Hi there, I'm new to this forum but thought it would be a good place to get some ideas from other folks. My husband and I have about $25,000 saved in (what used to be) a high interest savings account (ING Direct). It was a decent interest rate when we first started the account but the rate has been going down steadily as the fed keeps lowering interest rates. We just had a baby and I'll be returning to work part time. I'd like to keep some of the money fairly liquid for house projects and emergency needs but I feel like I should be investing at least some of this money in something that would provide a better return. I've been advised to invest in metals/gold and also foreign investments but I don't know anything about either of these. Does anyone have any other suggestions or advice? Thank you.

The first recommendation is not to invest anything directly that you do not understand - gold is already reaching a peak so you'd be late to the party, and more in danger of losing out when the price starts to reverse.

Best thing to do perhaps is to research basic investment options - check out the Investing for Dummies book to get a better idea of investment vehicles available to you.

2c.

I would also recommend you do not do anything that you don't understand. First try to learn more from books and internet, either about stock market or real estate or other types of investments and then invest part of all in what you choose, not what others have recommended you.

Gold was a good thing last year, this year as brian says it may be too late...

Good luck!

Awesome Griffie, that is a sizeable amount to start with, ok You've got to begin the process of teaching yourself how to take care of your investments, believe me it may sound like a daunting task at first but really it isn't. I'm going to suggest some quick beginner books that will get the fire burning in you. Easy reads, don't need to know things about the markets and really, just good books. These are also recommended on my blog site as well;

1. Rich Dad poor dad
2. Automatic Millionaire
3. The Wealthy Barber

All great books that will make you realize how easy things are to start doing, especially when you have a good starting point such as yourself. But lets give you another option. If you know you have absolutely no interest in investing, and never will (which I strongly don't suggest) then I have to recommend a proven strategy, its known as the Coach Potato strategy. Basically its investing in the broad indexs, which means you buy a little bit of everything, and this strategy beats about 90% of all mutual funds over a 10 year period. Because of the low fees these cost for one.

Check out the Ishares website to see some of these. I suggest this split:

40% S&P 500 index
30% International Index
30% Bonds Index

Believe with this strategy if you don't have a desire to learn more on your own, you'll be fine in the long run, and hey for the mean time, even while your learning, its a good strategy. There ya go man, hope that helps.

I would recommend consulting a professional before making a final decision. In the meantime, however, if you're looking for another high yield savings account, check out ShoreBank. I work with them and know they offer a competitive rate for their online savings account. Plus, they help finance projects that benefit communities and the environment. You can get more information at ShoreBank.SBK.com.