While the coronavirus pandemic is still wreaking havoc on the economy, the stock market has already recovered.
By mid-August, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 had both risen more than 50% from bottoming out in March.
The most conservative investments, on average, provide the lowest returns while also protecting your initial investment.
As you progress up the risk ladder, you accept more market volatility in exchange for the possibility of bigger long-term rewards. Bonds and equities are the least hazardous assets, followed by cash.
Dividend-paying stocks, real estate, and enterprises are just a few examples of high-yielding investments.
While these investments have the potential to yield high profits, some are far safer than others. Your short- and long-term financial goals, timing, risk tolerance, and the amount of money you presently have in the bank should all be considered when deciding where and how to invest money for good returns in 2021.
These considerations should make it easy to decide where to invest your money safely while still receiving returns that will help you achieve your financial goals and generate long-term wealth.
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What is the Description of a Secure Investment?
Certificates of deposit (CDs), money market accounts, municipal bonds, and Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities are all secure investment possibilities (TIPS).
Investments such as CDs and bank accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) for up to $250,000.
The FDIC will reimburse your monies if the bank cannot repay you.
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Is it Possible to Make a Risk-Free Investment?
To be completely clear, no investment is completely risk-free. It’s difficult to declare which investment is the safest because markets fluctuate, and the economy is sometimes unexpected.
Some investment categories, on the other hand, are far safer than others.
You might expect to break even or lose a little amount of money with low-risk investments. Bigger-risk investments, on the other hand, can yield significantly higher returns. It’s difficult to find low-risk, high-yield investments.
However, regardless of where you opt to put your money, make sure your portfolio is well-diversified to reduce your total risk. As a result, you’ll find a list of 20 secure investments with great returns below;
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20 Best Things to Invest in That is Worth your Money
1. High Yield Savings Account
2. Certificates of Deposits
3. Government Bond Fund
4. Short-term Corporate Bond funds
5. Municipal Bond Fund’s
6. S&P 500 Index Funds/ ETFs
7. Dividend Stocks Fund
8. Nasdaq – 100 Index Funds
9. Rental Housing
10. Cryptocurrency
11. High Yield Money Market Accounts
12. Treasury Securities
13. Growth Stocks
14. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITS)
15. Industry-specific Index Funds
16. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities
17. Annuities
18. Real Estate Crowdfunding
19. Peer-to-Peer Lending
20. Mutual Funds
1. High Yield Savings Account:
A high-yield online savings account pays interest on your cash balance. High-yield internet savings accounts, like a savings account earning pennies at your local bank, are easily accessible vehicles for your money.
Due to fewer overhead costs, online banks typically offer significantly higher interest rates.
Furthermore, you may obtain the funds by moving them to your primary bank or withdrawing them from an ATM. A savings account is a good choice for folks who will require money soon.
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Risk
You don’t have to worry about losing your money because the banks that provide these accounts are FDIC-insured.
While high-yield savings accounts, like CDs, are generally secure investments, if rates are too low, you risk losing purchasing power over time due to inflation.
Liquidity
The most liquid kind of money is a savings account.
You can add or remove funds at any time, though your bank may impose a legal restriction of six withdrawals per billing cycle if it so chooses.
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2. Certificates of Deposits:
Certificates of deposit, or CDs, are issued by banks and provide a higher interest rate than savings accounts. The maturity of these federally-insured time deposits might range from a few days to several years.
You can only withdraw the money once a specified length of time has passed since they are “time deposits.”
The financial institution pays you interest on a CD at set intervals. When it matures, you will receive your initial principal plus any interest that has accrued.
Risk
CDs are regarded as risk-free investments. They do, however, come with reinvestment risk, which means that if interest rates decrease, investors would receive less when they reinvest capital and interest in new CDs with lower rates, as we saw in 2020.
The concern is that rates may climb, but investors will be unable to benefit because their money is already trapped in a CD.
Liquidity
CDs are less liquid than savings or money market accounts since they bind your funds until the CD matures, which can take months or years.
It’s feasible to collect your money sooner, but you’ll almost always have to pay the penalty.
