Photo credit: ©iStock.com/monkeybusinessimages, ©iStock.com/xeni4ka, ©iStock.com/William_PotterRebecca Lake, CEPF®Rebecca Lake is a retirement, investing and estate planning expert who has been writing about personal finance for a decade. Her expertise in the finance niche also extends to home buying, credit cards, banking and small business. She's worked directly with several major financial and insurance brands, including Citibank, Discover and AIG and her writing has appeared online at U.S. News and World Report, CreditCards.com and Investopedia. Rebecca is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and she also attended Charleston Southern University as a graduate student. Originally from central Virginia, she now lives on the North Carolina coast along with her two children. Rebecca also holds the Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®) designation.Was this content helpful? Yes NoRead More About InvestingHow to InvestAccredited Investor vs. Sophisticated InvestorFebruary 25, 2025Read MoreHow to InvestAccredited Investor: Definition, Qualifications, RulesFebruary 25, 2025Read MoreInvesting for BeginnersDownside Risk: What It Is and How to Calculate ItFebruary 20, 2025Read MoreInvesting for BeginnersTangible vs. Intangible Assets: Definition and ExamplesApril 3, 2025Read MoreRecent postsRevealed: Annual List of Top Financial Advisor FirmsHow to Potentially Reduce RMD Taxes After Age 73How Irrevocable Trusts Can Help Eliminate Estate TaxesMore from SmartAssetSubscribe to our NewsletterJoin 200,000+ other subscribersSubscribeCategoriesGet in touchSmartAssetGet SocialFacebookLike on FacebookLike on XLegal StuffSmartAsset Advisors, LLC ("SmartAsset"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Financial Insight Technology, is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment adviser. SmartAsset's services are limited to referring users to third party advisers registered or chartered as fiduciaries ("Adviser(s)") with a regulatory body in the United States that have elected to participate in our matching platform based on information gathered from users through our online questionnaire. SmartAsset receives compensation from Advisers for our services. SmartAsset does not review the ongoing performance of any Adviser, participate in the management of any user's account by an Adviser or provide advice regarding specific investments.We do not manage client funds or hold custody of assets, we help users connect with relevant financial advisors.This is not an offer to buy or sell any security or interest. All investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Working with an adviser may come with potential downsides, such as payment of fees (which will reduce returns). Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. There are no guarantees that working with an adviser will yield positive returns. The existence of a fiduciary duty does not prevent the rise of potential conflicts of interest.© 2025 SmartAsset, all rights reserved., Another option for people without much money: Invest in real estate in the stock market by buying shares of companies in the housing industry, investing in funds that have exposure to the real , Investing in rental properties can be a lucrative venture, offering both a steady income stream and the potential for long-term wealth accumulation. For beginners, however, the world of real estate investment can seem daunting. Understanding the basics is crucial to making informed decisions and avoiding common pitfalls..