The Ultimate Guide to Earning a 10% Rate of Return on Your Investments (2024)

Are you getting the best rate of return on investment? Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine annually discusses ways to boost your investment yield in its latest issue. I have to say that I am always pretty disappointed with their recommendations.

I love the magazine, but I didn’t really care for a list of mutual funds and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). But, I wanted concrete ideas on how to earn a 10% annual rate of return on my investments.

US Treasuries are earning less than 1% and money market funds are not fairing much better. Certificates of deposit are barely scraping by at 2% or so even for the longest maturities.

But, are these levels going to last? The stock market has returned an after of 8% annually over the past century. But, where can an investor find 10% when the market retraces or moves sideways?

Top 10 Ways to Earn a 10% Rate of Return on Investment

Here are 10 ways to earn a 10% ROI on your investments or maybe even more. Additionally, there are a few extra bonus ideas to help you earn a great rate of return on investments.

But, you don’t have to buy homes and rental properties to make a great ROI, there are several different crowd sourced real estate investment options that have a small minimum initial investment such as Roofstock, PeerStreet, and Fundrise. For just a few hundred dollars in many cases, you can now invest in real estate.

1. Easily Invest In Real Estate with Little Money

Real estate is a great way to earn over a 10% rate of return on investments. I’m a big fan of becoming a landlord which I’ve talked about several times here on Money Q&A. While you need to run your numbers and do your research, you can earn a 10% rate of return on investments with your rents.

But, you don’t always have to invest in commercial real estate or become a landlord. There are other ways that you can invest in real estate with as little as a few hundred dollars through peer-to-peer investing fintech websites like Streitwise, Fundrise, PeerStreet, Roofstock, and others.

Roofstock

Roofstockis the #1 marketplace for buying and selling single-family rental homes. Roofstock has listings in over 40 markets across the US. 1 in 10 homes in the U.S. is single-family rentals (SFR), which equates to over 15 million households.

Single-family rentals are a stable asset class with considerably less volatility than stocks. Single-family rentals prices have remained almost perfectly uncorrelated with stock prices since 1971, with a correlation coefficient of only 0.07.

Their online marketplace empowers everyday investors to own cash-flowing income properties and build wealth through real estate. Roofstock makes it easy to invest remotely. Over 60% of their customers are buying a rental property located more than 1,000 miles away. With their market analysis, Roofstock provides research and data analysis to help you determine which locations meet your investing objectives.

Roofstock’s marketplace offers rental homes for sale in 40 markets and 21 states nationwide, and they are continuing to expand. Roofstock surpassed $1 billion of collective transaction volume within two years of its marketplace launch, making it one of the fastest-growing FinTech startups of all time.

And, theirindustry-leading Roofstock Guarantee empowers investors to buy remotely with total confidence. Their certified properties are inspected and come with a30-Day, Money-Back Guarantee, so you can invest remotely with confidence.

PeerStreet

PeerStreet is another great marketplace for investing in real estate backed loans. PeerStreet’s platform provides investments in high-yield, short-term loans focused 100% on real estate debt. PeerStreet is backed by American venture capital firm Andreessen-Horowitz.

Building a real estate portfolio with PeerStreet is simple. You can create your own portfolio of real estate loan investments, or you can allow PeerStreet to do the research and investing for you with automated investing capability. You just select a few custom parameters, and PeerStreet will place you into real estate loans automatically.

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PeerStreet’steam of finance and real estate experts underwrites each loan using advanced algorithms, big data analytics, and manual processes to ensure PeerStreet surfaces high-quality investments. Theyvet originators and allow only experienced private lenders with great industry track records onto the platform.

Those originators run their own due diligence process to hand-select the borrowers to whom they’re willing to lend. This creates higher quality loans in greater quantity. So, you can invest with confidence.

Fundrise

As one of the few companies offering high-quality real estate investments to everyday investors (any U.S. resident over the age of 18 can participate), Fundrise is truly a unique platform with impressive figures to its name, including 80,000 individual investors, $3 billion worth of real estate in its portfolio, and 4.98/5.00 star review average with the BBB.