3. Government Bond Funds:
A government bond fund is a mutual fund or exchange-traded fund that invests in government and agency debt instruments.
The funds are invested in debt instruments issued by government-sponsored businesses, such as T-bills, T-notes, T-bonds, and mortgage-backed securities.
These government bond funds are ideal for low-risk investors, as well as new investors and those looking for a steady stream of income.
Risk
Because the bonds are backed by the government’s credit, funds that invest in government debt instruments are considered to be among the safest assets.
The fund, like other mutual funds, is not backed by the government and is therefore vulnerable to risks such as interest rate fluctuations and inflation.
If inflation rises, purchasing power falls; if interest rates rise, existing bond prices fall; and if interest rates fall, existing bond prices rise. Long-term bonds carry a higher rate of interest risk.
Liquidity
Bond fund stocks are extremely liquid, but their value fluctuates with interest rates.
4. Short-term Corporate Bond Funds:
Corporations can raise funds by selling bonds to investors, which can then be merged into bond funds that own bonds from a variety of companies.
Short-term bonds have an average period of maturity, of 1 – 5 years, making them less susceptible to fluctuations in interest rates.
Risk
Like other bond funds, short-term corporate bond funds are not secured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
Investors in investment-grade short-term bond funds often earn larger returns than those in government and municipal bond funds.
Liquidity
You can buy and sell fund shares every business day. Furthermore, you can typically reinvest income distributions or make new assets at any time.
Just keep in mind that there’s a chance you’ll lose money.
5. Municipal Bond Funds:
Municipal bond funds invest in a diverse range of municipal bonds (also known as munis) granted by local and state governments.
Earned interest is typically tax-free at the federal level and may also be tax-free at the state and municipal levels, making it especially desirable to investors in high-tax states or thresholds. Individual Muni bonds, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds are all purchasable.
You can work with a financial advisor to determine the best investment type for you, although you may want to continue with those in your state or region for tax benefits.
Risk
Individual bonds are subject to default risk, which means that the issuer will be unable to make future interest or principal payments.
Cities and states don’t go bankrupt very often, but it does happen, and muni bonds have historically been quite safe.
Bonds can also be payable on demand, meaning the issuer returns the principal and retires the bond before the maturity period.
As a result, the investor will miss out on future interest charges.
Liquidity
Every working day, you can buy or sell your fund shares. Furthermore, you can usually reinvest income distributions or make new assets at any time.
6. S&P 500 Index Funds / ETFs:
If you want to achieve higher returns, an S&P 500 index fund is a great alternative to more traditional banking products or bonds, though it does come with more uncertainty.
The fund is comprised of approximately 500 of the largest American corporations, which encompasses many of the world’s most successful companies.
Two of the index’s most remarkable members, for example, are Amazon and Berkshire Hathaway.
An S&P 500 index fund, like any other fund, allows you to quickly diversify by holding a portion of each of those companies. The fund is more durable than many other investments because it invests in companies from all industries.
Over time, the index has averaged a 10% yearly return. These index funds have low expense ratios (the amount it costs the management company to run the fund) and are among the best option available.
Risk
Because it is made up of the market’s top firms and is widely diversified, an S&P 500 fund is one of the safer methods to invest in inequities.
Of course, because stocks are still included, they will be more volatile than bonds or bank products. It’s also not insured by the government, thus, it’s possible to lose money due to market changes.
The index, on the other hand, has performed admirably over time.
Liquidity
An S&P 500 index fund is extremely liquid, and investors can buy or sell it on any trading day.
7. Dividend Stocks Funds:
Dividend-paying stocks may make your stock market investments just that little safer.
Basically, Dividends are amounts of a company’s profit that can be distributed to shareholders on a routine basis, usually quarterly.
Individual stock purchases, regardless of whether or not they pay dividends, are better suited for basic and advanced investors. You can, however, purchase a group of them.
Risk
Dividend stocks, like any other stock investment, carry risk. They’re considered safer than growth companies or other non-dividend-paying equities, but you should pick them wisely for your portfolio.
Invest in firms that have a track record of increasing dividends rather than those with the highest current yield. That could indicate impending danger.
