Bankrate continually updates the best savings and CD rates in the USA. I've got my cash parked at e-loan (5.75% 18 month CD), HSBC (6.00% savings through April then 5.05%) and Vanguard (5.10% money market). No more than the FDIC max $100,000 per account. Yes, those are dollars, waiting for the right opportunity to move to foreign currencies, more gold, or short stocks.
In these times it's smart to continually monitor who is offering the best rates, always get 5%+, aim for 6%, and make DAMN SURE you only park $100,000 at any one provider, as mainstays like HSBC and Wells Fargo, and especially smaller operations like FirstFed, could go belly up for all you know, with all the subprime craziness and phantom-profit accounting out there.
Caution and prudence are called for I'd say. When everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, thinks the good times can only continue, EVERYONE is a bull, that's the time to be afraid. Very, very, very afraid.
