Safe Investments to Help You Grow Your Money

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Countless US citizens are struggling with the unpredictability of the current economy. The COVID-19 pandemic has put moderate to low income individuals into a precarious financial position, making it difficult to keep up with daily expenses, pay debts, and save up for future endeavors. In such a tumultuous time, it might seem counterintuitive to start investing. But this isn’t entirely true. Though investing always carries some form of risk, remember that these risks come in varying degrees. And there are several options that offer minimal potential losses. Here are four examples:

1. Certificates of Deposit

A Certificate of Deposit (CD) is a fixed-term loan that you offer to your bank. You let them keep a specified amount of your money and, in return, they pay you back with a guaranteed rate of interest after several years. The longer the term, the more interest the loan yields. CDs are a popular choice because they offer higher interest rates compared to a regular savings account. Plus, they’re insured by the FDIC and NCUA (for credit union accounts), so there’s very little margin for loss. The only downside is you aren’t allowed to withdraw from the amount you loaned, or you’ll be penalized.

2. Bond Funds

Bond funds are another type of fixed-term loan. This time, it’s to your government. The two main types are US Treasury bonds and municipal bonds. US Treasury bonds are issued by the federal government, and terms can span from one year to ten. The short-term loans are safer to invest in because while these bonds are backed by the US government, your funds can still fluctuate in value. Just note that the Treasury rates tend to rise during times of economic instability. As of late, bond prices have been falling while the yields have climbed. For municipal bond funds, these are invested in state and local governments. Whiles these bonds are not as reliable as U.S. Treasury Bonds, one upside is that the interest is exempt from federal tax. Some options are also exempt from state and local taxes.

3. Money Market Funds

Money market funds are another ideal option as they offer very short-term investments where professionals actively manage your funds. Though this type of investment isn’t backed by the government, money market funds always aim to maintain a $1 net asset value (NAV). This protects investors from losing principal investments. But note that while the $1 NAV rule applies, it cannot always be followed, especially when the money market can’t adapt to inflation rates or interest rates become low. When funds go below your initial investment, the losses are passed onto you.

4. Gold

Gold is an ideal investment option because interest rates cannot influence its price. Neither is it affected in times of economic and political uncertainty. And there are multiple ways to invest in it. You could acquire physical items such as coins, jewelry, and even bullions. Or, you could invest in gold without having to physically own it. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are a good example of this. Gold ETFs are convenient because you won’t need to go through the hassle of ensuring the gold you buy is legitimate and stored properly, and there are plenty of trusted ETFs you can consider. Another option is to purchase gold-related stocks, which funds companies directly connected to the gold industry, such as miners and refiners. Just be wary of the current state of the stock market.

Those are four safe investment options for you to choose from. Many young individuals have flocked to online investment platforms to place their bets on the stock market. However, frequent trading is not recommended, especially given the country’s current economic and political climate. We recommend investing in at least one of the four items on our list before delving into riskier investment options.