Innovative Investment Strategies That Will Pay Off Handsomely in 2022

Julie Starr • November 8, 2021



With the year 2022 rapidly approaching, you may be considering how to effectively invest your money in the coming year. In today’s world, there are a wealth of diverse alternatives to invest money in, but which ones are truly worthwhile? It’s fair that you want to make the most out of your hard-earned money, so we’ve come up with some innovative investment strategies that will pay off handsomely in 2022.

P2P lending

Peer-to-peer (P2P) lending is a great option if you’re searching for an investment that doesn’t need much of your time and is really straightforward. This is where you lend modest sums of money to other people. In a sense, you’re similar to a bank, only you’re the one enjoying the rewards. You earn money via P2P lending by charging interest on the money you’ve loaned out. Just remember to be wise and use a lending platform to make sure your money is safe and you’ll get the return you want. Sure, the platform you’re using will take a cut, but you’ll still come out ahead.

Real estate investing

With the world’s population rising at a breakneck pace, there will always be a need for houses, which is why property investing will always be a sensible investment. Spending more is the key to generating more money from your property investment. Rental apartments can be rented out for a higher price than properties in a tiny suburban town, even if this may sound backhanded. If you’re going to invest in property, bear in mind that the more money you spend, the more money you’ll make in the long run.

Business

Business investment is another strategy to significantly increase the value of your hard-earned cash. Investing in a brand that you feel will succeed is always a smart decision. Maybe you’re familiar with a company that has a wonderful idea but is having trouble getting off the ground ? Investing in it can assist the concept you care about in reaching its full potential while also netting you a nice return! This is especially true for sustainable businesses which bring innovation and also environmental benefits to the business landscape. 

Maybe you’ve got a business idea up your sleeve. Why not start your own business if you have the funds to invest? It’ll be a great way to put your money to good use while also allowing you to make a lot of money in the future.

Domains

You don’t have to be a computer wiz to buy domain names you think will be popular in the future. Common names or names that are similar to corporate names are usually a good place to start, but if you truly want to be creative with the domain names you acquire, try to think on the comedic side of life. Someone will always want to create a blog or a company and will need the right domain name, so think ahead and get some now. They normally start off at a modest price, but if you retain them for a long time (particularly if you use them), their value will rise, and you will earn a tidy profit.

Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency has been around for some time now, yet many people are still reluctant to learn about how it could help them increase their wealth. This is understandable because if you don’t know what you’re doing, you could potentially lose lots of money. However, with the right guidance, cryptocurrency can not only be a good investment, but it can also be extremely thrilling! Here’s a complete guide to crypto currency if you’re unsure where to start.

Once you’re clued up, you can begin investing some money into bitcoin and watch your wealth grow. When you’re ready to buy cryptocurrency , take your time to begin with until you understand the processes firsthand. Once you’ve seen how it works inside and out, you can then begin to invest large amounts of money should you wish. However, much to the surprise of many, even smaller investments in bitcoin can bring a tidy return!

Career and Education

Whether you’re a parent considering your children’s education or a student unsure of your future steps, education is unquestionably an investment worth making. Having a strong education and going above and above in your studies will allow you to start a lasting profession that will be financially rewarding to you in the future. The more you learn, the better your chances of finding a well-paid job are.

Keep in mind that financial aid is available to students who otherwise may not be able to pursue their academic goals. Education should not be viewed as a financial burden, and there is plenty of support available if you search for it. One alternative is to take a part-time university course while working. This will help you to live a comfortable life while learning and earn valuable experience for your CV.

Even if your work experience has nothing to do with the position you’re applying for, it’s always a good idea to include some on your resume while looking for a job. An employer, for example, would prefer to hire someone who has demonstrated customer service expertise over someone who has never worked before. When you combine it with your degree, you should have a much simpler time landing the job you want.

