Finding a secure and relatively high-yielding investment vehicle is becoming harder and harder. Even some of the most “reputable” money managers with decades of history turned out to be nothing more than scam artists. Still, the prudent investor must have his money work for him or he risks being overtaken by the dual threats of inflation and financial instability. With these facts in mind, here are three rock-solid investments to consider when placing your hard earned money into other people's hands:

Dividend-Paying Corporations – The paying of dividends has a long and reputable history among the best of American companies. For companies with solid earnings, it is a great way to return some of the profit to their owners, the shareholders. Nevertheless, this process still depends on the viability and dependability of the company as on ongoing concern. Even more worrisome, a company's board of directors can decide to cut or abolish a dividend and use the money in some other way.

Privately-Funded Annuities – These investment vehicles are established by investing a substantial amount of money with a reputable financial institution. The institution then manages the money for growth and at an agreed upon future date will start to make regular payments to the investor. Obviously, this investment strategy relies on the ability and dependability of the underwriting institution, but, in general, has proven to be a very reliable way to secure future income.

First Trust Deeds – This is the only real estate investing strategy of the three and it does not depend on the experience or reliability of the companies involved in the transaction. Instead, the security of the investment depends on the real asset. In particular, the loan is made for only a fraction of the value of the property and entitles the investor to always be the first private entity to be paid if the property is sold. In the case of default, the investor simply forecloses and sells the property below market value and can still make a reasonable return on his investment.

What's Best? – As you can see, each of these investment vehicles has its pros and cons. The first two provide a reasonable assurance that you will get paid albeit with some risk and complete convenience. The last, the real estate investing strategy, requires a little more involvement at the beginning but also guarantees your investment with a real property.