To determine whether investing in homes, office buildings, and other investment properties is a good option for your own portfolio, here are some things to consider about Fundrise:

According to Forbes, public stocks typically underperform private investments. This is due to the fact that public stocks come with an auction liquidity premium, which means you’re paying approximately 20-30% more for an asset simply because you purchase it through a public market rather than a private market.

Ultimately, if you want higher returns on your investments, highly efficient portfolio management, and access to quality, diversified investment options in the private real estate market, then Fundrise is your best bet.

REITs

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are another great option if you do not want to own real estate directly. REITs are required by law to distribute a majority of their earnings to their shareholders in the form of dividends. These payouts and real estate’s impending comeback make REITs an attractive alternative to help investors reach the 10% threshold.

Investors can browse many different types of real estate investments. And, qualified investors can start with as little as $5,000. There’s a wide variety of property types, returns, and locations to invest in for investors.

Streitwise

Streitwise is a Reg A real estate crowdfunding platform for both accredited and non-accredited investors. Streitwise is currently promoting out a public REIT Offering that buys office properties in the Midwest. So far they’ve raised over $28 million from our partners and investors with 10% annual dividend returns since 2017.

Streitwise directly owns and operates its own commercial properties, whereas many other web-based investment platforms serve as middlemen between everyday investors and real estate property managers. This hands-on approach to asset management is nearly unparalleled in the real estate segment of the fintech industry, which arguably could lead to better performance for these assets over time.

Anyone who has as little as $5,000 available to invest and a desire to diversify their portfolio beyond stocks and bonds should consider investing in commercial real estate with Streitwise. The low fees, the potential for high returns, proven historical performance, and passive income earning potential are ideal for everyday investors who were previously shut out of commercial investments due to the enormous entry barriers and complexity of this particular market.

Streitwise has had a strong performance through the recent recession. As of July 2021, they have collected 100% of the rent obligations from every tenant in their portfolio. Overall, their strong credit tenants have done well through the recession, and they’re confident going forward that this will continue. Streitwise was also one of the only investing platforms not to pause redemptions through the recession.

2. Paying Off Your Debt Is Like An Investment

Paying off a debt with a high-interest rate is the same as having earned that exact same rate of return on investments would have given you. It is all about opportunity costs. In fact, that’s also what I recommend people do with a pay raise as well. Itis all about thebest opportunity for you to put your money to work for you.

For example, if you have a credit card with a balance that is charging you a 16% interest rate, paying off that debt would be the same as having invested and earning that 16% on the investment. Paying off high-interest debt is a great way to earn a stellar rate of return.

3. Stocks For The Long-Term

Make investing in stocks for the long-term automatic. It’s easy to up automatic investments either with your bank, a discount broker, or even a smartphone app like Robinhood. Put money away every month, when times are good and times are bad. Avoiding investing mistakes will make you more money in the long run than trying to pick the hottest sector/stock/fund/investment over the years.

With the help of a Financial Planner, you can pick a well-diversified investment portfolio appropriate to your financial situation and the amount of risk that you are willing to accept. Granted, you may need to take on more risk if you want that 10% rate of return.

Most of us are a victim of recency bias. An entire generation of investors has only known the stock market from 2003 to 2013. Our most recent past is not a precursor to what our long-term investing future will be. A 10% annual rate of return on investments over the long term is very much achievable.

If you’re looking for places to keep traditional investment accounts, you might want to check out investing with Betterment or Stash Invest.

The newest robo-advisor on the market called M1 Finance gives the more established, sophisticated investors great investing options. M1 Finance simplifies the investment process for beginning and experienced investors alike. Unlike other robo-advisors, M1 Finance does not charge a fee, and it gives you the option of taking more control over your investments if you want them (and less if you don’t).

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4. Short-Term Stock Trading

Granted, short-term stock trading is not for everyone and should not be done with a large portion of your entire investment portfolio. Trying to time the stock market is a rough way to earn a 10% rate of return on investments, but it could be well worth your time and efforts with a small portion of your investment portfolio.

