There are numerous ways to save money, but many people think putting funds away is difficult. Rather than stopping themselves from opening a savings account, they could start with easy ways to save money and build their funds to meet their financial goals.
5 Easy Ways to Save Money
I’m writing to you sitting next to a jar. This jar is stuffed full (okay, imagine it gently filled — it’s a small jar) of $5 bills. I do not feel proud that this is the best way I’ve found yet to save money consistently. Somehow, having it sit there on the window sill is a gentle reminder that there are more important things to spend my cash on than the x, y, and z that usually make the list:
X = a new wireless router; mine is working, just not sparklingly Y = a quick run to the shop on the corner for a thermos of coffee Z = delivery pizza for dinner instead of leftovers.
I can’t quite figure out why this works, but I feel that there is some deep insight here. The thing is, there is “saving” money and then there is “saving money.” In one case you’re putting money away that you intend to spend later (much, much later if all goes well). In another case you are spending money, but not quite as much as you would have otherwise. The trick is to move the extra money from the latter to the former.
1. Save Every $5 Bill
The $5 bill jar is one way, and I found it on Pinterest. Every time you come into possession of a $5 bill, usually as change from another purchase, you save it and put it in a jar.
Some savers have an envelope in their wallet (that won’t work in my tiny wallet, but anyway…) and, every $50 or so, transfer it to a high-yield savings account. Other savers have a goal in mind, like Christmas presents, and the money is for that. I’m combining two Pinterest ideas, and I’ve painted chalkboard paint on my jar so I can write in what I’m saving for.
Related >> Research the best options for a high-yield savings account.
Result of the $5 Pinterest Challenge
I was encouraged to do this by my nine-year-old, who told me one day shortly after Christmas that he had an idea.
“Why don’t you pick an amount every time you get money, like $20, and put it in a jar to save?” he asked.
“What am I saving for?”
“Christmas presents! That way you’ll have a whole lot of money!”
The world conspired to create my jar. I haven’t counted, but there must be $30 or $40 already after just a few weeks. I think this works by setting an easily followed rule that creates an emotional barrier between me and the money. If I spend a $5 bill, I’ve betrayed my own set of internal rules.
2. Save Money ‘Older Than You’
This is a natural outcome from the inspiration given to me by my first work mentor, Herb Althouse. He was a managing director in the loan syndications group at First Union. It was my very first job out of college. I was not even 22 when I started work, and he thought of me as impossibly, adorably young.
To emphasize my adorable youth, he would regularly dig in his pocket and give me all the coins that were older than me. Ever since, I’ve very carefully saved all the coins older than me. I won’t spend a 1970 quarter, even if that means I have to use inexact change. It’s an emotional tribute to Herb.
I realize that this won’t probably result in saving a ton of money (especially if you were born before the ’60s). But it helped me establish the limits that are now keeping me from spending my fives.
3. Set Up Automatic Savings From Paycheck
I remember when I first got a paycheck for my work as a counter girl at the Arctic Circle, a fairly tiny, local fast-food chain that is now even tinier. (Occasionally, I make pilgrimages to one of the last remaining outlets in the coastal town of Newport, Oregon, but it’s not as good as I remember.)
I, displaying my adolescent quant-jock nature, had carefully calculated deductions based on the hours I’d added on my time card. Every two-week pay period, I would multiply my hours by my hourly rate. Then I’d deduct 0.06 for social security, 0.165 for unemployment and a tax rate based on the last paycheck. I knew how much, to the last nickel, would be in my check. It was so frustrating to know how much the gross income was and then be able to spend only the net. I had a cheerleading uniform to save for, after all!
Related >> See how to spend your tax refund.
But I couldn’t spend the money, and one gets used to that post-deduction amount after awhile.
Unlike the 14-year-old me, most adults don’t sit with a notebook, a pencil, and a calculator, figuring out what each check will look like. You get used to only seeing the amount in the “net” line and forgetting the deductions. That’s why it’s so useful to take advantage of whatever automatic savings plan your employer might offer. These include a 401(k) or a simple automatic deduction into a savings account that you designate.
The Army has a fantastic savings plan for military members deployed in designated combat zones that allows soldiers to earn up to 10% interest on $10,000. Pre-paycheck deductions allow you to create that emotional distance from the money you need to keep it in the savings account.
4. Set Up Saving Habits Based on Behavior
My nine-year-old was probably inspired by the summer we saved for his Nintendo DS. I was reluctant to get him a game machie. But with his dad deployed for the first time, the two of them agreed we would tie it somehow to goals we had for his behavior.
So we decided that, each time either Dad or I got paid, we would put $20 in a special envelope toward the DS: if he had been helpful over the preceding period. If he was unusually patient or wonderfully helpful, I’d add in a little extra, $5 or $10. While we were somewhat generous in assessing helpfulness, he was also quite helpful. And because I’d promised to tie the reward to his behavior, and promised him he’d eventually get the Nintendo, I had a powerful emotional incentive to keep my word.
It’s easiest to use promises to motivate your savings behavior when the term for the goal is somewhat short and the other party to the promise can monitor your progress. The physical act of putting the money in the envelope was something I did in front of my son. We only had a few months’ time to reach our goal. You could also, if you promised a spouse or an older child, put money in an online savings account to which you both have access.
Another more institutional equivalent would be if you file your taxes very early. For example, putting some amount of money in your IRA before tax day in April. I did this for both myself and my husband this year. No motivation like not having to file an amended tax return!
5. Come Up With Penalties as Motivation to Save
Yes, we’re motivated best by positive stimulus (This is my best lesson from parenting three boys with cognitive development delays.) But adding penalties is sometimes the best way of forcing ourselves to do things.
I am, for instance, a wonderful saver. I can transfer money into my online savings account with the best of them! I’m rather awful at keeping myself from accessing that money if I really want to take advantage of this one-time-only offer on super awesome film for my vintage Polaroid SX-70. Or if my friends are organizing a group buy of wool comforters.
So it’s best if I put my money in an account from which I will not be able to withdraw money easily, or without penalties. Sure, sometimes there are limits on withdrawals from savings accounts. But those don’t kick in until the end of the account cycle, so that’s not necessarily a good enough penalty. I find that the “penalties” (in both brokerage fees and time for the sale to clear) of selling stock in my Sharebuilder account are far more effective as a deterrent. It has to be that I don’t have money for food or the mortgage before I’ll do that.
You could think of a large number of ways to add in withdrawal penalties. These include structural ones like the military’s savings plan that only allows withdrawals every 120 days, or a 401(k). Or practical ones like adding money to some online savings or payment account like Paypal or Dwolla. These will take a few days to get back if you need it, giving yourself a buffer to rethink your decision.
Adding penalties to the front end is trickier. But savers can accomplish this by automatic bank drafts that are available from online savings and investment accounts. The Sharebuilder account will withdraw a fixed amount of money each month from your bank account to invest in a pre-selected group of investments. You can cancel or delay it, but it will still trigger that opportunity to rethink your decision. If you’re trying to save cash, you’ll have to make your own self-imposed penalty. Maybe if you spend a $5 bill, you have to go without something the next day. (For me, chocolate works as a powerful motivator!)
We All Want to Save. We Just Need Help.
I don’t think there is a single Get Rich Slowly reader who doesn’t have a desire to save and to keep that money in savings accounts until the emergency occurs or they reach a goal. But it’s really hard, on both counts. I’d be willing to bet that a surprisingly large percentage of GRS readers don’t save (or don’t save nearly enough). Starting small and easy is best. Keep in mind that we have a strong set of emotional tools at hand to help us along the way.
How can you set up emotional connections to savings, both on the front and the back end?
Businesses pay market research companies to gather information on what customers like you think. Those market research companies, in turn, pay customers like you to provide that information.
The good news is, this is no longer limited to in-person focus groups. You can now participate in market research from the comfort of your home. You can sign up for apps and sites that will pay you to answer questions.
But some survey apps pay more than others, and they don’t all offer the same types of rewards. Here’s my selection of the best survey apps for money out there if you’re looking to make a little extra money.
What’s Ahead:
Survey Junkie
Rewards for: completing surveys, participating in focus groups, testing products, and sharing web behavior
Redemption options: PayPal credits, bank account transfers, and gift cards for brands like Amazon, Target, Walmart, etc.
Mobile app ratings: 4.6 App Store; 4.3 Google Play
Survey Junkie users start by filling out questionnaires and building their user profiles, which give the platform an idea of their interests and lifestyle. These profiles are then matched to survey opportunities.
Surveys show up in a user’s personal dashboard, and the user can choose which surveys they would like to participate in based on the survey’s pre-disclosed topic, point value, and estimated time of completion.
Completed surveys earn points, which can then be redeemed for PayPal credit, bank transfers, or gift cards. Those who complete three surveys per day can reportedly earn up to $40 worth of credits or gift cards per month. More time-consuming activities like focus groups can earn a higher number of points.
In addition to paid surveys, users can also elect to participate in ‘behavioral research,’ in which they share their web search, browsing, engagement, and shopping history with the platform to earn extra points.
SurveyJunkie is open to residents of the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, ages 16+.
Redemption options: gift cards for Visa, PayPal, or a number of popular retailers
Mobile app ratings: 4.3 App Store; 3.4 Google Play
MyPoints pays you to give your opinion on a wide range of consumer topics, from cars to clothes to home and garden supplies. Payouts for completed surveys range substantially, with some of the more time-consuming surveys offering up to $50 worth of points. Short surveys might yield $1 in points.
Aside from surveys, MyPoints also rewards you for shopping online, which is actually my favorite aspect of the app. It links up to popular retailers I already use, like Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Home Depot, among many others. That means I’m earning points for money I’d be spending anyway.
Best of all, MyPoints helps you save. Not only can you apply coupons to your purchases with your favorite retailers, but you actually earn rewards for downloading them. When combined with the points you’re getting for shopping, you can quickly rack up rewards.
MyPoints lets you cash in your rewards in a couple ways. You can choose gift cards from popular brands like Bath & Body Works, Sephora, or Walmart, or you can convert points to PayPal cash.
Redemption options: gift cards from Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Visa or PayPal cash
Mobile app ratings: 4.4 App Store; 4.2 Google Play
If you want to earn dough just for browsing the internet, Swagbucks is a great option. You won’t be able to quit your day job, but it’s a great way to earn a little extra spending money each month. 100 Swagbucks points are worth $1, and most surveys pay out between 40 to 200 points each. Some active users report making a couple of hundred bucks a month with the app.
What I like most about Swagbucks is the variety of points-earning options. Sure, you can earn rewards for answering surveys and shopping, but you also earn by simply trading in Google for the Swagbucks search engine. You’ll be adding points to your total in the background while you search the web and browse various sites.
Once you’ve earned enough points, you can trade them in for gift cards at some of the most popular retailers. You won’t see as many gift card options as you get with other survey sites, but all the big names are there. For instance, Amazon, Apple, Walmart, and Target gift cards are usually available.
Try Swagbucks now.
YouGov
Rewards for: completing paid surveys
Redemption options: cash direct deposit, gift cards
Mobile app ratings: 4.7 App Store; 4.4 Google Play
What drew me to YouGov is the fact that the collected information is sometimes cited online and in news reports. Knowing I’m a part of the group that is referenced in, “According to a survey from YouGov” is an incentive to participate, especially if I’m paid for my feedback.
The biggest issue with YouGov is that it combines paid survey opportunities with those that pay nothing. You’re free to complete those just to take part in the information being collected and distributed. Some members found that paid opportunities were few and far between.
Despite its name, YouGov doesn’t just collect information on political issues. As with other survey sites, you’ll be polled about your thoughts on brands and services.
Redemption options: PayPal cash, Visa prepaid cards, gift cards for popular merchants
Mobile app ratings: N/A
You can earn around 10 to 250 points per completed survey with Opinion Outpost, which can add up over the course of a day.
Rewards can be redeemed for a relatively limited selection of gift cards, but the selection at least usually includes major brands like Amazon, Apple, Target, Macy’s, Home Depot, etc. Most gift cards require 100 points for a $10 card value.
One downside to Opinion Outpost is that you’ll have to prequalify before you can take a survey. This is done by answering a few questions before the survey’s available. If you don’t qualify, you’ll be entered in a drawing for a quarterly prize, but it can feel like you put more time in to find a survey you can finally complete.
Another potential downside is that Opinion Outpost isn’t available as a mobile app, so if you’re on the go a lot you’ll have to access the platform from a web browser on your phone.
Join Opinion Outpost now.
Branded Surveys
Rewards for: completing paid surveys
Redemption options: Amazon or Visa gift card, or a PayPal payment
Mobile app ratings: 1.5 App Store
Formerly known as MintVine, Branded Surveys offers rewards for survey participants in the U.S., Canada, and the UK. It partners with some of the top names in the industry, including Nielsen and Harris Interactive. As such, you’ll have more confidence that your feedback will make an impact.
One thing that sets Branded Surveys apart is the volume of surveys. You’ll have to qualify for each one, but having a wider range of options makes it more likely that you’ll find one that’s a match.A great thing about Branded Surveys is if you put time into completing a survey, only to ultimately find out that you don’t qualify, you’ll still be paid a few cents.
Branded Surveys typically pays between $0.50 to $5.00 per survey. You can cash out once you reach 500 points. Aside from the usual gift cards or PayPal credits, with Branded Surveys you can also choose to direct your accumulated points toward a US charity, which is unusual among survey apps.
Join Branded Surveys now.
Pinecone Research
Rewards for: online surveys
Redemption options: PayPal cash payments, paper checks, prepaid cards, or gift cards
Mobile app ratings: 2.4 App Store; 3.0 Google Play
From respected industry leader Nielsen (of Nielsen Ratings fame), Pinecone Research is a great way to earn rewards while also feeling as though your voice is being heard. To get started with Pinecone Research, you simply sign up and wait for approval. Once you’re approved, you’ll start receiving invitations to participate in surveys.
After you’ve set up an account, you’ll be able to view the rewards available, as well as the points you’ll need to earn them. You can trade your points in on small rewards or save up for something bigger. As long as your account remains active, your points never expire. You can also opt to trade your points in for cash, deposited to your account.
