Investment Facts : Video Series

Commodities are products that are in high demand and have very little differentiation from product to product, such as gold, copper and oil. Invest in commodities through futures contracts or by purchasing traded funds with advice from a financial planner in this free video on investments.

DRIP investments, or dividend reinvestment plans, are an inexpensive way for an individual to own stock directly from a company without going through a brokerage firm. Avoid the traditional cost of dealing with investment brokers by starting a DRIP investment plant using advice from a financial planner in this free video on investments.

Forex investment accounts trade currencies from around the world on the foreign exchange market through a Forex account or a Forex investment broker. Consider trading currency with currency exchange traded funds or exchange traded notes using advice from a financial planner in this free video on investments.

Gold buyers are companies that buy unwanted gold or precious metal. Due to common abuses, make sure the company buying gold is reputable by checking with the Better Business Bureau using advice from a financial planner in this free video on gold buyers.

The main advantage of investing in a money market account is the higher yield that most money market accounts see over traditional savings accounts. Prepare for transactions to be monitored in a money market account with information from a financial planner in this free video on savings accounts.

When choosing the best dividend reinvestment plan, check the setup and maintenance fees, find a plan that allows regular interval investments, and consider using an independent broker to diversify large amounts of money. Determine whether to open a dividend reinvestment plan or a typical brokerage account with information from a financial planner in this free video on investments.

Beginners who try day trading should set up an account with a discount broker, be aware of trading fees, have access to research on stocks, and watch investments very closely. Understand the tax implications of day trades, and diversify as much as possible with advice from a financial planner in this free video on investments.

There are thousands of different types of mutual funds, including no-load funds, loaded funds and funds in different asset categories. Know what to look for when investing in mutual funds using advice from a financial planner in this free video on investments.

Effective money management strategy for traders includes knowing what tools are at the disposal of investors, paying close attention to the portfolio and diversifying investments to avoid concentrated market risk. Be aware of how investments are doing on a day-to-day basis with advice from a financial planner in this free video on investments.

Kids can invest in stocks by opening an account with the child and acquiring stocks in familiar companies to get the children interested in investing. Send kids stock certificates in a frame, and track investments together with tips from a financial planner in this free video on investments.

Buy a single stock by investing with a dividend reinvestment program, a discount brokerage firm or a financial profession. Consider diversifying a stock portfolio with a variety of stocks to prevent loss with tips from a financial planner in this free video on investments.

A hedge fund is a collection of different securities and stocks that is controlled by a fund manager, who is trying to do better than the market in order to control volatility. Beware of how lightly regulated hedge funds can be with insight from a financial planner in this free video on investments.

Buy bonds in the U.S. directly through the treasury department or by investing in bond mutual funds through a discount broker or financial adviser. Consider buying treasury direct investment bonds to prevent losing money with insight from a financial planner in this free video on investments.

When buying stocks on a budget, invest directly with a fund family that has thousands of companies in it and no charges. Spread risks as far as possible with a monthly investment program using advice from a financial planner in this free video on investments.

To pick a mutual fund, consider the cost of investing, the load on the front and back end, the internal expense, how it fits into current investments and the asset class of the mutual fund. Understand the tax implications of purchasing a particular mutual fund with help from a financial planner in this free video on investments.

Stocks are investments that allow individuals to buy a small piece of a company and either make or lose money depending on the stock market, the company and the industry. Buy a mix of stocks in solid companies with advice from a financial planner in this free video on investments.

Open an education investment account or college savings plan by investing money in a 529 account to grow money tax free or in a state-sponsored fund that locks in the cost of an education. Provide for the future needs of a child's education with help from a financial planner in this free video on investments.

The main reason to invest money is to make more money through investments than would have been made keeping the money in a traditional savings account. Invest money for retirement or college funds with advice from a financial planner in this free video on investments.

The basics of investing include educating yourself on financial terms and investment alternatives, taking more risk to receive more reward and diversifying investments to protect against major losses. Learn how risk and return are directly related in investments with information from a financial planner in this free video on investments.

The best investments for young people are diverse stock equities with a high potential for growth. Find out why young people should be aggressive and take risks when investing with information from a financial planner in this free video on investments.

Free trades for investment accounts is when discount brokerage firms offer no transaction fees for certain funds on a mutual fund platform. Be aware of internal expenses related to free trade funds with tips from a financial planner in this free video on investments.

A CD, or certificate of deposit, is a fixed income instrument purchased from a bank that allows the investor to give the bank a certain amount of money and earn interest on that money for a set period of time. Be aware of early withdraw penalties for CDs with information from a financial planner in this free video on investments.

A conservative investor is someone who doesn't subject themselves to much market risk or market fluctuation. Typically an older person, conservative investors will have more fixed income bonds and fewer stocks. Find out more about conservative investing with information from a financial planner in this free video on investments.

An aggressive growth fund is a collection of different types of stocks from different asset classes. Aggressive growth funds are appropriate for younger people with a higher risk tolerance. Learn about fees that may be associated with aggressive growth funds with information from a financial planner in this free video on investments.

An index fund is a collection of stocks in a particular sector of the market that tracks an index instead of being managed by a person. Keep investment costs down by choosing an index fund with help from a financial planner in this free video on investments.