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
 http://about.newsusa.com/article/how-to-increase-your-savings-on-your-terms

Futures for All - Online Resource Makes Financial Markets 101 Fun

Futures Fundamentals helps educators and students tackle complex economic topics
(NewsUSA) - Did you think about futures markets when you ate your breakfast this morning? How about when you filled up your car with gas? Or paid your mortgage?
You might not even know what derivatives are, but the fact is that the economy wouldn't work without them.
When banks need to determine how many loans they can offer at a particular interest rate, they use futures markets. When airlines need to guard against surges in fuel costs or cereal producers look to protect themselves from shocks to the supply of corn or grains, they turn to futures as well. Futures allow institutions to mitigate the potential damage caused by unexpected events or fundamental shifts in supply and demand.
And because these financial tools are so critical, the derivatives industry recently joined forces to broaden the scope and reach of Futures Fundamentals. This new free resource, which can be found at www.FuturesFundamentals.org is helping learners of all levels understand how these markets work and why they matter.
"With futuresfundamentals.org we now have a resource for market users, policy makers, educators and students, as well as the general public around the world, to better understand how risk management markets work and why they matter to all of us, every day," says Walt Lukken, President and CEO of FIA, the leading global trade organization for the futures, options and centrally cleared derivatives markets worldwide
"Futures Fundamentals is the perfect gateway to our markets - one which makes the learning process fun and helps prepare the next generation of market users."
Futures Fundamentals breaks down the who, why and what of futures markets in an accessible and fun way. The site is divided into three sections, each featuring the role of derivatives as told through stories, interactive infographics, videos and quizzes.
Activities first break down key financial concepts, including microeconomics and supply and demand. Visitors then learn how familiar tasks, such as buying a home or car, are affected by futures markets. In addition, after those initial lessons, visitors can try their hand at a trading simulator. Even more importantly, the site also provides teachers with modules to teach these economics lessons in their classrooms, all online and at no cost.
Check out Futures Fundamentals for your classroom or business at  www.futuresfundamentals.org and follow the site on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram to stay up to date on new content as it is added.
 http://about.newsusa.com/article/futures-for-all---online-resource-makes-financial-markets-101-fun

Florida Invests In Seaports, State Is Key Player in Global Marketplace

(NewsUSA) - Summer may be over, but Florida's economy isn't cooling down.
So much so that start-ups and businesses are flocking to the Sunshine State because of its strategic geographic locations, state-of-the-art infrastructures, multilingual workforces, and concentrations of corporate and financial resources.
That's according to Enterprise Florida, a public-private partnership between Florida's business and government leaders and the principal economic development organization for the state.
Other reasons for the influx of businesses to the state include taking advantage of the younger talent moving to the area, no state income taxes, and promotions to reduce the property tax. Also the much lower cost of living.
And to make Florida even more attractive for U.S. and international businesses, the state has also invested billions in upgrading and expanding its seaports in recent years.
To this end, the state is continuing to invest in its ports based on the market demand.
Under the leadership of Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature, the state's seaports have seen billions invested through state, local and private funding since 2011. This has produced a Return On Investment (ROI) of nearly $7 in state and local tax revenue for every $1 of state investment. And an additional $2.8 billion has been earmarked for capital improvement projects over the next five years to ensure that Florida remains a key player in the global marketplace.
The annual Five-Year Seaport Mission Plan is a statutorily-required report produced by the Florida Ports Council on behalf of the Florida Seaport and Transportation and Economic Development Council. Some highlights of the 2017-2021 plan include:
* $50.1 billion in value of containerized cargo moved (6.4 percent increase);
* 3.5 million twenty foot equivalent units handled;
* 15.5 million cruise passengers served (1.4 percent increase);
* $2.8 billion programmed in improvements over the next five years.
"Those are market-driven investments, responding to market needs," says Doug Wheeler, President and CEO of the Florida Ports Council, a Florida nonprofit corporation that serves as the professional association for Florida's 15 public seaports and their management.
"We're seeing more and more businesses recognize ports as very beneficial to their bottom line."
As these 15 Florida ports see upgrades and expansions, international companies are taking advantage of the benefits. There has been a growth in business from Mexico, South America, Central America, and Asia businesses, says Wheeler. The ports have seen an uptick in automobile business and parishables, such as fruit.
"We're seeing growth at our ports," Wheeler says. "It benefits everyone on the supply chain and helps the existing port tenants. We're seeing companies with a manufacturer component recognize that ports can be a value-added service and be where they need to be to export or import their products."
Companies are not the only ones benefiting from the upgrades in seaports. The economy of the state is also feeling the love.
Since 2012, the total economic value of the Florida seaports increased from $101.9 billion to $117.6 billion, and total jobs supported and related to cargo and cruise activity grew by 217,664 within the state.
"Clearly, port infrastructure investments by Governor Scott and the legislature are paying off as Florida further establishes itself as a key player in the global marketplace," Wheeler says.
 http://about.newsusa.com/article/florida-invests-in-seaports-state-is-key-player-in-global-marketplace