[ad_1] When it comes to choosing the best short-term investments for the next five years, there are three main factors to focus on — liquidity, expectations, and risk. You need to keep your cash liquid so it’s easily accessible when you need it, which means you also need to invest in a way that doesn’t put you at too much risk of losing capital. You will likely achieve a lower return than the best long-term investments offer as a result, yet that’s the price you pay for keeping your investment “safe.” But, what are the best short-term investments out there? In this article, we’ll break down the absolute best investment options for people with the following timelines: Best investments for up to three years Best investments for up to five years If you have some cash to invest for up to five years and you’re wondering where to stash it, read on to learn about our top picks and how they stack up in terms of risk vs. reward. #ap58364-ww{padding-top:20px;position:relative;text-align:center;font-size:12px;font-family:Archivo, sans-serif}#ap58364-ww #ap58364-ww-indicator{text-align:right;color:#4a4a4a}#ap58364-ww #ap58364-ww-indicator-wrapper{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;justify-content:flex-end;margin-bottom:8px}#ap58364-ww #ap58364-ww-indicator-wrapper:hover #ap58364-ww-text{display:block}#ap58364-ww #ap58364-ww-indicator-wrapper:hover #ap58364-ww-label{display:none}#ap58364-ww #ap58364-ww-text{margin:auto 3px auto auto}#ap58364-ww #ap58364-ww-label{margin-left:4px;margin-right:3px}#ap58364-ww #ap58364-ww-icon{margin:auto;display:inline-block;width:16px;height:16px;min-width:16px;min-height:16px;cursor:pointer}#ap58364-ww #ap58364-ww-icon img{vertical-align:middle;width:16px;height:16px;min-width:16px;min-height:16px}#ap58364-ww #ap58364-ww-text-bottom{margin:5px}#ap58364-ww #ap58364-ww-text{display:none}#ap58364-ww #ap58364-ww-icon img{text-indent:-9999px;color:transparent} Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.Ad #ap58364-w-map{max-width:600px;padding:20px 0 10px;margin:0 auto;text-align:center;font-family:”Lato”, Arial, Roboto, sans-serif}#ap58364-w-map #ap58364-w-map-title{color:#212529;font-size:18px;font-weight:700;line-height:27px}#ap58364-w-map #ap58364-w-map-subtitle{color:#9b9b9b;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;line-height:24px}#ap58364-w-map #ap58364-w-disclosure{margin-top:10px;font-size:12px;color:#9b9b9b}#ap58364-w-map #ap58364-w-map-map{max-width:98%;width:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:65%;margin-bottom:20px;position:relative}#ap58364-w-map #ap58364-w-map-map svg{position:absolute;left:0;top:0}#ap58364-w-map #ap58364-w-map-map svg path{fill:#e3efff;stroke:#9b9b9b;pointer-events:all;transition:fill 0.6s ease-in, stroke 0.6s ease-in, stroke-width 0.6s ease-in}#ap58364-w-map #ap58364-w-map-map svg path:hover{stroke:#1261C9;stroke-width:2px;stroke-linejoin:round;fill:#1261C9;cursor:pointer}#ap58364-w-map #ap58364-w-map-map svg g rect{fill:#e3efff;stroke:#9b9b9b;pointer-events:all;transition:fill 0.6s ease-in, stroke 0.6s ease-in, stroke-width 0.6s ease-in}#ap58364-w-map #ap58364-w-map-map svg g text{fill:#000;text-anchor:middle;font:10px Arial;transition:fill 0.6s ease-in}#ap58364-w-map #ap58364-w-map-map svg g .ap00646-w-map-state{display:none}#ap58364-w-map #ap58364-w-map-map svg g .ap00646-w-map-state rect{stroke:#1261C9;stroke-width:2px;stroke-linejoin:round;fill:#1261C9}#ap58364-w-map #ap58364-w-map-map svg g .ap00646-w-map-state text{fill:#fff;font:19px Arial;font-weight:bold}#ap58364-w-map #ap58364-w-map-map svg g:hover{cursor:pointer}#ap58364-w-map #ap58364-w-map-map svg g:hover rect{stroke:#1261C9;stroke-width:2px;stroke-linejoin:round;fill:#1261C9}#ap58364-w-map #ap58364-w-map-map svg g:hover text{fill:#fff}#ap58364-w-map #ap58364-w-map-map svg g:hover .ap00646-w-map-state{display:initial}#ap58364-w-map #ap58364-w-map-btn{padding:9px 41px;display:inline-block;color:#fff;font-size:16px;line-height:1.25;text-decoration:none;background-color:#1261c9;border-radius:2px}#ap58364-w-map #ap58364-w-map-btn:hover{color:#fff;background-color:#508fc9} With a High-Yield Savings Account, you can save money while earning it. For smart and effective savings, a High-Yield Savings Account is a viable option. Open an account today by clicking on your state below. HawaiiAlaskaFloridaSouth CarolinaGeorgiaAlabamaNorth CarolinaTennesseeRIRhode IslandCTConnecticutMAMassachusettsMaineNHNew HampshireVTVermontNew YorkNJNew JerseyDEDelawareMDMarylandWest VirginiaOhioMichiganArizonaNevadaUtahColoradoNew MexicoSouth DakotaIowaIndianaIllinoisMinnesotaWisconsinMissouriLouisianaVirginiaDCWashington DCIdahoCaliforniaNorth