Where to invest $5000

[skives]

Where should I invest $5,000?

[disneysteve]

Where should I invest $5,000?

I think the "disneysteve's daughter college education fund" would be ideal.

Seriously, that's kind of an impossible question to answer with no other info. What's the purpose of this money? What's the timeline for when you will need to access it? Do you have any consumer debt? Do you have a fully-funded emergency fund? Are you saving adequately for retirement? Do you have any kids that need college funds?

[skives]

I think the "disneysteve's daughter college education fund" would be ideal.

Seriously, that's kind of an impossible question to answer with no other info. What's the purpose of this money? What's the timeline for when you will need to access it? Do you have any consumer debt? Do you have a fully-funded emergency fund? Are you saving adequately for retirement? Do you have any kids that need college funds?

No debit
Have $5,000 in ef
This is play money just looking for a good return

[disneysteve]

No debit
Have $5,000 in ef
This is play money just looking for a good return

Is $5,000 at least 3 months worth of expenses?
Are you putting at least 15% of your gross annual income into your retirement accounts?

When might you need to tap this money? If you will need it in 5 years or less, I'd avoid the stock market. If you've got at least that long, putting it in stocks is probably your best bet.

[Petunia 100]

No debit
Have $5,000 in ef
This is play money just looking for a good return

Then put it in a good index fund or etf, such as total stock market, total international stock market, or split the money into both.

[feh]

Then put it in a good index fund or etf, such as total stock market, total international stock market, or split the money into both.

+1

http://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Bogleheads%C2%AE_investing_start-up_kit

[surijohn92]

If you are looking for a bit of a long term investment, then why not look into gold investment. I know everyone around is bearish about gold as its playing in 1100-1200. But by the end of of 2015 or even by mid 2016 gold prices are going to be pretty much something we never thought of.
JMHO

[Nutria]

No debit
Have $5,000 in ef
This is play money just looking for a good return

Both Vanguard and Fidelity offer "total market" funds.

If it's really play money that you can afford to lose, they also offer high risk/reward stock and bond fund.