The major difference in the use of the term investment between the economics field and the finance field is that economists refer to a real investment ( such as a machine or a house ) , while financial economists refer to a financial asset , such as money that is put into a bank or the market , which may then be used to buy a real asset . The term `` investment '' is used differently in economics and in finance . Economists refer to a real investment ( such as a machine or a house ) , while financial economists refer to a financial asset , such as money that is put into a bank or the market , which may then be used to buy a real asset .