The Benefits of a Savings Account

Savings accounts are highly underrated. The so-called experts are routinely touting the benefits of IRA accounts, CD's, stocks and bonds. They overlook or completely ignore the benefits of an old fashioned savings account.

There was a time when the first bank account most people had was a savings account. I remember when I was 6 getting my first savings account. After that I was required to put a percentage of my allowance and gift money into it. I was always so proud to hand my little savings book and the money over to the lady at the counter and then to see the numbers in the book go up. I hated taking money out of it and seeing the number go down. Looking back, I suspect that was the reason most parents got their kids savings accounts; to teach us to save. This is a lost parenting skill these days that needs to be resurrected.

Savings accounts have several benefits over other forms of saving money. That is not to say that there is anything wrong with the other methods mentioned or that savings accounts should be used in place of them; they shouldn't. Savings accounts should be used in conjunction with other forms of savings and retirement accounts.

It's often easier to put money into a savings account than it is to put it into another form of savings. You simply designate that you want the money put into the savings portion of your account at the local bank. It can be done when adding money to your checking account; often on the same deposit slip.

Savings accounts add interest to your money at a rate normally higher than an interest bearing checking account. This gives you added incentive to place the money there as opposed to your checking account. Further, you can often link your checking account to your savings account so that should you overdraft your checking the money from your savings account will be used without incurring an overdraft fee.

Using the money from your savings account is much simpler than any other type of savings or retirement accounts. In most cases your debit card can be used at an ATM to withdraw the money. This makes it much easier to get to in the event you need money in an emergency.

Don't give up your IRA or your CD's but seriously consider adding a savings account to your banking services. I've never regretted my decision to do so.