Core Insights - The article discusses the concept of compound interest and disciplined investing, illustrating how small daily investments can accumulate significant wealth over time, specifically highlighting the potential to turn 2 yuan a day into 1 million yuan in 50 years with a 10% annual return [1] Investment Strategy - Emphasizes the importance of budgeting and not using emergency funds as investment capital, which can lead to forced selling during market downturns [2] - Recommends using simple budgeting methods like the 50/30/20 rule to determine how much can be allocated for investments each month [2] Product Selection - Suggests that beginners should focus on low-cost passive index funds or ETFs due to their transparency and lower risk associated with frequent trading [4] - Advises investors to consider the tracking index and tracking error when selecting funds, with a preference for broad indices and a tracking error below 0.3% [4] Market Considerations - Notes that while a 10% annual return is a reasonable expectation based on historical data, it is not guaranteed, and investors should be prepared for market fluctuations [4] - Highlights the impact of inflation on nominal returns, stressing the importance of focusing on real purchasing power rather than just account balances [4] Implementation Steps - Recommends setting up automatic contributions to low-fee index funds or ETFs and maintaining a balanced asset allocation that adjusts with age or risk tolerance [6] - Suggests keeping 3 to 6 months of living expenses as an emergency fund to avoid selling investments at a loss during market dips [6] - Encourages long-term commitment to investment strategies, emphasizing that consistent investing is key to leveraging the power of compounding [6]