*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!
Yeah, Yeah, Another World, Another World
When we returned to the inn, everyone was having lunch in the dining hall.
It seemed like Osart-chan had once again become Matsushita-san’s dress-up doll today. She was wearing a green short jumper over a white shirt with short sleeves.
Her appearance looked exactly like a “soybean fairy.”
Could you add “nano da” to the end of my sentences?
“You can keep eating while I talk; just listen, please.”
With that, I began relaying the events that happened earlier at the port.
“Will we be able to reach the place where we can obtain the magic activation device?”
Matsushita-san seemed worried.
“No, it’ll be fine. If it’s a place even our party can’t reach, then it’s likely no one has ever obtained that magic activation device before, nano da.”
“Hmm, it’s hard to believe right away, but if Prince says so, maybe it’s true?”
“I’m not a prince, nano da.”
“Then, Matsushita-san and Osart-chan, please restock on portable food supplies.”
“Understood.”
“Yes.”
“Rocco and Inaba siblings, head to the guild first. Confirm the quest details and pick up the map. Then check what monsters might appear along the way and look into their ecology in the guild’s reference room.”
“Got it!”
“Understood.”
“Roger!”
“Misaki and I will handle restocking medical supplies. We’ll meet up with everyone at the guild later.”
◇◇◇◇◇
Together with Okuda, we headed toward the pharmacy.
“You called me Misaki just now, didn’t you?”
“Sorry, I accidentally messed up.”
“It’s okay. You called me Misaki, didn’t you?”
“I seriously made a mistake.”
“It’s really okay.”
We kept repeating this exchange over and over while buying extra wound medicine and bandages, then headed to the adventurer’s guild.
◇◇◇◇◇
Once reunited, we all gathered for a meeting.
“See? Just as expected, golems are going to show up, right?”
Our destination this time is the underground lake on the 10th floor.
Apparently, the fangs of the giant snake living in that underground lake are the magical activation devices we need.
Two of the snake’s fangs are hollow, and when liquid is poured into them, it sprays out from the other end with tremendous pressure. Even without processing them into magic tools, they could generate strong water currents, but if processed properly by a skilled magic tool craftsman, they can create an even stronger and more controllable flow.
And now, the 10th floor. This is uncharted territory for us since we’ve only reached the 2nd basement floor so far.
On the way to the 10th floor, there are many monsters we’ve never seen before, and the golems appearing after the 8th floor have extremely tough bodies, making them poorly suited for fighting with swords and magic.
“So, am I the one using this? Can’t Rocco handle it?”
“Currently, though I’m using a small buckler, I’m still the only shield user in this party.”
The weapon placed in front of me was a sledgehammer designed to be wielded with both hands due to its long handle.
It resembled something used in demolition work, and even someone who doesn’t usually picky about weapons like me thought it looked a bit lame.
Apparently, this weapon was something Rocco used in the past, but because it was difficult to maneuver during solo activities, he switched to his current style of a shortsword paired with a buckler.
“While everyone else carries greatswords, wields staffs, or throws shurikens, I have to use a hammer?”
“Don’t worry! If you hit them on the head, you can even knock them out!”
Okuda recommended the hammer, citing reasons reminiscent of Monster Hunter.
While we were debating the hammer, a man approached us.
“Hey, Hayato-kun, already discussing the labyrinth expedition?”
“Ah, Sensei! Hello!”
The man who greeted Hayato-kun was tall, with wavy blonde hair tied back, leaving some bangs hanging slightly over his face. His droopy-eyed smile could best be described as an “erotic hunk.”
Though it may be biased, he’s the type of handsome guy that makes other men feel uneasy.
“Nice to meet you all, hello. I’m Olitz, the reconnaissance instructor from this morning.”
“Nice to meet you too. My name is Junpei, and I belong to the adventurer party Mizu Akatsuki Bridge. I’ve heard a lot from Hayato. Thank you very much for teaching him so much.”
This “erotic hunk” is apparently a highly skilled scout who serves as an instructor at the guild’s reconnaissance training sessions.
During the free time this morning, Hayato-kun attended the guild to take part in reconnaissance training.
According to Hayato-kun, the content of the training was broad and shallow since it was the first day, so there wasn’t any flashy ultimate technique practice yet.
However, he learned numerous new methods and ideas he hadn’t known before, and overall, he was very satisfied.
One particularly memorable lesson was: “If you can’t identify the trap on a treasure chest, don’t try to forcefully disarm it. Instead, throw a large stone at it from afar to trigger the trap. Sometimes the contents might break, but don’t worry about it. Rewards and treasures will come later. Prioritize avoiding injury or death above all.”
I fully agreed with Olitz’s teachings, but seeing him in person, he truly was an “erotic hunk.”
Yes, an erotic hunk.
I felt a little pathetic for instinctively being wary of him.
Because, well, he was an erotic hunk.
After chatting briefly with Hayato-kun, Olitz left.
“He was such an erotic hunk…”
I was shocked to find myself using the exact same words as Okuda.
◇◇◇◇◇
Right now, we’re on the 3rd basement floor of the labyrinth, facing the greatest crisis since forming our party.
