A simple five-rung ladder example ($250,000 investable):
Rung 1 — $50,000 in a 3-month CD · Rung 2 — $50,000 in a 6-month CD · Rung 3 — $50,000 in a 9-month CD · Rung 4 — $50,000 in a 12-month CD · Rung 5 — $50,000 in an 18-month CD
-As each rung matures, roll the proceeds into a new 18-month CD (or redirect to a project if needed). Within 18 months, all five rungs are at 18 months, maximizing yield while maintaining the built-in liquidity rhythm.
+As each rung matures, roll the proceeds into a new 18-month CD (or redirect to a project if needed). Within 18 months, all five rungs are at 18 months, maximizing yield while maintaining the built-in liquidity rhythm.2026 Note: Shorter term CD's currently have higher yields than longer term CD's at current time. HOA Ledger IQ's AI-Assisted Investment Engine automatically optimizes a suggested CD ladder strategy to take this into account, while allowing for planning to be adjusted over time as rate conditions change.
As you roll maturing CDs, shop rates across FDIC-insured institutions. Online banks and credit unions frequently offer meaningfully higher yields than the community's primary operating bank. The incremental yield difference between the best and worst rates available on a given day can be 0.5% to 1.0% — which on a $200,000 position represents $1,000 to $2,000 in additional annual income for no additional work.