The 14 Best Short Term Investments (2023) to Grow Your Nest Egg

Saving money is one thing, but investing cash is something totally different.

When you invest, you’re doing so with the purpose of getting additional money added to what you’ve saved.

While saving $50 gets you $50, investing $50 could give you $55, $80, or even $100 or more, depending on the type of investment.

Investing really is the best way to go if you don’t mind taking a bit of a risk to get more money in the end.

But investments aren’t typically a quick deal.

You could invest cash and have to wait years before you see a significant return on the money you invested.

Short-term investments, on the other hand, may not yield as much of a return, but they’ll get you that extra money quicker than traditional investments.

Do you think short-term investing could be the right financial move for you in 2023?

Read on to learn more about what it is and how to do it.

What’s a Short Term Investment?

The term “investment” usually makes people think of tucking away money for years or decades so that they’ll have extra money available in addition to their investment in the future.

That’s essentially what long-term investments are.

However, there are also short-term investments.

Like the name suggests, these types of investments are better for people who want a quicker return.

Short-term investments usually provide a return in about 5 years or less, with some even taking as little as 1 year to give you extra growth on what you invested.

If you know you want to take a vacation in two years, or maybe send a child to college or buy a home, then short-term investing could give you some extra money to reach your financial goals.

We don’t suggest using short-term investments to save for things like retirement or future healthcare needs; these are best left for long-term investments that can yield much better results.

Short-term investing does carry some risks like any other investing, but it’s generally less risky.

There are also short-term investing options that don’t have any risk at all and will simply grow your money with an interest rate.

Ready, set, invest!

The Best Short Term Investments for 2023

You’re obviously looking to get the best return for your investment in as short a time as possible, which is why you’re reading this right now!

So, I’ve dug up 10 of the best short-term investment options for your cash in 2023.

Use just one or a combination of a few of them to boost your earnings from everything you invest.

Transfer Debt to a $0 Interest Credit Card (and Pay It Off!)

Paying down your debt is one of the most financial-savvy decisions you can ever make in your life.

Debt is pretty sneaky.

The way most credit cards work is that they give you a minimum balance every month that just barely covers your interest, therefore keeping you in debt for what seems like an eternity.

If you pay off more than your minimum – as much as you can spare – you’ll work yourself out of debt much faster.

Unfortunately, you’re still paying interest, so it’ll take you longer than it would to just pay your principal balance.

Once you pay off everything that’s keeping you in debt, you’ll have more cash to spare, save, and invest as you please.

Want to pay off your debt as fast as possible?

Look for a credit card with a $0 interest rate for a promotional period of at least 12 months (some are even as much as 15 or 18 months!) to transfer your balances to.

The best credit cards for this also include no (or very low) transfer fees and no annual or maintenance fees.

During that promotional period, you can pay off your debt without new interest getting added.

As long as you pay it off during that time, you won’t incur any new interest and you’ll be debt-free faster, leaving you more money to spare for things you need and want.

Open a High-Interest Savings Account

A high-interest savings account is sometimes also referred to as a high yield account because it yields a high return on your investment, at least compared to traditional savings accounts.

An online high-interest savings account is usually extremely simple to get set up and it gives you access to your money when you need it through its online access.

A high-interest savings account can have anywhere from a 1% to 2% interest rate, and sometimes more.

Try to find one as close to the 2% mark or higher for the best results.

This is an excellent option for people who have a good amount of money, like $1,000 or more, to invest and plan to save more each month.

The best part about these accounts is that you can usually withdraw money if you need to, but you might need to make sure a specific amount is left in the account as your minimum deposit.

SmartyPig is one service you can try with interest of up to 1.80% for its savings accounts.

It also offers automatic savings plans for you to set how much you’d like to save, and when, and SmartyPig will automatically transfer it for you.

Read More: 8 High-Yield Checking and Savings Account for Free Cash

Open a Money Market Account

Money market accounts are basically a mix between checking and savings accounts.

You can use this type of account similarly to how you would a checking account in the sense that you can use checks, deposit money into them, etc.

However, the bank will usually require you to hold a minimum amount in the account, unlike most checking accounts where you can get to $0 and not get a penalty fee.

On the plus side, you’ll typically get a higher interest rate from these accounts than you would even a high yield savings account.

