PULS
PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF
stock NYSE ETF

Sounds like a short-term corporate bond fund would make sense. Yields are significantly higher than SGOV. Share prices will fluctuate a bit when interest rates go up or down, but you will almost certainly come out ahead over 3-5 years.
ETFs: VCSH, SCHJ, IGSB, or SPSB (currently yielding ~5.2%)
When you get ~1 year out from needing the money, you could move it to ICSH, PULS, or just a HYSA.

add PULS and you’re on to something

For very short-term goals, SGOV and VBIL are popular choices. For goals closer to a year, I like PULS and ICSH.
[iShares iBonds ETFs](https://www.ishares.com/us/strategies/bond-etfs/build-better-bond-ladders) are great for saving towards big expenses a few years away. For example, you can use IBDU (2029), IBDV (2030), or IBDW (2031) for expenses around those years. If you want to take a bit more risk, you can use the high-yield bond funds (IBH_). If your state income tax rate is pretty high, you can use the Treasury bond funds (IBT_). (Remember to [claim state tax exemptions when you file](https://thefinancebuff.com/state-tax-exempt-treasury-fund-etf.html).)
If you want to start saving towards something roughly 2-4 years away, but you're waiting to set your timeframe, a short term bond fund would make sense:
- If your state income taxes are low or zero: VCSH, SCHJ, IGSB, or SPSB (yielding ~5.2%)
- If you're in a high income tax state, a short-term Treasury fund may be preferable: VGSH, SCHO, or SPTS (yielding ~4.6%). (Remember to [claim state tax exemptions when you file](https://thefinancebuff.com/state-tax-exempt-treasury-fund-etf.html).)
If you want to start saving towards a medium-term goal (~3-6 years), but you're not sure how much you will need or when, AOK (a 30/70 mix of stocks and bonds) is a good default. Or, similarly, 70% in SPIB/SPTI + 20% VTI + 10% VXUS.

Sounds like a short-term corporate bond fund would make sense. Yields are significantly higher than SGOV. Share prices will fluctuate a bit when interest rates go up or down, but you will almost certainly come out ahead over 3-5 years.
ETFs: VCSH, SCHJ, IGSB, or SPSB (currently yielding ~5.2%)
When you get ~1 year out from needing the money, you could move it to ICSH, PULS, or just a HYSA.

add PULS and you’re on to something

For very short-term goals, SGOV and VBIL are popular choices. For goals closer to a year, I like PULS and ICSH.
[iShares iBonds ETFs](https://www.ishares.com/us/strategies/bond-etfs/build-better-bond-ladders) are great for saving towards big expenses a few years away. For example, you can use IBDU (2029), IBDV (2030), or IBDW (2031) for expenses around those years. If you want to take a bit more risk, you can use the high-yield bond funds (IBH_). If your state income tax rate is pretty high, you can use the Treasury bond funds (IBT_). (Remember to [claim state tax exemptions when you file](https://thefinancebuff.com/state-tax-exempt-treasury-fund-etf.html).)
If you want to start saving towards something roughly 2-4 years away, but you're waiting to set your timeframe, a short term bond fund would make sense:
- If your state income taxes are low or zero: VCSH, SCHJ, IGSB, or SPSB (yielding ~5.2%)
- If you're in a high income tax state, a short-term Treasury fund may be preferable: VGSH, SCHO, or SPTS (yielding ~4.6%). (Remember to [claim state tax exemptions when you file](https://thefinancebuff.com/state-tax-exempt-treasury-fund-etf.html).)
If you want to start saving towards a medium-term goal (~3-6 years), but you're not sure how much you will need or when, AOK (a 30/70 mix of stocks and bonds) is a good default. Or, similarly, 70% in SPIB/SPTI + 20% VTI + 10% VXUS.