There has probably never been a better time to enter the world of investment with countless opportunities today for those seeking those lucrative high yield investments.

However, the world of investment is complex and, while many millions of people benefit from playing the investment game every day, it is certainly not suitable for everybody. So, if you are tempted to get in on the act, here are a few things to think about before you take the plunge.

The availability of capital. Although it is not necessary to have large sums available for investment you are clearly not going to receive any substantial income or grow your capital to any great degree unless you have reasonable funds available for investment. You should also be prepared to tie your capital up for some time. If you are likely to need to get you hands on your money reasonably soon after investing it then you will be better off simply putting it into the bank.

Your level of knowledge. Just how much do you know about the world of investment? If you are going to invest in stocks and shares for example then you need to understand the stock markets in some detail. The fact that you know more than the average man in the street is a starting point but you will need both a breadth and depth of knowledge of your chosen area if you are going to keep your loses to a minimum and maximize your gains.

Risk taking. Although not always the case, in general, the greater the risk the greater the reward. But what is your attitude towards risk? If you are happy to take a risk in order to gain greater reward then you must also be prepared to accept that you could very well loose a substantial part of your investment.

The time you have available. As with many things in life, the secret to success lies in having both knowledge and accurate and up-to-date information. This, in turn, means having time to research your chosen area in depth and to keep abreast of the latest news and developments.

Your current financial position. You should think about investing surplus monies only when those monies are truly surplus to your requirements. Do you, for example, have sufficient money in the bank to cover emergencies? Have you made provision for your family in the event of your death? Are you and your family adequately covered for health care? Have you paid off the mortgage on your house? Before you start to take risks with your money in the world of investment make sure that the financial foundations of your life are in place.

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