6 people who use high-yield savings accounts to earn 200 times more on their money explain why they'd recommend it to anybody
Eric Rosenberg has three online savings accounts at different banks
Eric Rosenberg, a freelance writer and former bank manager, has three separate high-yield savings accounts to keep track of different savings goals, including one that specifically keeps money he needs for his property taxes and homeowners insurance.
Notably, each of his online savings accounts — held at Charles Schwab, Ally, and Capital One — has low fees and high interest rates. They're also institutions he deems trustworthy.
"Your money is too important to ignore. And while moving funds to a new account at a new bank may seem like a hassle, opening an account with an online bank is painless in most cases," Rosenberg says.
Elizabeth Aldrich earned over $250 in interest on her balance in just eight months
For years, traveling writer Elizabeth Aldrich kept her emergency fund at a local credit union earning just 0.05% in interest annually, which translated to about $0.54 a month.
To earn more on her savings, Aldrich decided to transfer her $13,000 balance to Ally when it was offering an APY of 2.20%. Over the next several months, she put an additional $16,250 in the account. Eight months later, she earned what amounted to an extra $268.83 in interest.
Aldrich now says six of her 10 bank accounts are high-yield savings accounts.
"My high-yield savings accounts have helped me curb overspending and funnel that additional money toward the things that really matter in life," she writes.
Sarah Li Cain says a high-yield savings account allows her to access money she needs at a moment's notice
When Sarah Li Cain, a freelance writer and podcast host, and her husband were deciding where to save for a down payment, they ultimately chose a high-yield savings account over a certificate of deposit (CD).
After some research, they went with Ally's online savings account, which allowed them to contribute extra money at any time, offered a high interest rate, and ensured their money was accessible at a moment's notice.
"I'm happy we went with a high-interest savings account because it meant I could earn a bit of interest while keeping our money close," she writes. "I also felt great knowing we could pounce on a deal once our dream home came on the market — and when it did, we pounced as planned."
Brynne Conroy opened a high-yield savings account to earn more on her money without risking it in investments
Brynne Conroy, a personal-finance blogger, utilized a high-yield savings account when she was working toward the goal of buying a house.
She wanted to grow her money quickly, and most importantly safely. The money in her savings account at Barclays wasn't exposed to risk from the markets, nor was it too easily accessible to be tapped for her own impulse spending.
While Conroy acknowledged the potential downsides of her high-yield savings account — interest is taxed and money takes a few days to transfer to her primary bank — she ultimately found them to be minimal compared to the benefits.
"I don't mind an extra 1099, and being rewarded with a higher APY in exchange for the accessibility of funds in moments of temptation is just too sweet a deal to pass by," she writes.
Melanie Lockert is self-employed and found peace of mind in keeping her savings accounts separate
Melanie Lockert, a self-employed writer and entrepreneur, says online savings accounts are the best way for her to keep track of the money she sets aside for taxes, vacations, sick days, and emergencies.
To take it a step further, Lockert set up automatic transfers so the accounts fund themselves.
"Being clear and specific with my savings goals has transformed my financial life for the better," she writes. "I am more clear, focused, confident, and know exactly how each dollar is used. Not only that, but it has given me peace of mind to know that I have money in the bank and that I'm prepared for a variety of situations."
Anna Baluch and her husband combined their savings in a high-yield account, potentially earning hundreds of dollars a year
Freelance writer Anna Baluch ditched her bank when she got married and combined her savings with her husband in a high-yield account.
"If we had stayed with either our premarriage savings accounts, $20,000 in savings would have made only $2 to $6 in interest," she wrote. "Now we can enjoy an estimated interest earnings of $440 with our Ally Bank online savings account. Just like most people, we work hard for our money, so there's no reason to have it sit in a savings account that essentially does nothing for us."
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