Five Creative Ways to Invest Your Money
That Don’t Involve Stocks
When it comes to investing money, stocks are often recommended. When you invest in stocks over time, they will appreciate in value. Sometimes they will do so dramatically! You could find yourself a millionaire if you play the stock market game correctly, but you’ll at least give yourself a fighting chance at a more comfortable retirement when you get older.
Just because stocks are a great investment doesn’t mean they are the only investment. If you don’t like the way the stock market works, if investing makes you uncomfortable because it’s so confusing, or if you simply want to diversify your portfolio, you should look for creative ways to invest your money too.
Invest in a Restaurant
Although it may not sound like a good idea on the surface, investing in a restaurant can actually be a good choice if you’re looking for a way to put your money to work. Because people will always need to eat, it can actually be a good way to make money in the long run. Just make sure you invest in a restaurant that has a strong takeout and delivery plan, as well menu items that excite local residents.
Not much of a chef? You can still invest in a restaurant! Consider opening a restaurant and hiring a head chef, invest in an existing restaurant to help the current owners achieve success, or invest in a franchise where others are running the show and you just provide the capital. Not only will you get a return on your investment, because you’ll actually see your money in action, it can be rewarding too.
Buy Collectibles
If you’re looking for a more tangible way to invest your money, you may want to consider collectibles. Just be careful with the collectibles you choose. Happy Meal toys and Beanie Babies aren’t very good investments, but there are plenty of other collectibles out there that are.
A few things to collect if you want a return on your investment in the future include:
- Artwork
- First edition books
- Sports memorabilia - sports cards are extremely popular, check out sportscardsrock.com for your collecting needs
- Photography and prints
If you’ve got a lot of money to invest, consider buying a Birkin bag. The annual return on Birkin bags is better than the S&P average and outperforms nearly every other collectible and most stocks. You can pay tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars for one, but it will increase in price exponentially over the years.
Buy Gold
If you want a huge return on your investment, gold may not be for you. However, if you don’t like the uncertainty of investing in stocks or collectible items that may or may not pay out, you may want to consider gold.
Although gold doesn’t increase in value exponentially over time, it does retain its value. You may not make a fortune, but you can at least guard against the effects of inflation, making it a better option than putting cash in a box.
If buying gold coins or gold bars doesn’t appeal to you, consider investing in jewelry. It’s a fun way to invest in gold, and when you choose your designers carefully, you could see a bigger return on your investment than the price of the gold and gemstones themselves.
Before you make any investments it's a good idea to do some research with the help of investment specialists. Investment Honey is an online resource that gives you more information about investing in precious metals, and can help you avoid making costly mistakes.
Improve Your Skills
Although it may sound clichéd, the best investment you can make is in yourself. That might include non-monetary investments, like getting more exercise or getting more sleep, but you could see a monetary return on your investment if you find ways to improve your skills.
Go back to college, take a class, or obtain a certification. It will cost money upfront, but it will increase your earnings over your lifetime.
Pay off Your Debt
Want to invest your money, but have debt? You may want to consider paying it off first.
This strategy works best for high-interest debt, like credit card debt. If the return on another investment is smaller than the interest you’re paying on a loan, you should pay off the loan first.
Paying off your debt can also help with peace of mind. If you have fewer bills, you’ll feel less stressed, and with more money in your bank account, you’ll have even more to invest.
By all means, play the stock market if it’s right for you. Just don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s the only way to make money! There are many creative ways to make money over time that are as fun as they are effective.
