In the grand scheme of things, has anyone been left untouched by the pandemic? Sure, some industries profited from the pandemic, but individually, we’ve all felt the effects of the public health crisis. But if you are one of the lucky few who managed to keep their jobs and who have more savings now than before, then you have a big decision to make: where are you going to put your money?
Emergency Savings
Clearly, on top of that list is your emergency savings. Experts are predicting that the impact of the coronavirus pandemic will be felt this year on virtually every sector and industry. Your finances have to be ready for that. Make sure you have a sizable emergency fund that will keep you and your family afloat during the toughest times in the economy. Who knows if the government can still provide social benefits to the unemployed or those forced out of work because of the pandemic? You need at least six months’ worth of your monthly expenses as a backup.
Jewelry
People are seeing pieces of jewelry as a good non-monetary investment amid the pandemic. Those who have more in life are actually buying more fine and branded jewelry. Since jewelers are putting great deals out there, this is one of the best times to buy that pair of dangling earrings you’ve been eyeing. According to the latest data, fine jewelry sales is up by 10% in August 2020 from the same month the previous year.
The prices of gold, metals, gem, and diamonds are, of course, volatile. This kind of investment is for people who can park their money for a long time. While the price of gold usually increases year-on-year, it has mostly been on a sideways movement in the past decade. It’s still a good non-monetary asset, but you cannot expect it to yield results in a year or two.
Stock Market
This is also the best time to invest in tech and pharmaceutical companies. Their stock prices are surging because of the pandemic. From developing teleconferencing apps to producing the first COVID-19 vaccines, these two industries are raking in all the money. Yes, you can still jump on the bandwagon as their statuses will increase in the coming months.
However, if you already have solid investments in several non-tech and pharmaceutical industries, don’t be quick to pull out your stocks. The prices are volatile now because of the instability in the market. Experts predict that the global economy will dive deep into a recession, but they’re also adamant that the market will recover faster compared to the 2007 housing crisis. Hold down your good investments and weather the storm.
Property
You can look at property investments from two sides. The first one is that it’s harder to get approved for a loan so you might as well forego the plan. The second one is that your income is enough for a home loan approval and investing in properties will do you good in the next several years. If you have a good standing financially right now, you can never go wrong with investing in properties—residential, commercial, or industrial.
There is still a lot of interests in property development. Securing a parcel of land in a hot neighborhood is still going to give you an upper hand. However, you have to be mindful of the terms of the loan. A short-term loan is more practical right now. That is if your finances can afford it because short-term loans have higher monthly amortization and down payment.
Monetary vs. Non-monetary Assets
So, what’s the difference between monetary and non-monetary assets? Monetary assets have a fixed cash value. You know how much you are going to receive if you liquidate these assets. Non-monetary assets such as stocks, properties, and jewelry have no known cash value. Or, at least, their cash value is still up in the air. Depending on how the market moves, you can either get a profit from selling a property or you will be forced to sell it at a loss.
Which investment should you make? If it’s a long-term investment, you will be better off with non-monetary assets. However, take note that these are for people who have money to spare now. Usually, with non-monetary assets, you will have to wait for years to recuperate your capital and earn a profit. If you think you will need cash in the next several months, you will do better to increase your emergency fund and maybe even consider a time deposit.