One thing that sets Pinecone Research apart is that sometimes members are mailed physical products to try out. In many cases, you get to keep the items after you’ve completed the survey. Some brands ask that you send the products back, though.
Surveys and products are distributed based on the questionnaire information you provide. Many brands request specific audience demographics, so some members receive more offers than others. This makes the questionnaire you complete at signup especially important.
Join Pinecone Research now.
MySoapBox
Rewards for: completing surveys
Redemption options: gift cards from popular merchants, including Amazon, Walmart, and Starbucks
Mobile app ratings: N/A
MySoapBox focuses on surveys, rewarding you for answering questions about products, services, and experiences. It’s available as a web app only, not a mobile app.
1,000 points equate to a $1 value, and you’ll generally get between 750 and 1,500 points per completed survey. You need a minimum of 25,000 points to redeem for a gift card.
MySoapBox is a part of Interviewing Service of America (ISA), one of the largest US-based market research companies. They’ve collected data for businesses since 1982, historically through telemarketing and in-person focus groups, and today facilitating an online option via MySoapBox.
Join MySoapBox now.
Intellizoom
Rewards for: taking surveys
Redemption options: PayPal
Mobile app ratings: N/A
Intellizoom doesn’t mess with rewards and points; you’ll instead earn cash for completing surveys. They don’t send you actual dollar bills, of course. You’ll be paid electronically via PayPal within 21 business days of your survey responses being approved.
The amount you’re paid is based on the complexity of the survey. You can earn up to $10 for more challenging surveys, such as those that require you to record audio or video. Simple surveys usually pay around $2 each.
You may find yourself not as active as you want to be, though. As with other survey sites, you have to wait until you’re invited to participate. Typically, invitations are based on demographics, but you’ll also be graded on the quality of your surveys. You can boost your earnings by making an extra effort to provide useful, well-constructed feedback.
Without an app, you are limited to using the site in a browser. If you can get enough of the more challenging surveys, you could make a decent chunk of change from this site.
Join Intellizoom now.
How I came up with this list
Yes, some survey-for-cash sites can be scammy. It may even sound too good to be true. When I was researching top survey apps and sites, I first narrowed it down to the reputable ones, reading reviews and making sure people had actually gotten paid for their efforts.
Once I had a list of trustworthy sites, I further sharpened it to make sure you were getting the best of the best. Here are the features I considered in my research:
Options for earning points
Redemption options
Difficulty in earning enough points to get rewards
Turnaround time for getting paid after cashing in points
Keep in mind that scams aren’t the only thing to worry about with survey sites. You’ll find that with some sites, the amount of work you have to put in to get even a $10 gift card is far more than with other sites. You can speed up that turnaround time by choosing a site that lets you accumulate points for doing other things, including shopping, gaming, or participating in the site’s community.
How to take surveys for money
A survey app gathers information from consumers, often in exchange for a small amount of pay. You’ll sign up, provide some demographic information, then apply to complete surveys. Taking surveys that you qualify for might be rewarded with gift cards, prepaid cards, or PayPal transfers.
If you’re looking for a way to make a little extra money, a survey app can help. But some people sign up for the rewards, only to find that the real enjoyment comes from providing feedback. The information you provide is used to help businesses improve everything from product design to marketing efforts, so your opinion can be a huge benefit to all consumers.
Those with a little extra time on their hands will likely find a survey app is a great fit. If you’re looking to make hundreds of dollars a week, though, you’ll probably be disappointed.
Most important features of survey apps
Ready to get started? If so, here are some features to consider as you’re shopping around for a survey app.
Points-earning options
What do you have to do to earn points? Surveys are only one option. You can also find apps that will let you earn points for doing web searches, shopping online, watching videos, and more. Also, consider the types of surveys the site offers. Many will simply ask you about your feelings on products or services, but there are some that are political in nature.
Rewards offered
If you’re looking for cold, hard cash, you’ll need to first weed out the sites that only offer gift cards. Although if you’re like me, a gift card to a retailer like Amazon or Walmart can be as good as cash. Many survey apps also allow you to cash out via PayPal, which is accepted at a wide range of online retailers.
Ease of finding surveys
Ideally, you’ll sign up for a site and be able to complete as many surveys as you want. Unfortunately, that isn’t how it always works. Many companies are looking for data from a very specific demographic, so you’ll only be able to participate in some of the available surveys.
FAQs
Are paid survey apps legit?
Even when a survey site is legitimate, it may not pay as much for your time as you’d like. It’s important to note that you should never pay to participate in a survey site. You can find plenty that will let you sign up for free and will pay you, rather than the money flowing in the other direction.
Are survey websites worth it?
Paid survey websites can be a way to earn a little extra cash, but whether they are worth it depends on your personal situation and goals.
While taking surveys may not take a lot of effort, it can be time-consuming. You may need to spend a significant amount of time taking surveys to earn a meaningful amount of money. Most survey sites offer relatively low compensation, so it’s important to consider whether the payout is worth your time investment.
There may be quicker ways for you to make money.
How quickly do survey apps pay you?
Turnaround time can vary, but once you have your points, many of these sites will have your rewards to you within a few days of your request. Some sites that pay in cash may take as long as 21 days, so be sure to plan ahead if you’re depending on the money.
How do paid survey apps make their money?
For decades, companies have depended on focus groups to provide information on market sentiment. Survey apps simply take the process online, letting you participate in surveys without having to go to a designated physical location. Businesses pay market research companies to gather data and provide it, then use the information to inform their own business decisions moving forward.
How I came up with this list
Yes, some online survey sites can be scammy. It may even sound too good to be true. When I was researching top survey apps and sites, I first narrowed it down to the reputable ones, reading reviews and making sure people had actually gotten paid for their efforts.
Once I had a list of reputable survey apps, I further sharpened it to make sure you were getting the best of the best. Here are the features I considered in my research:
Options for earning points
Redemption options
Difficulty in earning enough points to get rewards
Turnaround time for getting paid after cashing in points
Keep in mind that scams aren’t the only thing to worry about with online survey sites. You’ll find that with some sites, the amount of work you have to put in to get even a $10 gift card is far more than with other sites. You can speed up that turnaround time by choosing a survey site that lets you accumulate points for doing other things, including shopping, gaming, or participating in the site’s community.
Summary
Survey apps can be a decent side hustle to make a little extra money within a low-stress framework. But even the highest paying survey apps don’t pay well enough to serve as a replacement for your regular job.
Aside from earning gift cards or cash for your completed surveys, participating in market research can be rewarding in other ways. You’ll know your feedback is being used to influence the direction businesses take, making any rewards you receive a bonus.
Many people approach budgeting in this fashion: Pay bills, spend a little, and any money that’s left goes in savings.
But those leftover crumbs aren’t often enough. Not prioritizing saving may be the reason nearly a quarter (23%) of Americans don’t have any money in savings, according to a recent financial literacy survey conducted by The Penny Hoarder. Of those surveyed, about 40% reported having less than $1,000 saved up.
One way to save more for the future is to prioritize saving over everything else when creating your budget. Some refer to this approach as reverse budgeting, while others call it the “pay yourself first” budgeting strategy. However you think of it, focusing on saving first can pull you from the rut of not saving at all and reset your approach to personal finance
What Does It Mean to Pay Yourself First?
Paying yourself first isn’t really a budget. It’s a way to reset how you handle monthly income to make savings goals a priority. Setting aside “pay yourself first” money for savings accounts can shift your mindset and help align financial goals with how you want to spend money.
Mark Charnet, founder and CEO of American Prosperity Group in Pompton Plains, New Jersey, suggests saving about 10% of your net income — the money you receive after taxes, health care premiums and 401(k) contributions are taken out — each time you get paid.
If you can’t afford to put away 10%, start smaller. The bills never stop, and it’s not like you can tell your credit card company you can’t pay this month because you’re working on your emergency fund. We get it.
Thinking of starting an emergency fund for the unexpected expenses life throws at you? Start here with our guide on building a buffer for financial emergencies.
Why You Should Use the Pay-Yourself-First Method
How you divvy up your savings depends on your individual needs, but here are a few things you should focus on when using the pay-yourself-first budget.
Setting Up an Emergency Fund
Will you have enough money the next time your car breaks down to cover repairs? Or how about when you have to move for your next job opportunity? Emergency funds are designed to take care of big-ticket variable costs that live outside of your monthly expenses.
Increasing Your Retirement Contributions
If you checked the balance in your retirement account recently and gasped, you’re not alone. A 2022 Bankrate survey indicates 55% of Americans reported being behind or significantly behind in retirement contributions. Paying yourself first can be a good way to get back on track.
Paying High-Interest Debt or Loan Payments
If you’ve dug a deep hole of credit card debt and are struggling to get out, paying yourself first can help. Putting 10% or more of each paycheck toward paying down your high-interest debt or loan payments can help you shrink that balance fast.
Pro Tip
Get ahead of rate increases quickly with a sinking fund that lets you save a large amount of money fast ahead of a big event or deadline.
Preparing Your Savings Account or Checking Account for a Big Purchase
Speaking of big events, if you need to buy a car in the near future, divert a larger amount of cash toward that goal. Saving up for a home or sending a kid to college? Simply increase your savings contributions for “pay yourself first” each pay period. Just be sure you have enough to cover living expenses.
How to Pay Yourself First in 4 Easy Steps
Identify Your Financial Priorities
If you’re unsure of the best way to save money for the future, Charnet recommends talking to a financial adviser like a certified financial planner.
“(Those just starting to save) should not feel embarrassed or make the assumption that (they’re) too small of a fish for a financial adviser,” he said. “That is absolutely not true.”
Set a Reasonable Savings Goal
While paying yourself first is a good strategy for building a savings vehicle that can deliver a brighter financial future, take care not to be too ambitious upfront. Set a reasonable goal that won’t leave you taking on debt or dipping into savings to take care of everyday expenses like utility bills.
Transfer Money Automatically
Automating saving can help you set aside money without having to think about it. Adjust your direct deposit at work so a percentage of your check automatically goes to savings. Or schedule automatic transfers from your checking account right after you’re paid.
Keep an Eye on Your Bank Account
After your savings are deducted from your income, you can focus your budget on bills, necessary expenses and discretionary spending.
You may find you have less money for extras — like entertainment or eating out — but if you pay yourself first, you’ll be in a better financial situation to face the future, instead of scrambling to come up with money when you truly need it.
Combine Pay Yourself First with Other Budgeting Methods
While paying yourself first can get your financial priorities straight and change your spending habits, it’s also not a budget. Check out some of the most popular budgeting methods to learn more about which methods complement a pay-yourself-first or reverse budget strategy.
Not sure which budgeting method will work best for you? Take our budgeting quiz to get personalized recommendations.
Kaz Weida is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder. Nicole Dow is a former senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.
You May Be Eligible to Save Over $10K in an HSA in 2024 After Largest-Ever Contribution Limit Increase
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People with health savings accounts (HSAs) got some good news this week when the IRS rolled out the largest contribution limit increases in history.
In 2024, an individual with self-only coverage can save up to $4,150 in an HSA, while a family can sock away up to $8,300. Catch-up contributions still allow people 55 and older to save an extra $1,000 per year, meaning some married couples will soon be allowed to save more than $10,000 in an HSA.
A financial advisor can help you plan for retirement, including your future healthcare costs. Find an advisor today.
HSAs are tax-advantaged savings vehicles that help people enrolled in high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) save for annual medical expenses. But unlike flexible spending accounts (FSAs), funds in an HSA can be carried over from year to year, making these accounts an important component of long-term financial plans.
Largest Increases on Record
Next year’s HSA contributions limit increases will be the largest on record since HSAs were first introduced in 2003. The IRS adjusts these limits each year to keep pace with inflation.
For individuals, the savings cap will rise 7.8% from $3,850 in 2023, while families will see their limit increase 7.1% from $7,750. A year ago the limits rose 5.5% and 6.2%, respectively. However, persistent inflation is pushing these caps even higher on Jan. 1, 2024.
HSA contribution limits for an individual with single, self-coverage:
2023: $3,850
2024: $4,150
HSA contribution limits for an individual with family coverage:
2023: $7,750
2024: $8,300
The changes will also affect what constitutes an HDHP. In 2024, health plans will qualify for HSAs if their deductibles are at least $1,600 for self-only coverage and $3,200 for family coverage.
Why HSA Contribution Limits Matter
Higher contribution limits not only mean that people can save more for qualified medical expenses, but they also provide an even larger potential tax break for HSA owners. Since contributions are tax-deductible, higher caps mean a person with an HSA will be able to reduce his taxable income by several hundred dollars more in 2024 than in 2023.
Of course, that’s not the only tax advantage of an HSA. Money that’s kept in this type of account also grows tax-free and can be withdrawn free of tax, provided it’s used to pay for qualified expenses.
And since HSA funds carry over each year, they’re a great way for pre-retirees to save up for the onerous healthcare expenses they may encounter in retirement.
A recent study from the Employee Benefit Research Institute found that despite the coverage offered by Medicare, retirees should prepare to pay significant out-of-pocket costs for their healthcare. These costs include a wide range of expenses, including insurance premiums, program deductibles and prescription drug treatments.
In fact, even with supplemental Medicare gap insurance, men will need an average of $166,000 in savings to pay for their healthcare needs in retirement. Since women have longer expected lifespans, that number is even higher: $197,000. Meanwhile, the average two-person household should anticipate needing $318,000, according to EBRI.
Bottom Line
With inflation remaining elevated, the IRS has increased the amount of money that individuals and families can save in their HSAs in 2024. The contribution limit increases are the largest on record. People with self-only coverage will be able to sock away $4,150 in 2024, while families will be permitted to save $8,300. The $1,000 catch-up contribution remains unchanged, meaning married couples can save $10,300 in an HSA in 2024.
Tips for Contributing to an HSA
Some HSAs allow you to invest your contributions in mutual funds and other financial products. Be sure to read our latest HSA investment guide to help you determine how you should invest your HSA funds. Our asset allocation calculator can also help you find an investment mix that suits your tolerance for risk.
