4. Bonds
Over the long term, accumulating wealth is the primary focus. But once you've built that wealth and are closer to retirement age, bonds -- which are loans to a company or government -- can help you stay wealthy. There are three main kinds of bonds:
For most investors, the best way to go is to buy ETFs and mutual funds that invest in bonds on your behalf.
The main goals of investing in bonds, as opposed to stocks, are capital preservation (preventing losses) and income generation.
5. High-yield savings accounts
Savings accounts offered by branch-based banks are notorious for paying minuscule interest rates.
On the other hand, some excellent banks offer very competitive rates that are investment-worthy in many cases. As of September 2026, savings account interest rates in the 3.5% ballpark (or higher) were still readily available if you do a little research.
Finding the best rate takes time, though. The good news is, Motley Fool Money regularly reviews the top high-yield savings accounts so you don't have to.
6. Certificates of deposit (CDs)
Many reputable banks offer excellent high-yield certificates of deposit (CDs). These pay guaranteed yields for anywhere from a few months to five years or more.
Unlike savings accounts, CDs allow you to lock in a specific yield for a set period. This can be an especially valuable feature when interest rates are relatively high, and you want predictable returns.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) insures CDs and savings accounts up to $250,000 per person per bank to protect you against bank failure.
Not sure which CD term or rate is right for you? Motley Fool Money's Best CD Rates are updated regularly and break down top offers by term length.
7. Real estate
Like owning great companies, owning real estate can be a wonderful way to build wealth. In most economic recessions throughout history, commercial real estate has performed rather well. It's often viewed as a safer, more stable investment than stocks.
There are ways for people at almost every financial level to invest in and make money from real estate. The most obvious option is to buy a rental property, which can be a great way to build wealth and create a steady income stream. However, this isn't the best fit for everyone.
Fortunately, there are alternative ways to invest in real estate. Many, such as real estate investment trusts (REITs), are much more passive.
Publicly traded REITs are the most accessible way to invest in real estate. REITs trade on stock exchanges just like other public companies. REITs can be especially great for income since they are required to pay out at least 90% of taxable income as dividends.
