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What are the best long-term things to invest in?
What are the best stocks to invest in?
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14 answers
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Fred’s Answer
By definition, investing is long term. Speculating is the word for short term.
Nobody can tell you "the" best stock. And if they couldn't they wouldn't, because then you'd be competing with them to buy said stocks, driving up the price, and reducing whatever money they would earn.
So, unless you want to spend a LOT of time reading companies financial reports, the best thing you can do is invest in a mutual fund. This is essentially a collection of stocks, often based on some index like the S&P500 or the DJIA. The advantage here is that if one stock in the portfolio tumbles, another will (hopefully) rise, and offset the loss. And GENERALLY speaking, the various index funds always go up over a period of 20 years or so. Indexed funds usually have lower fees, too. Investing in something with high fees can really cut into the growth of your portfolio.
Finally, you should consider your goals. If you are young, you can generally take more risks, as you have more time to recoup any losses. As you get older, you rebalance your portfolio into safer products. Your yield will be less, but you are also not going to lose all the value of your funds a year before you retire.
Nobody can tell you "the" best stock. And if they couldn't they wouldn't, because then you'd be competing with them to buy said stocks, driving up the price, and reducing whatever money they would earn.
So, unless you want to spend a LOT of time reading companies financial reports, the best thing you can do is invest in a mutual fund. This is essentially a collection of stocks, often based on some index like the S&P500 or the DJIA. The advantage here is that if one stock in the portfolio tumbles, another will (hopefully) rise, and offset the loss. And GENERALLY speaking, the various index funds always go up over a period of 20 years or so. Indexed funds usually have lower fees, too. Investing in something with high fees can really cut into the growth of your portfolio.
Finally, you should consider your goals. If you are young, you can generally take more risks, as you have more time to recoup any losses. As you get older, you rebalance your portfolio into safer products. Your yield will be less, but you are also not going to lose all the value of your funds a year before you retire.
Thank you for the advice, Fred.
Cameron
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
751
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
I would review stock possibilities on the NASDAQ. Including technology stocks like:
Microsoft
Apple
Amazon
Intel
Microsoft
Apple
Amazon
Intel
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Brandon’s Answer
The best long-term investment is more-so of an opinion. Something you're knowledgeable or passionate about is always the best option. Whether it be instruments, comics, vintage, or memorabilia. There's a market for everything and it's easier to keep up and price accordingly if you also enjoy it. For example, take Round Two Vintage and Flight Club as extreme examples. They took what their passion in and marketed and retailed accordingly.
As far as stocks go, there's no magic stock. Follow the news and trends and also invest in what you believe in. As the company grows the value also grows.
As far as stocks go, there's no magic stock. Follow the news and trends and also invest in what you believe in. As the company grows the value also grows.
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Mark’s Answer
Life Insurance. Universal Index Life Insurance. Money grows tax free and can be borrowed against. This is best for building wealth and for generational wealth. Anything else is great! Returns cold be bigger but life insurance is a great stat and will grow faster than inflation.
Look into Universal Index life Insurance and how it can be used as an investment vehicle.
Mark recommends the following next steps:
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Carl’s Answer
Hello Cameron. I would suggest investing in real estate. There are many avenues to invest in real estate. You can invest in real property, real estate securities, and even tax deeds. You don't have to be rich, you can start with as little as $10. If you are looking to start out, I would suggest visiting sites such as Groundfloor.com and lienhub.com. Groundfloor is an investment platform for unaccredited investors that allows you to purchase what is known as Limited Recourse Options. That's a fancy way of saying you are investing in a portion of a loan that will be used to finance a renovation or purchase of an investment property. The rate of return is roughly 7to 15 percent. Lienhub is a platform that allows you to buy tax liens in the state of Florida. When people default on their property taxes, states do not have the revenue to perform basic functions, hence they sell liens and deeds on the open market. The owner of the property can either purchase the lien from you or if they fail to do so, you as an investor can file an application on this site to acquire the tax deed to the property which will allow you to eventually acquire the property. In Florida, the rate of return on liens and deeds is 18% per year which is the highest in the country. You can buy a tax lien for as little as $60. These are great ways to start investing and building wealth. Cash acquired from these methods can help you buy real property which you can flip or rent.
Thank you so much!
Cameron
Robert Abramowitz
Accounting, financial planning, business management.
1
Answer
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Robert’s Answer
With a long-term time horizon, there are many great investment options that could include both stocks or real estate (or both). There is no single correct answer. There are things to consider, other than simply the growth in the value of your investment - liquidity is a major factor. Real estate, is not as liquid as stocks. So it requires more planning to "cash-out" and often there are costs associated with it. At a young age, with a long time horizon, I would recommend starting off by keeping things simple. Start with dollar-cost averaging (monthly or twice a month) into a mutual fund or diversified ETF portfolio. This can even be structured in a way to give you exposure to real estate and crypto. This option is ideal because the minimums and fees are low.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Dan Wolf
Retired Electrical/Software Engineer and part-time College Professor (BSEET and MS Engineering Management)
129
Answers
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Updated
Dan’s Answer
You asked two different questions and answering both is a big task! In general, it depends on your knowledge, experience, and tolerance for risk.