A financial advisor can help you integrate your HSA savings into a comprehensive financial plan. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Patrick Villanova, CEPF®
Patrick Villanova is a writer for SmartAsset, covering a variety of personal finance topics, including retirement and investing. Before joining SmartAsset, Patrick worked as an editor at The Jersey Journal. His work has also appeared on NJ.com and in The Star-Ledger. Patrick is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, where he studied English and developed his love of writing. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, trying out new recipes in the kitchen and watching his beloved New York sports teams. A New Jersey native, he currently lives in Jersey City.
Investing in the stock market has never been easier. Many of the best online brokerages are designed for beginner investors and offer unique incentives for signing up. The good news is that you can enjoy free stocks just for signing up.
Investing in the stock market, real estate, or crypto has never been easier. Gone are the days when you had to be an expert or work with a stock broker to buy company shares or invest your money. You can invest your money in several ways, with options for every level of risk tolerance and investment understanding.
Many of the best online brokerages are designed for beginner investors and offer unique incentives for signing up. The good news is that you can enjoy free stocks just for signing up.
Table of Contents
How to Get Free Stocks
You have so many options today for investing in stocks, real estate, or crypto that investing platforms must work harder to gain your business. This means you can find many new discount brokerages and established investment platforms offering free stocks or financial bonuses to lure in investors.
We decided to look up the best free stock offers for those looking to take advantage of this opportunity.
Ready? Let’s dive in!
1. Public
Public is an investing platform offering commission-free stock trades, and it’s become a hit with young investors just starting. The platform is also a social online stock brokerage that lets you see how others invest so that you don’t feel alone in your financial journey. Public allows you to track the trade activity of verified investors with proven track records, so you’re always learning about investing options.
Another feature that makes Public attractive to young investors is that you can purchase fractional shares, meaning that you can start investing in more prominent companies even if you’re not in the financial position to buy whole shares.
Public’s platform also gives you access and exposure to asset classes like ETFs, crypto, luxury goods, and artwork. They plan to add real estate and music royalties to this list of asset classes soon.
We should note that Public doesn’t participate in payment for order flow like many other brokers do. This means that the company doesn’t sell your trades to third parties.
How do you get free stocks with Public?
Open an approved brokerage account with Open to the Public Investing.
Deposit at least $20 in your account.
Claim your reward from the top right of your home screen.
The reward, in this case, is a fractional share of a specific stock, ETF, or crypto token (you must open an account with Apex Crypto LLC for a crypto asset reward). The cash value of the reward you receive will vary from $1 to $300, with about 95% of participants receiving a reward valued at $1. According to Public, about 4.9% of participants will earn a reward valued at $5, and only 0.1% will earn a reward valued at $300.
2. moomoo
Moomoo claims that you can trade like a pro on their platform. There are no commissions, account minimums, hidden fees, or trade minimums with moomoo. The platform offers free investing tools with real-time data and AI support, plus you have access to global markets (US, Hong Kong, and China-A-shares) under one account. It also has US-based licensed specialists who are available for professional support.
How do you get free stocks with moomoo?
The moomoo home page states that you can get up to 15 free stocks valued between $3 to $2,000 each when you sign up. The offer is subject to change at any time.
Here are the different ways to get free stocks with moomoo:
Open a brokerage account and draw for a chance to earn one free stock worth between $3 and $2,000.
Deposit $100 into your account during the promotional period, and you will be entered into a draw four times to earn one free stock worth between $3 and $2,000.
Deposit $1,000 into your account during the promotional period, and you will get ten chances to draw for free stock worth between $3 and $2,000.
According to moomoo’s current promotional page, the free stock is completely random based on a specific probability distribution. There’s a 95% chance you’ll get a free stock worth $3 to $9.99, a 4.9% chance of getting a stock worth $10-$99.99, and a 0.1% chance of getting a stock worth $100 or more.
3. M1 Finance
M1 Finance is a free investment platform with a wide variety of professionally chosen portfolios for you to invest in. M1 Finance also offers various brokerage accounts, so there’s likely an account that will match your investing preferences.
The company refers to its platform as the “Finance Super App” since you can manage all of your financial tasks, like investing, spending, and borrowing, in one place to simplify your life. The platform comes with a checking account and lending services, and you can earn 1% cash back as a Plus user of the M1 Finance checking account.
M1 Finance is known for letting users invest in pies, which means that you can invest in different securities that make up slices of the whole pie. You can create a custom pie of stocks and ETFs based on your investment strategy. If you want to leave the guesswork to the professionals, you can use one of the expert pies created for different investors.
How do you get free stocks with M1 Finance?
M1 currently offers up to $500 for free if you deposit at least $10,000 within 14 days of opening a new brokerage account.
When you deposit $10,000 to $29,999.99 to your account, you get a $75 bonus. When you deposit $30,000 to $49,999.99, you get a bonus of $150. When you deposit $50,000 to $99,999.99, you get a $250 bonus. To earn a cash bonus amount of $500, you have to deposit over $100,000.
You can also use the M1 referral program to get $10 for free. When you sign up for an account through a friend’s link, you both get $10. You can then use this money to invest how you wish through the platform.
* Account Minimum $100
* Build custom portfolios (or)
* Choose expert portfolios
* Stocks, ETFs, REITs
Open an account
4. Robinhood
This investing platform was a game changer during the pandemic as many young folks turned to Robinhood to begin their investment journey. While there were some controversies related to Robinhood that came along with the 2021 meme stock rallies, you can’t ignore this easy-to-use app that has changed investing.
Robinhood’s popular commission-free app is designed for investors of all levels. You can invest in stocks and crypto through Robinhood, and it also provides ETFs, margin trading, and options trading for those looking to level up their investments. With 24/7 professional support, educational resources, and the ability to purchase fractional shares, it’s clear why many young investors have turned to Robinhood and its straightforward mobile app.
How do you get free stocks with Robinhood?
To get free stocks with Robinhood, you must open an account. Once you’ve linked your bank account, you’ll be given a specific dollar amount and will pick your gift stock from a list of America’s top 20 leading companies, based on market cap, in their respective industries. You can use the cash value you’re gifted to purchase fractional shares of the companies offered on the list in case you don’t earn enough to buy a total share.
The Robinhood website doesn’t specify the exact cash value you’ll receive, though it ranges from $5 to $200, with about 98% of the new account holders being granted a reward running from $5 to $10. You can use whatever amount you’re gifted to purchase stocks or fractional shares of a company.
You do have to keep the stock for three days from the day you claim it. When you sell the shares, you can use the money to purchase other stocks. If you want to withdraw this money from your account, you must keep the share’s cash value in your account for at least 30 days. Once the 30-day window is up, you can withdraw your funds without restrictions.
5. SoFi Invest
SoFi Invest is a part of the SoFi family of products. Their mission is to help people reach financial independence and realize their ambitions. SoFi Invest is an app designed to let you track and trade money. The investment platform lets you trade stocks and ETFs with no commissions, invest in IPOs before they hit the public market, invest in crypto, and even set up simplified automated investing.
The platform also offers educational resources to help you learn more about investing if you’re not comfortable with it yet. SoFi has many other personal finance products, including student loans, credit cards, banking, credit score monitoring, and personal loans. You can essentially use SoFi to handle all of your personal finance needs.
How do you get free stocks with SoFi Invest?
You must open an Active SoFi Invest Brokerage Account with SoFi Invest and deposit $10. Then you become eligible for a signup bonus that ranges from $5 to $1,000. The promotional offer gives a 0.028% probability of earning $1,000 and an 85.488% chance of gaining the $5 reward.
6. Webull
Webull is one of the new players in the stock broker space, offering zero commissions and no deposit minimums. Every member gets smart tools for smart investing. Webull allows you to diversify your portfolio with various investment products like stocks, fractional shares, options, ETFs, ADRs, and OTC.
Webull also attracts more sophisticated investors by offering innovative tools like advanced charting and comprehensive financial analysis. When you become a member, you get access to a community with millions of folks discussing investment strategies, so you’re not alone during your investment journey.
How do you get free stocks with Webull?
According to their website, Webull’s process is fairly simple, and you can get up to 12 free fractional shares with a value ranging from $3 to $3,000. This promotional offer ends on January 4, 2023.
Here are the two ways you can get free stocks with Webull:
Open an account with Webull to get two free fractional shares.
Deposit any amount of money in your new account and get up to 10 free fractional shares.
The free stocks, which include NYSE or NASDAQ-listed companies with a minimum market cap of $2 billion and a share price ranging from $3 to $300, are chosen randomly. The odds of being rewarded a stock ranging between $151 and $300 is approximately 1:10000.
7. Groundfloor
Groundfloor is a real estate crowdsourcing app aimed at debt investments, so you can get into real estate without allocating a significant portion of your savings. Real estate investing platforms have become more popular over the last few years, with more apps like Groundfloor popping up.
You can invest with Groundfloor in two ways:
The “Stairs” saving account: This is essentially a high-interest savings account with a 4% APR, no fees, and no minimum balance. You can leave your money there and let it grow until you’re ready to start investing.
Groundfloor real estate crowdsourcing: You can invest in individual renovation loans or use automatic investing tools to find projects you can fund based on your chosen criteria.
Groundfloor claims to be the only investing platform where you can securely earn up to 10% on your money with investments backed by real assets. The platform is known for “savesting” since they try to combine saving with investing.
Groundfloor has grown to about 200,000 users and over $240 million in assets under management. Groundfloor generally repays all investments every 4-12 months, which is rare considering that real assets back your investments.
How do you get free stocks with Groundfloor?
When you invest $100 into your new Groundfloor account, you get a $50 credit within 30 days. All you need to do is link your bank account, pick your investments (or let Groundfloor do it for you), and collect your interest. You and a friend can also earn a $50 referral bonus when you get them to sign up for Groundfloor using your referral link.
8. Plynk
Plynk is an app designed to make investing easy for beginners, helping you learn about financial investments as you go. You can start investing for as little as $1, so you don’t have to be intimidated by the investment process or by setting aside a large chunk of capital.
Plynk uses simple language that’s easy to understand and teaches you about investing concepts as you work on growing your money. They offer many tips and how-tos to guide you through the process. Plynk will ask you some questions that it will use to narrow down investment opportunities based on your interests.
How do you get free stock with Plynk?
You create an account, then link your bank account to earn the $10 signup incentive. You can also get up to a $100 deposit match as a bonus for a limited time.
9. Fundrise
Fundrise helps you start real estate investing with only $10. This real estate crowdsourcing app is focused on long-term investments. The best part of investing with Fundrise is adding real estate exposure to your portfolio without dealing with any of the hassles typically involved in owning and renting out properties.
Fundrise has multiple investment options depending on how much capital you have to work with. There’s a Starter level for those who want to begin with as little as $10 and packages that go in tiers up to $100,000 for accredited investors.
Fundrise also recently launched the Innovation Fund for those who want additional diversification. This investment is focused on high-growth private tech companies that could provide lucrative returns in the future.
How do you get free stocks with Fundrise?
Fundrise will automatically deposit $10 as a bonus when you open your new account and link your bank account via its promotional page. Several terms and conditions apply as to who qualifies for this offer. You can use the bonus cash for investing in one of Fundrise’s fund options. For more information on Fundrise, check out our full review.
* Invest in real estate with $10
* Open to all investors
* Online easy to use site and app
Invest now
10. Firstrade
Firstrade is a full-service online brokerage that allows you to invest in stocks, options, and mutual funds while you get access to a full suite of investment products, research, tools, and even customer service. The best part is that you get all of these services for free. Firstrade offers zero-dollar commission trades and $0 options contract fees on its award-winning platform.
Firstrade has an extensive list of services for investors, including some of the following perks:
Extended-hours trading: You can get pre-market news and after-market-hours sessions.
Trade ideas: You get access to premium research from trusted platforms like Morningstar, Benzinga, and Zacks.
Free educational resources: There are free tools and live webinars for investors of all levels.
According to Firstrade’s website, you can get up to $4,000 in cash bonuses when you sign up. While you don’t get paid in stocks, you get the next best thing, cash.
How do you get free stocks with Firstrade?
It’s very easy to earn free stocks with Firstrade, as all you have to do is fund your account to get a cash bonus. This promotion ends on January 17, 2023, and there’s a list of criteria for earning free stocks based on how much you invest. Here’s how much you can earn in cash with Firstrade:
Deposit or transfer amount
Cash bonus
$5,000+
$50
$10,000+
$100
$25,000+
$300
$100,000+
$700
$500,000+
$1,500
$1,000,000+
$3,000
$1,500,000+
$4,000
You can also get up to $200 in transfer fee rebates for account transfers and $25 in wire transfer fee rebates.
11. Acorns
Acorns allows you to save, invest, and learn with one simple app. You can set the Acorns app to save and invest for you automatically. For example, you can turn on the Round-Ups feature to invest your spare change by rounding up your purchases to the next dollar and allocating the difference to your portfolio. According to Acorns, the average new user will invest an extra $166 within four months by just rounding up and investing their spare change.
Acorns also offers diversified portfolios that experts create, including ETFs that professionals from top investment firms manage. With over 10 million sign-ups, Acorns has been helping millennials save money daily.
With Acorns, you can earn bonus rewards by purchasing products from many top brands. Since Acorns works with over 15,000 brands, including Apple, Amazon, and many others, you have multiple opportunities to earn rewards.
How do you get free stocks with Acorns?
To get your $10 sign-up bonus on Acorns, simply create a new account and make your first investment of at least $5. Acorns also offers a $5 investment referral bonus to you and a friend when you get your friend to sign up. Find out more about Acorns in our full review.
12. Stash
Stash is an investing app tailored for beginners, allowing users to start investing with very little cash. With only a $5 investment minimum, Stash allows new investors to start small until they’re more comfortable.
Stash offers banking and investing tools to its ten million-plus users. You can automate your investing, put your money into stocks, or let Stash create a customized investment based on your financial preferences. If you’re unsure which investment option to choose, the Smart Portfolio will automatically expose you to stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrency.
