Certificates issued by banks in exchange for a cash deposit, which is held for a certain period of time and a set interest rate. A bank pays the CD holder the principal amount and all accumulated interest once the specified time period is over.

A security that tracks an index, a commodity or a basket of assets like an index fund, but trades like a stock on an exchange. ETFs experience price changes throughout the day as they are bought and sold.

Purchasing physical gold and special minerals from reputable dealers or buying shares of a company on the stock market that specializes in gold and/or special minerals.

A type of mutual fund that holds bond or stock investments with the goals of matching a specific market index, such as the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500). An index mutual fund is said to provide broad market exposure, low operating expenses and low portfolio turnover.

A protection against the loss of income that would result if the insured passed away. The named beneficiary receives the proceeds and is thereby safeguarded from the financial impact of the death of the insured.

An account combining the funds of many individuals in order to invest these funds in a range of financial instruments. A financial service company usually establishes this type of account.

A security that sells like a stock on the major exchanges and invests in real estate directly, either through properties or mortgages. REITs receive special tax considerations and typically offer investors high yields, as well as a highly liquid method of investing in real estate.

Stocks are a type of security that signifies ownership in a corporation and represents a claim on part of the corporation's assets and earnings.

There are two main types of stock: common and preferred. Common stock usually entitles the owner to vote at shareholders' meetings and to receive dividends. Preferred stock generally does not have voting rights, but has a higher claim on assets and earnings than the common shares. 

Bonds are a form of debt created by an institution that wants to borrow money from an investor for a specific period of time at a specific interest rate. Buyers of bonds receive periodic interest payments, with the principal amount of the bond typically repaid as a lump sum by a specified date. They are commonly referred to us fixed-income securities. There are corporate, treasury, and government bonds.

A deposit account held at a bank or other financial institution that provides principal security and a modest interest rate. Savings account funds are considered one of the most liquid investments outside of demand accounts and cash. Savings accounts are generally for money that you don't intend to use for daily expenses. 

A stream of income made on a periodic basis to an individual under an annuity plan. The payments are generally provided until the individual dies.

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A type of annuity which is purchased with a single payment and which begins to pay out right away. 

Generally a single lump sum payment and the client decides how many payments and length of payments. These annuities come with either fixed or variable rates.

An annuity based on a statistical indicator, the equity market index, which provides a representation of the value of the securities, which constitute it.

An index annuity is a hybrid of both fixed and variable annuities. Indices, such as the S&P 500, often serve as guides for a given market or industry and benchmarks against which financial or economic performance is measured.