Introduction To Safe Investment Strategies For Would Be Casanovas
“Rule No.1: Never lose money. Rule No.2: Never forget rule No.1.” – Warren Buffett
Assets are less ideal than income when you need money to spend in the short-term.
Investment strategies that focus on income make more sense as one nears retirement age.
The main component for determining the amount of that income is risk.
The greater risk one is willing to take on, the greater the potential for a high-income stream.
Safe Investment Strategies For Would Be Casanovas
3 Types of Investment Income
Variable Combines stocks as well as fixed income instruments.
Predictable Income that can be expected but is not guaranteed.
Guaranteed Income guaranteed by a government or insurance company.
Variable Income Investment Strategies
Can outpace inflation and grow wealth over time.
Allows for consistent and reliable stream of income.
While the income will be less than that generated by a 100% income strategy, there will still be some income while providing asset growth as well.
Predictable Income Strategies
Predictable income strategies are generally safe and reliable investments, but all of these investments are on a sliding scale with regards to risk.
For example, some bonds are very low-risk investments, but there are also very high-risk bonds.
Examples of Predictable Income Strategies
Dividend income from stocks
Portion of profits that a company earns and pays back to investors
Look for stocks that pay good dividends over time.
Dividend income funds
Focus on stocks that consistently pay dividends to investors
Managed by investment professionals.
Corporate Bonds
Individual loans money to a corporation.
Businesses in a riskier financial situation pay more for the privilege of borrowing your money.
Bond Funds
Invests almost exclusively in bonds and other debt instruments
Different funds have different rates of return depending on the quality of the investments.
Guaranteed Investment Strategies
There are three (3) types of guaranteed investment strategies:
Treasury bills
Fixed annuities
Certificates of deposit (CDs)
Guaranteed Investment Strategies: Treasury Bills
Short term – less than a year.
Purchased in denominations of $1,000 and maximum is $5M.
Maturities are typically 4, 13 or 26 weeks.
Do not pay interest.
Guaranteed Investment Strategies: Fixed Annuities
A fixed annuity is a contract issued by an insurance company that makes fixed payments over the term of the contract.
The contract typically ends when the person receiving the payments dies.
Guaranteed Investment Strategies: Certificates of deposit (CDs)
Saving certificate issued by commercial bank
Pays interest to the purchaser.
Maturity typically 1 month to 5 years
Interest rate is fixed and compounded daily
Guaranteed by the federal government
Which Strategy is Right for You? Ask:
What is my time horizon?
How long are you looking into the future?
Longer time frame allows for greater risk.
Shorter investments: Be more conservative.
What is an acceptable risk?
Higher worth allows riskier investments.
If risk makes you uncomfortable, invest conservatively.
What is my expertise?
There are some investments that are better left to the experts, like junk bonds.
Safe Investment Strategies For Would Be Casanovas – Investing in Bonds
The basics of investing in bonds are really quite simple.
Remember that you are lending money to a company or government that issues the bond.
The bond is simply an agreement to repay the face value on the bond plus a specified interest within a specific period of time.
Things to Consider When Investing in Bonds
Things to Consider When Investing in Bonds
1. Risk and bond ratings
Bonds are rated for risk. AAA bonds are the safest. BB or below are ‘risky‘. Risk is based on growth potential, financial stability and current debt.
2. Buying bonds
Sold over-the-counter (OTC). Sold in $5,000 increments. Quoted as a percentage of the face value.
3. Interest
Typically paid every six months Interest rate is based on the face value of the bond. Bonds with longer maturity dates tend to pay higher interest rates to take into account the unpredictability of the future.
Investing in Bond Funds
These funds are similar to stock mutual funds. The only significant difference is the type of investments the fund manager utilizes.
Bond funds and dividend funds are frequently less volatile than stock funds and can also provide the investor with a steady stream of income.
As with all mutual funds, there are different levels of risk and return. Ensure the fund you choose is a good match for your risk tolerance.
Things to Look at When Analyzing Bond Funds
1. Expenses
Avoid funds with over-average expenses.
Expenses are more important with lower risk funds
2. Fund’s Credit Risk
Mutual funds invest money in companies with differing degrees of credit worthiness.
Higher risk bonds and dividend-paying stocks can sometimes lose intrinsic value, which would lower the value of your investment and reduce your income stream.
3. Interest rate risk
People are willing to pay more for a bond that pays more interest than one that pays less.
Long-term bonds are more sensitive to the potential rise in interest rates.
Interest rate risk is frequently higher when interest rates are low.
“Money isn’t the most important thing in life, but it’s reasonably close to oxygen on the ‘gotta have it’ scale.” – Zig Ziglar
Alternative Investment Strategies AIS is a large British investment fund dedicated to investing in hedge funds. Established in December.…Safe Investment Strategies
General Investing Tips
Have a Budget
Know where your money is going so you can allocate more money to investments.
The more money you can invest, the more investment income you can generate.
Invest automatically
The more your investment activities can be put on autopilot, the more likely you are to invest money consistently.
This includes 401(k)s, automatic withdrawals, and investing first before paying your bills.
Avoid moving your money around too much.
People have a natural knack for moving their money at exactly the wrong times. Once you’ve found a good place for your money, try to leave it alone.
Stay on top of your investments
Even if you have professionals investing your money for you, it’s important to stay on top of things. It’s your money.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Keep learning
Even if you’re not investing your money yourself, the more you know, the better off you’ll be.
Points to Note
There comes a time in most people’s lives where income is more important than the value of one’s assets.
As with any other type of investing, it’s important to be aware of your goals.
Conclusion of Safe Investment Strategies – Questions to Ask Yourself
How much investment income do you need to have each month?
When do you need the income?
How much risk can you subject your investments to?
How much can you afford to lose in the near future?
Conclusion
If you lack the expertise to invest in fixed income investments, don’t hesitate to get professional assistance. There are many experts out there waiting to help.
Always continue to learn more about money and investing. The more you know, the better decisions you’ll make.
Don’t wait to get started. A strong, steady stream of income can be yours if you take the right actions and get busy!
Things to Look at When Analyzing Bond Funds
Safe Investment Strategies For Would Be Casanovas Worksheet
Planning is the most crucial step towards achieving any objective, and dealing with the financial challenges of growing your investment income is no different. Answering the following questions will help you along the path to augmenting your income with investments.
1. How much investment income do I need? When?
2. Do I have a budget? What are my expenses? Could I be investing more?
3. What is the level of risk I’m willing to assume?
4. What investing strategy makes sense for me – variable, predictable, or guaranteed? Why?
5. Do I have the level of expertise I need to be successful? What else do I need to learn?
6. Am I familiar with the different types of income investments? Which ones peak my interest?
7. Should I take advantage of professional help and spread my risk with mutual funds? Or do I enjoy the challenge and control of investing in individual instruments?
Which strategy do I feel will benefit me most at this time? Why?
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