And, you won’t have to wait to withdraw money after a certain amount of time like some other investment options; use your money market account how you see fit and have access to the cash inside when you need it.

Reward and Bonus Credit Cards

Some credit cards offer incredible ways to make extra money.

But using a credit card to invest is only a good option for people who know how to use credit cards wisely!

Otherwise, you could end up with a bunch of debt you never intended to have, which won’t do you much good when you’re trying to make money.

Credit cards with bonuses might pay you $300, $500, or even more when you make a specific dollar amount of purchases in the introductory period, which is usually about three months.

If you meet the requirements, you’ll get your bonus; some cards offer it as a cash bonus straight to your bank account.

If you’re going to use a credit card anyway and are smart about paying it off quickly, then this can be an excellent way to earn money just by doing your regular shopping.

Rewards cards also can help by giving you cash bonuses for specific purchases.

You’ll basically make money on what you spend, usually between 1% and 5% cash back.

Peer-to-Peer Lending

Do you love helping others when you have the means to?

Then you might want to try peer-to-peer lending, which can help both you and the person you loan money to.

Peer-to-peer lending helps people get the money they need without going through a more traditional process, like borrowing a loan from a bank.

Instead, several investors help to fund that loan.

With this process, you’ll invest in a note, which is basically a portion of a loan someone requests.

You can invest just a small amount, like $50, which will go toward funding that loan.

You’ll get your note back, plus interest, after the person pays off the loan.

You can have several notes out at once, funding various loans to create your portfolio.

The downside is that you’ll typically need to wait between 3 and 5 years to see your return, so this isn’t the best idea for those looking for quicker short-term investments.

If you want to get started, try Lending Club.

You can start with just $1,000, divvied up into 40 notes of $25.

Roth IRA

A Roth IRA is a type of retirement account that lets you invest your after-tax income and doesn’t require you to pay taxes on your withdrawals after age 59 ½.

In other words, it’s one of the best ways to invest to ensure that Uncle Sam doesn’t take some of your hard-earned money when you reach retirement age.

So how, then, is it a good short-term investment too?

With Roth IRAs, you can withdraw your funds when you need to.

Yes, you’ll need to pay a penalty if you do so.

But you also get more interest with a Roth IRA than you do with other accounts, so your money should steadily build up faster, too.

Many people use these accounts not just as retirement savings, but also for emergency funds because they’re allowed to access their money when they need it.

Certificate of Deposit

A certificate of deposit, also known as a CD, is a deposit you’ll make with a bank for a specific amount of time.

They work kind of like a savings account, giving you interest on your deposit.

However, the bank will hold that money for the full length of the agreed-upon term, so you won’t be able to access it.

On the maturity date, or the date you’re allowed to withdraw your CD, you can get your full investment plus interest back from the bank.

The longer term you pick, the better the interest rate will be, but you can opt for a 3-year CD and still get around 2% APY.

Online Checking Accounts

Online checking accounts seem to quickly be beating out traditional bank accounts in popularity.

They’re easy to use, allow for online access to your cash, and some even offer interest on your deposits.

Capital One 360, for example, has both online checking and savings accounts.

Some of its checking accounts have interest rates – albeit, somewhat small – that tack on extra money for whatever you have sitting in your account.

Since it’s a checking account, you’ll have access to that money whenever you need it via checks, your debit card, or online transfers.

You can also look for other financial institutions that offer bonuses when you open a new checking account.

These bonuses will typically be somewhere between $100 and $300 just for opening the account and making some purchases within your first month or two.

Leave that bonus cash in your account and allow it to grow some interest!

Robo-Advisors

A robo-advisor is what it sounds like: An automated financial advisor that’s smart enough to know how to invest your money for you.

They’re great for beginners who don’t really know where to start when it comes to investing.

You’ll typically pay the robo-advisor a small fee to manage your portfolio and it’ll do the rest with the deposit you have to invest.

Some advisors, like Betterment, don’t even require a minimum account balance, so you can feel at ease investing what you’re comfortable with.

Betterment also allows you up to one full year of free account management with your qualified deposit.

When you sign up to these services, you can typically outline your goals to specify that you’re looking for short-term versus long-term investments.

Money-Saving Apps

Apps can also help you save for short-term goals.

Acorns, for example, automatically invests spare change whenever you make a purchase with your linked accounts.

