Investing is all about giving something to get even more than you gave. Whether you’re investing in yourself, your home, or in new ideas like driverless cars–optimization is the goal. To get the best possible return on your investments, you have to be wise about how you spend your time and money.

When it comes to self and home improvement, the two aren’t mutually exclusive. When you’re out in public, people see you as a reflection of your home; and when people see your home, they see it as a reflection of who you are. Investing in yourself and your home are the best ways to open new windows of opportunity for the first time. Continue reading to learn some tips to help you invest in yourself and your home.

1. Home security is of the utmost importance.

To say we live in a crazy world would be an understatement of the century. The world is full of good people, but it only takes one bad actor to crash it all down and bring more trouble into your life than you could ever have imagined.

One of the most common ways for burglars to get into the homes of unsuspecting homeowners is through unsecured, or outdated types of windows. If you live in a dangerous part of town, you can’t afford to have any lapses in your home’s security. Even if you have a top-notch alarm system, if your bay window sills are dry rotted or you have cracked windows, you should seriously consider getting a window company to quote you for replacing them.

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, there are nearly 4 million break-ins every year in the United States, so as a homeowner you’d be naive to think it can’t happen to your family. All criminals need is an opportunity, and replacing your windows is a great way to mitigate their opportunities.

Even if you’re a DIY’er at heart, it’s best to call a contractor or window company to handle your window replacement. If your neighborhood is unsafe, you should also consider putting sensors on your new windows to further fortify your little slice of heaven. Some sensors now link to your router, which will alert your smartphone if there is a data breach. They’re very subtle too, with the only visible element being a little red light to show that it’s working. When it comes to securing your windows, it doesn’t matter if you choose a bay, vinyl, or simply have a mix of bay and vinyl styled windows in your home, the sensors will work and nearly everyone has a smartphone onto which to download a mobile app these days.

Not only will new windows make your home more secure, but it could also boost your home’s energy efficiency–and who doesn’t want to lower their utility bills? Be sure to check out customer reviews of your local window replacement companies to ensure you get durable windows and the best possible service.

2. Invest in technology.

You’ve probably heard the stories of people who invested in new technology like computers and cryptocurrency when they were in their fledgling stages and are now richer than they’d ever imagined. If you’re looking for ways to build generational wealth, you should keep your eyes on the latest technological advancements. If you can get in on the right technology when it’s still in its developmental stages, you could find yourself with more wealth than you know what to do with.

Autonomous cars are an investment opportunity worth considering. Google is one of the companies leading the charge in driverless-car technology. Google’s cars are already providing taxi services in Phoenix, Arizona with great success. One of the main concerns is car accidents with Google’s driverless cars, but their autonomous cars have more miles than any other driverless car on the market and there have only been five fatal accidents.

3. Get your own private cloud storage.

One of the things people worry most about is the privacy of their data. With a personal NAS cloud storage system, you have complete control over your cloud storage. You can use it to store photos, personal data, and you can even host your enterprise infrastructure. Being that it’s cloud technology, you have remote access to it, and you can provide private spaces for each user on your router.

4. Cybersecurity is as important as physical security.

Just like you need to secure your home from burglars, you need to secure your network against cybercriminals. With IPv4 and IPv6 address blocks, you get your own private network on the internet. Look at it this way—if having a website is like having a home on the internet, having your own IPv4 is like having your own neighborhood. IPv4 addresses give you complete control over what information enters and exits your network.