Apr 30, 2024
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2024 is proving to be a huge year for the United States. The temptation might be to hang on to your personal money until after the November election, given all the political, economic and social uncertainty the U.S. is experiencing
But money personality Dave Ramsey thinks that’s “a dumb idea.”
In a feature about investing on The Ramsey Show, he said: “I’m not waiting on the clash of the old men — Trump and Biden. I’m not waiting on two 80-year-olds to have an MMA [fight] to decide what I’m going to do. Because who the crap knows?"
Instead, he said he is “buying” and “investing” in the U.S. stock market — and he encouraged others to do the same (and without hesitation) because he thinks this year could be a record one for stocks.
“Don’t wait on this … and let your butt sit on the bench,” Ramsey stressed. “Get in the game, shoot the ball, fire, pull the trigger — whatever metaphor we need to use to actually make you do the investing.”
And so far, Ramsey's prediction is headed in the right direction. In 2024, the market has risen well above where it was in 2023.
Here’s how Ramsey would see you invest your spare change.
Double-digit gains for the S&P 500?
The S&P 500 — a strong measure for the U.S. stock market as a whole — enjoyed a stellar 26.06% annual return in 2023 — and the market has started 2024 by edging closer to record highs.
If you want to take advantage of these market highs, Acorns — an automated investing and saving app — can help you get started.
All you have to do is link your bank account to the app and spend as you normally would. Acorns will round up your purchases to the nearest dollar and put the spare change in a smart portfolio, in which you can choose to include ETFs tied to the S&P 500. Sign up now, and you can get a $20 bonus investment.
If you need more proof of stable returns before investing your money in the S&P 500, Ramsey suggests doing this: “You can pull up the historical data and look at the track records, look at the trend lines — it’s really not hard to understand.”
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Stop trying to ‘time the market’
When retail investors try to time the market, it usually doesn’t end well. Plus, investors are often driven by emotions. How you react to one just piece of good or bad news can have a huge impact on the success of your investment portfolio.
It can be hard to keep emotions out of your investment practice, which is why consulting a financial advisor can help. With Zoe Financial, getting set up with a suitable — and professionally-vetted— advisor is easy. All you need to do is answer a few questions about your financial situation and goals, and they'll match you with a range of advisors.
Then, you can reach out for a free consultation to ensure you find the right fit.
The same goes for real estate
Beyond traditional stock and bond investments, Ramsey’s ‘get to it’ advice also extends to real estate — and his comments hit home for first-time homebuyers and for investors looking for ways to diversify their portfolios with real estate.
Commercial real estate is recognized for adding stability to your investment portfolio, so it could be a good place to start. With First National Realty Partners (FNRP)— a private equity firm—investors have access to institutional-quality, grocery-anchored commercial real estate investments without the legwork of finding deals.
With FNRP, you own a share of properties leased by national brands. Since the investments are necessity-based, they have been proven to perform well amidst economic uncertainty.
If you’re not an accredited investor but still want to get in on real estate cash flow, don’t worry. You can use Arrived — an online platform where you can invest in shares of rental homes and even vacation rentals — to get into real estate without taking on the responsibilities of property management.
Getting started is simple. Begin by browsing a curated selection of homes, vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, you can choose the number of shares you want to buy. With Arrived, you can start investing in real estate with just $100.
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