Maria wants to start saving for college, but she has little tolerance for risk.

One option for Maria could be to open a high-yield savings account or a certificate of deposit (CD) with a fixed interest rate. These are low-risk options that offer a modest return on her savings. Another option could be to invest in a conservative mutual fund or exchange-traded fund (ETF) that focuses on stable, blue-chip companies with a history of strong performance. These types of investments typically have lower volatility and are considered less risky than more aggressive options like individual stocks. By starting to save for college early and choosing lower-risk investment options, Maria can gradually build up a nest egg for her future education without taking on too much risk.