Quote:
Originally Posted by Arnox
The difference and line drawn here is the concept of tangible transfer. None of the things you just listed have the tangibility of being transferred - or at least, they are not purchased with the idea that they'll give you money in the future in and of themselves, be it through dividends or an increase in value.
Everything that aka123 quoted and replied to can be considered vehicles primarily for investment. As in, they have the ability to be traded and are often done so for the purposes of securing a varied portfolio of investment and monetary safety.
I think the second definition provided is a more suitable one, and really drives home the point that Barry-xlovecam said was a little silly.
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I'm not sure having ability to transfer is a requirement for an investment...
- buying a bond that is impossible to sell would still be an investment...
- calling going to college an investment would probably be fair too I think (even though it's not transferable), you "invest" years of your time + ton of $$ in tuition to get an education, with an expectation of getting a profitable job when you get done...
"An asset or item that is purchased with the hope that it will generate income or appreciate in the future."
where would buying a "put option" fit into that definition? it doesn't generate income, nor does it (usually) appreciate in value... in combination with other assets, sure it could be considered a part of an "investment"...
but buying a "put option" by itself, is hard to justify calling it an "investment" using any but the broadest definition... better definition would be a short term speculation/gamble...