Here are the 3 worst investments you can make at any age — plus where to stash your cash instead

Core Insights - A significant portion of American households, 62%, have some exposure to the stock market, indicating a baseline level of investment engagement [1] - Complex investment opportunities can be appealing but often lead to wealth destruction rather than wealth building [1] Group 1: Timeshares - Timeshares are marketed as smart investments with benefits like "locked-in vacation costs" and "flexibility," but they are difficult to resell and come with hidden costs [3] - The average annual maintenance fee for timeshares is $1,170, which tends to increase over time [3] - Timeshares typically lose 90% to 100% of their retail purchase value immediately upon purchase, and in some cases, owners may incur additional costs to relinquish them [3] Group 2: Leveraged ETFs - Leveraged ETFs use borrowed money to amplify returns, offering 2x or 3x the daily performance of an index [4][5] - While leveraged ETFs can enhance short-term gains, they also significantly magnify losses, making them a risky investment choice [5]