How Real Estate Crowdfunding can Generate Passive Income

If you’re a long-time reader of this blog, you already know that I think passive income is one of the best ways to grow your personal wealth and find financial freedom. Today I want to introduce you to an investment strategy that has long-term potential for passive income: real estate crowdfunding.

What is real estate crowdfunding?

The term crowdfunding is likely not new to you, but real estate crowdfunding is not in the same category as sites like Go Fund Me or Kickstarter. It’s not a platform where you put your hard-earned money towards someone else’s entrepreneurial dream, just to get maybe some free swag when they find success. Real estate crowdfunding is a much more sophisticated concept, with the potential to earn something way better than product swag: passive income.

Historically, investing in real estate has largely been a rich man’s game. Most opportunities were only for the wealthy and well-connected, or large institutional investors, like pension funds, university endowments, and hedge funds. So what changed? In a nutshell, the 2012 JOBS Act took down a lot of red tape surrounding the securities industry, opening the door for real estate firms to raise money for their projects through crowdfunding platforms. As a result, individual investors gained a new way to be able to add private equity (meaning not traded on the public markets) real estate to their investment portfolios.

How does real estate crowdfunding work?

Investing in real estate with crowdfunding isn’t about assembling a giant team of landlords to share in the responsibilities of owning a property, like finding dependable tenants or fixing plumbing issues at all hours of the night. It’s a way for individual investors to contribute a percentage of the overall funding for a real estate project, alongside others who are doing the same thing. This approach affords investors access to projects that they may otherwise be unable to afford.

There are many different types of properties available for investment. Some commercial examples include apartment buildings in growing metros, hotels in the most traveled regions of the country, or even new lab space for the life sciences industry.

How does investing in real estate generate passive income?

We’ve already covered the passive part (remember, no plumbing issues or tenant complaints!), but where does the income come in? It will depend on the business plan of the deal you invest in, but generally speaking, there are two ways real estate investments generate passive income. The first is with ongoing distributions (sometimes it’s a literal check in the mail!) paid to investors by the firm behind the deal. This tends to be more likely in properties with strong tenants and steady monthly rents, for instance, an office or apartment building. The second is through a share of the final sale price of a property, which is often the case when properties are under construction or undergoing major renovations.

As always, all investing involves risk. There is always the chance the project underperforms and you lose your initial investment. You should always research any potential investment and evaluate if it will work for you and your portfolio.

How can I invest with real estate crowdfunding?

If your first thought was to google “how to invest in real estate crowdfunding”, don’t: I’ve already done the heavy lifting for you.

CrowdStreet is the nation’s largest online real estate investing platform, connecting accredited investors directly to institutional-quality real estate across the U.S. Started in 2014, they’ve earned a reputation for working with best-in-class real estate firms. Since inception, CrowdStreet Marketplace investors have invested more than $2.6 billion across 560+ deals, earning $360 million in distributions. Some of their recently funded deals include an apartment building in Nashville’s famous music row, a hotel renovation right next to the home of the Utah Jazz NBA team, and a new life sciences lab space in research-centric Boston.

Their online Marketplace, which is where users are able to compare and review real estate investment projects, is easy to navigate. What I liked the best was how much information is given about the business plan and real estate firm behind each deal. You’ll have to create an account to see all the details. For every deal, they host a webinar with the real estate firm behind the project, so you can opt into those to learn more before making the decision to invest. There’s even a live Q&A session!

If you’re ready to learn more, get started today by creating your account for free at CrowdStreet.com.

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How To Begin Investing Your Money

If you’ve been considering investing your money, you might be hesitant, thinking that you need large sums to do so. This simply isn’t true. You can start investing with only a small sum if you do your research and get some help. Read on for a few investment tips and tricks.

Save Up

Your first step in investing your money is saving some money to invest. Put aside a little from each paycheck, tucking some cash away in an envelope and putting it in a drawer so you aren’t tempted to spend it. You might also take a little time to review your budget and look for some expenses you could cut out (like extra cell phone services or streaming subscriptions you rarely use). Then commit that money to investing. You don’t actually need very much to make your first investment. Even $100 or $200 can get you started.

