The first lesson in investing is simple, find the perfect balance between risk and reward. The smart investors know how to mitigate risk factors and find the right types of investing opportunities that yield the best returns. They’re out there, you just have to look for them.

Luckily, we’ve done some of that searching for you and have five of the best investments that bring low risk and high reward. Talk to an investment consultant before you sink any amount of money into a financial venture, but we think you’ll be pleased with the results you can attain under these circumstances.

1. Certificates of Deposit

There may be no lower risk for investment than a certificate of deposit (CD). Available at any bank or credit union and through your broker, CD’s offer you a fixed interest rate for the duration of time in which you commit any amount of capital into the investment. You can choose how long you wish to put your money into a CD and the longer you invest, the more of a return you can see on your money. But you have to keep the money in there until maturity as early withdrawal comes with a penalty. Once it does mature, you are guaranteed all of your initial capital back in addition to the interest earned.

2. Money Market Fund

Shrewd investment planning might include putting some money into a money market fund. Another investing opportunity that all but guarantees you’ll get back every dime you put in, these funds bring in a pretty good return while protecting the net asset value of your money, keeping it to a minimum of $1 per share. Rarely will it ever fall below that price.

3. Life Insurance

Only certain forms of life insurance will accrue interest. Term life insurance is not one of them, it only pays out in the event of your demise. However, whole and universal life insurance gain additional value beyond your investment which can be borrowed against and doesn’t come with any tax penalties, either.

4. Cash Back Credit Cards

Every bank and financial institution has them, cards that offer you bonuses and rewards in the form of points, credits, or actual cash payments based on how much you spend every month. It’s not quite investing in the typical sense, but you do see a return on the money that you put out, in this case it’s spent on the things you might be buying anyways.

5. Municipal Bonds

These state government-issued borrowing instruments are a great choice for investors who want to know their money is coming back to them in full while paying as little as possible in the way of taxes. Municipal bonds are exempt from federal income tax laws as well as many state mandates, and the money you’re putting out is a loan to a borrower that has very little risk of default. Every state is different in terms of the tax laws, so be sure to talk to a professional in wealth management in San Francisco before you invest in these bonds.