How to Invest $5,000 - NerdWallet (2024)

A $5,000 windfall is unlikely to change your life, but it is likely to change how you invest — or give you a jumping-off point to start investing, if you’re not already.

What's the best way to invest $5,000?

That depends on you, but we have ideas. One of them is bound to suit your risk tolerance and goals, and all of them are within reach.

1. Invest in your 401(k) and get the matching dollars

If you have a 401(k), your company offers to match your contributions and you’re not taking it up on that offer, this decision is a no-brainer: Go after that match. Many companies match half or all of your contributions, up to 3% to 6% of your salary. It’s the highest guaranteed return in investing.

You typically can’t deposit a lump sum like $5,000 into your 401(k), but you may find that having that money in the bank gives you room in your budget to start grabbing those matching dollars. Those 401(k) contributions will make your paycheck smaller, but you can repay yourself from that $5,000, either after each paycheck or whenever money runs short for the month.

» Are you on track for retirement? Find out with our 401(k) calculator.

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2. Use a robo-advisor

You could build a portfolio of ETFs, or you could have one of these computer-driven advisors manage a pre-built portfolio for you. Robo-advisors offer complete portfolio management.

You’ll pay for taking the easy way out, generally a management fee of 0.25% to 0.35% of your account balance per year on top of the ETF expense ratios. However, there are a few free options. Wealthfront has a $500 minimum and manages up to $5,000 for free. Axos Invest has no minimum and is free indefinitely. Charles Schwab’s advisor, Intelligent Portfolios, requires $5,000 and uses its own funds but charges no management fee.

» Ready to call in the robots? Our picks for the best robo-advisors

3. Open or contribute to an IRA

The annual IRA contribution limit is $6,500 in 2023 ($7,500 if age 50 and older) so you’re just a hair away from reaching it. Being that close might motivate you to pinch together the rest, but even if it doesn’t, an individual retirement account is the best home for this money if you don’t have a 401(k) or you’ve already gotten your matching dollars.

Like a 401(k), an IRA is a retirement account, but you don’t need an employer to have one. You can open an IRA at any online broker. Many don’t have an account minimum; those that do either require much less than $5,000 or waive their minimum for an IRA.

For more, see our list of the best IRA account providers.

4. Buy commission-free ETFs

A $5,000 investment gets you past most standard mutual fund and index fund minimums, which typically hover between $1,000 and $3,000. But one or two mutual funds do not a diversified portfolio make. (The exception is target-date funds, which are inherently diversified so you can put your full investment in a single fund. These can have high expense ratios but are one option for investors who prefer to be hands-off.)

Investing in five $1,000-minimum index funds would buy you an equal share of the five kinds of investments tracked by those funds, which probably isn’t the portfolio you want.

Enter exchange-traded funds, which you can buy through that IRA or an online brokerage account. ETFs are index funds that trade like a stock. You avoid the whole song and dance with minimums and instead buy in for a share price that is, in most cases, much lower than the typical fund minimum. You can buy more funds, get more diversification and spread your money in a way that makes sense for your age and risk tolerance.

ETFs tend to have low expense ratios, but you’ll want to focus on commission-free ETFs so you’re not paying a fee each time you buy or sell. Those fees can run up to $10 and really drag down a small investment. Most brokers offer a list of commission-free ETFs.

5. Trade stocks

Trading stocks has a kind of allure, and if you’ve been feeling the pull, now may be the time to do something about it — with a very small percentage of your portfolio. A good rule of thumb is to limit stocks to 10% or less of your portfolio, and dedicate the rest of your money to low-cost funds geared toward retirement.

» Learn more: How to buy stocks

Those pesky commissions pop up again here, too. Avoid or limit fees by using a low-cost broker or free trading app.

How to Invest $5,000 - NerdWallet (2024)

FAQs

Is $5,000 a good amount to invest? ›

$5,000 is certainly enough to begin building a firm financial foundation. But as your portfolio and your investment experience grow, you should look at other opportunities to improve your long-term investment performance.

