Saving and investing - choosing products

There are lots of different saving and investing products and accounts, so we have compiled a general overview of what the main types are for you:

Savings and deposit accounts, are the traditional personal savings accounts, which are best suited to saving for the short to medium-term. Credit unions also offer deposit savings accounts, and you can also open one for a child or student.
Investments such as unit-linked funds, shares and the stock market offer potentially higher returns than savings over the long term, but these plans usually involve some capital risk and the risk of poor returns.
Lower risk options include state saving schemes and Government bonds, which are offered by the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) and tracker bonds.
Other Investments include anything from property, to gold, art, energy and forestry, but you should research any potential investment to make sure it is suitable for you.