While some people today seem to be going into debt because of the strain of the economy, there are those people out there looking for good investments – maybe you are one of them. When you have money to spare, putting it in a savings account does not necessarily make sense; yet, the investment alternatives out there today seem to be risky. Because of this, many people are hesitant about where they want to invest their money – and, for good reason. However, there are solid, sound, and relatively risk free investments that are still available to people today looking to invest money.

One of the most important things to understand when it comes to investing is that there is a difference between a good investment and a risk free investment, because while not all good investments are risk free. Sometimes when you invest in something with risk, there is the …

Cbeyond Inc. (Nasdaq: CBEY) provides IP-based managed services through integrated packages of communications and IT services. The company’s customer base includes more than 36,000 small businesses throughout the United States. Cbeyond today announced it was ranked seventh on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s list of top 100 public companies in Georgia. The company jumped nine spots from its 16th-place ranking in 2007.

The ranking, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, was based on five components: annual revenue, year-over-year revenue change, a change in profit margin in fiscal 2007, return on equity and total return on investment for calendar 2007.

“Cbeyond experienced great success in 2007 due to our consistent, predictable business model,” Jim Geiger, chairman and CEO of Cbeyond stated in the press release. “The continued growth and profitability of the company highlights the need small businesses have for big business communication tools that are affordable, reliable, and easy-to-use.”

The company’s growth strategy revolves around

There is quite a bit to be said for hard work and perseverance. Put in the hours, days, months and years and something good should come of it. It doesn’t always work out, but in many cases it does. Just plain doing the work and having a solid business plan with a product demand means profit eventually. Find a company that has all three and an investor can feel fairly confident that profits will come.

Royale Energy Inc., an oil and gas exploration and development company, works to discover and exploit oil and gas opportunities in California, the Rocky Mountains and other currently producing regions. The company has been in operation for over twenty years and has been consistent in its ability to provide return on investment. The company owns part interest or owns outright; leases in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Basins-California, Utah, Texas, Louisiana, 54 natural gas wells in