2020 has been a difficult year for many people, in terms of business, health, personal relationships and of course, money. There have been unprecedented levels of job losses, thanks to the ongoing COVID pandemic and many businesses across the world have crumbled under the pressure.
It is understandable, therefore, that many people will be looking at alternative ways to make some money next year. It might be to replace the income that they have lost this year, it may be to supplement their earnings, create a nest egg for the future or be a backup source of income.
We all have different needs and goals, which can make knowing how to invest money a tricky process.
Whatever the reasons behind your decision to invest, and no matter how much money you choose to invest, it is important that you choose something that will make the maximum amount of money possible for you. However, the amount of money you want to put in will have a huge effect on the direction you take, as does the amount of input needed to transform your investment from a lump sum of money to income that offers a substantial return.
Property investment
Property and real estate has always been one of the most popular forms of investment, and that is because it is really quite difficult not to make a profit doing it. Investing in rental property can generate ongoing passive income and can be an excellent long-term investment if and when the value of the property increases over time.
The downside of property investment is that it usually involves a substantial sum of money to get it started. Whether you buy a property or a piece of land outright, or put down a deposit and get a mortgage, you need capital. Not only that, but it does involve ongoing maintenance costs and if you use a letting agency, their fees too. It can be lucrative if you have tenants in place but if your property remains empty, it can rapidly become expensive. As with all forms of investment, you need to weigh up the pros and cons.
Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency has exploded in popularity and value over the past couple of years, with Bitcoin being the most well known one. Cryptocurrency is digital currency, not owned by any specific country or institution. The increase in value so far has been incredible; if you had invested $10, 000 in Bitcoin when it started around a decade ago, you would be seeing a return in excess of one million dollars now. Some people like to cash it in as soon as the value increases, others like to hold on to see where the digital currency goes in the future.
However, cryptocurrency is still very new, and while so far has proven to be a successful form of investment for the most, it is still volatile and it’s newness means there are many risks. Will the success last? We do not know. What we do know is that so far, the risks people have taken seem to have been more than worth it.
Stocks and shares
Stocks and shares have always been a popular and viable form of investment. The main reason for this is that they are relatively easy, do not require a huge amount of capital and are fairly stable. Start off with a small amount and watch your return grow, and then reinvest it. You do not have to put in a lot of time or energy into making the money, although it is important to get the right advice before you put your money into anything.
Gold
People have been investing in gold for hundreds of years. In the right circumstances and environments, it can be a very valuable commodity. However, it is volatile – it’s price often goes hand in hand with the scarcity of the material and the political and economic situation at the time. Prices can rise very quickly; they can also drop like a stone.
One of the biggest benefits of gold is that it is reasonably liquid, so if you need access to cash quickly, you can trade it in without too much hassle. However, gold is less like an investment and more like a bet.
No form of investment is ever guaranteed. That, to an extent, is half of the attraction. It can be a little exciting and thrilling, although the main aim, of course, is to make money – as much as possible.