However, even well-regarded corporations can have financial difficulties. Thus a high reputation is no guarantee that the company would not decrease or eliminate its dividend.
Liquidity
Any day the market is open, you can buy and sell your fund, and quarterly dividends are liquid.
A long-term investment is necessary to get the most return on your dividend stock investment. To get the best returns on your dividends, you should reinvest them.
8. Nasdaq – 100 Index Funds:
Investors who want access to some of the biggest and greatest tech companies without having to pick winners and losers or evaluate particular companies can consider an index fund based on the Nasdaq-100.
The Nasdaq top 100 businesses are among the most effective and stable in the world, and the fund is based on them. Apple and Facebook are two such companies, each accounting for a sizable portion of the index.
Another notable member firm is Microsoft. A Nasdaq-100 index fund provides instant diversity, ensuring that your investment is not harmed by the failure of a single company.
Risk
This group of stocks, like any other publicly traded stock, might fall in value. While the Nasdaq-100 has some of the most powerful IT businesses, they are also among the most valuable.
They are likely to fall rapidly in a downturn due to their high valuation, though they may rise again during a turnaround.
Liquidity
A Nasdaq index fund, like other publicly listed index funds, can be converted to cash on any trading day.
9. Rental Housing:
Rental housing could be a great investment if you’re ready to manage your properties.
With mortgage rates at historic lows, now could be an ideal time to finance the purchase of a new home, though the unpredicted economy may make it much more difficult, and renters may be more likely to default due to unemployment, finding it difficult to manage.
You’ll need to pick the perfect property, finance it or buy it outright, maintain it, and deal with tenants if you go this path.
Risk
Like any other fixed asset, housing can be overvalued, as investors have discovered. Despite the economy’s difficulties, property prices rose in 2020 and 2021 due to low mortgage rates and a limited housing supply.
And if you are ever in need of cash urgently, the lack of liquidity could pose a problem. You might have to come up with a significant sum of money if you need a roofing system or air conditioning.
You incur the risk of the property remaining empty whilst you are stuck in the mortgage payment.
Liquidity
Rental properties are one of the least liquid investments accessible, so if you need cash quickly, they may not be the best choice (though a cash-out refinance or home equity loan is possible).
A broker may deduct up to 6% from the top of the sales price as a commission if you sell.
10. Cryptocurrency:
A cryptocurrency is a form of electronic digital currency that can be used as a form of payment. Over the last decade, it has grown in popularity, with Bitcoin becoming the most popularly used digital currency.
In recent years, cryptocurrency has become a popular investment, with investors pouring money into the market, driving prices up and attracting even more traders.
Bitcoin is the most widely used cryptocurrency, and its price fluctuates a lot, attracting a lot of traders.
Unlike the other assets listed here, it is not backed by the FDIC or the money-generating authority of either a government or a firm. Its worth is entirely determined by the prices that buyers are willing to pay for it.
Risk
Cryptocurrency is fraught with dangers, including those that might render any specific currency worthless, such as being outlawed.
Digital currencies are extremely volatile, and their prices fluctuate dramatically even over short time frames, depending purely on what traders are willing to pay.
Given recent high-profile thefts, traders are also at risk of being hacked. And, if you’re investing in cryptocurrencies, you’ll have to identify the winners who manage to hang on in a market where many could vanish totally.
Liquidity
Cryptocurrencies, especially the major ones like Bitcoin and Ethereum, are generally liquid, and you may buy and sell them at any time of day.
However, the charges on them are typically very high (in comparison to traditional investments like stocks), and you’ll need to see big growth just to break even. To reduce these fees, it’s critical to choose the best broker.
11. High-yield Money Market Accounts:
FDIC-insured MMAs, like savings, is one of the least risky ways to invest money.
The ability to write a set number of checks each month is a significant difference. Money market accounts, on average, pay a higher rate of interest than savings accounts.
Risk
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insures up to $250,000 per bank and person. As a result, if you have many accounts with a combined balance that exceeds the limit, your money is not protected.