Children

While you cannot “purchase” children, having a family is an investment in your life that is well worth the money. If creating a family has always been a desire of yours and you and your spouse are ready to have children, why not get started now? However, you should educate yourself on how much money you’ll need to sustain your children since the amounts can be shocking to many new parents.

Children are a fantastic source of youthfulness and provide joy to the lives of many people. So, while having a kid isn’t always a financial investment, it is unquestionably a good one to consider for your health, heart, and life. They are nothing short of spectacular.

Cars and Driving

Even if driving isn’t a necessity for everyone, it does make life a little easier for a lot of individuals. If you haven’t learned to drive yet, now is a good time to start thinking about it so you can start reaping the rewards. Here are a few examples:

  1. You have the freedom to drive wherever you choose without having to rely on anybody else.
  2. It gives you peace of mind to know that you can go anywhere fast in an emergency.
  3. Being able to drive to work, the store, and to pick up the kids from school
  4. The ability to drive your family on vacation

Because the cost of driving lessons rises every year, the sooner you start learning to drive, the less expensive it will be. If you’re short on time, consider taking an intensive driving course, which will allow you to study and pass your test in a few weeks (you can take time off work) and get you back on the road right away. Look at intensive driving lessons in your region and consider the benefits and drawbacks of your circumstance.

The cost of having a car might be prohibitive for some people, even if they have passed their driving test. Buying a used car might be affordable at first, but issues with the car can end up costing considerably more than expected. One excellent option is to finance a new car. Service, insurance, and tax are all included in one monthly price. You’ll know exactly how much you’re paying for your car upfront, and you’ll drive away in a brand new one!

Collectibles

Have you ever started collecting items for your personal pleasure? Is there anything in particular that you’re interested in? You might be surprised to learn that millions of people throughout the world are able to retire on the profits they receive from selling their personal memorabilia. Whether you were a fan of comic books or vinyl records as a kid, you may want to discover how much they’re worth right now. Holding on to these objects and ensuring that they remain in excellent shape will improve their worth as time passes. Furthermore, if you are able to add to your collection, the sum you would receive if you sold them will only rise in value over time!

Alcohol

Finally, one of the most bizarre investments that people make is in alcoholic beverages, specifically wine. This is because wine improves in flavor over time, and if you’re lucky enough to find the correct one, you may easily double or triple the price you spent. Other liquids, such as scotch, whiskey, and port, are in the same boat. Consider collecting wine with the hopes of making a fortune one day!

Try these 10 unusual yet successful ways to invest your money, and you’ll be surprised at how much money you may make. Keep in mind that spending wisely will pay dividends in the long term! Which of the list will you try first? Let us know in the comments below!

 

5 Everyday Items That Can Quietly Boost Your Brand

By Julie Starr • July 17, 2025
The best branding doesn’t always come from big campaigns or expensive graphics. Sometimes it’s the smaller stuff that leaves the biggest impression. Things people actually use, touch, or carry with them. That’s where your brand can quietly make its mark without needing to shout about it. If you’re only focusing on social media and business cards, you’re leaving a lot on the table. Here are five overlooked ways to get your name out there that feel natural, useful, and more personal. Thank-you slips If you’re already sending out orders, there’s no reason not to include a short thank-you slip. You can easily get these made through any decent online print shop , and they’re usually pretty cheap to run off in small batches. Just a simple note that says thanks, maybe with a reminder to follow you online or a cheeky discount code for next time. It’s quick, thoughtful, and makes the whole order feel more finished. Customers notice that kind of detail, especially when everything else they buy online comes with zero personality. You don’t need a complicated design either. Just something clean with your logo, a message that sounds like you, and maybe a social handle. The point is to give them a reason to come back or remember your name without it feeling forced. Branded zip pouches If you sell physical products, offer services, or run events, small zip pouches are surprisingly effective. Think of the kind you’d use for stationery, receipts, or travel bits. You can get your brand printed on the side and hand them out with purchases or include them in welcome packs. People keep them because they’re actually useful. They get tossed in handbags, school bags, or glove boxes and your logo just keeps turning up. Cleaning cloths for glasses or screens This one works brilliantly if you’re in tech, health, beauty, or anything involving screens or eyewear. A simple microfibre cloth with your branding on it can go a long way. Everyone needs one. Whether they use it for glasses, a phone screen, or their laptop, it’s something they hang onto. It’s not the kind of thing people throw away, and that means your name sticks around too. Receipt envelopes You might already use little envelopes to hand over receipts or business cards. Branding those envelopes is a small change that makes a big difference. Instead of someone getting a scruffy bit of paper in a plain sleeve, they’re handed something that feels a bit more finished. You can even add a message inside. Doesn’t need to be anything dramatic. A simple “thanks for visiting” or “see you next time” is enough to add a personal touch. Wet wipes or mini hand gels If your business is in hospitality, food, or anything hands-on, branded wet wipes or pocket-sized hand gels are surprisingly popular. People actually use them, especially at festivals, food stalls, pop-ups, or kids’ events. They end up in handbags or cars and stick around longer than you think. They don’t scream “marketing” either. They’re practical, and when done right, they make your business feel thoughtful. That’s what good branding does, it shows you’ve thought ahead.

