Saving $10,000 is a huge milestone, and it's worth celebrating. That kind of money can solve a lot of problems. But it also raises some important questions, like where's the best place to keep that kind of cash?
A savings account might seem like the obvious option, but it's not always the best move. Here's what you need to know to decide if it's right for your money.
Benefits of keeping your $10,000 in a savings account
First things first: There's nothing wrong with keeping $10,000 in a savings account. If you're working with a reputable bank, your money will have Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance up to $250,000 per person per account ($500,000 for joint accounts). This protects your money even if the bank fails. So there's no risk of loss as long as you protect your personal and banking information.
Keeping your money in a savings account can also help you earn interest over time. Interest rates vary depending on economic conditions. Currently, they're pretty high, with some of the best high-yield savings accounts offering rates exceeding 4.50%. That could earn you $450 or more in a year with a $10,000 initial deposit.
Using a savings account keeps your money accessible as well. This is extremely important if that $10,000 is part of your emergency fund or is for a large purchase you plan to make in the next couple of years. You usually don't want to invest this money because markets can be unpredictable in the short term. If you need to withdraw your cash when your investments are down, you'd have to settle for a loss. A savings account enables you to withdraw your money worry-free at any time.
The drawback to keeping your $10,000 in a savings account
Though savings account interest rates are high right now, they aren't guaranteed to stay that way. And even the best savings accounts probably won't earn you as much as investing would over the long term.
A certificate of deposit (CD) might be a better choice if you're worried about savings account interest rates falling throughout 2024. CDs give you a guaranteed interest rate for the entire term, which could be anywhere from a few months to several years, depending on the CD you choose. If you lock in a high CD rate now, you could potentially earn more in interest with one of these accounts than you could with a savings account over the next few years.
But you should note that you typically cannot touch money in a CD until the end of the CD term. If you access yours early, you'll usually pay a penalty equal to several months of lost interest. So it's not the right place for your emergency fund or cash you plan to use before the CD term ends.
Investing your savings is another option, but as mentioned above, market volatility makes this a poor choice for the money you plan to use soon. It can be a great option, though, for money you don't expect to use for years. The -- one of the most popular market indexes -- has a compound average annual growth rate of 10.7% over the past 30 years.
If you invested your $10,000 and it earned about 10% per year over the next 10 years, you'd wind up with close to $26,000. No savings account will earn you that much over that time.
It doesn't have to be all or nothing
There are pros and cons to all of the above options. If you're not comfortable putting all your eggs in one basket, consider spreading your money around. Keep some in a savings account and put the rest in a CD, brokerage account, or retirement account. This can help you earn higher yields while also keeping some of your cash readily accessible. Think through all your options and go with the approach that you're most comfortable with.
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FAQs
APY = Annual Percentage Yield. APYs are subject to change at any time without notice. There's nothing wrong with keeping $10,000 in a savings account. But it might not earn you the highest yields.
Is 100000 too much to have in a savings account? ›
While reaching the $100,000 mark is an admirable achievement, it shouldn't be seen as an end game. Even a six-figure bank account likely won't go far enough in retirement, which could last as long as 30 years.
How much money is too much to keep in savings? ›
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.
How much money should you keep in a regular savings account? ›
"You should attempt to have at least three to six months of expenses in a general savings account at all times," says Mark Henry, founder and CEO of Alloy Wealth Management. "Monthly expenses look different for everyone, so if you aren't sure how much you would need, track your expenses for a few months."
How many people have $10,000 in savings? ›
Majority of Americans Have Less Than $1K in Their Savings Now
| How Much Do Americans Have in Their Savings Accounts? | | |
|---|
| $1,001-$2,000 | 10.60% | 9.81% |
| $2,001-$5,000 | 10.60% | 10.64% |
| $5,001-$10,000 | 9.20% | 9.51% |
| $10,000+ | 12.60% | 13.48% |
4 more rowsMar 27, 2023
There's nothing wrong with keeping $10,000 in a savings account. But it might not earn you the highest yields. CDs and brokerage accounts could be better homes for your cash in some situations.
Is it smart to have 100k 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 $20,000 a good amount of savings? ›
Having $20,000 in a savings account is a good starting point if you want to create a sizable emergency fund. When the occasional rainy day comes along, you'll be financially prepared for it. Of course, $20,000 may only go so far if you find yourself in an extreme situation.
How much does the average person keep in savings? ›
In terms of savings accounts specifically, you'll likely find different estimates from different sources. The average American has $65,100 in savings — excluding retirement assets — according to Northwestern Mutual's 2023 Planning & Progress Study. That's a 5% increase over the $62,000 reported in 2022.
What amount of savings is considered wealthy? ›
Someone who has $1 million in liquid assets, for instance, is usually considered to be a high net worth (HNW) individual. You might need $5 million to $10 million to qualify as having a very high net worth while it may take $30 million or more to be considered ultra-high net worth.
Generally, having at least three to six months of living expenses can offer a safety net if you experience job loss or a medical emergency. For example, if you have monthly expenses of $5,000, aim to save $15,000 to $30,000 in your emergency fund.
Is $5,000 enough for savings? ›
Saving $5,000 in an emergency fund can be enough for some people, but it is unlikely sufficient for a family. The amount you need in your emergency fund depends on your unique financial situation.
Is 40k in savings good? ›
While $40,000 is a good start on the road to building a nest egg, you probably want to retire with a lot more money than that. But it may be more than possible if you commit to saving and investing in a brokerage account consistently for the remainder of your career.
How much money is in an average checking account? ›
Average household checking account balance by age
| Age range of reference person | Average checking account balance in 2022 | Median checking account balance in 2022 |
|---|
| Under 35 | $7,355.53 | $1,600.00 |
| 35 to 44 | $15,309.92 | $2,500.00 |
| 45 to 54 | $20,155.22 | $3,400.00 |
| 55 to 64 | $17,515.35 | $3,500.00 |
2 more rowsOct 18, 2023
The median savings account balance for all families in the U.S. was $8,000 in 2022. Generally, higher-income earners and older individuals save more than younger ones.
How many Americans have over $100,000 in savings? ›
Most American households have at least $1,000 in checking or savings accounts. But only about 12% have more than $100,000 in checking and savings.
How many Americans have $100,000 in savings? ›
Most American households have at least $1,000 in checking or savings accounts. But only about 12% have more than $100,000 in checking and savings.
How long does 100K savings last? ›
With $100,000 you should budget for a retirement income of around $5,000 to $8,000 on top of Social Security, depending on how you have invested your money. Much more than this will likely cause you to run out of money within 25 – 30 years, which is potentially within the lifespan of the average retiree.
Can you retire with 100K in savings? ›
“With a nest egg of $100,000, that would only cover two years of expenses without considering any additional income sources like Social Security,” Ross explained. “So, while it's not impossible, it would likely require a very frugal lifestyle and additional income streams to be comfortable.”
Is it good to have 100K saved by 30? ›
“By the time you're 40, you should have three times your annual salary saved. Based on the median income for Americans in this age bracket, $100K between 25-30 years old is pretty good; but you would need to increase your savings to reach your age 40 benchmark.”
