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Stock Market vs. 5% CD: How Much $5,000 Grew Over the Past 2 Years

The Motley Fool

Here's how much a 5% CD would have earned you over the past two years compared to the stock market's gains. The stock market trounced CDs Let's assume that two years ago, you put $5,000 into CD earning 5% APY, and another $5,000 went into your brokerage account to buy a low-cost index fund that tracked the S&P 500.

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3 Reasons to Move Money Out of Your Savings Accounts ASAP

The Motley Fool

But sometimes, it doesn't pay to keep money in a savings account. With that in mind, here are some reasons to take money out of your savings account and put it elsewhere. You don't need it for a year or two The nice thing about keeping your money in a savings account is that you can access it at any time without worry.

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The Unexpected Downsides of Keeping Too Much in a Savings Account, Even With Rates Above 5%

The Motley Fool

Image source: Getty Images Savings account rates have gone up quite a bit over the last two years. Some of the top high-yield savings accounts are currently offering APYs of over 5%, and there's no risk involved. Believe it or not, it's possible to keep too much money in a savings account. That won't last forever, though.

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Here's Why You May Want to Keep a Little Cash in Your Brokerage Account

The Motley Fool

Image source: The Motley Fool/Upsplash Your brokerage account , for the most part, is not an account you want loaded with cash. If you want access to cash for emergency expenses and near-term financial goals, then a savings account is your best bet. But keeping a small amount of cash in your brokerage account isn't a bad idea.

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Is Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF a Millionaire Maker?

The Motley Fool

That's where a deep dive into Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (NYSEMKT: VTI) comes into greater focus. What is Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF good for? As Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF's name implies, the basic goal of the fund is to provide the broadest possible exposure to the U.S. stock market.

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Here's the Average Stock Market Return Over the Last 15 Years

The Motley Fool

The stock market is one of the greatest creators of wealth ever invented. And with the introduction of low-fee investment accounts and index funds , it's never been easier to invest in the stock market. And for all the volatility of stocks, they've proven remarkably consistent for long-term buy-and-hold investors.

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How I Learned to Stop Worrying About the Stock Market Forever

The Motley Fool

Image source: Getty Images Most commentary about the stock market boils down to one big idea: "Sometimes stocks go up, and sometimes stocks go down." Many people worry about the daily ups and downs of the stock market. They fret about when to buy or sell a certain stock, and how much of it to consider.