Saving money is a great way to reach your financial goals, but some plans are better than others.
For example, you may have $2,000 you want to use as seed money to start a savings or investment plan to help you down the road.
But then what? Here are a few scenarios that can get you to $1 million, but some may not add up compared to others.
Steal this billionaire wealth-building technique
The ultra-rich have also been investing in art from big names like Picasso and Bansky for centuries. And it's for a good reason: Contemporary art prices have outpaced the S&P 500 by 136% over the last 27 years.
A new company called Masterworks is now allowing everyday investors to get in on this type of previously-exclusive investment. You can buy a small slice of $1-$30 million paintings from iconic artists, all without needing any art expertise.
If you have at least $10k to invest and are ready to explore diversifying beyond stocks and bonds,see what Masterworks has on offer. (Hurry, they often sell out!)
Investing $2,000 but nothing else at 10% for 25 years
![colorful graphs on trading screen](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/01/10/colorful-graphs-on-trading-screen.jpeg)
So what happens if you just want to invest $2,000 and let the returns build over 25 years?
It sounds like an easy plan to set it and forget it in something like the S&P 500, which has had an annualized average return of 10% since 1957.
But it won’t come close to reaching $1 million, giving you a balance of only $21,669 at the end of 25 years.
Want to learn how to build wealth like the 1%? Sign up for Worthy to get ideas and advice delivered to your inbox.
Investing $2,000 but nothing else at 20% for 25 years
![smartphone with cryptocurrency](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2022/12/08/woman_using_smartphone_with_cryptocurrency.jpg)
If you invest $2,000 in something that can earn you 20% for 25 years, you’ll still fall short, reaching only $190,792 after 25 years.
Another thing to consider with that scenario is how unrealistic it is to earn a 20% annual return on your investment.
Warren Buffett, considered a legendary investor, has had an annualized return of around 20% with Berkshire Hathaway since 1965. A typical investor rarely makes that much.
Let’s look at more practical ways to reach $1 million.
Investing $2,000 plus $850 monthly at 10% for 25 years
![savings and finances concept](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/08/29/african-american-man-calculating-finances.jpeg)
One way to help you build up your initial $2,000 is to also add principal, or extra cash, to your initial investment. This can allow your base amount of money to grow and earn more interest.
If you have $2,000 and then add $850 each month with a 10% annual return similar to the S&P 500, you could end up with $1,024,809.
Get a free stock valued between $5 to $200
Secret: You don't need thousands of dollars to buy thousand-dollar stocks or create a diverse portfolio.
Robinhood offers a method of investing called “fractional shares.” On its own, one share of a single stock could cost a lot of money, making it difficult to diversify. Robinhood allows you to buy pieces of stock instead, so you have the option to build a diverse portfolio quickly.
Let’s say you want to invest $250, as an example.
With that amount, you could build a relatively diverse portfolio with an investment of $50 in a big tech stock, $50 in a retail stock, $50 in an energy stock, $50 in a manufacturing stock, and $50 in a bank.1
Even better news? Add a Robinhood Gold membership, and you’ll get access to 5.00% APY2on your uninvested cash3and the ability to buy and sell stocks 24 hours a day, 5 days a week.
Open and fund a Robinhood account and earn up to $200 in stock
Investing $2,000 plus $1,500 monthly at 10% for 20 years
![analyzing technical price](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2022/08/31/businessman_working_to_analyze_technical_price_graph_and_indicator.jpg)
There are other ways to potentially meet your goal, such as investing more each month but for a shorter period.
Raising the amount you put away each month to $1,500 while also cutting back contributions to 20 years will still get you to your goal with $1,044,405 in the bank.
Investing $2,000 plus $2,625 monthly at 10% for 15 years
![reading newspaper](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/05/12/african-american-business-woman-reading-newspaper.jpeg)
FIRE, which stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early, could be a good goal if you’re aggressive with your savings. Perhaps you could even retire in only 15 years.
If you take command of your savings, it may be the right goal for you. At the end of 15 years, you could reach $1,009,188.
Investing $2,000 plus $1,150 monthly at 8% for 25 years
![stock market investments](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/10/08/stock-market-investment-app.jpeg)
The S&P; 500 historically has an average annual return rate of around 10%, but some years can be better than others, and you may not get a consistent return quite that high.
Factor in market volatility and consider an 8% return rate instead. If you put in an additional $1,150 each month for 25 years, you can still achieve your $1 million goal by reaching $1,022,559.
Investing $2,000 plus $1,820 monthly at 8% for 20 years
![virtual investing screen](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/08/25/businessman-working-with-virtual-investing-screen.jpeg)
You could be more conservative with your estimates for your annual rate of return while also bumping up your monthly contributions.
Expect to reach $1,008,763 if you put an additional $1,820 in each month for 20 years at an 8% interest rate to get you to your goal.
Investing $2,000 plus $3,050 monthly at 8% for 15 years
![businessman using digital tablet](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/03/01/businessman-using-digital-tablet.jpg)
FIRE could also work if you estimate a lower return rate for your cash over a shorter period if you increase your monthly contribution.
Put in $3,050 per month along with your seed money of $2,000, and have it earn an 8% rate for 15 years. You’ll make your $1 million goal with a balance of $1,000,112.
Bottom line
![investor at work](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/03/01/investor-at-work.jpg)
The key to saving successfully is crafting a personalized plan. This might involve setting ambitious investment goals or adjusting your approach based on life changes.
Remember, the best strategy is the one that empowers you to build wealth and achieve your financial dreams.
More from FinanceBuzz:
- Make these 7 savvy moves when you have $1,000 in the bank.
- See what could happen if you add fine art to your investment portfolio.
- Find out if you're overpaying for car insurance in just a few clicks.
- 10 brilliant ways to build wealth after 40.
Masterworks Benefits
- Invest in art like a millionaire for a relatively low cost
- Art investments have outperformed the S&P 500 by over 131% for 26 years
- Purchase shares of artwork by top artists
- Hedge against inflation and diversify your portfolio
Paid Non-Client Promotion
FinanceBuzz doesn’t invest its money with this provider, but they are our referral partner. We get paid by them only if you click to them from our website and take a qualifying action (for example, opening an account.)