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Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Smart Investments

By Audrey Kay

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.

When we talk about a good investment that does not necessarily mean it is going to be risk free, however all risk free investments are relatively good investments on some level because you do not incur a risk of monetary loss with the investment. When you are looking into to various securities, anything that has the potential to cause you to lose money cannot be classified as risk free. However, securities that are free of this risk are often more popular and usually found in government bonds, treasury bills, and certificates of deposits (CD).

The wise investor will most likely consider a risk free investment not only to minimize risk, but also to save smarter when it comes to the future. One of the difficulties with investment securities is that they are not very liquid. Unlike your regular checking or savings account, you might not have access to the money in your securities or even a surety that it will be there in the future. However, with risk free investments, you can rely on the fact that the money you have invested today will at least be there tomorrow, and this is a nice comfort for many investors today.

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.

Unfortunately, to make a better return on your investment, there has to be an element of risk involved. Therefore, the more risky an investment, usually the better the possible return might be. However, it is important to be cautious in today's difficult industries, especially when it comes to real estate and the stock market. Where it once seemed easy to make a decent return, it now is a lot more risky and a lot less people are reaping the rewards.

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! - 23218

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