<prompt> Human: What do you guys think would be the best way to either spend, or invest approx. 3,000 right now? What would net me the best returns? Just curious..EDIT: Emergency fund is handled. Im talking pure investment.Assistant: When do you need it and how much risk are you willing to take?If youre young and putting it away for the rest of your life, a stock index is probably the best thing here.If youre preparing to buy a house in the next few years and want it as part of the downpayment, you need something that will preserve the principal instead.What do you plan to do with the money plus or minus any gains or losses and when?Human: Thats really a good question. Lets say I just won a lottery and Im looking at about 2800 net. Im young. 24. What are my options?  <response>: Lets say I just won a lottery This doesnt actually answer my question... I won a lottery and I want to buy a house in three years is very different from I won a lottery and want to put the proceeds away to grow until I retire. In the first case, I would go with something as simple as a CD or money market account, whereas in the second case I would put it into a stock index fund via an IRA, if available in your situation. 