Department of the Treasury

Chalk it up to the nation's lingering economic malaise: More Americans this year plan to sock some of their tax refund away in savings. If you're among them, here are a few smart ways to stash that cash.

For decades, Americans have bought savings bonds, both as an investment and as a way to support their country. But the once-ubiquitous bonds will soon disappear into cyberspace. As of Jan. 1, the Department of the Treasury will no longer offer savings bonds in paper form -- only online.

Shoveling trillions of dollars into banks hasn't boosted either spending or lending. What if the federal government stopped trying to revive the economy by encouraging borrowing -- and instead dropped money straight into your bank account?