What's the best way to invest $5000 to make money? ›

What's the best way to invest $5,000?
  1. Invest in your 401(k) and get the matching dollars. ...
  2. Use a robo-advisor. ...
  3. Open or contribute to an IRA. ...
  4. Buy commission-free ETFs. ...
  5. Trade stocks.
Apr 28, 2023

How to double $5,000 quickly? ›

10+ Ways to Double $5,000
  1. Start a Side Hustle. Perhaps the most common method of making more money is starting a side hustle. ...
  2. Invest in Stocks and Bonds. ...
  3. Day Trade. ...
  4. Save More Money. ...
  5. Buy and Resell Items on Amazon and eBay. ...
  6. Build an eCommerce Business. ...
  7. Sell Your Stuff. ...
  8. Earn cashback When You Shop.

How to make passive income with $5,000 dollars? ›

How To Make Money With 5000 Dollars: 12 Proven Methods!
  1. Build A Niche Website.
  2. Buy And Sell On eBay.
  3. Create An eCommerce Store.
  4. Build An Online Course.
  5. Flip Websites.
  6. Start A Podcast.
  7. Create And Sell An Ebook.
  8. Start A Content Agency.
Feb 21, 2023

How to turn 5K to 10K? ›

8 tips to transition from 5K to 10K
  1. Build up your distance gradually. Building up to a 10K takes time so don't expect to achieve too much too soon. ...
  2. Take rest days. ...
  3. Cross-train. ...
  4. Stretch. ...
  5. Do one long run a week. ...
  6. Do a threshold session once a week. ...
  7. Set yourself a goal. ...
  8. Stick your training plan on the fridge.
May 17, 2023

What is the average return on $500 000 investment? ›

However most estimates suggest that you can expect average returns up to 14%.

Where to invest $5,000 in 2023? ›

Here are a few options to consider if you're sitting on $5,000.
  • Buy individual stocks. When you buy individual stocks, you take on a couple of risks. ...
  • Invest in ETFs. ETFs, or exchange-traded funds, are funds that trade publicly. ...
  • Put money into real estate.
Feb 24, 2023

Can you invest $5,000 in real estate? ›

Despite the common misconception that you need a lot of financial capital to begin investing in real estate, you can start with as little as $5,000. Your chances of success can increase if you diversify your investments — especially should some deals not go as planned!

Where to invest $5,000 for 1 year? ›

Six Best Investment Plans for One Year
  • Liquid funds. These are one of the most popular methods of parking short term funds up to one year. ...
  • Ultra-Short Duration Funds. ...
  • Low Duration Funds. ...
  • Money Market Funds. ...
  • Floater funds. ...
  • Arbitrage funds.

How long does it take for the $5000 to double? ›

Using the Rule of 72: Time for math. If we divide 72÷8, the answer is nine. That means your $5,000 would double in about nine years.

How to invest $5,000 dollars for quick return? ›

How to Invest $5,000
  1. Try real estate investing for rental income.
  2. Invest in individual stocks.
  3. Invest in mutual funds or ETFs.
  4. Consider low-risk bonds.
  5. Leverage robo-advisors for hands-off investing.
  6. Open a CD for steady returns.
  7. Put a little into cryptocurrency for high potential returns.
Mar 29, 2023

How to quickly save $5,000 dollars? ›

In order to save $5,000 in three months, you'll need to save just over $833 every two weeks with your biweekly budget. If you're paid bi-weekly, you can easily compare your bi-weekly savings goal with your paycheck. It's a simple way to see if saving $5,000 in 3 months is reasonable.

How to turn $25,000 into a million? ›

Based on an investment of $25,000 today, it'd take a return of 13.08% per year to transform into $1 million in 30 years. If you require a shorter time to grow your investments, you'll need a higher return to arrive at $1 million sooner.

