Do you have money you’d like to put to work? While investing is essentially a gamble of sorts, it can also be one of the smartest things you do financially. The key is for you to be informed, proactive and involved. If you’re wondering where to start, keep reading. Here are three ways you can invest your hard-earned money, ultimately seeing a healthy return as a result.

1. Invest in Real Estate Properties

Real estate is one of the most popular ways you can invest. Not only does it hold the potential for decent income, it also presents a fairly consistent available inventory and demand for housing or commercial space. Because of that, you’ll have plenty of options.
However, when it comes to real estate investments, it’s critical that you navigate the process thoughtfully. Even though you’re starting with a certain amount of money, it’s likely that you’re going to need to finance the remaining amount in order to purchase a property and begin on your journey. Having an understanding of the different ways to go about this will make the process easier for you. It will also protect your money and ensure any real estate investments you make are planted on solid ground.

2. Purchase Public Stocks

Another great way to invest your money is to purchase stocks for a public business (or businesses). While this might seem intimidating or like a completely different language, don’t worry. It’s actually a lot simpler than you might think. Setting yourself up can be done fairly quickly online, so set aside a chunk of time and get to work. Fortunately, there is valuable guidance available to get you through the logistics and you’ll ideally see your money growing sooner than later.

3. Become a Peer-to-Peer Lender

Have you considered lending your money to others as a way to invest? Peer-to-Peer lending has become increasingly more popular and one of its major draws is that banks are taken out of the equation completely. While this type of investment carries its own set of risks, it typically carries a high yield of return. The straightforwardness and simplicity of this lending make it an easy, hands-off option for a first-time investor.

Investing your money is a smart way to plan for your future and build on what you’ve already worked so hard for. With a little research and planning, you’ll be well on your way.