Why Save and Invest? Marrs Magnet Center FBLA

Why Save and Invest? To buy a car when you graduate from high school or college; To have money set aside for special occasions or emergencies; To buy a house someday; or To live comfortably in retirement.

How Can I Save and Invest? Savings Accounts Insured Bank Money Market Accounts. Certificates of Deposit. Stocks Bonds Mutual Funds

Savings Accounts If you save your money in a savings account, the bank or credit union will pay you interest, and you can easily get your money whenever you want it. At most banks, your savings account will be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Insured Bank Money Market Accounts. These accounts tend to offer higher interest rates than savings accounts and often give you check-writing privileges. Like savings account, many money market accounts will be insured by the FDIC. Note that bank money market accounts are not the same as money market mutual funds, which are not insured by the FDIC.

Certificates of Deposit. You can earn an even higher interest if you put your money in a certificate of deposit, or CD, which is also protected by the FDIC. When you buy a CD, you promise that you're going to keep your money in the bank for a certain amount of time.

Stocks Have you ever thought that you'd like to own part of a famous restaurant, or the company that makes the shoes on your feet? That's what happens when you buy stock in a company-you become one of the owners. Your share of the company depends on how many shares of the company's stock you own.

Bonds Many companies borrow money so they can become even bigger and more successful. One way they borrow money is by selling bonds. When you buy a bond, you're lending your money to the company so it can grow. The company promises to pay you interest and to return your money on a date in the future.

Mutual Funds Stocks and bonds can be purchased individually, or you can buy them by buying shares of a mutual fund. A mutual fund is a pool of money run by a professional or group of professionals who have experience in picking investments. After researching many companies, these professionals select the stocks or bonds of companies and put them into a fund. Investors can buy shares of the fund, and their shares rise or fall in value as the values of the stocks and bonds in the fund rise and fall.

Risks Low Risks Savings Accounts Insured Money Market Accounts CDs. Medium Risks Bonds Mutual Funds High Risk Stocks

Credit Management Put Away the Plastic. Know What You Owe. Pay Off the Card with the Highest Rate.

Achieving Financial Security Make a Plan. Keep Trade-Offs and "Opportunity Cost" in Mind. Save and Invest for the Long Term. Investigate Before You Invest. Avoid the Costs of Delay.