectly refined as a noble, and to be honest, it was quite different from the warm and playful image of a grandfather and grandson spending time together… No, there wasn’t even a fragment of a cozy family atmosphere.
The next month, the second son, Barku , arrived.
He gave off a rather ordinary impression. Apart from the fact that his face was unusually well-proportioned, nothing in particular stood out.
Compared to the eldest son, Alecharut, his gaze lacked a certain sharpness. Well, since he wasn’t inheriting the family, he didn’t need a rebellious spirit, so this was probably just part of my son’s educational approach…
Unlike with the eldest son, Barku , while still noble-like, was easier to get along with, so I took him on a shopping trip while showing him around the royal capital.
Barku seemed to be quite good at reading the atmosphere. Sensing my desire to play the role of a doting grandfather, he naturally played along and allowed me to indulge.
Thanks to him, my “grandfatherly instincts” were quite satisfied.
Barku might not become a great doctor, but he was a kind child who cared for others. He would likely be a good support for the family and the retainers.
With the next generation of the Melissa family seemingly in good hands, I felt relieved.
The following month, the fourth son, Heine, arrived.
Another young child, huh…? Or so I thought, but he was apparently five years old.
Despite his young age, he was quite precocious. Even in his appearance, the distinct self-awareness and ambition characteristic of the Melissa family were already clearly developing.
He himself asked to go on a shopping trip like Barku , so I took him on a tour of the royal capital.
Heine was utterly captivated by anything beautiful he saw, his eager gaze making him look incredibly endearing. The way he subtly signaled “I want this” was so adorable that I couldn’t help but indulge my grandfatherly instincts and buy him various things.
As I watched him happily squealing with joy, I suddenly recalled that I had never really taken my own children sightseeing like this or directly bought them things.
Reflecting on the past made me feel a little sentimental.
Not that it mattered now—besides, I doubted my son at the time would have joyfully squealed over gifts anyway…
Getting older sure makes one look back on things in a way that conveniently forgets all the details.
At any rate, it seemed my son’s children were all growing up well, each with their own unique personality.
Spending time with my grandchildren, despite the age differences, was a truly stimulating experience for me.
Yes… it was certainly stimulating, but…
“Rou-chan?! Wait, what are you doing?!”
Rou-chan, having wandered into the mansion on his own, suddenly found the stairs leading to the basement and swiftly descended.
Huh?! How did he find the basement stairs so easily?!
The entrance was deliberately placed behind a pillar for concealment, yet Rou-chan headed straight for it, slid open the door, and started going down.
Did he just nonchalantly open a hidden sliding door that blended perfectly into the wall?!
The doors in noble estates usually have knobs to turn and push or pull, so he shouldn’t even be familiar with sliding doors. And yet, with the adaptability of a child, he casually discovered and opened the hidden door like it was the most natural thing in the world.
With light, skipping steps, he nimbly made his way down the stairs before leaping off the last step with a neat landing.
He looked absolutely delighted… And adorable.
When I first saw him, I thought he had a plain face like mine and felt a strange sense of kinship, but when he expressed emotions, he was actually quite cute. His actions, too, were like those of a small, endearing animal.
A rarity in the Melissa family—a “cute” type.
I found myself clapping, and Rou-chan, looking rather pleased with himself, glanced my way.
To think there would come a day when I found a child adorable…
Leol, the commander of the national army, would often boast about how cute children were in their early years, and now I was starting to understand how he felt.
My grandson is the cutest in the entire continent.
That said, I had a serious problem—if this continued, my hidden underground passage would be discovered…
Rou-chan suddenly plopped down on the floor and started digging with his hands.
“??”
The basement had a dirt floor—was he interested in playing with the soil?
He dug around for a while, then, seemingly disappointed that he hadn’t found anything, made a slightly dejected face.
Maybe he had been hoping for treasure? Considering how “this place looks like it should have something,” perhaps I should have buried a gold bar or two…
Then, Rou-chan took something out of his pocket, placed it in the hole he had dug, and started covering it with dirt.
“…Rou-chan?”
“!?”
Huh? Why did he look so startled?! Isn’t this my house?!
“Hana-Grandpa, this side is yours.”
“…That side?”
“From here to here is Rou-chan’s herb garden starting today!”
“……”
Maybe I should call my son back…
This is not the behavior of the Melissa family’s third son, right?!
No matter how you look at it, this is weird, right?!
He just casually started gardening in someone else’s basement…
With practiced hands, he patted down the dirt, then moved to another spot and planted something the same way.
“Hana-Grandpa, water please.”
“Uh… yeah.”
