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Phil Osagie
Updated Mar 5, 2026
Whether you’re building an emergency fund, saving for a home or just holding a cash cushion between investments, you need a safe place to keep your money.
But there's a big difference between keeping your money "safe" and letting it stagnate.
If your hard-earned savings are sitting in a traditional bank account, you aren’t just playing it safe, you’re likely losing out on hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars in interest you aren't earning — depending on the size of cash reserve.
The average interest rate on a standard savings account is often a fraction of 1%. Meanwhile, inflation continues to nibble away at the purchasing power of every dollar you own.
As Rich Dad, Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki famously said: “It’s not how much money you make, but how much money you keep, and how hard it works for you.”
Here are three ways to put your money to work today while keeping it accessible when you need it.
High-interest cash account
Many Americans are losing out by putting their cash savings in traditional savings accounts.
According to a new Vanguard survey, 57% of respondents reported that their savings are earning less than 3% interest and 24% are earning less than 1%.
If you want to grow your savings more efficiently, you can do just that with a high-yield cash account like the one offered by Wealthfront, a financial services platform offering a range of products, from automated investing to cash accounts.
A high-yield account like a Wealthfront Cash Account can be a great place to grow your savings, offering both competitive interest rates and easy access to your cash when you need it.
A Wealthfront Cash Account currently offers a base variable APY of 3.30%, and new clients can get an extra 0.75% during their first three months on up to $150,000 for a total variable APY of 4.05%Âą.
That’s ten times the national deposit savings rate, according to the FDIC’s January report².
With no minimum balances or account fees, as well as 24/7 withdrawals and free domestic wire transfers, your funds remain accessible at all times. Plus, Wealthfront Cash Account balances of up to $8 million are insured by the FDIC through program banks.
Certificate of deposit account
When interest rates are in flux, high-yield savings accounts can feel like a moving target. You might earn a competitive APY one month, only to have your bank quietly lower it the next. While flexible, HYSA returns aren't guaranteed — a risk that's magnified when the Fed holds rates steady or signals future shifts.
With a Certificate of Deposit (CD), you lock in a rate upfront, so your earnings stay fixed for a set term, even if market rates slip.
For those seeking predictable, reliable growth, a platform like CD Valet can help you find higher-yield options that work for you, whether you’re saving for something soon or building a cushion for the long haul.
CD Valet tracks over 40,000 verified rates from FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions nationwide. Unlike other websites, they show every publicly available rate, ensuring you have a comprehensive view of the market.
To help you save smarter, CD Valet provides free, specialized tools.
- Earnings calculator: See exactly how much interest you’ll accrue by the end of your term. Adjust different rates and terms to see how much you can earn with a 12-month vs. a 24-month CD.
- CD rates map by state: See real-time offers of the best CD rates across the country. Many institutions allow you to open an online account, so you can take advantage of a great CD rate without being located in that state.
Plus, their CD rates are updated continuously so you can shop, compare and open CDs with ease .
Income-generating funds
Another alternative is investing in private real estate credit that generates monthly income.
With the Arrived Private Credit Fund, you can invest in short-term loans used to fund real estate projects, such as renovations, property rehabs or even new home construction. The minimum investment is $100, meaning that this opportunity is open to every type of investor.
The fund generates cash returns by collecting interest payments on the loans and distributing monthly payouts to investors.
All of the loans are secured by residential housing as collateral, so even if the borrowers default, the underlying property can be sold to keep the fund healthy.
Historically, the Arrived Private Credit Fund has paid 8.1% annualized dividends to investors.
Unlike a high-yield checking or savings account, there are restrictions around when you can access your cash, so you’ll want to ensure you’re not investing what’s meant for your emergency fund or any ultra-short-term financial goals.
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The Base Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is 3.30%, as of 01/30/26, and is subject to change. If you are eligible for the overall boosted rate of 4.05% offered in connection with this promo, your boosted rate is also subject to change if the base rate decreases during the three-month promotional period. The Cash Account is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront is not a bank. The Base APY is representative, subject to change, and requires no minimum. Wealthfront Brokerage sweeps cash balances to Program Banks, where it earns the variable base APY and is eligible for FDIC insurance. Instant withdrawals may be limited by your receiving firm and other factors. Investment advisory services provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Securities investments: not bank deposits, bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value.
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Based on the national average interest rate for savings accounts as posted on FDIC.gov, as of January 22, 2026.
Phil Osagie
Conversion Copywriter
Phil is a writer at Moneywise, bringing a strong background in public relations, financial communications and copywriting. Educated in Cambridge, U.K., he has created content for several blue-chip companies, combining clarity with strategic insight.
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