To invest is to put money into an investment with the hope of seeing a return/profit in the near future. Simply put, to invest simply means owning an investment or an asset with the intention of making a profit from the increase in value of that investment over an extended period of time or an increase in your annual net worth. Investments in fixed assets like stocks and bonds are considered safer investments than those in shares and mutual funds, however returns tend to be less consistent and hence a volatile venture as investments can be affected by market volatility. One of the best ways to diversify your portfolio and get maximum returns is through investment in stocks and bonds.

There are many ways in which you can diversify your portfolio and make your portfolio more stable by investing in equities. This includes investing in stocks and bonds (bonds are usually more secure than equities because they are secured by a host of property or government agencies). Investing in equities is also preferred by some investors because it allows for passive income generation. This passive income is generated through dividends paid out by the company making their investment, and if dividends are regularly reinvested by the company then it becomes a potentially unlimited source of generating income.

For long term investors, bonds offer a low risk alternative to equities but the risk associated with investing in bonds comes at a high cost. The low risk associated with investing in bonds comes from the low rates of interest, fixed payout values and inflation protection. As well, long-term investors need to diversify their portfolio to avoid market shocks such as stock market crashes, interest rate changes and economic news. It is also important that these investors know how bond markets work in order to make informed investment decisions.

Another way in which to generate income by owning bonds and stocks is through rental properties. If you own a piece of rental property that you will use to rent out apartments, houses or condos to tourists, students and retirees you can use this asset as another source of passive income. The money you earn from renting out these properties can be used to supplement your primary source of income and it gives you another opportunity to build up a real estate portfolio that you can sell off when the time comes.

For many short-term investors, real estate investing offers a great opportunity to generate income even during a recession. However, many short-term investors have not considered the possibility of selling the properties when the market becomes stale and the prices drop. There is a misconception that the only way to make money investing in real estate is by buying low and selling high. This is why the real estate market has been very hard on the financially vulnerable and stressed out. Therefore, it is always a good idea to diversify your investments by investing in stocks and bonds, while holding onto real estate for the long term.

Most investment banks and brokerage firms offer a wide variety of investment options for clients. They offer services that range from buying and selling mutual funds, stock, bonds and insurance. As you gain experience with your investments you may branch out into other areas of investment such as real estate, futures and commodities. You can work with these investment banks or brokers on a one-on-one basis or you can work through a brokerage firm that handles all of your financial investments.