A money market account can be a safe place to park extra cash and earn a higher yield than from a traditional savings account. Money market accounts are like savings accounts, but they often pay more interest and may offer a limited number of checks and debit card transactions per month.
A physical safe is a popular option for storing money without a bank. Safes offer a secure way to store cash and other valuables at home or in another familiar location.
Investing has the potential for higher returns than savings accounts, the ability to grow your wealth over time through compounding and reinvestment, and the opportunity to help you achieve long-term financial goals.
It's a good idea to keep enough cash at home to cover two months' worth of basic necessities, some experts recommend. A locked, waterproof and fireproof safe can help protect your cash and other valuables from fire, flood or theft.
The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals. Let's take a closer look at each category.
The accounts we recommend for parking your cash are high-yield savings accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, short-term Treasury bills and notes, and money market funds. When comparing your options, consider the rate of return and accessibility of your money, among other factors.
CDs, high-yield savings accounts, and money market funds are the best places to keep your cash when it comes to interest rates. And Treasury bills still offer decent yields at the lowest risk.
Alternative ways to store money include investment accounts and physical assets like gold, silver, real estate, gemstones, art or wine. You can also consider storing money in a safe; digital wallet; using online money storage options like Paypal, Apple Pay or Google Pay; or using a Post Office savings account.
Fintech startups, businesses specializing in financial technology, are disrupting the financial industry in big ways. They have several advantages that allow them to be more innovative and deliver services to customers more quickly and cost-effective than traditional banking institutions.
Generally, credit unions are viewed as safer than banks, although deposits at both types of financial institutions are usually insured at the same dollar amounts. The FDIC insures deposits at most banks, and the NCUA insures deposits at most credit unions. Seven banks have failed in 2023 and 2024, and all were insured.
Lifetime Income Options
Products like deferred income annuities provide a guaranteed paycheck for life, addressing the risk of outliving your savings—a growing concern as life expectancy increases. By contrast, keeping money in the bank does not offer protection against longevity risk.
While it is legal to keep as much as money as you want at home, the standard limit for cash that is covered under a standard home insurance policy is $200, according to the American Property Casualty Insurance Association.
Cash equivalents are financial instruments that are almost as liquid as cash and are popular investments for millionaires. Examples of cash equivalents are money market mutual funds, certificates of deposit, commercial paper and Treasury bills. Some millionaires keep their cash in Treasury bills.
Inflation Is Eating Away at Your Funds
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average rate of inflation from April 2023 to April 2024 was 3.4%. If you've been keeping your money in a savings account with a lower yield than the rate of inflation, you should switch over to a higher-yield account.
Where Is the Safest Place To Keep Cash? Deposit accounts—like savings accounts, CDs, MMAs, and checking accounts—are a safe place to keep money because consumer deposits are insured for up to $250,000, either by the FDIC or NCUA.
Invest in Dividend Stocks
Last but certainly not least, a stock portfolio focused on dividends can generate $1,000 per month or more in perpetual passive income. However, at an example 4% dividend yield, you would need a portfolio worth $300,000, which is a substantial upfront investment.
Investment considerations: Cash doesn't rally
Cash comes with an opportunity cost – by sitting in cash, investors may miss out on the potential upside stocks could see in a soft landing, lack the protection that bonds can offer if a recession does happen, and lose out on the inflation protection that real assets have.
Especially in turbulent times, a federally insured bank is the safest place for your money. Here are a few reasons why. 1. Your deposits are insured by the government.
Upon receiving a large sum of money, before you book that dream holiday, it's worth considering where the money should be held. A savings account is a common choice, offering a secure place to keep your money while earning a decent rate of interest.
While this figure can vary based on factors such as location, family size, and lifestyle preferences, a common range for a good monthly salary is between $6,000 and $8,333 for individuals.
The answer will depend on your income, expenses, and financial goals. Here's a closer look. Ideally, you want to have 20% of your take-home pay left over after paying all of your bills. Track spending using an app or spreadsheet to determine why there isn't more money left over after bills.
By age 30, you should have saved about $52,000, assuming you're earning a relatively average salary. This target number is based on the rule of thumb you should aim to have about one year's salary saved by the time you're entering your fourth decade.