ASK THE EXPERTS WHERE TO INVEST $10K

In a challenging year, one silver lining is that many of us have been able to stash away some extra cash. Here are eight ways to make the most of it.

- JULIA NEWBOULD

For many of us, 2021 was expected to be our year out of Covid. Businesses were reopening, travel around most of the country was back on the cards, restaurants were at full capacity and theatres, too. But then the dreaded Delta emerged. Small businesses were once again challenged. Some had managed to limp through to 2021 but were now forced into permanent closure as government assistance dried up. And those people who were working in tourism, hospitality and entertainment again bore the brunt of restrictions.

Despite this, our property markets went nuts. Regional properties evened up some of the pricing with their urban counterparts and there seemed to be no end to the market’s increasing heat. The ASX recovered beyond its pre-2020 state and until Evergrande and events in the US gave us the wobbles again in late September we were having a good run.

Last year we concentrated on building up savings again and carefully easing ourselves out of a tough year. This year our experts have thought a little more broadly about the aftermath of Covid. Paul Clitheroe focuses on the money we have saved and how to use it so it passes the sleep-at-night test. Shane Oliver recognises risk will be with us for some time but suggests embracing it with a diverse portfolio. Glen Hare looks at how millennials spend money but says even with a change in priorities to older generations they can still achieve the great Australian dream of property ownership. Jess Amir provides the well-considered list of investments she would put her $10K towards, and Danielle Ecuyer gives tips on where she’d put money on international shares. Meanwhile, Marshall Brentnall discusses why boring can be best when it comes to reaching your goals - and also gives a good example of the benefits of investing in super.