AlphaWolf

Thanks Tic Tat. This clarifies some bits. Am I right to say that Index funds instead of the flexibility of being traded as stock, have to be purchased through financial institutes such as banks?

Am I right to say that since buying index funds does not consists of any application or brokerage fees, it would be much more suitable for a person who invests a fixed amount of money every month? (cost dollar averaging) With discount brokers common everynow with abt $7 - $20 brokerage fees, does that actually affects the returns much? 20 years down the road it will chalk up to abt $3K.