The importance of making sound investments cannot be overstated in today's world. A considerable portion of the lives of people is spent in generating income, which is usually from a job or a business. This income becomes the primary source of money which can be utilised for fulfilling all the requirements of a household - essential as well as those not so essential. A portion of the income after expenses - also called the surplus - is saved in various ways. Broadly, the surplus is channelled into either Financial or Non-Financial avenues. Non-Financial avenues refer to physical savings, the most common among which are real estate and commodities (which include gold - a perennial favourite in India). Financial savings refer to avenues like bank accounts/deposits, securities, currency amongst others.