I’ve been having a blast trading stocks on a short-term basis. And, even better, I’m up 15% over the course of the past 12 weeks. That’s a lot better than 10% annualized of course.

Many swing trading services teach investors how to, not day trade, but invest in small-cap stocks which are held only a few days or weeks. You can follow along as the service trades their own portfolios, mirror their trades, and learn the ropes of short-term technical analysis trading. I was skeptical at first, but I have actually really enjoyed getting back into stock trading. It also doesn’t hurt that I’m up, of course!

5. Starting Your Own Business

I am a huge fan of starting your own business. I wish everyone would have the entrepreneurial spirit. It was one of the best ways to earn a 10% rate of return on investment. Whether it is opening a neighborhood restaurant or as simple as starting a blog, a business venture is a great way to boost your investments’ returns.

6. Art And Other Collectables Like Legos Can Diversify Your Investments

Good art, great collectibles, or even quality antiques as a whole are safe investments that tend to grow in value at as good as or better rates than almost any other investment. Plus they–unlike stocks or bonds–have the added bonus of your being able to enjoy them in your home on a daily basis.

Legos

CollectingLegosreturned morethan investing in large stocks, bonds, and gold over the three decades ending in 2015,per a recent study from economists. Collections for Jedi starfighters and Hogwarts castles, for example, have yielded 11% annually.

Legos aren’t exactly exposed to market-roiling volatility. Plus, there’s anenormoussecondary market for Legos, in which “tens of thousands of transactions per day” take place. For example, a Lego kit for Star Wars Darth Revan retailed for $3.99 in 2014 and sold for $28.46 on eBay a year later. That’s a 613% premium.

Newer sets have higher returns than older sets. The higher value is possibly due to the growing popularity of Legos becoming an investment. And, “The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part” hits theaters in February 2019.

Here’s how to easily invest in Legos!

Art

Did you know art has outperformed the S&P by 250% since 2000? Or that 88% of wealth managers recommend investing in art? If this sounds like your kind of investment, Masterworks.io lets you buy shares of high-end art.

Masterworks.io is attempting to tear down old barriers to art investments by offering everyday folks the opportunity to invest in blue-chip artwork from incredible artists like Monet, Picasso, and Andy Warhol. Masterworks.io was founded in 2017 and is presently run by investment pros (including the co-founders of Betterment and Fundrise) and art enthusiasts with more than 75 years of art collecting and investing experience amongst themselves.

With Masterworks.io, you will not be hanging an original Picasso painting in your home any time soon, but you can own a share of a Picasso work. The process is relatively straightforward: Masterworks.io analyzes relevant data (sales, historical appreciation rates, market value, etc.) and purchases a piece of art through an auction or art seller for below fair market value.

Next, Masterworks.io files for a public offering with the SEC. Once approved by the SEC and FINRA, Masterworks.io investors can purchase shares in the artwork for $20 per share (sometimes there’s a minimum number of shares required for investors to get access to the artwork). Finally, you’re able to monitor the value of your artwork using Masterworks.io’s advanced data analytics platform.

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7. Create A Product To Boost Your Rate Of Return On Investments

Robert Pagliarini wrote one of my favorite books, “The Other 8 Hours“, where he talked about becoming a creator. It is not enough to simply work a 9 to 5 job and hope to become rich. It unfortunately just does not work that way.

Those who are more successful than most are creators. They create businesses. Productscreate products. They make things people want to buy. That’s how you can earn a 10% rate of return on investments.

8. Junk Bonds

Junk bonds get a bad rap simply because of their name. But, don’t be fooled by the lingo. There are basically two categories of bonds: investment grade and junk bonds.

Junk bonds offer higher interest rates and lower rates of volatility that individual stocks might experience regular market fluctuations. Perhaps the entity issuing junk bonds is trying to grow its company and offer more sustainable, long-term growth for investors but it’s presently struggling with consistent revenue in the process. While these bonds are considered “noninvestment grade” bonds, there is still a variety of types to choose from, such asStandard & Poor’s bond ratingsof BB, B, CCC, CC, C, and D.

