*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 Culinary Chronicles of the Court Physician: The Disgraced Princess Consumes Poison to Create Medicine
The moon of spring glistens with moisture.
By the foot of the bridge that connected the harem to the palace, Fei Ling was gazing at the moon, which would soon be full. Zhen returned shortly after.
“Your guess was right. There were traces of a fire being lit in the palace garden for cooking. A wooden skewer was found, made from plants not native to this area. Undoubtedly, it was used by Shen.”
In the first place, there aren’t many who would be so unreasonable as to think of making a bonfire in the palace garden.
“Is tonight’s dinner over?”
“It hasn’t started yet.”
It had just passed sunset (6 PM).
“I’ll prepare the meal. May I use the palace kitchen?”
“Alright. Do you need anything else?”
Fei Ling adjusted her hairpin and tied her silver hair into a single bundle. Her green eyes already held the intense gaze she used when handling medicine.
“A new set of pots, cutting boards, knives, and cooking utensils.”
Zhen momentarily furrowed his brows in puzzlement. But he seemed to trust her judgment, quickly nodding in agreement.
“With the food of Hakutaku, expose Shen’s nose to it.”
…………
“What a fine sea bream.”
She placed the vibrant red fish on a brand-new cutting board.
The eyes of the bream were as clear as glass beads, its red scales faintly shimmering with purple and blue hues—both signs of freshness.
“Could you start by removing the scales?”
While boiling water in a pot, Fei Ling requested Lanxin, who was beside her, to assist.
“Eh, ah, yes.”
“Is something the matter?”
“N-nothing at all, really, haha.”
Lanxin’s behavior had been strange since earlier.
Her movements were stiff, almost mechanical, and she kept forcing smiles. Perhaps it was due to being pushed too hard since morning.
“I’m sorry for making you work at such an hour.”
“N-no need to apologize! I’m happy to help, please don’t worry about me, hehe.”
Despite her suspicious demeanor, Lanxin surprisingly managed to switch gears well and assisted efficiently in the cooking process.
She removed the scales, cleaned out the gills, and filleted the fish, splitting the head into two. After sprinkling salt and pouring hot water over it, the translucent flesh turned slightly opaque. This method is called “shimofuri” for the sea bream, which removes any unwanted odors.
Typically, sake would also be sprinkled along with salt, but Fei Ling deliberately omitted it.
From here, she would extract more flavor.
Placing the fish on a grill, she roasted it directly over the flame.
“Wow, it smells wonderful!”
“When it’s nicely browned, let’s simmer it.”
She had already prepared the broth with kelp. She added the roasted sea bream—head, body, and bones—into the pot, along with dried scallops and dried shiitake mushrooms, letting them simmer until the umami of the fish fully infused the broth.
“Next, we’ll make scallion-infused oil.”
She stir-fried chicken skin to render the fat. Once the rich, flavorful fat was extracted, she removed the chicken skin and fried chopped scallions in the hot chicken oil until they were lightly browned. She then set aside the scallions and filtered the oil, resulting in golden scallion-infused oil.
“Are we combining these now?”
“Yes. The dish we’re preparing is ramen, so using only sea bream broth would make it too light.”
“W-wow, ramen?!”
Lanxin’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
“But, we’ll use this noodle.”
What Fei Ling brought out was thin, dried noodles, quite different from the wheat-based ones.
“It’s cellophane noodles.”
Lanxin looked surprised.
“Cellophane noodles are made from mung beans, right? I remember hearing that poor soldiers who built the city walls started eating them. Would such a picky king eat noodles made from beans?”
“Don’t worry. Precisely because they’re made from beans, he should eat them.”
Fei Ling smiled confidently.
“Well, shall we move on to frying the toppings?”
To top the ramen, she fried the reserved sea bream meat, but instead of the sesame oil commonly used in the palace kitchen, she poured a generous amount of oil she’d brought from her quarters.
“It has a yellow-green tint—it’s beautiful.”
“It’s olive oil. It’s used to detoxify the skin and moisten dry lungs and intestines. Though it’s precious, let’s indulge tonight.”
Coordinating the timing of frying, soup preparation, and noodles, she worked continuously. She poured the clear sea bream broth over the cooked noodles, scattered chopped scallions, and topped it with the crispy fried sea bream.
Finally, she drizzled the scallion-infused oil.
A bowl of refined ramen, comparable to palace cuisine, was complete.
“It’s ready. Let’s serve it while it’s still hot.”
