Overview
In the first article, we talked about how one way to invest is to pay down debt and set up an emergency fund. In this article, we’ll talk about the different ways you can invest to grow your savings.

Mutual Funds
With mutual funds, you can put your money into a lot of different companies at once. You can put your money into companies that pay dividends, biotech, or companies that are focused on growth. Mutual funds let you invest in a lot of different companies at once. This spreads out the risks that come with investing in single stocks. You can choose the mutual funds that fit your investing goals and personality based on your life and financial situation as well as your risk tolerance. Most of the time, these funds are:
- Growth
- Aggressive Growth
- International
- Growth and Income
- Income
If you like taking risks, the first three choices are good. If you can’t handle roller coasters, numbers 4 and 5 might be better for you.
ETFs
ETFs are like mutual funds, but there are some ways in which they are different. EFTs are groups of single stocks that can be traded on the exchanges of the stock market. During the trading session, you can buy or sell EFTs just like you would buy or sell stocks. When the market closes at the end of the day, that’s when mutual fund transactions happen. Whether you like mutual funds or EFTs, you should think about how much risk you are willing to take. Most 401(k) plans don’t have ETFs.
Single Stocks
When you buy stock in a company, you become a part-owner of that company. As the company grows, you can expect your investment in the stock to pay off. It will take a lot of work and research to do this. Investing in stocks has a lot of benefits, like growing with the economy and keeping up with inflation. You don’t need a lot of money to start investing, and you can make money from the price going up and dividends.
It also has some disadvantages. Putting money into a single company is riskier and takes more time to research. Individual stocks tend to be more volatile than mutual funds, so you need to be ready for the emotional ups and downs that come with them.
Certificates of Deposit
This is the safest way to put your money to work, but it isn’t a winner. If you only get 1% of the interest, it’s like giving the bank your money for free. They use your money and make a 7% profit, but they only give you 1% of your money back after fees. You might want to put your emergency fund in short-term CDs, but make sure you know about any fees or other rules.
Bonds
When the stock market is too hot or the economy is heading toward a recession, bonds are a good place to put your money. Mutual fund companies often have bond funds or income funds. Bond funds are a good way to diversify your portfolio beyond just buying stocks. Bonds are less risky than stocks or mutual funds when it comes to investing. Stocks can give you better long-term returns than bonds, but they also come with more risk. Bonds tend to be more stable than stocks, but their long-term returns have been lower. By having a variety of investments, you are diversifying your portfolio.
Fixed Annuities
Annuities can give you a steady stream of income in retirement, but if you die too soon, you might not get your money’s worth. When compared to mutual funds and other investments, the fees for annuities are often very high. The main problems are the long-term contract, the fact that you lose control over your money, the fact that you earn little or no interest, and the high fees.
You can change an annuity to meet your needs, but you’ll usually have to pay more or take a lower monthly income. There are also fewer ways to get money out of an annuity, and you have to wait until you are 59.5 years old to do so without a penalty.
An annuity is a way to get extra money after you retire. An annuity is a good choice for some people because it can give them regular payments, tax benefits, and a possible death benefit.
Key Takeaways
Investing is really about getting out of debt, keeping your capital, and making it grow. There are three things that can be said about any investment: safety, income, and capital growth. You should know how much risk you are willing to take, choose good companies to invest in, and stay true to your financial goals.
You want to keep savings and investments separate. For example, don’t buy stocks with money from your emergency fund. Invest to achieve your long-term goals. Use tax-advantaged accounts like 401(k) and IRAs. Don’t chase after stocks that are going up fast. Instead, be a stock picker and choose companies that are financially sound. Whenever possible, avoid paying any fees.