•      Type of company:
Bonds from smaller, more risky companies will often pay higher interest to attract investors than bonds from larger, more stable companies. You can also buy bonds of companies in different industries or in different countries.

•      Type of government:
You can buy bonds issued by different governments, such as the Government of Canada, provinces, and municipalities. You can also buy bonds issued by governments outside of Canada. The level of risk and return varies.

•      Maturity date:
You can buy bonds that mature on different dates, such as five years or 10 years. This helps you diversify. It also gives you more flexibility by freeing up money to reinvest at different times.

•      Type of bond:
You can buy bonds that have different features, such as strip bonds.