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The Best, Low Maintenance Way to Invest 30K

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If you’ve been building your savings to start investing and you’ve managed to put aside $30K, you may be wondering what your next step should be. How do I invest 30k? What is the best, low maintenance approach?

Here are some great ways to apply that 30K towards growing your wealth.

Pay Off Debt

First and foremost, use some of the money to pay off any debt you may have. It will save you money in the long-run. If you’re carrying a $10K credit card balance with a 15% interest fee, you’ll be paying an extra $1500/year in interest. That’s money that can be better spent on investments down the road. If you want to invest 30k, first start by getting rid of debt.

Emergency Fund

If you don’t already have one, put some of your money aside in an emergency fund so you know you’ll be able to manage if something unexpected happens. You should have 3-6 months’ worth of expenses put aside in an easily accessible account like a savings account. Just make sure it’s not linked to your debit card so you can’t spend it. The period of time you need to cover varies based on how long you think it would take you to find another job should something happen to your current job.

Earning return

What’s next has all to do with three things: risk tolerance, time horizon, and investment objectives. As a matter of fact, that’s how all of your investment decisions are made.

There are several different vehicles you can utilize, so what I’m going to do is give each vehicle its own section, explain what it is, and then give a little more detail as to when it could be used.

Certificate of Deposit (CD)

A bank product with a specified interest rate and a specified maturity. CDs are used to hold money for a specified period of time in a virtually risk-free fashion. More about CDs.

You’ll choose a CD for two reasons. The first is if you want a safe, federally insured vehicle to stash away some cash. The other reason is if you do not want to touch that money for a specified period. For example, you’re going to buy a house in three years and you don’t want to jeopardize that down payment. You buy/invest in a 3 year CD. At the end of year three, you’ll get back your principal (what you put in) and some accrued interest. Early withdrawal penalties apply.

Savings/Money Market Accounts

Typically used for your emergency fund. Easily accessible, and able to earn a little interest.

That’s pretty much it when it comes to these accounts. The interest they offer will be (not always) pretty low, but, like the CD, it offers a very safe place to store your cash until you need it. Unlike the CD, however, there are no early withdrawal penalties.

Qualified accounts

Basically any retirement account. Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, and employer-sponsored plans (401k, Simple IRA, etc.). There are contribution limits associated with these accounts.

With these accounts, as I said, contribution limits are something to pay attention to. With your Traditional and Roth IRA, there’s a $6,000 contribution limit ($7,000 if you’re 50 and older). 401ks have a limit of $19,500 (25,500 for 50 and older). Simple IRA limit is $13,500 ($16,500 for 50 and older).

This is a long term investment solution, as early withdrawal penalties apply. There are several ways to “exempt” yourself from that penalty, however, such as a first home purchase. For an extensive list of these exemptions, click here.

These accounts are also called “tax-advantaged” accounts because, as the name suggests, there are tax advantages. You either lower your taxable income with your contributions or have the ability to withdraw the funds “tax-free” (barring an early withdrawal penalty, of course).

Non-Qualified Accounts

Brokerage accounts or any investment vehicle that doesn’t have any tax benefits. Meaning, you pay taxes on any capital gains and dividends you receive. No contribution limits.

Honestly, the only advantage to these accounts is there is no contribution limit. For example, if you’ve maxed your contribution for your employer-sponsored plan and your IRA, then you can dump the rest of your money here.

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Accounts specifically designed to help you with your medical expenses. Money that you contribute to this account is “tax-free” or “tax-deductible”, which means it lowers your taxable income. Also, the funds, if used for qualified medical expenses, are tax-free.

With some, not all HSAs, you can invest what you’ve contributed. So if you have 30k to invest, I’ll point you to the below section to help with that. There are contribution limits with the HSA, however, so keep that in mind.

Asset allocation

After you’ve selected an investment vehicle (this section does not apply to CDs, savings accounts, or money market accounts), it’s time to invest your capital.

Asset allocation is my preferred method to invest, and I’ve written extensively on it here. So if you want to invest 30k, here’s what you need to ask yourself. How long until I need these funds? What is my ultimate goal for these funds? What am I willing to lose?

If your time period is less than 5 years, ignore this section and stick your money in a savings account or a CD. The risk/reward is unfavorable in this scenario.

If you have, ideally, 10+ years, then you have some options. The next question is about risk tolerance. What kind of portfolio are you comfortable with? Using the stocks/bonds/cash breakdown, are you a 60/40/0 type of person? Maybe you’re quite tolerant and prefer an 80/20/0 approach.

