The Best Investments for $10, $100 and $1,000 (2024)

There are surprising ways you can get a return on your money, and the benefits of saving and investing are there even when you don’t have a lot of money to work with. So don’t let a lack of funds scare you off; you can find decent investments at any price if you’re willing to do some research. Instead of going out to lunch this week, invest that $10.

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A common complaint among investors is that they can’t participate in the stock market without a sizable amount of money, as fees would eat up most of the investment. The truth is that not only can small investors participate in the market, but they can also effectively track the returns of the overall market at an exceedingly low cost. There are many types of Index Fund’s that offer competitive services. The Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund, for example, is no-load and charges extremely low fees of just 0.02% annually. The minimum investment for this fund is $1, so even with $10, you can start your investment program.

With $100, you can invest in the markets or your future. Whether you’re buying a share or two of stock or just finding ways to build your professional skills, a Benjamin can do a lot when you invest it wisely. So consider skipping that dinner out for two this Friday night and put your money to work instead.

A robo-advisor is a computerized investment platform that allocates your money over an assortment of different mutual funds or exchange-traded funds. The specific portfolio you are assigned is in line with the investment objectives and risk tolerance that you indicate. There are lots of options for a robo-advisor, from Betterment — the largest of the independent firms with more than $15 billion under management — to well-known firms such as Vanguard, Charles Schwab, Fidelity and TD Ameritrade. Betterment and Acorns are two of the larger firms that have no minimum investment, so you can easily get started with just $100.

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Yes, this is the second time the high-yield savings account is getting mentioned, but there’s a reason for that: Investments with absolutely no risk, minimal limits on liquidity and consistent yields of 2% or better don’t grow on trees.As such, whether it’s $10, $100 or $100,000, a savings account is rarely the wrong choice. And that’s especially true for someone just getting the ball rolling on their nest egg.

Regardless of the field you’re in, you can always stand to make a better impression, get the word out about yourself, or market yourself for bigger opportunities. If you’re self-employed, you can buy ads or other marketing materials to get more customers or clients. If you’re an employee, you can take your boss to lunch and ask about future opportunities with your company. These types of expenses are investments in yourself that can pay large dividends down the road.

While there are plenty of fine companies with stocks trading for $10 or less, that’s also a level at which it can be a little dicey. However, there’s an abundance of solid options for stocks with share prices below $100 — including Coca-Cola, Exxon Mobile and Walmart — and picking the right company could mean turning that $100 into $1,000 or more over the next few years. Granted, it could also mean losing some or all of your $100, but sticking to blue-chip stocks and holding them for years or even decades is usually a sound strategy that will produce solid results.

The banking industry has been turning a profit by lending money for, well, almost as long as there’s been money. The trend toward so-called “peer-to-peer lending” means that you can play the role traditionally held by banks. The sites — like Upstart, Funding Circle and Prosper Marketplace — allow both lenders and borrowers to seek out options. And because you can band together with other investors to fill out a loan, you can often get in for just $100.

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One thousand dollars is a serious chunk of change — enough for a luxurious and relaxing weekend away, or enough to really see your money grow if you invest it properly. You have a lot more options available to you than you would with $10 or $100, meaning there’s more to sort through before you can determine which is the best for you and your finances.

Not many people are eager to organize their finances when they are living, let alone prepare for when they die. But a good use of $1,000 is to hire an estate attorney and get your financial house in order. Most Americans, especially those with any property or investments, need a number of legal documents, ranging from trusts and wills to healthcare proxies. Financial and estate planning might not be exciting — and it could even be a bit frightening — but hiring an attorney to get your affairs in order will help reduce the stress and uncertainty over what happens to your assets in case you are incapacitated or pass on.

Want to earn a guaranteed return on your money? Pay down your debt. If you’re paying interest on outstanding debt, paying it off gives you an immediate return equal to the amount of interest you would have paid. The average interest rate charged on credit cardaccounts is about 15%, and some cards charge even more. With the long-term average stock market return hovering around 9% per year, saving 15% or more per year on average is a winning option.

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