If you believe everything you hear about the financial prospects of most Americans, you might think the chance of reaching your retirement goals is fairly poor. For many the idea of investing $1,000 might seem daunting that investing $100,000 is out of this world.
After all, we’re told over and over that young people are drowning in student loan debt, and that a large percentage of Americans don’t have $400 to cover an emergency expense.
Most are also painfully aware that the average retirement savings by age are downright disappointing. For example, figures from the Vanguard show that the typical worker ages 25 to 34 had an average of $24,728 in their 401(k) account in 2022, and those ages 35 to 44 had an average of $68,935 saved.
Meanwhile, individuals ages 45 to 54 had an average of $129,935 in a 401(k) account, and those closest to retirement (ages 55 to 64) still had just $190,505 stashed away in a 401(k) account.
During the pandemic, we saw savings rates going up. But according to 2023 study by Northwestern Mutual’s Planning and Progress initiative reveals that personal savings have risen to $65,100, marking a close to 5% increase from the previous year’s $62,000. However, this growth is not on par with the 6.5% inflation rate experienced by the U.S. economy in 2022.
Regardless of bad news about the economy, a certain percentage of the population is making great strides when it comes to building long-term wealth.
If you’re among these individuals who have $100,000 to invest, you can continue growing your wealth in a few ways.
Table of Contents
- Before You Invest $100k, Do These 3 Things
- How to Invest $100k Starting Today
- 1. Invest $100k in Stocks
- 2. Invest $100k in Real Estate
- 3. Buy a Business
- 4. Invest in Gold
- 5. Invest in Alternative Investments
- 6. Open a Solo 401(k)
- 7. Set up a Trust (Or Give Tax-Free Money Now)
- Your Investment Style for Investing $100k
- The Bottom Line on Best Investments for $100,000
- FAQs on Investing $100,000
Before You Invest $100k, Do These 3 Things
$100,000 is a large sum of money no matter how you slice it. And I completely understand the temptation to WANT to invest in it. Before you do, knock out these 3 things…
1. Get Your Debt in Check
Debt can be a big roadblock when it comes to investing and building wealth. Before you start investing, it’s important to pay off your debt. This will help you avoid any costly interest payments and allow you to save for your investment goals.
There are a few different ways to pay off your debt. You can create a budget and stick to it, or use a debt consolidation loan to simplify your payments. Whichever method you choose, make sure you are actively working towards eliminating your debt.
Once your debt is paid off, you’ll be able to start investing in your future!
2. Boost Your Emergency Fund
Building your emergency fund is crucial because it will help you maintain your financial stability in the event of an unexpected expense. When you have money saved up specifically for emergencies, you won’t have to resort to using high-interest credit cards or taking out loans to cover the cost.
Instead, you can use the money in your emergency fund to pay for the expense outright and avoid any added interest or fees.
To build your emergency fund, start by setting aside a small amount of money each month until you have saved up enough to cover your expenses. If possible, try to earmark all of your “extra” money—the money you save each month from not eating out, for example—for your emergency fund. That way, you can build your savings quickly and be better prepared for unexpected costs.
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3. Track Your Portfolio
Here’s a situation you might be able to relate to. Currently, you have accounts like:
- 401k at your current job
- Roth IRA’s for you and your spouse
- 529 college savings plans for your kid
- Old 401k from your first job
- Online broker account with a few stocks
- Savings account at your bank
This is not unordinary. According to a survey by the American Association of Independent Investors (AAII) 49% of investors have 2-3 investment accounts with 13% having 4-5.
Having so many investment accounts spread out at different financial institutions makes it different to truly know what you have. That’s why it’s crucial to have one secure central place to see your ENTIRE portfolio.
This is a task that can be easily accomplished with the help of technology. There are a number of different investment apps and websites that allow you to track your portfolio, and many of them are free to use.
Our favorite tracking tool is Personal Capital. Personal Capital is a great tracking tool because it allows you to see all of your finances in one place. This makes it easy to track your net worth, budget, and investment portfolio. And the best part is it’s completely free!
By tracking your investments regularly, you can keep tabs on how they are performing and make necessary changes if needed. Try Personal Capital for free today!
How to Invest $100k Starting Today
Most know they should invest so their assets can grow and compound over time, but where do you invest that much money? And do you invest it all in one place?
As a financial advisor, I personally suggest diversifying $100,000 across many types of investments that can help you reach your goals. Here are seven ways you can invest $100,000, starting right now.
1. Invest $100k in Stocks
How Much: Invest 40% to 50% of your portfolio
Purpose: Long-term growth
Risk Level: Varies
Investing in the stock market is easily one of the best ways to build long-term wealth. After all, the average stock market return has fallen somewhere between 7% per year and 10% per year depending on the timeline you refer to. Some years bring significantly higher returns.