For those of you that are not tolerant of risk and/or you have a shorter number of years until you need to access these funds. Your portfolio should start at 50/50/0, and then adjust as you see fit. The cash portion in this breakdown should be used as investable cash for when you see a buying opportunity and/or funds you’ll need access to in the near future (unriskable capital).

Risk Tolerance

If you really want to know what your unique risk tolerance is, take our quiz!

I know I didn’t really give a concrete answer to what’s posed in the headline, but that’s the thing about investing – it’s incredibly personal. You need to do what’s best for you.

If time is on your side, max your retirement contribution, then put the rest in a savings account until next year. At that time, max it again.

If time isn’t your friend, a CD isn’t a bad idea. As I said earlier, paying down/off debt is incredibly worth it. That’s an automatic 15% return on your money if you pay off your credit card. Money that can be used more effectively going forward.

Read our articles, ask for advice, and do what’s best for you. That’ll help you answer the question: how do you invest 30k?

 

**Securities offered through Securities America, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Securities America Advisors, Inc. Securities America and its representatives do not provide tax or legal advice; therefore, it is important to coordinate with your tax or legal advisor regarding your specific situation. Please see website for full disclosures: www.crgfinancialservices.com

6 Reasons You Should Always Get Your Taxes Done Early 

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Doing your taxes is an integral part of maintaining your financial history. You pay them on everything you buy, and all the money you make, whether it is from your earned income or money you made on assets, equates to taxes. They help pay for public utilities and maintain many important parts of society. Although taxes sound great in theory, they really are a big pain for many. They can be something that is a pain in the butt for many, and you probably hear people who complain about it.  [Read more…]

5 Steps For Getting The Most Money for Your Used Car

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get the most money for your used car

When you want to sell your used car, getting as much as you can out of the deal is typically the goal. While some factors – like the make, model, and mileage – of your vehicle aren’t changeable, there are things you can do to make sure you get the most money for your car. If you don’t know where to begin, follow these five steps.

1. Spruce Up Your Vehicle

If your car looks nicer, it may sell for more. Before you list it as available for purchase, spend time sprucing it up. Get it detailed. Repair any minor cosmetic defects. Make sure it smells nice.

You should also handle routine maintenance that’s come due. For example, if it’s almost time for an oil change or its fluids are low, take care of those issues, if possible.

2. Know the Value to Get The Most Money For Your Used Car

Understanding what your car is worth is a critical part of the equation. It allows you to set a reasonable price based on the vehicle’s condition, mileage, features, and general desirability.

If you don’t know where to begin your research, sites like Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, and Consumer Reports can be great starting points. You can also lookup how much used cars like yours are selling for in your area by checking out used car sites, Craigslist, or other similar resources.

3. Understand the Pros and Cons of Each Approach

Typically, if you’re selling a used car, you can go one of two routes. First, you can try to sell it to a dealership. With this option, you may be able to offload your vehicle quickly, which could be ideal if you need fast cash.

However, you’ll have to deal with negotiating with a professional salesperson, which can be challenging. Additionally, you’ll usually get less this way as they need to have enough of a margin to turn a profit when they sell the car. If you shop around, you can find the best deal, potentially netting you a little more.

Otherwise, you can try to sell your vehicle privately. With this approach, you’ll typically make more. But it usually takes more time and effort. You’ll probably need to place ads, follow up with interested parties, handle showings, negotiate prices, and more.

4. Gather Your Records

Maintenance records can make it easier to get top dollar. You can show that you’ve actively followed manufacturer service recommendations and otherwise stayed on top of things.

If you have receipts, that could be enough. Put them in order by date, potentially in a binder, so you can easily show what you’ve handled.

If you don’t have records, reach out to your service station. Some can print out copies of everything that’s been handled by them, giving you a quick list of the maintenance that’s been performed over the years.

5. Be Ready to Negotiate

Negotiation is simply part of the game. In nearly every case, a buyer’s initial offer is going to be on the low side. Make sure you’re ready to reject lowball offers outright and are prepared to counter.

Usually, the best approach is to know your car’s value, as well as the minimum amount you’re willing to accept. If you need to sell fast, you’ll usually need to be open to less than the market value. However, that doesn’t mean you have to start there or can’t counter against an offer that’s ridiculously low.

Negotiating can be stressful. But with some care, you can secure a fair price for your used car.

Do you have any tips that can help someone get the most money for their used car? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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