7 Places To Save Your Extra Money

Whether you’ve earned a bonus at work or made a profit selling your house, having extra money gives you a chance to grow your

The best place to save extra money depends on your timeline and goals. High-yield savings accounts offer the best combination of safety and returns for short-term goals, currently earning up to 4.40 percent APY with easy access to funds. For longer-term savings, certificates of deposit (CDs) can provide higher fixed rates but lock up your money. Consider your need for liquidity, risk tolerance and timeline when choosing where to park your cash.

Where is the best place to put my money right now?

Whether you’ve received a work bonus, sold your house or simply accumulated extra cash, deciding where to save requires balancing three key factors: return on investment, liquidity and safety. The right choice depends on when you’ll need the money and your comfort level with different account types.

Current interest rate environments make this an especially important decision. With high-yield savings accounts offering competitive rates and the Federal Reserve’s recent policy changes, your extra money should work hard for you to outpace inflation.

1. High-yield savings account

A high-yield savings account is a viable option for growing your savings and providing easy access to the money for emergencies or other unplanned expenses.

To put the earnings into perspective, the yields on traditional savings accounts are typically very low, as little as 0.01 percent annual percentage yield (APY). On the other hand, the top high-yield savings accounts currently earn over 4 percent APY.

You can open a savings account to build an emergency fund or save for a vacation or home repair while having safety and liquidity.

If you need to access portions of your money from time to time, keep in mind savings account restrictions might be a problem. There could be a limit of six withdrawals or transfers per month, depending on the bank’s policies.

It’s important to have a savings account with a bank that’s insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC). This way, you won’t lose your funds should the bank fail. The FDIC insures up to $250,000 per depositor, per FDIC-insured bank, per ownership category. Many credit unions are similarly insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF).

2. Certificate of deposit (CD)

Like a savings account, a certificate of deposit (CD) is often a safe place to keep your money. One big difference between a savings account and a CD is that a CD typically locks up your money for a set term. If you withdraw the cash early, you’ll be charged a penalty.

CDs usually carry fixed yields, so tying up your funds in a CD can be a bad idea in a rising rate environment. Conversely, locking in your money can be a smart move during a time when rates are falling.

CD terms commonly range between three months and five years, although shorter and longer ones can be found. Common types of CDs include:

• Traditional CD: This is the most common variety of CD, and it pays a fixed yield throughout its entire term. Taking out the funds before the term ends results in an early withdrawal penalty.
• No-penalty CD: Also known as a liquid CD, this account allows you to withdraw the funds early, although no-penalty CDs usually pay lower yields than traditional CDs.
• Bump-up CD: This CD typically allows you to request one rate bump throughout the term, if rates on CDs have improved.

One strategy to grow your earnings is to open several CDs that mature at different times. This is called CD laddering, and it provides flexibility and less risk than simply putting all of your money into a single CD.

3. Money market account

Money market accounts bridge the gap between savings and checking accounts, offering higher yields than traditional savings with some transaction features like checks and debit cards. They work particularly well for larger balances where you want higher yields but occasional access to funds.

These accounts often pay higher rates than regular savings accounts and may include check-writing privileges and debit card access. Like other deposit accounts, they’re FDIC insured and often feature tiered interest rates that reward larger balances. The trade-off is typically higher minimum balance requirements (often $1,000 to $10,000) and monthly maintenance fees if you fall below the minimum.

4. Checking account

While most checking accounts earn little to no interest, some high-yield checking accounts offer competitive rates while offering full liquidity and transaction capabilities. These accounts work best for money you use for monthly expenses but want to earn interest on.

Look for accounts with competitive APYs (though typically lower than savings accounts), no monthly maintenance fees, unlimited transactions and features like ATM fee reimbursements and mobile check deposit. Many high-yield checking accounts have requirements like minimum monthly direct deposits or debit card usage to earn the advertised rate.

5. Treasury bills

U.S. Treasury bills offer government-backed safety for conservative savers, especially those with money exceeding FDIC insurance limits. T-bills are short-term debt obligations with maturities of one year or less, backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

These securities are highly liquid since you can sell them before maturity, and the interest is exempt from state and local taxes. You can purchase T-bills directly through TreasuryDirect.gov or through a brokerage account. They’re sold at a discount and pay full face value at maturity, with terms available from four weeks to 52 weeks. Current yields often compete with high-yield savings accounts.

6. Short-term bonds

For money you won’t need for several years, short-term bond funds can offer higher potential returns than savings accounts, though with some risk to principal. Unlike bank accounts, bond values can fluctuate based on interest rate changes and credit quality. Check out Bankrate’s picks for the best short-term bond funds.

Treasury bond funds provide maximum safety, while high-grade corporate bond funds offer higher yields with slightly more risk. Short-term bond funds help minimize interest rate risk compared to longer-term bonds. These investments work better for timelines of three years or longer since they can lose value in the short term. Remember that bond investments aren’t FDIC insured and can lose value, making them less suitable for emergency funds or immediate needs.

7. Riskier options: Stocks, real estate and gold

For longer-term goals and money you can afford to see fluctuate, higher-risk investments might make sense as part of a diversified strategy. Stock market investments like S&P 500 index funds have historically averaged 10% annual returns over long periods, while target-date funds automatically adjust risk based on your timeline.

Options to invest in real estate include REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) — which offers offer easier entry than direct property ownership — buying a rental property or joining a real estate crowdfunding platform. Only consider these options for money you won’t need for at least five to ten years and can afford to lose in the short term.

Another popular investment option is gold, especially during tough economic times. Some investors see gold as a safe place to park their money, while others are more skeptical. Nonetheless, the decision to invest in gold should be a personal one.

How to choose the right savings strategy

The best place for your extra money depends on your timeline, risk tolerance and liquidity needs. For immediate access (zero to six months), use a high-yield savings account. For goals six months to two years away, consider CDs or money market accounts for higher yields. Money you won’t need for two to five years can go in longer-term CDs or short-term bond funds, while goals beyond five years might include growth investments.

Your risk tolerance also matters. Conservative savers should stick with FDIC-insured accounts and Treasury securities. Moderate risk tolerance allows for a mix of safe savings and short-term bond funds. Aggressive investors could include stock market investments for long-term goals.

The key is not putting all your money in one place. Diversifying across different account types provides both safety and growth potential while ensuring you have access to funds when needed.

Should you work with a financial advisor?

If you have substantial extra money or more complex financial goals, consider working with a qualified financial advisor. A fiduciary advisor can help create a comprehensive plan that balances your short-term liquidity needs with long-term wealth-building goals.

Professional help makes sense when you have more than $250,000 to manage, multiple financial goals like retirement and children’s education, need tax-efficient strategies or want ongoing portfolio management.

Bottom line

The best place to save your extra money isn’t one-size-fits-all. Start with a solid foundation of emergency savings in a high-yield savings account, then consider CDs or money market accounts for money you won’t need immediately. For longer-term goals, a mix of safe savings and growth investments often provides the best balance of security and returns.

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