Thinking about going on a vacation, buying gifts for birthdays and holidays, or perhaps you have another short-term money goal? We often think of savings for long-term purposes like retirement or buying a house, but they are great for short-term objectives, too. A low-risk account (less likely to lose money), allows for easy access, provides an opportunity for growth, and is an excellent alternative to a piggy bank (no offense Hamm!) Let's look at some options to help you better meet your goals and keep your money safe.
- A traditional savings account is a great place to put money aside for special occasions, as they allow you to withdraw funds easily and earn some interest. These accounts do not come with checks and usually limit the number of withdrawals you can make, which helps you avoid the temptation to spend your savings before you’re ready. You can even set up automatic transfers from your checking account to keep your special savings separate. This separation helps avoid spending your money frivolously.
- Money Market deposit accounts (MMDAs) are an attractive option for saving. They offer higher interest rates than traditional checking accounts and more options for accessing your money than traditional savings accounts. You can withdraw money more freely (with a debit card or checks) than from holiday club accounts or CDs, but there are some restrictions on the number of withdrawals you can make on a monthly basis. MMDAs generally require a higher initial deposit and minimum balance than other savings accounts. It’s important to note that these deposit accounts are different from money market mutual funds. Money market mutual funds are securities that incur investment expenses, are subject to more risk, and are not insured by the FDIC.
- Certificates of Deposit (CDs) are savings certificates where the money you put into them are invested by a bank for a set period – you can typically choose between one month and five years – and the bank gives you the money back with interest. The longer the term, the more interest you earn. CDs have higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts, but you cannot withdraw the funds until the end of the specified term. If you need to withdraw the money before that time, you will have to pay a penalty fee. If your institution offers CDs with various maturities of less than one year, you may also consider timing the maturity dates of CDs purchased throughout the year to coincide with the date of an anticipated expense.
In addition to saving money for short-term goals, setting money aside on a regular basis into an account and watching the savings accumulate can give you a real sense of financial empowerment. No matter what amount or account type, the earlier you start saving, the better.
Source: "Savings Are Great for Short-Term Goals Too," www.fdic.gov.