Among other unique features, Stash can work with parents or guardians who want to open a custodial account for their children to invest in their future. Stash also offers a Stock-Back debit card that lets you earn 1% in stock on all of your purchases. The Stock-Back card rewards you with stocks of the companies you shop with.
In addition to no hidden fees, Stash offers a Stock Round-Up feature where you can round up your purchases to the nearest dollar and invest your spare change in stocks. This platform is an easy, educational, and convenient way to invest in stocks.
How do you get free stocks with Stash?
Stash is currently offering $5 to anyone who signs up for a Stash Invest account which you can use to spend on more investments.
Stash also has weekly stock parties, where investors can earn bonus stock in a well-known company for participating in the party and sharing a referral code with friends.
13. Charles Schwab
Charles Schwab is one of the country’s biggest, most well-known banks and brokerages, with many physical locations available nationwide.
The Schwab digital platform offers various financial tools and accounts for investors of every level. You can find different brokerage accounts depending on your investing goals. The Schwab brokerage account features options trading, margin trading, and checking account features like paper checks and debit cards.
You can utilize the robo-advisor investing tool for a more hands-off approach to investing your money. You can also visit a physical branch near you if you have any pressing issues. There’s also 24/7 access to investment professionals if you have questions.
How do you get free stocks with Charles Schwab?
Charles Schwab touts that new investors will get its investing 101 course and a $101 cash bonus. You have to open up a Schwab Starter Kit, which includes $101 of Schwab Stock Slices, investing education, and other financial tools (like budget planners, for example).
To get free stocks with Schwab, you must open your account and fund it with $50 within the first 30 days. Then you’ll receive $101 to split equally between the top five stocks in the S&P 500.
Which is the Best Online Broker For Free Stocks?
If you’re looking for free stocks while opening up a new investment account, the good news is there are plenty of options. Those newer to investing will want to explore the various choices to see which broker works best for their unique financial situations. Every app offers distinct features and benefits that will hold different values depending on your current financial situation.
The investing app you go with will also depend on what you’re looking to invest in, as you can choose between different assets like stocks, ETFs, real estate, crypto, and so on. The best part of investing in 2023 is finding a platform that will match your investment strategy, so you can shop around until you’re satisfied.
As always, we urge you to carefully read the fine print to ensure that you qualify for free stocks if you’re solely signing up for the financial incentives.
What to learn how to start investing for beginners? Here’s my tips on where to start investing, even if you have little money.
I always say the first thing you need to do if you want to start investing is to just jump in. However, what if you don’t really even know how to start investing?
In addition to not knowing how to start investing, it can be scary, stressful, and overwhelming to begin.
Even though it can be scary, it will probably be one of the best decisions you make when it comes to being prepared for retirement.
With today’s post, I hope to make it easier than ever with my beginner investing tips so that you can start investing your money and build a retirement fund as soon as possible.
Just as a refresher, you want to invest because:
It can help make sure you aren’t working for the rest of your life.
You can retire sooner rather than later.
You can lead a good life well after you finish working – traveling, pursuing your hobbies, volunteering, or whatever you choose!
Compound interest means the earlier you save the more you earn.
You won’t have to rely on your children or others in order to make ends meet.
Investing is important because it means you are making your money work for you. If you weren’t investing, your money would just be sitting there and not earning a thing.
This is important to note because $100 today will not be worth $100 in the future if you just let it sit under a mattress or in a checking account. However, if you invest, you can actually turn your $100 into something more. Investing for the long term means your money is working for you, potentially earning you an income.
For example: If you put $1,000 into a retirement account that has an annual 8% return, 40 years later that would turn into $21,724. If you started with that same $1,000 and put an extra $1,000 in it for the next 40 years at an annual 8% return, that would then turn into $301,505. If you started with $10,000 and put an extra $10,000 in it for the next 40 years at that same percentage rate, that would then turn into $3,015,055.
Related content:
I’ve talked a lot about savings here on Making Sense of Cents, and in my post 56% Of Americans Have Less Than $10,000 Saved For Retirement, I stated that 56% of Americans have less than an average of $10,000 in retirement savings and 33% have no retirement savings at all. This is something incredibly important to address! And, some of those statistics are because many don’t know how to start investing.
Other interesting statistics mentioned in this article include:
42% of millennials have not begun saving for retirement.
52% of Gen Xers have less than $10,000 in retirement savings.
About 30% of respondents age 55 and over have no retirement savings whatsoever.
Nearly 75% of Americans over 40 are behind on saving for retirement.
One of the biggest reasons I’ve noticed is that people don’t realize that they should be saving more or, like I said, they don’t know how to start investing. Again, investing for beginners can feel daunting, so don’t feel like you are alone. And, the reality is that you don’t need much to get started.
If you have never invested before and are wondering how to start investing, I have broken down the steps to make easy to start investing for beginners, even those who feel like they don’t have much money to invest.
How to start investing for beginners:
1. Start saving your money.
“The best time to invest was yesterday; the second best is today!”
That’s one of my favorite investment quotes, and it explains why starting to save for investing should happen right now.
And, my top investing tip goes right along with it: start setting money aside today.
In order to invest your money, you need to actually set aside money for investing. How much you set aside is entirely up to you, but I think more is always better if you can manage it.
Okay, you may be thinking “How much money should I save if I don’t have much money?!”
The key here is saving as much for investing as you realistically can. This may be nowhere near 20% at first, heck, this might not even be 5%, but any little bit will help. If you are not able to save that much, just save something! Investing for beginners can be as little as $25 a month – seriously, every little bit does help.
Even if it’s just $1 a day, set that amount aside and start saving even more.
You may want to look into Acorns, which is a cell phone app that rounds up your credit card and debit card purchases, and then invests your spare change. Acorns automatically invests for you, and you can get started in under 5 minutes. This app is amazing!
You can always work your way up to saving a higher and higher percentage of your income to put towards investments. Starting small is an easy way for beginners who are wondering how to start investing. I understand that some people have financial situations in which they may not be able to save as much money as they would like. Living paycheck to paycheck, being in medical debt, or having a major unexpected expense can wreck a person’s financial situation and their goals, and I understand that.
However, there are options to getting out of those negative financial situations. Cutting your spending is an obvious one, but you can also find more ways to make extra money. It may be a challenge, but you are worth the work it takes to reach your financial goals.
Even if you are working towards day-to-day financial stability, you can still start investing. Like I said, even the smallest amount of money can be put towards investing. Not only does investing now help you reach retirement sooner, it may help you prevent negative financial situations from happening the in future.
2. Find an online brokerage or an expert to manage your investments.
So, now that you have actually started to set aside money, you will want to decide how you will invest it.
There are two main things you could do with your money. Either invest your money yourself, such as through an online brokerage, or find an expert to manage your investment portfolio. Part of learning how to start investing includes determining the company, platform, or person you will use to invest your first dollar.
There are many online brokers and brokerage accounts for you to choose from. My favorites include:
Ally Invest – This is a full service discount broker that doesn’t have a minimum amount, so you can start investing with them right away.
Betterment – Betterment offers an affordable way to invest your money. They have over 400,000 customers and over $14 billion has been invested through their service. With Betterment, you can invest with as little money as you want each month, which is great for a new investor!
Vanguard – I absolutely love Vanguard, and I recommend that you check them out. This is a great way to introduce both new and old investors to the stock market.
Also, if your employer has a retirement plan, then you will definitely want to look into that as well. If your company offers a retirement plan match, then this is where you will want to start as their retirement match is pretty much free money!
Also, in case you are wondering, a 401(k) is a type of retirement account that you get through an employer.
3. Decide where to put your money.
After you open your brokerage account, you will want to decide how exactly you will invest your money in the stock market. I think this might be one of the biggest hurdles for those wondering how to start investing and how to invest in stocks. There are a lot of what ifs in the investment world, and a good brokerage or expert will help you navigate as you decide where to put your money.
Basically, where you invest your money depends a lot on the level of risk tolerance you are willing to take and the time you have to watch your funds mature. A simple way of explaining this is that more time equals more risk and less time equals less risk.
For example: if you are in your 20’s and are using your investments for retirement, you have 30-40 years worth of investing ahead of you. You will likely be able to make some riskier investments knowing that the market will bounce up and down over time. If you are closer to retirement, you will probably want your funds in something that you are confident will make small but steady gains.
Choosing the stocks, mutual funds, etc. that you invest in is not the easiest thing because no one knows what will happen in the future. This is why it’s important to have a diverse portfolio.
When learning how to start investing for beginners, a professional will help you determine your goals, your risk level and how to diversify your investments in a way that will benefit you.
Even if you do have a professional helping you, it’s always important to do your own research on the types of investments available and which ones interest you.
Please remember that I am not an investment professional and that you should do your research when choosing who/what to invest in.
Related: How To Start An Emergency Fund
4. Monitor your investment portfolio.
So, you finally have invested your money, congrats!
The next step is to regularly track your investments. This is important because you may eventually have to change what you are invested in, put more money towards your investments, and so on.
Now, the key here is to not go crazy, and checking on your portfolio can be an exciting thing when investing for beginners. But, you do not want to become a person who checks their investments every hour of the day. That won’t help you at all as small changes in the stock market most likely won’t matter to you, especially if you are investing for your long-term future.
However, you do want to occasionally check your progress as things may change in the market, your investment interests may change, and you may even alter your goals.
A free tool that I recommend using to monitor your investments is Personal Capital.
You can see your investment portfolio all in one place so that you can easily track your performance, see your investment allocations, and easily analyze everything related to your investments. The Personal Capital Retirement Planner will also tell you if you have saved enough for retirement.
To protect my privacy, this image is not mine – it was provided by Personal Capital.
5. Continue the steps above over and over again.
Learning how to start investing is the first step, but the final one is to continue investing well into the future, and you will want to continue these steps over and over again. Now that you know what steps to take, it only gets easier from here.
The hard part is done!
How much money should a beginner invest for the first time?
Even if you think you don’t have much, you can still start!
If you want to start with just a few dollars, I recommend reading A Beginner’s Guide to Micro-Investing.
How can I start investing with little money?
As a recap, you can start investing with little money by following these tips:
Start saving your money.
Find an online brokerage or an expert to manage your investments.
Decide where to put your money.
Monitor your investment portfolio.
Continue the steps above over and over again.
What questions do you have when it comes to how to start investing for beginners? What investment tips do you have to share?
Inside: This guide will teach you about the different factors you need to consider when purchasing a home with a 70k salary.
There are a lot of factors to consider when you’re trying to figure out how much house you can afford. Your income, your debts, your down payment, and the interest rate on your mortgage all play a role in determining how much house you can afford.
Your situation will be different than the person next-door or your co-coworker.
Making 70000 a year is a great salary. You are making the median salary in the United States.
It’s enough to comfortably afford most homes and gives you plenty of room to save money each month.
But how much house can you actually afford?
It depends on several factors, including your down payment, interest rate, income, and credit score.
In this ultimate guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how much house you can afford making 70000 a year.
how much house can i afford on 70k
In general, you can expect to spend 28-36% of your income on housing.
Generally speaking, if you make $70,000 a year, you can afford a house between $226,000 and $380,000.
How much mortgage on 70k salary?
In general, you should expect to spend no more than 28% of your monthly income on a mortgage payment.
Thus, you can spend approximately$1633-2100 a month on a mortgage.
Just remember this is relative to the interest rate, term length of the loan, down payment, and other factors.
This post may contain affiliate links, which helps us to continue providing relevant content and we receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the full disclosure here.
28/36 Rule
But there’s one factor that trumps all the others: The 28/36 rule.
Also known as the debt-to-income (DTI) ratio.
The 28/36 rule is a guideline that says that your housing costs (mortgage payments, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and HOA fees) should not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income.
And your total debt (housing costs plus any other debts you have, like car payments or credit card bills) should not exceed 36% of your gross monthly income.
You must follow the 28/36 rule.
How to calculate how much mortgage you can afford?
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t know how to calculate how much mortgage you can afford.
This is actually a really important question that you need to ask yourself before beginning the home-buying process.
The answer will help determine the price range of homes you should be looking at. Plus know how much money you’ll need to save for a down payment.
Step #1: Check Interest Rates
Research current mortgage rates to get an accurate estimate. You can also check your credit score and search for average mortgage rates based on your credit score.
Right now, with sky-high inflation, you are unable to afford a bigger house when interest rates are hovering around 6% compared to ultra-low interest rates of 2.5%.
With a 70k salary, this can be the difference between $50-100k on the total mortgage amount you can afford.
Step #2: Use a Mortgage Calculator
Use a mortgage calculator to get an estimate of the home price you can afford based on your income, debt profile, and down payment.
Generally, lenders cap the maximum amount of monthly gross income you can use toward the loan’s principal and interest payment to not more than 28% of your gross monthly income (called the “Front-End” or “Housing Expense” ratio). Then, limit your total allowable debt-to-income ratio (called the “Back-End” ratio) to not more than 36%.
You can use a mortgage calculator to a ballpark range of what house you can afford.
Step #3: Taxes, Insurance, and PMI
When planning for a home purchase, it’s important to factor in all of your monthly expenses, including taxes, insurance, and PMI.
This will ensure that you get an accurate estimate of your home-buying budget based on your household annual income.
Don’t forget to include these payments to get a realistic understanding of your monthly budget.
Step #4: Remember your Living Expenses
When considering how much house you can afford based on your $70,000 salary, you must consider your lifestyle and current expenses.
It is important to factor in other monthly expenses such as cell phone and internet bills, utilities, insurance costs, and other bills.
More than likely, you will be approved for a higher mortgage amount than you would feel comfortable with. This is 100% what lenders will do.
They want to provide you with the most you can afford – not what you should afford.
Step #5: Get prequalified
Prequalifying for a mortgage is an important first step to take when estimating how much house you can afford.
It gives you a more precise figure to work with and helps you make a more informed decision based on your personal situation.
