Where would you put $70k?

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by Rot 911

Right now 13 week treasury bills are paying around 5.49%. That is where I keep investing any cash that I might need back in a short period of time. Of course you can get treasury bills for anywhere up to one year. And you pay no federal taxes on the treasury bills. And you can thank Fint for this information as he is who I got the investment idea from.

Thank you. That is what I do with the cash portion of my portfolio, but you do pay Fed taxes on the return, just no state or local. I hope I did not post that incorrectly before. Sometimes I am a bit dyslexic when I type these days.

I ladder mine. If I had $70K to invest, I would keep it simple and invest it in 13-wk bills as well. The first month, $30K (3 $10K bills), the second, $20K (2 $10K bills) and the third, $20K (2 $10K bills). On the 4th month, the first $30K will mature and each $10K bill will return about $135 at the current rate (you purchased the bills at about $9865) and they mature at $10K. If you have selected them to reinvest, they will do so (at about $9865 again) and the $135 for each goes into your checking account. Since you have 3, this is an income of about $405. The next two months, if you do the same, the income is $270 each month and then the cycle begins again with a return of $405.

You could do any size bill (say one $30K or 30 $1K bills... or the entire amount in a $70K bill for one month and reinvest each month...or your choice), but I like to have the ability (every month) to let one or two mature and not reinvest if I need money for something. If I only need $10K or less, just one...but I could do more if necessary. If you project a larger need, all will $70K will mature over 3 months. If you want, you can reinvest your returns in smaller bills ($100 or more).

The only bad way to do this is to leave the money in a checking or savings account and pass up on about $3500 risk-free interest each year. Obviously, as KC points out...rates may not always stay this high (or they may rise). If you believe they are going down, you might want to try to lock in the higher rates for a longer period.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

KC -
The OP's level of sophistication is such that he is on a car enthusiast board looking for a safe investment for his 76 year old mother - and you would have him trading corporate bonds on the secondary market?
He needs something simple and easy or he needs a paid consultant, maybe both. Sorry to say, Shaun is in the wrong place; too many people here trying to show off how much they know and not enough real help.

I have NOT suggested bonds for Shaun ... exactly the opposite. I would not have my parents in bonds, nor should he. I've just suggested brokerages offered CDs which have total FDIC protection, are absolutely liquid upon demand and offer attractive rates ... better than treasuries for the longer periods 3,4,5 years out....

Shaun ain't no dummy .... he can read and understand what I've posted.... you have made some factually incorrect posts and I tried to explain why

Hope I've helped him with what I've posted or mebbe someone else. Lots of ways to earn 5% right now.... it will not always be this easy.

Thanks FrED

[WPOZZZ]

Put most of it in treasuries and dividend stocks. Then maybe $1k in crypto.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by WPOZZZ

Put most of it in treasuries and dividend stocks. Then maybe $1k in crypto.

My mom could not tolerate losses on her monthly statements when her advisor had them in a variable annuity. Equites and crypto volatility would keep her awake at night ... so I just put them in CDs ... which they understand and have little of that. She didn't need to lose any more sleep... and I've got their backs anyways .

[Rot 911]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

I may be mistaken, but I'm under the impression that it's state income taxes that Treasury bills are exempt from. Maybe we have a tax lawyer or a CPA on board who could clarify?

You are correct. I was a little quick with the typing this morning. I edited my original post to reflect the correct information.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the input. I like the 13 week treasuries in that they offer a good interest rate and more importantly time to find and talk with a proper advisor.

[William930t]

No doubt T-bill laddering will generate steady, completely safe income in the low 5% range right now. Expect this rate to drop once the Fed decides to start interest lowering. As part of my diversified income portfolio, I have been quite happy with JP Morgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ). Safety risk is medium-low, return is around 9% and dividends are paid monthly.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the input. I like the 13 week treasuries in that they offer a good interest rate and more importantly time to find and talk with a proper advisor.

You won't go wrong with treasuries.... down the line it will be harder to get current returns at these Fed rates .... best of luck and please let me know how to find a "proper advisor" .

Fiduciary responsibilites ... LOL

Bitcoin FTW!

