4 Investment Opportunities You Might Not Have Considered

While the economy and the world at large have seen some hard times recently, investors are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

In reality, there are many opportunities out there for making a lot of money. If you are looking for new investment ideas, there are probably many opportunities you have yet to even consider. Below are four.

A Fix and Flip Loan

You may have considered real estate as a possible investment choice. However, knowing what to do with real estate after you have purchased it is another thing entirely. 

One strategy you should consider is obtaining a "fix and flip loan." These are investment property loans that are used to purchase and remodel properties that are viewed as in decline. 

The flipped house can then be sold for a hefty profit. You may have even seen reality television shows based around this investment strategy.

Foreign Debt

While you may have considered buying government bonds from the United States as a strategy for receiving a steady return, you probably have not considered buying the national debt of foreign countries. 

If the country in question is on an upward trend regarding its expanding economy, you could make a lot of money. Government bonds from small European countries with emerging economies like Latvia and Lithuania could end up being an excellent deal in the long run.

Gold

Some of the oldest investments still in existence today are precious metals like gold. While modern currency no longer uses the gold standard, gold still holds an inherent value that is likely to increase over time. 

Gold's value also tends to increase as the value of other investments declines. As such, it's a good choice for adding some extra security to a well-rounded portfolio.

Collector's Items

Another possibility you may have not seriously considered before is investing in collector's items. It is true that you have to be careful about the kind of memorabilia, antiques, and other collectibles you invest in. 

Certain collector's markets have dissipated over the years due to waning interest in specific hobbies like stamp collecting. However, other collector's items, like ancient coins, for example, continue to increase in value. Do your research so you can be confident that a collectible will actually increase in value over time.

Overall, it's never wise to put all your eggs in one basket regarding investments. Be on the lookout for new opportunities that could give you a solid return over time. However, also be sure to build a well-rounded portfolio as you do so to lower the risk of new investments.

4 Items in Your Home You Didn't Know Could Be Worth Good Money

Most of us can find useless things around the house that we want to get rid of. The good news is that there may be buyers waiting to pay cash for your unwanted possessions. 

All you have to do is market them online and be prepared to mail the items or have them ready for pick up when the deal is confirmed. Here are four surprising things you might own that could be worth a fair amount of money.

Books and Toys

People who take good care of former toys and collectible sets can often sell them for surprising amounts of money. Some buyers are looking for toys that were popular decades ago and will pay a good price for those in great condition. 

Toys that still have their original packaging are especially valuable for many collectors. Before giving away your grown kids' old playthings, look through them to see if any might be worth selling. The same holds for vintage books of any genre. Browse your titles online to see what they might be worth.

Dishware and Kitchen Equipment

Complete sets of authentic china in good condition, particularly those by renowned companies like Wedgewood, can fetch a tidy sum from interested buyers. Antique cookware and kitchen utensils handed down over several generations also attract interest from dishware collectibles. 

Certain types of kitchen equipment, like brand-name deluxe blenders and old-fashioned stoves, are frequently in demand. Before taking pictures to market your items, clean them up, and make any minor repairs. Indicate whether they still work the original way or if they have been modified for modern kitchen use.

Vehicles that Don't Run

Cars, vans, trucks, motorcycles, and just about anything on wheels, whether it runs or not, is likely to attract interest from people who rebuild cars or need a used part for the vehicle they are driving. 

Just put up a sign or post an ad that says "buy my junk car," and you may be surprised by the number of calls, emails, or texts you receive.

Cosmetic Jewelry

While valuable gemstones are often available from someone's inheritance or an estate sale, costume jewelry is growing in popularity as well. 

Retro-style necklaces, bracelets, and earrings are in demand by drama troupes, film companies, and those looking for accessories to complete their Halloween costumes.

Don't let your marketable goods go to waste. Set aside the best ones and advertise them to the appropriate market to earn money on what you might have otherwise given away.