Safest place to keep your money (2024)

FAQs

Safest place to keep your money? ›

The best places to save money include high-yield savings accounts, high-yield checking accounts, CDs, money market accounts, treasury bills and savings bonds. These products offer varying degrees of security, returns and liquidity.

The safest places to save money include a savings account, certificate of deposit (CD) or government-backed securities. The best options may be those that provide higher earnings than traditional savings accounts but also provide a balance of liquidity and stability.

1. Federal Bonds. The U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve (Fed) would be more than happy to take your funds and issue you securities in return. A U.S. government bond still qualifies in most textbooks as a risk-free security.

Separate and store cash funds in different places, preferably 2 safes. Invest in a quality, professional-grade, technologically advanced at-home safe. Consider your need for a water-resistant or fireproof safe. Make sure anyone who might need to access an emergency fund of cash can.

Storing your lump sum wisely

Upon receiving a lump sum, the immediate question is where to store it. A savings account is a common choice, offering a secure place to keep your money while earning some interest. There are several types of savings accounts designed to cater to different needs and goals.

Save Money Using a Prepaid Card

A prepaid debit card is another useful way to save money if you don't have a bank account. It allows you to load money onto a debit card, which you can then use for purchases or withdraw cash from an ATM.

Through right of offset, the government allows banks and credit unions to access the savings of their account holders under certain circ*mstances. This is allowed when the consumer misses a debt payment owed to that same financial institution.

As long as your deposit accounts are at banks or credit unions that are federally insured and your balances are within the insurance limits, your money is safe. Banks are a reliable place to keep your money protected from theft, loss and natural disasters. Cash is usually safer in a bank than it is outside of a bank.

Banking regulation has changed over the last 100 years to provide more protection to consumers. You can keep money in a bank account during a recession and it will be safe through FDIC and NCUA deposit insurance. Up to $250,000 is secure in individual bank accounts and $500,000 is safe in joint bank accounts.

What banks are most at risk right now? ›

Why did Republic First Bank fail? The lender is the first FDIC-insured institution to fail in the U.S. in 2024. The last bank failure — Citizens Bank, based in Sac City, Iowa — was in November 2023.

For security purposes, money should be kept in a bolted-down safe along with any other valuables in the home, Castle Rock Investment Company's McCarty said. “Make sure the safe is fire and waterproof to avoid any damage. Make sure you deposit and replace the money on occasion so that the bills don't get too old.”

The main thing is to keep the money in a cool, dry place. You must ensure that your money is in a place with low humidity, as the recommended humidity is between 45 and 55%. The notes must not be exposed to direct sunlight.

The FDIC provides deposit insurance to protect your money in the event of a bank failure. Your deposits are automatically insured to at least $250,000 at each FDIC-insured bank.

Those include high-yield savings accounts, money-market funds, certificates of deposit and short-term Treasurys. All of those are boasting interest rates around 3% to 5%. These accounts typically pay interest rates that adjust with those set by the Federal Reserve—or around 3% to 4% right now.