Do Your Research

Of course, you will want to do some research about investing before you take the plunge. Make sure you understand options like the 401(k), IRAs, stocks, bonds, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Read about how each one works and what is required for investment. Know the benefits and the risks as well. You don’t need to be an expert like Larry Creel partner at Edgewood Management LLC, but you should at least have a good grasp of the basics.

Decide How and Where To Invest

All of this information will help you decide how and where you want to invest your money. First, set some goals. Think about why you want to build your investments. You might be looking toward retirement, in which case a 401(k) through your employer (who will match at least a percentage of your funds) or an IRA might be the right direction. If you’re looking more for an investment that you can draw from to spend for a home or car or vacation, you might look more toward stocks or bonds.

Get Some Help

By now you might be feeling quite overwhelmed by investments and everything to do with them. If so, don’t hesitate to get some help. You might talk to a local financial counselor or stockbroker. You could deal with a reputable trading company as well. Many of them no longer charge commissions on trades, and a broker can guide you into the best options for your needs and budget. You could even try to work through a robo-advisor that helps you build a lost-cost portfolio and automated investing plan. Be aware, though, that robo-advisors charge fees that can add up over time.

Keep Track

Finally, after you make your investments, you will want to monitor them closely, keeping track of gains and losses and making changes as necessary. As you gain more experience, you may want to branch out into other areas of investment. Your goals may change over time, too, so remain flexible, and make your money work for you.

Investment can seem rather frightening at times and certainly stressful, but if you do your homework, invest wisely and get help when you need it, you can find success.

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Comparing Traditional Banks to Internet-Only Banks

Have you wondered whether you should be using an internet-only bank to do all your banking or use a traditional brick-and-mortar bank? Here are some advantages of each.

Both Offer Online Banking

Whether you bank with a traditional bank or an internet-only bank, you will be able to do all your banking online. You can deposit checks, transfer money, pay bills and do all other banking transactions at both types of banks. If you need cash, both of them will allow ATM withdrawals. Often, it doesn’t matter where your bank is based. For example, Julio Martin Herrera Velutini leads a bank in Puerto Rico that offers customers worldwide the option to do their banking online.

Advantages of Internet-Only Banks

Internet-only banks can offer better interest rates on savings accounts and CDs. They also don’t need to charge as many fees for low balances, service fees, and so on. This is because internet-only banks don’t have as many overhead costs as brick-and-mortar banks that have to have multiple locations for customers to use. Internet-only banks often only have one location to house their staff.

Internet-only banks usually also offer a better online experience than traditional banks. Online banking is only one part of the services of traditional banks, so they don’t have the same incentive to optimize the online experience that internet-only banks do.

Advantages of Brick-and-Mortar Banks

At a traditional bank, you can get to know the staff and have personal relationships with them. This can make you feel better about your bank as well as help you when you need to apply for a loan. If you need personal help in ironing out details of a transaction, it is nice to talk to a person face-to-face, too.

Depositing cash is easy to do at a brick-and-mortar location but may be difficult at an online-only bank, so consider this if you often perform banking transactions involving cash deposits. International transactions also may be harder to do at some online-only banks.

Online-only banks usually don’t have their own ATMs. If you use another bank’s ATM, that bank may charge you a fee. However, online-only banks may offer to reimburse you for these fees, up to a certain amount per month.

Online-only banks may not offer the services you need. They may not offer brokerage accounts or insurance, so if you want a bank that provides these services, a traditional bank may be better for you. Also, you may need the services of a notary or a signature guarantee which online banks can’t provide.

Which To Choose?

Which type of bank to choose will depend on what services are most important to you. Is it better interest rates or personal contact? Do you need additional services that online banks don’t offer? You will have to make the calculation and decide which is best for you. If you are still undecided, you could open two accounts, one local and one at an internet-only bank.

Now that you know some of the differences between the services offered by each type of bank, you will be able to choose the type that offers the options that are most important to you.

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What is a Timeshare? Your Basic Guide to Timesharing

You may never have heard of the term timeshare. Even if you have, you might have no idea what a timeshare actually is.

