Stock represents ownership shares in publicly traded companies. By purchasing stock, investors become partial owners of the company and have the potential to earn returns through capital appreciation (increase in stock price) and dividends (portion of company profits distributed to shareholders).

Bonds are debt instruments issued by governments, municipalities, or corporations. When you buy bonds, you’re essentially lending money to the issuer in exchange for regular interest payments and the return of the principal amount when the bond matures.

Mutual Funds are a type of investment that pools money from various investors and uses it to invest in a diverse portfolio of stocks, bonds, and other securities. Professional fund managers make investment decisions on behalf of investors, allowing them to access a greater selection of investments.

Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) are comparable to mutual funds, however, they trade like individual equities on stock markets. ETFs track a certain index, sector, commodity, or asset class and allow investors to diversify and trade throughout the day.

Real Estate Investing entails purchasing properties such as houses, commercial buildings, or land with the intention of producing income through rental payments or capital gain over time.

Certificates of Deposit (CDs) are time deposits made available by banks and credit unions. They provide a low-risk investment alternative with guaranteed returns by having a fixed interest rate and maturity date.

Retirement Accounts, such as a 401(k) (employer-sponsored) or an IRA (individual), provide tax advantages to encourage long-term retirement savings. These accounts can hold a variety of investments, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and target-date funds.

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are digital or virtual currencies that employ encryption to ensure secure transactions. Investors can acquire and retain cryptocurrencies in the hope of seeing their value rise, or they can use them for transactions.