What business can you start with 5k? ›

If you're stumped for ideas, here are 25 small businesses that cost less than $5,000 to start.
  • Accountant. Before anything, you must determine what your services will include. ...
  • App Development. ...
  • Babysitting Service. ...
  • Blogging. ...
  • Computer Repair. ...
  • Consultant. ...
  • Entrepreneurship. ...
  • Event Planning.
Jan 20, 2022

How to make $500 a day passive income? ›

9 Passive Income Ideas – How I Make $500 per Day
  1. Rental Properties. Rental properties can provide a steady stream of passive income. ...
  2. Dividend Stocks. ...
  3. Peer-to-Peer Lending. ...
  4. Royalties. ...
  5. Affiliate Marketing. ...
  6. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) ...
  7. Create an Online Course. ...
  8. Create an App or Software.
Mar 20, 2023

How to make 10k realistically? ›

Here are 11 ways to make 10k a month.
  1. Start Dropshipping with Shopify. ...
  2. Offer Freelance Writing Services. ...
  3. Start a Bookkeeping Business. ...
  4. Open a Custom Pins Shop Online. ...
  5. Start Affiliate Marketing with Clickbank. ...
  6. Start a Blog. ...
  7. Sell T-Shirts through Tee Spring. ...
  8. Start a Web Development Business.
Apr 26, 2023

How to flip 10k? ›

The Best Ways to Invest 10K
  1. Real estate investing. One of the more secure options is investing in real estate. ...
  2. Product and website flipping. ...
  3. Invest in index funds. ...
  4. Invest in mutual funds or EFTs. ...
  5. Invest in dividend stocks. ...
  6. Peer-to-peer lending (P2P) ...
  7. Invest in cryptocurrencies. ...
  8. Buy an established business.

How fast to run 10k in 50 minutes? ›

To run 10k in 50 minutes, you will need to run 8:03 per mile or 5:00 per kilometer. This means a 50-minute 10k pace is 8:03 per mile (8 minutes, 3 seconds) or 5:00 per kilometer (5 minutes).

Can I retire at 60 with 500k? ›

The quick answer is “yes”! With some planning, you can retire at 60 with $500k. Remember, however, that your lifestyle will significantly affect how long your savings will last.

How do millionaires live off interest? ›

Millionaires have many different investment philosophies. These can include investing in real estate, stock, commodities and hedge funds, among other types of financial investments. Generally, many seek to mitigate risk and therefore prefer diversified investment portfolios.

Can I live off interest on a million dollars? ›

Once you have $1 million in assets, you can look seriously at living entirely off the returns of a portfolio. After all, the S&P 500 alone averages 10% returns per year. Setting aside taxes and down-year investment portfolio management, a $1 million index fund could provide $100,000 annually.

What will $5,000 be worth in 20 years? ›

Answer and Explanation: The calculated present worth of $5,000 due in 20 years is $1,884.45.

What to invest $3,000 in right now? ›

In any case, the investment options below will help you protect the principal of your investment while securing some return.
  • High-Yield Savings Account. ...
  • High-Yield Certificates of Deposit. ...
  • Short-Term Corporate Bond Funds. ...
  • Money Market Account. ...
  • Series I Savings Bonds. ...
  • Pay Down High-Interest Debt. ...
  • Invest in the Stock Market.
Feb 11, 2023

Are ETFs better than stocks? ›

When it comes to stocks vs. ETFs, one is not better than the other. They are both solid ways to invest your money depending on your interest and goals. In fact, you can do both to further diversify your portfolio.

How to flip 5k in real estate? ›

How to Invest $5,000 In Real Estate: Passive Investment Strategies
  1. Invest in publicly traded REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) ...
  2. Invest in fix and flip loans with Groundfloor. ...
  3. Invest in private REITs with Fundrise. ...
  4. Buy an inexpensive primary residence. ...
  5. Find a property with seller financing. ...
  6. Buy property with a partner.

