I've got a friend with ten grand sitting in a regular savings account doing nothing

[MaryMagdaline]

6. I'm very skittish and don't like risk - at all

I put money into fixed annuities. They only pay 5 or 6 percent (going be less as inflation eases) but the money is guaranteed, insured by your state, and forces me not to spend any of it. The interest you earn is tax free, unlike CDs.
There are down sides - you are penalized for early withdrawals; if inflation goes weigh up you might be able to keep up with inflation. However, you will earn something and your funds are safe.
When I hit 70 I might buy an annuity that pays for the rest of my life so I don’t run out of money. For now, I’ve just parked most of my savings in fixed annuities.