SwitchWizeFinancial Decisions, Made Clearer

The Liquidity Guidebook

Where to keep your cash so it is safe and earns more: how much to hold, how CD ladders work, what FDIC insurance covers, and when Treasuries beat a bank.

SwitchWize Research DeskEvery chapter reviewed by Jay Rege, Head of Financial Research19 of 19 chapters published

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Volume 1: The Basics

What it costs to let cash sit, how much to keep, and what protects it.

  1. Chapter 1 · FoundationalWhat Idle Cash Really Costs YouInflation and idle cash
  2. Chapter 2 · FoundationalHow Much Cash to Keep: Three Tiers by When You Need ItHow much cash to keep
  3. Chapter 3 · FoundationalCD Early Withdrawal Penalty: What It Costs and When Breaking PaysHow CDs work
  4. Chapter 4 · IntermediateHow to Keep More Than $250,000 Insured (FDIC and Credit Unions)Deposit insurance
  5. Chapter 5 · FoundationalWhere to Park Cash: Savings, CDs, Money Funds, Treasury BillsSafe places for cash

Volume 2: Building a CD Ladder

A CD ladder spreads your money across CDs that end at different dates. Build one and run it without traps.

  1. Chapter 6 · FoundationalHow to Build a CD Ladder and What It Costs in InterestCD ladders
  2. Chapter 7 · IntermediateMonthly, Quarterly or Yearly: How Often Should a CD Ladder Pay?CD ladders
  3. Chapter 8 · IntermediateWhat to Do When a CD Matures: Notices, Grace Period, RenewalCD ladders
  4. Chapter 9 · IntermediateBank CDs vs Brokered CDs: What Changes When a Broker Is InvolvedCD types
  5. Chapter 10 · IntermediateCallable, Step-Up and No-Penalty CDs: What the Rate Really PaysCD types

Volume 3: Picking a CD Length

How to pick a CD length, and what to do when rates rise or fall.

  1. Chapter 11 · IntermediateShould You Lock In Longer? How to Choose a CD TermChoosing a CD term
  2. Chapter 12 · IntermediateCD Ladder or One Long CD? Four Ways to Spread Your MoneyCD plans
  3. Chapter 13 · IntermediateWhat to Do With Your Cash When Interest Rates Rise or FallWhen rates change

Volume 4: Treasuries and Funds

How Treasury bills and money funds compare with bank cash, and how tax changes which one pays more.

  1. Chapter 14 · IntermediateTreasury Bills vs CDs: Which Pays More After Tax?Treasury bills
  2. Chapter 15 · AdvancedWhy Treasury Interest Can Beat a Higher CD Rate After State TaxState tax
  3. Chapter 16 · AdvancedTax-Exempt Municipal Money Funds: Do They Beat a Taxable Fund?Tax and money funds
  4. Chapter 17 · AdvancedCash Funds That Pay More: Is the Extra Yield Worth the Risk?Higher-yield funds

Volume 5: Safety and Your Plan

How to tell whether a bank is safe beyond FDIC insurance, then write your own cash plan.

  1. Chapter 18 · IntermediateIs Your Bank Safe? How to Check Beyond FDIC InsuranceBank safety
  2. Chapter 19 · IntermediateYour Personal Cash Plan: What to Keep, Where and When to Move ItYour plan

Educational content, not individualized financial, tax or legal advice. Examples use hypothetical figures unless a source is cited.

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