A short-term investment is a type of investment that matures and produces a yield within a short period of time, usually less than a year. Understanding the different types of short-term investments can be difficult and choosing the right short-term investment for your needs can be a bit tricky. Choosing the best short-term investment for your money will often depend largely on your personal preferences.
Below are a few of the most common types of short-term investments, along with their pros and cons.
Savings Accounts
A savings account is by far one of the simplest and safest types of short-term investments. It`s generally very easy to open and maintain a savings account. Usually, all you need to do is go to your local bank, fill out some paperwork and deposit your money. With a savings account, you also have access to your money any time you need it, which is great for emergency situations. Your money is also insured when it is in a savings account, making it a short-term investment option with little to no risk.
Savings accounts typically have very low interest rates, however, which means that they have lower yields. If you are looking for a short-term investment with a high yield, a savings account may not be your answer.
Certificates of Deposit
Certificates of Deposit are often referred to as CDs and they are considered to be a very safe short-term investment option. Since CDs typically have higher interest rates than savings accounts, they also produce higher yields. When investing in CDs, however, keep in mind that you will not be able to easily access your funds until they mature. There is often a stiff early withdrawal fee for these.
Money Market Accounts
Like savings accounts, money market accounts are also considered to be very simple and safe short-term investments. Money market accounts are easy to open and your money is typically insured. A money market account usually has a higher interest rate than a savings account and therefore it has a higher yield.
One of the biggest drawbacks of a money market account, however, is limited access to your funds. You will usually only be able to move a handful of transactions each month. If you exceed the number of allowable transactions, you will often have to pay a hefty fee.
Money Market Funds
A money market fund is a type of low risk mutual fund. Investors will usually have access to their funds, if necessary. Money market funds, however, are not usually federally insured. These types of investments usually have some risk, but that risk is generally very low.
How to Choose the Right Short-term Investment Option
Before choosing a short-term investment, you need to ask yourself a few questions. First, are you looking for a lower risk or a higher yield? You should also decide whether or not you will need to access your funds in case of emergency, since this can be difficult with some short-term investments.
Thoroughly investigate any financial institution before you trust it with your money. You may also want to look at some of the other options available to you as well. Some financial institutions, for instance, may give you the opportunity to refinance your mortgage. Before you consider this, however, be sure to calculate your new payments and other mortgage costs with a mortgage calculator.
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