Vanguard 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: VOO) and SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSEMKT: SPY) are two popular index funds. If you know a few tricks of the investing trade, you can generate wealth without annoying market alerts on your phone or a single piece offinancial newshitting your inbox. Only invest money you don't need for five years Long-term, the stock market grows to the tune of about 7% annually after inflation.