I get asked constantly,
“Chris, you talk a lot about how investing in 401k’s and IRA’s can be bad. So where should I be investing?”
The answer is pretty simple:
Wherever you are very knowledgeable and passionate!
Knowledge
Most people lack the discipline to to take the time to really master any investment. Most hope for something to be served up on a silver platter. This is why many just throw away money into things like 401k’s, IRA’s, annuities, certain types of life insurance, or anything else that a salesperson (aka financial advisor) asks you to put money into. We’re just taught to trust in experts, and forget that you can create your own investments.
There are 4 general areas where you can invest:
- Business
- Real Estate
- Paper Assets (stocks, options, mutual funds, derivatives, etc.)
- Commondities (Gold, silver, oil, corn, etc.)
Ask yourself, “Which ones do I have the most knowledge about, or want to know more about?”
For many of you, it may be your own business. Yes, your business can be your investment. Don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise. I’m grateful to one of my family members who owned a business for several years and taught me that no financial advisor can beat the returns of a true entrepreneur.
If what you’re doing is already working, why would you want to take time away from that? Invest in what you have a lot of knowledge about.
Passion
If money were no longer an issue in your life, would you still do that investment? If the answer is “no,” then I can promise you one thing:
You will lose money in that investment, and it will feel more like a job to you. And when it feels like a job, financial freedom is not possible!
I asked most of my 200 students that I trained to trade stocks & options, “Beyond the money, why are you doing this?”
Their response was, “Nothing. I’m doing this so I don’t have to work anymore.” or “So I can make money in my pajamas.”
Ironically, the ones that gave me this answer didn’t make much money, if at all, after we were done coaching them.
However, those that said, “I’m doing this because it just seems like a lot of fun,” have continued to make money to this day.
The difference?
Successful investors do it because they love it, not because they only want to make money.
So what would you want to invest in, even if you didn’t need the money?
So what’s the right investment for you? Anything that you have a deep knowledge and passion for.
If you ever ask me, “Chris, do you think this is a good investment for me?” my answer will be “NO! Because if you have to ask me, then it isn’t.”
If it’s a good investment for you, you will know it!
Please comment below which of the 4 areas you believe are the best investments for YOU.