For example, the Dow Jones Industrial Average brought in an 18.65% return in 2021 in the midst of the post-pandemic recovery. And even though the Dow was down -8.78% last year in 2022, it’s still an average of 8.7% since 1998. The S&P 500 isn’t too far averaging 10.67% since its inception (1957).
How to Get Started: M1 Finance is a robo-advisor that uses computer algorithms to make smart investment decisions on your behalf. With M1 Finance, you just open an account and either build your own “Investing Pies” or you can choose portfolios constructed by professional money managers.
Who It’s Best For: M1 Finance is best for investors who want to invest in the stock market and have some say in what stocks they pick while also leveraging other professional investors.
| M1 Finance Pros | M1 Finance Cons |
| M1 Finance has no trading fees for stocks and ETFs | Don’t offer mutual funds |
| Uses technology to make smart investment decisions on your behalf | Not completely hands-off investing |
| Have a “set it and forget it” option | Some investing platforms (like Robinhood and Betterment) let you invest in the stock market with no commissions or fees |
2. Invest $100k in Real Estate
How Much: Invest 10% to 15% of your portfolio
Purpose: Long-term growth and diversification
Risk Level: Medium
In addition to stock market exposure, you might also want to invest in residential or commercial real estate. You can do this by purchasing properties and becoming a landlord, but you can also invest in real estate with a more “hands-off” approach. This is possible thanks to real estate investment trusts or REITs.
How to Get Started: Fundrise is a platform that makes it easy to invest in real estate without having to own physical property or deal with the grunt work of a landlord.
You can invest in a starter portfolio with Fundrise for as little as $10, and you can add money to your account as often as you want. Accredited investors interested in investing $100,000 (or more) into real estate may be interested in Fundraisers Premium account level. This account offers more customized portfolio strategies and exclusive access to their Investor Relations team.
Note that, in 2021, Fundrise brought investors an average return of 22.99% and 5.4% for 2022 (through Q3) I can confirm those returns because my Fundrise account performed almost identically. If you’re looking for another crowdfunding real estate option, consider Realty Mogul.
Who It’s Best For: Fundrise is ideal for investors who want exposure to real estate without having to own physical property.
| Fundrise Pros | Fundrise Cons |
| Minimum balance of $500 required to get started | Not a liquid investment; can take months to cash out |
| Exceptional returns so far (average return of 22.9% in 2021 and 5.4% for 2022) | Past results are not a guarantee of future returns |
| Only pay 0.15% in annual advisory fees |
3. Buy a Business
How Much: Varies
Purpose: Long-term growth
Risk Level: Varies
How It Works: Many experts (including me!) believe the best way to build long-term wealth is through entrepreneurship and owning your own business. After all, you can only earn so much when you work for someone else.
As an entrepreneur, the sky is truly the limit when it comes to bringing in cash. If you can find one process that turns a profit and you can replicate it, you can earn millions of dollars — even while you sleep.
If you don’t believe this can work, I am living proof. I have made millions of dollars with this website alone.
How to Get Started: You can always look into buying a franchise or building a business from scratch. To get started quickly, I suggest looking at Flippa.com to find the best small business ideas on the web.
Flippa is a platform that lets you buy websites that you can use to sell products or services. You can purchase domain names and even full-fledged websites with content, which you can use for affiliate marketing, display ads, and other online marketing strategies.
Who It’s Best For: Earning money online can work for anyone, but especially for people who have the grit and determination that an online business requires. Since start-up costs can be low, this is also a good option for people who want to own a business but don’t have millions to invest right away.
| Buying a Business Pros | Buying a Business Cons |
| Buying a website on Flippa can be an inexpensive way to buy your own business | No guarantee of success |
| Unlimited income potential | Learning curve to get started |
| Run your business online |
4. Invest in Gold
How Much: Invest 10% to 15% of your portfolio in alternative investments, including gold
Purpose: Diversification
Risk Level: Medium
Many experts suggest investing part of your portfolio into gold or other precious metals as a hedge against inflation. This is mostly based on the fact that, as prices rise, the price of gold tends to rise right along with the cost of living.
How to Get Started: If you want to get started investing in gold, there are plenty of strategies to try. For example, Orion Metal Exchange lets you invest in gold within an IRA. You could also use a vendor like Oxford Gold Group, Lear Capital, or Goldco to buy physical gold. You can even invest in gold via ETFs or cryptocurrency.
Who It’s Best For: Investing in gold is best for anyone who wants a hedge against inflation. Gold is also a good option for your portfolio if you want to invest in assets that operate independently of the stock market.
| Investing in Gold Pros | Investing in Gold Cons |
| Gold tends to hold value (or increase in value) during a recession | Physical gold can be lost or stolen |
| Multiple ways to invest in gold | Might not increase in value during a robust economy |
| Helps diversify your portfolio |
5. Invest in Alternative Investments
How much: Varies
Purpose: Diversify from traditional asset classes
Risk Level: Medium
Alternative investments usually have higher risks and returns than traditional investments, such as stocks and bonds. They can include private equity, hedge funds, real estate, venture capital, and natural resources.
