Understanding Savings Account Basics for Wealth Building

Recent economic turmoil has allowed individuals and their families to recognize the necessity of being prepared for financial hardship.  With the price of gasoline, food and other essentials continuously fluctuating, many have found this the time to save money by means of safe, low risk savings vehicles.  

Though there are many options available to the consumer that provide the ability to save money for the future, such as investment accounts and retirement accounts, one increasingly common means for safely accumulating money is by means of a savings account.  

Not all savings accounts are created equal.  It is incumbent upon the consumer to find the bank with the lowest fees and the best saving account rates that suits his or her needs and preferences.  It is important to realize that some banks, whether they are brick and mortar or of the online, internet variety, carry fees associated with their services and saving plans. 


For example, some banks require a minimum account balance, limit the number of withdraws from the account per month, and restrict the use of automated teller machines (ATM) for savings account related purposes.  Failure to comply with the banks requirements and restrictions could result in fees and charges.  While these fees and charges are typically small, recurring fees and repeated violations can add up, and result in a loss of money rather than steady accumulation of funds.

One of the most important factors associated with opening an account for which to securely save money are the saving account rates that are available.  Finding a bank that offers a competitive rate on funds within a savings account should be a priority.  While consideration to fees and extra charges is also an important factor, the rate of return on savings should be of primary focus. 

As a savings account balance grows, a bank pays it’s stated interest rate on the total balance at specific intervals.  As the savings account balance grows, the bank pays more money to the account holder, which, in turn, contributes to the growing balance.  This practice is called compounding interest and is one of the most effective ways to accumulating wealth.  Therefore, the specific saving account rates that a bank offers is directly related to the rate at which savings account balances grow. 

One on the unique and most desirable aspects to savings accounts is that they are a safe and conservative vehicle to saving money.  With FDIC insurance in place, a savings account holder at a legitimate banking institution can rest easy knowing that the risk in loss of capital is minimal while enjoying a return on his or her savings.  The easy and most efficient way to secure the best rate of return within a savings account is to conduct thorough rate comparison research. 

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