★ A blockbuster work by Venice Ferryman, a leading financial influencer, distilling 12 years of investment experience into a wealth management and investment course that has already benefited 560,000 people. The related series has consistently ranked No. 1 on the business and finance reputation charts for an extended period!

★ The author is a top-tier business and finance host on Himalaya(China’s Leading Audio Platform), with 560,000 followers and over 99.64 million total listens to their shows. As a current professional in the public fund industry, the author brings extensive experience in investment market analysis, asset management research, and marketing management, having delivered more than 1,000 in-person training sessions.

★ A go-to guidebook for beginners in fund investing. Grounded in real-world fund investment scenarios, this book addresses key questions step by step, covering both the underlying principles and practical execution of fund investing, and providing comprehensive, zero-based guidance for newcomers.

★ Investing is about making your life better—and empowering you to take greater responsibility for managing your own money.

Financial management is becoming an indispensable part of our lives. For novice investors, a common challenge is how to begin learning about financial management and fund investing when faced with complex, specialized knowledge in the field.

The “Five Minutes a Day to Master Fund Regular Investing” and “Fund Investing Is So Simple: From Beginner to Expert” series of courses by the “Venice Ferryman” provide a comprehensive, easy-to-understand guide for new investors just getting started. The related audio programs have attracted 560,000 subscribers, with over 99.64 million listens, ranking No. 1 on the Himalaya Business & Finance Reputation List and earning widespread acclaim among ordinary investors.

As a current professional in the public fund industry, the author draws on more than a decade of experience in fund management to offer a thorough explanation of the theories and key concepts of fund investing—a distilled summary of over ten years of hands-on regular investment practice and industry expertise. Grounded in real-world fund investment scenarios, this book addresses common questions and concerns step by step, covering both the underlying principles and practical operational tips of fund investing. It provides all-around guidance for beginners, offering a clear, accessible roadmap from the very basics all the way to mastery, making it an ideal reference book for novice investors.

Chen Ao (pen name: The Gondolier of Venice)

A master’s graduate from Jinan University, Chen is a financial professional, senior lecturer, and nationally certified corporate trainer. With 12 years of experience in the fund industry and more than 20 years of overall financial expertise, he brings extensive experience in investment market analysis, asset management research, and marketing management. He has delivered over 1,000 in-person training sessions and lectures.

As a premium business and finance host on Himalaya(China’s Leading Audio Platform), Chen boasts 560,000 followers and his programs have garnered over 99.64 million listens. His related audio series has consistently ranked No. 1 on Himalaya’s business and finance reputation charts. Known for his clear, accessible, and straightforward teaching style, he is particularly popular among novice investors.

I. Why Fund Investment Is the Best Choice for Ordinary People
The Four Soul-Searching Questions to Ask Yourself Before Investing 004
A Comparison of Three Different Return Curves: Does Higher Return Always Mean More Profit? 013
The Essence of Funds: A Package Deal for “Lazy” Investors and Those with Decision Paralysis 017
Avoiding Financial Scams: Choosing a Transparent "Kitchen" 020

II. How to Choose Funds Based on Your Risk Tolerance
Public vs. Private Funds 026
Closed-End vs. Open-End: Basic Concepts in Fund Investment 030
Active Funds vs. Passive Funds 035
Classification of Funds: Money Market Funds 041
Classification of Funds: Bond Funds 046
Classification of Funds: Equity Funds 050
Fund Investment: The "Impossible Trinity" of Investment Products 059
Investment Tips for Low-Risk Investors: Choosing Money Market Funds 063
Low-Risk Investing: Key Knowledge Points for Money Market Fund Investments 068
Low-Risk Investing: Pure Bonds (Credit Bonds, Interest Rate Bonds,
Pure Bond Funds, Short-Term Bond Funds) 071
Timing Your Investment in Pure Bond Funds 079
"Fixed Income Plus": A Choice for Investors with Medium to Low Risk Tolerance 083

III. Step-by-Step Guide to Buying Funds
Investment Methodology: Asset Allocation 090
Methods of Asset Allocation 094
Asset Allocation: Building a Non-Loss Portfolio with Funds 101
How Investors Can Make Money Through Fund Investments 107
Practical Techniques for Selecting Funds: Start by Choosing the Fund Company 111
The "5432" Rule: How to Select Funds Based on Fund Rankings 116
Practical Techniques for Fund Investment: Which Fund Rating Agencies Are Reliable? 120
Can Golden Bull Funds Be Chosen Without Hesitation? 125
Practical Techniques for Fund Investment: How to Interpret Fund Rankings 133
Practical Techniques for Fund Investment: Where to Buy Funds 141
Practical Techniques for Fund Investment: Where to Buy Funds at the Lowest Cost 151
Understanding What Different Letters Represent in Fund Shares 157
About Fund Managers: Some Issues That Require Extra Attention 165
Benchmark for Performance: The Bottom Line for Evaluating Fund Managers 168
Practical Techniques for Fund Investment: Considerations About Fund Size 179
Good Tools for Guiding Fund Investment: Fund Quarterly Reports 185
Choosing Between Open-End Funds and Closed-End Funds 213
Arbitrage Through Purchasing Over-the-Counter Funds 222
Should You Buy New or Old Funds? 227
An Important Concept in Fund Investment: Taking Profits 231
Summary: Common Misconceptions in Fund Investment 240