| The best investment guide would cover | | | | Examples include U.S. Treasury bonds, corporate |
| investment options and investment strategy. This | | | | bonds and bond funds of various types. |
| investment guide would be complete and start | | | | Advantages include relatively high interest income |
| with basic financial concepts and expand to include | | | | with a moderate level of risk. |
| the entire universe of investments. That's a tall | | | | EQUITIES or STOCKS represent ownership in a |
| order, so let's just start with a simple version, and | | | | corporation. Examples include blue chip stocks, |
| talk about all of the investments in the world in | | | | growth stocks and equity funds. Advantages |
| plain English. | | | | include ample liquidity, growth and some income in |
| Your best investment is a good, complete | | | | the form of dividends. Risk is significant and profit |
| investment guide. I've been tuned in to the world | | | | potential is high. |
| of investing for 35 years and have read over 100 | | | | ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS is our final |
| books on investments and investing. Most of | | | | category. Examples include real estate, gold, and |
| them center on the stock market or some form | | | | foreign investments. Advantages include high |
| of investment technique or get-rich-quick scheme. | | | | profit potential and an alternative to stocks when |
| Many are time sensitive and out of date by the | | | | they are out of favor. Risk can be significant here |
| time you read them. Many tell you how to invest | | | | as well. |
| money like the author did when he made his | | | | That's about as simple as an investment guide can |
| millions. | | | | get. All investment options can be fit into one of |
| What you seldom get with an investment guide | | | | these asset classes. The important thing is that |
| or book is an understanding of investment basics | | | | you have a perspective, and that you understand |
| and a simplified blueprint of your many investment | | | | the investment characteristics of any investment |
| options. So, here's your simplest and free best | | | | before you invest money. For example, someone |
| investment guide to all of the investments in the | | | | pitches an investment to you. Where does it fit in |
| world. There are only 4 different investments or | | | | our above format? |
| asset classes out there depending on how you | | | | How does it rate in terms of: safety, liquidity, |
| categorize things. Once you bring it down to this | | | | growth and profit potential, income provided and |
| level you have a basic framework to work with. | | | | risk? All investment options can be and should be |
| CASH EQUIVALENTS and other safe investments | | | | rated in terms of the above to assure that they |
| pay interest. Either your principal or rate of | | | | fit your needs and risk profile. |
| interest is fixed for a period of time. Examples | | | | If you learn how to invest you'll have a means of |
| include U.S. Treasury bills, money market mutual | | | | supporting yourself for the rest of your life. Once |
| funds and bank savings accounts. Advantages | | | | you have a sound understanding of investment |
| include high liquidity (access to your money) and | | | | basics you've built a great foundation for learning |
| safety, low risk. | | | | how to invest. The best investment guide would |
| BONDS are long-term debt instruments and they | | | | cover both. |
| pay more interest income than the above. | | | | |