[Sniper]

The answer will depend on the why 50K is the 5 year goal, what the consequences are for not reaching your goal, and your risk tolerance.

There is no automatic guaranteed 9%+ return.

The easiest way to put this type of investment on autopilot would be to invest in a No transaction fee mutual fund with monthly automatic investments; and automatic weekly transfers from your bank account to your brokerage account.

Your answers to the questions I listed would determine which type of fund would be the most appropriate.

Also, if you were achieving 9%+, why would you swich the funds to a CD, and forgo the potentially additional income?