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Cash Investments Types of Cash Investments Cash investments are liquid or short-term, and relatively safe investments. Many cash investments offer a guarantee of principal, but give lower returns. Traditionally, checking and savings accounts have been considered cash investments, but cash investments also include investments with up to six months in maturity. Click on each of the cash investment vehicles on the left for a more complete explanation of cash investments. Bank & Savings Accounts       Offered through most banks and credit unions. In return for a guarantee of principal, or FDIC insurance, you typically earn less in return. Money-Market Mutual Funds       Invest solely in short-term debt instruments. They can be converted quickly to cash, and most funds offer shareholders personalized check-writing services. Don't get this confused with a bank money market. Money-market mutual funds are not FDIC insured; however, they are very safe. Certificates of Deposit (CDs)       Short-term obligations of commercial banks, savings and loans, or other thrift insitutions. Certificates usually range from three months up to five years. Remember, however, that only CDs with six months in maturity or less should be considered liquid investments. Treasury Bills       Short-term debt instruments issued by the United States Treasury. They carry maturities one year or less from their issue date. T-bills are purchased at a discount. For example, if you purchased a $1,000 26-week T-bill, you would pay $975 for it, and in 26 weeks, when the T-bill matures, you would get $1,000. Savings Bonds       Issued by the U.S. government. The face values range from $50 (EE bonds) to $10,000 (H bonds). Some savings bonds are purchased at half the face value and mature at face value. The maturity date depends on the rates of interest during the holding period. The different kinds of bonds are E and EE bonds, H bonds and I bonds. Fixed Annuities       Issued by life insurance companies and money in them accumulates tax-deferred. During the payout phase, annuities can guarantee a set payment as a lump sum or in periodic installments for life or for a specified term. Cash Value of Life Insurance       Generates equity from the interest of other gains. This equity or cash value may be accessed through policy loans. Cash investments are not always used for short-term goals. For instance, fixed annuities and the cash value of life insurance are frequently used to keep funds guaranteed during retirement. To learn about life insurance, visit our Risk Management Course.   Quick Question When might a savings bond be tax free? A. When you are twenty-five. B. When the U.S. Government issues it to you. C. If a savings bond is in your name and you cash it in the year in which you pay college tuition, the interest may be tax free. D. In twenty-six years. < PREVIOUS NEXT > #38599