Why you should put $5,000 in a 6-month CD now (2024)

FAQs

Why you should put $5,000 in a 6-month CD now? ›

Unlike traditional or high-yield savings accounts, which have variable APYs, most CDs lock your money into a fixed interest rate the day you open the account. That's why if you suspect that interest rates will soon drop, it can be a good idea to put money in a CD to preserve the high APY you would earn.

When Should You Get a 6-Month CD? CDs tend to offer higher yields than traditional savings and money market accounts, especially in a low-interest rate environment. A 6-month CD may be a good option if you know that you won't need access to your funds for at least six to nine months.

Higher interest rates

A $500 deposit into a CD with 5.5% APY would only grow to $527.50 over 12 months. But a $1,000 deposit would grow to $1,055, and a $5,000 deposit would increase to $5,275.00. That's almost $300 more earned simply by moving your money out of one account and into another.

If you don't need access to your money right away, a CD might be a good savings tool for you in 2024 while average interest rates remain high. CD interest rates are high in 2024 — higher nationally, on average, than they've been in more than a decade, according to Forbes Advisor.

We estimate that a $5,000 CD deposit can make roughly $25 to $275 in interest after one year. In comparison, a $10,000 CD deposit makes around $50 to $550 in interest after a year, depending on the bank.

Some of the top 6-month CDs offer rates between 5% and 5.35% right now. That's equivalent to $246 to $264 earned simply by depositing $10,000 into one of these accounts now. And if you want to deposit more money or spend time looking around for a 6-month CD with an even higher rate, you'll earn even more.

Unlike traditional or high-yield savings accounts, which have variable APYs, most CDs lock your money into a fixed interest rate the day you open the account. That's why if you suspect that interest rates will soon drop, it can be a good idea to put money in a CD to preserve the high APY you would earn.

Waiting to open a CD could mean missing out on some stellar rates. Now, you can lock in high rates on both short-term and long-term CDs, and you can score some serious interest just by opting to deposit a larger lump sum into your CD.

Disadvantages of investing in CDs

The biggest disadvantage of investing in CDs is that, unlike a traditional savings account, CDs aren't flexible. Once you decide on the term of the CD, whether it's six months or 18 months, it can't be changed after the account is funded.

Why am I losing money in a CD? ›

The most common way people lose money through a CD account is by withdrawing their funds before the term ends. When you take money out of your CD account before the maturity date, you'll typically have to pay an early withdrawal penalty.

Banks and credit unions can penalize savers who withdraw CD funds before maturity. CD rates may not be high enough to keep pace with inflation when consumer prices rise. Investing money in the stock market could generate much higher returns than CDs.

While that amount will be different for everyone, you should keep a few things in mind. First, a minimum amount is usually required. Most CDs have a minimum deposit between $500 and $2,500, though some can be lower or higher than this range.

In terms of traditional bank CDs, however, the national average on a 12-month CD is 1.76%, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). That means that in one year, a $5,000 CD earning the average of 1.76% annual interest would earn $88 before taxes. CD interest is generally taxed as ordinary income.

Invest in stocks, fractional shares, and crypto all in one place. So, what's the solution? Smart investing. By taking calculated risks and investing in diversified assets like stocks, bonds or commodities, you can not only preserve but potentially grow your purchasing power.

Traditionally, in your typical ladder, five-year CDs have a higher yield than one-year CDs. But these days, you're likely to see a CD with a term of around six months to 18 months will likely have the highest yield in your ladder.

That's up to each issuer. In practice, however, most CDs compound either daily or monthly. The more frequent the compounding, the more interest your interest will earn. The frequency with which your CD compounds is reflected in the annual percentage yield (APY) that the CD's issuer promises you when you buy a CD.

Once the CD matures, you may have a grace period, established by the bank, to decide whether to renew the CD or withdraw the funds.

A certificate of deposit (CD) is a product that offers an interest rate payment in exchange for the customer agreeing to leave the lump-sum investment with a bank for a specific period of time. Standard CDs are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) for up to $250,000, so they cannot lose money.