How much should beginners invest in index funds?

Beginners should generally invest whatever amount they can afford to lose without affecting their daily finances, but a common starting point is $50 to $500 per month. The more important principle is consistency rather than amount. Many brokerages like Fidelity and Schwab now offer index funds with no minimum investment, so you can start with as little as $1. A practical approach is to follow the 50/30/20 budgeting rule and direct a portion of that 20% savings toward index funds. If your employer offers a 401k match, contribute at least enough to get the full match first, as that is essentially free money. The key is starting early and investing regularly, since time in the market matters more than the initial amount.