Top 5 Best Investment Ideas and Tips for Beginners

New to investing? Learn about various investment tools here and find out how to start investing your money.

As a beginner investor, navigating through the many different investment options available out there can be very difficult and a scary experience. Different types of investments carry with them varying amounts of risk and reward. There are a large number of potential investment pitfalls that can befall the unwary, first-time investor. To make things easier for you, here is a list of the top 5 best investment ideas for beginners. 

Top 5 Best Investment Ideas and Tips for Beginners: 

Real Estate

Despite the recent falls in property prices, real estate remains a good investment. It’s actually one of the well-protected investment options that keep on thriving and flourishing, even in developing nations. Real estate lets you combine the huge benefits of leverage with property value appreciation over the long term. 

The value of property typically increases over time, resulting in increased equity and creation of wealth. Also, the growth in value your investment experiences is sheltered from tax until you liquidate the property. Additional tax benefits can be realized through value-added tax deductions such as ability to deduct operating costs and cost of financing. 

Gold

As a beginner investor, it’s wise to invest in gold. This is simply because it provides an excellent hedge against inflation. In times of economic crisis, the government typically prints more currency. This results in increased money supply, which in turn causes inflation and ultimately decreased value of currency. Investing in gold provides a great way to secure your investments, as when the true value of currency decreases, the value of gold invariably rises. 

Today’s interconnected world economy means the economies of major countries are intrinsically linked. When the economy of one major country suffers, there is a knock on effect and major stock markets suffer as well. When stocks and shares fall, majority of investors usually choose to buy gold, which causes its prices to rise.

Forex

Forex investing offers the best return on investment. But the risks are higher compared to other forms of investments. Conventional investments, such as stocks, mutual funds and bonds, provide a good way to earn money from one’s savings. However, forex trading is more profitable compared to these investments. It’s also much less complicated and demanding but as profitable, if not more. 

With forex trading, you don’t have to monitor hundreds of stocks or wait for months to realize profits. You can make money huge amounts of money from trading in just a few currency pairs within a very short period of time. This is because the Forex market trading hours are a 24-hour, commission-free market that has no short-selling restrictions. 

Insurance

Investing in insurance products is a great way to ensure that you’re well taken care of in times of emergency as well as during retirement. Insurance policies that come with an investment feature offer significant tax benefits, as the earnings on the plan are not usually taxed. These policies also provide a wide range of investment options, such as stocks, mutual funds, bonds and money market accounts. 

Additionally, they offer unmatched flexibility, where the plan may be increased with a lump-sum payment or borrowed in the event of a medical emergency or any other pressing financial need.

Your Employer’s 401k

Majority of employers offer a 401k plan through which employees can make their contributions toward their retirement savings. However, many employees don’t take full advantage of their 401k plan. Don’t be like them, as there are many benefits that you can accrue from investing in your company’s 401k. 

Contributing part of your salary to your employer’s 401k plan will allow you to enjoy a number of benefits, such as a tax break, tax-deferred growth, and a possibility of a matching contribution from your employer. To get maximum benefits, consider contributing approximately 20% of your income to your 401k, and avoid tapping into your 401k to meet your immediate cash-flow needs.

Conclusion
Lastly, it’s important to note that there is no guarantee that you’ll make money using any of these ideas. To succeed, you need to take the time to learn about the fundamental principles of each of these investment options as well as the right strategies that can help you make money. Also, remember you don’t have to invest in all of them to succeed. Just choose one or two options that you are most comfortable with and stick with it.

Invest in the Stock Market But First Learn the Basics

1903 stock certificate of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A stock is essentially a small share of a company. The percentage of ownership of a company that you get in exchange for the purchase of a stock is dependent upon many factors, including that company's industry, its stock share, and its history with business growth. Stocks are considered to be an equity investment, and whether you're looking to eventually build a significant savings out of stocks or simply have some fun, choosing to take some money and invest in the stock market can be a smart and exciting prospect. By claiming a share of a company's assets and profits, you're essentially hitching a ride along with their corporate big-time-earners, which means that the more they make, the more you make. This is one of the top five stock investment tips: buying more of a company's stock means playing more of a role in ownership, and thus earnings.

