Saving Strategies
How to save more without white-knuckling it, high-yield accounts, automation, sinking funds, and goal-based saving.
21 guides in Saving Strategies
Trump Accounts for Kids: The $1,000 Seed, the $5,000 Limit, and How Much They Could Grow
Trump accounts explained: who gets the $1,000 seed, the $5,000 yearly limit, auto-enrollment and claiming, taxes, withdrawals at 18, and how they compare with a 529.
How to Cash Savings Bonds: Paper Bonds, Electronic Bonds and the Rules
How to cash paper and electronic EE or I savings bonds: at your bank, by mail with FS Form 1522, or in TreasuryDirect. The 1-year minimum, the 3-month interest penalty, the $1,000 signature rule and taxes.
Series EE Savings Bonds: 2.90% Rate, the 20-Year Doubling Guarantee and the Rules
Series EE bonds issued November 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027 earn a fixed 2.90%. The Treasury guarantees they double in 20 years, about 3.53% a year. Limits, cashing rules, taxes and EE vs I bonds.
TreasuryDirect Account: How to Open One, What You Need and What It Holds
A TreasuryDirect account is free and lets you buy savings bonds from $25 and other Treasury securities from $100. Who can open one, the application steps, the password rules, linked accounts for children, and what happens if your bank cannot be verified.
Brokered CDs: How They Work, FDIC Coverage and the Risks
A brokered CD is a bank CD bought through a brokerage. How it differs from a bank CD, how FDIC coverage works, and the risks of selling early or having it called.
Average Savings Account Interest Rate: 0.37%, and What High-Yield Accounts Pay
The FDIC national average savings rate is 0.37% (September 2026). Averages for checking, money market and CDs, the rate since 2009, and high-yield rates.
Average Age of First-Time Home Buyers: 40, a Record, and What It Means
The median first-time home buyer is 40, a record high, up from 33 four years earlier (NAR 2025). The trend, homeownership by age, and what a later start costs.
I Bonds: Current 5.51% Rate (1.40% Fixed), How It Works, Limits and Taxes
I bonds issued November 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027 pay 5.51% (1.40% fixed). Interest counts from the first day of the month you buy; the next rate comes May 1, 2027. Limits, taxes and the penalty.
CD Ladders: How to Get High Rates and Regular Access
A CD ladder splits your money across CDs of staggered terms so one matures every year, capturing longer-term rates while keeping regular access. How to build one, step by step.
No-Penalty CDs: Lock a Rate Without Locking Up Your Cash
A no-penalty CD lets you withdraw early with no fee, a fixed rate with liquidity. How they work, the trade-offs vs a regular CD and a savings account, and who offers them.
How to Build an Emergency Fund Fast: Step-by-Step Tips (2026)
How to build an emergency fund quickly: how much you need (3 to 6 months), a $1,000 starter goal, a 5-step system, and saving on a tight budget or in debt.
High-Yield Savings vs. Money Market Account: Key Differences and Which to Choose
Differences between a money market account and a high-yield savings account (HYSA): rates, check-writing and debit access, minimums, FDIC/NCUA coverage, which to pick.
Average Emergency Fund in 2026: How Much Americans Actually Save
How much is the average emergency fund in 2026? Primary-source data from the Federal Reserve, Bankrate and Empower, median savings by generation, who can cover a $400 or $1,000 emergency, and how you compare.
Smart Steps: Saving for a Home Down Payment in 2026
Discover smart strategies to start saving for a home down payment in 2026. Learn expert tips, budgeting hacks, and real estate insights.
Saving for a Child’s Education: 529 Plans Explained
Is a 529 plan worth it? The 2026 rules, the tax break you actually get, the new $20,000 K-12 limit, the 529-to-Roth escape hatch, and the situations where a 529 is the wrong account.
How to Create a Savings Plan for Traveling the World
Ready to see the world? Discover how to save strategically. Start your ultimate journey now, unlock a world of adventures!
How to Save Money on Major Purchases Without Compromising Quality
Discover proven ways to cut costs on big purchases without losing quality. Read now for expert tips and start saving today!
Do CDs Make Sense in a Rising Inflation Environment?
Discover if CDs are a wise investment during inflation hikes. Learn more and secure your savings today!
Best Places to Store Your Emergency Fund in 2026
Where to store your emergency fund in 2026: compare high-yield savings, money market accounts, no-penalty CDs, T-bills, and cash management accounts with current rates.
Savings Challenges: Exact Totals, a Challenge Picker and Free Trackers
Compare the popular savings challenges with exact totals: the 52-week challenge saves $1,378, the 100-envelope challenge $5,050, the 365-day penny challenge $667.95. Pick one, set your own amounts and download a free tracker.
Money Market vs. Savings Accounts: Which Is Right for You?
Money Market Accounts vs. Savings Accounts: key differences in interest rates, balances, and features. Find out which account suits your savings best.