Short term time horizon - save, invest or speculate?

[TravisRADMD]

Finishing training in 6 months. Saving up a sizable amount of income from moonlighting. I do plan on using some of these funds in July 2020 for vacation and moving costs but I'm hoping it won't amount to more than 20% of what I'll have saved up to at that point. The remainder would go towards a downpayment on a property some time in spring 2021 if nothing unexpected happens. In total an estimated 1.5 year time horizon for these funds.

Given that I have to use some of these funds in 6 months and even the 1.5 years total horizon doesn't seem long enough to hedge for volatility or market change should I just keep it all in a savings account? I'm not happy watching those funds sit there and do nothing but I don't see a safer way. Every traditional investment option seems more speculative with only a year or so in mind. Any opinions?

[Peds]

Cash, bonds for excitement. Stocks for none of those things.

[jacoavlu]

100% cash equivalents / short term treasuries

[jfoxcpacfp]

We typically recommend high interest savings for unknown expenses in the next 5 yrs and high-quality corporate bonds for planned goals ($ saved for a home downpayment, for ex), timed to mature at date of need.

[CordMcNally]

Short term savings, no question.

[jacoavlu]

Finishing training in 6 months.... The remainder would go towards a downpayment on a property some time in spring 2021 if nothing unexpected happens. In total an estimated 1.5 year time horizon for these funds.

do you have a job already lined up?

is this planned RE purchase primary home? Or investment?

do you have student loans or other debt?