Are you looking for a profitable investment to grow your savings?

Unfortunately, you have no idea where to invest. We’re sharing 5 investment ideas that might suit you, depending on your goals, the amount of your savings, and your investor profile.

However, be aware that some of these investment ideas may require specific technical skills. Therefore, if you haven’t already done so, we strongly recommend that you first read our guide dedicated to investing for beginners.

Profitable Investment Idea #1: Real Estate

While investing in real estate is certainly a common investment idea, most individuals are unaware that there are several ways to invest in real estate and that it’s an investment option suitable for all budgets.

Rental investment, the most widespread real estate investment idea

The most common form of real estate investment remains owner-occupied rental property. The idea is simple:

• You buy a property.

• You rent it out and collect rent.

• You can eventually sell it in the hope of realizing a capital gain.

In practice, rental property investment is more complex. To maximize profitability, you may need to take out a bank loan, which must be offset by rental income to maintain positive cash flow. You’ll need to find a good property, possibly renovate it to attract tenants, and choose the right type of rental structure to minimize taxes. Finally, you must either manage the rental yourself or delegate it to an agency, which adds management fees.

Traditional rental investment can be highly profitable depending on how well you execute your project. In some cases, it’s possible to achieve around a 6% net rental yield (excluding potential capital gains). And if you use a loan, real estate can become a powerful wealth-building tool thanks to leverage.

Is seasonal rental a viable alternative to rental investment?

Short-term rentals have grown in popularity through sharing economy platforms. While this approach can generate higher returns, it also involves higher management costs. Either you handle guest check-ins, cleaning, and maintenance yourself — which can be time-consuming — or you pay a concierge service that takes a commission.

Moreover, in cities with over 200,000 inhabitants, authorities have imposed strict regulations on short-term rentals for residential properties.

Paper stone, indirect real estate investment

Real estate requires skills, time, and money, yet it still offers attractive returns for relatively low risk.

It’s possible to invest indirectly through real estate investment trusts (REITs). With a modest amount (around 1,000 euros), you can buy shares in SCPIs, OPCIs, or SIICs. These companies manage portfolios of properties, and as an investor, you receive part of the profits without handling management yourself — a great way to make a passive investment in real estate.

Real estate crowdfunding, a new form of bond lending

Real estate crowdfunding platforms let individuals lend money to developers for construction projects. This generally takes the form of a bond loan, where the company must repay the borrowed sum within a set period (usually two years).

It offers several advantages:

• Attractive returns: Often between 8–12% annually.

• Controlled risks: Platforms usually select strong, diversified projects.

• Accessibility: Entry costs are much lower than direct property purchases.

Real estate crowdfunding can be a good short-term investment option with high returns. However, note that there’s a risk of default if the company goes bankrupt. To limit exposure, it’s wise to diversify across several projects and issuers.

Profitable Investment Idea #2: Investing in the Stock Market

While not particularly original, investing in the stock market remains worth considering. It can be highly profitable — but also risky if you don’t follow sound investment principles. The term “stock market investing” covers a wide range of assets: stocks, bonds, fund shares, and derivative products.

To succeed, diversification remains the golden rule.

Goodvest’s opinion

If you invest in stocks or other volatile assets, always focus on long-term investing to offset market fluctuations. Day trading is extremely risky, and studies have shown that consistent profits from it are highly unpredictable.

 Build your own financial portfolio

If you have experience, you can invest directly by buying shares of listed companies. Historically, stocks have offered an average annual return of around 8% — though not guaranteed. A well-diversified portfolio that includes companies across various sectors and regions can help balance risks.

Investing in listed stocks does require financial knowledge, but there are other accessible ways to invest in the stock market for those without expertise.