*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:

• Invest with Vanguard
• Trade with Fidelity
• Start with Schwab

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 Culinary Chronicles of the Court Physician: The Disgraced Princess Consumes Poison to Create Medicine

“Fei Ling…”

Zhen rushed over.

As he approached with a concerned gaze, Fei Ling tried to say, “It’s not a big deal,” but for some reason, her voice caught in her throat for a brief moment.

Seeing this, Zhen’s expression darkened with an indescribable frustration. He slipped his arm out of his sleeve and gently draped it over her slender shoulders, pulling her close.

“…You’re trembling.”

His green eyes widened as he observed her. Only then did Fei Ling realize that she was shaking. Though her mind told her it wasn’t anything serious, her body still quivered involuntarily. The memory of what the emperor had almost done to her still bound her heart tightly.

“I’ll kill him later,” Zhen muttered under his breath.

The murderous intent seeped from his shadowy eyes, tinged with purple.

“A foreign king visiting as a guest dying in the palace would be problematic, to say the least. I’ll slip poison into his belongings, ensuring he meets his end after returning to his country.”

Venom dripped from every word, sending chills down Fei Ling’s spine. Though Zhen now played the role of the future emperor, he was originally an assassin trained in poisons. If he decided to kill, no matter the person’s status, he wouldn’t hesitate to snuff out their life. If she didn’t stop him now, the situation could spiral out of control.

“No, you mustn’t use poison for something like this. Please, stop.”

“…Oh?”

By the time Fei Ling realized her mistake, it was too late.

The dangerous aura of poison surrounding Zhen shifted, turning toward Fei Ling.

“You were on the verge of something irreversible, yet you call it ‘something like this’? That’s surprising.”

Zhen tightened his grip on her arm as if digging his claws into her. It felt as though he was rewriting the memory of where that man had touched her moments ago, mercilessly squeezing the same spot.

“In that case, perhaps I should—”

“But—”

Before Zhen could finish, Fei Ling raised her voice, cutting him off.

“You came to save me, didn’t you?”

Zhen froze, momentarily stunned.

“Nothing happened to me because you stopped it. So, it’s already nothing. It doesn’t matter anymore.”

Slowly, the fingers clutching her arm loosened.

With a sigh of surrender, Zhen relaxed his tense expression.

“…If I hadn’t intervened just now, I would’ve killed him on the spot.”

It wasn’t just empty words.

She believed he truly would have done it.

Zhen cared little for his position as emperor, the court, or even the people. In fact, he often cursed them all. It wouldn’t be surprising if he abandoned everything at any moment.

The only reason he remained in the palace, playing the role of a prince, was to fulfill his promise: to make Fei Ling, the daughter of the late emperor, the next empress.

If asked whether she wanted to become empress herself, Fei Ling would have said no. However, to eradicate the Heaven Poison and Earth Poison, there was no other hope but for her—a legitimate heir of the imperial bloodline—to ascend the throne and revive the Qilin.

Even now, the distant howl of the Qilin that she’d heard during the Lantern Festival remained a mystery. If the Qilin currently residing within her was the one that had nearly died and returned as a phoenix, could there be another Qilin somewhere?

Speculating about the current situation wouldn’t lead anywhere.

“By the way, didn’t Lord Shen mention that there was ‘nothing edible’?”

Fei Ling changed the subject, stepping back slightly from Zhen.

Perhaps due to her role as the Imperial Dietitian, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy about what he’d said earlier. There should have been banquets to entertain the politicians, so had something gone wrong? Zhen glanced toward the corner of the inner corridor, then turned back to her with a faint smirk.

“Ah, actually, I was coming to seek your wisdom regarding that matter. You see, I just arrived at the harem.”