Where should I keep money I'll need for a goal in one to three years?

Short-horizon money should not be in the stock market, because a downturn could arrive right when you need to spend, but it can earn more than your emergency fund. Good homes include a high-yield savings account, a money market fund, short-term certificates of deposit, or a Treasury bill or CD ladder timed to mature around when you will need the cash. Matching the maturity to your goal date lets you lock in a known rate while guaranteeing the money is available on time. The closer your deadline and the more essential the goal, such as a down payment, the more you should favor safety and liquidity over squeezing out extra yield. Keep this money mentally and physically separate from both your everyday checking and your emergency fund so it stays earmarked.