5 Best Long-Term Investment Strategies for 2023 - WiserAdvisor - Blog (2024)

Long-term investment strategies are essential because they provide a less stressful way for individuals to achieve their financial goals. These strategies involve investing money in assets for a minimum of five years and more. The idea is to invest in assets that have the potential to grow in value over time, such as stocks, bonds, real estate, and mutual funds. One of the key benefits oflong-term investment strategiesis that they allow for compound interest to work in your favor. Compound interest is the interest earned on both the initial investment and any accumulated interest. The longer you stay invested, the more growth you can see in the value of the investment.

Another benefit of long-term investment strategies is they help to diversify your portfolio, which further reduces risk. Diversification is the process of spreading investments across different asset classes, market capitalizations, geographies, and sectors to mitigate the impact of market fluctuations on the overall portfolio. Long-term investment strategies have a lower risk level than short-term investments, as the market tends to fluctuate in short-term periods. But in the case of long-term investment strategies, the market trends tend to be more or less stable.

Furthermore, long-term investment strategies can also provide a source of passive income, which can help to support your lifestyle before and after retirement. This can be particularly important for self-employed individuals without a regular source of income and those who do not have a traditional pension plan or have not saved enough for retirement. You can also consult with a professional financial advisor who can help suggest suitable options to invest in for the long term that are aligned with your risk appetite, future goals, and needs.

If you are wonderingwhat to invest in for the long term, here are some tips and options that can help.

Things to keep in mind when investing for the long-term

1. Risk appetite:

Risk appetite refers to the amount of risk you are willing to take on at the time of investing. The younger you are, the higher your risk appetite, as you have more time to make up for any losses incurred. Evaluating your risk and selecting investment instruments for your requirements is vital.

2. Financial goals:

Your goals will help you determine the right investment options. For instance, if you plan to save for a house in the next ten years, you have ten years to plan and save for the goal. However, if you are saving for your three-year-old’s higher education expenses, you have another 15 years to save, invest, and plan. The goal determines your investment horizon, which helps you decide on the rightlong-term investment strategies.

3. Investment preferences:

Each investor has a unique taste that age, demographics, education, etc., can influence. Real estate can be an excellent investment option for someone who has never owned a home or has never seen their parents own a home. Likewise, the new age of investors, especially Gen Z, is increasingly investing in cryptocurrencies, even at high stakes. Your personal choices and interests greatly determine your investment decisions. Therefore, make sure to pay attention to them and make sound judgments.

What are the best strategies for long-term investments?

1. Real estate

Real estate is one of the best long-term investment strategies. Property prices can considerably appreciate over time and offer significant returns. Purchasing a property in an area that is likely to be in high demand and witness growth can help you secure your future in two ways. The first is evidently through resale. The more the property grows in value, the more you can add to your gross worth. Additionally, you can also create a source of regular income through rent or lease. This money can be used to cover mortgage payments, property expenses, and other costs associated with owning a property, such as repairs and renovations. Further, you can save money otherwise spent on tax if you take a home loan. Home loan tax benefits can lower your taxable income and help you save money.

As an investment, real estate provides you with a sense of ownership that no other investment can. Real estate, such as a home, can be used and enjoyed by the entire family. It becomes a generational asset and can be passed on to your children and grandchildren. It is a physical, tangible asset and can be a source of peace and accomplishment for many people. Moreover, it is a great diversifier. In an investment portfolio filled with stocks and bonds, real estate provides some stability and helps mitigate risk. It is relatively more immune to market downturns and fluctuations. Moreover, it provides a hedge against inflation. It can also increase your financial security. For instance, if you are in a financial emergency, you can use your house or another property as collateral to secure a loan to cover your immediate needs.

However, keep in mind that real estate can be a tricky investment and may not suit everyone. It requires a high investment value. In most cases, you would have to pay at least 20% of the price as a down payment. Further, it may lack liquidity in terms of resale. However, if you can look past these hassles, you can definitely benefit from investing in a property with a long-term view.

2. Stocks

There are several benefits of long-term investing in stocks. Historically, stocks have provided a better yield than several other asset classes. Some stocks may also pay dividends, which can be a great source of regular income. Moreover, it is crucial to consider the impact of inflation on your money when investing in the long term. The returns from stocks have generally kept pace with inflation. Hence, you can invest in them to protect the purchasing power of your money.

There are a number of ways to invest in stocks. You can invest in them directly through a broker or via mutual funds, Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), or index funds. Direct equity may require time and effort on your part. You would also have to be up to date with the market, follow companies you are interested in or are investing in, check corporate announcements, etc. Mutual and index funds and ETFs eliminate these hassles. These have a fund manager and follow a benchmark and its underlying composition. Hence, your efforts and time spent are reduced. Moreover, stock funds managed by professional managers offer you the chance to benefit from their expertise and resources. These experts research and select stocks that have the potential to perform well in the long term, so you get to sit back and relax and watch your money grow.