Junk bonds are simply high yield, higher risk bonds from companies who have seen their credit ratings suffer from the rating agencies like Moody’s and Standard and Poors. Junk bonds typically have a rating of BB or Ba or less depending on whose scale you use.

The Barclays US Investment Grade Credit Index, which tracks high-grade bonds, returned 1.63% through April of this year. The safest grade junk bond is earning 5% interest annually with less safe options earning a rate of return more than that. While 10% may be the riskiest of all junk bonds, it is still possible for some to earn that much.

9. Peer-To-Peer Lending Has a Great Rate of Return on Investments

Peer-To-Peer Lending through companies like Prosper and Lending Clubare my favorite way to earn a rate of return on investment over 10% annually. Lending Club’s most conservatively A-rated loan earns over 6% for the investor. It does not take long or much more risk to earn over 10% returns. And, Lending Club’s most risky investments earn a rate of return on investment of over 20% annually.

10. Master Limited Partnerships (MLP)

Master Limited Partnerships are a type of business organization. There are two different classes of partners for master limited partnerships. They are limited partners and general partners. You need to know about these classes when looking to invest. The limited partners purchase units in the business to provide capital for the business and receive income distributions. The general partner is responsible for managing the business and receives income on a compensation basis.

Master Limited Partnerships are commonly found within the energy industry. And, they are very attractive to investors because they offer a stable income based on long-term service contracts. These contracts can range from the provision to the management of oil or gas pipelines.

Master Limited Partnerships are partnerships that trade like a stock. They are risky and not for every investor, but they can often offer a larger rate of return than other investments. Many MLPs invest in the energy sector, minerals, and other raw material type of ventures. They often have a high yield because they do not pay income taxes themselves and pass on that responsibility to their shareholders.

HowMaster Limited Partnerships Differ

One of the primary ways that Master Limited Partnerships differ from a corporation is the fact that it is considered to be an aggregate of the partners and not a separate legal entity. One of the distinguishing features of these partnerships is the tax benefits of the partnership. The profits from the company can only be taxed when the unitholders receive distributions. The liquidity of the company is the same as any other type of publically traded company.

Master Limited Partnerships are often used in slow-growing industries such as the energy industry. As these industries are slow growing they offer a lower risk to investors. Of course, you need to consider the fact that any industry can have volatility so you should look into this before investing. The steady investment will bring a steady cash flow through distributions.

Benefits ofMaster Limited Partnerships

The cash distributions generally grow faster than inflation and when bought by limited partners can be 80% to 90% tax-deferred. The business will also avoid double taxation as there is a pass-through where the business passes the income to the unitholder which means that there is more capital for future projects.

Another benefit for limited partners is that cash distribution generally exceeds capital gains tax when all units are sold. However, the sale of the units will not be taxed as ordinary income.

Honorable Mention Investing Ideas

Extra Idea #1 – Investing In Silver and Other Precious Metals

Precious metals can be a great alternative investment for your portfolio to help you earn a great rate of return on investments. Like most investments on this list, you should consider investing in gold, silver, and other precious metals with a small percentage of your total investment portfolio.

I personally love to invest in silver. It is more volatile than gold, and the potential for upside is greater to help you earn that 10% rate of return on investments. You can even invest in precious metals in a gold or silver IRAthrough an investment company. Year to date (YTD), silver is up over 36% from $13.81 to $18.83 per ounce.

Extra Idea #2 – Invest in Poker Players

Individual investors can buy action from professional and amateur poker players. And, staking poker players can earn investors a great rate of return. Investors put up a part of the buy-in in exchange for a one-time part of the winnings. There are a couple of ways that individual investors can get involved and invest in poker players.

If you’re an average or intermediate individual investor with a love for poker and want to invest in poker players, there are a couple of online forums or bulletin boards that can help you find players looking for investors. Check out a couple of the other options that let you easily invest in poker players.