How to get started: Yieldstreet is a peer-to-peer lending platform that connects investors with vetted small businesses and real estate projects.
Who It’s Best For: Alternative investments are best for those who want to preserve their capital and are looking for steady, predictable returns.
| Yieldstreet Pros | Yieldstreet Cons |
| Yieldstreet offers access to a variety of different asset types | Highly illiquid |
| Private investments that are often reserved for ultra-wealthy | Mostly for accredited investors |
| Offer short-term and long-term investments | Limited selection |
- Access to wide array of alternative asset classes
- Access to ultra-wealthy investments
- Can invest for income or growth
6. Open a Solo 401(k)
How Much: Varies
Purpose: Retirement planning and long-term growth
Risk Level: Varies
If you own your own business, researching all of the different retirement accounts available to you is critical to long-term wealth. One account, called the Solo 401(k), can be incredibly advantageous. It lets you save significantly more for retirement and reduce your taxable income at the same time.
With a Solo 401(k), small business owners can defer up to 100% of their compensation to a maximum of $22,500 in 2023 (or $30,000 if you’re aged 50 and older). However, you can also contribute up to 25% of compensation on the employer side for a maximum contribution of $66,000 for most people in 2023 (not counting catch-up contributions for those ages 50 and older).
Obviously, saving that much for retirement could position you to retire earlier, retire wealthier, or both. In the meantime, contributions to a Solo 401(k) can be deducted from your taxes in the year you contribute.
How to Get Started: You can open a Solo 401(k) with any online brokerage firm, including options like Betterment, TD Ameritrade, and more.
Who It’s Best For: If you’re self-employed and want to save money for retirement while saving money on taxes, contributing to a Solo 401(k) is a no-brainer.
| Solo 401(k) Pros | Solo 401(k) Cons |
| Contribution limits are higher than traditional retirement accounts | You cannot have employees (other than a spouse) if you want to use a Solo 401(k) |
| Reduce your taxable income, and thus your tax bill | Solo 401(k) requires more IRS paperwork than other accounts, including the SEP IRA |
| Save money for a fruitful retirement |
7. Set up a Trust (Or Give Tax-Free Money Now)
How Much: Varies
Purpose: Wealth and estate planning
Risk Level: Low
Setting up a trust can be a smart move if you have $100,000 or more to invest, and want to have a say in how these funds are passed on to your heirs. A trust lets you place your assets in the hands of a trustee who helps distribute your money to your heirs, based on your wishes.
Be aware that you can give a certain amount of cash to your heirs each year without any tax consequences. For 2023, the annual gift exclusion amount increased to $17,000 (according to Kiplingers).
If you plan to pass money to your heirs and you want them to have cash now for higher education, a home purchase, or a business investment, then you can give up to the gift limit without tax penalties on either end.
How to Get Started: You can set up a trust with an estate attorney, but you can also set up one using a platform like LegalZoom.
Who It’s Best For: Giving money away isn’t for everyone. However, investors with considerable assets they will likely outlive should consider how they’ll pass on wealth to their heirs.
| Setting Up a Trust Pros | Setting Up a Trust Cons |
| Create a legal process for your assets once you pass away | Requires considerable research and planning |
| May help your heirs avoid probate | Cost involved in setting up a trust |
| Could help your heirs save on inheritance taxes depending on where you live |
Your Investment Style for Investing $100k
Outside of these investment options, I believe most people should also keep 10% to 15% of their portfolio in cash. However, you won’t want to keep your extra money under your mattress! Instead, open a high-yield savings account that lets you earn a decent return on your savings.
Considering the average savings account only returns .45% right now, according to the FDIC, the account you use to store your savings matters more than ever. Sadly this interest rate is a 500% improvement from a year ago! 😂
Beyond having some money set aside for emergencies or a rainy day, also think about your investing style before you invest $100,000 or any other amount. For example, consider how much risk you want to take, how long you can leave your money to grow, and whether you want to invest on your own or get some help from a third-party platform.
If you’re someone who wants to invest independently, then some options to consider include investing in cryptocurrency, investing in gold, or even investing with a Solo 401(k) and hand-selecting the securities in your account.
If you want some help figuring out how to invest your $100,000, on the other hand, then opening an account with Betterment or Fundrise could be a better fit.
The Bottom Line on Best Investments for $100,000
If you have $100,000 burning a hole in your pocket, then you should absolutely invest this money for long-term growth. Since that’s quite a bit of money, however, spread out your investment so you’re not “betting the farm” on a single strategy.
