Where Can I Get a 10% Return on My Money? Straight Answers

If someone promises you a guaranteed 10% return, run the other way—fast. That kind of offer usually comes from scammers, not legit investments. But 10% isn’t completely off the table if you know where to look and understand what you’re up against.

Right now, safe options like savings accounts or government bonds barely beat inflation—they don’t even come close to 10%. So if you want to reach that higher mark, you’ll need to take on some bigger risks, and you can’t expect it to happen overnight.

You probably hear about people doubling their money in stocks or crypto, and yes, it happens. But you should also know that losing big is just as real. Getting the juicy returns means playing a smarter, longer-term game and knowing which risks are worth it.

• Why Everyone Wants That 10%
• The Realities of Chasing High Returns
• Stock Market Plays: Is 10% Still Possible?
• Real Estate: Not Just for Millionaires Anymore
• Alternative Investments: Crypto, Crowdfunding, and More
• Red Flags and Risk Control

Why Everyone Wants That 10%

Let’s be honest—who wouldn’t love to watch their money multiply, year after year, with a 10% return? It’s not just a good number to brag about. It can seriously change what your future looks like. That’s the power of compounding. Most folks choose 10% because it sounds big but not impossible—and historically, it’s not just a pipe dream.

For decades, the 10% return has been thrown around based on the average annual returns of the S&P 500 stock index. Since 1926, including dividends, the S&P 500’s average has floated pretty close to 10%. But remember, that’s an average across nearly a century, with plenty of wild swings in the middle.

Here’s what a regular investment can look like if it grows by 10% each year, compared to some lower rates:

That’s almost double what you’d get at 5%—no wonder everyone’s chasing 10%. With inflation eating into your savings (US inflation averaged 3.4% over the last 30 years), aiming higher is the only way to grow your real wealth.

But here’s the real kicker: most folks working regular jobs don’t have a shot at those returns in their 401(k) or savings accounts. So if you want to beat the average and make your money hustle for you, you need to look beyond what’s "safe"—and accept that the ride probably won’t be smooth.

The Realities of Chasing High Returns

Let’s get one thing out of the way: pulling off a 10% return isn’t impossible, but it’s a pretty tall order—especially if you want to keep your hair. The higher the potential return, the bigger the risk you’re taking on. Anyone who tells you different usually has something to sell or is guessing.

The S&P 500, which is like the scoreboard for big U.S. stocks, has averaged about 10% a year over the long haul. But that’s not every year—some years it’s a wild ride up, other years it’s gut-wrenching drops. For example, in 2022, the S&P 500 lost about 19%. Fast-forward to 2023, it bounced back with a strong 24% gain. That rollercoaster isn’t for everyone.

If you’re thinking you can just “lock in” a 10% yield, think again. The reality is, most investments with reliable, steady returns—like bonds, CDs, or savings accounts—offer way less, usually around 4-6% if you’re lucky. Start seeing anything promising 10% with no risk? That’s a red flag. Bernie Madoff got away with that trick for decades by promising smooth, steady high returns. Look how that ended.

Paul Merriman, a well-known financial educator, said, “Consistent double-digit returns without risk simply don’t exist in the real world.”

If you chase after the 10% return, you’re usually signing up for one or more of these:

• More volatility (your investment will go up and down like a yo-yo)
• Bigger chance of losing money, especially in the short run
• Complex, sometimes hard-to-understand products
• Extra homework—digging into what you’re actually buying

The bottom line: you can get high returns, but you need to pay attention to the risks. Don’t fall for “guaranteed” deals. If your goal is 10%, ask yourself how much of a rollercoaster you’re willing to ride, and make sure you’re not risking more than you can handle.

Stock Market Plays: Is 10% Still Possible?

The stock market gets all the attention when people think about hitting a 10% return. And there’s a reason—historically, the S&P 500 has averaged about 10% a year since the 1920s, including dividends and all the wild market swings. But here’s the catch: those are averages, and some years absolutely stink.

If you want a shot at that kind of return, stocks are where you look. Still, you have to deal with the rollercoaster. In 2022, the S&P 500 dropped nearly 20%. The following year, it bounced back and gained 24%. This proves the point—if you need a guaranteed 10% in 12 months, stocks aren’t your ticket. But over the long haul? The odds improve a lot.

Check out how the S&P 500 has actually performed lately:

So, how do you try to snag a 10% return in stocks?

• Buy and hold low-cost ETFs or index funds. These track the whole market, like the S&P 500, and charge low fees. No need to pick winners. Just ride the market over years, not months.
• Dividend stocks. Companies that pay regular dividends (like Johnson & Johnson or PepsiCo) can boost returns a bit, especially if you reinvest those dividends back into more shares.
• Growth stocks. Think tech giants such as Apple, Microsoft, or up-and-coming innovators. They can deliver outsized returns, but they come with a side of volatility you have to stomach.

If you try to “trade” your way to 10%, stats aren’t on your side. According to a 2023 report from Dalbar, almost 90% of individual investors underperform the market over 20 years because they buy high and sell low. The slow and steady approach works out better for most regular folks.

Keep your costs low. Expense ratios and trading fees can eat into your gains. Also, watch out for taxes if you’re trading often or cashing out big winners.

Bottom line—yes, getting a 10% return from stocks is possible, especially if you let your money ride for a bunch of years, reinvest dividends, and avoid acting on every market headline. Chasing it too hard or trying to time the market usually backfires.