Extra Idea #3 – Invest in a Movie

I think it’s such a cool idea to invest money in a movie. And, now it’s a reality for investors! The United States Motion Picture Company, an independent film company, is doing something that has never been done in the U.S. until now – equity crowdfunding for a full-length narrative feature film with profit sharing for investors. Not just any feature film — the world’s first Christmas movie to raise funds through equity crowdfunding.

Check out my review of investing in a movie recently through WeFunder!

If you’re interested in passive income and movies, well, the United States Motion Picture Companyhas just merged the two together. Equity crowdfunding is like Kickstarter but instead of getting a t-shirt for your money, you own a piece of the movie and earn an income from its profits! To learn more, please click the link below to go to theUnited States Motion Picture Company’s campaign at the SEC-registered funding portal.

Extra Idea #4 – Closed-End Mutual Funds

A closed-end fund is very similar to a traditional mutual fund. These funds pool assets in a portfolio and offer shares through an initial public offering (IPO). The closed-end fund is then listed for trade on a stock exchange like the NYSE.

Many investors like closed-end funds because of their relatively high distribution rates. Without capital inflows and withdraws from investors like a typical open-ended mutual fund, closed-end funds can often invest in riskier assets and pay investors relatively high yields. These funds can also use leverage, which can boost the portfolio’s income on a NAV basis.

Many closed-end funds have a distribution rate of more than 6% of net asset value. Combining their distribution rate with the increase in their share value helps investors earn a high rate of return for a total return.

Extra Idea #5 – eBay Arbitrage

Have you ever seen items in stores that you know are selling for a higher price on eBay? Have you ever seen items on a website that you know sell for a higher price on eBay? You can profit from that difference in price parity. It is called arbitrage.

Arbitrage is usually talked about in currency circles of finance and economics. There are often times when different countries’ currencies are not priced correctly.

Let me give you a simple example. If the United States dollar is worth 1.5 Canadian dollars and one US dollar is worth ten Mexican Pesos, if a Canadian dollar does not equal 15 Mexican pesos, then there is a currency arbitrage.If a Canadian dollar was worth 20 Mexican pesos, investors could trade US dollars for Canadian dollars, transfer them to Mexican pesos, and then trade them back to US dollars and earn a profit because all of the currencies are not equally valued.

This is called arbitrage. Currency traders have sophisticated computer programs that automatically trade currencies and take advantage of any pricing imperfections in order to make a profit.

The same principles can be applied to buying and selling items on eBay and eBay’s sister company, Half.com. There are often times when you can find items around your local neighborhood or on websites that you frequent that can be sold for a profit on eBay. I have found items on websites that I know sell for higher prices on eBay.

I have also seen items in local stores that I have known sell for a higher price on eBay. The key is targeting a specific type of item or category and becoming extremely familiar with that item or group of items.

Extra Idea #6 – Invest In Bitcoinand Cryptocurrency

Okay…I have to admit that this one isn’t looking so good lately. But, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies looked REALLY good in 2017! Go figure. Maybe it’ll make a comeback. Maybe it’s time to look at other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, Ripple, Litecoin, etc.

The price of the digital currency Bitcoin reached almost $20,000 at one point in December 2017. This was the first time since its inception 9 years ago that the cryptocurrency has reached this level. In fact, Bitcoin saw a 25% rise in the month of August 2017 alone. Looking at alternate investments like Bitcoin may be a good way to get the best return on investment if you’re tired of investing in simple stocks and bonds.

Bitcoin is a type of digital currency that uses encryption to regulate the creation of new currency. The encryption also verifies the transfer of funds between parties. The buying, selling, and creation of Bitcoins happen independently of a central bank. You can find brokers likeRobinhoodwhere you can buy and sellBitcoin for as little as a $10 minimum investment.

What do you think? Did I miss any good ways to earn a 10% rate of return on investment? How do you get the best return on investment? Let me know in the comment section below.

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