• Investments


• Save or Invest?
  • Ten Tips to Survive Today's Market
  • Market volatility and your portfolio
  • 101 Ways to Cut Expenses
  • Food, Fuel and Funding Retirement
  • Understanding Your Goals
  • Choosing Investment Strategies
  • Rebalancing Your Portfolio


• Cash Equivalents
  • Risks & Rewards


• What are Mutual Funds
  • Buying Shares
  • Automatic Investment Plans
  • Exchanging or Selling Shares
  • How Do You Earn Money?
  • How to Compare Funds
  • Risks & Rewards
  • What is a Share Worth?


• Stocks
  • Investing for the Long-term
  • Types of Stocks
  • Market Capitalization
  • Risks & Rewards


• Bonds
  • Understanding Credit Ratings
  • Taxable & Tax Exempt Bonds
  • Interest Rates Affect Bond Prices
  • Types of Bonds
  • Risks & Rewards


• Real Estate
  • Why Buy REITs
  • Real Estate Risks and Rewards
  • What is a subprime mortgage?

Saving and investing play equal roles in financial security

Saving and investing have different, equally important jobs in the quest for a more financially secure life.

Saving is all about protecting the money you currently have and adding to it from money you earn. All it takes to save is setting money aside in a no-risk, easily accessible place such as a savings account, Money Market account or Certificate of Deposit (CD). Good reasons to save include preparing for large purchases and guarding against job loss or other life-changing events. How much money should you have? Experts suggest 3-6 months of your current expenses.

Investing, on the other hand, is about putting your money into financial instruments where it may generate additional earnings for you. Investing is trickier than saving, because while you may make money, you may also lose some. So you need to select a variety of investments that balance various rates of risk and return to result in a general increase in wealth.

Sound complex? Well, some parts of investing are difficult, which is why AARP Financial has non-commissioned Financial Advisors to assist you or answer questions you may have. Want to talk to one now? Click on the "Click to Call" button top left to have a Financial Advisor call you.

AARP Financial Inc. does not provide tax advice. Please consult a tax advisor for information pertaining to your particular situation.

The information and content provided herein is general in nature and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended, and should not be construed, as a specific recommendation, or legal, tax or investment advice, or a legal opinion. Individuals should contact their own professional tax or investment advisors or other professionals to help answer questions about specific situations or needs prior to taking any action plan based on this information.

The Financial Advisors are investment adviser representatives of AARP Financial Inc., an investment adviser.