Personal Finances & ROI (Return on Investment) (2024)

Personal Finances & ROI (Return on Investment) (1)

You may have heard it said that, in life, you only get out what you put in. It is a nice thought but, if this were strictly true, it would be completely impossible for businesses to operate!

After all, businesses only exist in order to make profit, and profit depends on getting out more than you put in…

This is where ‘return on investment’ (ROI for short) comes in.

What is ROI?

‘Return on investment’ is a simple measure of how much you might expect to get back from any particular investment. ROI will basically tell you how much you will get out, when compared to how much you put in, expressed as a percentage.

You can calculate ROI using the following equation;

ROI =(Revenue from Investment – Cost of Investment)
Cost of Investment

To get the ROI as a percentage, you would take the answer this equation gave you and multiply it by 100.

For example, if after doing the division part of the equation, you ended up with the answer 2, the ROI as a percentage would be 200%.

Confused? To make things clearer, here are some examples of what various ROI percentages mean in real terms.

-100% = You’ve lost all the money you put in.

-50% = You’ve lost half the money you put in.

0% = You’ve broken even. (Nothing lost, nothing gained.)

50% = You’ve got back what you put in, plus another 50% of that amount as profit.

100% = You’ve doubled your money!

Now, let’s take a look at a basic business example and see how this formula would apply.

Say some children wish to set up a lemonade stand on their street. They spend £5 of their pocket money on lemons, sugar and all the other ingredients that they need.

They have enough to make 20 cups of lemonade. They charge 50p a cup and manage to sell them all. At the end of the day they would have £10 in their till.

Their ROI formula would look like this;

ROI =(£10 – £5)= 1 x 100% = 100%
£5

As we know, an ROI of 100% means they doubled their money, making lemonade look like a pretty good investment!

Of course, this example ignores the cost of their labour and time, but for big businesses (and your personal finances) these things are very important.

How Do Businesses use ROI?

Obviously, having a high ROI relative to your competitors is vital to running a successful business. Big businesses take a great deal of care in deciding how best to spend their money and they will attempt to calculate as accurately as possible the ROI of all the money they spend, from the wages they pay employees, to the their advertising budget.

In fact, businesses are so obsessed with ROI, some will even calculate the return on investment they get from spending money and time on calculating ROI itself!

The reason they go to such lengths is to ensure that their money is put to the best possible use i.e. the use that will yield the biggest return on investment in the end.

Sometimes this will involve doing something that at the time may seem a bit outlandish, but is justified by the eventual ROI.

In our article on opportunity cost we talked at length about the ‘time value of money’ and this is a big factor in figuring out ROI.

For example, when firms first splash out on TV advertising, it costs a very large sum of money. This is eventually made back, as their brand gets a bigger profile and they win more custom (assuming the advert isn’t a flop) but it takes time.

Another example might be the emergence of a new technology. Businesses will scramble to snap it up, not because of what it is worth now, but because of what it might be worth in the future.

The key to spending wisely is figuring out the eventual ROI of your investment, rather than merely looking at the cost. If the ROI is great (and you can be sure the projected ROI is correct), the cost is almost irrelevant (assuming available funds).

How Can I use These Ideas to Improve My Personal Finances?

Like a businesses, you to can make wise spending decisions by attempting to calculate the ROI they are likely to generate.

Of course, there are big differences between the way individuals and businesses spend their money.

A business only ever spends money on anything because it hopes to make more money further down the line. As cynical as it sounds, even when a businesses makes a charitable donation it will have most likely have one eye on the ROI that the positive publicity will create, not to mention the tax savings!

Unlike a business, people generally buy things simply because they want them, not because they will make us better off in the future. If anything we fully expect most of our purchases to make us worse off financially. In this case, we think of the ROI simply as the pleasure we’ll get from buying whatever it is we have our eye on.

That said, there are plenty of ways we can think like a business, spending money in order to make money.

Just as a business has assets, so do individuals. In most cases a person’s biggest asset will be their property.

It is possible to add value to assets by investing in them and there are a wide range of things you can do to increase the market value of a house, from something as simple as a quick paint job, to something as extensive as having an extension built. As these things add value, they bring a return on investment.

Smart people realise that, whilst it is important to consider the cost involved when undertaking such a project, ROI is the real measure of how best to spend money.

For example, you might spend £5,000 on double glazing, adding £10,000 to the value of your house. The ROI in this case would be as follows;

ROI =(£10,000 – £5,000)= 1 x 100% = 100%
£5,000

You’ve doubled your money, not bad going…

However if you spend £10,000 converting your loft into a new bedroom, this might add £30,000 to the value of the house. Thus, the ROI is as follows;

ROI =(£30,000 – £10,000)= 2 x 100% = 200%
£10,000

An ROI of 200% means you’ve tripled your money!

