Instant access
Savings account
0.38%FDIC national average, Oct 19
- Withdraw any day; rate is variable
- FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank, per ownership category (FDIC)
- Online accounts often post rates well above the national average
Where to park your holiday fund
Gift and travel money that has to be ready in November and December: savings, short Treasury bills and short CDs, side by side with official numbers.
FDIC national averages as of Oct 19, 2026; T-bill rates from the latest Treasury auctions. Rebuilt with every refresh.
4 to 13 weeks
Short Treasury bills
4.01%4-week bill, auction Oct 22
- Backed by the U.S. government; not FDIC-insured
- Interest is exempt from state and local income tax (TreasuryDirect)
- Auctions every week; see the TreasuryDirect auction calendar
Fixed for a term
Short CDs
1.14%3-month CD, FDIC national average, Oct 19
- Rate locked for the term
- Early withdrawal usually costs a penalty (Investor.gov)
- Match the maturity to the week you need the cash
Timing it to the holidays
- Late OctMoney set aside for gifts and travel
- NovA 4-week bill bought now matures before Thanksgiving week
- Dec8- and 13-week bills or a 1–3 month CD line up with mid-to-late December
- Any daySavings covers surprise costs with no wait
Exact maturity dates are on each auction announcement; check the TreasuryDirect upcoming auctions page before you commit.
See every rate in one place
All Treasury bill terms, FDIC savings and CD averages, updated weekly.
Related: where to park cash right now · parking cash before Jan 1 · T-bill calculator · after-tax yield calculator.
Sources: FDIC national rates, TreasuryDirect Treasury bills, TreasuryDirect upcoming auctions.
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Frequently asked questions
What counts as a holiday fund?
Money set aside for gifts, travel and hosting that you expect to spend in November and December, so it needs to be available on a known date.
Are Treasury bills FDIC-insured?
No. Treasury bills are backed by the U.S. government; FDIC insurance covers deposits at insured banks, such as savings accounts and CDs.
Can I get my money out of a T-bill early?
Bills held at TreasuryDirect run to maturity unless transferred to a brokerage; bills held at a brokerage can be traded before maturity at the market price. Short terms (4 to 13 weeks) keep the wait brief.
Is this investment advice?
No. This page compares published FDIC and Treasury figures.