| One of the most sure-fire ways to build your assets | | | | more money to invest! |
| is to invest, whether it's in stocks, bonds, mutual | | | | Use other people's money. If you have friends or |
| funds, real estate or business. But this is one of | | | | colleagues with capital, get them to throw in with |
| those areas where the phrase "it takes money to | | | | you to buy into mutual funds or purchase real estate |
| make money" is absolutely true - you can't grow | | | | and share the profits. But there are other sources of |
| your money through investments until you have | | | | "other people's money" out there - if you want to |
| money to invest! There are a few ways to get | | | | start or increase your own business, look into getting |
| money for investment, some simpler than others: | | | | a loan from the Small Business Association (SBA). If |
| Savings. You should already be building your savings | | | | you need venture capital for a new business, check |
| and, once you register a healthy number in your | | | | out a Business Investment Company (SBIC) - these |
| account, it's time to take some of that capital and | | | | privately organized and privately-managed investment |
| invest it in something that will give you a higher | | | | firms are licensed by the SBA to provide money for |
| return on your money than the interest from savings. | | | | both new and established businesses. If your |
| Even a smallish investment - like putting a few | | | | employer matches 401(k) funds, take advantage of |
| thousand dollars into a mutual fund - will earn more | | | | that. If you receive a gift or an inheritance, consider |
| for you than money that's just sitting in the bank. | | | | it "free money" and sink it right into investments |
| Sell something. If you have a pile of money tied up in | | | | rather than spending it. |
| a motorhome you rarely use, or a timeshare that | | | | Use the equity in your home. It's not always the |
| costs more than you get out of it - or any other | | | | smartest move, but you can use your home's equity |
| asset that isn't paying decent dividends - sell it, and | | | | for investment capital. If you're financially stable, don't |
| use the money for something with a decent return. | | | | rely on investments to meet your mortgage |
| Your money can;t work for you if it's just sitting | | | | payment and can earn more on investments than |
| there doing nothing. | | | | you're paying on interest, you can dip into your |
| Make more money. That sounds a little glib, but | | | | equity to buy stocks, invest in mutual funds, or buy |
| increasing your income will give you more money to | | | | additional property that will earn income. |
| invest. So get your employer to pay you more - | | | | In all cases, it shouldn't be a gamble - make sure your |
| position yourself as an asset to the company by | | | | investments will bring you a solid return, and then get |
| contributing your ideas or working harder to increase | | | | the capital you need to make a profit. |
| business. With more money coming in, you'll have | | | | |