Common types of invested stocks provide shareholders -- those are the people who purchase stocks from the company -- with some voting rights, but no actual promise of profits from the company. A preferred stock, on the other hand, almost always guarantees you'll see a return from it, but you won't have voting rights within the company. If you don't mind not having a say in the direction a company goes, but you definitely want to earn a share of its profits, then a preferred stock is, without a doubt, the better choice.

Once upon a time stock shareholders had actual paper certificates verifying their ownership of stocks. These days, the purchase and trade of stocks are recorded digitally, and assuming you're using a brokerage firm to assist with the management of your stocks, they're the ones whose name will be on the stocks, even though you are the one who owns them.

Before purchasing a stock, it's important to know the basics. When ordering a stock, you can do so via a limit order, a market order, a stop order, a stop-limit order, or a trailing-stop order. Each of these types of stock ordering methods are different, but result in the same thing: obtaining one or more stocks for you. Remember, the more stocks you purchase from a company, the more ownership you have in that company. But sometimes it pays to purchase just one or two from each company, though in some instances owning multiple stocks can definitely be much more lucrative. An experienced brokerage firm can help you make the right choice in the number of stocks you buy from companies.

Grounds for Seeking Business Debt Help

Financial mistakes are a common thing that takes place when you run a business of your own. No single entrepreneur can run a business successfully without making a single financial mistake throughout his life. Mistakes happen and we learn from that. However, there are times when it gets very difficult to find out the correct way to come out of financial debts. The amount of debt sometimes keep accumulating wherein they reach such a point that it becomes way beyond your affordable limit to pay off the debt to the creditors. In such a situation, it is extremely necessary that you seek for a business debt help from a well-known debt consolidation company.

Top Reasons for Taking Business Debt Help

You might be having sleepless nights as the creditors are continuously chasing you for money. You are getting harassed day in and day out. The situation has reached a level where your creditors won’t stop harassing you until they receive their money back from you. Arguing with them is of no use as the calls keep coming from the customer care department and every time it is a different person who you have to deal with.

Bearing harassment regularly is something which is too disgusting and hence it is better to reduce the creditors. The best way for you would be a commercial debt negotiation with your creditors so that they come to an agreement to sort out your debt issue. This will stop the harassment right away.

On contacting one of the debt consolidation companies, you will be able to bring some reduction in your high rate of interest. They are the right people who can negotiate with your creditors on your behalf. It is very important as they will help you largely in getting your interest rate reduced quickly so that you can pay off the debt faster.

Debt consolidation companies come to big help as they can play a vital role in reducing your late fees and limit the same. They through their years of experience have learnt how to deal with the creditors and will do everything possible in order to get you out of your debt related problems.

The precarious financial situation stands as a hindrance for many individuals as they do not have the money to pay off the debts. This is where you can take business debt help from a debt consolidation company who will negotiate in their way to bring some reductions in your payment plans that is completely suitable for your situation.

The debt consolidation companies also offer you with a plan keeping into account your income and expenses, and your creditors whereby they try to offer you as much as help possible in order to save your maximum money.

You have to pay a certain amount of fee to the debt consolidation company for their suggestion. Some of them won’t charge you anything for their initial consultation. So fetch one of them and resolve all your debt issues instantly today! What are you waiting for?

Looking To Update? 5 High Return Upgrades For Your Home

The one question that many homeowners ask themselves is if the renovation project that they are choosing to complete will give them a big return on the value of their home. In the event that you one day choose to put your home on the market, you'll want to make upgrades that will increase the value of your home rather than to decrease it or simply keep it the same. High return upgrades for your home may even cost less to install and complete than the huge return that you'll see when selling your house. Major upgrades may even help your home to sell faster than others homes on the market that simply do not have everything that you are offering. From improving the overall curb appeal to renovating rooms on the inside of your house, these top 5 upgrades are sure to increase your homes value in no time.

