Which of the following is an example of a liquid asset?

A liquid asset is one that can be quickly and easily converted into cash without a substantial loss in value. Cash itself is the most liquid asset, as it is already in that form. Checking account funds are also readily accessible and can be withdrawn at any time, making them highly liquid.

In contrast, real estate property typically requires time and effort to sell, and may incur transaction costs, making it less liquid. Stocks and bonds, while generally more liquid than real estate, can still fluctuate in price and may take time to sell, depending on market conditions. Retirement accounts also tend to have restrictions and penalties for early withdrawal, contributing to their illiquidity compared to immediate cash or checking account funds. Therefore, cash or checking account funds represents the most straightforward example of a liquid asset.