I have $40K from home equity loan & need investment advice to maximize short term ( 5yrs) returns?

Long-term investment advice also welcome.

Do a CD ladder where 20% of your total becomes available to you every year (so a CD for 12 months, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months). The current CD rates are available here
http://www.bestcashcow.com
CDs have fixed returns, currently above 5%, and 0% risk.

Using borrowed money isn't always a good idea when investing due to risk of market loss. But since your interest cost is only 5-8% you could put it into mutual funds, money market like GE Interest Plus, CD's, Ect...to try to beat the interest. Very risky though.

You have your house on margin. Gee, that's wise.
NOT!
If you don't have the cash on hand, then don't "play around" in the market. The best thing to do is use your home-equity loan to pay of your home-equity loan.

The problem is, most people would have -VE in-mind upon currency trading. YES i do agree with them, this is the highest risk though the highest return; no point for me to relay it here. If u intent to, i've sthg ie proven +VE or to see LIVE before u ..... Should it be, it requires half of your $ .. will be getting back within a week or 2; the rest of the days will be profit taking , short term right!

Sorry to say > not for those ZERO in-mind.

My best advice? Use it to pay off your home equity loan.

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I suggest you to open a brokerage account at TD Ameritrade and invest in the Stock Market with the help of a Financial Advisor.

If you need more detailed free information you can drop me a line.

Top 4 Answerer in Business & Finance. (Vote for me)

Be careful. Stock and other equity investments on borrowed money are strictly regulated by the Federal Reserve. Check with the bank and see if there is any restrictions on bank loans for stock purchases. Maybe they know about reg Q that governs margin loans.

Buy a depressed property in your neighborhood, hire a contractor to do alittle fix up, put it back on the market. If your property appreciated, so will the neighborhood. Real estate in many parts of the country can still return over 20 % on your investment. In Colorado, it's still 40% ROI per year.

You may consider a Fixed Annuity directly through an insurance company, not a bank, and not a financial planner. Interest rates are higher, earnings are tax deferred, no fees if you go directly to an insurance co. Cash out at the end of 5 years and come ahead of CD or Money Market. Do not invest in the market or mutual funds can be too risky since the money is really not yours to lose. Be safe, and smart, and make the money work for you. Let me know if you need to know how to contact a great company with no fees.

Susan