Introduction
Savings accounts are deposit accounts offered by banks and credit unions that allow individuals to save money and earn interest on their deposits. Savings accounts are a popular choice for people who want to save money for short-term goals or as an emergency fund.
Advantages of bank savings account
- Safety and security: Savings accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) for banks or the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) for credit unions, which means that your money is protected up to $250,000 in the event that the bank fails.
- Convenient access to funds: Most savings accounts offer the ability to make deposits and withdrawals at ATMs or through online banking, making it easy to access your funds whenever you need them.
- Earning interest: Savings accounts typically earn a low rate of interest, but the interest earned is still higher than what you would earn by keeping your money in cash.
Disadvantages of bank savings account
- Low interest rates: The interest rates offered on savings accounts are often low, especially compared to other types of savings vehicles such as certificates of deposit (CDs) or individual retirement accounts (IRAs).
- Limited transactions: Savings accounts typically have limited transaction allowances, which means that you may be charged fees if you make more than a certain number of withdrawals or transfers in a given month.
- Inflation risk: Inflation can erode the purchasing power of your savings over time. If the interest earned on your savings account is not keeping up with inflation, then the real value of your savings is decreasing.
Example: John has $10,000 in a savings account with an interest rate of 0.05%. After a year, John will have earned $50 in interest on his savings account. However, if inflation is 2% during that same year, then the purchasing power of John’s $10,050 will be worth approximately $9,880 in today’s dollars, meaning that he has lost purchasing power even though he has earned interest on his savings.
How can one get more returns from your savings account?
Getting more of a return from your savings accounts can be done in several ways. Here are a few strategies with real-life examples:
- Shop around for higher interest rates: Savings account interest rates can vary greatly from one bank to another. By shopping around and comparing rates, you can find a savings account with a higher interest rate, which can provide a higher return on your savings. For example, if you have $10,000 in a savings account earning an interest rate of 0.05%, you would earn $5 in interest over a year. However, if you were to move that same $10,000 to a savings account with an interest rate of 1%, you would earn $100 in interest over a year, which is a significant increase.
- Take advantage of bonuses and promotions: Banks often offer bonuses and promotions to new customers who open savings accounts. For example, a bank may offer a $200 bonus for opening a new savings account and maintaining a certain balance for a set period of time. By taking advantage of these promotions, you can increase your return on your savings.
- Consider alternative savings options: While traditional savings accounts may offer low interest rates, there are alternative savings options that can provide higher returns. For example, money market funds, certificates of deposit (CDs), and high-yield savings accounts can offer higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts. However, these options may come with restrictions, such as minimum deposit requirements or early withdrawal penalties, so be sure to consider the trade-offs before investing.
- Take advantage of compound interest: Compound interest is the interest that you earn on both your original savings balance and any interest that you have already earned. By keeping your savings in an account that compounds interest, you can maximize your returns over time. For example, if you were to invest $10,000 in a savings account with a 1% interest rate and leave it there for 10 years, you would earn $1,105 in interest, even though you did not add any additional funds to the account.
In conclusion, savings accounts offer safety, convenience, and the ability to earn interest on your deposits, but they also come with limitations such as low interest rates, limited transactions, and the risk of inflation. It is important to consider these advantages and disadvantages when deciding if a savings account is the right savings vehicle for your financial goals.
