Certificates of Deposit

Until I learn more about investing, I'm always on the lookout for a good CD rate. I use Bankrate like they say you should, but their search parameters restrict you to traditional CD lengths - 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 or 60 months. Last month, I helped a friend find a 6% APY, 13-month CD with a $1,000 minimum at my local WaMu branch. This is why I now check ING and biggies like Citibank in addition to Bankrate.

Bankdeals is also one of the sites I keep checking because it lists a lot of CD's that Bankrate doesn't. CD's are a safe investment until you learn the stock market game, and I've found that a short-term CD ladder also lends me immeasurable peace of mind.