Is it smart to invest all your money in real estate? ›

Real estate has proven itself a worthy investment that provides cash flow and appreciation over time. Whether you're an aggressive or conservative investor, it's a great way to diversify your portfolio and can pay off in the short-term and long-term.

What is the 50% rule in real estate investing? ›

The 50% rule in real estate says that investors should expect a property's operating expenses to be roughly 50% of its gross income. This is useful for estimating potential cash flow from a rental property, but it's not always foolproof.

What is the safest investment with highest return? ›

High-quality bonds and fixed-indexed annuities are often considered the safest investments with the highest returns. However, there are many different types of bond funds and annuities, each with risks and rewards. For example, government bonds are generally more stable than corporate bonds based on past performance.

What stocks to invest in with $5,000 dollars? ›

So, without further ado, here are 10 stocks to buy if you have $5,000 to spare.
  • Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM)
  • Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (NYSEARCA:XLV)
  • Nike (NYSE:NKE)
  • Visa (NYSE:V)
  • Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG, NASDAQ:GOOGL)
  • Manpower Group (NYSE:MAN)
  • Costco (NASDAQ:COST)
  • NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE)
Dec 14, 2021

How to save $100 000 in 5 years? ›

If you can afford to put away $1,400 per month, you could potentially save your first $100k in just 5 years. If that's too much, aim for even half that (or whatever you can). Thanks to compound interest, just $700 per month could become $100k in 9 years.

What is the Rule of 72 calculator? ›

It's an easy way to calculate just how long it's going to take for your money to double. Just take the number 72 and divide it by the interest rate you hope to earn. That number gives you the approximate number of years it will take for your investment to double.

What is the quickest way to double your money? ›

5 ways to double your money
  • Get a 401(k) match. Talk about the easiest money you've ever made! ...
  • Invest in an S&P 500 index fund. An index fund based on the Standard & Poor's 500 index is one of the more attractive ways to double your money. ...
  • Buy a home. ...
  • Trade cryptocurrency. ...
  • Trade options.
Apr 7, 2023

How can I double my money without risk? ›

5 Ways to Double Your Money
  1. Take Advantage of 401(k) Matching.
  2. Invest in Value and Growth Stocks.
  3. Increase Your Contributions.
  4. Consider Alternative Investments.
  5. Be Patient.
Nov 1, 2022

Is 5000 in savings good? ›

A 2022 research report by The Ascent found that the average American household spends $5,577 a month on living expenses. So if you have less than $5,000 in the bank, it means you may not have enough money on hand to pay for even a month of bills.

Is 5K a lot of money? ›

To answer this question quickly, yes, $5000 is a lot of money, but it also isn't in a lot of circ*mstances. Yes, it could be a lot of money for a 16-year-old, but it isn't a lot for a 30-year-old who needs to pay for rent, health insurance, utilities, and more.

How to make 5K a month passive income? ›

Top 10 Ways to Make 5K a Month
  1. Freelancing with Skills You Already Have.
  2. Blogging or Content Creation.
  3. Virtual Assistant.
  4. Start an Amazon FBA Business.
  5. Taking Pictures and Selling Stock Photos.
  6. Proofreading or Editing.
  7. Facebook Marketing.
  8. Self-Publishing Books on Amazon KDP.
Mar 23, 2023

What is the $5 000 in 3 months challenge? ›

You can save over $5,000 in just over three months with the 100 envelope challenge. It works like this: Gather 100 envelopes and number them from 1 to 100. Each day, fill up one envelope with the amount of cash corresponding to the number on the envelope. You can fill up the envelopes in order or pick them at random.

How to save $5,000 with the 52 week money Challenge? ›

With this plan, you start by socking away $20 during the first week. Then during the second week, you save $35. During the third week, it's $45. And each week the amount you save gets progressively bigger.

