WHEN they said that this month will be a Red October, they didn't realize that the stock market will literally be in one big red. Filipinos are generally conservative and yet surprisingly though in the last few years, I keep on hearing how many people have placed their hard earned money in equities. Though equities as an investment can provide potentially good return, one should realize the risk component of such an investment. By now, most, if not all, who are currently invested are now suffering big losses.

So, if not equities, I've always been asked what investment I best recommend that will give good return without taking risk. Well, bad news is — this type of investment doesn't exist. Even your friendly and safe time deposit or savings account are not totally risk free.