Where to put $5,000 now

What would you do with a million bucks? That's easy. But what about five grand? With a handful of broad goals in mind, here are Money Magazine's picks.

By Asa Fitch and George Mannes, Money Magazine

Best out-of-the-way European destination: Croatia

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Goal: Enriching your life

Best out-of-the-way European destination: Croatia

The country has long been a favorite of European vacationers, but it has been under most Americans' radar.

Go there and you'll find Roman ruins, a glistening Adriatic coastline and phenomenal seafood. For big savings, go in the off-season (September and October).

"Newly discovered places like Croatia offer a lot of value," travel agent Terry McCabe says. "The off-season is less crowded and you'll always save on airfare."

A 14-day trip for two from New York City to Zagreb this September, including a booking at the Westin Zagreb and round-trip airfare on Air France, was listed at $4,523 at travelocity.com.

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