If you pay for something that costs $41.60, Acorns rounds it up to $42 and invests that $0.40.

It doesn’t sound like much but doing this every time you buy something will add up over time without you paying it much thought.

Or, try Stash.

You can start by depositing just $5.

Stash guides you along the way to making the smartest moves for you based on your goals.

You can also set up automatic savings deposits for Stash to get on a schedule of transferring investment cash into your account.

Any cash that shows in your withdrawable amount is cash you’re allowed to take out whenever you want.

Treasury Bills (T-Bills)

Treasury Bills, commonly known as T-Bills, are short-term government bonds issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. 

These securities have maturities ranging from a few days to one year. 

T-Bills are considered one of the safest investments available because they are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

Investors can purchase T-Bills at a discount to their face value, and upon maturity, they receive the full face value. 

The difference between the purchase price and the face value represents the investor’s return. T-Bills are typically sold in denominations of $1,000 or more.

T-Bills are highly liquid investments, meaning they can be easily bought and sold in the secondary market before their maturity date. 

They are often used by investors seeking a low-risk, short-term investment option with a predictable return. 

To learn more about investing in T-Bills, you can visit the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s official website for detailed information.

Short-Term Bond Funds

Short-Term Bond Funds are mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that invest in a diversified portfolio of fixed-income securities with relatively short maturities. 

These funds typically hold a mix of government, corporate, and municipal bonds.

Short-Term Bond Funds aim to provide investors with steady income and capital preservation over a short time horizon. 

They are designed for investors who seek a higher yield than savings accounts or T-Bills while maintaining relatively low risk compared to longer-term bonds.

Investors can choose from various types of short-term bond funds, including government bond funds, investment-grade corporate bond funds, or municipal bond funds. 

The specific composition and risk level of the fund will depend on its investment strategy and the underlying securities it holds.

It’s important to consider factors such as the fund’s expense ratio, credit quality of the bonds held, and the duration of the portfolio when selecting a short-term bond fund. 

Conducting thorough research or consulting with a financial advisor can help you identify the most suitable fund for your investment goals.

Corporate Commercial Paper

Corporate Commercial Paper refers to short-term unsecured debt issued by corporations to meet their short-term funding needs. 

These are promissory notes with maturities typically ranging from a few days to 270 days. 

Commercial paper is issued at a discount to its face value, and the issuer pays the investor the full face value upon maturity.

Corporate Commercial Paper is typically issued by companies with strong credit ratings and a history of stable financial performance. 

Investors seeking short-term investments with potentially higher yields than traditional fixed-income securities may consider investing in commercial paper.

While commercial paper offers attractive returns, it’s important to note that it carries a slightly higher risk compared to government or highly rated corporate bonds. 

Investors should carefully evaluate the creditworthiness of the issuing company before investing in commercial paper.

Short-Term Real Estate Investments

Short-Term Real Estate Investments involve investing in real estate properties with the intention of generating returns over a short time period. 

These investments can take various forms, such as flipping properties, short-term rental properties, or real estate investment trusts (REITs) focused on short-term projects.

Flipping properties involves purchasing a property, making renovations or improvements, and then selling it for a profit within a relatively short period. 

This strategy requires a thorough understanding of the local real estate market, as well as the costs and potential returns associated with the renovations.

Short-term rental properties, such as vacation rentals or furnished apartments, can provide regular rental income over a shorter time frame. 

Investors can take advantage of platforms like Airbnb or VRBO to market their properties to travelers or temporary residents.

Investing in short-term real estate projects through REITs allows investors to participate in real estate ventures without the need for direct property ownership. 

These REITs focus on short-term projects, such as hotel acquisitions, development projects, or commercial property leases.

Before investing in short-term real estate, it’s crucial to conduct thorough market research, evaluate the potential risks, and consider the expertise required to succeed in this investment strategy.

Read More: Huge List of 132 Android and iPhone Apps That Really Pay You Money!

Grow Money Short Term with Investments

I hope this article helps you find some short-term investments that’ll help you reach your most important financial goals fast.

The best part about these investment options is that they require little to know knowledge of investing.

They’re simple, straightforward, and incredible options for beginners to get on track with their finances and save for important goals.

Have you used any of the above investment options?

We’d love to hear more about how they worked for you.

Feel free to let us know in the comments.

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