As the economic crisis continues to ripple throughout the nation, more and more Americans are taking the time to learn how to best manage their finances.
High on that list is building an emergency fund. In fact, a recent MassMutual survey found that more than 1 in 5 Americans (22%) saved at least $1,000 during the pandemic this summer.
While having a stable savings to fall back on is crucial for a healthy financial future, dedicated savers should be aware that there is such a thing as having too much money saved.
Why you shouldn't keep piling cash into your savings
Hoarding your cash and letting your savings balance get too high can actually cause you to lose out on money.
When you keep your cash in a savings account— even a high-yieldaccount like the Ally Online Savings Account or Marcus by Goldman Sachs High Yield Online Savings — over time you'll miss out on earning a better return on your money and really growing it like you would if you invested.
If a high-yield savings accountnets a 1% return and inflation averages close to 3%, you're not keeping up with the cost of living. In the long run, your cash loses its value and purchasing power.
Another red flag that you have too much cash in your savings account is if you exceed the $250,000 limit set by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) — obviously not a concern for the average saver.Most savings accounts will insure your money up to $250,000 per an account holder for every account, but anything beyond that amount is not guaranteed to be reimbursed in the event something happened, like the bank collapsed.
How much is too much?
The general rule is to have three to six months' worth of living expenses (rent, utilities, food, car payments, etc.) saved up for emergencies, such as unexpected medical bills or immediate home or car repairs.
The guidelines fluctuate depending on each individual's circ*mstance. Given the current economic uncertainty, you may want to save up to a year of your basic living expenses (not including any discretionary spending) if you're worried your job is less stable. The idea is that you have enough cash accessible that you can tap into whenever you need it without having to rely on credit cards or a personal loan.
A savings account is also helpful for covering any immediate financial goals you want to achieve over the next two years. You can access your money whenever you want, and in the meantime it sits in a stable FDIC-insured account.
After you have enough saved up for an emergency fund, you can shift your focus and put your extra cash somewhere else, whether that's working toward hitting a short-term goal or investing your extra cash in the stock market.
Where to put that cash instead
Once you have the safety net of savings in place, you should take the time to really think about your bigger goals and how you can use money to achieve them.
Investing your money in the market can help you reach your longer-term goals more quickly. Though it carries more risk than keeping cash in a high-yield savings account, investing has the potential to offer much greater reward.
You can start by setting up a brokerage account through firms like E*TRADE, Fidelity, Charles Schwab or Vanguard. If you want to have less of a hand in managing your investment accounts, let a robo-advisor, like Betterment,Wealthfront and Ellevest, do the investing work for you.
Wherever you are on your financial journey, remember that the process takes time. Making a plan is the first step, and it's important to give yourself credit for even the small wins.
Goldman Sachs Bank USA is a Member FDIC.
Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
FAQs
Saving too much money can cause your younger self to make sacrifices that your future self doesn't need and didn't ask for. Instead of extreme frugality and early retirement, most people might be happier just doing work they enjoy.
Why you shouldn't keep all your money in a savings account? ›
In the long run, your cash loses its value and purchasing power. Another red flag that you have too much cash in your savings account is if you exceed the $250,000 limit set by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) — obviously not a concern for the average saver.
How much money is too much to have in a savings account? ›
This insurance protects your money if the financial institution you bank with goes out of business or otherwise can't afford to let you withdraw your money. So, regardless of any other factors, you generally shouldn't keep more than $250,000 in any insured deposit account.
Is there such a thing as saving too much? ›
Saving to prepare for emergencies, retirement or financial goals like buying a house is smart, to be sure. But if you're saving far more than necessary, you could be sacrificing other important aspects of your financial health, and that extra money could be put to better use elsewhere.
Where do millionaires keep their money? ›
Cash equivalents are financial instruments that are almost as liquid as cash and are popular investments for millionaires. Examples of cash equivalents are money market mutual funds, certificates of deposit, commercial paper and Treasury bills. Some millionaires keep their cash in Treasury bills.
Why you shouldn't keep your money in the bank? ›
Actually, you shouldn't hold ALL of your money there. They pay notoriously LOW interest rates. You should consult a financial planner to find investments that pay higher interest rates while STILL providing the level of security you specify.
How many people have $3,000,000 in savings in usa? ›
1,821,745 Households in the United States Have Investment Portfolios Worth $3,000,000 or More.
How much money does the average American have in their bank account? ›
While the median bank account balance is $8,000, according to the latest SCF data, the average — or mean — balance is actually much higher, at $62,410.
Is $1,000 a month enough to live on after bills? ›
Bottom Line. Living on $1,000 per month is a challenge. From the high costs of housing, transportation and food, plus trying to keep your bills to a minimum, it would be difficult for anyone living alone to make this work. But with some creativity, roommates and strategy, you might be able to pull it off.
Where do millionaires keep their money if banks only insure 250k? ›
The bigger issue is that most millionaires don't have all their money siting in the bank. They invest in stocks, bonds, government bonds, international funds, and their own companies. Most of these carry risk, but they are diversified. They also can afford advisers to help them manage and protect their assets.
Ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) are people with a net worth of at least $30 million. Their ranks continue to grow globally. Net worth is the value of the assets a person or corporation owns, minus the liabilities they owe.
Do rich people use credit unions? ›
Do millionaires use banks or credit unions? Millionaires often use a combination of both banks and credit unions for their financial needs.
What does the average person have in savings? ›
The average person younger than 35 has $20,540 in savings, while the average person 65-74 years old has $100,250. Household size: Marrying and having children can have a dramatic effect on your ability to save money. The average savings balance of a single person under the age of 55 is $19,320.
How many people don t have $1,000 in savings? ›
Bankrate's latest survey results found 56% of U.S. adults lack the emergency funds to handle a $1,000 unexpected expense and one-third (35%) said they would have to borrow the money somehow to pay for it.
Is 100k too much in savings? ›
There's no one-size-fits-all number in your bank or investment account that means you've achieved this stability, but $100,000 is a good amount to aim for. For most people, it's not anywhere near enough to retire on, but accumulating that much cash is usually a sign that something's going right with your finances.
Is it safe to put all your money in a savings account? ›
Keeping too much of your money in savings could mean missing out on the chance to earn higher returns elsewhere. It's also important to keep FDIC limits in mind. Anything over $250,000 in savings may not be protected in the rare event that your bank fails.
Is it bad to have all your savings in one account? ›
Having more than one savings account could help you track goals and have more FDIC coverage. When it comes to savings accounts, sometimes more is better. With a single savings account, you might have trouble managing all of your goals in one place, or you might be too tempted to spend from that account.
Is there any point in keeping money in a savings account? ›
A regular savings account is "liquid." That is, your money is safe and you can access it at any time without a penalty and with no risk of a loss of your principal. In return, you get a small amount of interest. Check rates online as they vary greatly among banks.
What is a disadvantage of putting money in a savings account? ›
Low return – although consumers can earn interest, they offer relatively lower rates. Taxes – there are no tax benefits for putting money into a savings account. In fact, if a consumer accumulates a big enough balance, they will pay taxes on the interest they earn each year.
