📱 Best Platforms
Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Ally Bank
📖 The Hustle
Set up a Certificate of Deposit (CD) ladder across multiple high-yield banks. Split your cash into 5 equal chunks and buy CDs maturing in 3, 6, 9, 12, and 18 months. As each CD matures, roll it into the longest rung. This gives you both higher average rates and regular access to cash. With current high-yield CDs paying 4-5% APY, a $25,000 ladder generates about $100 per month with zero risk to principal.
🚀 First Step
Open a high-yield savings account at Marcus or Ally, deposit $5,000, and buy your first 6-month CD at the current rate.
🔑 Keys to Success
- Split your total across at least 5 rungs so something matures every 3-4 months
- Compare rates across 3+ banks — smaller online banks often beat big names by 0.5% or more
- Keep one rung short at 3 months so you always have near-term liquidity for emergencies
🛠 Tools & Resources: Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Ally Bank, Bankrate, NerdWallet, CIT Bank