When most of us think about investing, we think about stocks and shares, and it’s never a bad idea to plow some of your spare cash into these things if you want to secure your future and be as financially well off as you can be. However, investing in yourself is also important, and can pay off just as much in the long run as investments in gold or lithium stocks.

Here are some smart ways to invest in your future self-today, that will improve your wellbeing and your wallet significantly as time goes by…

Invest in Education

Investing in your further education is almost always going to be money well spent, providing you don’t do something silly like take a Ph.D. in Twin Peaks, which as interesting as it would be, is unlikely to improve your job prospects significantly, anyway. Why? Because whether you want to enroll in a music institute or take your accounting exams so you can finally get that dream career, your chances of earning a good living will increase the more education you have. Yes, there are no guarantees but when you have a degree or professional qualifications, for example, climbing the ladder becomes far easier than it was before.

Invest in Cookery Classes

If you’re thinking I’ve lost my mind, bear with me and all will become clear. Cooking is a very important life skill, which unfortunately many of us do not have. Not only does it enable us to cook healthy meals that will nourish and sustain us, but it helps us to save money too. How? Well, if you’re eating a healthy diet, you’re far less likely to become sick and overweight int he future, which means fewer big medical bills. Then, there’s the fact that cooking at home, using fresh ingredients tends to be far more frugal than eating out all the time or buying convenience foods. So,  yes, cooking classes really are one of the best forms of self-investment there are.

Invest in a Gym Membership

If you’re the kind of person who needs a gym membership to push you into exercising regularly, it can be one of the best investments you will ever make, like the cookery classes   the healthier you are the less likely you are to face huge medical bills in the future, but also because there are now many insurance companies who will offer discounts to people who attend the gym and exercise regularly, and you can make big savings by switching to them.

Invest in a Retirement Fund

If you don’t want to be forced to work until you die or live in poverty when you’re old, you really can’t afford to not invest in a retirement fund. The sooner you do so, the more money you will have when the time comes to hang up your suit and tie.

If you invest in these four simple things, not only will you save money, but you will set your future self up for a much happier, healthier and ultimately wealthier life and who wouldn’t want that, right?