A timeshare is the shared ownership of a resort or holiday home. Multiple buyers will purchase their share of the home from its owner, so they can spend a few weeks in their dream resort without having to buy the whole thing.

This might sound ideal, but there’s a lot more to owning a timeshare. Here is a simple guide to what timesharing is and whether or not they are worth spending your money on.

What is a Timeshare?

A timeshare is often also referred to as vacation ownership, although this term is quite misleading. With a timeshare, you don’t actually own the holiday home outright. Instead, you pay a smaller fee to own it for a small portion of the year (usually a few weeks or months).

Why Do People Buy Timeshares?

Most people choose to buy a timeshare so they can enjoy their favorite resort every year without having to fork out a large amount of money buying it. It enables you to choose an annual fixed date to jet off to your dream destination without the worry or stress that usually comes along with finding a great hotel.

Unlike a hotel room, a timeshare offers a resort that feels more like home. Essentially, you are buying a share of your desired vacation home or villa that provides private bedrooms, a kitchen full of the latest gadgets, and the perfect scenic location. Many people find it much easier to return to the same trusted place each year, instead of scrambling to find a nice hotel every summer before they get fully booked up.

What You Need to Know Before Buying a Timeshare

If this sounds perfect for you, there are a few things you should be aware of before you jump into buying a timeshare of your favorite vacation home.

Firstly, consider searching for the best timeshare exit companies so that you are covered in case you decide you want to leave it. Of course, you can try and see your timeshare, but they can be extremely difficult to get rid of, especially if your chosen resort is in an undesirable location.

Keep in mind that timeshares are not investments. They don’t work like real estate where you buy a property, fix it up, and sell it for a profit. You don’t gain anything for your money apart from a few weeks away in the sun. And even then, you are paying more and more every year for this.

You must also take into account that your payments are not fixed. When you sign the contract for a timeshare, the prices can vary annually depending on interest rates or inflation rates. It’s really up to your landlord how much you’re going to be charged. Aside from the annual payment for your timeshare, you will also be expected to pay regular maintenance fees that cover any repairs around the resort.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, there are good and bad points to getting a timeshare. Make sure to do your research before committing to one so you don’t end up stuck in a contract paying for something you don’t want!

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5 Major Home Projects That Are Worth It

Whether you’re upgrading your home or getting ready to sell, investing in your home can add tremendous value. Revamping your current space can transform any house into a home, but how do you know what’s worthwhile?

Some of these projects can be DIY, but we recommend hiring a home remodeling contractor for the more complex projects. These projects can have unbelievable results when done by an experienced hand, so take advantage of a contractor when you can!

Kitchen Remodel

Renovating an outdated or “traditional” kitchen can go a long way! Most new homebuyers look for more contemporary kitchens when touring a home and can make a sizable difference in the final price of the house. They’re important centerpieces of the home, and having a good modernized kitchen can bring a home together. For homeowners and sellers, updating appliances, resurfacing countertops, and new sinks can go a long way in making your kitchen much more comfortable and valuable.

On average, kitchen remodels can cost roughly $25,000, according to HomeAdvisor.com. Generally, these renovations are usually the most expensive.

Bathroom Remodel

Bathroom remodels are one of the most common remodels a homeowner can take on. If you aren’t planning to move, investing in a bathroom space that best suits your needs and wants is an easy decision. We spend a lot of time in the bathroom, and they should be something comfortable. Removing a bathtub that is rarely used is an easy way to boost the space in a bathroom.

If you’re getting ready to sell, an article by Zillow.com suggests that the return on investment for bathroom remodels is high. The average ROI for a mid-range bathroom remodel is about 70.1%. Most homeowners spend anywhere from $6,000 to $16,000 on bathroom renovations, according to HomeAdvisor.com, and this depends on the size of the bathroom and how much work it needs.

Build a Deck

Adding a deck to your home is a guaranteed way to add value to your home. In addition to adding a new outdoor space to your home, when it comes to selling your home, the addition of a deck can get you around 70-80% of your initial investment. These outside spaces are fantastic for hosting guests during the warm weather months and can be worked around existing pools, hot tubs, and landscaping. Even more, for those not looking to move anytime soon, a customized deck built by professional contractors can be built to your desires.