Though our ‘common sense’ tells us that the £10,000 investment is the bigger, more risky investment, a look at the ROI tells us that this is not the case.

The bigger the ROI the more value you get, pound for pound. So, though the double glazing seems the cheaper option of the two, you pay more dearly for every pound of value it adds to you home than you do with the loft conversion. It is, therefore, relatively speaking, a more expensive way of adding value.

Obviously, you need to have dependable figures to calculate ROI in the first place, but in the examples given above these can normally be found quite easily.

The other key thing to remember when calculating ROI is the time frame involved. There is no point working out how much your new energy efficient car will save you over the course of ten years if you replace it after just two!

Personal Finances & ROI (Return on Investment) (2024)

FAQs

Personal Finances & ROI (Return on Investment)? ›

Return on Investment (ROI) A calculation of the monetary value of an investment versus its cost. The ROI formula is: (profit minus cost) / cost. If you made $10,000 from a $1,000 effort, your return on investment (ROI) would be 0.9, or 90%.

What is a good return on investment ROI? ›

What Is a Good ROI? According to conventional wisdom, an annual ROI of approximately 7% or greater is considered a good ROI for an investment in stocks. This is also about the average annual return of the S&P 500, accounting for inflation.

What does a 20% ROI look like? ›

To calculate the return on this investment, divide the net profits ($1,200 - $1,000 = $200) by the investment cost ($1,000), for an ROI of $200/$1,000, or 20%. With this information, one could compare the investment in Slice Pizza with any other projects.

How do you calculate personal ROI? ›

ROI is calculated by subtracting the initial cost of the investment from its final value, then dividing this new number by the cost of the investment, and finally, multiplying it by 100. ROI has a wide range of uses.

What is the difference between ROI and return on investment? ›

Key Takeaways

ROI indicates total growth, start to finish, of an investment, while IRR identifies the annual growth rate. While the two numbers will be roughly the same over the course of one year, they will not be the same for longer periods.

How much money do I need to invest to make $3000 a month? ›

According to FIRE, your portfolio should cover 25 times your annual expenses. Then, if you withdraw 4% of your portfolio every year, your portfolio will continue to grow and won't be compromised. We can apply this formula to the goal of making $3,000 a month like this: $3,000 x 12 months x 25 years = $900,000.

Is 10% return on investment realistic? ›

Most investors would view an average annual rate of return of 10% or more as a good ROI for long-term investments in the stock market. However, keep in mind that this is an average. Some years will deliver lower returns -- perhaps even negative returns. Other years will generate significantly higher returns.

Is 30% ROI high? ›

An ROI of 30% can be good, but it can depend on how long your ROI has been at 30% in previous years.

What is a good monthly return on investment? ›

According to many financial investors, 7% is an excellent return rate for most, while 5% is enough to be considered a 'good' return. Still, an investor may make more or less than the average percentage since everything depends on the investment's circ*mstances.

Is 100 ROI doubling your money? ›

If your ROI is 100%, you've doubled your initial investment. Return on Investment can help you make decisions between competing alternatives. If you deposit money in a savings account, the return on your investment will be equal to the interest rate that the bank gives you to hold your money.

What is the difference between IRR and ROI? ›

ROI and IRR are complementary metrics where the main difference between the two is the time value of money. ROI gives you the total return of an investment but doesn't take into consideration the time value of money. IRR does take into consideration the time value of money and gives you the annual growth rate.

Which of the following is the safest investment? ›

Here are the best low-risk investments in May 2023:
  • High-yield savings accounts.
  • Series I savings bonds.
  • Short-term certificates of deposit.
  • Money market funds.
  • Treasury bills, notes, bonds and TIPS.
  • Corporate bonds.
  • Dividend-paying stocks.
  • Preferred stocks.
May 1, 2023

What is the average rate of return? ›

The average rate of return (ARR) is the average annual return (profit) from an investment. The ARR is calculated by dividing the average annual profit by the cost of investment and multiplying by 100 percent.

What state has the highest ROI? ›

1. Wyoming: 203% 5-year ROI on College. Wyoming has some of the highest wages for high school graduates: $31,936 a year, on average. This results in a 43 percent increase in pay for earning a bachelor's degree.

What is a fair percentage for an investor? ›

There are, however, a number of words of wisdom to take on board and pitfalls for a business to avoid when taking their first big step. A lot of advisors would argue that for those starting out, the general guiding principle is that you should think about giving away somewhere between 10-20% of equity.

Is ROI more important than profit? ›

Neither is more important than the other since they are used differently by businesses. Another tip to confirm if you put the values properly is that the profit margin is never more than 100%. However, the same thing isn't necessary for ROI.

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.

