Where should you put your money now?

In these economic and investment uncertainties, what options do you have with your investment and savings funds? Is it time to buy or move to the sideline? Should you stay in the stock market or move your money where you can earn a less risky return?

Here are nine account choices: four from federally insured institutions like Tropical Financial Credit Union and five from U.S. government agencies and stock brokerages.*

Federally Insured Accounts

• High-Yield Savings Accounts: They have very low or no minimum deposit requirements and offer higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts. The National Credit Union Association federally insures them up to certain limits. The funds can be withdrawn without penalty, making them ideal for emergency funds and short-term savings goals. You can find the latest rates on TFCU’s rates webpage.

• Money Market Accounts: Similar to high-yield savings, these accounts usually offer better interest rates and are NCUA-insured. They often have higher minimum deposits, traditionally $2,500, to open. Visit the TFCU savings rates webpage for details.

• Certificates of Deposit: CDs offer fixed returns for a specific period as short as three months and as long as five years. They typically have low minimum deposits of $500 to open. You may be penalized if you withdraw your money before maturity. Visit TFCU’s CD webpage for the latest yields.

• CD ladder: This investment strategy involves opening multiple CDs with staggered maturity dates, such as six months, one year and two years. Spreading funds across different time periods provides greater liquidity than one long-term CD while producing consistent returns[8].

Securities and Money Market Funds

• Series I Savings Bonds: Called I bonds for short, they adjust with inflation, providing a low-risk investment suited to medium-term savings goals. The bond has a low $25 minimum to open and a fixed rate adjusted every six months. You must hold the bond for at least one year and will forfeit three months of interest if you cash it in fewer than five years. For more information, visit the U.S. TreasuryDirect webpage.

• Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities: Also known as TIPS, they offer protection against inflation and are backed by the U.S. government. They have a $100 minimum and terms of five, 10 and 30 years. You can sell the bond before it matures. For more information, visit the TreasuryDirect webpage [6][10].

• Money Market Funds: They are offered by stock brokerages, come in different forms, such as taxable and tax-exempt, and are not federally insured. They may offer higher returns than high-yield savings accounts because they invest in securities such as corporate debt. The safest funds invest in short-term U.S. Treasury Securities or government agency securities that typically have credit ratings. For more information, visit the FINRA webpage on money funds.

• Short-Term Treasury Exchange-Traded Funds: They invest in U.S. Treasury bills and notes that are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. The funds have a lower risk profile than ETFs that put their money in corporate bonds and other lower-credit debts. For a fuller explanation, visit the Yahoo Finance webpage.

• Bond Funds: Stock brokerages offer diversified bond funds, most with minimums of $500 and higher. They invest in government or corporate bonds, or a mix of the two, to offer steady returns with moderate risk. They are an alternative for those seeking income without the volatility of stocks. For a more in-depth understanding, visit the Investopedia webpage.

*Securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer (member FINRA/SIPC). Insurance products are offered through LPL or its licensed affiliates. Tropical Financial Credit Union and Tropical Financial Investment & Insurance Services are not registered as a broker-dealer or investment advisor. Registered representatives of LPL offer products and services using Tropical Financial Investment & Insurance Services, and may also be employees of Tropical Financial Credit Union. These products and services are being offered through LPL or its affiliates, which are separate entities from, and not affiliates of, Tropical Financial Credit Union or Tropical Financial Investment & Insurance Services. Securities and insurance offered through LPL or its affiliates are:

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