2018: What I am investing in

[Caleb Bryant]

Investing in 2018

2017 was a great year for a lot of people when it comes to investing. Crypto currencies values skyrocketed, the stock market soared, and even real estate values were through the roof. With the New Year comes a host of opportunities, whether you have 100 grand ready to deploy or you are a little short on cash. While I am a huge fan personally of multi-family real estate, here are some ideas for investments that are a little different.

Self-improvement

A great way to start investing this year is to invest in you. Changes can be made in many areas to help improve your health, your knowledge or your skills. One investment I am making this year to better myself is books. A great way to do this is setting up an audible account at audible.com. Not only do you get the first audio book for free, you can listen to it when you are driving to work, working out or any other task that would normally be boring. Instead of wasting time, you are learning something new and growing yourself. Diet and exercise is another investment that is crucial for progress. What I have found interesting about targeting this area is that when a strong plan is implemented and executed, other good habits become easier from the simple fact that your mind is clearer from good health. I started focusing on my health and exercise back in October of 2015, and within a few weeks of running every morning it was easier to pass on unhealthy foods, it easier to sit down and read a book, it was even easier to do simple things that get pushed aside like the dishes.

Time

Unlike money, time is a non-renewable resource, yet many people do not value their time. Changing where you invest your time could make a huge difference in obtaining your goals. After reviewing where I spend my time, I noticed a few areas where I could improve dramatically. Number one came in the form of an Xbox. I am not saying you should sell your Xbox, but for me that was the most logical choice. Believe it or not, Call of Duty isn’t going to help me reach my goals, and I spend most of the time I play the game complaining about how terrible the maps are, how bad the lag is (even though I am just bad at the game of course) and how much I miss Modern Warfare 2. The 15-20+ hours a week I was spending playing games wasn’t bringing me any joy and it certainly wasn’t helping me grow. Social media is another place where huge amounts of time can be wasted. I believe Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and whatever other platforms people use are all valuable tools when used correctly, but how many times have you found yourself scrolling through your feed for 20 minutes in the bathroom? I want to use social media in a positive way, by building up and encouraging the people I interact with to help them reach their goals, and of course to help build financial independence.

Happiness

This year I am getting married. That in itself is an investment, and I am beyond excited! It doesn’t always cost money to invest in your own happiness, but when it does, I try to look at the return on investment and the downside. Often times the downside is low and the upside is enormous. Think about all the people who are so frugal they can’t enjoy a latte from time to time. There has to be some balance, some enjoyment of life, and of course on the other side, some future thinking as well. Another larger example is someone who won’t do anything adventurous or chase their dreams simply because they are scared of the future. I struggle with this. This year I want to invest in experiences that are unforgettable with my fiancée and friends. There might not be a monetary return, but it will be well worth it. Be intelligent of course, don’t blow all your money, but enjoy life!

Tying it all together

This year I will be more focused than ever on both my traditional financial investments and the investments I have mentioned here. I want to learn as much as possible so that I can help others and myself. I believe that if I invest in my self-improvement, I will be able to deliver more value to everyone I come in contact with. If I invest my time more wisely, I will free up more time with loved ones while simultaneously increasing my potential income. Investing in my marriage is both an investment in my happiness and that of my soon to be wife. I believe that if I am diligent all of these investments will help me achieve bigger things in life than I can currently imagine. What are you going to invest in this year? What changes can make the biggest difference for you?

Relentless Investor

#BeRelentless