Liquidity
They have more liquidity, and some of them let you access the account with cheques or a debit card. Because MMAs can provide superior interest rates, it makes sense to use them.
12. Treasury Securities:
Treasury securities are similar to FDIC-insured bank accounts in that they are fully backed by the government. The government issues these to gather funds for initiatives and debt repayment.
Treasuries will work similarly to CDs in that they will have a fixed interest rate and maturity date, which may be anything from one month to 30 years.
You will receive periodical “coupons” or payments from the interest during the investment period, as well as the entire principal amount when the bond matures. These are some of the most secure investments available.
Liquidity
It’s vital to remember that you can’t get your money out of a government bond before it matures, even if you pay a charge. You can, however, try to get your money by selling the bond on the secondary market.
13. Growth Stocks:
Rather than investing in a single growth business, growth stock funds invest in a wide selection of growth stocks. As a result, the chance of a single growth stock falling and harming your entire portfolio is reduced.
Long-term, growth stocks have outperformed the rest of the stock market. Many fast-growing IT businesses offer growth stock options, but unlike dividend stocks, they rarely return cash to investors.
Rather, most businesses choose to reinvest their profits to continue to develop. Individual growth stock evaluation and selection are no longer necessary with growth stock funds.
Instead, your money is invested in a diversified collection of growth equities that are actively managed by skilled managers.
Risk
Keep in mind that any sort of stock market investment entails some level of risk. Using a professional, on the other hand, should lessen the danger of purchasing a terrible growth stock.
Liquidity
These investments are also extremely liquid, allowing investors to move money in and out with ease.
14. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs):
REITs are real estate investment trusts that own and manage properties. The REIT market is divided into several subsectors from which investors can pick.
Housing REITs, commercial REITs, retail REITs, and hotel REITs are all popular sectors.
Risk
Investing in a REIT that is publicly traded on major markets rather than a private fund is a safer bet. Instead of looking for funds with the best current returns, look for REITs with a long history of steadily increasing dividends.
Liquidity
REIT cash can be withdrawn at any time the stock market is active.
15. Industry-specific Index Fund:
Investors can choose a sector to invest in rather than assessing individual companies within that sector with industry-specific index funds.
This is mostly for investors who are passionate about a particular industry and want to spread risk without having to research individual firms, beginners, and advanced investors.
Risk
If the industry in which you invest does well, the overall fund is likely to do well as well. On the other hand, if one industry suffers, most or all of its companies will suffer as well.
As a result, the value of fund diversification is reduced.
Liquidity
Any day the market is open, cash can be retrieved.
16. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities:
TIPS provides smaller returns, but the principal amount invested will increase or decrease in value based on inflation rates over the life of the bond.
These are appropriate for cash you won’t need before the bond’s maturity date, funds beyond the FDIC-insured maximum of $250,000, and investors who don’t want to worry about inflation risk in their portfolio.
TIPS is a low-risk investment that rises and falls in tandem with inflation. As a result, if inflation rises, so will the value of your money.
Although the returns are low when compared to higher-risk investments, your money will remain level with inflation.
Risk
If you sell before the maturity date, as with other treasuries, your risk will certainly increase.
17. Annuities:
Annuities come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they all involve a transaction with an insurance provider.
The insurance firm accepts a lump sum payment in exchange for a guaranteed rate of return.
Fixed annuities (with a fixed rate of return) and variable annuities (with a variable rate of return) are two types of annuities (with the rate of return partially determined by stock market health).
When you obtain a guaranteed return, you know you’re making a secure investment. Annuities, like the federal government, are backed by the insurance company that holds the annuity.
Risk
Credit risk (the risk that the insurer will go bankrupt), Purchasing power risk (the danger that inflation will outpace the annuity’s fixed rate), and Liquidity risk are only a few of the risks that annuities face (the risk that funds will be tied up for years with little ability to access them).
Liquidity
The majority of annuities have a maximum yearly withdrawal privilege, which is usually 10%.
If the member withdraws more than this amount, the insurance company charges a surrender charge for a period known as the “surrender period.” After the surrender period expires, the annuity is fully liquid.
