Finance refers to the management, creation, and study of money, investments, and other financial instruments. It encompasses a broad range of activities that involve the acquisition, allocation, and use of funds. The field is generally divided into three main categories: personal finance, which deals with individual and household budgeting, saving, and investing; corporate finance, which involves financial management within companies, including capital structure, funding strategies, and investment decisions; and public finance, which focuses on the revenue and expenditure of government entities and the management of public resources.
Finance also includes the analysis of financial markets, institutions, and instruments, seeking to understand how money flows and is utilized within economies. Key concepts in finance include the time value of money, risk and return, financial planning, and investment analysis. Ultimately, finance plays a critical role in enabling individuals, businesses, and governments to make informed financial decisions that support growth and stability.