There’s an alarmingly common belief that investing is something that requires years of preparation, a bankroll numbering well into the hundreds of thousands, and an expert knowledge of the stock or forex markets. Like most closely-held beliefs, it’s far from true. Investing isn’t just something for an expert financial master or a mega-rich businessperson – it’s something that everyone can succeed in.
Behind the assumptions, the beliefs, and the poorly researched ideas about investing is a surprising truth – it’s actually pretty easy to do. From ultra-secure investments that guarantee a return, to lots of high-growth opportunities that demand serious financial courage, there are opportunities for new investors and completely inexperienced financiers to start improving their financial situations.
What’s most interesting is that it doesn’t take much money to get started as an investor. The old idea that you need thousands of dollars to enter the stock market isn’t just untrue, it’s dangerous. There is an endless list of low-cost investment options out there, many of which are just as accessible to new investors as they are to seasoned professionals with large bankrolls and even bigger expectations.
We’ve going to look at some innovative, creative, and potentially lucrative small investment ideas in this guide. Unlike other investment articles, which deal only with theory and potential, we’re aiming to provide information that leads to real results. Whether new, somewhat experienced, or familiar in the markets, we’ll show you how to start making small investments that really pay off over time.
But first, let’s start with a disappointing fact. The vast majority of new investors make the worst of all choices as soon as they start. They don’t go for high-growth small investment ideas, but limited-risk ideas, drastically lowering their potential earnings. Investors that pick ‘secure’ options generally end up being beaten by the market, earning less than they would with a general stock investment.
Let’s start with a well-known investment option: the stock market. The assumption that you need thousands of dollars to start with stock trading is nonsense. Thousands of low-cost stocks can be purchased, many of which have the potential for massive growth. Find opportunities outside the standard markets and you can produce massive returns on investment capital that’s relatively small.
The key, however, is to look as far from the ‘hot’ stocks as you possibly can, and instead consider stocks that few investors appear to have noticed. Low-volume investments in newer companies – one of several strategies that can produce massive returns – will allow you to spread your smaller bankroll significantly further than larger investments in single companies will allow for.
Let’s look at alternatives – businesses that you operate. Thanks to the power of the internet, it’s now cheaper than ever to build a business online. From dropshipping to online consulting, everyone has a skill that can be digitized. If you’re an experienced professional now, think of how others around the world could benefit from your services, and build an online business that’s based on them.
How could you do this? Experienced magazine editors could offer their services online, reading the articles submitted by contributors to online websites. Consultants could offer their advice through a webcam service, giving examples to clients thousands of miles away. Salespeople could sell most of their products online, drawing upon the internet’s low operating costs to offer lower retail prices.
These aren’t small investment ideas in the standard definition, but they remain lucrative investment ideas nonetheless. Any situation in which you have an information advantage – be it related to skill or a product that’s on the market – is one in which you can invest time and money. Don’t be scared to invest in online opportunities – in many cases, they’re lucrative options for you to earn money.
Alternatively, precious metals and other items are often available for relatively low prices from an online vendor, often in quantities small enough for you to benefit from a small investment. If you’re not sold on the idea of investing in the stock market, purchasing precious metals could allow you to invest in an alternative means – one that’s become consistently more valuable over the past decade.
Then there’s municipal bonds – low-risk, potentially moderate-yield investments that are linked to small government projects such as roadways and public buildings. These bonds are backed by tax dollars, so it’s highly unlikely that owning bonds could result in default. In many cases, bonds give secure income without any drawbacks, earning you interest and payments as the bonds mature.
What about your hobbies? Many people have hobbies that can, in the right situation, translate into potentially lucrative sources of income. From collector items to valuable skills learned as part of a hobby, it’s very possible to profit from your interests. An advantage of this type of investment is its fun nature – nothing’s more enjoyable than making money doing something you’re interested in.
There are hundreds of small investment ideas out there, many of which can help you earn money and gain valuable financial skills. Before you write yourself off as a ‘small fry’ investor, consider that many of the world’s best started small. You don’t need a huge bankroll to create a rich empire, only the drive to make it a reality and the knowledge to ensure your investments are smart ones.