“Nooo!! Impossible, impossible, impossible!”
“It’s coming this way!! Aaahhh!!”
“Guhhhhhh!”
Seeing the sight of the “giant centipede” monster on the 3rd basement floor sent us into panic.
“Isn’t that not a centipede but a house centipede?”
Only Aoi-chan calmly pointed out the misnaming, but the other Japanese members weren’t in the state of mind to care.
“It doesn’t matter whether it’s a centipede or not, it’s impossible either way!!”
“Eeekkkk!!”
“Senpai! The hammer!! Smash its head with the hammer!!!”
“No way, no way! Okuda, why don’t you cut it down with your greatsword instead??”
“But you called me Misaki just a moment ago!!”
“No way, I can’t deal with that right now!!”
The multi-legged creature, over a meter in length, dealt damage to us simply by being in sight.
Its relentless barrage of wide-range attacks that couldn’t be blocked was overwhelmingly brutal.
“Rocco oo!! Do something!!!”
“Shouldn’t we try talking to it or greeting it?”
“That thing isn’t going to talk! There’s no way we can get along with it!!”
“But didn’t your husband say recently that preconceived notions like that lead to discrimination that can’t be undone later?”
“Not now, I don’t care about that! Hurry up!!”
“Alright, alright…”
Rocco took out the dozen or so giant centipedes with his shortsword.
Once all of them were defeated, the exhausted party members collapsed to the ground.
“What should we do with the dropped items?”
“Huh? What does it drop?”
“Meat. It sells for a higher price than goblin loincloths.”
“Meat?”
“Yeah, sometimes it’s served in the guild cafeteria.”
“Wait, wait, wait, I don’t want to hear anymore. Let’s just leave it. We still have a long way to go.”
“Understood, but this meat is actually quite–”
“Just leave it!”
◇◇◇◇◇
We’re currently descending the stairs leading to the 4th basement floor.
As we stepped down the long spiral staircase, I spoke to Rocco .
“Can you tell me in advance which floors the bugs appear?”
“Sure. But honestly, they shouldn’t appear much from here on out.”
“No, that’s not enough. Even if they rarely appear, if there’s a possibility, you need to warn me.”
“Uh, sometimes moth monsters appear alongside wolf-type monsters on the 5th floor.”
“Hmm, moths, huh?”
I’m not particularly afraid of bugs.
Even if I occasionally see one in the kitchen, I might flinch, but I can kill it.
But the bugs in the labyrinth are different. They’re just too big.
Their segmented bodies are clearly visible, and their creepy feelers waving around in ways I can’t comprehend—unless you see it yourself, you won’t understand how unsettling it is.
“When they spread their wings, they’re about two meters wide.”
“No way, no way, no way. That’s impossible. Let’s turn back and apologize to Grandma.”
“Don’t worry. They rarely appear, so we’ll be fine.”
“If bugs show up, I’ll wait in the corridor, okay?”
◇◇◇◇◇
We’ve reached the 5th floor.
There haven’t been any issues since the giant centipedes earlier.
“Enemies are approaching. Four of them.”
Hayato-kun delivered the report with a tone resembling a ninja’s.
From down the corridor emerged the fantasy staple: orcs.
I noticed Okuda’s mood perk up slightly upon seeing them.
“Tch!”
“‘Tch’ my ass. Besides, you’re not even a female knight.”
The orcs fanned out across the corridor, taking battle-ready stances.
Thinking that we’d be forced into combat if we didn’t act, I jumped forward and shouted,
“Hello there! Do you live around here?”
At that greeting, the orcs charged forward, raising their weapons.
“These guys are enemies, aren’t they?”
“Of course they are, idiot!”
Just as Rocco ’s retort echoed, the orc on the far left exploded in a burst of flames.
A fireball from Aoi-chan did the trick.
Next, a knife thrown by Hayato-kun embedded itself in the throat of the orc on the far right.
Matsushita-san, who had already charged forward, reached the orcs before they could swing their clubs down, stabbing her halberd into one’s chest.
Finally, the last orc faced off against Okuda.
Dodging a club swung with all its might, Okuda spun his body mid-dodge and cleaved the orc in half with his greatsword.
“A perfect victory!”
Rocco , who had only greeted and made quips, and I, along with Osart-chan—who watched Matsushita-san’s heroics with sparkling eyes—ran over to join the others.
Okuda lifted the orc’s loincloth with the tip of his greatsword and inspected inside.
“Hmm, I see, interesting.”
“This isn’t the time for ‘hmm, interesting’! Is everyone okay?”
“Yes, no injuries.”
After confirming everyone’s safety, I asked Rocco ,
“Do orcs drop anything besides magic stones?”
“The clubs lying around sometimes have magical fiber properties. Also, treasure chests often appear where multiple orcs gather.”
Rocco crouched down to inspect a fallen club, but unfortunately, it didn’t seem to be valuable.
Meanwhile, Hayato-kun, who had gone ahead, called out.
“There’s a box!”
Oh! A treasure chest! A classic of fantasy worlds!
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