This wasn’t because he was thirsty—he clearly wanted water to pour on the spots where he had planted things, right?
His movements were way too skilled for this to be the first time… Just because he was the third son, had he been forced to work as a servant or something?!
That kind of treatment would only lead to a dramatic karma-revenge scenario later—something the Melissa family’s education should have strictly warned against.
Before I knew it, various holes had been filled with plants.
It was… a cutting propagation technique…
“…Rou-chan, what did you plant?”
“Grass! Haha!”
“……”
Yeah, I should definitely call my son back.
I suddenly had some urgent questions about this child’s education.
“It’s Aoki Grass.”
Rou-chan’s face turned serious.
“Yeah, Aoki—huh?! Eh?! Wait, Rou-chan, where did you even get Aoki Grass?!”
Wait, hold on a second—that’s a poisonous plant!
Looking closely, sure enough, the plant sticking out of the ground was Aoki Grass.
Why… why was Rou-chan secretly carrying this around?!
Even though it’s only mildly toxic, it’s still poison!
Is this some kind of trend among kids these days? Hiding slightly dangerous plants?
A child carrying around poisonous herbs…
That’s basically a spy! This is something the national army would arrest someone for!
Also, this Aoki Grass happens to be the type that propagates through cuttings, and oddly enough, the planting method was done correctly…
Well, since there’s no sunlight here, it’ll probably wither due to poor growth conditions.
Maybe I need to start teaching Rou-chan the basics—plants need water, sunlight, and nutrients to survive.
Then again, it’s best to let them learn through trial and error.
Thinking about how this curious little Melissa family child would stumble and grow through experiences, I decided to hold back on giving advice and went to fetch some water instead.
One week later… the Aoki Grass had taken over the basement.
I was speechless.
I glanced over at Rou-chan.
“As expected of Grandpa Hana! This place now looks like the home of some shady noble in the royal capital!”
“No, Rou-chan?! That’s not because of the location, okay?!”
“Since it’s getting cramped, should we grow it somewhere else?”
“No, we are NOT growing more!”
At this point, I had to call my son.
His reaction?
“Ah, so you ended up growing it here too, huh…”
…He sounded way too calm.
Apparently, this wasn’t the first time.
Unlike our territory, the royal capital had other nobles watching, so I taught Rou-chan to always report before planting anything.
At least he reassured me that he hadn’t brought any more plants from our land, which was a small relief.
Then Rou-chan said, “I’m going to go make friends with our neighbors!” and started visiting the Dorao family—the home of the National Army Commander.
Rou-chan’s plain-looking face seemed to put people at ease… and upon closer inspection, it turned out he was actually quite cute.
This unexpected charm caused the retainers (a.k.a. the National Army officers) who frequented the Dorao estate to become utterly smitten.
Despite seeming shy at first, Rou-chan had an absurdly high level of social skills.
Before I knew it, he had been completely accepted as one of their own and was now being carried around by high-ranking warriors everywhere he went.
Just in case, I warned them not to take him to the army’s medicinal herb fields.
Because if they did, I was 100% certain he’d declare, “I’m going to live here now!”
So, after leaving him in the care of those warriors for a while, I turned away for just a moment…
And one day, I found him swinging a stick around, pretending to be an unstoppable battlefield warrior.
Needless to say, Rou-chan had absolutely zero talent for combat.
I almost felt bad for him, but if he started thinking like a musclehead, I’d have to apologize to my son.
So, I gently told him, “The Melissa family never carries anything heavier than a scalpel. We aren’t warriors.”
But he insisted, “It’s okay! I have a hidden power!” refusing to back down.
Since the warrior families were great at flattery and hyping people up, he had completely bought into it.
I had no choice.
“If you’re so busy training, I guess I won’t teach you how to mix medicinal herbs.”
Instantly, he tossed the stick away and clung to me like a cat.
…I think I just figured out how to handle this kid.
“Gorii, gorii, pon!”
Now, Rou-chan was at his maximum excitement level, absolutely thrilled about his first attempt at mixing herbs.
I taught him how to use a few of the mixing tools and handed him some harmless herbs to play with.
Since he was still a child, my plan was to let him have fun and naturally develop an interest in herb mixing.
Rou-chan’s eyes sparkled as he pulled out a herbal medicine guide and eagerly began his concoctions.
But the world of medicinal herbs is harsh. Even the slightest difference can result in failure.
In this field, apprentices must spend years observing their masters, refining their skills, and learning the delicate balance of ingredients through trial and error before they can make real medicine.
Of course, Rou-chan didn’t know that.
So, with childlike enthusiasm, he joyfully declared, “I made medicine!”
