How to make your money grow without property

If you’ve been working hard and saving, investing can help multiply your hard-earned cash. So what are your options other than buying property? Here’s a look at some different investing options and how they fit with different financial goals.

Invest in the stock market

If you’re looking to build wealth for your future, share investing may help you to reach your goal. With Australian shares returning an average of 9.1% per annum, stocks have proven to significantly outperform other types of investments such as cash, term deposits and bonds over the long haul.

Share investing may help you build wealth in two ways:

1You may receive regular dividends, which you can opt to reinvest to build your portfolio.

2You’ll potentially make capital gains if your stock goes up in value over time.

Here’s a real-life example: If you’d purchased $5,000 worth of Microsoft stock back in January 2007 and chose to have your dividends reinvested, your one-time initial investment would now be worth $10,405.22 as of January 2017, providing you with an annualised return of 7.6%.

Invest in a managed fund

If the idea of putting all your eggs in one basket makes you a bit nervous, why not consider a professionally managed fund?

A managed fund pools together the contributions of multiple investors to purchase a bundle of stocks. It’s a way to buy into multiple companies with a relatively small investment. And, by offering you a greater level of diversification, a managed fund helps to reduce your investment risk.

Managed funds are another good option for those looking to invest for the future. They come in a variety of types to suit different investing styles, including socially responsible and ‘green’ funds, which are selective and will only invest in companies that align with certain ethical values; these are becoming increasingly popular among millennials.

You can invest in a managed fund by opening an online brokerage account.

Buy government securities

If you have a shorter investment horizon – for example, you’re saving up for your wedding, a trip or a big-ticket item – a government bond known as a security can help you earn a fixed return on your savings with less risk that your investment will go down in value when held until maturity. With term lengths ranging from one to 30 years, securities are liquid investments that can be traded before their maturity date, much like stocks.

You can purchase securities and other types of investment bonds directly through your online broker.

Whether you’re investing $500 or $5,000, it may help to invest regularly and start early. InfoChoice provides you with an accurate comparison of your options, making it easy to find what you need.

Get started on your investing journey by comparing online brokers and margin lending services.