Last month we asked you to write in with your questions about finance. Our expert, Maggie Murphy, has been an investment consultant for 15 years in the New York area. She'll be a guest columnist every other month so email us with your questions any time.

Dear Maggie,

My grandmother gave me $10,000 to invest. I would like to use it to buy a home in the next few years. Any suggestions?

--Suddenly Flush in North Hollywood, CA.

Dear Flush,

The best way to invest the money really depends on the time period you have. If you expect two years or less, a money market fund, or higher yielding certificate of deposit (CD) at a bank is really the best place. You don't have a time period that is long enough to endure any sustained market down time. The financial markets don't always cooperate in the short run. These investments will not give you double digit returns BUT they will conserve your capital and give you a rate better than plain old savings accounts. A money market fund is good for people who will add or withdraw regularly since it is liquid. A CD is good if you want to make sure you don't touch it, since they have an early withdrawal penalty. There are CDs for any time period. Shop for the best rate in the newspaper or online. Many banks will match a CD rate from another bank if you bring in the advertisement.

If you have three years or more (or you just cannot even imagine when you'll be able to buy since current real estate prices are so much higher than you feel you can afford), there are more exciting investments. Mutual funds with stocks make a lot of sense. In fact, they are the greatest investment invention of all time. They are portfolios of stocks and/or bonds. These have no guarantee but tend to keep up with the cost of living far better than CDs or money markets. Sometimes they go down in value, but if you are diversified and wait it out you will be rewarded. Which mutual fund?? I believe financial professionals offer a lot of value here. You are a unique person. What your cousin Fred did, or the hot stock the girl in the next cubicle told you about is not relevant to YOUR needs. Financial advisors are people who spend their entire day helping people find the right investment. They are good at it. You will want to see someone who will point you in the right direction. Talk to as many as you need to until you find the person you feel comfortable enough to entrust your money to. Ask successful friends and family members for referrals. The financial professional you choose will guide you through important decisions; you need to make sure you chose one right for YOU.

Good luck !