*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!
Are you referring to a regular female knight, or a trash-tier female knight?
The ground was gouged, and trees were scattered.
Kicking through the rubble, emerging from the venomous snake’s sword was a gigantic serpent.
Bigger than a human… no, words couldn’t describe it.
Bigger than a human, bigger than a dragon, many times over.
It was a three-headed snake, over 10 meters tall.
[………… (Huge! But of course, getting stepped on by this would be fatal!)]
“Not bad, huh? This is the power that makes me one of the Four Heavenly Kings.”
Otto puffed out his chest proudly.
The reason he became one of the Four Heavenly Kings and was greatly feared by humanity was because of this serpent’s immense power.
“Alright, kill them!”
Following Otto’s command, the snake charged forward.
Even its slightest movement caused the ground to rumble and tear apart.
A massive object moving slowly is already a threat, but this three-headed snake also possessed speed.
Though not as fast as Otto had been earlier, it still attacked the Dark Knight with considerable velocity.
Its sharp fangs bared, it lunged for the kill.
[(Eek! I’m gonna die!)] “Hahaha! Even the mighty Dark Knight has no choice but to flee!”
At this moment, the Dark Knight took evasive action for the first time.
Until now, he had stood immovable, deflecting all of Otto’s deadly attacks. Seeing him seemingly retreat made Otto burst into laughter.
However, dodging just one head didn’t mean escaping the snake’s threat.
“GAAAAAAA!!”
Another head attacked the Dark Knight who had escaped into the air.
Though normally difficult to maneuver in mid-air, he forcibly twisted his body to deflect it.
As the Dark Knight landed back on the ground, the last head lunged down from above.
With a heavy thud, the snake’s head collided with the ground, kicking up clouds of dust.
The raging storm whipped Luna’s long white hair dramatically.
“(If only it ended here… how much easier things would be.)”
Ordinary people might think differently, but Otto was currently facing the strongest of the Four Heavenly Kings, the Dark Knight.
He never once thought this battle could end so easily.
And rightly so.
“GA… GI…!?”
With an incredibly heavy sound, the snake’s head was sent flying.
Not voluntarily—it had been struck from below.
Sharp fangs shattered, blood spurting from its mouth, the snake fell after being hit under the jaw with just one strike.
“Wha… What nonsense! Despite the size difference, a single punch knocked out the snake…?”
Size matters greatly in combat.
Generally, it’s hard for something small to defeat something large.
Especially when comparing the Dark Knight, who despite being tall is within human norms, to a snake over 10 meters long, overcoming it solely through physical prowess should have been nearly impossible.
Yet, the Dark Knight achieved it.
Once again, Otto was astounded by the sheer power of his opponent.
[(Sh, shoot! I should’ve stayed lying down! But if I did, I’d probably get swallowed whole. That wouldn’t work. I’d die.)]
“…If I stay like this, history will repeat itself.”
Although the fight continued due to the three heads, realistically, it should have ended there.
Therefore, attacking with the remaining two heads in the same manner wasn’t feasible.
This snake had another special attack method.
“Snake! Use your poison!!”
Enraged from having one of its heads destroyed, the snake nonetheless obeyed Otto’s command and began swelling its throat.
[(…Poison?)]
As the Dark Knight looked up, the snake raised the bulge higher and higher…
Then, with a gurgling sound, a toxic purple liquid spewed out from its mouth.
The mass descended slowly, but due to its sluggish speed, both the Dark Knight and Luna’s group managed to evade it.
Where the poison landed, it sizzled and dissolved the earth.
“Well? Quite powerful, isn’t it?” [(Eek… The ground melted…)]
The poisonous liquid was acidic.
Extremely potent, capable of creating large craters.
Trees withered, and the earth eroded.
Even the Dark Knight, clad in sturdy armor, would surely succumb to this poison, Otto smirked.
“With this power, I’ve obliterated countless human fortress cities. Even the most robust structures, akin to fortresses, were rendered powerless before this snake. To slay me, they dispatched the highest-tier adventurers, but even they could only kneel before this snake.”
Otto reminisced proudly about the brave warriors who stood against him.
Though he didn’t know the criteria for their selection, they possessed strength and character worthy of being heroes.
Even those formidable warriors, who pushed him to manifest his trump card—the snake—ultimately knelt before it.
