[USER]

If you suddenly come into a chunk of money — for example, from selling a house, receiving an inheritance, or a business payout — and you don’t plan to use it immediately (say, for 3 months to a year), where would you park that money to earn the best possible return with relatively low risk?

I’m not looking for long-term investment advice like stocks or retirement funds, but more about short- to mid-term options that offer decent interest or growth while keeping the funds accessible or relatively liquid.

High-yield savings accounts, money market funds, short-term CDs, Treasury bills, or any other suggestions?

What would you personally do in this situation, and why?

I’m especially interested in hearing from people who have actually done something similar or have experience managing cash for short periods.

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts!

[Marij]

Self-directed IRA and loan it on a short/mid/long term secured basis to real estate investors and other business owners.

[Robert]

HYSA. And if it is a windfall, take your time in terms of making your decision as to what to do with it.

That’s what I did when I got a windfall about 11 years ago.

[Ross]

T Bills, or something like BIL, SGOV. It’s basically the same. It’s just a matter of if you want to get the T-bills yourself and make a bit more, or if you want to let a fund do it for you and give up a bit to the expense ratio.

[Rob]

SGOV (treasuries ETF) or high yield savings account if ok too if amount is less than FDIC insurance limits.

[Stan]

High Yield Savings Account for anything you might need in next 18+ months at minimum.

I would not invest any money in market that I might want to repurpose in another asset class within a couple of years.

Too much volatility in market in a 2 year period or so.

[Author]

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