Doesn't matter what you call it. When many of the shareholders have have hundreds, thousands, or a 100 thousand or more in edig stock, I tend to call it an investment. People don't throw that kind of money into a stock and look at it as a crap shoot.

Anytime you you spend your money on any item, it's relly an investment. Go to the movies, an investment in entertainment. Buy a house, an investment in property. Buy a lwanmower, an investment in productivity. Buy a stock, an investment in trying to grow your money worth.

Think back, most all companies start out very small, in a garage, etc., an investment in the future.