…Except, what he actually made was just herbal juice.
By the end of the day, I planned to explain the harsh realities of herbal medicine to him.
It might seem a bit harsh or unfair, but medicine is literally a matter of life and death. As his mentor, I had to ensure he understood that.
That being said…
Rou-chan… you’re surprisingly skilled.
At first, he fumbled around, hesitantly touching and examining the tools. But before long, he was confidently grinding herbs with the mortar and pestle.
He looked like he was having fun, but… we were almost out of herbs. Maybe it was time for a break.
On the worktable, rows of bottles filled with “medicine” had replaced the dwindling pile of herbs.
…Wait.
What did I just think?
I blinked and looked again at the bottles on the table.
“Huh?”
…
I checked the bottles once more.
I picked one up, opened the lid, and examined the contents carefully.
…It was properly made medicine.
N-No way!!
Even I fail at making this medicine once every three tries!
W-What… how did he do it?!
If you could just follow the guidebook and succeed on the first try, why would we even need mentors?!
Wait… hold on. Let’s be rational about this. What’s happening here?!
“Mix, mix, mix—done!”
Rou-chan cheerfully poured his finished mixture into a bottle, sealed it, then picked up a new herb, sniffed it, and proudly declared, “This one is Hihi Grass!”
Wait, no, Rou-chan, that’s not the point.
Bragging about correctly naming the herb—that’s not what you should be prouud of.
What’s truly amazing is that you actually made medicine! That’s the part you should be bragging about!!
I quietly took one of the freshly made medicines and examined its contents.
…It’s done. Without a doubt, it’s real medicine.
Then, looking at the rouw of completed medicines lined up on the workbench, I realized something terrifying.
This child… hasn’t failed a single time. Not even once…
…
There’s no mistake.
This kid is one of those proudigies—the terrifying kind—of the Melissa family.
I thought their talent lay in herb cultivation, but no. Their true gift is in apothecary work.
A pharmacist blessed by the herbs themselves, someone who could even reshape the very principles of herbal medicine… In other words, a pharmacist capable of rewriting the world’s understanding of medicine.
My hands trembled as I held the bottle.
The first generation changed the world not with herbs, but with miraculous techniques.
And now, a child has been born into the Melissa family with the potential to change the world throuugh the miracles of herbal medicine.
Until now, Melissa’s surgical medicine had cured illnesses that herbal medicine alone couldn’t.
But this child’s herbal concoctions… they may surpass traditional herbal medicine. No, they may even break the barriers between surgical and herbal medicine, uniting them into a new field that can save lives beyond what either alone could accomplish.
There are talents that only the unorthodox Melissa family can nurture. Only the Melissa family—unafraid to break conventions—has challenged the world and turned the impossible into reality.
I thought of the countless patients trapped in despair.
If current surgical medicine can’t cure them… perhaps, if anyone could, it would be us—the ones who refuse to accept the impossible.
“Grandpa Hana! More herbs!”
“….”
Looking over, I saw that Rou-chan had already turned all the herbs into medicine.
Holding up an empty plate, they cheerfully demanded more, their eyes shining with curiosity and excitement.
The tiny miracle of a child, just born into this world, gleamed with the joy of discovering the unknown.
“Rou-chan… since we’re at it, do you want to try making a foundational medicine? You’ll need to use a distiller.”
“Understood!!”
Rou-chan instantly leaped at the idea.
“Alright, first, put the medicine into a box and make space for the distiller.”
“Understood!”
Without hesitation, Rou-chan began moving.
I will teach them everything I know. Every secret recipe of the Melissa family…
To turn the impossible into reality.
First, I must teach them everything about the world.
Because if it’s Rou-chan, they’ll take it all in and one day… they’ll surpass common sense itself. They’ll leap beyond the impossible.
But—there’s no need to rush.
We, the adults, must carefully watch over Rou-chan to ensure they continue to enjoy herbal medicine, allowing this talent to grouw.
We must not repeat the mistakes of the first generation.
A miracle-born talent is a gift froum the heavens—to change the world, to save those who cannot be saved.
“Rou-chan, what kind of apothecary do you want to be in the future?”
Rou-chan, waiting eagerly for the distiller, glanced at me.
Then, they puffed out their chest and declared—
“A battlefield-dominating apothecary!!”
“….”
Maybe… I should go apologize to my son.
It seems they’ve been a bit too influenced by the warrior upbringing.
Feeling a bit responsible, I decided to pretend I didn’t hear that and started setting up the distiller.
Years later, Rou-chan would indeed become a battlefield-dominating apothecary.
But I had no way of knowing that yet.