Investing Doesn’t Mean Only The Stock Market!

August 14th, 2007

We often lose sight of the fact that you can invest in many different ways. As soon as I say the word invest or investment, you immediately begin to think about stocks or the stock market. The truth is there are many different ways to invest. Sometimes using less well known methods of investing can yield higher returns or rewards that aren’t strictly monetary. The purpose of this article is to open up your creative faculties and begin to see that there are many ways to invest besides just using the stock market.

Education

This may be one of the most important investments you can make! Knowledge is an extremely valuable thing and not just of monetary value but it can be mentally stimulating and rewarding. You can invest your time in finishing high school or you can invest your time and money in college and/or university. Either way it is an investment that will improve your own knowledge, give you a satisfaction, self worth and perhaps knowledge that will allow you to command a higher salary.

You may even invest in a public library pass for a few dollars which will give you access to many books. You don’t stop learning when you finish school. Another tool I like to use is the internet… it is one powerful way to do research and learn. Never stop learning, it’s an investment you won’t regret and one of the best you can make. You’d be surprised how much you can learn with just the internet access and a library card!

Real Estate

You may invest in real estate in several different ways. You can purchase real estate through partnerships, privately or through a publicly traded company or REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust). The three main types of real estate are commercial, residential and industrial. All have their own perks and benefits. Commercial tenants often put money into improving the building while residential tenants would never dream of spending money on the property.

Forex

The Foreign currency exchange realm is a very risky one where you are often using 100:1 margin! Nonetheless, it is one way to invest. I’ve had some experience in this realm and I know it isn’t for me.

Business & Entrepreneurship

This is perhaps my favorite way to invest. You can start a business doing whatever you know and put money into it expecting a return. I know one guy that does a lot of online publishing and owns some very large websites… that is his business and he is an expert within the industry. When it comes time to invest he has a portion dedicated to stocks, but the majority of his money is dedicated to launching and acquiring more websites. Investing in your business and industry is a perfectly acceptable way to invest! Also, when he invests in stocks, guess which industry he tends to focus on? Yup, the internet!

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