DakotaWashingtonOregonMontanaWyomingNebraskaKansasOklahomaPennsylvaniaKentuckyMississippiArkansasTexas Get Started Best Short-Term Investments Comparison Table Investment Options Investment Timeline Risk vs. Reward High-Yield Savings Accounts Money Market Accounts Less than 3 years Low risk, low rewardPotential return of 1% to 1.5% APY or more, depending on the account opened Crypto Savings Accounts Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Short-Term Notes Less than 3 years Medium risk, medium rewardCrypto savings accounts are returning up to 8.05% APY, although additional risk is involvedREITs can earn exceptional returns, but the risk is higher and liquidity may be lower than other investmentsShort-term notes offer yields of 4.6% or higher, although returns can fluctuate Roth IRA Short-Term Bond Funds Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) Short-Term Corporate and Municipal Bond Funds Series I Bonds Up to 5 years Returns for Roth IRA accounts, short-term bond funds, short-term corporate and municipal bond funds, and ETFs vary widely, and you have the chance to lose capital over a shorter timelineSeries I Savings Bonds are currently returning 9.62%, although liquidity can be a problem if you need your money quickly Bonus Idea: Real Estate Hard Money Loans Up to 5 years Real estate hard money loans promise high yields but come with a relatively high amount of risk Best Investments for Timelines of Less Than 3 Years When you know you’ll need access to your money in the next three years, you have to choose from low-risk investments that keep your cash liquid and easy to access. The best short-term investments for up to three years can help you do exactly that, although some offer more liquidity than others. High-Yield Savings Accounts Potential interest rate: 1.25% or more, depending on the account High-yield savings accounts offer a risk-free way to invest your money for the short-term, albeit with a much lower guaranteed return than you can get elsewhere. The best high-yield savings accounts come with yields of well over 1% APY, and many charge minimal account fees or no fees at all. Even more importantly, the best high-yield savings accounts come with FDIC insurance, so your investment of up to $250,000 per account is fully protected if your bank defaults or closes its doors. If you’re looking for the best high-yield savings account to open online, we suggest checking out offers from CIT Bank and, Discover, and UFB Direct. 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We may be compensated if you click this ad.Ad #ap51323-w-text{padding:20px 0 10px;margin:0 auto;text-align:center;font-family:”Lato”, Arial, Roboto, sans-serif}#ap51323-w-text #ap51323-w-text-title{color:#212529;font-size:20px;font-weight:700;line-height:30px}#ap51323-w-text #ap51323-w-text-subtitle{color:#9b9b9b;font-size:16px;font-style:italic;line-height:24px}#ap51323-w-text #ap51323-w-disclosure{color:#9b9b9b;margin-top:10px;font-size:12px}#ap51323-w-text #ap51323-w-text-btn{margin-top:25px;padding:9px 13px;display:inline-block;color:#fff;font-size:16px;line-height:20px;text-decoration:none;background-color:#1261c9;border-radius:2px}#ap51323-w-text #ap51323-w-text-btn:hover{color:#fff;background-color:#508fc9} It's never too late to start saving! With a high-yield savings account you can make your savings grow faster. Click below to learn more. Open an Account Today Money Market Accounts Potential interest rate: 1.50% or more, depending on the account The best money market accounts pay a little more than the best online savings accounts, and they also provide depositors with ATM cards, checks, and deposit slips. Also note that money market accounts are based on the account balance, not the length of time you invest your money. This makes money market accounts a good option for people who need a place to park their excess cash for the short term with the option to access their funds at any time. Like other deposit accounts, you can also rest assured that your money market funds will be protected with FDIC insurance. If you’re looking for a money market account that offers the highest potential return, you should check out options from banks like UFB Direct and CIT Bank and UFB Direct. Stability: High Liquidity: High Transactional Costs: Low Crypto Savings Accounts Potential interest rate: up to 8.05% APY, depending on the account Crypto savings accounts also make it possible to earn interest on your crypto deposits, but it’s important to note the changing landscape in this industry. For example, the amount of interest earned in these accounts can fluctuate wildly, and some crypto savings accounts are only available to investors