How To Invest

Gold has been a symbol of wealth for centuries, and for good reason. It’s tangible, timeless, and widely trusted. But when it comes to actual returns, gold may not glitter quite as much as you'd expect.

Gold sits at a moderate 2 out of 5 on the risk scale. It's more stable than stocks but less predictable than a high-yield savings account. The real appeal? Gold tends to shine when the economy is in trouble. During periods of high inflation or stock market crashes, gold often holds its value or even increases.

But here’s the catch: Gold is built for preservation, not growth. Over the last 30 years, the S&P 500—an index tracking the 500 largest U.S. companies, has significantly outperformed gold in terms of long-term returns. So while gold can help you protect your purchasing power, it’s not your ticket to early retirement.

If you had invested $1,000 in gold in 2015, you’d have around $1,737 in 2025. Not terrible—but in the same timeframe, investing in the S&P 500 would have likely yielded much higher returns.

Gold tends to perform best during economic uncertainty. But when markets are stable, it often falls behind other asset classes. So if your goal is wealth preservation, gold is solid. If you're aiming for financial freedom and growth, it might fall short.

Now, unless you're planning to turn your living room into a vault, you probably don’t want to deal with the logistics of owning physical gold. It may look cool, but it’s not exactly practical.

Instead, consider investing in Gold ETFs exchange-traded funds that track the price of gold without the need to store or insure anything. Two popular options include:

• SPDR Gold Shares (GLD)
• iShares Gold Trust (IAU)

These can be purchased through most brokerage platforms like Interactive Brokers or Trading212. They offer a convenient way to get exposure to gold without the hassle, while still serving as a hedge against inflation and market chaos.

So, If you’re looking for stability, gold is one of the best ways to shield your wealth. But if you’re hoping to build wealth, you may want to look toward assets like equities or real estate instead. Gold is the vault, not the rocket.

Mention the stock market at a family dinner and suddenly you’re met with wide eyes and concerned whispers—“It’s too risky!” “You’ll lose everything!”. But is it that dangerous? But let’s clear up the confusion around investing in individual stocks.

Buying individual stocks means purchasing shares of publicly traded companies. In simple terms, you become a part-owner of that business. If the company grows, so does your investment. But unlike savings accounts, stock prices are volatile—they can go up, down, and sometimes crash.

That’s what makes this a 3 out of 5 on the risk scale. You’re putting your money into dynamic markets where prices can shift dramatically based on earnings, news, or broader economic trends. One day your portfolio’s up 5%, and the next it’s down 3%. It’s part of the ride.

But don’t let short-term swings scare you. Over the long run, stocks have outperformed almost every other investment class.

Let’s look at a case study:

• If you had invested $1,000 in Apple in 2015, you’d have around $5,400 in 2025, a return of 440%.
• But that same $1,000 in Bed Bath & Beyond? You might be down 90%.

So yes, there’s upside, but you also need to choose wisely. The golden rule? Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Instead of betting everything on a single company, diversify your investments across different industries and sectors. This way, if one company underperforms, the others can help cushion the impact.

On average, a well-constructed stock portfolio can yield between 6% and 12% annually. Some companies also pay dividends—regular cash payments just for holding the stock—giving you a passive income stream.

It’s this long-term potential that gives individual stocks a 4 out of 5 on the return scale. If you’re willing to do the research, the rewards can be impressive.

Don’t worry—investing in stocks doesn’t require a finance degree. With just $100 and a brokerage account, you can start buying shares today. Popular brokers include:

• Interactive Brokers
• Trading212
• Fidelity
• Robinhood
• Charles Schwab

Most platforms offer fractional shares too, meaning you don’t need to buy a full share of expensive stocks like Amazon or Tesla, you can invest whatever amount fits your budget.

Investing in individual stocks can feel intimidating at first, but with the right approach, it’s one of the best tools for building long-term wealth. Just remember: be patient, stay diversified, and don’t invest in anything you don’t understand.

And if you’re still unsure, don’t worry. There are simpler ways to invest in the market—like index funds or ETFs.

If picking individual stocks sounds overwhelming, you’re not alone. That’s where ETFs, or Exchange-Traded Funds, come in. They’re one of the simplest and most effective ways to invest, especially for beginners who want diversification without the stress.