The seven investment options above are my personal recommendations. Keep in mind that other investment strategies might work better if you have a smaller amount to invest, like $100 or $1,000.
No matter what you do, don’t let fear of investing force you onto the sidelines.
Sure, $100,000 is a lot of money, but it could be worth a lot more later on if you invest it today.
FAQs on Investing $100,000
Your best option for investing $100,000 is to spread your money among a variety of different income generating assets in order to minimize your risk. This could include: cash (or cash-equivalents), dividend stocks, real estate, crypto, and businesses. A good starting point would be to invest $30,000 in stocks, $30,000 in bonds, $20,000 in real estate, and $10,000 in cash. Remember to always consult with a financial advisor before making any major investment decisions.
What you invest in matters. Say, for example, you invest in bonds vs stocks.
The ROI in stocks or bonds will vary depending on a number of factors, including the specific stocks or bonds that are purchased, the length of time that the investment is held, and the overall performance of the stock or bond market.
Cited Research Articles
- Vanguard Investors (n.d.) How much should you be saving? Retrieved from https://investor.vanguard.com/investor-resources-education/retirement/savings-how-much-to-save-for-retirement
- Northwestern Mutual (n.d.) PLANNING & PROGRESS STUDY 2022. Retrieved from https://news.northwesternmutual.com/planning-and-progress-study-2022
- FDIC (2022, December 19) National Rates and Rate Caps. Retrieved fromhttps://www.fdic.gov/resources/bankers/national-rates/
- IRS.gov (n.d.) One-Participant 401(k) Plans. Retrieved from https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/one-participant-401k-plans
- Kiplinger’s (n.d.) What’s the Gift Tax Exclusion for 2023? Retrieved from https://www.kiplinger.com/taxes/gift-tax-exclusion
- American Association of Independent Investors (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.aaii.com/latest/article/10341-aaii-survey-how-many-brokerage-accounts-do-you-have-and-why
Hi Jeff,
I’m 47 and have 250k cash. I have a pension. I have 700k in 457b plan and maxing out yearly. Investing in crypto interest accounts with 8% return. 6k in Roth yearly. Investing in ETFs. My house is paid off. What other investments do you recommend?
Have you considered real estate?
Please e-mail me. I have been very stupid in the past and would like some one on one time with you. Definitely willing to pay a fee. 🙂
Are you a fee only financial advisor?
I’m no longer a practicing advisor.
Great article. Very Helpful. Thank you.
I like your article. Thanks for taking time to share your ideas.
Jeff, I’m 58. I am selling my home in Las Vegas and will have 150,000 cash. I am well aware that this is not enough to retire with however, I want to use the 150000 to ease my monthly nut. I play music for a living and will do so until i drop so, rather than buying a tiny house outright in an affordable place, I’d rather live in NYC where the action is so I can continue to play music. So how can I make the most monthly income from the 150,000? Again. I realize I can’t live on it but, I want it to supplement my monthly bills… I’m willing to take a reasonable risk..
Hi Morrie – I think you really need to sit down with a financial advisor, one who comes highly recommended. Not someone who will manage your money, but will give you advice and direction for a flat fee. There are lots of ways to go with $150k, but you want to make sure it’s the right choice. Do some discussing and investigating. Without knowing you personally, I can’t give direct advice.
Be very careful, everything right now is set up to lose money. Stocks, bonds, cash. Total nightmare.
I’am 80, my wife is 78, we’re invested in Raymond James Freedom funds and are losing money. We’re charged $1,345 a year to manage are funds which have lost over $ 6,000 since since Jan.2018. What program can we get into that is not volatile, and can a yearly return of 5% on 100k?
Hi Wayne – Unfortunately, there are no totally safe ways to invest to get 5%. The best you’re looking at is 3+% on Treasury securities and some long term CDs. But what you may want to do is look into mixing CDs/Treasuries, with some high dividend real estate investment trusts or high dividend stocks, creating an income portfolio. That won’t guarantee you won’t lose any money, but the losses should be minimal.
CAN I GET YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISE ASAP!!! I HAVE 100.00 TO INVEST AND AM LOOKING AT PUTTING 80 THOUSAND DOWN ON A 157 THOUSAND CONDO AND FINANCING THE REST OVER 30 YEARS. HELP
Very good article.
What do you think of investing in Monthly Dividend Stocks such as Enerplus Corp. (ERF), LTC Properties (LTC), Gladstone Investment Corp. (GAIN) and Sabine Royalty Trust (SBR)?
What kind of monthly income could you expect with an investment of $100,000 with an average current yield of 5.7%? Are these fairly safe investments?
Thank you!
