[RWebb]

money in the bank in a basic savings account OR money markets are guaranteed to lose money over the long term. they never do quite as well as inflation.

Bonds do about as well as inflation

Only stocks (or real estate) will do better than inflation.

There is risk to each type and the risk increases generally with the return potential.

I think the best places to keep investments are Vanguard and Fidelity.

Not only that but each one, has an Independent guy who monitors their funds and selects the best ones to buy. Independent ...

for Vanguard it is Dan Weiner

for Fidelity it is Jim Lowell

Google the names for their subscription services - they are not real expensive and have an xlnt track record.