News & Events
10/08/2009
What is the Best Way to Invest Your Savings
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The simplest way to earn money on your savings is to open a savings account at your local bank. You can choose from the typical savings account, money market account or certificate of deposit (CD).
Once you have established a good savings foundation, you can diversify your assets among other investments. Prudent invest-ing looks long-term toward the future, avoiding get-rich-quick schemes. The following are some ways to invest savings with an eye toward the future:
Bonds
When you buy a bond, you are lending money to a federal or state agency, municipality or corporation. The recipient organization promises to pay you a fixed rate of interest during the life of the bond, and then repay the entire face value of the bond when it reaches maturity.
To estimate how the value of your bond will grow over the years, the Federal Reserve suggests using the "rule of 72." If, for example, you invest in a bond that is worth $5,000 today at 8 percent interest, then according to the rule of 72, you will divide 72 by 8. The resulting number of 9 means that your investment will double every nine years.
Savings Bonds
These bonds range from $50 to $10,000. They are government-issued and government-backed.
Treasury Bonds, Bills and Notes
Treasury bonds are securities which are sold at a discount of their face value with terms of more than 10 years and secured by the federal government. These bonds are used to pay for varied government programs, and interest is paid semi-annually.
Treasury bills are short-term securities sold at a discount of their face value, with terms of three months to one year.
Treasury notes are interest-bearing securities which mature within two to 10 years and pay interest every six months. All of these investments are sold in increments of $1,000 and can be purchased directly from the U.S. Treasury.
Stocks
When you purchase stock, you become part owner of a company and, as a stockholder, you receive dividends from the company. If the company performs well, your stock appreciates in value. However, if the company does not do well, you can lose money.
Mutual Funds
With mutual funds, you invest in many companies. Your invest-ment is spread across a cluster of companies, so that you do not rely on a single company to perform well.
IRA and 401(k) Plans
An individual retirement account (IRA) helps you build retirement security. The money you invest in an IRA or 401(k) plan grows tax-free until the time you are ready to withdraw it.
Many companies offer 401(k) plans for their employees' retirement. Participants authorize a certain percentage of their before-tax salary to be deducted from their paycheck and put in a 401(k). Some employers also match a portion of every dollar invested in a 401(k) by the employee.
Qualified Plans
If you are self-employed, you can invest up to $42,000 annually in a qualified plan for your retirement.
There are myriad ways to increase your wealth and save for your retirement. Talk to your l banker or other financial adviser to see which plan best fits your needs.
This information is provided with the understanding that the Association is not engaged in rendering specific legal, accounting or other professional services. If specific expert assistance is required, the services of a professional should be sought. Provided as a public service by the Indiana Bankers Association, 317-387-9380, www.indianabankers.org.