An investment occurs when one person exchanges something for something else.

For example, a person may invest 'blood, sweat and tears' into a community group, their career or their business. The exchange in return may be in the form of satisfaction, income, joy or even a combination of all three.

In the money world, people may invest money into the property market or share market in exchange for ownership of a property or a share in a company.

Your investment outcome is represented through your return on the 'blood, sweat and tears' or initial capital investment. Your return can come in many forms, and in a financial sense, may be income or capital growth.

Aside from money, there are certain personal investments that have the potential to provide positive returns.