Hi Peter – I don’t make specific stock recommendations, but the general idea is good. 5.7% on $100k should produce an annual income of $5,700. As to safety, no stock is 100% safe. The company or industry could fall on hard times. Or the company could cut or eliminate its dividend causing the stock to fall in value. It might be a bit safer to invest in funds based on high dividend stocks. They’re not completely safe, but a fund with 50 – 100 high dividend stocks is less likely to plunge than holding a few individual stocks.
Jeff,
My husband’s father is willing to help us with investing up to 150k. We have been slaves to the current jobs long enough. Unfortunately we do not have any investment experience or knowledge. I’ve started trying to educate myself on all of the information that is available out there. It’s definitely overwhelming. We don’t want to get rich quick or even make millions (though who wouldn’t want that if it were possible) we just want to be comfortable and pull in roughly what we make now at our jobs and that’s a combined 54k annual. We want to focus on just enjoying being with each other and dabble in small hobbies.
Is this easily achievable with what we want to make annually and what we have to invest with? Time frame is asap on quitting the current job. Thank you for any advice you can give. I’m debating hiring an advisor to discuss.
Alex Lewis
Hi Alex – First, good strategy hiring an advisor. You need to talk to someone who will know your entire financial situation including your risk tolerance. That said, what you’re really talking about is early retirement, and $150k won’t get you there. To replace $54,000 in income – without risking going broke from withdrawals – you’d have to build the 150k to at least $1 million. So the job at hand is to work on strategies to increase your current savings to that level. Alternatively, you might be able to invest some of the money (not all) in a business venture that will enable you and your husband to go into an entirely different line of work, and one that will pay at least your current income. You’ve got a lot to think about, so take your time. But understand there are no miracle strategies that will get you where you want to be, especially not if you want to get there immediately.
I’m sure this will not get posted as I see nothing but praising reviews.
How can you recommend Lending Club? The reviews online are full of horror stories!
Are they paying you for your recommendation?
I think it’s irresponsible.
There are horror stories about every product or service available. And while I don’t discount that some have bad experiences, there many, many people who hav had good experiences, including me.
Hey man, as an 18 year old who inherited 95k and having to attend school full time for the next 4 years, I would like to know how you would invest the money if you were in my position?
Hi Lionel – Since you have a direct and immediate need for the money, I’d put it in CDs. Your principal is guaranteed, and you’ll earn interest. If you invest it in anything risky in an effort to grow it, your education plans be cut off by a market drop. Please be conservative.
LOL an apartment complex for $500K ?!?! WHERE do you live? I can’t get a 500sq ft 1-bedroom for $500K here in Vancouver.
Hi Adam – I’ve heard about the Vancouver market, it might be the most expensive market in North America. But yes, $500k. Remember, this article is written for 100s of different markets and it is doable in a lot of them. Though they won’t get the rents you will in Vancouver.
Very cool article! I recently had 100K put into a money market account, you’re right , they’re boring. It’s only been 2 weeks though. My partner and I want to buy a home but we live in Sonoma county California and if you know anything about real estate , we are way over priced in this part of the California. We want to keep some money fluid (like$20k) then make money with the reminding 70k. Neither of us know squat about investing. Oh, I also have a 401k from a previous job with 55k in it. Kinda clueless how we are going to afford our $600,000 3br 2 ba regular home in the beautiful north Bay Area Yes people from middle America , it’s that expensive out her!! . Ha!
Hi John – A robo-advisor might be the best investment option for you. They do all the investing for you, based on your goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. Look into Betterment and Wealthfront.
Great article and advice and thank you for taking your time to enlighten us on great investing tips!
I just came across found money from an insurance settlement I won. $130,000 to be exact. Now I am 22 years old and to me this is a large amount of money. I have never seen so much money before in front of me. I know the best thing to do is to use the money wisely and make it work for me. The only investment I have is a universal whole life insurance policy with $100,000 death benefit. Interest in cash value is capped at 11%. Have had it for more than a year. Also recently opened a new savings account at Chase bank where they gave me $150 rebate for opening up a savings account of $10,000 or more. This is where I have the money parked for now. Now I’m not going to irresponsibly use the money. Real estate sounds the most attractive to me. I’ve been doing research and I’ve decided I will be getting a mortgage for a duplex as a first time home buyer with at least 3.5% down payment, to generate some passive income. With closing costs that’s about $32,000. I also set up an emergency fund worth of 6 months of expenses. And I would like to use about $20,000 more in other investments. I would consider myself a risk taker, so I don’t mind taking the risk for the possible great return. My question is how can I get the most out of the $20,000 I want to invest? I don’t like stocks and don’t want to follow the market I simply don’t have time for that, but I like the risk that comes with ETFs. I’m also considering small to medium risk investments like government bonds and MMAs. Any suggestions?