Remember that your final amount will vary depending on a number of factors, especially your interest rate, which will be based on your credit score.
Taking the time to research current mortgage rates helps you secure a better mortgage rate, giving you more buying power.
Home Buying by Down Payment
How much house can you afford?
It’s a common question among home buyers — especially first-time home buyers. Use this table to figure out how much house you can reasonably afford given your salary and other monthly obligations.
The assumption is 30 year fixed mortgage, good credit (690-719), no monthly debt, and a 4% interest rate.
Annual Income
Downpayment
Monthly Payment
How Much House Can I Afford?
$70,000
$9,552 (3%)
$1,750
$318,412
$70,000
$16,215 (5%)
$1,750
$324,316
$70,000
$34,058 (10%)
$1,750
$340,581
$70,000
$53,573 (15%)
$1,750
$357,152
$70,000
$75,094 (20%)
$1,750
$375,468
$70,000
$98,933 (25%)
$1,750
$395,731
**Your own interest rate, monthly payment, and how much house you can afford will vary on your personal circumstances.
Mortgage on 70k Salary Based on Monthly Payment and Interest Rate
How much house can you afford on a $70,000 salary?
This largely depends on the current interest rate of the mortgage loan you’re considering. When interest rates are high, people aren’t actively buying as when interest rates are low.
By understanding these factors, you can better gauge how much house you can afford on a $70,000 salary.
The assumption is 30 year fixed mortgage, good credit (690-719), no monthly debt, and a 20% downpayment.
Annual Income
Monthly Payment
Interest Rate
How Much House Can I Afford?
$70,000
$1,750
3.25%
$406,796
$70,000
$1,750
3.5%
$396,231
$70,000
$1,750
3.75%
$386,101
$70,000
$1,750
4%
$375,994
$70,000
$1,750
4.5%
$357,554
$70,000
$1,750
5%
$339,954
**Your own interest rate, monthly payment, and how much house you can afford will vary on your personal circumstances.
Home Affordability Calculator by Debt-to-Income Ratio
Around here at Money Bliss, we always stress that debt will hold you back.
In the case of buying a house, debt increases your DTI ratio.
Here is a glimpse at what monthly debt can cause your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio to increase. Thus, making the house you want to buy to be more difficult.
Annual Income
Monthly Payment
Monthly Debt
How Much House Can I Afford?
$70,000
$2,100
$0
$440,085
$70,000
$1,900
$200
$404,584
$70,000
$1,800
$300
$382,334
$70,000
$1,600
$500
$337,883
$70,000
$1,350
$750
$282,208
$70,000
$1,100
$1000
$226,582
**Your own interest rate, monthly payment, and how much house you can afford will vary on your personal circumstances.
Increase your Home Buying Budget
Here are a few ways you can increase your home buying budget when buying a house on a $70k annual income.
By following these steps, you can increase your home buying budget and find a more suitable house for your income.
1. Pick a Cheaper Home
Home prices vary significantly in different parts of the country.
Moving out of a major metropolitan area with notoriously high housing costs can help you find more affordable homes.
There are plenty of ways to find a home that is cheaper than you would normally expect.
Look for homes that are for sale in less desirable neighborhoods.
Find homes that are for sale by owner or have not been listed yet.
Check for homes that are for sale outside of your usual price range and haven’t sold as they may drop their price.
Move to a lower cost of living area.
2. Increase Your Down Payment Savings
A larger down payment can reduce the amount you have to finance, which lowers your monthly payment.
Plus help you get a lower interest rate and avoid paying PMI.
Putting down at least 10-20 percent of the home sale price can help boost your home buying power. You can also take advantage of down payment assistance programs in your area.
3. Pay Down Your Existing Debt
Paying down your debts such as credit card debts or auto loans can help raise your maximum home loan.
Paying down your debts can help you qualify for a higher loan amount.
This is because when you have lower amounts of debt, your credit score is higher and your debt-to-income ratio is less. This means you are less likely to be rejected for a home loan.
4. Improve Your Credit Score
A higher credit score can lead to lower rates and more affordable payments.
You can improve your credit score by:
Paying your bills on time
Paying down your credit card balances
Avoiding opening new credit before applying for a mortgage
Disputing any errors on your credit report
This is very true! We had an unfortunate debt that wasn’t ours added to our credit report right before closing. While the debt was an error, it still cost us a higher interest rate and forced us to refinance once the credit report was fixed.
5. Increase Your Income
Asking for a raise, seeking a higher-paid position, or starting a side gig can help you increase the amount of home you can afford.
While you need two years of income from a side gig or your own online business to count as income, the extra cash earned helps you to increase the size of your downpayment. Plus it lowers your debt-to-income ratio with the savings you are setting aside.
What factors should you consider when deciding how much you can afford for a mortgage?
How much house can you afford on your current salary and with your current monthly debts?
This is a question that we are often asked, and it’s one that we love to answer.
We’ll walk you through all the different factors that go into this decision so that you can make an informed choice.
1. Loan amount
The loan amount is a key factor that affects the total cost of a mortgage.
If you have no outstanding debt, a 20% down payment, a high credit score, and a 3.5% interest rate from an FHA loan, you could be able to afford up to $508,000.
However, if you have debt, a smaller down payment, or a lower credit score, the loan amount you can qualify for will be lower.
Similarly, if you choose a 15-year fixed-rate loan, your monthly payments will be higher, but you will end up paying less in interest over the life of the loan than with a 30-year fixed-rate loan.
Ultimately, your loan amount will affect the total cost of your mortgage, so it’s important to consider all the factors when making your decision.
2. Mortgage Interest rate
Mortgage interest rates can have a significant impact on the cost of a mortgage. The higher the interest rate, the more expensive the loan will be.
For example, a difference between a 3% and 4% interest rate on a $300,000 mortgage is more than $150 on the monthly payment.
Remember, in the first few years of a mortgage, the majority of the payment goes toward interest rather than trying to reduce the principal amount.
3. Type of Mortgage
The primary difference between a fixed and variable mortgage is the interest rate and the amount of your payment
Fixed-rate mortgages offer the stability of having the same interest rate for the life of the loan.
Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) come with lower interest rates to start, but those rates can change over the life of the loan. ARMs are often a riskier choice, as if the economy falters, the interest rate can go up.
Fixed-rate loans are typically the most popular choice, as the monthly payment amount is more predictable and easier to budget for. The terms of a fixed-rate loan can range from 10 to 30 years, depending on the lender.
Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) have interest rates that can increase or decrease annually based on an index plus a margin. ARMs are typically more attractive to borrowers who plan on staying in the home for a shorter period of time, as the lower initial interest rate can make the payments more manageable.
The Money Bliss recommendation is to choose a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage.
4. Property value
Property value can have a direct effect on how much you can afford for a mortgage.
As the value of the property increases, so does the amount of money you will need to borrow to purchase it. This, in turn, affects the monthly payments and the amount of interest you will pay over the life of the loan.
This is especially important as many people have been priced out of the market with the rising home prices.
Additionally, higher property values can mean higher taxes, which will add to the amount you need to budget for your mortgage payments.
5. Homeowner insurance
Homeowner’s insurance is a requirement when securing a loan and it can vary depending on the value and location of the home.
Additionally, certain areas that are prone to natural disasters or are located in densely populated areas may have higher premiums than other locations and may require additional insurance like flood insurance.
As a result, lenders typically require that you purchase homeowners insurance in order to secure a loan, and may have specific requirements for the type or amount of coverage that you need to purchase.
Before committing to a mortgage, it is important to consider the cost of homeowner’s insurance and make sure it fits into your budget.
This is something you do not want to skimp on as the cost to replace a home is very expensive.
6. Property taxes
Property taxes are calculated based on the value of a home and the tax rate of the city or county where the property resides.
The higher the property taxes, the more you will have to pay in your monthly mortgage payment.
In states with high property taxes, the property tax bill can be a large sum of the mortgage payment.
It is important to consider these costs when comparing different homes and locations to ensure you can afford the home without stretching your budget too thin.
7. Home repairs and maintenance
It’s important to also consider other factors such as the age of the house, since some properties may require renovation and repairs that can cost more than the house price itself.
Beyond the cost of purchasing a home, homeowners will likely have other expenses related to owning and maintaining the property.
Also, many homeowners prefer to do significant upgrades to the home before moving in, which comes at an additional expense.
These can include ordinary expenses such as painting, taking care of a lawn, fixing appliances, and cleaning living spaces, which can add up.
Additionally, it’s advisable to buy a home that falls in the middle of your price range to ensure you have some extra money for unexpected costs, such as repairs and maintenance.
8. HOA or Homeowners Association Maintenance
This is often an overlooked factor by many new homebuyers, but extremely important as some HOAs add $500-800 per month to the total housing budget.
The purpose of a homeowners association (HOA) is to establish a set of rules and regulations for residents to follow as well as maintain the community or building.
These fees are typically used to pay for maintenance, amenities, landscaping, and concierge services.
HOA fees are used to finance community upkeep, including landscaping and joint space development, and can range from $100 to over $1,000 per month, depending on the amenities in the association.
9. Utility bills
When switching from renting to buying a home, you will have to factor in the costs of your monthly utility bills such as electricity, natural gas, water, garbage and recycling, cable TV, internet, and cell phone when calculating how much mortgage you can afford.
In addition, the larger the home, the higher the costs to heat and cool your new home.
Make sure to ask your realtor for previous utility bills on the property you are interested in.
10. Private Mortgage Insurance
The purpose of private mortgage insurance (PMI) is to protect the lender in the event of foreclosure. It is typically required when a borrower is unable to make a 20% down payment on a home purchase.
PMI allows borrowers to purchase a home with less upfront capital, but also comes with additional monthly costs that are added to the mortgage payment. These fees range from 0.5% to 2.5% of the loan’s value annually and are based on the amount of money put down.
PMI can also be canceled or refinanced once the borrower has achieved 20% equity in the home or when the outstanding loan amount reaches 80% of the home’s purchase price.
11. Moving costs
Moving is expensive, but also a pain to do. So, consider the moving costs associated with relocating from one location to another.
Typically fees for packing, transportation, and possibly storage, and can vary depending on the size of the move and the distance the move needs to cover.
Also, consider if by buying a home, you will stop having moving costs associated with moving from rental to rental.
FAQ
When determining how much house you can afford, it’s important to consider several factors.
These include your income, existing debts, interest rates, credit history, credit score, monthly debt, monthly expenses, utilities, groceries, down payment, loan options (such as FHA or VA loans), and location (which affects the interest rate and property tax). Also, think about the costs of maintaining or renovating a home.
Additionally, you should also evaluate your own budget and assess whether now is the right time to purchase a home. Taking all of these factors into account can help you set the maximum limit on what you can realistically afford.
A mortgage calculator can help you determine your home affordability by providing an estimate of the home price you can afford based on your income, debt profile, and down payment.
It works by inputting your annual income and estimated mortgage rate, which then calculates the maximum amount of money you’re able to spend on a house and the expected monthly payment.
Additionally, different methods are available to factor in your debt-to-income ratio or your proposed housing budget, allowing you to get a more accurate estimate of your home buying budget.
The debt-to-income ratio or DTI is used by lenders to assess a borrower’s ability to make mortgage payments.
This ratio is calculated by taking the total of all of a borrower’s monthly recurring debts (including mortgage payments) and dividing it by the borrower’s monthly pre-tax household income.
A high DTI ratio indicates that the borrower’s debt is high relative to income, and could reduce the amount of loan they are qualified to receive.
Generally, lenders prefer a DTI of 36% or less, which allows borrowers to qualify for better interest rates on their mortgages.
To calculate their DTI, borrowers should include debt such as credit card payments, car loans, student and other loans, along with housing expenses. It is important to note that the DTI does not include other monthly expenses such as groceries, gas, or current rent payments.
Closing costs can have an enormous impact on how much home you’re able to afford.
From application fees and down payments to attorney costs and credit report fees, these costs can add up quickly and affect your overall budget. Unfortunately, most of these closing costs are non-negotiable, but you can ask the seller to pay them.
When buying a house, it is important to research the different mortgage options available to you.
You can typically choose between a conventional loan that is guaranteed by a private lender or banking institution, or a government-backed loan. Depending on your monthly payment and down payment availability, you may be able to select between a 15-year or a 30-year loan.
A conventional loan typically offers better interest rates and payment flexibility.
While a government-backed loan may be more lenient with its credit and down payment requirements.
For veterans or first-time home buyers, there may be special mortgage options available to them.
Ultimately, it is important to talk to a lender to see which loan type is best for your personal circumstances.
When it comes to saving for a down payment, it’s important to understand how much you’ll need and how much it will affect your budget.
Generally, you’ll need 20% of the cost of the home for a conventional mortgage and 25% for an investment property. When you put down more money, it gives you more buying power and may help you negotiate a lower interest rate.
For example, if you’re buying a $300,000 house, you’ll need a down payment of $60,000 for a conventional mortgage. On the other hand, if you put down 10%, you can still afford a $395,557 house. But, you will have to pay for private mortgage insurance.
In addition, there are other ways to help you cover these upfront costs. You can look into down payment assistance programs.
Ultimately, the size of your down payment will depend on your budget and financial goals. You should never deplete your savings account just to make a larger down payment. It’s important to factor in emergency funds and other expenses when deciding on the best option.
Eligibility requirements for loan lenders can vary, but in general, lenders are looking for borrowers with a good credit score, a reliable income, and a history of employment or income stability.
For most loan types, borrowers will need to show a history of two consecutive years of employment in order to qualify. However, lenders may be more flexible if the borrower is just beginning their career or if they are self-employed and do not have W2 forms and official pay stubs.
Income verification also needs to be done “on paper”, meaning that cash tips that do not appear on pay stubs or W2s can not be used as income. The lender will look at the household’s average pre-tax income over a two-year period before determining the amount that can be borrowed.
In order to make sure that the borrower is financially secure, lenders will also pull the borrower’s credit report and base their pre-approval on the credit score and debt-to-income ratio. Employment verification may also be done.
