i tried to calculate how much would i make from bitcoin mining using an antminer s9, and i don't think it's worth it for me as the cost of electricity is high where i live, which is in the UK (it's 20 cents approx), i make like $300 profit a year. and obviously i can't use faucets as that will take years to get one bitcoin. so is the only way to even get any value from bitcoin is to buy it and hold it on for another few years? but it is a risky investment due to the price. or should i invest in new currencies that are cheap right now and have potential to grow to $4k a coin? 
Don't stick to mining, holding, and buying. Try going out there and trading to alt coins. You mine your bitcoins and then trade them to high potential alt coins that can gain a lot of value in one year. Just don't stick to hodling and always pullout profits. Don't be greedy.