Depending on the size of your desired deck, you can expect to pay on average between $4,000 and $10,000. In most cases, your price can be determined by square footage.

Landscaping

Landscaping is a guaranteed way to boost the curb appeal of your home. How your home looks from the outside is hugely important to potential buyers since first impressions are everything. Simple projects like new trees, pathways, outdoor lights, and general lawn maintenance can go a long way in boosting the value of your home.

Basement Remodel

Renovating a basement can truly maximize your home’s square footage with new liveable space and is guaranteed to bring value and comfort to your home. When homebuying, people will compare your home to those around it, and the difference between the price of your home can vary if it has a finished basement. To get the best results, finding a reliable contractor is essential. Finished basements can be transformed into any number of spaces, such as offices, play areas, laundry rooms, and entertainment spaces. All of these spaces are guaranteed to add value to your home, and in some cases, make it stand out to potential homebuyers.

To fully finish a basement can cost upwards of $20,000. That price can vary dramatically depending on what you want for your basement, like new walls, removed walls, bathrooms, and more.

Remodels like these can go a long way in making your home life much more comfortable, or they can boost the price of your home if you’re ready to sell. These are investments, some more expensive than others, but all worthwhile in the end. No matter how you decide to renovate your home, we recommend leaving the non-DIY activities to the professionals.

About the Author

Jennifer Bell is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beachgoer operating out of Southern New Jersey.

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New Developments in Venture Capital

The venture capital industry has been around for a relatively short period of time, but it has already seen profound change. There have been many developments in the venture capital industry in the last few years or so. Newer venture capital firms like Xfund are taking a radically different approach to the firms that have come before. Many newer firms are looking at founders with different educational backgrounds, offering more opportunities to women and people of color, connecting with universities, and mentoring the founders of the businesses they fund. Read on to learn more about new developments in the venture capital industry.

Some Venture Capital Firms are Seeking Founders with a Liberal Arts Background

Traditionally, venture capital firms preferred to work with founders that have an extensive background in computer science. At the very least, venture capital firms used to look for founders that had a business management background. It was often difficult for people who had liberal arts backgrounds to even get meetings with venture capital firms. These days, this is no longer the case.

Founders with liberal arts backgrounds may still have a more challenging time getting funding, especially from older venture capital firms. However, it is now possible for them to get the funding their businesses need. This is especially true when it comes to the newer venture capital firms that are more open to founders from non-traditional backgrounds.

More Women are Getting Funding

In the past, only a small minority of the start-ups that received venture capital funding were founded by women. While the majority of funded start-ups were still founded by men, more female-founded start-ups have been receiving funding from venture capital firms. In fact, many venture capital firms now make a point of looking for female-founded start-ups that they can consider for funding. It should also be noted that many venture capital firms are now hiring women, who may be more receptive to start-ups that were founded by women.

More People of Color are Getting Funding

Just as more female-founded start-ups are receiving funding, more start-ups founded by people of color are getting funded. And with female founders, people of color had reduced access to venture capital firms in the past. While this problem certainly has not been completely solved, things are getting better for people of color who are seeking funding from venture capital firms. Many venture capital firms are making a point of considering start-ups founded by people of color. This is especially true of start-ups created in the last few years.

Many New Venture Capital Firms Have a Connection to a University

Another interesting development in venture capital is that many firms now have a connection to a university. Some universities even have their own venture capital firms. Even venture capital firms who are not officially affiliated with a university often have an agreement in place that allows them to consider start-ups from local institutions students.

Mentorship to Founders

In the past, many venture capital firms simply provided funding and business guidance to founders. However, many newer venture capital firms are also providing personal mentorship to the founders they support. This is more common with venture capital firms that work with very young founders like college students.

The Future of Venture Capital

Recent developments in venture capital mean that the industry will be more inclusive in the future. Women and people of color will have opportunities that they may not have had in the past. Even founders from different educational backgrounds will have venture capital opportunities that they likely would not have had a few years ago.

