CD's coming due in September

[SHRED]

GRRR...

The rates now are horrendous but I just don't see any secure options for my nest egg.
Are there just no safe places to earn a decent return on six figures?


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[safeinOhio]

1. I have been moving to

high dividend stocks. Easy to get 3.5% return. Many pretty safe stocks in the 6 to 8 percent like Dutch Royal (Shell oil) and Phillip Morse. Some good utility companies that are high on natural gas use. Google it for more.

You are also able to increase stock value. Proctor Gamble and McDonald have always been good ones. Some risk, but way better return and make sure you buy a good mix.

[Kolesar]

2. US Savings bonds lock you up for 5 years for 1.7% I-bonds or 1.4% EE-bonds

But that is 5 years with no state or federal income tax. You can defer the tax burden until you are past earning age and in a lower tax bracket.

I have not bought them yet.

[CountAllVotes]

3. same boat here

I played around with the stock market briefly from Sept.-Nov. 2010 (made a grand total of $52.00). What I had invested in was a nightmare and I am damn lucky I got all of my money back so DON'T DO IT OK?

I ended up renewing the CDs that came due at 2.75% which is the best rate I could find. It sickens me really. Normally I never lock up money in a 5-year CD at such a low rate but there isn't anything better. If I decide to crack into them early - well at least the 6-month penalty won't be much (that is about the only good thing I can see about this investment other than the fact it is insured).

I also have some old I-bonds. They are a great investment in my case being I've had them since 2001. However, now they pay a pittance and I'd be hard pressed to recommend them. The best thing about I-bonds is that they are state tax exempt and federal tax deferred until you cash them. The ones I have you can hold for up to 30 years. The ones being issued now you can hold for only 5 years.

I wish I had better ideas for you but I don't.

Just stay the hell away from the stock market. It is a disgusting game and I had one crooked broker that I was "referred" to by my credit union! :grr: I was invested in PIMCO and when I found out that Bill Gross was buying up shares of his own stocks, I threw the towel it (too Madoff-like for me!).

Best of luck and if anyone has any ideas for investors I'd sure like to know what they might be.