How do I invest my money? What are the best investment options? Find out here!
For a comfortable financial future, good investments are the way to go.
Investing your money is an important part of building wealth. From now going forward it will be wise of you to include investing as part of your financial goals.
What you invest in plays a huge role in your success, let this year be a year where you attain your financial independence by making the right financial decisions.
As we venture into the new year, I would like to advise you on the investment opportunities that you can invest your money in, things that will have great returns if done right. The secret is in making the appropriate investment decisions that align with your goals.
Here are 10 ways that you can invest your money
1. Stocks
You will never go wrong with investing in stocks. Do thorough research and buy stocks on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). There are several platforms you may use to make your purchases, with EasyEquities being a reputable one. It is advisable to invest in stable companies that have a good track record and show continuous growth. With all the risks that can be incurred in investing it can be extremely hard to decide on the best stock to invest in so to get started, you may want to compare which companies which companies did well in the previous year and which ones are best to invest in this year.
Avoid investing in one company because if anything goes wrong with that one company you might lose all your money with no returns so, rather spread your money amongst various companies, so you always have something to fall back on if one fails.
2. Cryptocurrency
Bitcoin is one of the best things you can invest in, it is the top cryptocurrency that allows you to buy, sell, and exchange directly and not through the bank. The interesting part about Bitcoin is that you can treat it like a stock, which you can buy and hold as an investment in a way that you can now even do so in special retirement accounts. Whichever way you choose to buy and hold your Bitcoin, be aware of the risk of price swings.
3. Real Estate
Real estate investment involves buying property and selling it later for profit or owning property for rental purposes wherein you generate a fixed income.
Property can be a good investment if you make smart purchases, and it is a great route for long-term investors who want to manage their properties and generate regular cash flow. You will have to purchase the right property (finance it or buy it outright) and maintain it properly to attract tenants.
You will have a powerful cash flow if you hold on to your assets over time and pay off your debts whilst growing your rents.
One of the best options that you can invest in real estate is house flipping, this is where you buy a property intending to renovate it and sell it at a much higher price, earning you more profit.
If you are willing to grow your portfolio beyond publicly traded company stocks or mutual funds, you may invest in Real Estate Investment Trusts – REITS, as it enables one to invest in commercial real estate property without actually buying and managing those properties yourselves.
4. Money Market Fund
Money Market Fund is an investment product that is part of the FSCA classification of Collective Investment Scheme which is regulated by the Collective Investment Schemes Control Act.
You may succeed in a money market fund if you only want to invest for a year, need a high level of stability, and require higher returns than bank deposits. How it works is your money gets invested in selected money market instruments that are issued by the government, corporate, and banks. Investment is selected based on an analysis of interest rates, inflation, and Reserve Bank policy, and they are typically held until they mature.
5. High-yield Savings Account
Savings accounts are best for short-term savings or money you can easily access when you have emergencies. For long-term investment, you may want to make use of cash management and online savings accounts as they provide higher return rates than traditional bank savings accounts.
6. Mutual Funds
With Mutual Fund investments, a company uses the money that investors put in and invest in securities such as stocks, bonds, and short-term debt. As an investor, you will buy shares in mutual funds and each share represents your ownership in the fund and the income it generates. You may want to read about the top performing unit trusts in South Africa.
7. Small Businesses
Investing in small businesses is a smart idea that could make you money whilst contributing to the community in bringing real economic growth. Considering how small businesses fail, yes, it is a high risk, but it wouldn’t hurt to give it a try. You can finance a business that is of interest to you and that you see growth in. It will be up to you as an investor if you invest in a small business for a financial return by a set date or require an equity stake in that business.
8. Exchange-traded Funds (ETFs)
Exchange-traded funds are similar to mutual funds, the only difference is in liquidity, costs involved, and management styles. ETFs include a collection of securities like stocks, bonds, and/or commodities that are traded on an exchange through a JSE broker.
9. Dividend Stock
Investing in dividend stock is great for beginners as it favours them more. Dividend stock provides fixed income on bonds and the growth of individual stocks and stock funds. Dividends are regular payments that companies pay shareholders and are mostly associated with stable and profitable companies. Investing in dividend stock is great as it comes with a stable income. The simplest way to purchase dividend stock is through an online broker.
10. Certificate of Deposit (CD)
A Certificate of Deposit is a product offered by banks and credit unions. It is an insured savings account that has a fixed interest rate for a defined period of time. CD could be a good option if you would like to invest your money and leave it untouched for about three to five years while it gains interest. You may check with your bank to see if they offer a better CD, if not, you can shop around.
Things to consider when investing money
Here are 5 things to consider when investing your money:
Understand the basics of stocks
There are two main ways to invest your money: through stocks and bonds. Stocks represent ownership shares in companies while bonds are loans secured by assets such as real estate. Both are investments that pay dividends based on the company’s performance.
Choose an investment strategy that suits you
If you’re looking to make a quick buck, then investing in the stock market might not be the right choice for you. However, if you’re looking to build wealth over time, then stocks are a good option. It’s also possible to combine both strategies, so you can buy stocks when the price is low and sell them later when the price has increased.
Start small and build from there
You should start small with your investments. This means buying shares in companies that you understand well, such as those in your own industry. Once you’ve got some experience under your belt, you’ll be able to move into more complex areas, such as foreign markets.
Don’t be afraid to take risks
If you’re not willing to take risks when investing, then you shouldn’t be taking any risks at all. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you need to protect yourself by avoiding risky investments. However, there are plenty of opportunities available to investors who are willing to take calculated risks.
Learn about the different types of investments
There are three main categories of investments: stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Stocks represent ownership shares in companies. Bonds are debt instruments issued by governments or corporations. Mutual funds are pooled investments that allow people to buy small pieces of stock in different companies.
To invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate, or other assets, you need money. The best place to start is by opening an account at a bank or credit union.
Get started…
Start with an investment plan
Once you have decided what type of investment you would like to make, you will need to decide how much money you want to put into it. You should also determine whether you want to invest in one asset class or multiple ones.
Choose an asset class
Stocks, bonds, or real estate. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Set up automatic monthly contributions
You should set up automatic monthly contributions to an investment account so that you never miss out on potential gains. This will help ensure that you stay invested even when you’re not actively managing your money.
Manage risk by diversifying
It’s important to diversify your investments so that you aren’t putting all your eggs into one basket. If you invest only in stocks, you might lose everything if the market crashes. By spreading your investments across different asset classes, such as bonds, real estate, and commodities, you reduce the risk of losing your entire portfolio.
Monitor your investments
You should also monitor your investments regularly. This will help you avoid making costly mistakes. For example, if you see that your stock prices are dropping, you need to sell before you lose money.
In conclusion, it is all up to you to make wise financial decisions, there is a wide range of investment options, from safe lower-return assets to riskier, higher-return ones. You will need to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each investment and how they fit into your ultimate financial goal. It may seem daunting at first but once you start and understand where you put your money, you are a step closer to building your wealth.
You may also want to read on: Top 10 Investment Companies in South Africa