Imagine you’re at a buffet. Instead of committing to just one dish, you grab a little of everything. That’s exactly how an ETF works. It’s a fund that holds a wide variety of stocks—sometimes hundreds or even thousands—all wrapped into one investment.

For example:

• An S&P 500 ETF gives you exposure to the 500 largest U.S. companies.
• A World ETF might include over 1,600 of the biggest companies across the globe.

This level of diversification makes ETFs relatively low-risk. Unless all of those companies fail at once (and let’s be honest, if that happens, your portfolio is the least of our problems), your investment is spread out and protected.

Unlike active investing, where you’re constantly researching and adjusting, ETFs are buy-and-hold friendly. They simply track a market index and let the economy do the heavy lifting. That’s why they’re a favorite for long-term investors who want to build wealth without the daily stress.

Historically, an ETF that tracks the S&P 500 returns around 8–10% per year. That puts it at a 3 out of 5 on the return scale—not the highest, but impressively consistent over the long term.

For context, if you had invested $1,000 in an index fund in 2015 with an 8% annual return, you’d have about $2,159 in 2025. That’s more than doubling your money—just by sitting back and letting the market do its thing.

ETFs are known for low fees, but they still exist. It’s called an expense ratio, and while it may seem small (like 0.03% or 0.2%), over decades it can chip away at your returns. Always compare fees before choosing your fund.

To start with ETFs, opening a brokerage account is all it takes. With platforms like:

• Interactive Brokers
• Trading212
• Fidelity
• Vanguard
• Charles Schwab

You can start investing in ETFs with as little as $100. Some brokers even allow fractional shares, meaning you don’t need a full share to get started.

So, If you’re looking for a hands-off, reliable, and time-tested way to grow your wealth, ETFs might be your best friend. You don’t need to watch the market every day. Just invest consistently, avoid panic-selling, and let compounding do its magic.

Real estate is one of the oldest and most trusted investment strategies in the world. Why? Because it’s tangible: you can see it, touch it, and even live in it. Unlike stocks or crypto, real estate fulfills a basic human need: shelter. That’s what makes it one of the most resilient asset classes, especially during economic downturns.

Let’s be clear, real estate isn’t just about owning a house and watching its value grow. It’s about using leverage to multiply your investment. For example, with a $20,000 down payment, you might be able to purchase a $200,000 property using a mortgage. The bank fronts the rest, while your tenants help pay off that loan.

You earn in two ways:

• Appreciation – Property values tend to rise over time.
• Rental income – Tenants pay monthly rent, generating passive cash flow.

So not only does your property increase in value, but it can also generate monthly income that covers your mortgage, taxes, and maintenance, with some extra profit left over.

But while the rewards can be attractive, real estate comes with responsibilities. You’ll need to:

• Manage tenants
• Handle repairs and property maintenance
• Pay taxes, insurance, and unexpected costs
• Deal with the fact that real estate isn’t liquid, you can’t sell it with a few clicks like a stock

Because of these factors, we give it a 2 out of 5 on both risk and return. It’s stable and potentially profitable, but also time-consuming and less flexible.

Real estate can be a powerful wealth-building tool, especially when you use leverage and generate rental income. But if you don’t have the time or budget to manage properties, REITs are a fantastic alternative. You’ll still enjoy the cash flow and appreciation of real estate, minus the calls from tenants at 2 a.m.

If you love the idea of real estate but hate the landlord headaches, consider REITs—Real Estate Investment Trusts. These are companies that own income-producing real estate, and when you invest in a REIT, you’re buying a slice of that portfolio.

Benefits of REITs:

• No property management required
• Generates dividends (similar to rental income)
• Traded like stocks, making them liquid
• Accessible with a small budget via a brokerage account

However, returns from REITs are generally lower than direct ownership, and you won’t benefit from leverage in the same way. Still, for passive investors, they strike a great balance between real estate exposure and convenience.

If you want to start with REITs, just like with ETFs or stocks, all you need is a brokerage account. Popular platforms like Fidelity, Interactive Brokers, eToro, and Charles Schwab all offer REIT options.

Welcome to the wild west of investing. Cryptocurrency is one of the most exciting—and controversial—asset classes out there. It’s fast, volatile, and packed with both risk and reward. If you’ve been online in the last decade, you’ve probably heard of Bitcoin, the most well-known and widely adopted crypto asset.

