Investing when the market isn't hot

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National and international markets are inherently volatile. This element will never be removed from the equation. The good investor understands this, and creates a plan which accommodates these fluctuations. In the end, the plan usually works out much more often than it doesn't, and the investor makes a big profit over time.

But this doesn't keep moments when the market is not doing well from being unnerving. Lots of new investors get spooked during times like these, often so much so that they start giving up on an investment strategy and pull out what's left of their money. I wouldn't recommend this course of action. As long as you start investing with a knowledge of how these markets behave, you'll typically make it through down times just fine. But there are other kinds of investments with which you may supplement your portfolio, to give you growth while you're not receiving it in a specific market.

Forex is one such investment option. Though Forex is based upon various currency and commodity markets, investors' investments won't succeed or fail in the same way as they will with ETF and mutual fund based investment accounts. Rather than depending on the success of a market as a whole, Forex investors succeed on their ability to anticipate individual currencies' value changes over time. This time may be hours or weeks, but an initial prediction is set at a certain point, along with a specific value invested.

If at the end of the time period selected, the value of the currency has risen or fallen according to the investor's prediction, the investor will get a payout, according to how much was invested and how much the value changed in the predicted direction. It's a great option for people tired of the traditional markets, because it's based on personal skill, not the fickle changes of a mindless market.

Real estate is another way people find investment satisfaction outside of the traditional stock market. By buying their own house, many people have gotten into real estate investing without ever intending to. Because homes tend to appreciate in value at an average 3-5% per year, it's a reliable way to build wealth, as all payments made into the property have the potential to be kept in the form or equity.

By keeping the initial investment, growing the value of the home through time and appreciation and renovation, and then selling the home at a good price, homeowners are able to make money on their home three times. It's a great investment if done properly, and one which is performed outside of the stock market.

As you can see there are plenty of ways to invest outside of the stock market, for people who are frustrated with its recent performance. While no good financial advisor would advocate getting out of the stock market because of temporary poor performance, these methods can provide excellent returns through alternative means.