Money needed in the next 1-3 years, if placed in a savings account, money market fund, or treasury, is guaranteed not to lose principal.
"if I know I need the money in the next one to three years for something like a down payment or paying taxes or another use I won't invest the money instead I'll just throw it into a savings account money market fund or treasury earning about 5% and I'll keep it there sure I could miss out on potential gains in the market but it also guarantees that I'm not going to lose money"