<prompt> Human: I am about to enter the job market and am expecting near 80k gross. I am wondering where to put my money if Id like to purchase a house. Saving accounts have a bad return rate so that sounds like a bad choice but the money is accessible. I am assuming this question depends on when I want to get the house so what are examples or methods for different time periods short medium long.  <response>: Assuming you want to buy in the next 4 years or so, then high-yield savings.If this is a longer-horizon thing, 5 years then perhaps putting some money in an index fund is appropriate, depending on your risk. 