For certain government-backed loan types, such as FHA, VA, and USDA loans, there may be additional or different requirements for eligibility. For instance, for FHA loans, the borrower must intend to use the home as a primary residence and live in it within two months after closing. VA loans are more lenient, and may not require a down payment.
The qualifications for VA loans vary based on the period and amount of time the borrower has served. There are many ways to qualify, whether the borrower is a veteran, active duty service member, reservist, or member of the National Guard. For more information on eligibility requirements for VA loans, borrowers can visit the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
A good credit score will mean you have access to more lending options, better interest rates, and more purchasing power.
On the other hand, a poor credit score could mean you are approved for a loan, but at a higher interest rate and with a smaller house.
This means your budget will be more limited and you may not be able to buy as much home as you had hoped for. Additionally, lenders will also look at other factors, such as your debt-to-income ratio, employment history, and loan term, in order to determine your overall affordability.
What House Can I Afford on 70k a year?
As a borrower, you need to consider the interest rate, down payment, credit score, debt-to-income ratio, employment history, and loan term when determining how much house you can afford.
A higher credit score can often mean a lower interest rate, and a larger down payment can bring down the monthly payments.
All of these factors can have an effect on the amount of money you can borrow and the home you can afford.
Ultimately, understanding the impact of different factors can help borrowers make the best decisions when it comes to getting a mortgage.
Now that you know how much house you can afford, it’s time to start saving for a down payment.
The sooner you start saving, the sooner you’ll be able to move into your dream home. But you may have to wait if you are considering a mansion.
By taking into consideration this guide into account, you can make a more informed decision about the cost of a mortgage for your new home.
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!
In Best Low-Risk Investments for 2023, I provided a comprehensive list of low-risk investments with predictable returns. But it’s precisely because those returns are low-risk that they also provide relatively low returns.
In this article, we’re going to look at high-yield investments, many of which involve a higher degree of risk but are also likely to provide higher returns.
True enough, low-risk investments are the right investment solution for anyone who’s looking to preserve capital and still earn some income.
But if you’re more interested in the income side of an investment, accepting a bit of risk can produce significantly higher returns. And at the same time, these investments will generally be less risky than growth stocks and other high-risk/high-reward investments.
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Determine How Much Risk You’re Willing to Take On
The risk we’re talking about with these high-yield investments is the potential for you to lose money. As is true when investing in any asset, you need to begin by determining how much you’re willing to risk in the pursuit of higher returns.
Chasing “high-yield returns” will make you broke if you don’t have clear financial goals you’re working towards.
I’m going to present a large number of high-yield investments, each with its own degree of risk. The purpose is to help you evaluate the risk/reward potential of these investments when selecting the ones that will be right for you.
If you’re looking for investments that are completely safe, you should favor one or more of the highly liquid, low-yield vehicles covered in Best Low-Risk Investments for 2023. In this article, we’re going to be going for something a little bit different. As such, please note that this is not in any way a blanket recommendation of any particular investment.
Best High-Yield Investments for 2023
Table of Contents
Below is my list of the 18 best high-yield investments for 2023. They’re not ranked or listed in order of importance. That’s because each is a unique investment class that you will need to carefully evaluate for suitability within your own portfolio.
Be sure that any investment you do choose will be likely to provide the return you expect at an acceptable risk level for your own personal risk tolerance.
1. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS)
Let’s start with this one, if only because it’s on just about every list of high-yield investments, especially in the current environment of rising inflation. It may not actually be the best high-yield investment, but it does have its virtues and shouldn’t be overlooked.
Basically, TIPS are securities issued by the U.S. Treasury that are designed to accommodate inflation. They do pay regular interest, though it’s typically lower than the rate paid on ordinary Treasury securities of similar terms. The bonds are available with a minimum investment of $100, in terms of five, 10, and 30 years. And since they’re fully backed by the U.S. government, you are assured of receiving the full principal value if you hold a security until maturity.
But the real benefit—and the primary advantage—of these securities is the inflation principal additions. Each year, the Treasury will add an amount to the bond principal that’s commensurate with changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Fortunately, while the principal will be added when the CPI rises (as it nearly always does), none will be deducted if the index goes negative.
You can purchase TIPS through the U.S. Treasury’s investment portal, Treasury Direct. You can also hold the securities as well as redeem them on the same platform. There are no commissions or fees when buying securities.
On the downside, TIPS are purely a play on inflation since the base rates are fairly low. And while the principal additions will keep you even with inflation, you should know that they are taxable in the year received.
Still, TIPS are an excellent low-risk, high-yield investment during times of rising inflation—like now.
2. I Bonds
If you’re looking for a true low-risk, high-yield investment, look no further than Series I bonds. With the current surge in inflation, these bonds have become incredibly popular, though they are limited.
I bonds are currently paying 6.89%. They can be purchased electronically in denominations as little as $25. However, you are limited to purchasing no more than $10,000 in I bonds per calendar year. Since they are issued by the U.S. Treasury, they’re fully protected by the U.S. government. You can purchase them through the Treasury Department’s investment portal, TreasuryDirect.gov.
“The cash in my savings account is on fire,” groans Scott Lieberman, Founder of Touchdown Money. “Inflation has my money in flames, each month incinerating more and more. To defend against this, I purchased an I bond. When I decide to get my money back, the I bond will have been protected against inflation by being worth more than what I bought it for. I highly recommend getting yourself a super safe Series I bond with money you can stash away for at least one year.”
You may not be able to put your entire bond portfolio into Series I bonds. But just a small investment, at nearly 10%, can increase the overall return on your bond allocation.
3. Corporate Bonds
The average rate of return on a bank savings account is 0.33%. The average rate on a money market account is 0.09%, and 0.25% on a 12-month CD.
Now, there are some banks paying higher rates, but generally only in the 1%-plus range.
If you want higher returns on your fixed income portfolio, and you’re willing to accept a moderate level of risk, you can invest in corporate bonds. Not only do they pay higher rates than banks, but you can lock in those higher rates for many years.
For example, the average current yield on a AAA-rated corporate bond is 4.55%. Now that’s the rate for AAA bonds, which are the highest-rated securities. You can get even higher rates on bonds with lower ratings, which we will cover in the next section.
Corporate bonds sell in face amounts of $1,000, though the price may be higher or lower depending on where interest rates are. If you choose to buy individual corporate bonds, expect to buy them in lots of ten. That means you’ll likely need to invest $10,000 in a single issue. Brokers will typically charge a small per-bond fee on purchase and sale.
An alternative may be to take advantage of corporate bond funds. That will give you an opportunity to invest in a portfolio of bonds for as little as the price of one share of an ETF. And because they are ETFs, they can usually be bought and sold commission free.
You can typically purchase corporate bonds and bond funds through popular stock brokers, like Zacks Trade, TD Ameritrade.
Corporate Bond Risk
Be aware that the value of corporate bonds, particularly those with maturities greater than 10 years, can fall if interest rates rise. Conversely, the value of the bonds can rise if interest rates fall.
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4. High-Yield Bonds
In the previous section we talked about how interest rates on corporate bonds vary based on each bond issue’s rating. A AAA bond, being the safest, has the lowest yield. But a riskier bond, such as one rated BBB, will provide a higher rate of return.
If you’re looking to earn higher interest than you can with investment-grade corporate bonds, you can get those returns with so-called high-yield bonds. Because they have a lower rating, they pay higher interest, sometimes much higher.
The average yield on high-yield bonds is 8.29%. But that’s just an average. The yield on a bond rated B will be higher than one rated BB.
You should also be aware that, in addition to potential market value declines due to rising interest rates, high-yield bonds are more likely to default than investment-grade bonds. That’s why they pay higher interest rates. (They used to call these bonds “junk bonds,” but that kind of description is a marketing disaster.) Because of those twin risks, junk bonds should occupy only a small corner of your fixed-income portfolio.
High Yield Bond Risk
In a rapidly rising interest rate environment, high-yield bonds are more likely to default.
High-yield bonds can be purchased under similar terms and in the same places where you can trade corporate bonds. There are also ETFs that specialize in high-yield bonds and will be a better choice for most investors, since they will include diversification across many different bond issues.
5. Municipal Bonds
Just as corporations and the U.S. Treasury issue bonds, so do state and local governments. These are referred to as municipal bonds. They work much like other bond types, particularly corporates. They can be purchased in similar denominations through online brokers.
The main advantage enjoyed by municipal bonds is their tax-exempt status for federal income tax purposes. And if you purchase a municipal bond issued by your home state, or a municipality within that state, the interest will also be tax-exempt for state income tax purposes.
That makes municipal bonds an excellent source of tax-exempt income in a nonretirement account. (Because retirement accounts are tax-sheltered, it makes little sense to include municipal bonds in those accounts.)
Municipal bond rates are currently hovering just above 3% for AAA-rated bonds. And while that’s an impressive return by itself, it masks an even higher yield.
Because of their tax-exempt status, the effective yield on municipal bonds will be higher than the note rate. For example, if your combined federal and state marginal income tax rates are 25%, the effective yield on a municipal bond paying 3% will be 4%. That gives an effective rate comparable with AAA-rated corporate bonds.
Municipal bonds, like other bonds, are subject to market value fluctuations due to interest rate changes. And while it’s rare, there have been occasional defaults on these bonds.
Like corporate bonds, municipal bonds carry ratings that affect the interest rates they pay. You can investigate bond ratings through sources like Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, and Fitch.
Fund
Symbol
Type
Current Yield
5 Average Annual Return
Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund
VIPSX
TIPS
0.06%
3.02%
SPDR® Portfolio Interm Term Corp Bond ETF
SPIB
Corporate
4.38%
1.44%
iShares Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond ETF
HYGH
High-Yield
5.19%
2.02%
Invesco VRDO Tax-Free ETF (PVI)
PVI
Municipal
0.53%
0.56%
6. Longer Term Certificates of Deposit (CDs)
This is another investment that falls under the low risk/relatively high return classification. As interest rates have risen in recent months, rates have crept up on certificates of deposit. Unlike just one year ago, CDs now merit consideration.
But the key is to invest in certificates with longer terms.
“Another lower-risk option is to consider a Certificate of Deposit (CD),” advises Lance C. Steiner, CFP at Buckingham Advisors. “Banks, credit unions, and many other financial institutions offer CDs with maturities ranging from 6 months to 60 months. Currently, a 6-month CD may pay between 0.75% and 1.25% where a 24-month CD may pay between 2.20% and 3.00%. We suggest considering a short-term ladder since interest rates are expected to continue rising.” (Stated interest rates for the high-yield savings and CDs were obtained at bankrate.com.)
Most banks offer certificates of deposit with terms as long as five years. Those typically have the highest yields.
But the longer term does involve at least a moderate level of risk. If you invest in a CD for five years that’s currently paying 3%, the risk is that interest rates will continue rising. If they do, you’ll miss out on the higher returns available on newer certificates. But the risk is still low overall since the bank guarantees to repay 100% of your principle upon certificate maturity.
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7. Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Lending
Do you know how banks borrow from you—at 1% interest—then loan the same money to your neighbor at rates sometimes as high as 20%? It’s quite a racket, and a profitable one at that.
But do you also know that you have the same opportunity as a bank? It’s an investing process known as peer-to-peer lending, or P2P for short.
P2P lending essentially eliminates the bank. As an investor, you’ll provide the funds for borrowers on a P2P platform. Most of these loans will be in the form of personal loans for a variety of purposes. But some can also be business loans, medical loans, and for other more specific purposes.
As an investor/lender, you get to keep more of the interest rate return on those loans. You can invest easily through online P2P platforms.
One popular example is Prosper. They offer primarily personal loans in amounts ranging between $2,000 and $40,000. You can invest in small slivers of these loans, referred to as “notes.” Notes can be purchased for as little as $25.
That small denomination will make it possible to diversify your investment across many different loans. You can even choose the loans you will invest in based on borrower credit scores, income, loan terms, and purposes.
Prosper, which has managed $20 billion in P2P loans since 2005, claims a historical average return of 5.7%. That’s a high rate of return on what is essentially a fixed-income investment. But that’s because there exists the possibility of loss due to borrower default.
However, you can minimize the likelihood of default by carefully choosing borrower loan quality. That means focusing on borrowers with higher credit scores, incomes, and more conservative loan purposes (like debt consolidation).
8. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
REITs are an excellent way to participate in real estate investment, and the return it provides, without large amounts of capital or the need to manage properties. They’re publicly traded, closed-end investment funds that can be bought and sold on major stock exchanges. They invest primarily in commercial real estate, like office buildings, retail space, and large apartment complexes.
If you’re planning to invest in a REIT, you should be aware that there are three different types.
“Equity REITs purchase commercial, industrial, or residential real estate properties,” reports Robert R. Johnson, PhD, CFA, CAIA, Professor of Finance, Heider College of Business, Creighton University and co-author of several books, including The Tools and Techniques Of Investment Planning, Strategic Value Investing and Investment Banking for Dummies. “Income is derived primarily from the rental on the properties, as well as from the sale of properties that have increased in value. Mortgage REITs invest in property mortgages. The income is primarily from the interest they earn on the mortgage loans. Hybrid REITs invest both directly in property and in mortgages on properties.”
Johnson also cautions:
“Investors should understand that equity REITs are more like stocks and mortgage REITs are more like bonds. Hybrid REITs are like a mix of stocks and bonds.”
Mortgage REITs, in particular, are an excellent way to earn steady dividend income without being closely tied to the stock market.
Examples of specific REITs are listed in the table below (source: Kiplinger):
REIT
Equity or Mortgage
Property Type
Dividend Yield
12 Month Return
Rexford Industrial Realty
REXR
Industrial warehouse space
2.02%
2.21%
Sun Communities
SUI
Manufactured housing, RVs, resorts, marinas
2.19%
-14.71%
American Tower
AMT
Multi-tenant cell towers
2.13%
-9.00%
Prologis
PLD
Industrial real estate
2.49%
-0.77%
Camden Property Trust
CPT
Apartment complexes
2.77%
-7.74%
Alexandria Real Estate Equities
ARE
Research Properties
3.14%
-23.72%
Digital Realty Trust
DLR
Data centers
3.83%
-17.72%
9. Real Estate Crowdfunding
If you prefer direct investment in a property of your choice, rather than a portfolio, you can invest in real estate crowdfunding. You invest your money, but management of the property will be handled by professionals. With real estate crowdfunding, you can pick out individual properties, or invest in nonpublic REITs that invest in very specific portfolios.
