Investment Alternatives

Insured Savings Account

            Available through banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions; insured by a government agency up to $100,000 per account; considered safe and convenient; easy to open

U.S. Savings Bonds

            Available through many financial institutions and payroll deduction plans; provide an opportunity for you to invest in the U.S. government by buying a bond with a set maturity date at a price below face value

Certificate of Deposit

            Savings certificates in a specific amount of money for a specific amount of time with a specific rate of interest; one main feature is convenience; you select maturity date to fit your needs

Treasury Issues

            Bills, notes, or bonds, in denominations of $1,000 to $1 million; mature from 30 days to more than five years after issue by the Treasury Department

Bonds

            Certificates of debt; represents a loan to a corporation or agency; issued by corporations or government agencies that promise payment of interest on specific dates, with payment of the original investment amount at maturity

Mutual Funds

            Diversified investment alternative; for individual investors to pool dollars that are professionally managed, to meet various investment objectives

Stocks

            Investment that represents a share of ownership in a company; value of the stock may increase or decrease, based on the success, or perceived success, of the corporation

Collectibles

            May be coins, stamps, artwork, baseball cares, or any of a number of other items that can be bought, held, and sold, depending on supply and demand

Commodities

            Life’s basics, such as food, wood, and metals, that can be purchased in contract form to speculate on future world demands, or to hedge against present investments