The 100k Cash Question

[Coneal]

Trying to think outside the box a little (for me anyway). 

Rules
Can't be used to service debt
Can't be used to purchase a house or rental
Can't be put in the stock market.

Amount of risk one is willing to take on does not matter.

Time for return does not really matter as long as it's growing.

So with all that in mind... What would you do with 100k?

[Adventine]

You could put it all in a business. Or, since risk doesn't matter, in lottery tickets.

[prodarwin]

Tough rules, since I would normally violate all of them first...

I'd buy a few tools that I could use to generate income on my own time (Metrology Equipment, CAD software, a few more garage tools).  It would probably be the start of my part-time business I enjoy to allow me to escape the corporate world.

[madmax]

Or buy cheap stuff from China and start an Ebay business.

[dragoncar]

I always thought these were interesting:

https://secondarymarketannuities.com/buy-structured-settlement/

[arebelspy]

Personally: Real estate mortgage notes.

(Not a house or rental, as specified in the OP.)

It's what I'm doing with most of my spare money now, as RE deals get harder to come by.

[Ipodius]

Peer to peer lending could be an option - but obviously only with a small percentage of your portfolio.

[madmax]

Personally: Real estate mortgage notes.

(Not a house or rental, as specified in the OP.)

It's what I'm doing with most of my spare money now, as RE deals get harder to come by.

Do you have a link where I can get more information about these?

[nktokyo]

Venture Capital. Let the good times roll!

[arebelspy]

Real estate mortgage notes.

Do you have a link where I can get more information about these?

Not really, sorry.  Would be glad to answer any questions, but I don't have any definitive, or even good, websites that discuss.  It's such a broad category (you have performing, non-performing, first, seconds, negotiating, reperforming, settling, foreclosing, servicing, etc. etc. etc.) - so many things to know about that it's hard to link to a single resource.

Best I can offer is Google:
https://www.google.com/search?q=real+estate+notes

Second link there is to the BiggerPockets blog, which posts are tagged as "Real Estate Notes":
http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/category/real-estate-notes-2/

Hope that helps!

Venture Capital. Let the good times roll!

So much of this is who you know - I'd be hesitant to plunge in without a good, established network.  Maybe you have that though.  :)

[Insanity]

Given the positive views from MMM, the Lending Club might be an option.

I'd use it to build out a workshop and take courses on woodworking.

[nktokyo]

Venture Capital. Let the good times roll!

So much of this is who you know - I'd be hesitant to plunge in without a good, established network.  Maybe you have that though.  :)

No. But I'm bored, I have that itch and I already run a small fund.. of sorts. Maybe they'll let me shine their shoes.

[George_PA]

I would purchase one of those self-service car washes.  You know the ones where people put a few quarters in the machine and it gives them access to high pressure hoses and soap.  These places run themselves, you don't have to be there in person very often (only when a machine breaks down or to clean up the place a bit). 

Thus, these make a good vehicle for generating cash flow in early retirement.

[dragoncar]

I would purchase one of those self-service car washes.  You know the ones where people put a few quarters in the machine and it gives them access to high pressure hoses and soap.  These places run themselves, you don't have to be there in person very often (only when a machine breaks down or to clean up the place a bit). 

Thus, these make a good vehicle for generating cash flow in early retirement.

Just make sure there aren't any starlings around:  http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/carwash.asp

[Jwesleym]

Give U-Haul a mortgage at 8% for 30 years, this will give you about $730/ mo towards FI.  Just remember it will stop in 30 years if you don't reinvest.  Your money is secured by property owned by U-Haul.  I'm not advertising for them, but I think it is a relatively safe investment with a decent return.  If you reinvest your income, you can maintain the 8% return.

Uhaulinvestorsclub.com

[Ipodius]

I would purchase one of those self-service car washes.  You know the ones where people put a few quarters in the machine and it gives them access to high pressure hoses and soap.  These places run themselves, you don't have to be there in person very often (only when a machine breaks down or to clean up the place a bit). 

Good idea - made me think of another option, buying vending machines. I know a few people who made good money running vending machines inside of businesses. You can hire someone to do the re-stocking, and you can outsource the maintenance. From what I've been told, the key for doing it successfully on a smaller scale is getting it into the right locations.

[smalllife]

Start a small philanthropy - if I can't do any of the things mentioned it must mean that I have more than enough.  Since I have more than enough, it's time to pass it forward.

My personal favorites: 
-buy abandoned plots in the city and turn them into community gardens (does that count as real estate?)
-sponsor biking infrastructure
-start a small Etsy/Ebay business

And of course, donate to various charities and businesses.

[Spork]

I would purchase one of those self-service car washes.  You know the ones where people put a few quarters in the machine and it gives them access to high pressure hoses and soap.  These places run themselves, you don't have to be there in person very often (only when a machine breaks down or to clean up the place a bit). 

Thus, these make a good vehicle for generating cash flow in early retirement.

Just make sure there aren't any starlings around:  http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/carwash.asp

I think if I had $100k, I'd buy and train a bunch of starlings!