As we make our way into a new year, there is no doubt a certain level of self-reflection happening up and down the country. Whether you are looking back on how you grew as a person throughout the last twelve months or what you have achieved in various aspects of your life, it is common to think about what you want to change or improve upon in the upcoming year.
At the same time, many might find themselves seeking new opportunities in the coming few months as a means of developing themselves in a personal or professional sense. We feel right in saying that our finances have been squeezed in recent times; finding ways of maximizing our money and making it go further is at the forefront of many peoples’ minds.
Investing is one way of protecting your funds, regardless of your individual financial situation. You will have a pocket of funds that may very well gather added interest without your need to intervene. That being said, navigating the investment world can seem a lot easier said than done, but that is where we are here to help.
Detailed below are some investment opportunities to consider in the new year if you are interested in this type of thing. Whether you want to dip your toe in the water or are actively seeking to invest in various avenues, read on for more.
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1. Stocks and Shares ISA
If you are anything like us, your mind initially drifts to stocks and shares in businesses when thinking about what investment opportunities are out there. While stocks and shares are undoubtedly a reliable means of investing in this day and age, there are similar investment opportunities available, including the likes of stocks and shares ISAs.
Those who choose to invest in something like this can benefit from tax-free savings opportunities, something we feel confident encourages many to invest. Furthermore, the ISA provides investors with the chance to invest in various funds, including the likes of investment funds and trusts and individual company shares. Whether you wish to invest in one fund or in numerous is entirely up to you; monitoring the success of the investment is the most important thing.
2. Cryptocurrency
Unless you have been living under a rock in recent years, we feel confident most people reading this are familiar with Cryptocurrency and all that it entails. If this is not the case, let us break it down for you. Cryptocurrency is a digital currency that is secured in a digital wallet and is used for purchases in a similar way to physical currencies but can also be used as an investment opportunity.
Undeniably, this is an investment opportunity worth considering in the coming weeks and months and one that has grown exponentially in popularity in recent years. For example, you can now buy Bitcoin with PayPal from peer-to-peer marketplaces, something which was not available when Crypto was first established. As this phenomenon continues to grow, so do the investment opportunities; jump on the bandwagon when you can, and watch your investment flourish.
3. Franchises
This is not the first thing people think about when considering an investment opportunity and is not as advertised as other investment options out there. That being said, this is worth considering as we head into the new year, for it poses just as good an opportunity as other investments. A franchise provides individuals like yourself with the opportunity to not only invest but also to start a business – in itself, that could be viewed as a long term investment, too.
Franchises can come in all shapes and sizes and cover a variety of industries too. Whatever you might have an interest or passion in, you can rest assured you will be able to find a franchise opportunity relating to this. One crucial thing worth noting here is that you will need to make a large upfront investment when investing in a franchise. You will initially need a much larger capital available when investing than other investment opportunities. If you intend to invest a small amount of capital, this might not be worth taking into account in your plans.
4. Property Investment
Much like our previous suggestion, this is another larger investment compared to others and is one that you might not have initially considered in your plans. That being said, you can never go wrong with investing your capital into a property. For those looking at long-term investment options, this is certainly the one for you. If you were to rent out a property you purchase, you have a steady and stable form of income long after you stop working.
Naturally, property prices fluctuate based on market conditions, much like those we have seen throughout recent months. While that is the case, do not let this put you off. If you were to invest in a property when costs are low, you are sure to gain value on your property when market prices increase, leading to your investment paying off greatly.
As mentioned previously, investments like this require a much larger initial investment than the likes of investing into an ISA; it is not recommended for those who do not have the necessary funds for something like this. At the same time, should you be in a position where you can afford to invest in property, it is worth doing so. Getting on the property ladder as soon as you can, will pay off in the short and long term and leave you relieved at having invested your capital into something too.
Investing is not something that happens overnight; you will need to be patient with your efforts in order to see them come to fruition. While nothing stops you from creating a projected timeframe when investing, ensure you remember several market influences that could impact your investment rate and success. Taking your time with a process like this, both in the short and long term, is sure to pay off. Make a plan and put it into action, budding investor; the investing world is waiting.
