Today we're going to take a little break from talking about the stock market and delve a little deeper into a topic that is near and dear to my heart. With all the hoopla surrounding our "unstable" (Has it ever really been stable?) economy, people are starting to open up their eyes . People are now thinking about different avenues besides the stock market in which to invest their money.

I received a great question in my inbox last week:

"What businesses do you recommend investing in during this time of economic challenge?"

I thought that many people could benefit from my answer, so I thought I'd write it up as an article for you to read, digest, and possibly take action. We all could use a couple tips on how to make more money, right?

I'd like to start off by saying that just like any type of investment vehicle, a business requires a great deal of research and due diligence. There are many entrepreneurs who are hungry for money and will woo you with fancy business plans and promises of high returns. Not to say that these are bad things. All I'm saying is that you should tread carefully.

I am personally involved with online media and technology, so I see the potential to make a great deal of money in this area of business. I know that many people have a bad taste in their mouths when it comes to web 2.0 because of the past. Nobody wants to go through another dot com bust. However, we can't deny the fact that people are spending more time online. People are going to online sources for their news and information. There are many start-ups that are specializing in the online media arena whether it be web marketing, graphic design, social networking, etc.

So online media is one type of business that you could look into as an investment. Again, I do advise that you do your research. Read tech magazines and online publications or blogs to stay updated on what's going on in this industry. Keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities that beckon!

But what if you want to venture out on your own?

I always encourage people to invest in themselves. Start your own business! You could start your own brick-and-mortar business, an internet business, or perhaps you may want to become involved with an established network marketing business.

If you decide to go this route, the type of business you start will be based on a product or service that you have a passion for. Which business you should invest your time and money in is something I can't give any recommendations on as it is purely an individual choice. If you stay focused and have a sincere desire to help people, your business should do well regardless of what's happening with the economy. My theory is that if you take care of people, they will take care of you.

What type of business would you invest in? Share your thoughts in comments!