What is the $5 000 a year savings challenge? ›

The 13-Week Savings Challenge helps you to gradually save up the money to reach your goal of $5,000. This $5,000 Savings Challenge Printable can serve you for so many purposes, such as paying off debt, setting it aside for a house down-payment, taking a vacation, increasing your emergency fund and much more.

Am I rich if I have $10 million dollars? ›

You might need $5 million to $10 million to qualify as having a very high net worth while it may take $30 million or more to be considered ultra-high net worth. That's how financial advisors typically view wealth.

How many $100 dollars make a million? ›

Ten thousand $100 bills equals $1 million (10,000 x $100 = $1,000,000).

Does $2 million make you rich? ›

Being rich currently means having a net worth of about $2.2 million. However, this number fluctuates over time, and you can measure wealth according to your financial priorities. As a result, healthy financial habits, like spending less than you make, are critical to becoming wealthy, no matter your definition.

What to invest $5,000 in right now? ›

What's the best way to invest $5,000?
  • Invest in your 401(k) and get the matching dollars. ...
  • Use a robo-advisor. ...
  • Open or contribute to an IRA. ...
  • Buy commission-free ETFs. ...
  • Trade stocks.
Apr 28, 2023

What can you do with 5k in cash? ›

Got $5,000? Here's what you could do with it
  1. Get on solid financial footing. Have a cash buffer. ...
  2. Build your emergency fund. An emergency fund is a reserve of cash you can tap in case of, well, an emergency. ...
  3. Time your short-term goals to earn more. ...
  4. Consider long-term investments. ...
  5. Treat yourself.

What business can I make with $1,000? ›

Businesses You Can Start With 1000
  • Affiliate Marketing Business. Affiliate marketers earn income by posting advertising and affiliate links on their own websites. ...
  • SEO Specialist. ...
  • Catering Business. ...
  • Social Media Coordinator. ...
  • Local Airport Shuttle Business. ...
  • Landscaping Business. ...
  • Food Delivery Services. ...
  • Online Print Shop.
Dec 21, 2022

How to consistently make $1,000 a week? ›

  1. Become a Food Delivery Driver. On-demand food delivery services are incredibly popular right now. ...
  2. Take Online Surveys. ...
  3. Earn Cash Back Shopping. ...
  4. Run Facebook and Instagram Ads. ...
  5. Deliver Groceries. ...
  6. Share Your Space. ...
  7. Sell Your Stuff. ...
  8. Cancel Your Subscriptions.
Mar 28, 2023

How to passively make $2,000 a month? ›

  1. Become a Blogger and earn with affiliate marketing. ...
  2. Offer Proofreading Services as a side hustle from home. ...
  3. Complete paid online surveys for money. ...
  4. Create Graphic Designs from Home as a Freelancer. ...
  5. Earn money by testing apps and websites. ...
  6. Transcribe videos, phone calls, and other recordings from home.
3 days ago

How to hustle for $200 a day? ›

8 Ways To Make $200 in Just a Day
  1. Freelancing. Many skills can make you money as a freelancer. ...
  2. Drive for Uber or Lyft. ...
  3. Deliver Food. ...
  4. Complete Tasks on TaskRabbit. ...
  5. Pet Sitting or Dog Walking. ...
  6. Sell Items Online. ...
  7. Participate in Paid Focus Groups or Surveys. ...
  8. Rent Your Space.
May 5, 2023

How much will I get if I invest 5000 per month? ›

Calculation of SIP returns

To understand this, let us take an example. A monthly investment of Rs 5,000 for 10 years at an expected rate of return of 12 per cent will earn you Rs 11.61 lakh.

Is 5000 a lot in savings? ›

A 2022 research report by The Ascent found that the average American household spends $5,577 a month on living expenses. So if you have less than $5,000 in the bank, it means you may not have enough money on hand to pay for even a month of bills.

