Savings Account 101: Why You Need One and How to Build Your Own

  • A savings account can be a great way to save up for major purchases.
  • People enjoy having savings for their emergency fund, future house, or other big purchases.
  • People enjoy the benefits of accrued interest and accessibility.
  • However, creating a savings plan requires people to be diligent and focused on their goals for the future.

When it comes to savings and preparing for your future, a savings account is one of the most important things that you can have in your possession. These are important for many reasons, including emergency funds and even for another necessary spending.

Whether or not you have a savings account right now does not matter. This article will dive deep into the importance of having a savings account and how to build one. By the end of this article, you will know all you need to know to create your own savings account and save for your future.

Why Do People Need Savings Accounts?

Many people wonder why savings accounts are necessary, mainly because many are unaware of their great benefits. People choose to create a savings account for multiple different reasons, including the following reasons:

  • Emergency fund
  • Vacations
  • Money for homes
  • Long-term financial goals
  • Emergency savings
  • Vacation plans
  • Wedding arrangements
  • Buying a home
  • Home repairs or improvements
  • Purchasing a vehicle
  • College planning
  • Retirement savings

Savings accounts have multiple purposes, which is why many people would like to have at least one in their possession. Having a couple thousand dollars or more stashed away can significantly benefit you when you need it the most. However, there are many other benefits to this kind of money and being prepared for all that lies ahead.

The Benefits of Having a Savings Account

There are many benefits to having a savings account. Here are a few of the most important benefits that people have noticed and why a savings account ultimately helps them in the long term.

Higher Interest Rates to Save More

Many people are unaware of this, but a savings account typically has an interest rate that allows you to save money and accrue interest over a long period. This allows you, even if you just put $1000 in at the very start, to save a significant amount over a more extended period.

In the end, many people enjoy this because they can save so much more, and it helps them with saving money for their retirement and even more. This is also not the case with other accounts, which is why a savings account is even more essential than people might realize.

Accessibility

Another essential idea and reason why people get their own savings account are for accessibility. For example, regarding retirement funds and the traditional IRA, there is no way to get out this money and have it accessible.

However, a savings account allows you the accessibility to take the money out if you need it, rather than wait almost 40 years to get it at the end of your career.

Overdraft Protection

Fortunately, most savings accounts have a significant amount of overdraft protection that allows you to be more protected than you would be if you were putting it into another account. So, depending on where you bank, you will find a lower risk with overdraft and other related fees if you manage to keep enough in the account at any given time.

Withdrawal Limits for Extra Savings

In some cases, you also are not able to liquidate your savings account as well. For many people, this can be seen as a challenge, but others enjoy it as a benefit because it forces them to save money and retain this over a more extended period. In the end, it depends on your perspective, but this could be a benefit if you choose it to be a reason to save more in the long term.

How to Create a Savings Plan

If you feel you need to create a savings plan or re-envision your existing one, then it’s time to consider a few things to get the most out of this. Here are some steps most people take when creating a savings plan to prepare for a better financial future.

Start with a Financial Inventory

It’s essential to know exactly where you stand, which is why the first step in creating a savings account and plan is to ensure that you know exactly what you owe and how much you take every month. Next, look at all your assets and liabilities, your income, and other factors that will impact the amount of money you regularly have.

Establish Your Goals

It’s also absolutely crucial that you establish your goals. When it comes to a savings plan, you need to know exactly how much you want to save and be able to meet this every single month.

For example, if you want to save $1200 a year, you likely need to put in $100 every month, so you need to ensure that you can do this. Whatever your goal is, be smart about it and make sure that it’s measurable and has a time frame.

Decide the Allocation for Each Fund

Next, your savings plan should allocate the right amount of funds to each particular cause or big purchase you have coming up. For example, if you buy a house, you might want to put more into this fun than you would into purchasing a new bed frame. Make sure you decide how much to allocate and make sure it’s affordable with your circumstances.

Choose a Bank Account and Start to Save

Next, you want to make sure you choose a bank account or another method of storing your money and get started. You want to maximize your savings plan so that the earlier you create, the better. If you can choose a high-yield savings account, the more you will be able to earn in the long term as well.

Get Started on Your Savings Goals

When it comes to your savings, you must set yourself up appropriately and prepare for the future. No matter what your goals are, or if you choose to invest in another kind of savings account, you will still be able to maintain and achieve all of your savings plans if you are on the right track and have the right mindset.

For all things finance and financial health, check our blog regularly to learn more and set yourself on the right life path.