"Laddering" is a strategy that lets you have it both ways. Say you have $10,000 to invest in share certificates of deposit. Put $2,500 each into Certificates that mature in 6 months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months. Six months later, your first Certificate matures, yielding you $2,500 plus dividends earned. If you need the money, you cash in. If you don't, you reinvest in a new 24-month Certificate, at a higher dividend rate.

After 18 months, all your money is earning at the 24-month rate. Yet a Certificate matures every 6 months, so you can tap into the cash if you need it. Laddering gives you both bigger savings and the advantage of maintaining access to your money.

You can ladder any way you wish to best meet your financial needs. Start your Certificate ladder today.