What are the best long-term things to invest in?
This could be individual stocks - see the answer below. However if you lack a lot of finance knowledge, are new to investing, and/or you want to limit your risk then consider mutual funds. As suggested in the other answer, the Vanguard S&P 500 is a good choice. That alone may not be adequate to be your only mutual fund. You would normally include different US and foreign funds and maybe some bond funds to smooth out market cycles. If you are just getting started, not investing massive amounts, and truly are looking at long-term investments of 30-40 years then the Vanguard S&P 500 fund is a good place to start. Your next task is to start learning about investing practices so you can evolve your choice and mix of funds (maybe even adding individual stocks) as your invested funds and knowledge increase. Note that there are many reasons why the Vanguard S&P 500 fund is recommended that are not explained here. You can Google "retirement investing" to get a lot of information about investing strategies. The Kiplingers, Vanguard, or Schwab financial websites would be great places to start.
What are the best stocks to invest in?
Investing in individual stocks requires more knowledge and carries a higher level of risk - although done right, can yield the highest payouts. So the best stocks to invest in will be the ones that suit your needs, objectives, and knowledge. The best stocks for me are not likely to be the best stocks for you.
What are the best long-term things to invest in?
This could be individual stocks - see the answer below. However if you lack a lot of finance knowledge, are new to investing, and/or you want to limit your risk then consider mutual funds. As suggested in the other answer, the Vanguard S&P 500 is a good choice. That alone may not be adequate to be your only mutual fund. You would normally include different US and foreign funds and maybe some bond funds to smooth out market cycles. If you are just getting started, not investing massive amounts, and truly are looking at long-term investments of 30-40 years then the Vanguard S&P 500 fund is a good place to start. Your next task is to start learning about investing practices so you can evolve your choice and mix of funds (maybe even adding individual stocks) as your invested funds and knowledge increase. Note that there are many reasons why the Vanguard S&P 500 fund is recommended that are not explained here. You can Google "retirement investing" to get a lot of information about investing strategies. The Kiplingers, Vanguard, or Schwab financial websites would be great places to start.
What are the best stocks to invest in?
Investing in individual stocks requires more knowledge and carries a higher level of risk - although done right, can yield the highest payouts. So the best stocks to invest in will be the ones that suit your needs, objectives, and knowledge. The best stocks for me are not likely to be the best stocks for you.
Updated
Christopher’s Answer
1. Equity (purchase a home)
2. Mutual funds (professionally managed funds)
3. ETFs (stocks that follow an index)
Timing is probably one of the most important aspects that drives the success of any long-term investment. Purchase a home when the housing market has finished cooling off and interest rates are low. This will give your home the most room to appreciate.
Invest in the stock market shortly after or during a market crash. Buy low sell high.
Be prepared to hold on to your investments for a long time before you see returns.
2. Mutual funds (professionally managed funds)
3. ETFs (stocks that follow an index)
Timing is probably one of the most important aspects that drives the success of any long-term investment. Purchase a home when the housing market has finished cooling off and interest rates are low. This will give your home the most room to appreciate.
Invest in the stock market shortly after or during a market crash. Buy low sell high.
Be prepared to hold on to your investments for a long time before you see returns.
Updated
David’s Answer
I don't think there is a one stock you can invest in long-term no matter what because there are so many variables that may change the circumstances. Even Apple or Google may went bankruptcy one day. However, as Warren Buffet always say, the best investment is yourself. I think if you keep learning and get ahead of other people, money and opportunities will come and find you. In the long run, invest in yourself is also the best way to hedge inflation.
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Lisa’s Answer
The best long term investment is in my home. My property build equity faster than I can save from pay check to paycheck.
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Geoffrey’s Answer
For long term, many people suggest the Equal Weighted S&P index.
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Hannah’s Answer
A great long term investment is S&P 500 Index. I currently use Vanguard to invest into that regularly.
Hi Hannah! What made you want to invest in this / why do you recommend it?
Alexandra Carpenter, Admin
Updated
Rabia’s Answer
The best long-term investment would be real estate. It's a safe and secure investment. An exchange traded fund, or ETF, is also a good long-term investment that includes a mix of stocks and bonds. They have lower fees are traded more easily too.
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James’s Answer
Depending on your age and if you end up working for a company that offers a 401k plan, you would want to most likely invest in a mutual fund within that 401k plan offers where they have baskets of stocks/bonds etc based on the estimated year you would most likely retire. These specific mutual funds invest in specific securities that are tailored based on your retirement year. As you get older the funds automatically move you to less riskier assets so you are not as exposed to market fluctuations so your retirement balances/funds don't lose money, i.e. more bonds which are less riskier than stocks. Hope that helps.