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Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Don't Lose Money On Your Investments

By Jonah Brek

While some people today seem to be going into debt because of the strain of the economy, there are those people out there looking for good investments - maybe you are one of them. When you have money to spare, putting it in a savings account does not necessarily make sense; yet, the investment alternatives out there today seem to be risky. Because of this, many people are hesitant about where they want to invest their money - and, for good reason. However, there are solid, sound, and relatively risk free investments that are still available to people today looking to invest money.

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).

Risk free investments are not only a less risky investment, but they can also be a smarter investment for a lot of individuals - especially those investing to save for the future. When it comes to investment securities, these assets are not as liquid as a regular checking or savings account. In other words, you cannot necessarily get the money invested in the assets back tomorrow if you need to. However, when you invest in a risk free investment, you do have a decent guarantee that the money you invested today will be there tomorrow - and, that is nice to know.

Although there are different types of risk free investments, one of the most popular risk free investments is obtained from the government in the form of a bond. A government savings bond is a nice long-term investment security that accrues interest over time; and once it matures, you can count on getting your money because you invested in the government instead of a bank or the stock market. The downside of bonds is obviously the fact that they provide a lower rate of return, yet there is no risk and you are guaranteed at least some return on your investment.

Treasury bills (commonly called T-Bills) are another form of investment that is relatively risk free and popular in today's economy. T-Bills function very similarly to bonds, except they have a different time period. While your bond investment may take years to mature, your investment in a T-Bill will mature in one year or less; thus, it is a great risk free investment for the short run investment. Also, when it comes to T-Bills, your money is guaranteed at the maturity date, so you can expect some sort of return on your investment.

Many people who do not invest in government securities but are still looking for risk free investments rely on certificates of deposits (CDs). Certificates of Deposits typically have a time period that ranges from one quarter to five years, and, once the CD has matured you receive the principle and the interest. And, although CDs are definitely sound investments and free from risk, they do not have the tax breaks that other investments offer; so, make sure to consider that when you are deciding which security to invest in.

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

Risk free investments might not provide the highest rate of return, but they do not allow for risk. Invest in savings bonds, T-Bills, and CDs today. You will be better off in the long run. - 23305

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