How to Increase Your Savings on Your Terms

(NewsUSA) - "You need to save money." You tell yourself this. Others tell you this too. However, according to the 2015 FDIC National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households*, approximately nine million U.S. households don't use any type of bank account to save their money. Since banks tend to offer similar products and services, even those who do save often don't see a need to explore their options. Understanding the ins and outs of saving for the future is the first step to becoming a successful saver.
It's important to note that all savings accounts are not created equal. Online bank accounts often offer higher yields than traditional bank branches, with savings account interest rates and certificate of deposit (CD) interest rates that are higher than the national average annual percentage yield (APY).
For instance, Goldman Sachs Bank USA (GS Bank) empowers consumers to save by offering a high yield savings account and CDs to help achieve savings goals, while at the same time providing the convenience and the security of a traditional bank. Additional advantages include no minimum deposit required to open an account, no transactions fees and only a $1 balance required to earn the APY associated with an account. With the backing of Goldman Sachs, GS Bank customers have access to a range of savings products that will help them save, as well as the expertise of a 148-year-old financial institution.
Digital alternatives to traditional banking don't have the overhead that comes with managing branches and are therefore able to be more competitive with their rates, providing consumers with a realistic way to accumulate savings with higher interest rates and a stronger financial portfolio.
Accumulating savings can be difficult at any age. Here are some small steps that can make a big difference in the long run:
Make a budget: If you don't know what you're spending each month, start paying attention. Track your spending for a few months and make a budget to live by. Track the money you save by eliminating unnecessary spending and put it right into your online savings account.
Split-deposit paychecks: Consider having your employer split-deposit your paycheck to your checking account and a separate high-yield savings account. This way, saving becomes automatic and because your savings account is separate, you might be less tempted to spend it.
Manage spending: For instance, you could save money by bringing your lunch. If, for example, you average $8 a day for lunch at work, that's $40 per week and $2,000 per year. It adds up. If you were to bring your lunch from home for about $2 per day, you could achieve a savings of $1,500 per year to add to your savings account. Homemade sandwiches taste pretty good when you're watching your savings grow.
Sock your money away: Once you accumulate significant savings, you may want to move some of your savings to an FDIC-insured fixed-rate CD account to lock in an interest rate. A CD is a type of savings tool that offers a higher rate than most standard savings accounts. Generally, there is little risk and most typically don't have monthly fees.
Keep your savings safe and secure: Consider keeping all or a portion of your core savings in an FDIC-insured bank. This can mean keeping your money in savings or CD accounts that are insured by the FDIC up to the maximum allowed by law. According to the FDIC**, since the FDIC was established in 1933, no depositor has lost a penny of FDIC-insured funds. For more information about FDIC deposit insurance coverage and limits, visit FDIC.gov/deposit.
As you work towards achieving your savings goals, you can learn more about savings strategies and financial insights from GS Bank by visiting www.GSBank.com. Have additional questions? You'll find someone to connect with at 1-855-730-SAVE (7283). Start saving more right now to make a difference for your future.
*2015 FDIC National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households (link to: https://www.fdic.gov/householdsurvey/) **According to the FDIC (link to: https://www.fdic.gov/deposit/deposits/) **According to the 2015 FDIC
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