18. Real Estate Crowdfunding:
Crowdfunding is a relatively new technique for investing in various sorts of real estate.
The finest real estate crowdfunding platforms pool funds from investors in exchange for a stake in one or more projects. It’s a fantastic way to reap all of the benefits of real estate ownership without having to maintain or manage the property.
Effective crowdfunding companies have a track record of making low-risk investments in desirable areas and rising markets, such as single-family houses or apartment buildings.
Risk
This investing method lowers risk while increasing predictability, making it one of the best low-risk, high-return investments accessible; not disputing there are no guaranteed profits, much like in the stock market, and you could lose your entire investment.
Liquidity
Unlike the stock market, your investment may be locked up for years, depending on the asset.
19. Peer-to-Peer Lending:
Investors can lend their money to others through peer-to-peer lending. Returns on this sort of investment, sometimes known as crowdfunding, come from interest earned throughout the life of the loan.
People have been lending money to each other for ages.
Peer-to-peer lending is exactly what it sounds like: an investor lends his or her own money to a borrower with the understanding that the loan will be repaid to the lender, plus interest, over a set period.
P2P lending interest rates vary depending on perceived risk, predicted inflation, and loan length.
Risk
P2P lending is seen as a low-risk, high-return investment opportunity. While lending can help you diversify your financial portfolio, keep in mind that these loans are unsecured.
As a result, if a borrower fails on their loan, it may reduce your profit. The good news is that each loan comes with a distinct amount of risk, allowing you to choose how much danger you want to take on.
Liquidity
P2P loans are more liquid than real estate investments but not as liquid as stocks. You have the option to sell your loans on the secondary market and withdraw your funds at any time.
20. Mutual Funds:
A mutual fund is a vehicle through which investors pool their funds to purchase stocks, bonds, and other assets.
These funds offer a less expensive option to protect your portfolio from the loss of a single investment. Mutual funds allow investors to invest in a variety of companies that meet certain criteria.
These businesses could be in the technology sector or be dividend-paying firms. Mutual funds allow investors to focus on a specific investment area while distributing risk across numerous investments.
Risk
This occurs with mutual funds because they invest in a wide range of financial products, including equities, debt, corporate bonds, government securities, and so on.
Because of a variety of variables, the price of these instruments fluctuates, potentially resulting in losses.
Liquidity
A mutual fund’s money is widely available, but it takes a small initial deposit, ranging from $500 to hundreds of dollars.
FAQs
Savings account with a high yield.
Money Market Accounts and Certificates of Deposit
Securities issued by the Treasury Department
Although no investment is completely risk-free, there are five that are considered the safest to own (bank savings accounts, CDs, Treasury securities, money market accounts, and fixed annuities).
Start investing as soon as you begin to earn some money.
Maintain your focus.
Set aside money for short-term goals.
Invest money to achieve your objectives.
Conclusion
When determining what to invest in, you should think about your risk tolerance, time horizon, understanding of investing, financial condition, and the amount of money you have available.
If you want to increase your wealth, you have two options: lower-risk investments with a small return or higher-risk investments with a higher return.
When it comes to investing, there is usually a trade-off between risk and reward.
You can also take a balanced strategy, having safe money investments while yet allowing for long-term growth, as this is one of the finest strategies to protect and increase your money to generate enduring wealth.
References
- https://www.annuity.org/annuities/are-annuities-safe/
- https://smallbusiness.chron.com/liquidity-annuity-2747.html
- https://www.investopedia.com/best-real-estate-crowdfunding-sites-5070790
- https://cleartax.in/s/mutual-funds-risk
- https://www.bankrate.com/investing/best-investments/amp/#savings
- https://www.gobankingrates.com/investing/strategy/smart-investments-try-now/amp/
- https://realwealth.com/safe-investments-with-high-returns/amp/
- https://www.debt.com/news/7-simple-principles-to-invest-your-money-wisely-no-matter-your-age/
- https://www.thebalance.com/making-safe-investments-2388551
- https://www.doughroller.net/investing/safe-low-risk-investments-for-seniors/
- https://www.gobankingrates.com/investing/strategy/safe-investments-with-high-returns/