How much do I need to invest a month to be a millionaire in 5 years? ›

Let's say you want to become a millionaire in five years. If you're starting from scratch, online millionaire calculators (which return a variety of results given the same inputs) estimate that you'll need to save anywhere from $13,000 to $15,500 a month and invest it wisely enough to earn an average of 10% a year.

How much interest will $250 000 earn in a year? ›

Many high-yield savings accounts from online banks offer rates from 2.05% to 2.53%. On a $250,000 portfolio, you'd receive an annual income of $5,125 to $6,325 from one of those accounts.

How much will $10,000 invested be worth in 10 years? ›

We started with $10,000 and ended up with $3,498 in interest after 10 years in an account with a 3% annual yield. But by depositing an additional $100 each month into your savings account, you'd end up with $27,475 after 10 years, when compounded daily.

What is a reasonable rate of return for retirement? ›

Many retirement planners suggest the typical 401(k) portfolio generates an average annual return of 5% to 8% based on market conditions.

How much do I need to retire? ›

When considering your retirement lifestyle, a common guideline is to replace 70% of your annual income before your retirement. You can plan to do this through a combination of retirement income sources that include Social Security, investments and savings from 401(k)s, IRAs and other retirement savings accounts.

What is a good 5 year return on investment? ›

A good return on investment is generally considered to be about 7% per year, based on the average historic return of the S&P 500 index, and adjusting for inflation.

What is a poor ROI? ›

Generally, a good ROI is positive—the net returns exceed net costs. A bad ROI is negative—the net cost exceeds the returns.

Is 20% ROI possible? ›

A 20% return is possible, but it's a pretty significant return, so you either need to take risks on volatile investments or spend more time invested in safer investments.

How much is $500 a month invested for 30 years? ›

$500 per month invested for 30 years is about $1,400,000. $500 per month invested for 40 years, is about $4,300,000. The power of investing is compound interest.

What if I invest $500 a month for 30 years? ›

If you simply match the historic stock market returns over the past 90 years -- returns that averaged 10% per year -- investing $500 per month will net you over $1 million in 30 years.

What is a good rate of return on 401k? ›

Based on a standard portfolio mix of 60% stocks and 40% bonds, the average rate of return for a 401(k) generally ranges from 5% to 8%.

What is the 7 year rule in investing? ›

 At 10%, you could double your initial investment every seven years (72 divided by 10). In a less-risky investment such as bonds, which have averaged a return of about 5% to 6% over the same time period, you could expect to double your money in about 12 years (72 divided by 6).

What is the Rule of 72 Albert Einstein? ›

Roughly translated: In wanting to know of any capital, at a given yearly percentage, in how many years it will double adding the interest to the capital, keep as a rule [the number] 72 in mind, which you will always divide by the interest, and what results, in that many years it will be doubled.

How long will it take to double $100 dollars invested with a 7% interest rate using the Rule of 72? ›

It will take a bit over 10 years to double your money at 7% APR. So 72 / 7 = 10.29 years to double the investment.

What is a good profitability index? ›

A profitability index greater than 1.0 is often considered to be a good investment, as it means that the expected return is higher than the initial investment. When making comparisons, the project with the highest PI may be the best option.

Is ROI and ROE the same thing? ›

ROI measures if it's worth pursuing a revenue-generating activity, and ROE measures your company's profitability. Both figures are an indication of the overall financial health and performance of your company.

What is a good IRR rate? ›

The internal rate of return (IRR) is a metric used to measure the return on a real estate investment considering the time value of money. It factors in cash inflows and outflows, and it is important when comparing real estate investment opportunities. A good IRR in real estate is around 18-20%.

Where do billionaires keep their money? ›

Securities

Funds and stocks are the bread-and-butter of investment portfolios. Billionaires use these investments to ensure their money grows steadily. Billionaires typically hold onto these investments, instead of trying to time the market for a quick buck.

How can I get 10% interest? ›

How Do I Earn a 10% Rate of Return on Investment?
  1. Invest in Stocks for the Long-Term. ...
  2. Invest in Stocks for the Short-Term. ...
  3. Real Estate. ...
  4. Investing in Fine Art. ...
  5. Starting Your Own Business (Or Investing in Small Ones) ...
  6. Investing in Wine. ...
  7. Peer-to-Peer Lending. ...
  8. Invest in REITs.

How do you get 10% return on investment? ›

Here's my list of the 10 best investments for a 10% ROI.
  1. How to Get 10% Return on Investment: 10 Proven Ways.
  2. High-End Art (on Masterworks)
  3. Paying Down High-Interest Loans.
  4. U.S. Government I-Bonds.
  5. Stock Market Investing via Index Funds.
  6. Stock Picking.
  7. Junk Bonds.
  8. Buy an Existing Business.
May 1, 2023

What is the average rate of return on a Roth IRA? ›

Of course, any return you see on a Roth IRA account depends on the investments you put into it but historically these accounts have, on average, achieved between a 7% and 10% return. Here's what you need to know about the average Roth IRA return and how it can help you maximize your retirement savings.

