*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!
A regular high school student who loves games. The real world has started to resemble the immersive games he’s mastered, and now he’s beating the bullies who used to make fun of him to a pulp
I also started running towards the building shaped like the ‘Tower of Babel.’
Soon, Shoko, who had been ahead of me, seemed to have arrived at the entrance of the building. But man, Shoko in her cheetah form is fast. She might be going over 300 km/h.
Even I can run 30 km/h faster than Usain Bolt right now, but I definitely can’t reach 300 km/h.
With the magic ‘Shared Vision,’ I can see what Shoko sees.
In Shoko’s vision, there was a huge structure built by Omiya Corporation in front of her.
The stylish and chic entrance had a sign that read ‘Omiya Corporation Babel.’
It’s a massive building. The grounds alone could easily fit several Tokyo Domes. The height reaches about 50 floors at its tallest point. How much did it cost to build this thing?
It seems an ID card issued in advance is required to enter.
“Shoko, investigate inside the building.”
I commanded Shoko through the magic buff ‘Remote Communication’ she had cast on me.
“Yes.”
Shoko used the magic ‘Sneaking’ to infiltrate the building from the entrance.
Through ‘Shared Vision,’ I saw a grand and luxurious entrance. At first glance, it was clear that an outrageous amount of money had been spent.
Clearly wealthy people, presumably the rich, were chatting and passing by.
An extravagantly decorated shopping mall. A dining area lined with expensive restaurants. A casino. A luxury hotel, and various other entertainment facilities…
The building’s security was intense. The guards wore black suits and carried submachine guns, MP5s, slung over their shoulders. And though fewer in number than the black-suited guards, there were also Dungeon Hunters equipped with swords.
Shoko passed by the entrance of a giant cineplex. An announcement could be heard.
“This theater boasts the world’s largest screen and highest-quality sound system, providing an overwhelming cinematic experience you won’t find in any other theater.”
I was surprised to see one of the movies currently playing.
Huh? ‘Shadow ● Power User: Resonance Chapter’ is being screened already? It’s finished? Damn it. Is this some secret premiere just for those invited here? Omiya Corporation really does whatever it wants with all their money. I want to watch it too…
Showing it secretly to only the invited rich bastards… If fans like me find out, they’ll be furious. Damn you, KAD●KAWA.
At that moment, Shoko’s voice came through ‘Remote Communication,’ stopping me.
“Master.”
“What is it? Did you find Asakaze Erika?”
Using ‘Shared Vision,’ I had shown Shoko a smartphone photo of Asakaze Erika taken with Hanarin. It was sent to me when Hanarin went out to play with her girlfriends.
“No… I haven’t found her yet. But it seems there’s a place where thousands of people are gathered.”
“Where?”
“According to the signboard, there seems to be a stadium a little further inside from here.”
“Good, infiltrate the stadium and investigate inside.”
“Yes.”
At the entrance of the stadium, a man was shouting at the staff.
“Why can’t I enter the stadium?!”
The man looked about fifty years old.
He was with a young woman. She appeared to be around eighteen or nineteen. Based on the age gap, they didn’t look like a married couple. Given her flashy appearance, she wasn’t his daughter either. Probably a sugar daddy arrangement.
“Your ID card does not grant access to the stadium.”
The receptionist replied.
“Why not? I am the chief secretary of Representative Hokui, leader of the ruling party’s largest faction. Are you telling me even I can’t get in?!”
Hokui was indeed the leader of Japan’s ruling party’s largest faction.
“Sir, if you do not follow the rules, according to Omiya Corporation’s regulations, we will have no choice but to take action…”
“Shut up! I’m way more important than you! Just a word from me to my boss, and you’ll—”
Before the man could approach the receptionist, two black-suited guards grabbed him by the arms.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing!”
“We’ve received instructions to handle this man.”
The receptionist said, looking at the terminal monitor on her desk. “Dispose of him in the central part of the sixth underground dungeon.”
“Wait! Do you know what you’re doing?!”
Ignoring the man’s cries, the black-suited guards dragged him away.
Shoko, using the magic ‘Sneaking,’ remained unnoticed by the receptionists. She slipped past them and entered the stadium from the entrance.
Inside the stadium, it was packed with thousands of people. In the central arena-like space, a spectacle had already begun.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to ‘Babel,’ the cyber city marking the first step of Omiya Corporation’s ‘Hundred Suns Empire Plan: Project E.’ Today, we have invited individuals who have deposits and investments of over 100 million yen in Omiya-affiliated financial institutions.” In the middle of the stadium, an announcer dressed like a circus ringmaster spoke into a microphone.
“Today, we have selected guests from our personal data of users of ‘Omiya Electric’ smartphones. Specifically, those who particularly enjoy watching videos of live prey being eaten. You all love watching cruel videos, don’t you? Videos of chicks or hamsters being eaten alive by reptiles, right? But soon, even that becomes insufficient…”
A large cage was brought in. Inside were more than a dozen people.