One of the best examples of real estate crowdfunding is Fundrise. That’s because you can invest with as little as $500 or create a customized portfolio with no more than $1,000. Not only does Fundrise charge low fees, but they also have multiple investment options. You can start small in managed investments, and eventually trade up to investing in individual deals.
One thing to be aware of with real estate crowdfunding is that many require accredited investor status. That means being high income, high net worth, or both. If you are an accredited investor, you’ll have many more choices in the real estate crowdfunding space.
If you are not an accredited investor, that doesn’t mean you’ll be prevented from investing in this asset class. Part of the reason why Fundrise is so popular is that they don’t require accredited investor status. There are other real estate crowdfunding platforms that do the same.
Just be careful if you want to invest in real estate through real estate crowdfunding platforms. You will be expected to tie your money up for several years, and early redemption is often not possible. And like most investments, there is the possibility of losing some or all your investment principal.
Low minimum investment – $10
Diversified real estate portfolio
Portfolio Transparency
10. Physical Real Estate
We’ve talked about investing in real estate through REITs and real estate crowdfunding. But you can also invest directly in physical property, including residential property or even commercial.
Owning real estate outright means you have complete control over the investment. And since real estate is a large-dollar investment, the potential returns are also large.
For starters, average annual returns on real estate are impressive. They’re even comparable to stocks. Residential real estate has generated average returns of 10.6%, while commercial property has returned an average of 9.5%.
Next, real estate has the potential to generate income from two directions, from rental income and capital gains. But because of high property values in many markets around the country, it will be difficult to purchase real estate that will produce a positive cash flow, at least in the first few years.
Generally speaking, capital gains are where the richest returns come from. Property purchased today could double or even triple in 20 years, creating a huge windfall. And this will be a long-term capital gain, to get the benefit of a lower tax bite.
Finally, there’s the leverage factor. You can typically purchase an investment property with a 20% down payment. That means you can purchase a $500,000 property with $100,000 out-of-pocket.
By calculating your capital gains on your upfront investment, the returns are truly staggering. If the $500,000 property doubles to $1 million in 20 years, the $500,000 profit generated will produce a 500% gain on your $100,000 investment.
On the negative side, real estate is certainly a very long-term investment. It also comes with high transaction fees, often as high as 10% of the sale price. And not only will it require a large down payment up front, but also substantial investment of time managing the property.
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11. High Dividend Stocks
“The best high-yield investment is dividend stocks,” declares Harry Turner, Founder at The Sovereign Investor. “While there is no guaranteed return with stocks, over the long term stocks have outperformed other investments such as bonds and real estate. Among stocks, dividend-paying stocks have outperformed non-dividend paying stocks by more than 2 percentage points per year on average over the last century. In addition, dividend stocks tend to be less volatile than non-dividend paying stocks, meaning they are less likely to lose value in downturns.”
You can certainly invest in individual stocks that pay high dividends. But a less risky way to do it, and one that will avoid individual stock selection, is to invest through a fund.
One of the most popular is the ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrat ETF (NOBL). It has provided a return of 1.67% in the 12 months ending May 31, and an average of 12.33% per year since the fund began in October 2013. The fund currently has a 1.92% dividend yield.
The so-called Dividend Aristocrats are popular because they represent 60+ S&P 500 companies, with a history of increasing their dividends for at least the past 25 years.
“Dividend Stocks are an excellent way to earn some quality yield on your investments while simultaneously keeping inflation at bay,” advises Lyle Solomon, Principal Attorney at Oak View Law Group, one of the largest law firms in America. “Dividends are usually paid out by well-established and successful companies that no longer need to reinvest all of the profits back into the business.”
It gets better. “These companies and their stocks are safer to invest in owing to their stature, large customer base, and hold over the markets,” adds Solomon. “The best part about dividend stocks is that many of these companies increase dividends year on year.”
The table below shows some popular dividend-paying stocks. Each is a so-called “Dividend Aristocrat”, which means it’s part of the S&P 500 and has increased its dividend in each of at least the past 25 years.
Company
Symbol
Dividend
Dividend Yield
AbbVie
ABBV
$5.64
3.80%
Armcor PLC
AMCR
$0.48
3.81%
Chevron
CVX
$5.68
3.94%
ExxonMobil
XOM
$3.52
4.04%
IBM
IBM
$6.60
5.15%
Realty Income Corp
O
$2.97
4.16%
Walgreen Boots Alliance
WBA
$1.92
4.97%
12. Preferred Stocks
Preferred stocks are a very specific type of dividend stock. Just like common stock, preferred stock represents an interest in a publicly traded company. They’re often thought of as something of a hybrid between stocks and bonds because they contain elements of both.
Though common stocks can pay dividends, they don’t always. Preferred stocks on the other hand, always pay dividends. Those dividends can be either a fixed amount or based on a variable dividend formula. For example, a company can base the dividend payout on a recognized index, like the LIBOR (London Inter-Bank Offered Rate). The percentage of dividend payout will then change as the index rate does.
Preferred stocks have two major advantages over common stock. First, as “preferred” securities, they have a priority on dividend payments. A company is required to pay their preferred shareholders dividends ahead of common stockholders. Second, preferred stocks have higher dividend yields than common stocks in the same company.
You can purchase preferred stock through online brokers, some of which are listed under “Growth Stocks” below.
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Preferred Stock Caveats
The disadvantage of preferred stocks is that they don’t entitle the holder to vote in corporate elections. But some preferred stocks offer a conversion option. You can exchange your preferred shares for a specific number of common stock shares in the company. Since the conversion will likely be exercised when the price of the common shares takes a big jump, there’s the potential for large capital gains—in addition to the higher dividend.
Be aware that preferred stocks can also be callable. That means the company can authorize the repurchase of the stock at its discretion. Most will likely do that at a time when interest rates are falling, and they no longer want to pay a higher dividend on the preferred stock.
Preferred stock may also have a maturity date, which is typically 30–40 years after its original issuance. The company will typically redeem the shares at the original issue price, eliminating the possibility of capital gains.
Not all companies issue preferred stock. If you choose this investment, be sure it’s with a company that’s well-established and has strong financials. You should also pay close attention to the details of the issuance, including and especially any callability provisions, dividend formulas, and maturity dates.
13. Growth Stocks
This sector is likely the highest risk investment on this list. But it also may be the one with the highest yield, at least over the long term. That’s why we’re including it on this list.
Based on the S&P 500 index, stocks have returned an average of 10% per year for the past 50 years. But it is important to realize that’s only an average. The market may rise 40% one year, then fall 20% the next. To be successful with this investment, you must be committed for the long haul, up to and including several decades.
And because of the potential wide swings, growth stocks are not recommended for funds that will be needed within the next few years. In general, growth stocks work best for retirement plans. That’s where they’ll have the necessary decades to build and compound.
Since most of the return on growth stocks is from capital gains, you’ll get the benefit of lower long-term capital gains tax rates, at least with securities held in a taxable account. (The better news is capital gains on investments held in retirement accounts are tax-deferred until retirement.)
You can choose to invest in individual stocks, but that’s a fairly high-maintenance undertaking. A better way may be to simply invest in ETFs tied to popular indexes. For example, ETFs based on the S&P 500 are very popular among investors.
You can purchase growth stocks and growth stock ETFs commission free with brokers like M1 Finance, Zacks Trade, Wealthsimple.
14. Annuities
Annuities are something like creating your own private pension. It’s an investment contract you take with an insurance company, in which you invest a certain amount of money in exchange for a specific income stream. They can be an excellent source of high yields because the return is locked in by the contract.
Annuities come in many different varieties. Two major classifications are immediate and deferred annuities. As the name implies, immediate annuities begin paying an income stream shortly after the contract begins.
Deferred annuities work something like retirement plans. You may deposit a fixed amount of money with the insurance company upfront or make regular installments. In either case, income payments will begin at a specified point in the future.
With deferred annuities, the income earned within the plan is tax-deferred and paid upon withdrawal. But unlike retirement accounts, annuity contributions are not tax-deductible. Investment returns can either be fixed-rate or variable-rate, depending on the specific annuity setup.
While annuities are an excellent idea and concept, the wide variety of plans as well as the many insurance companies and agents offering them, make them a potential minefield. For example, many annuities are riddled with high fees and are subject to limited withdrawal options.
Because they contain so many moving parts, any annuity contracts you plan to enter into should be carefully reviewed. Pay close attention to all the details, including the small ones. It is, after all, a contract, and therefore legally binding. For that reason, you may want to have a potential annuity reviewed by an attorney before finalizing the deal.
15. Alternative Investments
Alternative investments cover a lot of territory. Examples include precious metals, commodities, private equity, art and collectibles, and digital assets. These fall more in the category of high risk/potential high reward, and you should proceed very carefully and with only the smallest slice of your portfolio.
To simplify the process of selecting alternative assets, you can invest through platforms such as Yieldstreet. With a single cash investment, you can invest in multiple alternatives.
“Investors can purchase real estate directly on Yieldstreet, through fractionalized investments in single deals,” offers Milind Mehere, Founder & Chief Executive Officer at Yieldstreet. “Investors can access private equity and private credit at high minimums by investing in a private market fund (think Blackstone or KKR, for instance). On Yieldstreet, they can have access to third-party funds at a fraction of the previously required minimums. Yieldstreet also offers venture capital (fractionalized) exposure directly. Buying a piece of blue-chip art can be expensive, and prohibitive for most investors, which is why Yieldstreet offers fractionalized assets to diversified art portfolios.”
Yieldstreet also provides access to digital asset investments, with the benefit of allocating to established professional funds, such as Pantera or Osprey Fund. The platform does not currently offer commodities but plans to do so in the future.
Access to wide array of alternative asset classes
Access to ultra-wealthy investments
Can invest for income or growth
Learn More Now
Alternative investments largely require thinking out-of-the-box. Some of the best investment opportunities are also the most unusual.
“The price of meat continues to rise, while agriculture remains a recession-proof investment as consumer demand for food is largely inelastic,” reports Chris Rawley, CEO of Harvest Returns, a platform for investing in private agriculture companies. “Consequently, investors are seeing solid returns from high-yield, grass-fed cattle notes.”
16. Interest Bearing Crypto Accounts
Though the primary appeal of investing in cryptocurrency has been the meteoric rises in price, now that the trend seems to be in reverse, the better play may be in interest-bearing crypto accounts. A select group of crypto exchanges pays high interest on your crypto balance.
One example is Gemini. Not only do they provide an opportunity to buy, sell, and store more than 100 cryptocurrencies—plus non-fungible tokens (NFTs)—but they are currently paying 8.05% APY on your crypto balance through Gemini Earn.
In another variation of being able to earn money on crypto, Crypto.com pays rewards of up to 14.5% on crypto held on the platform. That’s the maximum rate, as rewards vary by crypto. For example, rewards on Bitcoin and Ethereum are paid at 6%, while stablecoins can earn 8.5%.
It’s important to be aware that when investing in cryptocurrency, you will not enjoy the benefit of FDIC insurance. That means you can lose money on your investment. But that’s why crypto exchanges pay such high rates of return, whether it’s in the form of interest or rewards.
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17. Crypto Staking
Another way to play cryptocurrency is a process known as crypto staking. This is where the crypto exchange pays you a certain percentage as compensation or rewards for monitoring a specific cryptocurrency. This is not like crypto mining, which brings crypto into existence. Instead, you’ll participate in writing that particular blockchain and monitoring its security.
“Crypto staking is a concept wherein you can buy and lock a cryptocurrency in a protocol, and you will earn rewards for the amount and time you have locked the cryptocurrency,” reports Oak View Law Group’s Lyle Solomon.
“The big downside to staking crypto is the value of cryptocurrencies, in general, is extremely volatile, and the value of your staked crypto may reduce drastically,” Solomon continues, “However, you can stake stable currencies like USDC, which have their value pegged to the U.S. dollar, and would imply you earn staked rewards without a massive decrease in the value of your investment.”
Much like earning interest and rewards on crypto, staking takes place on crypto exchanges. Two exchanges that feature staking include Coinbase and Kraken. These are two of the largest crypto exchanges in the industry, and they provide a wide range of crypto opportunities, in addition to staking.
Invest in Startup Businesses and Companies
Have you ever heard the term “angel investor”? That’s a private investor, usually, a high net worth individual, who provides capital to small businesses, often startups. That capital is in the form of equity. The angel investor invests money in a small business, becomes a part owner of the company, and is entitled to a share of the company’s earnings.
In most cases, the angel investor acts as a silent partner. That means he or she receives dividend distributions on the equity invested but doesn’t actually get involved in the management of the company.
It’s a potentially lucrative investment opportunity because small businesses have a way of becoming big businesses. As they grow, both your equity and your income from the business also grow. And if the business ever goes public, you could be looking at a life-changing windfall!
Easy Ways to Invest in Startup Businesses
Mainvest is a simple, easy way to invest in small businesses. It’s an online investment platform where you can get access to returns as high as 25%, with an investment of just $100. Mainvest offers vetted businesses (the acceptance rate is just 5% of business that apply) for you to invest in.
It collects revenue, which will be paid to you quarterly. And because the minimum required investment is so small, you can invest in several small businesses at the same time. One of the big advantages with Mainvest is that you are not required to be an accredited investor.
Still another opportunity is through Fundrise Innovation Fund. I’ve already covered how Fundrise is an excellent real estate crowdfunding platform. But through their recently launched Innovaton Fund, you’ll have opportunity to invest in high-growth private technology companies. As a fund, you’ll invest in a portfolio of late-stage tech companies, as well as some public equities.
