In a world that loves shiny new investments—crypto, NFTs, day trading, real estate flips—it’s easy to overlook the two most boring (and best) ways to build wealth: paying off debt and investing in index funds.

I get it. They’re not flashy. They won’t impress anyone at parties. But they work. Really well.

Let’s start with debt. If you’re carrying high-interest credit card balances, personal loans, or even student debt, paying those off is the best guaranteed return you’ll find—anywhere. Think about it: many credit cards charge 15–30% interest. That means every dollar you pay off is like earning a 15–30% return, with zero market risk. That’s better than almost any investment on the planet, and it’s totally in your control.

And once the debt is gone? You not only eliminate the financial drain of interest payments, you also free up your monthly cash flow. That’s peace of mind, and it compounds like crazy over time.

Now, once your high-interest debt is wiped clean, it’s time to make your money grow. Enter the humble index fund.

Index funds aren’t about chasing the next big thing. They’re about buying the entire market—usually through funds like the S&P 500 or Vanguard Total Stock Index—and sitting back. They come with low fees, require zero stock picking skills, and have a long-term track record of 8–10% average annual returns.

Is it sexy? Nope. Is it powerful? Absolutely.

Even Warren Buffett says most investors should “put 90% of their money in a low-cost S&P 500 index fund.” The guy’s a billionaire, and that’s his advice.

The combo of paying off debt and passively investing in index funds is boring on purpose. It works because it removes emotion, eliminates big mistakes, and rides the slow-but-steady train of compounding interest.

So if you’re overwhelmed by investment advice, start with these two steps: Kill your high-interest debt like your future depends on it. Then automate your investments into low-cost index funds and leave them alone.

You don’t need a finance degree or a crystal ball. Just some patience, discipline, and a little faith in the math and historical gains of the U.S. stock market.

In a noisy world, simple wins.