Investing means putting money into assets that can grow over time. Companies also raise money this way by selling stocks and bonds.
| Investment | Risk | Liquidity | Typical Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stocks | High | High | 7-10% |
| Bonds | Low-Medium | Medium | 3-5% |
| ETFs | Medium | High | 6-8% |
| GICs | Very Low | Low | 3-4.5% |
Inflation lowers what returns are really worth. A 5% return in a year of 3% inflation is about 2% in real terms.