In this consumer-driven society, it’s easy to get carried away with buying things that we think will bring us happiness, but often end up just costing us money. However, there are some things that you can buy that can actually make you richer in the long run. These purchases can be investments in your future and can even create passive income streams that provide financial stability. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the things you can buy that actually make you richer and provide a solid return on investment.
Have you ever pondered on why the wealthy tend to amass even more wealth? It’s because affluent individuals cultivate certain habits that enable them to accumulate riches and handle their finances differently from the average person. They comprehend the art of managing finances, and more importantly, have the skills to leverage their money to generate even more income.
While an ordinary person may reward themselves with a luxury item purchased with their hard-earned income from a traditional job, a wealthy individual would acquire that same indulgence using the proceeds generated by their assets.
This blog post will educate you on the contrast between an asset and a liability, and introduce three types of assets that can provide ongoing returns:
- Real estate
- Businesses
- Stocks
Difference Between Assets and Liabilities
To genuinely leverage your wealth, it is imperative to understand the distinction between an asset and a liability.
In simple terms, an asset is anything that generates income for you, either through positive cash flow, capital appreciation, or both. Positive cash flow refers to a steady stream of income that keeps coming in, while appreciation is an increase in the value of an investment compared to its original purchase price.
On the contrary, a liability is anything that drains money out of your pocket. It encompasses luxury expenses such as high-end vehicles, designer handbags, and lavish electronics, which some individuals mistakenly classify as assets. However, these items don’t generate income over time, hence owning a luxury car does not qualify as an asset but a liability. While it may be impossible to avoid some of these purchases, it’s vital to ensure that your assets outweigh your liabilities if you aim to amass wealth and justify your expenditure.
How The Rich Get Richer
By now, you have a clear understanding that wealthy individuals obtain assets, while those in the poor and middle-class bracket acquire liabilities that they erroneously classify as assets, such as their primary residence or car. You may wonder, what’s the distinction? Why can’t the home I reside in be an asset? The answer is, if you occupy your current residence, it doesn’t generate income, but instead requires you to spend money. The same applies to luxury cars, pianos, and other similar possessions.
Assuming you are a thrifty spender who refrains from indulging in big-ticket purchases, stashing all your savings in the bank is still a lost opportunity. Inflation eventually erodes your money’s purchasing power, causing your funds to deplete without you even noticing. Therefore, your money is being gradually consumed.
In summary, if you’re curious about how the wealthy keep growing their fortunes, the answer is by acquiring assets and consistently reinvesting the returns earned from those assets, a concept known as compounding. If you aim to accumulate wealth, consider investing in assets that offer positive cash flow, capital appreciation, or both, such as:
- Real estate
- Businesses
- Stocks
Buying Real Estate
Undoubtedly, income-producing real estate is a premier asset as it provides consistent passive income in the form of rent and appreciates over time, as home prices almost always rise. Additionally, it is a less volatile investment choice that serves as an inflation hedge during economic downturns.
When investing in residential real estate, it is crucial to consider several essential factors such as the property’s location, projected return on investment (ROI), upcoming supply in the area, the property’s valuation, and the type of unit, whether it serves as a short-term or long-term rental. If you’re situated in the UAE, Dubai real estate is an excellent investment option as it satisfies all the criteria mentioned above. With its strategic location, high ROI, investor-friendly policies, zero property tax, and exceptional quality of life, Dubai is a highly recommended choice for real estate investors.
Residential real estate
When it comes to investing in residential real estate, some investors prefer a more hands-on approach, managing and maintaining the property themselves as landlords.
But others may prefer a more passive role, without the hassle of property management. For those seeking a less involved option, real estate crowdfunding platforms like Vairt can be a great fit. With Vairt, you can diversify your portfolio across multiple investment properties and earn monthly dividends, all without the need for paperwork or property management on your part. Plus, the platform allows you to invest with as little as AED 500, making it accessible to investors with smaller capital. When selecting a property, important factors to consider include location, expected ROI, upcoming supply, property valuation, and the type of rental unit, such as short-term or long-term. If you’re based in the USA real estate is a great investment option due to its strategic location, high ROI, favorable policies for investors, zero property tax, and high quality of life.
Owning An Existing Business
If you have enough capital, acquiring an existing business and making consistent investments to enhance its value can significantly improve cash flow. By doing so, you avoid the trouble of starting a new business from the ground up. Starting a new business involves developing new products, hiring and training employees, establishing relations with suppliers and business partners, and building a customer base from scratch.
Investing in an established business has its advantages, including an existing customer base, trained staff, a well-established supply chain, and brand awareness. As long as the business has a profitable infrastructure, recurring cash flow is expected, making it a potentially lucrative investment.
Revised: It’s crucial to aim for businesses that can run without your daily involvement but still make the most of its potential revenue streams. This may involve creating new products or leveraging technology to reduce expenses. Over time, the profits earned can be reinvested back into the business for growth to increase revenue and profit, although this strategy depends on your risk appetite.
Investing In Stocks
Investing is a great way to grow your wealth, but there are different types of investments that you can make. Two of the most popular investment options are stocks and real estate. While both stocks and real estate can help you build wealth, they differ in many ways.
The level of involvement required is one of the primary differences between stocks and real estate. With stocks, you can invest in a company by buying shares, and then you can sit back and wait for the value of those shares to increase. You don’t have to do anything else to earn money from your investment.
Real estate, on the other hand, requires more involvement. You need to find a property, purchase it, maintain it, and manage it. However, the benefit of investing in real estate is the potential for passive income. By renting out the property, you can earn a steady stream of income without having to actively work for it.
The level of risk involved is different between stocks and real estate. The stock market can be unpredictable and volatile, and it can be challenging to predict the value of a company’s stock. Real estate, on the other hand, is generally less volatile, and the value of the property tends to appreciate over time. Additionally, real estate is a tangible asset that you can physically see and touch, which can provide a sense of security.
Ultimately, whether you choose to invest in stocks or real estate depends on your investment goals, risk tolerance, and personal preferences. Both options have the potential to help you build wealth and achieve financial freedom, but it’s essential to do your research and consider all factors before making a decision.
In A Nutshell
We often hear the phrase “Make your money work for you,” but many of us are unsure of where to begin. The basic idea is to purchase assets that generate long-term income rather than liabilities, so your money works for you. This is how wealthy individuals accumulate even more wealth: by making smart investment decisions that are in line with their financial objectives, rather than simply following market trends and retail fads.
If you want to build wealth through real estate, stocks, or owning a business, it’s important to remember to reinvest your returns into those assets to take advantage of compounding. Compounding allows you to generate earnings on both the initial amount and the accumulated earnings, helping you to maximize your returns over the long-term.
Vairt offers you the chance to build a diversified portfolio of properties and compound your investment in real estate. Keeping up with market trends is crucial in achieving financial literacy, which is why you can visit our blog, YouTube channel, and follow us on social media, all available on the Vairt platform.
