4. Bonds
Over the long term, accumulating wealth is the primary focus. But once you’ve built that wealth and are closer to retirement age, bonds — which are loans to a company or government — can help you stay wealthy. There are three main kinds of bonds:
For most investors, the best way to go is to buy ETFs and mutual funds that invest in bonds on your behalf.
The main goals of investing in bonds, as opposed to stocks, are capital preservation (preventing losses) and income generation.
5. High-yield savings accounts
Savings accounts offered by branch-based banks are notorious for paying minuscule interest rates.
On the other hand, some excellent banks offer very competitive rates that are investment-worthy in many cases. As of August 2026, savings account interest rates in the 3.5% ballpark (or higher) were still readily available if you do a little research.
Finding the best rate takes time, though. The good news is, Motley Fool Money regularly reviews the top high-yield savings accounts so you don’t have to.
6. Certificates of deposit (CDs)
Many reputable banks offer excellent high-yield certificates of deposit (CDs). These pay guaranteed yields for anywhere from a few months to five years or more.
Unlike savings accounts, CDs allow you to lock in a specific yield for a set period. This can be an especially valuable feature when interest rates are relatively high, and you want predictable returns.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) insures CDs and savings accounts up to $250,000 per person per bank to protect you against bank failure.
