Liquid funds are open-ended mutual fund schemes that invest in short-term instruments like commercial papers, certificates of deposit, and treasury bills. They provide higher returns than savings accounts while maintaining liquidity. For example, liquid funds have recently delivered over 8% returns compared to 4% for savings accounts. Investing in liquid funds through reputable fund houses provides safety as the funds are regulated by SEBI and invest in low-risk short-term instruments. Key features include no lock-in periods, no entry or exit loads, and daily transparency of net asset values and returns. Liquid funds are suitable for wealth accumulation rather than creation and have minimal interest rate risk.