As we enter the New Year, it’s good to look back at the previous year as a whole, and do an evaluation. While 2011 had some promise, it ended up being a pretty volatile year, bouncing around from promise to recession and back. It just seems like we are churning around, waiting for someone to bail us out or give us a job.
In 2011, there were very few places to make money with investments…
The Stock Market ended up basically flat, with a whole bunch of wild swings and volatility along the way. Putting your money in the bank faired no better, with interest rates at an all-time low. If you invested in Real Estate, you probably lost money on your investment as home prices continued to fall. Gold was the only bright spot, up about 10% from the beginning of the year. It had wild swings too, so many people bought while it was wildly going up and now it’s back down to reality.
The job market was dismal, with more employers laying people off and the real unemployment rate staying stubbornly high.
So… what does 2012 hold in store?
Analysts are not too keen on stocks as Europe looks ready to drop into a recession. Home prices are bouncing around the bottom, with banks releasing foreclosures at a more rapid rate, Gold is an unknown, and interest rates look to stay low for the foreseeable future. The job market is still bleak with real unemployment running over 15% in many areas.
So do we just put our money, what little we may have, in a mattress and take the year off, or is there a bright spot?
That is a really good question…
The best investment advice I have ever heard was to buy items with intrinsic value when no one else wants them and sell things when they are in high demand.
So… many analysts are saying stocks may drop this year if Europe drops into recession. Probably a good time to wait out investing here. Real estate prices are low but not poised for a comeback here for a few years… It might be a good time to start looking for cash flow from buying income property and renting it out. The rental market is booming in some areas.
Gold is a crap shoot. Is it in a bubble or poised to go higher?
Lots of questions… very few answers…
I’ve actually only seen one area that makes me very comfortable at all.
2012 may be the year to start a business or write a book.
I know this sounds crazy, but it might be one of the best times to take matters in your own hands and make something happen. Especially if you can help the rest of us with a new product or new ideas.
So where do you start?
On of the least expensive ways to get off to a great start in the New Year is to pick up a step by step book and take action. I have found a few that can help. Here are three popular ones that can get you started today.
1. Life Plan: This is the best place to start. Download Michael Hyatt’s free e-book and take a few hours and fill it out. This will help you plan out your year in advance and create a plan for action. One you have a plan in place, download our goal setting toolkit and write down your goals.
2. Freelancing Guide: One of the most pro-active things you can do in the New Year is to start a blog. This can help you get the word out about your business and with proper planning it can actually become your business. In the Bloggers Guide to Freelancing, Ali Luke shows you how to make money from your writing and take control of your career.
3. Create an Ebook: Once you have a blog up and going, a great way to start making money from it is to write and promote helpful E-books. I have read a number of books on the subject, but none have been more helpful than Ali Luke’s Guide for creating Irresistible E-books. Her step by step help and fully documented templates have helped me put my books together and actually get them off the ground. If you want a low cost way to create a sellable product in the coming year, pick up this guide. She offers a money back guarantee so there is no risk at all.
Overall: Why not start the year with a plan? The three books above can help you get a quick start.
