By Dotcom Design
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April 22, 2019
You've been thinking of expanding your financial planning range over the last few years but you aren't sure where to begin. Now, it's 2019 and you still aren't sure where you should invest your money. Thankfully, we are here to help, as 2019 looks like a very good year to get into the investment market. And we can help you choose the best options for your money for this coming year. In each section, we'll discuss the type of investment, what kind of benefits it possesses, and the downsides to choosing these options. We'll also give you an idea of how well these investments pay and their level of risk for your financial portfolio. Money-Marketing Accounts Remain a Liquid Investment Money market accounts are similar to a savings account but require higher minimum balances to maintain. However, they also produce a higher rate of savings and provide you with an exceptional level of liquidity. Unlike some investments, which you cannot take back from without suffering a penalty, a money-marketing account can work like a checking account without any penalty. As a result, this investment provides you with a great way to not only grow your bottom line but to create a stable fund source for reinvestment. Instead of waiting for your money to mature for years, you can pull extra cash out of this account and invest it in another option. Keeping a high balance in this type of account is wise as this will significantly increase its potential earnings. Inflation is the biggest problem you'll experience with this type of investment. Simply put, if inflation increases higher than the interest on the account, the money you get back won't be as powerful. Yes, you'll end up with more money than when you invested, but its value will be diluted by inflation. And make sure to get it insured by the FDIC to avoid losing your principal. CDs are Always a Wise Investment Choice If you're looking for a low-risk method of financial planning – but one that will keep your money secure – you should invest in CDs or certificates of deposit. Banks offer this type of financial investment, and they offer a higher interest rate than your typical savings account. These investments mature at a slightly different rate than savings accounts, though, on a schedule of weeks or even years. The best thing about CDs is that, once the investment matures appropriately, you get back the original principal plus the interest you earned. This rate will vary depending on what the government sets but can be as high as three percent. Patience is vital with CDs, and you can make pretty good money if you invest in multiple CDs and let them mature at varying rates. There are issues with this investment, though. For one, you won't be able to take your money out of your account until it has matured or you'll suffer a penalty. This situation can be frustrating if you need a source of income to invest and you have too much tied up in a CD. That's why it's best to invest in multiple CDs on varying maturation rates. In this way, you'll get money back at a staggered pace. Dividend Stocks Playing the stock market can feel like a huge risk in these financially-strange times. However, dividend-paying stocks are a significant financial planning option because they are a little safer than other types of stocks and provide you with a more steady income. Simply put, these stocks pay out a portion of a company's profits to all shareholders on a set schedule. Divided stocks are reasonably liquid should you want to change your investment option here. However, you should probably keep money in a stable dividend stock for a long time and take the money that it makes and reinvest it in other options. Don't put all your money in one pot, here, but continually expand your investments to ensure maximum profitability. The risks of this type of investment are apparent: like any stocks, these investments can rise and fall in price. Make sure to investigate each company before you buy any dividend stocks. For example, some businesses operate on a nearly non-profit level and don't pay out many dividends to their stockholders. Dividend increases – rather than high yield – are also preferable here. Growth Stock Funds Expand Your Portfolio Growth stocks are a risky financial planning choice for some people, but growth stock funds are a bit more stable. This type of investment lets you choose an actively-managed fund that includes a group of managers who carefully select growth stocks to beat the market or who focus on more balanced stocks that produce steady or more balanced yields. The idea behind this approach is to diversify your stock options into multiple companies in a way that minimizes your loss. For example, you'll invest in a lower amount in a single stock, which can help to offset any damage you might experience. Just as importantly, you may do well in one stock but much better in another and still walk away with a net gain at the end of the day. This choice is a good one if you're already invested in steady-earning low-risk investments and want one that has a higher chance of a large payout. As with all stocks, though, your chance of failure is higher than with more balanced investments. However, the stock market seems to be staying healthy throughout this year, so now is a good time to check in with this investment type. We Can Help Make Your Money As you can see, there are many possible financial planning investments from which you can choose. Each of these options has its advantages and disadvantages that make them worth a look. The best guideline here is the same as it is with any financial situation: diversify your portfolio as much as possible. This approach means taking many different investment types and choosing multiple investment options within each class to ensure that you can overcome any loss that you might incur on your account. However, you shouldn't try to invest in anything on your own. Living in Iowa City, North Liberty, or Cedar Rapids leaves you a bit outside of the normal range of investment activity, so you might be uncomfortable trying out this process on your own. If so, please contact us at Tryon Investments today to learn as much as possible about financial planning opportunities. We will work with you to give you the inside scoop that you need to succeed in this sometimes crowded field.