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Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Smart Investments

By James Colton

The current economic situation has forced many people more into debt, however, while others are going into debt, there are many people out there looking for good investment options. If you have extra money, it does not make sense to let it sit in a savings account; however, many of the investment options out there are also risky. For this reason, there are many individuals who seem skeptical about where to put their money. The good news is there are options for investment that are available today and at the same time are risk free.

It is easy to confuse a good investment with a risk free investment, because not all good investments are good, yet usually all risk free investments are good on some level. When you invest in a risk free investment, you do not have to worry about losing money from the investment; hence, the term risk free investment. When you are deciding which security to invest in, anything that has the potential to cause you to lose money is typically not something that you would classify as a risk free investment. Some securities, however, do not cause loss and therefore are risk free, including, savings bonds, treasury bills, and certificates of deposits (CDs).

These types of investments are not only risk free, but they can also be a smarter investment for many people who are working to save money for the future. If you are looking to invest in new securities, keep in mind that investments are not as liquid as your regular bank accounts (checking and savings). Basically, when you invest money, you cannot necessarily get it back tomorrow if you need to. Although investments are not as liquid, it is nice to know that when you invest in a risk free investment, you can know for sure that the money you invested today will be there tomorrow along with some sort of return.

If you are looking for a long-term risk free investment, try investing in government savings bonds. Savings bonds are a perfect long-term option for your investment, because you are investing your money with the government - an entity you can count on to be here in 20 years. Sometimes, savings bonds do not offer the highest return on investment, however there is basically no risk at all when you invest in a bond. Therefore, when you are deciding what to invest in, a savings bond is not a bad choice.

Another option for risk free investing is treasury bills or T-Bills, which are also offered from the government. The great thing about T-Bills is that they function a lot like bonds, given that they are offered from the government, however they have a much shorter term life than bonds. A typical T-Bill reaches maturity in a year or less and at the same time there is not risk of losing money. When it reaches maturity, you can expect to receive the principle back plus any interest you made on your investment.

In addition to the government securities available, certificates of deposits (CDs) are also great risk free investment options for today's economic climate. CDs usually have a time period that ranges from anywhere between one quarter and 5 years before it reaches maturity. After maturity is reached, you receive payment of the principle and interest like you do with T-Bills and bonds. Also, one thing to consider regarding CDs is that sometimes they do not have the same tax benefits as other investments.

Anyone who has done a little research in the investment industry knows that not all investments are created equal. And, because of the differences in investments, many people seek the advice of a financial planner so they can make the best decisions about their investments. Whether you work with a financial advisor or not, it is important to remember that you need to be cautious when it comes to investing and do your research, especially when it comes to riskier ones.

In the investment industry, a higher rate of return usually involves more risk, and therefore it is important to be cautious. Many people do reap the rewards of the higher return, yet there are others who end up losing money - that is the risk. And, for this reason that is why caution is important, especially in real estate and stock market investments. Don't Lose Money On Your Investments

For this reason, you might be better off sticking with the risk free alternatives. Savings Bonds, T-Bills, and CDs are always great investment options. And, when you invest, you can be sure that at least you will not lose any money! - 23204

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