Watching strong individuals scream and fall was quite a spectacle.
[…But the poison is slow. At this rate, it won’t catch me. (Switch the attack! If I get hit by that, I’ll die!)] “Ah, I understand. Normally, even with such a slow attack, having three heads would suffice. But since you’ve taken one out…”
True, avoiding a slow attack from one direction might be possible.
But originally, the tactic involved spewing poison simultaneously from three heads.
No matter how skilled a warrior, being exposed to a poison that causes death upon mere contact from three directions would be insurmountable.
However, one head had already been destroyed by the Dark Knight.
So, what to do?
“If we expand the attack range, it won’t just be your problem anymore.”
Otto issued new orders to the giant snake.
Upon receiving them, the remaining two heads swelled their throats again and opened their mouths…
Instead of the lethally corrosive but slow-moving poison, they released a mist-like spray of fine droplets.
These spread slowly, blending into the atmosphere.
The massive toxic mist emitted by the two heads quickly enveloped the surrounding area.
“It’s a fog of lethal poison. Contact with the skin is deadly, and inhaling it destroys the brain. This land will become uninhabitable for demons for a while… but it’s necessary to kill the Dark Knight. A sacrifice worth making.”
Seeing the Dark Knight engulfed without resistance, Otto smirked.
Even if he tried to defend, nothing could stop it.
No one could possibly block or avoid all the sand and smoke kicked up by heavy objects falling to the ground.
There was no escape from the toxic mist covering hundreds of meters around.
And this was a virulent poison. Merely touching it caused skin to swell and bleed.
Moreover, if inhaled, it reached the brain instantly, destroying cognitive functions.
The small country where this poison was unleashed had already perished.
Now, it was a barren wasteland devoid of any life, even grass.
Otto, one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King’s army. His power lived up to the name of the Four Heavenly Kings.
“This is troublesome.” “That’s quite the monotone delivery. Do you really think so?”
Amidst the toxic fog, Luna and Flau were still alive.
Luna had erected multiple magical barriers, encasing them like a box.
Thanks to this, the toxic fog couldn’t penetrate.
…However, Luna knew better than anyone that this couldn’t last forever.
The magical barriers were gradually dissolving.
By continuously pouring mana into them, she maintained a balance, but it was clear this couldn’t endure indefinitely.
“I believe it. This poison is extremely dangerous, and there’s nothing I can do about it… Is the Dark Knight unharmed?”
Breaking the current situation was beyond anyone but the Dark Knight.
Perhaps Flau beside her could do something, but since her abilities were unknown, relying on the Dark Knight was their only option.
However, the crucial man himself was lost amidst the dense fog, invisible even to sight.
“Hmm… His armor blocks all physical attacks, but what about poison…? I’ve never tested it myself. Pushing that far might get me killed. Poison that works just by inhalation… He breathes too, right?” “So…?”
“It’s over,” Luna flatly conceded.
Her strategic mistake. There was nothing to be done.
It was regrettable that the demons would perish…
“Well, even so, it’s fine. He’s extraordinary… If he could die from something like this, I’d have left his side long ago.”
Flau sighed.
Responding to her, a change occurred within the poisoned fog.
It was black miasma.
In the view dyed deep purple, a small black dot appeared.
Gradually expanding, soon black overpowered purple.
“He’s… absorbing the poison…!?”
This was Otto’s reaction.
The miasma devoured the poison… Black consumed the purple.
Could it be said that a purifying force cleansed the poison?
No, it was different.
Something more vile than poison was voraciously consuming it, as if possessing intent.
And the source of this miasma was none other than the Dark Knight.
As the poison thinned, the giant figure emerged.
The Dark Knight, fully clad in black armor, glowed red from his eyes.
Slowly, very slowly, he raised his greatsword.
Otto couldn’t even obstruct the movement, merely watching…
[(Geez! Stop the poison! It probably affects me too!)]
When the Dark Knight swung his greatsword, a violent gust blew.
In an instant, the toxic fog dispersed, and then…
“――――――”
The gigantic three-headed snake was bisected.
Not even allowed a scream.
Half its body obliterated, the enormous snake collapsed to the ground with a thunderous crash.
The aftermath even reached Otto, who was hidden behind the giant shadow…
“Ga…!?”
His arm was cleanly severed.
[Eh…]