If you had $10,000 laying around...

[Topless]

Originally Posted by rondocap

On these investments, what are the average or conservative gains? If a Savings account is only like .08%, will these other investment options yield higher rates? 1-5%? Or what?

The mice type:
"Past performance is no guarantee of future gains."

It really depends on your goals and how much you are wiling to risk. If you are really financially well established you may be willing to chase higher returns knowing that you could lose it all. I tend to look at investments long term and I am not much of a gambler. 5 years is a very short investment window for me.

With the OP I agree that the first question should be "What are your goals?" Fatmike gives very sound planning advice that I agree with but it always depends on your goals. $10K might just be 6 months of living expenses that you don't want to risk so leave it in the bank. The question "What would I do with $10k?" is probably not very useful because each of our goals and situations are different.