Commodities are just things that people buy and sell. Usually, these are things that come out of the ground like gold, oil, or wheat, or things that we grow, like corn or sugar. The key thing to remember is that these are basic materials that people and companies use to make other things.

How can you invest in commodities?

There are a few ways you can put your money in commodities, and you don't necessarily have to buy a gold bar or a truckload of wheat!

Buy the real thing: This is when you buy a commodity, like a gold coin or a barrel of oil. The idea here is to sell it later when the price goes up. But remember, you will have to find a place to keep it safe until you sell it, which can be a hassle.

Futures contracts: This is a bit more complicated. A futures contract is like making a bet on what the price of a commodity will be in the future. Let's say you think the price of wheat will go up. You can make an agreement with someone to buy a certain amount of wheat at a set price on a specific date. If the price of wheat goes up as you thought, you will make a profit. But if the price goes down, you'll lose money. This type of investment can be risky and is usually best for more experienced investors.

Commodity funds: This is probably the easiest way for beginners to invest in commodities. You just put your money into a fund (like a mutual fund or an ETF), and the fund buys a bunch of different commodities. The fund is managed by experts who know a lot about commodities.

Stocks of commodity companies: Another way to invest in commodities is to buy stocks in companies that produce them. For example, if you think the price of gold will go up, you could buy stock in a gold mining company. If the price of gold rises, the mining company will probably make more money, and so will you.

What moves commodity prices?

Commodity prices can change based on a lot of things. Weather can play a big role. For example, if there's a big freeze in Florida, the orange crop might be bad that year, and the price of oranges could go up. Political events can also have a big impact. If a country that produces a lot of oil has a political crisis, it could affect the supply of oil and change the price.

Is it risky?

Like any investment, there are risks involved with commodities. Prices can go up and down a lot, which means you could make a lot of money or lose a lot of money. The key is to do your homework and understand what you're investing in.

To sum up, investing in commodities can be a good way to make money and diversify your investments. But it's important to understand how it works and what the risks are. And remember, you should always talk to a financial advisor or do your own research before you decide where to put your money.