The document discusses how to choose investments for your portfolio. It provides information on various asset classes including stocks, bonds, cash/cash equivalents, and mutual funds. Stocks include common and preferred shares that can provide capital appreciation or dividend income. Bonds are debt instruments issued by governments and corporations that offer interest payments. Cash equivalents like money market funds provide stability. Mutual funds allow investors to invest in a basket of various securities, with index funds passively tracking market indexes at lower costs than actively managed funds. The document stresses considering your risk tolerance, investment objectives, and costs when selecting investments.