Let’s talk numbers: if you had invested $100 in Bitcoin in 2015, that investment could be worth around $5,000 in 2025. That’s a mind-blowing 5,000% return. Sounds great, right?

But here’s the flip side—if you bought Bitcoin during its 2017 peak, you might’ve watched your money drop by over 80% in less than a year. Crypto can make you rich... or broke, fast.

This extreme volatility earns cryptocurrency a solid 5 out of 5 on both risk and return. It’s a high-stakes game. Prices are driven more by hype and speculation than traditional financial metrics, and dramatic swings can happen overnight.

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), BNB (Binance Coin) are decentralized digital currencies. That means they aren’t backed by any government or controlled by central banks. Transactions are recorded on blockchains, which are public, tamper-resistant digital ledgers.

While the lack of centralized control appeals to some investors, it also means less stability, more regulation risk, and higher security concerns.

If you want to invest safely in Crypto, here’s how to get started:

1. Choose a trusted exchange – Platforms like Coinbase, Binance, and Kraken are considered among the most reliable for beginners.
2. Get a digital wallet – This is where your crypto is stored. You can use Hot wallets (online, convenient, but more vulnerable). Or, cold wallets like Ledger (offline hardware wallets for better security).
3. Start small – Only invest what you can afford. A small percentage of your overall portfolio (1–5%) is a common recommendation.

So, If you're looking to supercharge your returns and you’ve got the stomach for sharp drops, crypto can be a powerful addition to your portfolio. But don’t mistake it for a sure thing—it’s speculative, unregulated, and not for the faint-hearted.

That said, more institutional investors and major companies are entering the space every year, lending a sense of legitimacy to the market. Whether it becomes the future of money or fizzles out, crypto offers opportunities you won’t find in traditional investments.

Crypto is the high-risk, high-reward corner of modern investing. If you’re going to invest, treat it like venture capital—back the winners, manage your risk, and never invest more than you’re willing to lose. And always, always prioritize security.

Let’s talk about one of the most unconventional—and sometimes wildly profitable—ways to invest: collectibles. From Pokémon cards to luxury watches, this asset class thrives on nostalgia, rarity, and pop culture. And yes, that perfect-condition Pikachu card that sold for $5 million? Totally real.

Whether you're into:

• Vintage wines
• High-end sneakers
• Classic cars
• Sports memorabilia
• Rare trading cards

…collectibles can deliver massive returns—but they also come with high risk. The market is highly speculative, and values often depend on hype, trends, and scarcity rather than fundamentals. One minute an item is worth a fortune, the next it’s collecting dust.

That’s why collectibles score a 4 out of 5 on the risk scale. There's potential for serious profit, but you need to know what you're doing—and be ready to hold for the long haul.

But how does it work exactly? Several factors drive value in this market:

• Rarity: The fewer items in circulation, the more desirable they become.
• Condition: Well-preserved items (especially those graded by professionals) are worth significantly more.
• Cultural relevance: A sudden wave of popularity—like a movie, celebrity endorsement, or viral moment—can cause prices to spike.
• Community demand: Niche collector groups often set the market by bidding competitively on exclusive items.

Returns vary drastically depending on the niche. A pair of rare Air Jordans might double in value in a year. A 1960s Rolex could sell for 10x its original price decades later. But others might stagnate or lose value entirely if interest fades.

That volatility is why collectibles earn a 5 out of 5 for return potential—if you play it right, the upside can be tremendous.

So is it the right way to invest for you?

Collectibles are best suited for:

• Passionate hobbyists who understand their market
• Long-term investors with high risk tolerance
• People looking to diversify beyond traditional assets

Most importantly: only invest in what you genuinely enjoy. Why? Because unlike stocks or ETFs, you may end up holding that comic book, bottle of wine, or limited-edition sneaker for years. If it doesn’t bring you joy in the meantime, it’s probably not worth it.

Collectibles are a fascinating, high-risk investment category that combines culture, scarcity, and passion. While not the most predictable way to build wealth, they can be a lucrative, and fun, addition to your portfolio. Just remember: this is one game where loving the asset matters almost as much as its value.