Real Estate: Not Just for Millionaires Anymore

People usually think real estate is only for rich folks, but these days, that’s just not true. The game has changed thanks to new tools and ways to invest, making it way more accessible than it was even ten years ago. And yes, hitting a 10% return is possible in some corners of real estate, especially if you’re smart about how you play it.

First, you don’t have to buy an entire house or building by yourself. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) let you buy in with as little as $100. These are basically companies that own or finance income-producing properties, and they pay out much of their income to shareholders. There are public REITs you can buy straight from your brokerage app—no big cash pile needed.

Then there’s real estate crowdfunding. On platforms like Fundrise and RealtyMogul, you can team up with other people to invest. Some options start at just $10. You’re basically sharing the risk and reward. Just keep in mind, these are long plays—your money is locked up for several years in most cases.

Here are some ways regular people are getting into real estate now:

• Short-term rentals: Buying a property and renting it out on Airbnb. In touristy cities, some owners see double-digit returns after expenses—if they keep high occupancy.
• Small multifamily homes: Duplexes or triplexes can mean more rent for less risk, and some banks allow smaller down payments if you live in one unit.
• REIT ETFs: These are exchange-traded funds that hold baskets of REITs. Liquid and easy to manage, they let you diversify across many property types at once.

How do these break down in real life? Check out this quick table from Statista (2024) on U.S. average annual returns over the last decade:

* Crowdfunding returns vary a lot. Some projects hit 12%+, but not all deals go well. Read the fine print and check the platform’s track record before investing.

The catch? Real estate isn’t hands-free unless you’re in a REIT or fund. If you’re hosting on Airbnb or managing properties yourself, expect some headaches. Repairs, bad tenants, and vacancies can kill your profit fast if you’re not realistic. Also, location is everything—some cities are tough for landlords because of strict rules or high property taxes.

Bottom line: real estate can still be a ticket to strong returns, and regular people have more ways in than ever. Just remember, bigger returns usually come with bigger hassles or longer wait times.

Alternative Investments: Crypto, Crowdfunding, and More

Okay, let’s get real about alternative places to hunt for a 10% return. These don’t always show up in the mainstream, and you won’t find them on your bank’s savings dashboard. But sometimes, these options deliver those big numbers—sometimes with big headaches attached.

First up is crypto. Back in 2021, stories about young investors making 300% returns in months were everywhere. But there’s a flip side: in 2022, Bitcoin lost over 60% of its value, burning anyone who bought at the top. As of April 2025, Bitcoin has been bouncing around $70,000, still super volatile. There are no guarantees here, but a lot of people use crypto for a shot at outsized returns. Only throw in what you’re truly prepared to lose.

Next, peer-to-peer (P2P) lending and crowdfunding platforms are worth a look. Platforms like LendingClub and Fundrise have opened real estate or small business investing to regular folks. According to Fundrise’s 2024 public report, their users earned an annual average of 8.6%—pretty good, but not guaranteed, and not quite that magic number.

Ever thought about private startups or private equity? Sometimes you can jump in on a new company using platforms like AngelList, but here’s the deal: while some startups have made early investors super rich, most go bust. According to a 2023 report from Cambridge Associates, about 90% of VC-backed startups fail to return more than the original investment.

It pays to keep your expectations straight. As CNBC’s Make It put it,

"Bigger returns almost always mean bigger risks. If you’re chasing high yield, be sure you know what you’re risking."

Here are a few tips before you jump in anywhere outside the mainstream:

• Read everything about the platform—are they FDIC insured? Most aren’t.
• Watch for fees. Those can eat deep into your “returns.”
• Diversify across several investments rather than betting it all on one wild idea.
• Make sure your emergency savings are set up first (don’t gamble the rent).

Chasing 10% from alternative investments means doing real homework. These options are tempting, but the line between smart risk and outright speculation is thin, so step carefully.

Red Flags and Risk Control

Shooting for that 10% return is cool, but slip-ups can burn you, sometimes for life. With so much noise online, it’s easy to get reeled in by slick marketing or wild promises. The biggest lesson: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Here are some obvious red flags you need to be wary of:

• Guaranteed high returns: There’s no such thing as a risk-free double-digit return. Even the S&P 500, considered the gold standard, averages about 10% per year in the long term—but some years it tanks hard.
• Pressure to "act now": Real investments don’t come with ticking clocks or pushy sales pitches. If someone’s urging you to hurry, walk away.
• Unclear business models: If you can’t explain to a friend how the investment makes money, skip it. Scammers count on confusion.
• No proper documentation: If there’s no paperwork, or it’s full of errors, that’s a red light.
• Ponzi or pyramid vibes: If the "return" depends on bringing in new investors instead of legit profits, you’re looking at a scam.

So how do you keep your money safe but still go for growth?

• Spread your bets: Don’t dump everything into one stock, one house, or one fund. Diversifying can soften the blow if one part tanks.
• Check backgrounds: Look up the people or companies behind an offer. A five-minute internet search can save your bacon.
• Read reviews and forums: Search sites like Reddit or Trustpilot for real-world experiences.
• Start small: Test out new platforms or ideas with an amount you’re willing to lose, and then ramp up if it works out.
• Use stop-loss orders: In stocks or crypto, these protect you by setting automatic sell points if prices drop too much.

Here’s a quick look at risk levels across popular investments as of June 2025:

Sometimes you just have to accept that higher rewards demand higher risks. But you can be smart about it—do your homework, spread out your risks, and never pour cash into anything you don’t truly understand. That’s how you stick around long enough to let your gains actually pile up.