Hi Frank – If you like ETFs maybe put 50% into an index based ETF, and the rest in government bonds or MMA. I get that you want to keep the money safe, but you’ll need to invest some of it to keep up with inflation. That will mean stocks. But you might also investigate a real estate investment trust (REIT). They pay high dividends, and can also offer growth. It might be an alternative to an ETF. The rest of your investment strategy looks solid!
Nice article! My wife and I have 300k in savings account and looking to build a home in about 2 years. We are going to use a majority of this money to complete the purchase. With that said and needing a low risk, short term investment, would a CD be a better option over bond funds, etc? I have recently observed a CD for 14 months at 2.35. Thanks.
Hi Mike – Since you have a definite need (to buy the house) the CD is the better choice. It’s guaranteed on both principal and interest. The bond fund MAY pay more, but it may also lose money.
Love the article – good stuff! I will be looking into a few of the suggestions and probably contacting you directly for more advice. Again, good stuff! Thanks.
I have $100 that I want to invest. I just don’t know where. Where can I invest my money and see huge returns on a monthly basis?
Hi Josh – With $100, it’s not likely. “Huge returns on a monthly basis” will be impossible to get on any investment size. But with $100 you don’t have enough capital to go after any investments that might. Try starting with a robo advisor like Betterment.
Hey Jeff,
I am 28, and in the military. By nature I have long deployments without access to the market. Knowing this ahead of time I sought help and hired an advisor. However, it’s been two years and I have not seen much growth (3%). My timeline is at least 25 years, current risk tolerance is high and the end goal is early retirement. My investment IQ is low so doing it myself scares me, but i’m tired of paying for someone to park my portfolio in a stable low yield state and not manage it. I would really appreciate some guidance. Thank you.
Hi Caleb – First, understand that there’s no guaranteed way to make money without taking on some risk. That said, you might do better with a robo advisor. They handle all the investing for you, and do it at a fraction of 1%. Betterment and Wealthfront for example charge an annual fee of just 0.25%, or $25 on a $10,000 account. They’ll have you invested in stocks and bonds, rather than just safe assets.
I have about 220,000 cash and 112,000 equity in my house. I have great credit and the only thing that I owe in a Mortgage of 117,000.00. What should I be doing with this? I am a little lost on what I should be doing. So I have it in a HYSA currently at 1.55%.
Hi Anthony – You’ve got $220,000 in cash, which tells me immediately that you’re risk adverse. That makes it hard to give any advice. You need to sit down with a live investment advisor or financial planner and determine 1) your investment goals, 2) your time horizon, and 3) your risk tolerance. Until all three are determined, there’s no way to say where you should invest.
Good article. I am 57 and have an extra $100K that I’m not sure what to do with. I am maxed out on my 401K, have about $200K in several mutual funds and a bond. I have fiddled around some with day trading, but really don’t have the time for that. I just don’t know what to do with the remaining money. Since I already have a fair amount in what I would term medium risk investments (mutual funds), I would like to invest the rest in lower risk investments, but I’m not too excited about what you called, “the boring stuff”. Your thoughts?
Hi Keith – You might try to set up a CD ladder to increase safe yields and safety of principal. But if you want to keep it from being totally boring, maybe invest some of it in either high dividend stocks (may provide some principal growth too) or high yield bonds. They pay higher yields, but come with more risk. Both are riskier than CDs, but to get better returns you do have to take on more risk.
Help Jeff
I am a 57 yr old widow on disability due to serious health issues. Going into escrow next week from selling my hobby farm. I will be walking away from the deal with $260K in cash and carrying a contract for $60k at 4.5% for 5 years. I also did a rent back on my home for 2 yrs. So, I am set for the next two years without rent or mortgage payment.
I have $1350 a month income. I do have some medical and credit card debt that I plan on paying off. So I will have approx $158K in cash.
Our homing market where I live is totally insane. I thought I would sit on the money and wait for a drop. I read about Capital360. I have banked with them for a couple years. So I could put it in there.
Could you give me some advice on what you would do? I had a friend that thought I should try to take first place on some mortgage loans. My son said that is crazy, I don’t have the money to lose or to go after a forecloser. Also the risk, of getting a house that is a mess.
I am scared to death at this point. Selling the farm was hard enough. I want so badly like everyone, to make wise decisions.
Hi Tami – I’m reading the apprehension in your comment, so I’d play it close to the vest. Put most of your money in riskless investments. Capital360 is a solid choice. Ally Bank is another. But you should also put a small amount into a higher yielding platform, just so you can keep up with inflation better. A P2P platform like Lending Club is one idea, or a robo-advisor like Betterment. Invest no more than you’re comfortable risking, since there is risk of loss with both. Given that you have a health issue and a fixed income, you want to be as conservative as possible.
Please discuss these options with your son or a trusted financial advisor, since they know you well enough to know if these are suitable. Unfortunately, there are no high yielding investments that are totally safe, and that’s where the balancing act comes into the picture.
