What would be the best way to invest money you don't want to lose? What are the highest returns overall?

what are the best ways to secure your future with money you have now to invest?

The rate of return of ANY investment is always proportional to the risk assumed. Higher risks mean higher return.

If you really need to have close to zero risk to your principal, you have only a few choices:

Bonds - provided you hold them to maturity, or sell only if the value is above your cost. If you need the money, and are forced to sell, when the bonds are low, you will lose principal.

Treasuries - again you need to hold when times are bad and the bond value goes down, but if held to maturity, you get your principal back.

CDs - principal is assured, but return is very low.


The most prudent method is to have a mix of investments, that is what the term "asset allocation" means.

Bonds

I would go with real estate. but the book rich dad poor dad answers this better than I could.

Never invest with money you CAN't loose (or be willing to lose)
Investing is never without risk!
You should only invest money that you can mis.

Invest in bonds, stocks 401K etc.
Or spend some money on a education or in a business of your own.

I am no expert but there are a few good investments i know of.
-If you want access to the money there are online bank accounts that offer 5.05% interest which is quite with no limits and no action penalties.
-Certificates of Deposit or savings bonds are a good option if you want a short term medium return gaurnteed investment.
-Investing in gold is slightly more risky but also can offer higher gains.

A corporate or municipal bond - based mutual fund is pretty safe. Expect about 3-4% ROI.

To eliminate downside risk, simply go to a bank and buy a CD. The current rates are attractive at 5.45% for a one year. Otherwise, put the money in a moneymarket mutual fund. They are virtually risk free. However, your returns will be only slightly better than inflation.

There is no way to invest without some kind of risk, though US Government bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the USA. This is the least risky investment with a decent return (5%) there is.

For long term investing I would recommend Gold.

This site provides physical Gold storage and interest bearing savings accounts:

http://www.goldmoney.com/

If you want full control over a Gold purchase, go to a coin shop & buy Gold coins.....or you can buy 24 kt Gold jewelry but the mark up is usually so high it might take years to show a profit.

try these stocks.... http://biz.yahoo.com/kiplinger/070611/ip...

stocks:
buy at low sell in high in stock market.
and invest in mutual funds.

Sounds like you are looking for something with as close to possible - zero risk.
A few basic rules everyone familiar with Finance knows -
With investing, low risk = low return, but high probability of keeping your money.
On the other hand - high risk has potential for high return, but also a high potential you could be loser.
You need to decide what you are comfortable with, and if you need to have access to the money (liquidity).

A couple of other things to remember -
- Past performance does not ensure any prediction of future performance and returns.
- The yield on bonds has an inverse relationship to market interest rates. When rates are going up, bond returns are going down (and visa versa).
- Gold is not liquid.

A liquid very low risk investment would be a high rate money market.
A CD (certificate of deposit) will require you maintain the investment for a period of time (the longer the period, the higher the investment yield). And also a low risk investment.

Real estate is great, but has risk (market values, tenants etc.).
Corporate Bonds are tied to company performance.
Stocks are also tied to performance, but at a higher risk than bonds.

You need to decide what level of risk you want to take, and how long you are willing to commit the money.

Hope that helps!

Real estate is the best way to go ! I will email you a site that actually has a no risk Turn-key investment Program!

Bonds are the safest..You'll get about a 5.3% return risk free.

Although I suggest you get in this bull market, people are pulling in 15-20% returns easily with small risk.

1) Money Market.
2) 25%
3) Hire a Portfolio Manager with over a decade of experience in the Stock Markets like myself and he will take care of you for the rest of your life.

To invest in ways that minimize losses, stick with lending investments of high credit quality. Investment-grade bond funds and money market accounts are excellent choices. www.vanguard.com has the lowest cost bond funds and money market accounts that I know of. Bank CDs and treasury bonds from www.treasurydirect.gov are other choices.

"Securing your future" depends on what you want to accomplish. Risk is a relative term. In the short-run, stocks are certainly riskier than bonds. However, stocks provide higher returns than bonds over long periods of time. If the greatest financial risk is not having enough money for retirement, then an all-bond portfolio is actually risky. The risk is that your money might not grow enough to meet your financial needs in retirement.

For help on securing your future, read a free book at:
http://www.invest-for-retirement.com