Bonds

When it comes to saving and investing money, there are a lot of different ways that you can go. A bond is basically an IOU, or a piece of paper that says it is worth "X" amount of money at a certain date and time. The issuer makes interest payments on this bond over time, providing people with a fixed amount of money once the certificate matures. This is a fixed investment, which is why so many people like it and want to use it instead of other options.

Key tips when you want to get savings bonds:

• Bonds only have face value once they reach maturity. If you cash them in early, their value is a fraction of face and you lose a lot of interest gained.
• Once the bond matures, you get your original investment back and in the meantime, you are paid interest annually for your bond based on interest rates.
• These are a good idea for people who can afford to purchase them and set them aside for a number of years until they mature because that is really the only way they have value.
• Bonds are not the same as mutual funds or stocks, but they can all wind up in the same investment portfolio when someone wants to diversify

You can buy bonds through banks, financial services, and other brokers who deal with investments and financial products. If you are considering a good investment that is simple and fixed and you have a lump sum of money you won't miss for 5-10 years, bonds might be the perfect investment for you. Of course, if you can't spring for a large sum of cash, you might want to check into CDs or other investment options.

Advice on finding the best savings and investment bonds:

Choosing the right bonds is just about looking at the amount invested, the interest rate and how it is compounded and paid, and how long the bond will take to mature. If you aren't sure about anything, you can talk to banks and financial brokers about their bonds to find the best investment for your money. A lender or broker that is there to help you get more from your financial investments is definitely someone worth working with. Check out your options to learn more about bonds and see what they can do for you today. They might not be ideal for everyone, but they do offer a good investment for people who like fixed, safe bets.