Thank you so much, Jeff, for the reply. I should have said that I had to pay off my $89K mortgage. I made it sound I had a ton of CC debt which I don’t.
I really appreciate the reply and will be looking into the area’s you suggested
My husband and I are currently selling a condo we bought 10 years ago. Since we are separated , we plan to split the profits. He is quite savvy when it comes to investing, and I am clueless. He suggests we continue to invest all the profits, in our joint investment account, and he will transfer me any moneys gained as needed. I’m not totally on board with this plan, but I know if we split our shares, I would keep my share in the bank and will it sit there, and make no money, as investing is too chancy for me.Any ideas?
Hi Rowena – That’s a relationship question – I can only answer financial questions. Seriously, it really depends on how much you trust your ex. Only you can know that. If it’s a lot of money you may want to set it up as a trust, and make it a legal arrangement.
Thanks yet again, Jeff, for all the valuable info you share. Do you have a similar article for those with only $5000 or less to invest? I realize you have lots of suggestions here for how to invest that amount or smaller, but I’m curious how you would divvy it up if the grand total available was significantly less.
Sure Andrea, try 8 Ideas for How to Invest $5,000.
Let’s add a zero, the age 40, and the goal of retiring now. I’ve worked myself to smithereens and now have 1M and the strong desire to stop and smell the roses. So can I buy a 200k home cash, and figure out how to make the rest work for me (40k a year would be fine) so I can enjoy the second half of my life? I’m scared of high risk. Maybe landlording would be the best route…?
ps. No dependents and single.
Hi Elise – Your plan certainly sounds doable. $40,000 would represent 5% on the remaining $800,000. That’s a little bit higher than the typical safe withdrawal rate of 4% per year. That may be a bigger concern, since you will be retiring so early.
It would be great to be able to give a definite answer here, but everything really depends upon the performance of your investment portfolio. And since that will require a large portion to be invested in stocks, it’s an even bigger variable.
My thinking is that with a balanced portfolio, and a willingness to ride out market fluctuations, you should be okay. You might want to consider having a backup career in case the market goes into a deep decline. That will enable you to avoid withdrawing funds at a time when the market will be low.
Aside from investing on a house in Socal, which I still owe about $290,000 to be paid in 20 years at 4.5 % rate annually, I also have $100, 000 in cash, that I’d like to invest. I want to be able to double the investment return in 5 years. Would you recommend putting that money into the house? or do you have any other recommendations you think would be the best to achieve my goal? Thanks in advance.
Hi Charles – There is no guaranteed investment that will enable you to double your money in five years. It requires an annual return of at least 15%. Given that stocks and real estate have done so well in the past five years, there’s no way to know if they’ll return double digits for the next five years, let alone 15%. I don’t have specific advice for anyone looking to double their money in five years. That’s because it would require that you take on extraordinary risk.
P2P is not an ideal investment unless you know *exactly* how it works! Only a few people should do this in a limited fashion, here’s why:
1) Making taxable investments without maxing out all tax advantaged options first is literally a waste of money; 401k, HSA, IRA (traditional if that fits the investor) etc. Only after these are maxed should someone invest into a brokerage account or P2P lending. You get a guaranteed return on your money by shielding it from the IRS (actual amount depends on your marginal tax rate and amount invested).
2) Expense ratios: LC last I checked was at or over 1%. Prosper likely is the same or more. Well above a passively managed index fund available at Vanguard, Schwab, or Fidelity. With $100k+ to invest that adds up a bit, considering one large index fund expense ratio is .04% – compare that to 1% at large volumes of money, the compound interest will work for or against you and the choice is yours.
3) P2P Lending is the same as managing your actively managed bond fund.It’s just you selecting your own criteria trying to beat the market hoping the returns keep coming every month so you can continue to reinvest more. You’d be better off throwing that money into an index bond fund (or spread across a couple).
Q: OK, so I max out my 401k, HSA, have no other tax advantaged accounts left, and still have more money to invest, and yeah this P2P thing seems fun anyway, what shall I do?
A: Throw the majority of it into a brokerage account like Vanguard, Schwab or Fidelity, into a lazy 3-4 low cost index fund portfolio, keep 5% of that as part investment part entertainment line item on your budget. 5% of your investment and you can enjoy “playing the market” and selecting notes in P2P lending and compare the returns to index bond funds.
I have a little bit in REITs (index fund in brokerage account of course) so I don’t even have to bother with playing landlord and get exposure to real state.
I realize that most people can’t be as disciplined as this, but this article is about what to do with $100,000, so I’m assuming anyone with a spare $100,000 to invest can afford follow the advice above, in addition to finding the patience and discipline to carrying them out as well.
