"3. Is the market now good for CD's?

I think she will probably sign up for the longest term cd."

HI GeMaximus88,

Not SirTas but a couple of thoughts... Because interest rates are moving upwards this is not the best of times to buy long term CDs as she will be locked into those returns for the length of them. I know ING is paying me 2.8% right now and will raise when the FED continues their move upwards. It is expected that rates will hit 4% within a year... If foreign nations quit buying our debt due to the falling dollar rates may be forced even higher... S. Korea has already served notice they will be reducing dollar assets. Japan, China & Malaysia will possibly follow suit.. So todays rates may not look too attractive in a year.

So to beat what you can get at ING or Emigrant you have to buy longer term CDs which may well be paying less than available rates in the next year...

Here are rates on Fidelity's site:

3Mo. 2.7%
9Mo. 3.35%
1Yr. 3.6%
2Yr. 4%
3Yr. 4.25%
5Yr. 4.6%

Best of luck,

Regards, Ken