“Today, we have prepared a special treat for you: human beings. Slaves. These are individuals who are no longer useful for slave labor—mere garbage, disposables.”
The announcer pointed to the cage as he spoke.
“These individuals represent the very bottom rung of humanity. Deprived of all rights—human rights—and robbed of every dream, they are nothing more than living corpses, livestock humans who deserve such a title!”
One of the doors on the side of the stadium’s arena opened, and an Earth Dragon-type monster entered.
The walls of the cage holding the slaves fell down on all four sides, leaving the slaves inside completely unprotected from the Earth Dragon.
The slaves scattered around the stadium’s arena, trying to escape. The walls surrounding the spectator stands were too high to climb.
“Ahhhh! Help me!”
Watching the people fleeing in terror from being eaten by the Earth Dragon, the spectators became excited. Some were laughing uncontrollably. While others’ misfortune may be sweet, these people were truly vulgar.
“Shoko.”
I called out to Shoko via ‘Remote Communication.’
“Yes, Master, I’m here.”
“Is Asakaze Erika among the slaves?”
“I apologize, Master. I haven’t found her yet.”
Shoko’s magic ‘Detection’ was designed to sense threats. It could reveal the level, number, and weapons of enemies, but it couldn’t pinpoint specific individuals.
I finally arrived at the entrance of the ‘Babel’ building. Since the magic buff ‘Sneaking’ was still active, I proceeded to enter stealthily.
The alarm sounded.
“Master, my ‘Sneaking’ has been neutralized!”
“Shoko, is there an ultra-high-level scout capable of negating your ‘Sneaking’?”
“No, it doesn’t seem to be someone of the same profession. It appears my ‘Sneaking’ was canceled by a skill called ‘Cyber Surveillance.'”
“Hmm… I’m curious about whoever used that ‘Cyber Surveillance’ skill. Can you locate their position?”
“There’s a spot within this building that appears completely black to my ‘Detection’ spell. If there’s an enemy who used the skill, they’re likely there. My ‘Detection’ isn’t picking up any other medium or high-level enemies.”
“Understood.”
“Should we retreat for now?”
“No, it’s come to this. We’ll go in with force. First, we’ll take out whoever used the ‘Cyber Surveillance’ skill.”
“Understood, Master.”
“Shoko, come back to me and lead me to that ‘completely black spot.'”
“Yes.”
I began running deeper into the building.
My own ‘Sneaking’ buff had also been nullified. About five black-suited guards spotted me and rushed over.
“Hey, stop right there!”
Of course, I had no intention of stopping.
The guards’ submachine guns fired.
I was still wearing my Eleven-Nine Mithril Full Plate Armor, which could withstand even 12.7mm heavy machine gun bullets. There was no way these submachine gun bullets could penetrate it.
I continued running down the corridor. No ordinary person could keep up with my speed.
“Intruder alert! Intruder alert!”
An ear-piercing announcement blared continuously throughout the building.
After advancing a bit, I came upon a large hall.
There was a large group of monsters. All of them were subordinate creatures, following the orders of Omiya Corporation’s personnel.
Most were Kobold-types. Kobold Generals, Kobold Kings, and even Kobold Emperors.
They were using things like this for building security. Quite troublesome.
To me now, they were all just small fry. But there were many of them—around a hundred.
My current status was built for taking down strong enemies one-on-one. I hadn’t acquired skills for sweeping attacks that could take out weaker foes en masse.
“Though they’re somewhat strong, dealing with these numerous small fries is annoying… What a pain.”
Just as I sighed and readied my beloved two-handed sword…
From an air vent near the ceiling close by, a black, tar-like, gooey slime-like substance flowed out. The black slime-like thing crawled down the wall to the floor and immediately transformed into the figure of an exquisite maid.
Shoko had returned.
“Shoko, perfect timing. Lower their SAN values!”
“Understood, Master!”
Shoko turned to face the horde of monsters and roared, “Skill ‘Madness Terror’ Lv. 7!”
“GUAAAAA!”
The Kobolds, having their SAN values reduced, screamed in terror.
There was no way low-level monsters could resist the mental attack of a high-level Shogoths Lord.
The monsters panicked and began trembling.
Some succumbed to fits of madness and fled in panic. Others collapsed onto the floor, writhing in spasms from sheer terror. Some fainted. Others broke down crying in mental anguish…
In an instant, the combat ability of all the monsters was stripped away. None moved toward us.
“Good job, Shoko.”
“Master, am I being of help?”
“You’re very helpful.”
“The thousand worms will surely be of use too.”
“Uh… yeah, sure. That’s fine.”
Shoko and I dashed through the throng of writhing monsters.
