Hey everyone,
I'd like too see if I can utilize the rational powers of Less Wrong
Currently I work full time. Am well paid for my age. Have approximately $20,000 AU in savings.
My spouse is in uni. Will finish this year and begin working next year. But currently I am supporting our household.
I have recently concluded that $20k is too much to be sitting idle, and the rational thing to do would be to find a way of putting those savings to work in some fashion. But how?
What would be the best way of utilizing these finances in terms of self-development and/or monetary return?
A few things to consider:
a) My skillset at the moment is limited, but I am eager to learn anything.
b) I only desire money in that it enables me to carry out many plans that would be difficult otherwise.
c) Relationships are far more important to me than money, however money is still pretty high up there.
I come to Less Wrong because it is the only community whose advice I would trust. The rest of the internet as many scammers, most friends and family feel threatened by the idea of investment/new things etc. Also they just aren't as rational as Less Wrong.
I would be so appreciative of any advice given.
Also anyone in the same boat?
One thing that I am doing, based on similar priorities, is building an add-on to my (currently rather small) house so that people I care about can live with me. The rent will be small enough to be a great deal for them, and big enough to help me pay off the house faster to get me more money in the long run. It also teaches me construction, which is a useful set of skills (and rather rewarding to apply math and physics knowledge). It may not be as easy for you to do, since I have a friend who recently started a construction business, and we help each other out (which is quite fun).
In the end, this is more about friends and family than investing money. But it is definitely about the money, too.