The maze of investment choices is full of details that seem to be designed for maximum confusion. Can't you just keep your money in a passbook savings account? Not if you want to squeeze the most value out of your money and keep up with inflation. Good investing means picking a diverse array of investments to help grow your money while managing the variety of risks your portfolio faces. Even if you decide hiring an investment advisor is the best option, it's still vital that you understand the basics yourself.