is it even worth it right now to open up a online high interest savings account if i only have $5,000? should i just keep it in the credit union for now?
No, buy $5000 worth of GE stock. Or pick another. Lots to choose from.
Or buy $2500 of "BND" and $2500 of "VTI". This last method will be quite conservative 50% total bond fund by Vanguard and 50% total stock fund (index) also by vanguard. Very safe, never goes down.