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How do the millionaires trade the Forex Market?

Becoming a millionaire trader in the Forex market is one of the most difficult tasks in the world. Getting access to the retail trading industry is relatively easy but if you do the math, you will realize that the number of successful traders is very low. Most investors start trading financial instruments without having good knowledge of this market. They take trades based on emotions and gut feelings. Eventually, they quit trading after losing a big sum of money.

To become a millionaire, you should learn to think like them. You have to push your limit to the edge and only then you can expect to trade like them. Now let’s see how millionaire traders execute their trades and make tons of money.

Strong analytical knowledge

Millionaire traders are very good at analyzing the market data. They never take their trades without doing proper analysis. If you watch their actions during the trade execution process, you should notice that they are taking the trades based on technical and fundamental analysis. Rookies often think the fundamental analysis is not that important in trading. But fundamental factors are often considered as the most important element as it gives the outlook of the market in the bigger picture. So, learn to analyze technical and fundamental factors of the market and avoid taking any unnecessary risks.

Trading with the best broker

Elite traders in Norway always trade with high-end brokers like Saxo. They know the importance of a professional trading platform. Let’s say that you are very good at analyzing the data. However, due to a technical glitch, you have executed the trade in the wrong place. So, it’s obvious you are going to lose money from that particular trade. But if you chose to trade with a high-end broker like Saxo, you are not going to have that problem. Try to choose your broker very carefully as it will limit your losses.  Most importantly, you should get the perfect tools to analyze critical market data.

Risk management policy

Professional traders are always good at managing risk. They never take high risk in the trades since they know, it can cause them big problems. To keep your fund safe, you should be following a standard approach and look for trade signals with low risk. It’s true, you may earn a huge amount of money by taking a big risk but by doing so, you will risk a big portion of your capital. If the trade goes wrong, you are going to lose a big portion of the capital. So, risk a portion of your trading capital that you can afford to lose. Never take a high risk as it will make things difficult. To know more about the importance risk management technique, you may study the trade history of the successful traders. You will be surprised to see that they never open trades with high risk.

Price action trading strategy

The price action trading strategy is based on the Japanese candlestick pattern.  If you want to earn more money, you need to learn about the price action trading method. The price action trading strategy provides retail traders with the perfect opportunity to find quality trade signals. Most importantly, it helps traders to trade with a tight stop loss. Since the millionaire traders deal with big funds, they need to be extremely cautious about the stop loss.

Chart pattern trading

Highly trained professionals prefer to trade with the major chart pattern as it gives them a better opportunity to secure a big profit by taking the trades during the breakout. On the other hand, rookie traders are always looking to make a profit by taking trades in a minor retracement. To experienced traders, a trend trading strategy is the most effective way to earn money. So, if you want to take trades like a millionaire trader, learn about the major chart pattern and take trades with the key trend. If you intend to trade any reversal, you should be extremely cautious about your risk exposure.

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How to Be a Successful Investor

Are you interested in boosting your net worth? While living below your means and saving as much of each paycheck as possible is a good practice and may even help you build up a modest nest egg, there is more that you will need to do to generate substantial wealth. Money that sits in a checking account generates very little interest, almost a negligible amount, and adding to that sum through working alone will be a slow process, even if you are a well-paid professional. The path to true wealth involves generating passive income, or money that you earn without putting in effort regularly. Invest some of your savings in the stock market, and you will find that your net worth increases while you sleep. Read on to learn how to get started in the world of investing.

Speak to a Professional

If you are brand-new to investing, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Don’t just choose a fund or two and hope for the best: do as much research as you can on your own, then schedule time with a professional who can explain things further. This could be a friend or family member who is well versed in the stock market, the accountant you call each year during tax season or even a prominent venture capitalist with a track record of success, such as Mark Stevens. By getting advice from someone with investing experience and expertise, you will increase your chances of making wise decisions right from the start. If you don’t have anyone in your network who fits the bill, online courses and books which explain the basics of investing can be useful tools. You can also subscribe to daily podcasts and email newsletters that explain the day’s top stories in a way that is easy for anyone to comprehend.

