How to invest your money in 2020

If you're looking for somewhere to put your hard-earned cash, check out these great ideas of where to invest your money in 2020.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

It can be hard to know how to invest your money in this day and age. There are so many options from savings accounts to ETFs to classic ASX stocks.

So if you're sitting there with some extra cash to invest, here's a few top ideas of how to make your money work harder for you in 2020.

a woman

How to invest your money in 2020

1. Buy and hold some ASX dividend stocks

A good blue-chip ASX dividend stock or two can be a great way to invest your money

Two top dividend stocks that I like at the moment are Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN) and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP).

Harvey Norman shares are up 36.39% this year and yet still are yielding a tidy 7.60% per annum. The BHP share price has been riding the commodities boom higher to $38.32 per share and has a net 5.00% dividend yield.

2. Invest your money in diversified ETFs

You can also invest your money in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in 2020. ETFs generally try to track a chosen index such as the ASX 200.

The great thing about ETFs is that you buy one share or "unit" but that unit provides you diversified exposure to many stocks.

As an example, the BetaShares A200 ETF (ASX: A200) is up 24.27% this year compared to the 23.31% achieved by the S&P/ASX 200 Index (INDEXASX: XJO).

You could invest your money into ETFs and hope to ride the ASX 200's record highs well into 2020.

3. Become a property investor through REITs

Australians have an obsession with owning property but it can be hard to get a foot in the market given current prices.

However, you can get more liquid exposure to Aussie property through a real estate investment trust (REIT) on the ASX.

A residential REIT such as Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR) could be a great place to invest your money in 2020.

If you think property is overvalued, commercial real estate could be a good diversification option. You might want to look at self-storage via National Storage REIT (ASX: NSR) or retail through Scentre Group (ASX: SCG).

REITs can offer strong yield with more liquidity and lower entry costs compared to buying an investment property.

Foolish takeaway

Now is the perfect time to invest your money in whatever assets you decide are best for you. With so many options available at the moment, find your perfect investment and invest better in 2020!

Motley Fool contributor Kenneth Hall has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended National Storage REIT and Scentre Group. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on How to invest

A happy couple looking at an iPad feeling great as they watch the Challenger share price rise
How to invest

How to make $50,000 of retirement income with ASX shares

This could be the way to retire with a healthy pay check each year.

Read more »

Happy man holding Australian dollar notes, representing dividends.
Dividend Investing

How to generate $20k of passive income from BHP shares

BHP could provide investors with a big pay check in 2023.

Read more »

A woman looks quizzical as she looks at a graph of the share market.
How to invest

How can I hope to retire rich when the share market is falling?

Dividends can save your retirement if you treat them right.

Read more »

A man walks up three brick pillars to a dollar sign.
How to invest

I'd aim for $1 million, thanks to just a few ASX shares

Here's how I'd go about it.

Read more »

A couple are happy sitting on their yacht.
How to invest

How I would invest in ASX shares to retire rich

I think the share market is the place to be if you want to retire rich.

Read more »

School boy wearing glasses standing in front of chalk board with maths and share price calculations on it
Investing Strategies

Which valuation metrics matter most when picking ASX shares?

There are many ways to measure a company's worth. So how do you choose the best ones when determining which…

Read more »

A formally dressed young woman sips tea from a china cup and saucer as she gives a haughty look against the background of a European style drawing room with heavy wood, traditional wallpaper and a large chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
How to invest

How to become a millionaire with ASX shares

Forget the lottery and take your wealth into your own hands by investing.

Read more »

Young investor watching share chart in anticipation
Cheap Shares

How to spot an ASX share price bargain

Here are three ways you can tell if a share is in the bargain bin.

Read more »