Hi Nick – I wasn’t suggesting putting all of your money into P2P lending. That’s why there are 11 ways listed. I just wanted to provide 11 suggestions, that each reader and investor can decide works best for themselves.
Great article. I have a friend who just inherited $125,000. He is looking to put $100,000 of it as a down payment for a small $400,000 house which is the common listing price for property in the Boston area. He doesn’t plan on staying there long term. To me, it’s crazy to spend that kind of money on such small living quarters and to take out such a huge chunk of the inheritance right away without investing. Do you think this would be a good investment for my buddy or should he be more focused on stock options, etc.?
Hi Jeff – An inheritance is “found money” so there’s no hard and fast rules as to what to do with it. If you’re friend is comfortable with that plan then he should have at it. Boston is a high cost housing market and there’s no financially sound way to buy a house there without making a large down payment. That’s not what I would do with the money, and it sounds like you have different ideas too. Personally, I’d be more comfortable putting maybe half into the down payment, then spread the rest over other investments, to avoid having 80% in a single investment. But then I don’t what other assets your friend has, and I don’t live in the Boston area, with those high prices either.
Do you have any advice on searching for a good investment advisor? Like, how much is too much to pay for one? Any filtering process you recomment? Thanks!
Hi Elissa – That’s a tough one to answer. How much you will pay in fees will depend on the size of your investment portfolio. I’d ask around and see if anyone you know uses an investment advisor, and if they’re satisfied with them. I’d like to give you a fee level, but that’s not possible without knowing how much you have to invest.
I just sold my house, I am moving my family to Hawaii and I will have $115k in my account when we leave the mainland. What type of account will give complete access and give the best return?
Thanks
Hi Rhodes – I agree with the need for complete access, since you’re making a major move and you have a family in tow. I’d go with a bank savings account or money market account. Both are totally safe, and completely liquid, and that’s your priority right now. As far as the return, it won’t be very good in either case, but liquidity is more important to you right now than return. You don’t want to get complicated, and you sure don’t want to tie up your money.
What if you are 70 years old, have no retirement savings and about $100,000.00 in the bank, because you are too afraid to lose it in the stock market?
What advise would you give?
Hi Sibylle – To try to give you an answer in a comment response would be totally inadequate, since I don’t know your exact circumstances. You’d be better served by sitting down with a financial advisor who could answer your questions AFTER having detailed information about your finances, lifestyle, temperament and goals.
Good article, however I found the real estate investment advice to be a little exaggerated. I am not sure what part of the country you need to be in to purchase a house in cash for as little as 100K, but most likely it’ll either be in a “flyover” state or low income area, so keep in mind your travel, maintenance, and safety costs if that’s the case. Managing remote property with lower income tenants can get costly very quickly, replacing any gains that you may have had for losses. The last lower income property I had, the tenants stopped paying rent, enjoyed a couple months of free rent while the process was delayed in court, and then burned down the kitchen on their way out. I lost thousands in rent, and had to put thousands back into the property to get it fixed up again. In my experience, properties in nicer area’s with higher rents tend to be less work. The tenants pay their rent and maintain the property better.
Additionally, 500K for an apartment complex? Please do show me where, as I’ve been looking for quite some time? The other thing you forgot to mention about apartment complexes, if you need money from the bank, it’s not so easy with commercial properties, the bank want’s more then just a simple 20% down payment to give you the loan, they want prior real estate investing experience, including a past portfolio, business plan, etc. It’s not as easy as you make it sound to get that loan, purchasing commercial real estate is a very different animal.
I know what I would do if I got $100K . . . because I did! Actually, I got a check for $155K recently as part of a distribution from my late mom’s estate. Here’s what I did: I went to Sharebuilder and opened up an account and sent my money there, earning a $600.00 sign-up bonus. Then I bought some shares in two companies . . . with about 2/3 of the money, I bought shares of Home Depot, the other 1/3 I bought shares of McDonald’s. Both companies pay very good quarterly dividends. And at Sharebuilder, the dividends can be reinvested in additional shares of the same company for no cost. So, my plan for now is to DO NOTHING and let this account run on autopilot. I suspect some people would look at what I did and suggest I should have diversified more . . . however, I picked the two companies I thought were the best investments available and, because I do have other investments, I am not as concentrated as it may appear. So far, so good, I got my shares at prices lower than the market is today, but even if they drop I won’t worry about it because I am investing long-term. There you have it.
Great job John! I always tell clients to ignore mutual funds and indexed products. If you’re going to be in the stock market, be in it with whole shares of stock in companies you trust and understand. Keep up the good work John, and you’ll be wealthy.
Ignore mutual funds?
Yet another useful and well researched article. While I haven’t yet started investing, I’m reading as much as I can about this topic, so that I can muster the courage to make the plunge. I’ll probably start very small, but hope to get more money freed to invest and ‘multiply’ after a while.