I first read Hoodedcobra's post and then yours as I have a very small amount of saving in dollars (but it's worth a considerable amount in our national currency due to exchange rates) and I have to make use of it as well as possible to maximise its value in the next two years because it is certain ...

My suggestion for your parents is to invest time first into learning about different assets (be it real estate, stocks, options or futures, cryptos etc) If they do, it is possible to make money wether the market is going up or down. Also a defined goal is needed. What is the purpose of their invest...