The purpose of the fund is to provide high growth, and the fund is currently offering shares with a net asset value of $10. These are long-term investments, so you should expect to remain invested for at least five years. But you may receive dividends in the meantime.
Like Mainvest, the Fundrise Innovation Fund does not require you to be an accredited investor.
Low minimum investment – $10
Diversified real estate portfolio
Portfolio Transparency
Final Thoughts on High Yield Investing
Notice that I’ve included a mix of investments based on a combination of risk and return. The greater the risk associated with the investment, the higher the stated or expected return will be.
It’s important when choosing any of these investments that you thoroughly assess the risk involved with each, and not focus primarily on return. These are not 100% safe investments, like short-term CDs, short-term Treasury securities, savings accounts, or bank money market accounts.
Because there is risk associated with each, most are not suitable as short-term investments. They make most sense for long-term investment accounts, particularly retirement accounts.
For example, growth stocks—and most stocks, for that matter—should generally be in a retirement account. While there will be years when you will suffer losses in your position, you’ll have enough years to offset those losses between now and retirement.
Also, if you don’t understand any of the above investments, it will be best to avoid making them. And for more complicated investments, like annuities, you should consult with a professional to evaluate the suitability and all the provisions it contains.
FAQ’s on High Yield Investment Options
What investment has the highest yield?
The investment with the highest yield will vary depending on a number of factors, including current market conditions and the amount of risk an investor is willing to take on. Generally speaking, investments with the potential for high yields also come with a higher level of risk, so it’s important for investors to carefully consider their options and choose investments that align with their financial goals and risk tolerance.
Some examples of high-yield investments include:
1. Stocks: Some stocks may offer high dividend yields, which is the annual dividend payment a company makes to its shareholders, expressed as a percentage of the stock’s current market price.
2. Real estate: Investing in real estate, either directly by purchasing property or indirectly through a real estate investment trust (REIT), can potentially generate high returns in the form of rental income and appreciation of the property value.
3. High-yield bonds: High-yield bonds, also known as junk bonds, are bonds that are issued by companies with lower credit ratings and thus offer higher yields to compensate for the added risk.
4. Private lending: Investing in private loans, such as through peer-to-peer lending platforms, can potentially offer high yields, but it also carries a higher level of risk.
5. Commodities: Investing in commodities, such as precious metals or oil, can potentially generate high returns if the prices of those commodities rise. However, the prices of commodities can also be volatile and subject to market fluctuations.
It’s important to note that these are just examples and not recommendations. As with any investment, it’s crucial to carefully research and consider all the potential risks and rewards before making a decision.
Where can I invest my money to get high returns?
There are a number of places you can invest your money to get high returns. One option is to invest in stocks, which typically offer higher returns than other investment options. Another option is to invest in bonds, which are considered a relatively safe investment option.
You could also invest in real estate, which has the potential to provide high returns if done correctly. Finally, you could also invest in commodities, such as gold or silver, which can be a risky investment but can also offer high returns.
What investments can I make a 10% return?
It’s difficult to predict exactly what investments will generate a 10% return, as investment returns can vary depending on a number of factors, including market conditions and the performance of the specific investment. Some investments, such as stocks and real estate, have the potential to generate returns in excess of 10%, but they also come with a higher level of risk. It’s important to remember that past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results, and that all investments carry some degree of risk
What Percentage of Your Income Should Safely Go to a Mortgage? – SmartAsset
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Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions many people will ever make. And it can also be one of the most complex. Even the simple question of what percentage of your income should safely go to a mortgage doesn’t have a single clear answer that applies equally to every situation.
A financial advisor can help you find ways to help you achieve your financial goals.
Mortgage Payments and Income
The people and organizations that make home loans naturally are interested in lending money only to people who have the means to repay the mortgage. To make this determination, they use a variety of methods, particularly debt-to-income ratios.
These metrics are well-suited to creating mortgages that can be packaged and sold to investors. And borrowers have to keep them in mind when they are applying for a loan. However, they aren’t always as useful to someone who is primarily concerned with their personal financial well-being.
People deciding how much of their own income they can safely devote to a mortgage payment can take a variety of approaches to making that important determination. Here are some of the approaches many have found useful.
Safe Mortgage Principles
There’s more than one way of calculating the safe percentage of your income you can plan to commit to making your mortgage payment. Some approaches are good for certain circumstances, while others fit different situations best.
Evaluate your own position and, if possible, use more than one of the following techniques in deciding how much of your income you can safely spend on a house payment. Here are some of the options:
Debt-to-income ratio (DTI)
Your lender generally will calculate your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) and look for a certain result to reassure themselves and the investors who will buy your mortgage that you can cover the payments while also staying current on car loans, student loans, credit cards and other debt payments.
After adding up all your monthly loan payments, including the mortgage, lenders typically want the total to be no more than 43% of your gross monthly income.
For example, say you have a $500 car payment, must pay a $175 minimum monthly toward your credit card, owe $225 a month toward a student loan and want to buy a home with a $2,000 mortgage payment. You will typically need approximately $6,744 in monthly gross income to qualify for a loan at most lenders.
To figure this out, add up all your debt payments like this: $500 + $175 + $225 + $2,000 = $2,900.
Now, divide that by 43: $2,900 / 43 = $6.74419. Multiply that result by 100 to get the required monthly gross income, $6,744.19, for a 43% DTI.
The 30% Rule
Another way to calculate the amount of your income you can devote to a mortgage is to simply multiply your gross income by 30%. This will produce a number that you can hypothetically afford to pay toward your mortgage every month.
For instance, if you make $5,000 per month, 30% of that is $1,500. The calculation looks like this $5,000 x 0.3 = $1,500.
This rule may also be stated as the 28% rule and calculated the same way. It differs from the DTI because it doesn’t specifically account for other debt payments you may have.
Income Divided by Two and a Half
You’ll get a slightly different number if you assume that your mortgage payment can be two and a half times your gross income. To do this, start with your gross income and divide it by 2.5.
For instance, if you make $5,000 per month, the calculation would be $5,000 x 2.5 = $2,000. This suggests that $2,000 is a safe amount you can commit to your monthly mortgage payment.
This is clearly a more liberal method than the 30% principle and, like it, may not adequately account for other payments you must make.
Limitations of Safe Mortgage Calculations
Every borrower and every mortgage are a little bit different. While these techniques for calculating the percentage of your income you should spend on a monthly mortgage payment are helpful heuristics, to generate a more reliable figure, you’ll need to account for some other variables.
Other important factors include the size of the down payment you make, the amount of closing costs, the type of mortgage, the interest rate, your credit score and other costs including homeowner’s association or condo fees, hazard insurance and property taxes.
It’s usually wise to bear in mind that the amount of money a lender will loan to you may be more than you can safely borrow.
Bottom Line
You can use more than one method to determine how much of your income you should devote to a mortgage. Lenders will often be satisfied with a certain debt-to-income ratio, but this doesn’t mean you will be comfortable making the payment. Typically, it’s advisable to use more than one approach to making this calculation and make an effort to include as many aspects of your personal situation as you can.
Mortgage Tips
You may want to consider talking to a financial advisor making highly consequential decisions such as buying a home. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors in your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
After deciding how much of your income you can devote to a mortgage it’s necessary to figure out what the mortgage payment on a given property is likely to be. You can do this with the help of SmartAsset’s Mortgage Calculator.
Mark Henricks
Mark Henricks has reported on personal finance, investing, retirement, entrepreneurship and other topics for more than 30 years. His freelance byline has appeared on CNBC.com and in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and other leading publications. Mark has written books including, “Not Just A Living: The Complete Guide to Creating a Business That Gives You A Life.” His favorite reporting is the kind that helps ordinary people increase their personal wealth and life satisfaction. A graduate of the University of Texas journalism program, he lives in Austin, Texas. In his spare time he enjoys reading, volunteering, performing in an acoustic music duo, whitewater kayaking, wilderness backpacking and competing in triathlons.
Looking for a way to provide your loved ones with long-term financial protection? A universal life insurance policy might be worth considering.
This type of life insurance can provide coverage for as long as the policyholder is alive, and some policies also accrue cash value. Generally, when the policyholder dies, their beneficiaries receive a tax-free death benefit in the amount specified by the policy.
Below is a helpful look at universal life insurance, including a discussion of how it usually works and how it differs from other common kinds of life insurance.
Universal vs. Term Life Insurance
There are two main types of life insurance: permanent life and term life.
Universal life insurance, sometimes called adjustable life, is a kind of permanent life insurance. Policies last for a person’s entire lifetime and can be adjusted at any point if your circumstances or needs change. Typically, you can control such things as the amount of your death benefit, your premium amount, and where your cash value is invested.
Commonly, universal life insurance policies build cash value because the insurer invests a portion of your premiums over time. That money can be for a variety of purposes. You can borrow against it, use it to pay for premiums, withdraw up to a certain amount tax-free, or consider it a safety net.
Term life insurance works a bit differently. Policies provide coverage for a predetermined period of time, or “terms,” which often last between 10 and 30 years. If the policyholder dies within the term, their beneficiaries will receive the policy’s covered value, or “death benefit.” There is no payout if the policyholder dies after the term has expired. Monthly payments are often fixed, and there is no cash value.
By and large, term life insurance tends to be significantly less expensive than universal life insurance. This is due to several reasons, including the fact that term life coverage is temporary, and no cash value accrues during the policy’s term.
Pros of Universal Life Insurance
So, what are the advantages of a universal life insurance policy? For some people, the cash value component of a policy can be an appealing way to help build a nest egg and secure insurance coverage for beneficiaries.
Universal life also tends to be more flexible, allowing policyholders the option to use available funds or save them up for beneficiaries. Premiums can be paid out of the accumulated cash value when needed or desired, though note that doing so reduces the overall cash value of the policy.
Here’s another benefit: Because a universal life insurance policy is permanent, holders don’t need to worry about expiration dates or spend time finding a new policy after an old one expires.
Cons of Universal Life Insurance
Although universal life insurance has its benefits, there are some drawbacks. For instance, premiums are typically higher than term life and tend to increase based on the amount of the death benefit. Also, the returns your policy earns can be unpredictable. That’s because the interest rate varies on these policies, changing along with fluctuating market conditions. The gains of one year may not predict the potential earnings (or losses) of the next. Some policies have built-in floors and caps for the rate of return. For example, a policy invested in a given index might be guaranteed 0% to 12%. If the index posts a loss, the investment will stay the same. Conversely if the index goes up 20%, the insured would only gain 12%.
Here’s something else to consider: Although a universal life insurance policyholder can borrow against their policy’s cash value insurance, interest must be paid on what’s taken out. And when the amount of cash available in a given policy is tapped out, an insurance provider may decide to cancel the policy altogether.
In addition, if a payment is not made on time and the accrued cash value can no longer cover due payments, the policy may be terminated, and there is no payout. However, some companies offer customers a 30-day grace period for missed payments.
What Type of Policy Is Right For Me?
Life insurance policies, no matter the type, have a common goal: to provide loved ones with an added layer of financial security after the policyholder dies. Beneficiaries can use payouts to cover major expenses, such as housing, medical bills, educational costs, child care, and/or other financial needs. In some instances, beneficiaries may use payouts to pay unsettled estate taxes or bills.
When deciding what type of policy to purchase, shoppers might want to calculate how much money is needed to adequately protect their designated beneficiaries. That figure should account for things like your loved one’s needs, any outstanding debts you may have, and other financial responsibilities.
Other variables, such as age, marital status, number of dependents, and expected family income, may also affect which sort of life insurance policy a person may need or be eligible for.
To find out which life insurance policies or rates you may qualify for, request a quote from various insurance providers or agents, either by phone or through their website. You may be asked to provide additional information, such as your income, age, and health.
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Should I Get a Life Insurance Agent?
There can be benefits to contacting an agent. Insurance agents are trained in the ins and outs of life insurance. They can explain the difference between term life insurance and whole life insurance policies and walk you through the extra riders (i.e., supplemental coverage) that can be added to standard plans and other fine print. If you’re new to buying life insurance, having that kind of information available can make the decision-making process easier.
When to Buy a Life Insurance Policy
When you decide to buy a life insurance policy depends on a number of factors, including your income and whether you have outstanding debt that your loved ones will end up having to pay after you die.
Generally speaking, the earlier you can purchase a policy, the better. That’s because life insurance is typically priced in part according to a person’s age and overall health. This means the younger and healthier you are when you buy a policy, the more affordable your monthly payments tend to be. Generally speaking, whatever rate you qualify for is locked in when the policy is issued.
What if you have a life insurance plan through their employer? In some cases, those policies offer less generous coverage than plans available on the market — at times, just one to two times the employee’s annual salary. While such policies can provide a quick influx of cash in the event you die, it’s often unlikely to be enough to provide ongoing financial support for those left behind. Plus, not all employer-sponsored life insurance policies are transferable, which means you could lose it if you quit.
If you need more consistent or robust coverage, it may make sense to explore a supplemental policy to more fully protect your family.
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The Takeaway
Universal life insurance can provide long-term coverage as long as the policyholder is alive, and after they die, pays beneficiaries a set amount of money. This type of insurance is flexible — often, policyholders can control the premium and death benefit amount — and builds cash value over time. Term life insurance, on the other hand, provides coverage for a set amount of time, such as 10 or 20 years, and there’s no cash value attached to the policy. However, term life is usually less expensive than universal life. If you’re new to life insurance, consider enlisting the help of an agent to make sense of your options.
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Ladder Insurance Services, LLC (CA license # OK22568; AR license # 3000140372) distributes term life insurance products issued by multiple insurers- for further details see ladderlife.com. All insurance products are governed by the terms set forth in the applicable insurance policy. Each insurer has financial responsibility for its own products.
Ladder, SoFi and SoFi Agency are separate, independent entities and are not responsible for the financial condition, business, or legal obligations of the other, Social Finance. Inc. (SoFi) and Social Finance Life Insurance Agency, LLC (SoFi Agency) do not issue, underwrite insurance or pay claims under Ladder Life™ policies. SoFi is compensated by Ladder for each issued term life policy.
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Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances. SOPT0523002