Buy Low, Sell High

This strategy may seem obvious, but it rings true nonetheless. If you look up a particular company’s stock and find that it has fallen in recent weeks or months, you should consider buying a few shares, since market conditions will eventually change and the price will begin to trend upwards again at some point. Once that happens, you will have earned a profit on your initial investment. This assumes, of course, that the company in question has a relatively stable future ahead and is not on the verge of bankruptcy.

The “buy low, sell high” strategy applies in a macro sense beyond individual stocks, as well. In situations when the whole market crashes, such as when COVID-19 was first declared a pandemic in March of 2020, some investors may panic and sell their shares. In the short term, prices are plummeting, and they are afraid of losing everything. It is important to keep in mind, however, that this tactic is shortsighted. Even when the market as a whole suffers a blow and you see your portfolio become less valuable, remember that conditions will inevitably shift. As months pass, those shares will recoup their value, and you will be better off if you do not yield to panic and sell.

Invest in Companies You Believe In

When it comes to purchasing individual stocks, take a look at your own spending habits and those of your friends and family. If you or your acquaintances are loyal to a certain company, chances are, you are not the only ones. That company is doing something right, and it is most likely a safe bet that its stock will be on the rise in the near future. If you are risk-averse, there is nothing wrong with starting small: even buying one share is a good start. Then, as you get more practiced, your confidence will increase and you will eventually be more willing to make medium to large investments. Pay attention to trends in the news, on social media and out in the world to see if you can predict what the next hot item will be.

Getting started in the world of investing may seem intimidating at first, but there is nothing to fear. As with any new skill, it takes time and practice to learn the ropes and get comfortable. Try setting aside just a few hundred dollars at the beginning, and spend plenty of time learning all about the stock market before making your first investment. Remember that you should never invest more money than you are willing to lose, since the market can be unpredictable at times. Do not hesitate to reach if something confuses you or you need help. Many online forums can provide answers to any of your questions, as well as certified public accountants (CPAs) who will be able to share their expertise. Good luck on your investing journey!

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So You Want to Go Public

Whether you’re looking to raise capital, quickly expand, or attract new employees with stock-option programs, opening your company to the IPO process might be the right call. It can be complex and time-consuming, though. Done right, selling your securities publicly can be an incredible lift.

Here is an outline of the steps you’ll need to take in generating your public offerings.

1. Choose an Underwriting Bank

You must select an investment bank to act as the underwriter for your IPO. Your choice must be registered with the Security Exchange Commission (SEC).

This bank will help set the initial offer price and will handle the sale of shares after the IPO is released. Take time to carefully consider your underwriter. You’ll want a bank with a solid reputation and track record of success, but also one with specific industry experience and a wide distribution network of potential investors.

2. Due Diligence

This stage is the most time consuming and bureaucratic in the process. It involves numerous paperwork and filing both between your company and the underwriter as well as with the SEC.

This paperwork amounts to contractual arrangements, registration statements, and underwriter planning documents. This stage highlights the importance of choosing an experienced underwriter as they will be responsible for the filing of much of this paperwork.

3. Set the IPO Price

After all of the due diligence filings, your underwriter will embark on a series of roadshows wherein they market your shares to the investing communities to get a good idea of the potential demand for your IPO. You can think of these as focus groups.

You will then meet with your underwriter to examine the cross-section of these roadshow results, the bulk of market research your underwriter has compiled, and your goals for your company and the IPO fundraising to set a price and the number of shares to be sold.

Be aware that your underwriter will likely push to slightly underprice your IPO at its release and that is not a comment on your potential success, but a proven release strategy.

4. Release the IPO

After SEC approval and final pricing decisions are made, it is time to release your IPO. Initial shares will hit the market at an agreed-upon date.

5. Market Stabilization

Over the next 25 days, your underwriter has the legal authority to manipulate the price of your stock through a variety of strategic moves. These include selling off more shares than originally agreed upon, purchasing shares below value, or locking-up shareholders’ ability to sell off shares.

These moves are made to ensure the best probability of success for the final step, market competition.

