How to Make Small Investments that Build Big Cash Flow

Everyone wants to live a more secure life while also planning for the future, and a great way to do that is to make small investments that produce big cash flow. Whether you're a real estate owner, operator or investor, cash flow is vital to a successful investment.

When property investing, the lack of steady cash flow can be a death knell. Common mistakes such as impulse asset spending or past-due receivables can cripple even the best of real estate investments.

Nevertheless, investing to create cash flow doesn't have to involve major investments or using capital beyond your reach. It can be easy to secure your future with small investments that produce cash flow. The key is knowing where and when to invest.

So, which small investments that produce cash flow are right for you?

Investing in Self-Directed IRAs
From a legal standpoint, a self-directed Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is not different from any other IRA. The term "self-directed" simply indicates that you choose your IRA's investments and that you don't limit yourself to the packaged products available at traditional IRA custodians. Most brokerage houses and banks tend to offer self-directed IRAs that are within their own product/service portfolio, so you are somewhat limited if you do business with a specific bank or brokerage company.

Investing in Dividend Stocks
Some people add dividend stocks to their investment portfolios to bring in recurring dividends as monthly income supplements. They are also good for creating wealth through capital gains. At first, it's realistic to only expect 3-5 percent in returns, but after a while, dividend stocks can definitely be small investments that produce cash flow. 

Expanding your Business
Sometimes, simple business expansions can be the best small investments that produce cash flow. However, you have to be careful not to expand beyond your means. This is an area many business owners often make errors, particularly because rapid growth frequently precipitates taking out loans -- proving the correlation between growth and debt.

Investing in Real Estate
The real estate IRAs discussed above are good choices, but direct investments in property can increase your cash flow exponentially. A real property is an effective, alternative investment that you can add to your portfolio. The key is utilizing a multi-strategy investment process that centers around a deep understanding of real estate.

With the right plan -- and the right help - small investments that produce cash flow can deliver long-term annual returns in the double digits, capturing favorable upward market trends in real estate equity and generating long-term performance with lower volatility.