In the UK at least, investing in your home is a far better investment than owning stocks

Talking to some people at work and mentioning how I was getting a loft conversion loft. They were mega keen to now how much it costs and how I was paying for it.<br><br>After I had done this, they went quiet. They started telling me how it was a bad idea to spend so much money, that I should keep that money liquid to invest in the markets. I have do this and they have made some money. <br><br><br>So I asked them, “have you not seen my loft conversion? What is the value of that, and what will it make me in the long term?”<br><br>They stared blankly, which is rude if you ask me.<br><br>So I decided to put it in numbers. I will estimate my home is worth £650,000. Before the loft conversion it was worth £550,000. That is a gain of £100,000. I have spent £65,000 to make this gain.<br><br>So currently I have a net gain of £35,000. When I sell the house in the future, it’s a £100,000 gain. It also gives me peace of mind with a mortgage of £550,000 and a senior job.<br><br>There is not many jobs or investments that will give you double digit returns, and anyone can do either of these things. All you do is go to the bank manager and ask for a home improvement loan. They will give you that loan.<br><br>The best part is that with any investment, you have to pay tax. With a home improvement loan, you do not have to pay tax on the gains. You can tax deduct the costs of the loan, so you pay less tax each year.<br><br>If you have a spare room, get a tenant. If you have a garden, get a shed in it. There are so many things you can do. <br><br>So to the guys at work, stop playing the markets and start playing the game of life.