When someone says to "invest" your money for the future, what does that mean exactly?

Bank savings account provide moderate interest rates that make you money earn a tiny bit over time, there are long term savings accounts that pay a higher interest rate but you have to commit to keeping the money in for longer time, like 1 year. Banks are safer than most investments the FDIC guarantees bank accounts of up to $250,000 against bank failures.

There are government bonds that pay more, but take years to "reach maturity"

Short of playing the market on your own, there are professionally managed investment funds like insurance companies use to stash their extra cash.

I think savings is the bare minimum....just put it away. Of course it can mean an education too. Adnaced certification. I know plenty of 40 year Olds that go back to school and it pays off.

It goes along with savings but the negative of it is spending...so not spending. Its not so abstract but buying a dvd player for instance....you'll then buy dvds...don't buy a dvds player and you wont.

If you buy a car then you won't walk and need knee replacement later in life. I don't understand pedestrianism.....or those who run with their destination being their start point.

People need to just nut up about stocks. I'm not a trader....I spend a couple hours reading each day....make a long term stock pick based on that....there you go...my only bad call ever dropped 25% that week and 3 months later it's back up. Some firms have no minimums...set a weekly auto deposit...once it accumulates...but a few shares.

Everone needs to invest for their future retirement age.

1. Save some money in a bank account for emergencies

2. If where you work has a 401k retirement plan with some

matching amount, be sure to join into it.

3. Open a Roth IRA with some mutual fund company, such

as Fidelity or Vanguard.

To invest is to buy or ownership (or partial) ownership) of something with an expected return of more money in the future. It can also be lending your money to your government or a company to get it back later with interest, such as with bonds.

Investing is not just stocks - it can be bonds, real estate, a CD etc. But more reward means more risk.

That's why "mutual funds" was invented. you buy shares in a mutual fund, and they are already diversified and managed by another company who knows about stocks and bonds.

any time you invest, it is always 'for the future'

any rewards from your investment will not occur on the day you do it, it will always be in the future