Any more great investment options for cash?

Hello, I am 29, and I have a question. I max out my 401k at work, I do not qualify for IRA's. I have a brokerage account and invest a large amount of money automatically a month to a portfolio of mutual funds. My "emergency" money sits in a money market account drawing around 3.4 percent (average) interest.





So my question is, is there any other really good idea investment options for loose cash? For retirement planning.





Thanks alot!

Any more great investment options for cash?
It sounds like you are in great financial shape. I have one suggestion before I get to the main one.





Look at the mutual funds you are investing in closely.





Do they have a high management fee?





Do they have a sales load?





About 75% of all mutual funds under perform the market. If yours are not outperforming the market, then why keep them?





ETF's are a good alternative. They have an overall lower fee rate on average than mutual funds.





My main suggestion is a DRIP Plan. I have had mine in effect for over 14 years, and have achieved about 10% annual returns.





They are seldom talked about because brokers make very little money when they suggest them. Yet, they have proven to be one of the best, if not the best, long-term strategy on Wall Street.





The best part is you get solid annual returns from well-known, safe Blue Chip companies like: McDonalds, General Electric, Pfizer, Walmart, US Bancorp.......etc........





They are inexpensive to start and maintain, and your dividends are reinvested for free.





They are perfect for small investors, as well as big investors. They are safe and allow you to not care about whether the market is going up or down.





It appears as if you know what you are doing. Look at all the suggestions closely. My DRIP Plan has been great.





Good Luck
Reply:You could always just put it in some kind of online savings account and draw interest. ING has a decent interest rate - last time I checked around 4.9%.
Reply:To balance out your paper investments with real money, as a hedge against inflation buy silver ingots or American Silver Eagle Coins (non-proofs). Or $5,000.00 Certificate of Deposits based on silver prices from www.everbank.com the number one rated bank by Forbes Magazine.
Reply:I keep my cash in an E*Trade savings account with 4.10% APY.


WaMu online savings also has online savings account at 4.00% APY.





Both have no fees, $1 minimums, free ingoing and outgoing ACH transfers, just very convenient.





No risk, and FDIC insured is always nice.





Rates used to be a bit above 5% a few months ago before Fed started slashing but still 4% for idle money isn't bad and online transfers to external accounts makes quick access simple.
Reply:You don't say How Much.................


Take a look at bridge loans..you being the loaner..........pretty good return..............there are groups who manage this........
Reply:Try opening up your own personal stock account. You can't MAX out one of those. Also you should learn to invest yourself. Chances are you'll do better than whoever is mannaging your account for you.





Here is a great website to learn how to trade.
Reply:except to risk factor, investment in stock market is as liquid as moone in Bank.





one strategy is to keep part in equity part in cash and when equity falls, cash can be pumped in to equity to average the value of share.





there are similar lot of ways and you should choose best that you can understand and apply
Reply:Hi,





ING for some cash and Brazil for investment-( if you can afford a little speculation. See www.moneyrec.com





Good Luck





Grace
Reply:I had the same problem as you have.


I had a good amount of money, but didn't knew where to invest it.


So I looked around for something that gave me a great return towards a low risk.


And the only thing I could find was a mannaged account.


Here you can follow up my results of every day:


http://my-robottrader.blogspot.com/





I'm verry excited because I already have 51% ROI in Two months time.


My moneymannager is giving me great support, and answer all of my questions almost immediatly.


Annyway feel free to contact me (adress on my blog) and I'll bring you in direct contact with my money mannager.
Reply:No disrespect to "MoneyMon" with this next comment. I am just trying to be helpful.





I would stay clear of Prosper.com, unless you just want to donate some money to an individual.





Prosper has a much higher default rate than they advertise. They do not have any mechanism in place to go after people who default on their loans. And the finance charges you pay to help somebody with a loan, are to high.





Personally, If i had extra cash, I would invest in ETF's or DRIP Plan.





As your other respondent said, mutual funds have become to heavy with fees. And their performance is not always on par. Of course there are still good ones, but overall, I would use ETF's.





You are in a good position. Too much cash on hand. I wish I had that problem.
Reply:If you're maxing out all your investment and retirement needs for your future, and have a good six months of cash in your money market account for emergencies ... how about giving.





One way to give without actually giving it all away permanently is to get involved in microlending. Kiva.org, Prosper, LendingClub, or other international mirco-finance agencies.





The "rewards" on giving generously are not always measured by money. You could even put money in a charitable trust.