Smart Savings
Higher cash savings returns
Based on our comprehensive research and decades of experience, we hold the belief that savers and investors both merit and can achieve significantly greater cash returns than what they would receive from their savings in a bank. Here are three methods to achieve this goal::
- Best ‘money market’ ETF portfolio: Employ an ultra-short-term bond ETF portfolio that surpasses the performance of money market funds.
- Best treasury ‘money market’ ETFs: Opt for the following ‘money market equivalent’ Treasury ETFs — as secure as a Treasury money market fund, yet they have lower expense ratios and available in almost every brokerage.
- Income and savings tips: Make use of the abundant resources available on the Yield Alley website knowned for offering unbiased and extremely helpful savings tips and resources.
Free newsletters
High quality resources for 401k, 403b, 529 retirement plans on investment, contribution, fees, retirement planning and much more …
Money market ETF model portfolio
What?
The ultra short bond ETF model portfolio selects a top performing ETF every month to invest. The portfolio becomes conservative during a financial downturn. This portfolio can be viewed as ‘prime’ money market fund eqivalent.
Candidate ETFs
| Name | YTD Return | 1Yr AR | 3Yr AR | 5Yr AR | 10Yr AR | 15Yr AR | 20Yr AR | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICSH (iShares Ultra Short-Term Bond Active ETF) | 3.00% | 5.22% | 5.11% | 3.08% | 2.49% | NA | NA | 2.89% |
| NEAR (iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF) | 3.61% | 5.56% | 5.79% | 3.48% | 2.61% | NA | NA | 3.02% |
| JPST (JPMorgan Ultra-Short Income ETF) | 3.02% | 5.14% | 5.07% | 3.05% | NA | NA | NA | 2.96% |
| BIL (SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF) | 2.47% | 4.56% | 4.62% | 2.76% | 1.93% | 1.26% | NA | 2.36% |
| SHV (iShares Short Treasury Bond ETF) | 2.46% | 4.59% | 4.57% | 2.67% | 1.94% | 1.31% | NA | 2.37% |
| TFLO (iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF) | 2.56% | 4.70% | 4.82% | 2.98% | 2.03% | NA | NA | 2.48% |
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Total returns match or better than a prime money market fund
- Available in every brokeage
Cons:
- Has to follow closely and rebalance as needed, often several months apart
Latest performance of money market ETF portfolio
| Name | YTD Return | 1Yr AR | 3Yr AR | 5Yr AR | 10Yr AR | 15Yr AR | 20Yr AR | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPIQ Ultra ST Bond ETFs | 1.56% | 4.49% | 4.58% | 3.03% | 2.14% | NA | NA | 1.99% |
| CASH | 1.24% | 3.29% | 3.27% | 1.99% | 1.39% | 0.94% | 1.16% | 1.27% |
| BIL (SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF) | 1.72% | 4.73% | 4.41% | 2.61% | 1.85% | 1.21% | NA | 1.67% |
Past 5-Year Total Return Chart
Treasury ‘Money Market’ ETFs
Benefits
| Name | YTD Return | 1Yr AR | 3Yr AR | 5Yr AR | 10Yr AR | 15Yr AR | 20Yr AR | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USFR (WisdomTree Floating Rate Treasury Fund) | 2.54% | 4.69% | 4.86% | 3.01% | 2.04% | NA | NA | 3.01% |
| TFLO (iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF) | 2.56% | 4.70% | 4.82% | 2.98% | 2.03% | NA | NA | 2.98% |
| SGOV (iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF) | 2.51% | 4.64% | 4.74% | 2.89% | NA | NA | NA | 2.90% |
| BIL (SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF) | 2.47% | 4.56% | 4.62% | 2.76% | 1.93% | 1.26% | NA | 2.76% |
Savings tips and resources
Benefits
We highly recommend Yield Alley, a site devoted to resources and tips on how to achieve higher cash returns. This is by far the only dedicated site that provides comprehensive, timely and educational materials on savings products including brokered CDs (CDs available in a brokerage market place), Treasury bills and other fixed income products.
Recent Articles
- August 2025 MyPlanIQ Portfolio Update
- The Most Reliable Retirement Savings: Why $1.8 Million is a Popular Lie
- The Most Reliable Retirement Savings Amount You Need in 2025
- The Best Age (62, 67, or 70) to Claim Your Social Security Benefits
- Retirement Withdrawals in Optimal Order
- Best Strategy to Withdraw Funds in Retirement
- Retirement Milestone Cheat Sheet
- Savings Hacks
- July 2025 MyPlanIQ Portfolio Update
Free newsletters
High quality resources for 401k, 403b, 529 retirement plans on investment, contribution, fees, retirement planning and much more ...
Puzzled on what to invest?
- We ask a few questions to decide your personal return and risk expectations
- We build a custom portfolio for your plan (401(k), 403(b), 529 ...) or for a brokerage account
- We monitor and send timely rebalance emails on what investment funds to buy and sell
Looking for ideas to generate income?
- ETF or mutual fund income portfolios for 4-7% annual income
- Dividend stock funds
- Passive real estate investments
- more ...
Portfolio Calculator (Simulator)
Customize Asset Allocation Portfolios
Retirement Calculator
Investment Calculator
Looking for a (forgotten) 401(k)?
Find plan contact info, plan expenses, investment options, rollover your old plan, or learn how to select investments on your 401k plan ...