Putting Money to Work

Saving and Investing

The big Question

A stranger on the street approaches you with a strange proposition: You can have a million dollars right then and there or you can have a magical penny that doubles every day in value for the next 30 days.

What do you do?

The big Answer

The million dollars may be a million dollars but at the end of 30 days the penny would have been worth…

$5,368,709.12

The power of Compounding

First rule of compounding: Time is everything!

Second rule of compounding: Interest rates make a big difference

Third rule of compounding: Regular contributions help your savings grow.

Saving

Make a habit of “paying yourself first”

Savings accounts are the simplest way to save money and earn interest on that money while still having that money easily accessible

You need to consider: Interest Rate and compound period Fees, charges, penalties Any minimum balance requirements

Savings Accounts

Positives

Low Risk

Easily Accessible

Automatic Deposits

Negatives

Low Rate of Return

Charges on Usage

High Inflation Rate

Other Options

Investments

What are some other places where we can put our money to work? Bonds Mutual Funds Stocks Real Estate

Bonds

what they are

A bond is an “IOU,” certifying that you loaned money to a government or corporation and outlining the terms of repayment.

how they work

Buyer may purchase bond at a discount. The bond has a fixed interest rate for a fixed period of time. When the time is up, the bond is said to have “matured” and the buyer may redeem the bond for the full face value.

Mutual Funds

what they are

Professionally managed portfolios made up of stocks, bonds, and other investments.

how they work

Individuals buy shares, and fund uses money to purchase stocks, bonds, and other investments.

Profits returned to shareholders monthly, quarterly, or semi-annuallyin the form of dividends.

Allows investors to own a diversified portfolio of investments that can lower overall risk

Stocks

what they are

Stock represents ownership of a corporation. Stockholders own a share of the company and are entitled to a share of the profits as well as a vote in how the company is run.

how earnings are made

Company profits may be divided among shareholders in the form of dividends. Dividends are usually paid quarterly.

Larger profits can be made through an increasein the value of the stock on the open market.

More about stocks

advantages

If the market value goes up, the gain can be considerable.

Money is easily accessible.

disadvantages

If market value goes down,the loss can be considerable.

Selecting and managing stock often requires study and the help of a good brokerage firm.

Let’s try for ourselves

Go to www.weseed.com

Register for the site.

Complete the Lessons 1, 2, and 3 and Quiz 1, 2, and 3 under the learn tab.

Start Investing! See how well you can ‘play the market’