Stocks are great for diversification. However, to truly benefit from diversification, make sure to invest in a combination of stocks, such as large, mid, and small-cap stocks, domestic and international stocks, as well as stocks from different sectors and industries.

However, it is important to note that stocks are high-risk investment instruments. They are only suitable for those with a high-risk appetite. If you are not open to adding risk to your portfolio, you may consider conservative options like TIPS.

3. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS)

TIPS are a type of U.S. government bond that is designed to offer protection from inflation as their principal value is indexed to inflation. They are issued and backed by the U.S. government. TIPS offers a fixed interest rate. However, the principal value increases with inflation. You get the principal or the original face value, whichever is greater at maturity. Since the government issues them, they carry low risk and can be ideal for conservative investors. Moreover, they are issued in terms of five, ten, and 30 years which is why they are used aslong-term investment strategiesfor inflation protection by most investors.

While TIPS may be suitable during high inflationary periods, they should not be the sole instrument in your portfolio. TIPS can be used for diversification with other investments like stocks, mutual funds, bonds, etc., to bring stability and balance to your investments.

4. Cryptocurrencies

Investing in cryptocurrencies is highly speculative and comes with a significant level of risk. Therefore, they may not be suitable for all investors, and it is important to do your own research and invest only after understanding the stakes. However, cryptocurrencies do offer several long-term benefits. Firstly, it is essential to understand that cryptocurrencies are risky because their prices can fluctuate significantly. With these fluctuations also comes the potential to earn high returns on investment. Timing can be of the essence when investing in these currencies. Timely entry and exits can make all the difference.

Additionally, cryptocurrencies are decentralized. Since they are not controlled by any government or financial institution, they offer a sense of freedom from traditional investment instruments that can be manipulated by economic, political, or national and international events. Cryptocurrencies can also be used and transferred globally, allowing for quick and easy cross-border transactions. This improves the investment’s overall liquidity and offers more flexibility in use, purchase, and sale. In fact, cryptocurrencies can be bought and sold on several platforms, making them accessible to a wide range of investors, irrespective of age, income, or nationality.

While cryptocurrencies are considered risky, they can also be safe in some ways. Blockchain is the underlying technology for most cryptocurrencies. All transactions on a blockchain are transparent and can be viewed by anyone. This ensures greater safety and accountability.

5. Individual Retirement Account (IRA)

An IRA is a retirement savings plan. It is not offered by an employer and can be used by anyone earning a certain level of income. It can be opened at an insurance company, a bank, a union, or with a broker. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) determines the contribution limits and withdrawal rules which are subject to change each year. For 2023, you can contribute up to $6,500 if you are less than 50 years of age and $7,500 for those aged 50 and over. People aged 50 or more have a catch-up contribution limit of $1,000.

The money from an IRA can be withdrawn after the age of 59.5 years. Premature withdrawals attract a 10% penalty, along with applicable taxes. There are two types of IRAs – traditional and Roth. A traditional IRA is a tax-deferred account. This means that the contributions are tax-deductible, but your withdrawals are taxed in retirement. A Roth IRA is the opposite of a traditional IRA. This means contributions are not tax-deductible, but your withdrawals are tax-free in retirement. Additionally, traditional IRAs are subjected to the rules of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), which implies that you must withdraw a fixed part of your IRA fund from the age of 72 to avoid penalties and taxes. The Roth IRA is exempt from RMDs.

Keep in mind that although a retirement plan, an IRA can also be used for other purposes, such as paying for a child’s higher education, a home purchase, etc. However, it may be better to use it for its intended purpose only. Since it is a tax-advantaged account, it can help you save money otherwise paid in tax. Therefore, you may consider it even if you already have a 401k.

No matter which of these investments you pick, keeping a diversified portfolio with optimal asset allocation suited to your age and risk appetite is vital. For this reason, you can use the 70/30 strategy.

What is a 70/30 investment strategy?

The 70/30 investment strategy refers to investing 70% of your assets in stocks and the remaining in relatively low-risk investments such as bonds. By allocating 70% of your assets to high-risk and return investments, you can increase the potential for higher returns over the long term. On the other hand, the 30% adds stability and protection from market downturns.

However, keep in mind that the 70/30 strategy is not a universal rule. Instead, it is advised to review and rebalance your portfolio on a regular basis to make sure it aligns with your goals and risk tolerance.

To summarize

Long-term investment strategies are essential because they can be an effective way to build wealth and achieve your financial goals. They can also lower the burden of investing and saving and offer you more time to plan your needs. You can invest in small quantities and save systematically and tactfully. However, consulting with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions is always recommended.

WiserAdvisor’s free advisor match servicecan help you find a suitable professional for your financial needs. All you have to do is answer a few simple questions based on your financial goals, and the match tool will help connect you with 1-3 advisors that are best suited to meet your requirements.