An Index Fund is a portfolio of stocks or bonds that aims to mirror the composition and performance of a certain financial market index. Index funds have lower expenses and fees than actively managed funds, so they're ideal for newcomers to investing who want to get started with low-cost investing.If you're new to investing, start by diversifying your assets across index funds that track different markets or sectors. When you're ready, consider adding an additional asset class like real estate or commodities through ETFs (exchange-traded funds).Index funds are great for beginners and investors who want a balanced portfolio of stocks and bonds. Unlike mutual funds, index funds have lower management fees than actively managed funds. In addition, they're typically easier to understand because they mimic the composition and performance of a particular market index.Whether you're new to investing or an experienced investor, investing in an index fund is the smart way to go.Index funds are also an easy way to diversify across asset classes without making significant changes to your portfolio every few years. Plus, they're also tax-wise as they track their underlying indices, thus reducing potential taxes on your gains or decreases in your withdrawal amount over time.