short term investment option

Quote from gammann : This. This is a good start. 1. 3-6 months of expenses. 2. Pay off any high interest debt (credit cards, loans, etc) 3. Roth IRA to max (you have to have income in order to contribute) 4. Other taxable accounts. If you decide 3 or 4 are what you want to do, you'll want to open an account a Vanguard. You want to find a some low fee index funds. I would head over to http://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/ for more advice/info.

Only do 3&4 if you are planning to retire after the age of 65ish (depending on Gov and hedge fun managers over the next 40 years, they may move this back to age 90 at their pleasure!)

If you manage your own portfolio wisely, you can be financially independent at an early age in life, then reduce your income taxes because you won't need to work for anyone, then any extra income you earn from hobbies that you don't need, you can put into a 401k/IRA to keep your taxable income near zero or negative.

Most people never consider this option or can ever get to this option because they spend so much money to enjoy the temporary happiness in the now. But what can you truly enjoy that you own, if you work and commute 10 hours a day, everyday? (unless you truly love your job, and that job isn't about to be destroyed by others, management, CEO's, shareholders, government policies, etc.)