Confused Where to Invest Your Money? We Are Here to Help With 11 Investing Alternatives

This is a simple guide to various investment alternatives.


Investment is basically a practice of allocating your money with expectation of receiving return on it or to earn profit.

It is done to increase the amount of money or wealth we have in future.

Here is a list of various alternatives to consider while investing your money.


Deposits: No Risk Involved

A deposit is the money kept with financial institutions. It is the most common type of Investment. 

People usually prefer deposit as it has no risk and provide security,simplified transfer and for receiving timely interest on it.

They can be classified into three types:
  • Bank deposits
  • Post office deposits
  • Company fixed deposits


3 Government Super Saving Schemes

Government of India offer various saving schemes to the individuals investors. These schemes are offered either through bank or through post office.

The three important Government Saving Schemes are:
  • Public Provident fund
  • Senior citizen’s saving scheme
  • National Savings Certificate


Money Market Instruments

Money market instruments are the short term debt instruments with a maturity period of less than one year at the time of issue.

These instruments have high liquidity and almost negligible risk. 

Some of the examples of money market instruments are-
  • Treasury bills
  • Certificate of deposit
  • Repo
  • Bills of exchange
  • Commercial paper

Debt Instruments: Bonds & Debentures

Bonds or debentures are said to be the long term debt instruments. 

The issuer of bonds promises to pay stipulated stream of cash flow.

Bonds are generally issued by the government backed by specific physical asset.

Debentures are issued by public companies. They are not backed by any asset or security.

The type of bonds and debentures are:
  • Preference shares
  • PSU bond
  • Government securities
  • Debentures of private sector enterprise.



Ownership of Capital: Equity Shares

Equity Shares represents the ownership of the capital. They are long term financing source. As an equity shareholder in a company, you have an ownership stake in it.

This means that you have share in the residual income and wealth.

Equity share can be classified into broad categories by stock market analysis:
  • Blue chip shares
  • Growth shares
  • Income shares
  • Cyclical shares
  • Speculative shares


Multitasker Mutual funds

Instead of directly buying shares, you can participate in different schemes by the government which in turn would invest in shares and fixed income securities

Types of Mutual funds are-
  • Equity Schemes
  • Debt Schemes
  • Balanced Schemes


Long-term Life Insurance

In broad term, life insurance can be considered as an investment. It provide financial assistance to the survivor of the insured. 

The different Life insurance policies in India are-
  • Money bank policy
  • Whole life policy
  • Term insurance policy
  • Endowment assurance policy


Why to Choose Real Estate?

For most of the investors of the Estate most important asset is a residual house. 

Apart from the residual house real estate investors are also interested in the following-
  • Agricultural land
  • Commercial property
  • Semi-Urban land
  • A resort
  • A second house


A Secured Future Provider: Retirement Products

Retirement Products are the funds provided at the time of retirement.

The important Retirement Products are-
  • Employees Provident fund Scheme, 1952
  • Employees Pension Scheme, 1952
  • New Pension Scheme, 2004
  • Pension scheme of mutual funds



Value Keeping Assets: Precious Objects

These are the objects that are usually smaller in size but are highly valuable. The value of these objects increase overtime. 

The investor can earn profit by buying this object at less amount and selling them in future when price rises.

The important precious objects are-
  • Gold and Silver
  • Precious stones
  • Art objects


Underlying Assets: Financial Derivatives

Financial Derivatives are the instrument whose value is derived from the value of an underlying asset.

The most important financial derivatives from the point of an investor are –
  • Future
  • Options

These are some of the choices an individual have while investing their money. People usually make their choices of investment considering their potential against losses, future plans,their income, number of years of retirement and their tolerance.



Written By: Hamna Khan

Edited By: Komal Jha