---
title: Growing Money | Oregonians Credit Union
description: Investing can be rewarding, but it’s also risky A savings account is a great place to store your money at first. It’s safe and it pays a little interest. But it won’t make you rich! Growing your money requires that you move some of it into investments with a higher rate of return.
---

[It's a Money Thing | Oregonians Credit Union ](https://www.oregonianscu.com/financial-learning/money-thing)

# [Growing Money | Oregonians Credit Union](https://www.oregonianscu.com/financial-learning/money-thing/growing-money-iamt-junior)

 Written by [Admin](https://www.oregonianscu.com/financial-learning/money-thing/author/admin) | Dec 2, 2023 11:01:21 PM

**Investing can be rewarding, but it’s also risky**

A savings account is a great place to store your money at first. It’s safe and it pays a little interest. But it won’t make you rich! Growing your money requires that you move some of it into investments with a higher rate of return.

Many financial experts suggest that your money should be growing somewhere between 5% and 10% per year. You won’t get that from a savings account these days.

Just compare $100 in a savings account earning 1% interest per year with an investment earning 5% per year and another earning 10% per year.

At 1% interest, you’re earning just a few pennies per year. After 20 years, you’ve earned only $20. With a 5% return, you more than double your money to $271.85. And with a 10% return, your money grows more than seven times to $738.70!

However, investments aren’t insured like your savings account. You take the risk of losing everything if your investment becomes less valuable.

##### **But, I'm only a kid!**

If you do want to invest now, ask your parents or guardian to look into a Custodial Account at your credit union or with a broker. You legally own the money in a Custodial account, but your custodian makes the investments on your behalf.

##### What can you put your money into to potentially make you more money?

**Certificate of Deposit**  
Certificates of Deposits, or CDs, pay a little more interest than a savings account. They're low risk, and they're available here at Oregonians Credit Union.

**Stocks**  
With stocks, you become a part owner of a public company. You can invest in a range of stocks, from "penny" (high risk) to "blue chip" (low risk). Stocks are available through a stockbroker.

**Bonds**  
Bonds are loans purchased from the government that promise to repay you with interest. They are usually a slightly lower risk than stocks, and they're rated by credit agencies for risk.

**Real Estate**  
You can invest directly in residential (like a house or condo) or commercial property (like a shopping mall). You can invest indirectly in the real estate market through real estate investment trusts (REITs).

**Companies**  
You can invest in a company by directly lending money to its owners. You can also become one of the owners yourself. Investments in companies typically have higher risk, but there's potential for high returns.

**Commodities**  
Commodities are the raw materials - such as metals, coffee beans, lumber and oil - that are used to make other things. You can purchase a contract to buy commodities at a specified price.

##### Remember:

1. All investment comes with risk
2. Do your research
3. Only invest money you can afford to lose
4. Diversity to spread the risk

**Questions:**

1. Would you rather know that your money is safe while it grows a little bit, or would you be OK with taking a risk while your money possibly grows a lot?
2. Are you willing to put a portion of your savings away for a long time to watch it grow?
3. Is there a company or product that you would like to invest your money in?

##### **Activity**

Junior is borrowing too much money! What can he do instead? Draw a line to connect each picture in the top row to its match in the bottom row. **[Download the printable PDF.](https://www.oregonianscu.com/financial-learning/money-thing/JR4_E_ActivitySheet_Oregonians.pdf)**

****

Download the [Investing Word Search Activity Sheet PDF](https://www.oregonianscu.com/financial-learning/JR6_E_ActivitySheet_Oregonians.pdf)

Download the [Grow Your Money Comic PDF ](https://www.oregonianscu.com/financial-learning/JR6_B_Comic_Oregonians.pdf)

<https://www.oregonianscu.com/financial-learning/money-thing/index.htm>

**Get money smart, one topic at a time!** Our *It's A Money Thing* topics will help you interpret key financial information in order to make sense of your money. For more videos and helpful financial articles visit our [** It's A Money Thing home page**.](https://www.oregonianscu.com/financial-learning/money-thing/index.htm)  Check back, new topics will be introduced regularly!

[View full post](https://www.oregonianscu.com/financial-learning/money-thing/growing-money-iamt-junior)

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