What is a good amount to have in investments? ›

Most financial planners advise saving 10% to 15% of annual income. A savings goal of $500 a month amounts to 12% of your income, which is considered an appropriate amount for that income level. Assuming your income increases by an average of 4% per year, this automatically increases your savings amount by 4%.

Is 5k a lot of money? ›

To answer this question quickly, yes, $5000 is a lot of money, but it also isn't in a lot of circ*mstances. Yes, it could be a lot of money for a 16-year-old, but it isn't a lot for a 30-year-old who needs to pay for rent, health insurance, utilities, and more.

How many years will it take for an investment of $5000 earning 7% annually? ›

Assume that you have $5,000 in a savings account that earns 7% interest. You can figure out how long it will take for that investment to grow to $10,000 by dividing the rate of 7 into 72. 72 / 7 = 10.28. This means it will take 10.28 years to hit the 10k mark.

How much will I have in 30 years if I invest $1,000 a month? ›

How Much Investing $1,000 Per Month Pays Long-Term. The precise amount you'll have after investing $1,000 monthly at 6%, a conservative number depending on what you choose to invest in, for 30 years is $1,010,538, as figured by SmartAsset's free online Investment Calculator.

What if I invest $300 a month for 5 years? ›

But if you wait even five years to start saving that $300 a month, you'll end up with roughly $719,000, instead. To be clear, that's still a respectable amount of savings to kick off retirement with. But let's face it -- it's not $1 million.

What percentage of Americans have over $5000 in savings? ›

58% of Americans have less than $5,000 in savings.
Average savings amountShare of Americans
Less than $1,00042%
$1,000-$5,00016%
$5,000-$10,0009%
$10,000-$25,0008%
2 more rows
Feb 16, 2023

What percent of Americans have 5000 in savings? ›

Majority of Americans Have Less Than $1K in Their Savings Now
How Much Do Americans Have in Their Savings Accounts?
$1,001-$2,00010.60%9.81%
$2,001-$5,00010.60%10.64%
$5,001-$10,0009.20%9.51%
$10,000+12.60%13.48%
4 more rows
Mar 27, 2023

How much money should a 30 year old have in the bank? ›

Savings by age 30: the equivalent of your annual salary saved; if you earn $55,000 per year, by your 30th birthday you should have $55,000 saved. Savings by age 40: three times your income.

Is it better to save or invest? ›

In general, you should save to preserve your money and invest to grow your money. Depending on your specific goals and when you plan to reach them, you may choose to do both. “When deciding whether to save or invest your money, it is essential to prioritize determining when you will need it,” says Maizes.

How much does the average 70 year old have in savings? ›

How much does the average 70-year-old have in savings? Just shy of $500,000, according to the Federal Reserve. The better question, however, may be whether that's enough for a 70-year-old to live on in retirement so that you can align your budget accordingly.

How much does the average person have in investments? ›

On average, Americans have around $141,542 saved up for retirement, according to the “How America Saves 2022” report compiled by Vanguard, an investment firm that represents more than 30 million investors. However, most people likely have much less: The median 401(k) balance is just $35,345.

What to do with $5,000 saved? ›

Got $5,000? Here's what you could do with it
  1. Get on solid financial footing. Have a cash buffer. ...
  2. Build your emergency fund. An emergency fund is a reserve of cash you can tap in case of, well, an emergency. ...
  3. Time your short-term goals to earn more. ...
  4. Consider long-term investments. ...
  5. Treat yourself.

Is saving $1,500 a month good? ›

Saving $1,500 a month is an excellent goal to have. It can help you build up your savings and put you in a better financial position for the future. Having this amount of money saved each month can give you more flexibility when it comes to making decisions about spending or investing.

What is a respectable 5K? ›

Many runners complete a 5K in 30 to 40 minutes, and many runners are satisfied with their time if it's around this benchmark. The average walker finishes a 5K in 45 to 60 minutes.

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