Home Security Systems

One thing that many people want, but don't want to take the time to install themselves is a home security system. By choosing to upgrade your house with services from a local home security company, you will see the value and return price on your house increase immediately. Vivint home automation not only provides you with a safer place to call your home, but also enables you to easily control different aspects of your house with ease such as the lighting, temperature, door locks and much more.

Kitchen Renovations

One of the first rooms in your home that you should to renovate for a high return value is the kitchen. Kitchens are one of the first rooms that potential home buyers look at. When undertaking a kitchen project, it is important to not go overboard. You do not want to have an extremely expensive kitchen in a neighborhood with average priced homes. Choose small upgrades to give your kitchen a face lift such as granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and new lighting fixtures.

Attic Bedrooms

Turn your attic into a bedroom for a 73 percent return of your investment. This adds additional square footage to your home and may be a great option for those who are looking for more bedrooms than you previously had to offer.

Bathroom Remodels

Typically, a bathroom remodel project yields an average of a 62 percent return. Many potential home buyers are looking for large, updated master bathrooms that include double sinks, a large soaking tub, walk-in shower and good lighting. Updating your bathroom by installing these features and adding to the space can be a huge plus to buyers.

Outdoor Space

While a swimming pool may not increase the overall value of your home as this is not something that everyone is looking for, simply updating the outside of your house to increase the curb appeal can give you a high return percentage. Give your home a fresh coat of paint, plant shrubbery and beautiful flowers and even opt to give your backyard a deck or patio where you can enjoy spending the day outdoors.

With these great tips on updating your home, you sure to see a high return value if you ever choose to sell. Other great update options include second floor additions, home office space and sun rooms.

Brionna Kennedy is native to the Pacific Northwest, growing up in Washington, then moving down to Oregon for college. She enjoys writing on fashion and business, but any subject will do, she loves to learn about new topics. When she isn't writing, she lives for the outdoors. Oregon has been the perfect setting to indulge her love of kayaking, rock climbing, and hiking.

Re-designing your Home on a Budget

For many individuals, the years of retirement are a welcome time to begin exploring hobbies and accomplishing goals that have long been put-off. It is also a time of great change in life and habits, often manifested in the desire to re-design all or part of a home’s interior. However, a retiree’s available budget may present difficulties.

Many older people believe they must be limited to fresh paint or new furniture pieces or window treatments, rather than the larger-scale decorating they would like to do. 

By following a few tips, keeping an eye open for deals and discounts, and embracing budget-friendly design styles; a home can be attractively and practically re-designed with minimal expenditure.

Money-saving re-design tips

One of the best money-saving tips for any home re-design is to plan carefully the changes that will be made. Start with an ideas board; professional designers always have a book that they present to prospective clients featuring ideas and designs for a variety of rooms. 

Search out images in magazines, online and through image pinning sites, pulling designs suitable for the room or rooms being refurbished.

When it comes to renovating the basics of a room, namely the floors and walls, the cost of carpeting and paint can be substantial. Carpet remnants are a good way to go, particularly if more than one room needs to be carpeted. 



Many carpet remnants are quite large and the purchase will not break the bank. As for paint, one of the best ways to keep costs low is to take advantage of mixing errors at local paint stores. 

Mis-tints, as they are known, are slight variations from a standard mixed color. Purchasing mis-tints in similar colors to those desired and blending them to create a unique paint color can cut the cost of painting multiple rooms by as much as 80 percent.

When it comes to purchasing other types of flooring, such as tiles, parquet or wood planking, taking advantage of clearances and purchasing in volume are the way to go. 

Clearance items may be limited but they will definitely be cheap, and a little flexibility in design may make it easy to blend several different woods or tiles together seamlessly. 

Many flooring stores and discount outlets will offer deals to anyone purchasing flooring by volume, so keep that in mind as well when selecting flooring.

Energy-efficient updates

Saving money on a redesign is not just about the look of a room, although that is certainly the biggest part of it. Redesign should also be about improving a room or rooms overall, and that means making them more energy-efficient. 

