What are good ways of investing money?

[Tommygun43]

What is a SAFE, Guaranteed way of investing money? Probobly for between
1-3 years. I'm thinking CD's are most likely the best way. Rates for CD's are like 5.75%. Are there any other good ways to invest money?

[CameronJr9]

www.fnbodirect.com Right now they have 6%.

[huevosrancheros]

Mutual funds are pretty safe, CD s seem to be preffered, go speak to your local bank investor.

[918civic]

I know this won't answer your question, but the motley fool has a lot of great advice.

http://www.fool.com/

It's true, they do try to sell you a lot of services, which at this point it seems like you might not be interested it. But there's forums and such, plus a section called "caps" which has a lot of interaction from several members.

You might want to look into muni's, as there is no taxes involved. It all depends on several factors, two of which you already address (time and risk amount).

Also, not sure what you do for a living but if you're employer has an option for you to get involved with your retirement system, I would recommend that. Right now I am invested in several mid cap funds, along with a great foreign fund. Yes, you won't get the money in a few years like it sounds like you want to, but in the long run it's much better. All the money is taken out of my paycheck pretaxed so it lessens my bottom line come tax day.

Oh...almost forgot... open either a Roth or traditional IRA. Again, it's not something for the short term, but it's something to consider. As soon as I get my Si paid off I am going to start maxing out my Roth (I think the Gov't raised the ceiling to 4,500 a year now).

I'm not a financial expert at all... so do some more reading before you commit.

Short term investing....go to Vegas and put it all on Black. Everyone knows Black always wins

[918civic]

Oh...and also you need to consider these two things.

Inflation is around 3%, and you need to factor what ever taxes you have to pay on your gain. 6% does not sound like a lot anymore, huh? Need to find the next Wal Mart/ Apple/ or Home Depot it seems to do well anymore.

[Si4Life]

invest in a jamaican weed farm.

[McQuaide182]

Invest in the market, it's been doing well recently.

[Janizary]

Originally Posted by Tommygun43

What is a SAFE, Guaranteed way of investing money?

Given the above, 5.75% or 6% CDs. IF you have a large deposit, MM accounts can earn about a 1/4 to 1/2 point less, but it remains liquid.

[sgtpruitt]

There is no such thing as a safe guaranteed investment. There is only low risk.

Cd's and government bonds are pretty low risk. If you dont want to touch your money for a few years look into CD laddering.

[3pac2k6]

Originally Posted by Tommygun43

What is a SAFE, Guaranteed way of investing money? Probobly for between
1-3 years. I'm thinking CD's are most likely the best way. Rates for CD's are like 5.75%. Are there any other good ways to invest money?

Four years ago i would say homes.
Three years ago i would say mutual funds.

Now, some banks are offering very good CD rates. I have money in a 7.25% cd for 1 year. Savings accounts that offer 5-6% APY are not hard to find. Paypal is currently paying 5.02%.

There are a lot of options. Just remember inflation is 2-3%.

[3pac2k6]

Originally Posted by sgtpruitt

There is no such thing as a safe guaranteed investment. There is only low risk.

Actually, with the FDIC and NCUA all funds are insured to 100,000 per person. When was the last time you saw a bank go under?

Even if the FDIC runs out, the US gov will always pay out to deposit holders simply to maintain the value of the US dollar.

Originally Posted by sgtpruitt

Cd's and government bonds are pretty low risk. If you dont want to touch your money for a few years look into CD laddering.

Ladder CDs are on the way out and are minimally offered today.

[sgtpruitt]

Originally Posted by 3pac2k6

Actually, with the FDIC and NCUA all funds are insured to 100,000 per person. When was the last time you saw a bank go under?

Even if the FDIC runs out, the US gov will always pay out to deposit holders simply to maintain the value of the US dollar.



Ladder CDs are on the way out and are minimally offered today.

All funds are not covered by FDIC. You don't know what you are talking about.

And

You can ladder your own CD's. I don't know what your talking about they are minimally offered. Stop pulling quotes off random websites trying to sound smart. I have major doubts that you even understand what laddering is.

Edit: Oh I forgot

[3pac2k6]

Originally Posted by sgtpruitt

All funds are not covered by FDIC. You don't know what you are talking about.:

give an example.

And

Originally Posted by sgtpruitt

You can ladder your own CD's. I don't know what your talking about they are minimally offered. Stop pulling quotes off random websites trying to sound smart. I have major doubts that you even understand what laddering is.

Edit: Oh I forgot

you didn't clarify. I thought you were talking about ladder cds. Yes, you can ladder your own.

[sgtpruitt]

Originally Posted by 3pac2k6

give an example.

.

"What Is Not Insured?
Increasingly, institutions are also offering consumers a broad array of investment products that are not deposits, such as mutual funds, annuities, life insurance policies, stocks and bonds. Unlike the traditional checking or savings account, however, these non-deposit investment products are not insured by the FDIC."

[3pac2k6]

so youre examples are : mutual funds, annuities, life insurance policies, stocks and bonds.

none of these are cds.

So a CD is insured by the FDIC, therefore it is not a risk investment.

[Skylinegtr06]

Invest in Gold, the price of gold is rising

[sgtpruitt]

Originally Posted by 3pac2k6

Actually, with the FDIC and NCUA all funds are insured to 100,000 per person. When was the last time you saw a bank go under?

Where did you mention CD's specifically. You said all funds. And as a matter of fact all banks are not FDIC insured either. That's why the ones that are FDIC insured make it known to make the customers feel all warm inside.

I apologize if I seem hostile. I don't mean to be. It's cool to have an intelligent conversation every once and a while.

[sgtpruitt]

Originally Posted by Skylinegtr06

Invest in Gold, the price of gold is rising

I wish I would have in the 90's. I be in Tahiti right now.

Gold and other precious metals will a better investment than any bank will be for a very long time.

[RJJensen]

Originally Posted by Skylinegtr06

Invest in Gold, the price of gold is rising

yep...the dollar is hurting so gold would be a good place right now...stay out of stocks and bonds and real estate. ..go for gold and money markets..u could always try investing in china??? the US economy is on really shaky ground financed by debt...ugh whats wrong with us?

[3pac2k6]

Originally Posted by sgtpruitt

Where did you mention CD's specifically. You said all funds. And as a matter of fact all banks are not FDIC insured either. That's why the ones that are FDIC insured make it known to make the customers feel all warm inside.

I was referring to my previous recommendation: to invest in a cd or money market account. Both of these are "safe". "funds" is a generic term, sorry for not clarifying.

Yes, not all banks are insured, but lets assume the OP invests in a reputable bank.

Originally Posted by sgtpruitt

I apologize if I seem hostile. I don't mean to be. It's cool to have an intelligent conversation every once and a while.

No offense taken. This thread can be useful to a lot of people.