What asset has the highest ROI? ›

Stocks are an asset class that tends to have the highest return of any type of investment, but they also tend to have higher-than-average volatility.

What is the most profitable state to live in? ›

Overall ranking of best states for your finances
RankStateGrocery cost of living rank
1Tennessee9
2Utah16
3Idaho6
4Arkansas4
46 more rows
Mar 30, 2022

What state is the best to make the most money? ›

With an adjusted-average income of about $42,000, Illinois grabs the top spot as the best state for making a living.

What ROI do angel investors expect? ›

The average ROI for angel investors is 27% within 5 to 7 years. However, it is important to keep in mind that angel investing is a high-risk, high-reward venture. While some angel investors may see returns of 10x or more, others may end up losing all of their investment.

What percentage does a silent investor get? ›

Once your business turns a profit, the silent partner receives 20% of the net profit.

What percentage do angel investors want? ›

One big disadvantage is that angel investors typically want 10% to 50% of your company in exchange for funding. That means business owners could lose control of their business if the angel investors determine they're keeping the company from succeeding.

What gives you the highest ROI? ›

  1. High-yield savings accounts. Online savings accounts and cash management accounts provide higher rates of return than you'll get in a traditional bank savings or checking account. ...
  2. Certificates of deposit. ...
  3. Money market funds. ...
  4. Government bonds. ...
  5. Corporate bonds. ...
  6. Mutual funds. ...
  7. Index funds. ...
  8. Exchange-traded funds.
5 days ago

What causes bad ROI? ›

Sometimes, however, an investment can yield a negative ROI, which indicates that the initial investment cost is higher than the profit earned. This is common in volatile markets or when a disaster happens after investing. Poor business management and performance can also lead to a negative ROI.

Why is 7% a good ROI? ›

According to conventional wisdom, an annual ROI of approximately 7% or greater is considered a good ROI for an investment in stocks. This is also about the average annual return of the S&P 500, accounting for inflation. Because this is an average, some years your return may be higher; some years they may be lower.

Is 15% ROI realistic? ›

It is not worth your time to do any investment if it cannot bring you 12 to 15 percent per year. Investing properly is not a gamble. We should not lose money in the stock market on a long term basis. In fact, a near guaranteed return of 15% or higher is a realistic expectation.

Is a 50% ROI good? ›

ROI of 50% can be considered good, but there are other factors to consider to understand if your investment was a good one.

Is 7 percent a good ROI? ›

A good return on investment is generally considered to be about 7% per year, based on the average historic return of the S&P 500 index, and adjusting for inflation. But of course what one investor considers a good return might not be ideal for someone else.

How do I get 15% returns? ›

Best way to get 15% p.a. on your investment
  1. Direct equity. Buying a part of a company from the stock market can prove beneficial because the company is growing, causing your investments to multiply. ...
  2. Real estate. ...
  3. Gold. ...
  4. Equity mutual funds. ...
  5. Debt mutual funds. ...
  6. PPF. ...
  7. FD.

Is 100% ROI doubling your money? ›

If your ROI is 100%, you've doubled your initial investment. Return on Investment can help you make decisions between competing alternatives. If you deposit money in a savings account, the return on your investment will be equal to the interest rate that the bank gives you to hold your money.

What is a reasonable return on investment in retirement? ›

Many consider a conservative rate of return in retirement 10% or less because of historical returns. Here's what you need to know. Need help planning for retirement? A financial advisor can help you manage your portfolio, figure out how much income you'll need and assist in other important decisions.

Is 200% ROI double? ›

You've doubled your money, not bad going… An ROI of 200% means you've tripled your money!

How much is a 200% ROI? ›

Using the formula above, ROI would be $200 divided by $100 for a quotient, or answer, of 2. Because ROI is most often expressed as a percentage, the quotient should be converted to a percentage by multiplying it by 100. Therefore, this particular investment's ROI is 2 multiplied by 100, or 200%.

What is the 10 year return of the S&P 500? ›

S&P 500 10 Year Return is at 161.0%, compared to 161.9% last month and 195.6% last year. This is higher than the long term average of 112.5%.

What is the ROI 1% rule? ›

What Is The 1% Rule In Real Estate? The 1% rule of real estate investing measures the price of the investment property against the gross income it will generate. For a potential investment to pass the 1% rule, its monthly rent must be equal to or no less than 1% of the purchase price.

What is the average rate of return on the S&P 500? ›

Basic Info. S&P 500 1 Year Return is at 0.91%, compared to -9.29% last month and -1.18% last year. This is lower than the long term average of 6.31%. The S&P 500 1 Year Return is the investment return received for a 1 year period, excluding dividends, when holding the S&P 500 index.

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