7 Best Investment Options To Preserve Your Money in 2026, #288
This episode is your introduction to the world of conservative investing, so it’s perfect for you if you’re looking to preserve your principal and grow your money at a steady pace. I’m walking you through seven standout investment choices for 2026, ranging from high-yield online money market accounts to short-term bond funds, CDs, and Treasury bonds.
We’ll discuss how to shop around for the best rates, the importance of keeping up with inflation in retirement, and the benefits and limitations of each strategy. There’s something here for anyone who wants their money to work a little harder without taking on unnecessary risk.
You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...
00:00 Retirement Income to beat inflation.
03:27 Using online banks and credit unions for high-yield savings.
04:53 Automatic and manual selection of money market funds.
08:23 How yield and volatility differ from money market funds with short-term bond funds.
11:24 Brokered CDs vs. traditional CDs.
13:39 U.S. Treasuries as highly secure investment using treasury bonds.
15:11 Using a fixed annuity to invest your money.
17:06 How U.S. Treasury Inflation Bonds (I Bonds) work.
Seven Smart Conservative Investment Options for Growing and Preserving Your Wealth
Retirement planning and conservative investing go hand in hand, particularly for those looking to preserve their hard-earned principal and ensure steady, reliable growth..
1. High-Yield Online Money Market Accounts
Keeping cash in traditional savings accounts often means missing out on higher returns so it’s a great start to explore online banks that offer high-yield savings and money market accounts. Although these accounts lack physical branches and operate electronically, the tradeoff is often higher interest rates.
2. Brokerage Money Market Funds
Money market funds present another secure route to saving for retirement. With Vanguard and Fidelity, your idle cash is generally swept automatically into high-yield funds, whereas Schwab offers more choices, but you may need to manually select a higher-yielding money market fund. Current yields are around 3.6% to 3.7%, but rates fluctuate weekly with market conditions. Importantly, these investments are designed to keep the value per share at $1, minimizing risk to your principal.
3. Short-Term Bond Funds
If you’re comfortable with a bit more fluctuation, short-term bond funds can offer higher yields than money market funds. While prices may move slightly, the key is to assess yield versus volatility and select a fund aligned with your risk tolerance. Total bond market or aggregate bond funds, such as the State Street Aggregate Bond ETF (SPAB), can yield more (sometimes above 4%), but carry higher risk and potential for loss, as evidenced by losses in years of rapidly rising interest rates.
4. Short-Term Certificates of Deposit (CDs)
CDs are an old-fashioned but reliable solution. By locking in your money for a set period (often one to three years), you benefit from higher fixed rates, currently 4% for one-year CDs and slightly lower for longer terms. Watch out, though, if interest rates fall, having a longer-term CD can be advantageous, but shopping around means opening multiple accounts, which can become hard to track.
5. U.S. Treasury Bonds
Tied to government backing, short-term U.S. Treasury bonds are among the safest choices. They typically yield around 3.5% to 3.6% for terms of one to three years. Besides security, their interest is exempt from state income tax, which can be a perk for residents of high-tax states.
6. Fixed Annuities
For those who want higher yields and are willing to sacrifice some liquidity, fixed annuities offer insurance-backed, multi-year fixed interest rates, sometimes higher than CDs or Treasuries. Current rates above 4% for investments starting at $100,000, though smaller minimums (such as $5,000 at Fidelity) provide slightly lower yields. The main drawback is reduced access to your principal.
7. U.S. Treasury Inflation Bonds
Inflation Bonds combine a fixed interest rate with added payments tied to inflation. Currently, they yield over 4%, but are capped at $10,000 per person annually. You must hold them for at least five years to avoid penalties, and taxes on the interest can be deferred. If inflation surges, these are especially attractive.
Take Action to Grow
Whether you’re approaching retirement or simply cautious, these seven strategies equip you to earn more on your savings while keeping risk in check. Consider putting excess bank cash to work in one or more of these vehicles for better long-term outcomes. Remember, conservative investing isn’t about standing still, it’s about moving forward deliberately and securely.
Resources Mentioned
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