Banking/Math questions?

Stocks and bonds similar: Both are investment vehicles whose value is at least partially derived from the strangth and validity of the issuing company. Both are considered investments. Both confer a stake in the issuing company. As for differences, stocks are ownership whereas bonds are debt. Stocks do not have a length of time until maturity or repayment whereas bonds (unless perputuals) have a maturity date on which the company or issuing group repays the debt (your investment) at a preset level.

Saving Acct/CD/stocks: Pro is that you can earn interest, although usually far lower than if you invest in a CD or the market. Benefit is that the money is insured up to a certain amount for savings and CD, but not stocks. Stocks offer much higher potential returns, but they are also much higher risk as you can lose your money just as easy as gaining it whereas savings and CD's will gain or at least maintain their amount (I dont use the term value as the value can go down over time despite the amount remainign the same due to inflation). other benefit of savings is that the money is liquid, or easily accessed. CD's are not as liquid as you sometimes have the money "locked" up and stocks require you to sell then wait for settlement then wait to be cut a check to withdraw the funds from the brokerage acct.