How to start a savings account

Saving money isn’t always easy, especially if you’re just starting out. So it can be helpful to know the basics before jumping in. How much should you save? What kind of savings account should you open? How can you keep an eye on your money?

Don’t worry. While you may have a lot of questions about savings accounts, the answers are simpler than you think.

The definition of a savings account is a type of bank account that allows you to safely keep your money with a bank and potentially even earn interest.¹ Interest is a payment that the bank gives you in exchange for letting them use the funds in your account—and it’s typically calculated as a percentage of your account balance.² The more you save, the more money you’ll earn in interest each month. (How’s that for motivation?)

Now that you've answered the question, "what is a savings account?" you may be wondering, “how do savings accounts work?” It’s pretty simple: The bank can use the money in your savings account to lend to other customers, charging them interest.² This is how they make their money and give people opportunities to do great things like own a home or start a business. In return for letting them use your money, they’ll typically compensate you with interest.

It’s also worth noting that minimum balances for savings accounts aren’t unusual.

So, how much does a savings account cost? It depends. Some banks charge fees, some don’t. Fees can range. That’s why if you’re thinking about opening a savings account, it pays to do your research to make sure you’re getting an account that meets your needs.¹

One of the advantages of a savings account is they generally come with higher interest rates than checking accounts.³ This is because, unlike checking accounts which tend to be used for everyday expenses, the bank usually counts on you to keep your money in a savings account. This allows them to use your money for loans—which they, in turn, reward you with interest.

Another advantage of a savings account is that many banks that offer them are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), who can cover your savings account up to a set amount. This means that, if the bank fails, the FDIC will return your money to you, giving you more financial peace of mind.¹ Although there are some very strong advantages to starting a savings account, there are also a handful of disadvantages. The disadvantages of a savings account include transaction limitations, withdrawal limits and even deposit limitations.

If you’re thinking of opening a savings account, it’s important to note that they’re not ideal for everyday purchases—there may be limits on withdrawals from savings accounts.⁴

If you go over this limit, you may be charged a fee, have your account closed or have your account converted to a checking account—it depends on your bank.

It’s simple to open a savings account online. To get a savings account set up, you’ll just need to choose a bank, provide personal information like your Social Security number and mailing address, and add money to your account.⁵ More on that below.

1. Choose a reputable bank that has the terms, conditions and fees you feel comfortable with. When you’re ready to get started, look for a tab or link that mentions “savings account” or “opening an account.”
2. Be sure to have the following things on hand to fill out your information before you’re prompted to deposit funds into your account:

• Valid, government-issued photo ID (like a driver’s license)
• Personal information (like your Social Security number and date of birth)
• Contact information (like an email address and mailing address)

3. Once complete, you should be ready to start adding money to your new savings account. In most cases, you’ll be able to do so using a debit card or with an account and routing number.

Not quite ready to put money in your new account? Don’t let that stop you. Many banks don’t require a minimum amount to open an account, so you can wait to make that first deposit. If you’d rather open a savings account in person, you can always visit a bank branch. If you’re under 18, you might need to go in person with your parent or legal guardian.⁶

Starting to save money can be a very difficult task. In the interest of saving money, some people choose to give up their gym memberships and challenge a friend to run with them every morning instead. Or, they drop cable and binge-watch shows on a more affordable streaming service. Even a small change in routine could be the key to saving money—but there is no single method of savings that works for everyone.

Some people find it helpful to shift their mindset about saving money. Don’t think of it as something to do if you happen to have cash left over. Instead, look at savings as paying yourself first. This means each pay period, before you’re tempted to spend money, put some in a savings account for future needs.⁷

Another way to stay on track is to set up automatic payments deducted from your paycheck or your checking account into your savings.⁷ Before you know it, you’ll be on the path to having the money you need for important milestones: a down payment on a home, that big European vacation, your retirement or some emergency funds for unexpected events.

Now that you have a savings account, it’s important to keep up with where your money is going. Luckily, tracking your checking and savings accounts is easier than ever with so many user-friendly and free financial apps or an app from your own bank. They can help you track your spending, which can help you budget, manage your expenses and keep an eye on your savings.

If you’re thinking about making a large purchase or adding more money into savings, some of these apps let you test out financial decisions to see how they would impact the rest of your budget. This gives you a no-commitment way to decide whether that big purchase or deposit is the right move for you.

Depending on your short- and long-term savings goals, you may want to look into other savings options.

Money market accounts often require a larger minimum deposit, but can offer a higher interest rate, so you can earn even more from the money you’ve saved.⁸ You can also look into Certificates of Deposit (CDs), which are considered one of the safest ways to save money.⁹

Just like fitness goals, think of savings goals as healthy habits. It doesn’t matter where you are in life—student, recent post-grad, new to the workforce, close to retirement—it’s never too soon (or too late) to start saving money. By starting a savings account, you’ll be doing something your future self will thank you for and better understand what you’re spending and what you’re saving.