Hedging is often considered an advanced investing strategy, but the principles of hedging are fairly simple. With the popularity – and accompanying criticism – of hedge funds, the practice of hedging is becoming more widespread. Despite this, it is still not widely understood. Most people have, whether they know it or not, engaged in hedging. For example, when you take out insurance to minimize the risk that an injury will erase your income or you buy life insurance to support your family in the case of your death, this is a hedge.