6. Transition to Market Competition

After 25 days, the SEC begins its prohibition on price manipulation. At this point, your IPO is released to the wild. You will no longer be valued by your prospectus, instead, the market will drive your value for the buying public.

Offering your IPO can be a lengthy process and certainly comes with some risk. If you take the time to choose the right underwriter, everything about the process will go more smoothly and your chances of succeeding on the public market will increase significantly.

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What to Give Your Investment Enthusiast for the Holidays

Someone in your life got very interested (dare we say: invested) in investing over the course of the last year, and for this holiday season, you want to give them something that says you support and appreciate their new hobby. But what do you get an investor who already has a balanced portfolio?

Here are a few gift ideas for the savvy investor you love:

Investing Books

Investing is something a person can just jump into — but that doesn’t mean they should. Because the investment world is so complex and so fraught with risk, it is much better to learn as much as possible about investing before diving in with real money.

Fortunately, there is a near-uncountable number of resources for beginner investors looking to educate themselves. One of the best ways to help an investor is by providing them with new books that have new perspectives on markets and strategies. A few of the best options to add to your investor’s library include:

• The Intelligent Investor. First published in 1949, the wisdom of this book endures to the modern day. This is considered the bible of investing, and it is a staple for any beginner investor.
• The Essays of Warren Buffett. This book is a curated list of Buffett’s writing, from Berkshire Hathaway shareholder letters to Buffett’s speeches and more.
• Think and Grow Rich. Based on more than 20 years of interviews with America’s wealthiest figures, this book offers insight into the psychology of success.
• The Coffeehouse Investor. If your investor feels intimidated by the stock market, this book makes investing more approachable and applicable to regular, everyday people.

Better Investing Tech

Most investing platforms have some rudimentary tools to make investing easier for their users, but real investors utilize more robust investment tracking programs that provide greater insight into the movement of the market, the health of the portfolio and the greater impacts on personal financial wellbeing. If your investor has been relying on dinky, freemium smartphone apps, you might spring for a more professional investing setup, like Quicken or Investor Junkie.

Investment Art

While securities like stocks and bonds are the most convenient investments for beginner investors, if you have some extra cash, you might consider diversifying your investments with some art. Fine art is a long-term investment; it doesn’t build value overnight, but it can become immensely valuable over a lifetime. You might buy your investor their first great art piece to start a new collection.

Then again, if you are on a tighter budget, you might help them improve their investing space with decorative pieces that recall their new hobby. For example, you can buy a miniature replica of the Wall Street bull sculpture to place beside their computer and remind them of a healthy market.

Financial Games

If you are struggling to appreciate the excitement your investor feels regarding their new pastime, you might try to better understand their experience with a gift that everyone in the family can appreciate: a game. The stock market has influenced a large number of game architects, some of whom have striven to help beginner investors with games that teach investment strategy. Some of the best include:

• Stocks and Bonds. A simple board game that gives players $5,000 and a bevy of fictional stocks, this game is a bit more like gambling than actual investing — but it is no less fun.
• Millionary. Best reserved for the most experienced board game players and the most intense investors, Millionary is a gigantic and complex game that uses real companies as mechanics. Though the rules are written in German, English translations are available online.
• Wall Street Survivor. This video game is more like investor training, with $100,000 of virtual cash and countless tools and resources for determining which in-game stocks are worth your money.

Gold, Silver, Cash

An investor’s biggest and brightest dream is to be wealthy beyond imagination. Though you can’t make your investor better at investments, you can give their wealth a boost in the form of gold, silver or some extra cash. Both gold and silver can come in coins, bars or jewelry, all of which are fun to unwrap and show off. You might also consider giving your investor the gift of Bitcoin or some other lucrative cryptocurrency. Most of these options are pretty significant investments, so you might need to save up to give them.

It isn’t uncommon for people of a certain age to become infatuated with the idea of investing. It’s true: Investments can radically increase earnings and improve lifestyles — but only if the right investments are made at the right time. You can encourage the investor in your life with any of these gifts related to their hobby, or you can give them the gift of your unwavering love and support as they navigate this new and complicated world.

The post What to Give Your Investment Enthusiast for the Holidays appeared first on MoneyAhoy.

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