Although there are several investment opportunities, often most investments relate to four main categories. These are, shares, short-term deposits, property and bonds. As such, one may want to investigate each area and decide whether one desires to invest in different Investment Types And Different Asset Classes or only one.

So, one may want to consider which class or classes one is most interested in investing. For, while most individual investors often invest in one class, often the advice with regards to investing suggest diversification as creating a way to guarantee at least some form of return. This is especially true where one invests in bonds and Certificates of Deposits.

Still, the more one knows about each investment opportunity, the better the chance of a return. Although, since each asset class differs from another, it is also good to understand the basic ways in which each investment vehicle works. For, only when one knows how something works, can one use such to the best advantage.

Although there is far more to be learned about such investment classes, one can see the difference between bonds and Certificates of Deposits as bonds being a long term investment and CDs being a short term one. So, with bonds one must often put money on hold for a long period of time. After which, the investor receives the bond maturity rate including any interest such a bond has earned over time.

In addition, with most bond distributions or purchases, early withdrawals are either not allowed, or only when one pays an excessive penalty. As such, before investing in bonds, one may want to be sure one is not going to need the funds one is investing. For, it can often be difficult to have such money returned before such a bond matures.

So, whether one is interested in investing in property or shares in the stock market, one is going to be taking a risk. For, there are no guarantees that property values hold or that companies can earn a profit. As such, many individuals have both gained and lost a great deal of money on such investments.

As such, if one can pay cash for a home, or buy, remodel and resale in a short amount of time, one can most likely make money. Otherwise, owning a home can be a great retirement plan. For, if one decides to sell such a home, one can spread out such profits over additional investments which may yield a return.

In addition, although some people feel that renting is a good way to invest funds, others disagree. For, depending on the area in which one lives, one may be surprised to find out what renters are doing in and with such property. Also, when one owns rental property, one must always be on top of repairs in order not to be labeled as a slumlord or have tenants file a grievance.

Whereas, a short term deposit or term deposit is a deposit which has a fixed maturity date. Such financial products include, but are not limited to, Certificates of Deposit and Money Market accounts. As such, these have become some of the most popular investments with individual investors.

However, there are those who love to invest in the stock market and purchase shares of various companies. If this is the case, one is taking a much greater risk as values like companies can rise and fall. Still, if one is planning on investing for the long term, one can often also make money in the stock market.

Therefore, while some investments require little attention such as bonds and CDs, others require a great deal more, such as property and the stock market. Regardless, as Investment Types & Different Asset Classes exist, one has a great many options with regards to such investing.