To invest money is to commit it in return for financial gain.  There are many different types of investments that will help you make the most of your money, most of which can be categorized by either finance investments or economic investments.  When dealing with economics we are dealing with a real investment such as machinery or a house.  Finance investments involve an asset, such as money, put in the bank or into the market that may later be uses to buy a real asset.

One such real asset is real estate.   The buying of residential or commercial property for the sole purpose of leasing, resale, or holding for financial gain.  The most common and least risky form of economic investment is residential restate.  

In finance investments, the investment is equated to the cost of capital, such as securities or any monetary or paper assets.  This would include shares, equity investments, and bonds.  The valuation method is used for assessing a potential investment's worth.  

Some types of investments are shares and other equity investment, as well as bonds.  Equity investment is the buying and holding of shares of stock on the stock market, either by individuals or funds, for income from dividends and capital gain as the value of stock goes up.  A bond is a debt security or loan.  

Investments are made through intermediaries like banks, mutual funds, insurance companies, investments clubs, pension funds, and collective investment schemes.  Each may differ with regards to their legal and procedure details.

Other forms of investment include investments of time such is the case with many forms of philantrophy. Time investments, unlike financial investments, can not be measured by accounting practice and have no tax implications.