How to buy an S&P 500 index fund: Key things to know
S&P 500 index funds are incredibly popular with investors, for a number of reasons.
7 min read
Oct 23, 2024
James Royal, Ph.D.
Principal writer, Investing and wealth management
EXPERTISE
- Investing
- Wealth management
- Behavioral finance
- Stock analysis
EDUCATION
- Bachelor of Science in management, University of Florida
- Master of Arts in English, University of Florida
- Doctorate in English, University of Florida
Our goal is to get wiser every day and avoid the mistakes of the past.
— James Royal, Ph.D.
About the author
Bankrate principal writer and editor James F. Royal, Ph.D. covers investing and wealth management. His work has been cited across major media, including CNBC, the Washington Post, The New York Times and the Associated Press. Royal believes in the power of education to help individuals make smart financial decisions that can positively and significantly improve their lives.
Experience
James is the author of The Zen of Thrift Conversions. He’s a veteran writer and stock analyst with a history of working in the financial-services industry, including at the Motley Fool and Bankrate.
Education
Royal has a bachelor’s degree in management as well as master’s and doctoral degrees in English earned at the University of Florida.
Media mentions
CNBC
Yahoo Finance
Reuters
Cheddar TV
Forbes
Barron’s
Our goal is to get wiser every day and avoid the mistakes of the past.
— James Royal, Ph.D.
James's latest articles
-
-
Asset allocation: What it is and how it works
Smart investors use asset allocation to create a portfolio that meets their financial needs and temperament
3 min read Oct 22, 2024 -
How to choose a financial advisor: 6 tips for finding the right one
You’re actually hiring someone to work for you, so treat it like it’s a job interview.
7 min read Oct 21, 2024 -
Best brokers for buying fractional shares
The ability to buy fractional shares is huge, especially for investors just starting out.
6 min read Oct 18, 2024 -
Best Bitcoin ETFs: Top funds for buying Bitcoin
Here are the best Bitcoin ETFs, including how much you’ll pay to invest in them.
3 min read Oct 18, 2024 -
Public app review 2024
Public has ditched the “payment for order flow” model that makes many other brokers conflicted.
7 min read Oct 18, 2024 -
How to avoid paying taxes on Social Security income
Here’s how the experts say you can avoid taxes on Social Security and why you might not want to.
6 min read Oct 17, 2024 -
What is Social Security and how does it work?
Here’s how Social Security works, how it’s funded, and how it fits into your retirement plan.
5 min read Oct 17, 2024
-
9 biggest 401(k) mistakes to avoid
Don’t make these errors when using a 401(k) to save for retirement.
5 min read Nov 20, 2024 -
Stock market holidays in 2024: US markets are closed on these days
When is the stock market closed? Here’s a list of days when the major exchanges observe holidays.
1 min read Nov 11, 2024 -
What is the Dow Jones Industrial Average?
These companies make up the popular Dow Jones Industrial Average.
3 min read Nov 04, 2024 -
Elon Musk in 2024: What to know about the world’s richest person
Learn which investments helped make Elon Musk the richest person in the world.
8 min read Nov 04, 2024 -
What to do if your Social Security payment is late
Is your Social Security check late? Here’s what to do.
2 min read Oct 29, 2024 -
Best time of the year to retire for tax purposes
When you retire can potentially have a big impact on your retirement income and the taxes you owe.
4 min read Oct 24, 2024 -
Warren Buffett: Top investing lessons and advice from Berkshire’s legendary CEO
Here’s what else you should know about Warren Buffett, his investment approach and largest holdings.
8 min read Oct 22, 2024 -
What is Bitcoin mining and how does it work?
Here are the basics on how Bitcoin mining works and some key risks to be aware of.
5 min read Oct 21, 2024