Alternative investments to the stock market

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Many people want to try their hand at investing at some point in their life. By choosing the right stocks, you might have the chance to be able to build up a nice sum of money that you can save for your retirement or for some other means.

However, the stock market can be a scary place. Here are some of the best alternative investments you can make if you aren’t ready to jump into the stock market.

Bonds

Many people who don’t want to invest in the stock market instead look into bonds. These are a fantastic alternate choice for anyone who wants to invest in something that has a little more stability than stocks. When buying a bond, you are technically loaning an amount of money to the issuer.

They will then give you interest every month and will then return the money you initially invested after a fixed term. You can also choose to sell the bonds should their market value increase.

There are several types of bonds you could invest in. Corporate bonds are issued by companies to help them raise money. You can also find bonds from the government or banks. Each one has its own advantages or disadvantages that you will need to consider closely should you choose to invest in them.

Business

Investing in business is risky but it could have some big payouts. There is always a risk that a business will fold. Even choosing a business on the rise is risky. You never know when the markets might crash. Choosing a stable industry is going to be a big plus here. For example, a website like the Planet 7 Oz casino is going to have lots of traffic and plenty of people willing to play. If you know someone who wants to set up their own casino, giving them a little capital might net you a good return.

You don’t need to be making massive investments like in Dragon’s Den. It could just be a few investments here and there. You never know when a business you have invested in will blow up and become a massive success.

Real Estate

One area that will always be great for alternate investments is the property markets. If you choose to start investing in property, there is always going to be some amazing opportunities for you to explore. The first decision you need to make is which sector you want to tackle. Buying commercial property is much more expensive but can net you a fantastic return should you get a long-term tenant.

Residential property offers some brilliant chances to invest too. An easy way to get started is to head to a property auction. You can very easily find some amazing investment opportunities here. From foreclosed homes to discount properties that need renovation, there are plenty of places you could find. By doing them up and selling them on for a higher price, you will be in a great position to earn a little more.

However, sometimes the property prices aren’t the best. Taking opportunity of low prices to buy and high ones to sell can be risky. Therefore, you might want to also think about creating a portfolio for the rental market. Whether you are offering properties for students or for long-term professionals, you need to provide a great place to live. If you choose the former, you can even buy student studio units for a quick and easy investment.

Gold

A safe glittering with gold might only exist in cartoons but that does not mean that you can’t take advantage of some of the gold investment opportunities. While the paper currency is currently king, one of the best alternatives is gold. It has been considered to be valuable for thousands of years.

Gold is one of the best ways for preserving your wealth. Too often, the price of paper currency is eroded by inflation. However, the cost of gold is always rising. Buying an ounce of gold in 2000 would have cost you $272.65. In 2015, it cost $1060. This is a rise of nearly 300% and it only took fifteen years to come about. It might be expensive at first but the return will be well worth it.

Cryptocurrencies

Though it is becoming harder to invest in cryptocurrencies, they still offer a great opportunity for anyone not ready to jump into the stock markets. One of the best things about cryptocurrencies is that they are decentralised. It does not matter how the other currency markets flex and change; they won’t affect what is happening in the world of cryptocurrencies.

However, it is important that you know what you are doing with this form of currency. Many people tried to jump on the bandwagon after the first rush of Bitcoin and Ethereum and they stagnated the market. It can now take quite a bit of time and some careful investing to make money from this path. Bitcoin is the most well-known of the cryptocurrencies but it might not be the right choice for you. You should research the different types of cryptocurrencies to find out which is right for you.

They can offer some great returns for the lucky few, but that does not mean that cryptocurrencies are for everyone. Mastering them can be incredibly difficult and you should not jump into this investment opportunity if you do not understand what you are doing.

Find the Right Method for You

With so many different opportunities out there, it can be difficult to know where to start. The stock market is incredibly complex but that does not mean that the alternatives are easy to understand. No matter where you choose to look, you are likely to have to learn something when you want to start investing. Take the time to fully research the area you want to invest in before you put any money down. This will hopefully help you make some good choices no matter where you choose to invest your money.