Show Me the Money: 5 Places to Stash Cash in a Pinch

Need to stash some cash quickly? Maybe you received a bonus at work, discovered an inheritance, or won a bit of money in the lottery. Maybe you need to secure some college or retirement funds to use further down the line.

First, we have to congratulate you on this smart idea! Protecting your money is a wise investment in the future. You can start with as little as $5 a month and end up with a nest egg that’s worth thousands.

When you have extra cash stashed, it’s an automatic buffer against any financial challenge you may face. WEOKIE is here to support your financial choices, and we recommend these 5 effective ways to store cash safely.

1- Savings Accounts

The humble savings account is consistently rated as one of the savviest ways to manage your money by U.S. News & World Report. That’s because savings accounts encourage positive financial behavior without negative consequences. 

Open a savings account, and you’ll protect your cash and make a bit of extra money on top through interest. This means you can save it for a rainy day, but keep it 100% available at the exact moment you need it. 

And up to $250,000, it’s insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) meaning its protection is guaranteed. A savings account is a minimal-risk way to save.

2- Certificate Accounts

A certificate account is an insured savings account that builds higher interest than a traditional savings account. But unlike a savings account, where you can deposit and withdraw savings at will, a certificate account has a maturity date before which you can’t make withdrawals. 

The term length varies and is usually between 6 months and 10 years. This is a good thing for you as the account holder, because the longer the term, the more interest you’ll accumulate. 

A certificate account is a great place to put extra cash you won’t need in the short term. Store any “found money” you didn’t necessarily expect to receive, but might need to use in the future. In the meantime, you can make a little extra money with no extra effort.

3- U.S. Savings Bonds

Just like a certificate account, a savings bond can be handled through your credit union and doesn’t need to involve a stockbroker. That’s a big benefit for people who aren’t interested in getting involved in the stock market but still want a return on their money.

Savings bonds accumulate large value over time and are generally guaranteed to double in value by the 20-year mark. They may continue to accrue value for as long as 30 years.

The long timeframe makes savings bonds an excellent gift for young children, who can cash out the bonds when it’s time for college and adulthood. Talk to WEOKIE about which savings bond option is best for you.

4- High-Yield Certificate Account

A certificate account usually requires at least a $1,000 deposit, but it can give you an even higher return on your investment than other forms of stashing your cash. You agree not to withdraw the money before a certain date or incur a penalty.

This is a good place to put a large inheritance, for example. If you had $100,000, you may be able to find a special offer for a high return on your deposit that really puts your money to work for you.

5- A New IRA

Let’s not forget the power of an individual retirement account (IRA). If you don’t currently have an IRA, you can quickly create one to stash an influx of cash and reap the rewards for decades to come.

An IRA allows you to save while enjoying tax-free - or technically, tax-deferred - growth on your money. There are three main types: a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA, or a rollover IRA. Discuss your IRA options with a financial planner for advice on your specific situation.

IRAs can be used as a way to boost your credit union savings while preparing for retirement. It’s easy to fund an IRA through automatic deposits from your WEOKIE account.

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*See a WEOKIE rep for details. Federally Insured by NCUA