Here are some possibilities – we have talked about these in other threads:
> CDs
> money market fund that invests only in short-term US govt notes and bills (Gabelli US Treasury Money Market Fund, for example, which currently pays 4.7% with check writing privileges) – benefit from rising interest rates (as compared to having a fixed-rate CD) – safer than other funds that hold all kinds of weird securities in their portfolios
> foreign currencies – Everbank (www.everbank.com) is an online bank that offers CDs which are denominated in foreign currencies – IMO, stick with Canada, Australia and New Zealand
> physical silver and gold bullion
~ stored in safe or safe deposit box or buried in the garden
~ Perth Mint Certificates (www.perthmint.com.au) – buy silver and gold with free storage at the mint in Australia
> silver and gold ETFs and funds:
~ Central Fund of Canada (CEF) holds about half and half silver and gold bullion
~ iShares Silver Trust (SLV) – each share backed by 10 ounces of physical silver
~ streetTracks Gold Trust (GLD) – each share backed by 1/10th ounce physical gold
> stocks of companies that mine silver and gold
> stocks of energy companies (natural gas, oil, uranium)
Lots of possibilities for parking money. Varying degrees of risk and potential reward. Each individual has to research the options and decide what feels right for them.
I believe silver and gold, whether it is physical or paper, is THE place to park investment money for the next five years at least. Zeal (www.zealllc.com) and Casey Research (www.caseyresearch.com) offer newsletters for people wanting to invest and/or speculate in the precious metals sector.
The energy sector comes in second place for me with an emphasis on companies exploring for natural gas in the US and Canada. Again, Zeal and Casey Research offer excellent guidance in the energy sector.