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by William930t

No doubt T-bill laddering will generate steady, completely safe income in the low 5% range right now. Expect this rate to drop once the Fed decides to start interest lowering. As part of my diversified income portfolio, I have been quite happy with JP Morgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ). Safety risk is medium-low, return is around 9% and dividends are paid monthly.

Although I have no need for the steady dividend payouts.... I have mine structured so they are almost the same amount each month too.

"Just because" .... and because I have issues

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the input. I like the 13 week treasuries in that they offer a good interest rate and more importantly time to find and talk with a proper advisor.

Wise choice. As secure as there is....if the feds default, nothing will matter anyway for us too old to go into survialist mode.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Wise choice. As secure as there is....if the feds default, nothing will matter anyway for us too old to go into survialist mode.

Methinks FDIC backed accounts and CDs are just as secure. If the SHTF .... none of it is gonna matter ... except guns and liquor

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by KC911

Methinks FDIC backed accounts and CDs are just as secure. If the SHTF .... none of it is gonna matter ... except guns and liquor

My only concern with FDIC insured is that the feds will take their sweet time paying...and possibly pay only the initial purchase price...no interest.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

My only concern with FDIC insured is that the feds will take their sweet time paying...and possibly pay only the initial purchase price...no interest.

Possible ... but recent bank failures have displayed the FDIC stepping in quickly. My main concern was my mom's "comfort zone" (as my dad used to handle all of their stuff, but is sorta diminished and "out of it" now). She could NOT handle volitility with their variable annuities ... back in Dec of 2018, "I'm a tariff president" caused a market crash of 20% and her monthly statement showed a sgnificant loss (in her mind) .... "we're going to go broke" .... Naw, not even close mom . She just can't handle losses....

They both know and understand old fashioned CDs from their local bank .... not annuities, not treasuries, just simple accounts.

I put her in her comfort zone with Fidelity offered CDs, from banks she mostly recognizes by name, and opted for longer durations of 3,4, & 5 years. All of these CDs offer higher rates (as do the shorter terms of months) than treasury bills and they offer easy access to their cash at any time. Not a thing risky about any of them imo.... unless ???.

Shaun would not go wrong with either one .... I went with the higher rates, and "gambled" that the Fed tightening monetary policy was ending. A year or two from now I will not regret what I have mom invested in, nor will she. Though they don't need it, and likely never will, she does like her fixed income stream now...

I love mine

Happy mom .... happy me

[wildthing]

Marcus by Goldman Sachs.

Or CapitalOne Online Savings Acount.

5%. Not the highest but also among the top 5-6 banks with less danger of going under.

[DWBOX2000]

I can watch it for you Shaun. No charge.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by DWBOX2000

I can watch it for you Shaun. No charge.

^^^^ Can't trust this guy Shaun.... I can guarantee results tho'

[GG Allin]

2 lbs of physical gold.

[fintstone]

You could put the money in a classic 911. I have two and would sell either for the $70K.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by wildthing

Marcus by Goldman Sachs.

Or CapitalOne Online Savings Acount.

5%. Not the highest but also among the top 5-6 banks with less danger of going under.

With FDIC protection, banks "going under" is a non-issue imo ... it happens a lot.

I'm back on this thread because one of the CDs I purchased for my dad a couple of years ago is maturing soon (50K from Citibank). Need to purchase something ....

I like call protection and the higher rates that CDs offer verses Treasuries, along with more access to cash, etc. and more flexible (able to sell all, or in 1K increments), should a need arise. I know the consensus here is for T-bills ... nothing wrong with that, but after looking again this morning ... I will purchase dad another 3-5 yr CD .

I see where the Fed is going... just not exactly "when" ...

The money market, online bank accts. and others have been attractive as of late.... but I would not have significant $$$ in them going forward when flexible online CDs are "better" .... at least from my perspective.

Someone needs to 'splain it to me .... and please type slow

Rate of returns, flexibility, access to $$$, no volatility, along with US backed security .... those are my criteria for my parents.

I'm willing to learn

But am slightly stubborn

[Aurel]

To maximize income, I would use SVOL. This puppy will yield 30 cents a share every month, currently trading at $22.64. So $70k would generate $927/month. That is 16%/yr yield!