This may be obvious in kitchens or bathrooms, where energy-efficient appliances and water-saving units take center-stage. However, windows are a major location where energy-efficiency is decreased, usually due to poor insulation. 

Any draft gaps should be sealed and consideration should be given to fitting some form of double-glazing. Updating window treatments can take many forms, including new draperies or curtains, but a money-saving update growing in popularity is the addition of interior or exterior shutters.

Stylish shutters are available for both the exterior and interior of the home in a variety of styles. Exterior shutters offer the greatest amount of insulating protection, keeping the weather away from windows when closed and preventing thermal shock. They also add an additional level of security.

Solid shutters offer the best protection from heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer, but they do not allow for ventilation the way that louvered shutters do. 

However, if the shutters are combined with other insulating window treatments such as draperies, than louvered shutters are an attractive and flexible way to go. They can either cover the entire window area or only the lower half, as does the café-style shutter.

How to be Ready for the Unexpected When it Comes to Saving Money?

When it comes to saving money, most of us have some sort of budget that we will use in order to guide our spending and help ensure we put away as much as we need on a regular basis to fund our future plans. Often these budgets will consist of complex and in-depth spread sheets with detailed break-downs of precisely what we're going to spend money on and exactly how much we're going to save over a set period of time.

The problem though is that budgets are consistent and inflexible and they don't tend to have much room for error. When unexpected expenses crop up then that you didn't anticipate – and they will – your saving can end up going on hold and you can end up running out of cash.

Sometimes it will be because the boiler broke, sometimes it will be because your energy bill is obscenely high for unknown reasons, sometimes it will be because you get invited on some amazing night out/trip abroad that you just can't say no to. Whatever the reason though, you will find that budgeting and saving rarely goes unhindered and that there's almost always something that will surprisingly cost you money.

If you have the right attitude however, these costs can be managed and dealt with. Read on and we'll take a look at some of the best ways you can prepare for those unexpected expenses.

Save When Times Are Good – Don't Rely on the Future

You know when you buy yourself an extravagant gift one month because your finances are going strong and because you promise yourself that you're going to pay it back later? Well unfortunately that just doesn't work. You promise yourself to save more money next month, but then something unexpected comes up and you end up losing more cash – thus the panic starts. You can justify things all you like, but ultimately buying on a whim will always be a mistake as far as your savings are concerned. Don't rely on having more money later – save now. 

Of course you should be able to treat yourself to things from time to time, but when you do this it should be as a reward for having already saved a certain amount. Set yourself targets and buy yourself rewards when you reach them – that's a much healthier and safer way to occasionally get what you want.

Expect the Worst

It goes hand in hand with the above point, but more generally you should just make sure that you plan for the unexpected. Not specifically, but overall – by putting aside a little extra in savings so that you can dip into those when you need to, by making conservative estimates of how much you can save. It's better to expect the worst and be pleasantly surprised with extra cash than it is to hope for the best then be shocked because you have much less.

Have Contingency Plans

But it's not enough to just acknowledge that you'll sometimes be spending extra money – you also need to plan for that eventuality and know what you're going to do about it. That means having a contingency plan for those emergencies – perhaps that involves dipping into a savings fund, maybe it means asking your parents for a loan, or maybe it means doing a little extra work on the side to get by. Whatever you do though, make sure that you don't end up getting desperate and taking out expensive pay day loans.

What's also useful is to take out insurance which can help to prevent some of those dire situations. Insurance won't protect you against every outcome, but it can help to prevent situations where you're working out for a new phone or paying for new furnishings in your home and lots of repair work.

Live Cheaply

Life will generally be easier financially if you find ways to live within your means. Don't spend as much as you can while still saving – rather find ways to make do with less and treat yourself occasionally when you can. By requiring less money day-to-day you'll be less caught out by those one off expenses and better able to save under any conditions.

Author Bio:

Miley Brooke, the author of this post, works for Donnelly's, providers of life insurance in Australia. She likes to write and is keen to learn new languages. You can connect to her team on Google+ and have a look at their profile on LinkedIn.