If you asked a group of people what the American Dream was, you would probably receive a different answer from each person. However, the responses would probably revolve around the central themes of having enough resources to cut down on everyday stresses and/or having a family to share life with. What attracts much of the world’s immigrants to the United States is the hope of success and prosperity, or just the opportunity to increase the quality of one’s life. While some people get lucky and are born into success or were born at the right time to have economical success come a little easier, success and prosperity are mostly gained through working hard and using your resources wisely.
It’s pretty clear that how one goes about achieving the American Dream is far different than it was 50 years ago, or even 30 years ago. A college degree isn’t a guarantee for getting a better job, and even the housing market is prone to major crashes, as we all witnessed in 2008. While we could debate for years over what the best strategies are for success, what we do know is that generations entering the work force now are having to be much more adaptable and innovative to make the American Dream into their reality. Many of these young workers are disillusioned with traditional 9-5 company jobs and are turning toward entrepreneurship.
We have all heard of the phrase “It takes money to make money,” and for the large part, you will need some resources to launch a business of your own. Utilizing Self-Directed IRAs is one way to gather the required resources. Unlike conventional IRAs, which limit the kinds of investments investors can make, Self-Directed IRAs open up the possibilities of investment to nearly anything, including your small start-up. Self-Directed IRAs call these “private placements”, and some entrepreneurs rely on investors to invest on them through this avenue.
Keep in mind, you can’t invest your own retirement funds into your business idea, and neither can your family or close friends. However, a handful of smart investors who see value in your idea might just provide you with the funds necessary to see it come to life. Usually investors are keenly aware that Self-Directed IRAs are inherently riskier than the safer stocks, bonds, and mutual funds they are used to. However, they also understand that with greater risk often comes greater reward.
Investors in Self-Directed IRAs like to stick with what they know or in a single industry in order to stay well updated on trends and news. They will likely vet potential investment opportunities before putting their money anywhere, and the process can sometimes take months of intense study. After all, not only are business owners relying on investors for launch money, but the investors are relying on the business for retirement money. In the right situation, investments in Self-Directed IRAs can turn out to be a win-win for everyone where all players get the sweet satisfaction of the American Dream in the end.