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Stocks are a great way to secure your family's financial future. From braces, to college, to weddings, and retirement you will find a way to pay for all of these things and a few of life's unexpected emergencies along the way. For this reason many people have an inner battle as to whether it is a better idea to invest a little more aggressively or conservatively in order to get the most for their money. The problem with low risk investments for many is the fact that lower risks typically render lower yields. This means that there is less money to work with when that important day comes (at least in theory). Of course if you take a few larger risks along the way you still risk having less when the time comes to cash in your nest egg and rely upon it for a living or to take care of the needs we encounter along the way.

Common low risk investments include mutual funds and certificates of deposits though there are many stocks that would be considered low risk. Those would be the giants of industry that have withstood various tests of time and have come out no worse for wear as a result. It is important to remember that low risk doesn't indicate that the investments you are making carry no risk. There is no such thing as a no risk investment though these mentioned above carry far fewer risks than some of the more volatile markets in which one could choose to invest.

Another low risk investment for many is to go with childhood favorites such as Hershey, Mattel, GE, and other stocks that have been around for a very long time and have become almost a household name. The longevity of these companies makes them attractive for those looking for long term, low risk investments. They are relatively steady experience growth that often goes hand in hand with inflation. They do not generally experience the roller coaster ride that many stocks on various exchanges may go through so they are definitely not fodder for the manipulations of day traders. They are instead solid investments that while not flashy in their offerings are stable and that is something that low risk investors admire in stocks.

Certificates of deposit (CDs) have been known to offer significantly better rates of returns than many mutual funds and most interest rates for savings plans. If you are going to go the route of a mutual fund you either need to carefully consider how conservative you want your mutual fund to be (more aggressive funds can make more money than the average CD but you'll need to carefully consider which will be best for your financial goals) before deciding which is the better option of the two for you.

If you choose to go with mutual funds there are several types from which to choose. You need to decide from the beginning if you prefer a mutual fund that will give you a monthly income now or if you want a mutual fund that is dedicated to slow growth and a constantly increasing value. You will want a mutual fund that pays out a certain amount of money each month as you near retirement. Until then it is in your best interest to avoid those, as there is very little, if any, growth in the value of these funds.

Investing in the stock market is taking a risk. For some people investing in the market is a leap of faith while others are more confident taking baby steps towards their financial goals and future plans. Whatever type of investor you may be you will find some value in having at least some mutual funds and lower risks investments included in your portfolio. If you do not have any in your portfolio at the moment, there is no time like the present to include them.

Are Penny Stocks for You?

Penny stocks are definitely risks that are better suited for the investor that likes to go skydiving, skinny-dipping, and bungee jumping. Of course even a few more conservative investors will find some attraction in the low risk promise of hefty payout's that the right penny stock can offer. In fact, many investors dream of being the one to find that perfect penny stock with absolute potential that will someday become the next LDDS turned WorldCom before the fall. The truth is that little businesses become big businesses everyday. Unfortunately, those that make it to the big leagues are quite few in number when compared to those who do not.

Penny stocks are a great way for small companies to finance growth spurts, smooth over rough spots and manage to become even better. This also gives companies a chance to restructure and by allowing their stocks to be traded as penny stocks they are generating revenue that can be reinvested into the company to great effect. Many times, this is a successful venture for the company but there are many times it isn't. This is part of the risk that is taken when investing in penny stocks. When the companies manage to pull themselves together, grow at an exceptional rate, and become the company you hope they can become the payouts are amazing. But do not expect immediate results from your penny stock investment.

You should also be aware that many companies use penny stocks in order to run scams on unsuspecting investors. It is nearly impossible to get all the particulars about penny stock companies when investing in penny stocks because unlike those companies that trade with the big boys (NYCE, NASDAQ, etc.) these companies are not required to open their books to potential investors and do not face nearly the same amount of scrutiny that larger corporations face when opening their doors to investors.

But the question of whether or not penny stock trading is for your is going to depend almost entirely on your personal sense of adventure and your willingness to take risks with your money. There are many out there who firmly believe that in order to gain much, you must also be willing to risk much. This is a way of life for many that holds true for them in love, life, and in money. These people are much more capricious with their money and are willing to take the risk without reservation or fear of a negative outcome. These are the people who do wonderfully, win or loose when investing in penny stocks.

On the other end of the spectrum there are those who jealously guard their nest eggs and bank their retirement security upon the funds going in that basket. These are people that are quite likely to find themselves panicking their way through a penny stock investment for many reasons. You can't really research the companies (a travesty to people who prefer careful planning) and you can't gain quick and easy access to your funds once invested. This removes some sense of control over you financial health and isn't a comfortable feeling for investors who like to feel in control. I can definitely relate to those who are in no condition, really, to invest in penny stocks. It's a frightening investment practice when houses, retirements, braces, and college educations are on the line.

If you are the type to invest in penny stocks without carrying the heavy baggage of worry, stress, and nervous sweats along with you then you may find yourself in the position to change your wealth status. Even if you go against your comfort level and make the investment there is much to gain. Unfortunately the risks of this sort of investment are great as well and should not be overlooked or underestimated. So it still boils down to you and the person you are deep down inside. Are penny stocks right for you? Only you can answer that.

Reasons to Invest in the Stock Market

Many people think of investing in the stock market as a means of reaching retirement goals and nothing more. There is very little that could be further from the truth though. There are many reasons that people invest in the stock market that have a lot to do with the more immediate future. If you haven't considered all the great things that can come about as the result of savvy investing in the stock market and mutual funds, perhaps these ideas will give you a little inspiration.

1) Buying a home. While you do not necessarily need the money up front to pay for the entire house it would be great. Of course, down payments are great to have to and the more money you can spend as a down payment the lower interest rate you can get, which means you will pay considerably less over the life of your home. It also means you will have instant equity in your home that is almost always a great thing.

2) Sending the kids to college. This is a long term investing goal but it isn't as long term for many as retirement. Most of us can actually envision sending our kids off to college while we aren't yet ready to imagine or day to dream (or dread) what our retirement is going to be like. But many people wonder often how they are going to give their children the college education they dream of for their children.

3) Braces and other medical expenses. If you have kids you should be prepared for unexpected medical and dental expenses along the way. Even if you have an excellent insurance plan chances are that you will need to bear the brunt of some of these costs along the way in the form of deductibles and co payments that can be costly in their own rights. It helps if you have a little money set aside and earning interest for these occasions.

4) Dream vacations. We all have places we'd love to go, things we'd love to do, and sights we'd love to see. Most of us put a lot of time and effort into securing our future and forget the importance of taking some time to enjoy the time we have today. Our children are only young once so if you want to take them to Disney it is best to do it while they are young and can enjoy and remember the experience. More importantly they can remember sharing the experience with you. This is one of the best reasons to invest.

5) To pay for the unexpected. Pipes burst, the heating and air conditioning go out, and new cars are needed along the way. Most investments have a much better return on investment than the average bank's interest rate. This means that by investing the money you are more likely to have it making money for you while you are waiting for those moments when you need to withdraw it in order to handle those little emergencies.

As you can see there are plenty of reasons to invest your money that have nothing to do with retirement though securing a comfortable retirement is near the top of most people's lists of reasons to invest. If you haven't thought of all these reasons and a few more and aren't yet investing, what on earth is stopping you from getting started right away?