Taking a look at today’s best rates on a 36-month CD, you’ll be lucky to get between 1.2 and 1.3%.  Yuck.  That hardly seems worth tying your money up for 3 years.

Awhile back, I started playing with Lending Club, a site where you can invest small amounts of money (as little as $25) in people who have applied for personal loans.

Before we go on, let me give you the disclaimer: I’m not a financial pro and these views are mine alone as an average person like you trying to maximize my dough.  Returns are not guaranteed and your experience may be different.