FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
For those Americans who have a few extra dollars to put away, savings accounts and real estate seem to be the long-term investments of choice these days. A new Gallup poll shows 34 percent of those surveyed see savings accounts as the best option - 33 percent say real estate.
Far fewer people say stocks or mutual funds at 15 percent; while 12 percent choose bonds.
Since the height of the financial crisis last September, savings accounts - which usually offer little in the way of returns - have ranked first in this poll. Before then, savings accounts ranked no better than third among the four options.
More people see housing as a good investment now than they did last September. A separate poll question found 71 percent think now is a good time to buy a house; the highest since 2005.
The poll also shows wealthier people and men are more likely to see real estate as the best long-term investment; while poorer people and women choose savings accounts.
Meanwhile stocks may rate near the bottom of this poll, but the markets have been on a tear since early March, with the Dow and S&P 500 both up for eight of the last nine weeks. The Nasdaq has posted gains for all nine weeks.
As one financial adviser puts it: "The glass is being seen as partly full instead of empty, even when we have bad news. As the run continues, people become fearful of missing the train."
Here’s my question to you: Where is the best place to put your money these days?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Howard from Novato, California writes:
We are looking at the best opportunity of a lifetime to buy real estate at bargain basement prices. Does it involve risk? Of course it does! However, with the yields on savings close to nothing, making smart investments in properties can bring handsome rewards with time.
Jeff from Cleveland, Ohio writes:
Jack, I am putting as much of my paycheck in my 401(k) right now in order to ride the market up. I also put money left over in staggered certificates of deposit to get the most interest possible.
Bill writes:
My son, the investment analyst, claims that there are only two positions to be in at the moment: cash and fetal. The worst is not over and likely hasn't gotten here yet. The recent market optimism is what someone once called "the bears loading the elevator for the ride down."
Oz from Gig Harbor, Washington writes:
I like the cookie jar! Before the economic crisis hit, I had $5,000 in my 401K, nearly $200,000 in my house and $500 in the cookie jar. Since the crisis I have less than $3,000 in my 401K and my house is only worth $189,000 and I still owe some. My cookie jar still has $500 in it that has the pleasant odor of chocolate chips!
Linda from Arizona writes:
I keep all my money in a teacup. There's still room for tea.
Lou writes:
If I had a lot of extra cash sitting around, I would be buying up some of these foreclosed properties near the ocean in Florida and California. When times turn good again, and they will, I'd be making a tidy profit on resale. Even if values didn't rise, I couldn't complain. Living out my retirement listening to the ocean would be money well spent.
Bob from Louisville, Kentucky writes:
On "Rachel Alexandra" in the Preakness.