A lot of us trust savings accounts with our hard-earned money. After all, using a savings account has to be better than sticking that money under a mattress, right?
Many of us use savings accounts to set aside cash for an emergency fund or achieve a long-term financial goal. We set savings challenges for ourselves and find less expensive ways to get our pumpkin spice lattes, all in the name of putting more money in that savings account.
But what if those savings accounts were actually costing us money? As The Christian Science Monitor reported in 2015, some savings accounts “may actually be making your financial situation worse.”
Here’s what you need to know to choose the best savings account.
The Best Savings Accounts Offer High Interest, No Fees
How much interest are you currently receiving on your savings account?
The Christian Science Monitor suggests you look for an account that offers at least 1% interest. If your current savings account is offering less than 1%, it’s time to think about making a switch.
We’ve got a great list of accounts to check out:
It’s also time to take a good look at your bank fees. If your bank charges fees for low balances or for depositing/withdrawing money, you might not have the best savings account for your needs. Some banks even charge monthly maintenance fees.
Look for no-fee savings accounts to save as much of your money as possible — and if you’ve got an account with fees, try calling your bank and asking if the fees can be waived. We’ve got a list of tips to help you get around many of the most common bank fees.
Saving vs. Investing
The other big mistake many people make is putting too much money in a savings account. Once you have a healthy emergency fund as well as sub-savings accounts for life goals like a vacation or down payment, it’s time to start thinking about how to start investing your money instead of putting it in bank savings accounts.
If you don’t yet have an IRA or a Roth IRA, for example, it might be a good time to start one. You can even consider a CD ladder if you find an option with great interest rates. Put those saved dollars to work, and let them earn even more money.
Think of your savings account as a way to get you to a short-term financial goal, like building up an emergency fund or saving for a new car. Any money you save for a long-term goal, like retirement, should go into something that is likely to bring a greater return — not into a bank savings account.
Want to learn more? Read the full story at The Christian Science Monitor.
Nicole Dieker is a freelance writer focusing on personal finance and personal stories. Her work has appeared in The Billfold, The Toast, Yearbook Office, The Write Life and Boing Boing.
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, one of the largest personal finance websites. We help millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. In 2016, Inc. 500 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the No. 1 fastest-growing private media company in the U.S.
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