How Student-Led ‘Energy Audits’ Are Cutting School Costs (and Lighting the Way Forward)

By Julie Starr • July 14, 2025
What happens when students stop waiting for adults to fix things and start conducting their own energy audits? Money gets saved. The lights get switched off. Data gets analyzed. And a quiet revolution in sustainability begins—inside schools that once overlooked their own inefficiencies. Across the globe, student-led energy audits are proving that change doesn't always need to come from a policy shift or a major capital budget. Sometimes, it begins with a clipboard, a spreadsheet, and a group of curious minds asking: Why are the hallway lights on at noon when sunlight floods the building? The Energy Detectives These audits aren’t science fair projects. They’re rigorous investigations, often done in collaboration with facilities staff, local environmental nonprofits, or even engineering mentors. Students go from classroom to classroom measuring electricity usage, checking for phantom loads , and identifying where heat is escaping in winter or air conditioning is leaking in summer. One high school in Ontario saved over $12,000 a year after its Grade 11 physics students ran an energy audit and suggested simple changes—LED upgrades, motion sensors in bathrooms, and smarter heating schedules. They didn’t just propose ideas. They pitched them with spreadsheets, thermal images, and payback timelines. It worked. Learning That Pays Off—Literally Unlike textbook learning, these audits blend real-world math, environmental science, economics, and persuasive communication. Students aren’t just learning about sustainability. They’re doing it. And the savings add up. From dimming overlit hallways to reprogramming HVAC systems that run all weekend for empty buildings, students are surfacing blind spots that administrators often overlook. In some districts, their findings are influencing energy policy. Elsewhere, the audits have inspired school boards to hire sustainability coordinators—often alumni of the student programs themselves. There’s something poetic about a school funding new books or laptops from money saved by students who found out the vending machines didn’t need to be plugged in 24/7. Why This Matters More Than Ever With education budgets tightening and utility costs rising, every dollar saved is a dollar that can go back into classrooms. And here’s where it gets interesting from a family finance perspective, too. If you’re a parent setting aside money for post-secondary savings, every bit of school efficiency helps. Fewer energy costs might mean more programming, better STEM facilities, or even bursaries. That raises a broader point: when families save for their children’s future, they often look into RESPs (Registered Education Savings Plans). And many wonder—is a RESP deduction available on my taxes? While contributions themselves aren’t deductible, the gains grow tax-free, and students often pay little to no tax when they withdraw the funds during school. A Movement Worth Replicating These audits aren’t just an exercise in environmentalism. They’re leadership labs. Students learn how to spot inefficiencies, speak up in board meetings, and make a business case for change. They don’t just flip switches—they shift mindsets. And they carry these habits into adulthood. The result? A generation growing up not only with climate anxiety, but also with tools to tackle it.