*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 Homeless Camper Wants to Live Leisurely in a Dungeon ~Even Dangerous Deep-Layer Monsters Are Just Ingredients to Me~
The man in front of me can’t see me. This is thanks to the power of the bracelet I’m wearing on my right arm. This bracelet is one of the magic items that came from a treasure chest found in the deepest part of the dungeon.
When you put this on, it makes the wearer completely invisible — an outrageous item, as you might imagine. I simply named it the “Invisibility Bracelet” because that’s exactly what it does. You might think that with such an overpowered item, clearing the dungeon would be a piece of cake, but the catch is that the duration you can use this bracelet is extremely short.
If you wear it for a total of 10 minutes, the bracelet will break. And while it makes you invisible to others, sounds like footsteps, smells, and even footprints left on the ground remain unaffected.
Monsters found in the deeper levels of the dungeon can still detect you instantly even if you approach them using this bracelet, making it almost useless as a magic item within the dungeon. However, outside the dungeon, its effects are absolutely brutal.
“Gyaaaaaaaah!”
I kicked the crotch of the barricaded criminal who couldn’t see me. The man writhed in pain and collapsed where he stood. Then, without hesitation, I sprinted straight toward the next barricaded criminal.
A groin attack — famously known as a man’s weak spot — wouldn’t normally cause someone to writhe in pain so intensely just from a regular kick.
But since I’ve constantly fought monsters in life-or-death battles inside the dungeon, I was able to deliver a full-power kick to a man’s vital area, his testicles, without any hesitation. Even though I don’t have the superhuman strength here outside the dungeon that I gain from fighting inside, my countless battles with monsters have honed my ability to accurately strike an enemy’s weak points.
The shoes I’m wearing now are hard, and the pain isn’t something they’ll recover from quickly. If their testicles rupture, there’s even a possibility of shock-induced death. You can probably imagine how excruciating the pain must be.
Because there are hostages and injured shop staff nearby, I can’t use large-scale magic items. There’s also no time to restrain each barricaded criminal one by one, so this method is the fastest way to take them down.
“What the hell is going on? What’s happening?”
“I don’t know, but there’s definitely some invisible bastard out there! Hey, watch out for attacks on your lower body—”
“Gyaaaaaaaah!”
By the time I took down the third barricaded criminal, they finally seemed to realize the effects of the magic item I was using. But I still managed to kick the fourth guy in the groin just in time. That leaves two more, though those two are farther away.
Is that man holding a sword, who just noticed my presence, the leader of these barricaded criminals?
“Ugh, don’t move!”
“Hiiii!”
The other barricaded criminal used a nearby middle-aged man, likely a hostage, as a shield and held a knife to his neck.
…Damn it. I knew this might happen, which is why I wanted to come up with a plan to suppress all the barricaded criminals at once.
Earlier, following the guidance of the listeners and Kana and Rūna, I made it to this store in Roppongi Mall. But before fully assessing the situation, I acted impulsively.
Ideally, I had planned to stay hidden using the Invisibility Bracelet to assess the current state of the enemies and hostages, then retreat to formulate a strategy with the listeners. If necessary, I intended to ask for the help of Kana and Rūna, who ended up following me here anyway, to round up all the barricaded criminals at once. But that plan has completely fallen apart.
As I entered the store to assess the situation, I saw a blond man about to attack a girl, so I instinctively reacted. To be honest, saving Tanuki-san, who I believe is inside this store, was my only goal. But apparently, I still have a bit of human compassion left.
“Well done! Alright, don’t move!”
The man with the red sword, who first noticed my presence and seems to be the leader, joined the other man who was holding the older man hostage, all while keeping an eye out for groin attacks.
“L-Leader, what’s going on…?”
“Probably some guy with a magic item that turns him invisible. I’ve never seen or heard of such a magic item before, but maybe it’s that special forces unit we were talking about earlier.”
Special forces? Do such units exist now? But this is bad. Judging from previous discussions, the odds that the old man is Tanuki-san are pretty high. I wanted to confirm which hostage was Tanuki-san before making a move.
“Hey, whoever you are! Show yourself now, or I’ll slit this man’s throat!”
“Hiii, help me!”
…Damn it. If I could be sure that guy isn’t Tanuki-san, I’d risk staying invisible and charging in. But given the high probability that he is Tanuki-san, I can’t take that risk.
“…Alright. Don’t lay a hand on him.”
“Woah, a voice coming from nowhere?”
“So it really is a magic item that grants invisibility!”
I removed the Invisibility Bracelet as they demanded and revealed myself.
“W-What the hell?! A man suddenly appeared out of nowhere!”
“…That face looks familiar. W-Wait a minute, aren’t you that executioner who became infamous during Nijino’s press conference?”
It seems the leader recognized me. Since I was only here to scout, I wasn’t wearing a mask or hat. By the way, what’s with that nickname…?
“So, it’s true that you’ve made it deep into the dungeon. No wonder you’ve got such a crazy magic item on you!”