4 Easy, Under-the-Radar Investments

Making investments can be an overwhelming and stressful thing to do. Most conventional methods of investing seem intimidating and require putting a boatload of money into it in order to see any return. Like most moneymaking ventures, outside of the box is where opportunity lies and payoff is plentiful. So, for those of you who are not ready to learn the stock market, but would like to squirrel away some money and build assets for the future, here are 4 unorthodox ways to help your money grow.

1. Peer-to-Peer Lending - Websites like Prosper and Lending Club help casual lenders build portfolios and their bankbooks by investing as little as $25 upfront, but their services are not available in every state. With more capital to invest, one can diversify their loan portfolio over several loans through these programs. Kiva, a non-for-profit organization, offers a lending platform that helps third-world business enterprises for a minimum of $25. It’s a new, refreshing way to build a lending portfolio and help others.
2. CD Ladder – A slow, but sure way to increase your funds is to stagger the maturity dates of certificates of deposit (CD). With CDs, your money is protected by the bank or credit union and has a higher fixed interest rate. Nationwide, Barclay, and Ally offer some of the most competitive CD rates with low to no minimum deposits. The staggering of the maturity dates builds a “ladder” allowing investors to build money at each CD’s ending period, then, invest more money in other CDs with higher and higher interest rates. Over time, one can make a considerable amount of money.
3. Collectibles – We don’t mean mint-condition Garbage Pail Kids trading cards, but it wouldn’t hurt anything but your ego to get them appraised. An excellent way to mix business and pleasure is to have a moneymaking hobby, but how do you know what your treasures are worth? If you collect records or wine, www.vinylrecordfair.com and www.vinfolio.com offer value estimates, while www.barnebys.com appraises antiques, artwork, and furniture. These websites give a collector insight into the market. The important thing to remember about collectibles is that you really need to do your research and love what you are collecting in order to know the true value of the product so you know when to unload something and when to hold on to it.
4. Open a New Bank Account - Banks and credit unions like Nusenda Credit Union, Santander Bank and Fifth Third Bank offer a slew of programs that offer account set up cash bonuses or the chance to earn cash dividends based on various product participation. In regards to promotional deals, there is a lot of low-hanging fruit out there that can help jumpstart your finances.

Investing for the future can be an excruciating endeavor full of risks - yet investing in things that you understand and care about can make investment an enjoyable (and hopefully profitable) experience. So when the time comes when you have some extra money, remember that there are many accessible investment options.