3 Alternatives To Investing In A 401K

If you work for an employer that offers a 401K plan as part of your benefits package, this can be a great way for you to build up quite a nest egg while you are working.

In most situations, employers will match an employee's 401K contributions, allowing wealth to accumulate much faster. However, there are also plenty of alternatives to a 401K.

If you're wanting to explore additional ways to make your money grow, here are three alternatives to consider.

Roth IRA

One of the most popular investment tools available today, a Roth IRA can be a great alternative to a 401K. First, it allows your money to grow tax-free, which could save you thousands of dollars over the years. 

Also, when you retire, a Roth IRA lets you withdraw any or all of your money tax-free as well. If you want to use your contributions for qualifying expenses such as college tuition or to buy a home, you can do this with a Roth IRA. As for annual contribution limits, these range from $6,000 if you are under age 50 to $7,000 if you are age 50 or older. 

It is ideal to work with a financial advisor who can look at your needs and income to provide you with the right amount to invest for your goals. Additionally, they can help you look at your income and current debt to recommend that the right percent of your income should be put into the investment. 

Additionally, they can provide you with recommendations for what percent of your portfolio should be used in other types of investments, not just a Roth IRA.

Real Estate

Always considered to be one of the best and safest investment options by many in the industry, investing in real estate may put you well ahead of others who are relying on a 401K. 

When you invest in real estate, you can do so for either short-term cash flow or long-term appreciation, depending upon your financial needs. Once you own investment property, you can build equity in the property, sell it whenever you wish, or keep it and pass it on to your children or others when you die.

Invest in a Business

If you have an eye for business, you may want to take that money you would have put into a 401K and instead invest it in a startup business. 

Since new businesses are started every day, many entrepreneurs are always seeking financing to get started. Once you've looked over the business plan and have confidence it will be a success, invest your money. 

If all goes well, you could find yourself making more money at this investment than you ever thought possible.

While there is certainly nothing wrong with investing in a 401K, there's also nothing wrong with exploring other investment opportunities. 

Once you do so and learn more about a Roth IRA, real estate, or startup businesses, you may find the money you would have put into a 401K will grow more rapidly in these other options.