I live paycheck to paycheck, what kinf of acct should i try & save in, if i can only save 200 a month?

Answer 1

Ask for free checking from Wachovia Bank and then once you have like $500 saved open up a second account called savings which will earn you interest and also in case you overdraft your checking account it will cover it. They have a nice website where you can contact them and a lot of outlets, along with the telephone number 1-800-WACHOVI

Answer 2

If you have $200 per month to put in savings, you're not living paycheck to paycheck (unless you are currently spending that $200 every month).

The first thing you should do is make sure you have an emergency fund with $500-1000 in it. Emergencies will happen, but they're a WHOLE lot easier to deal with if you have money set aside.

Then, you should look at a 401(k), SEP, SIMPLE, or other employer-sponsored retirement vehicle. Most employers offer a match of up to 100% of the first 3-6% you put in. If you put in up to your employer's match, that's free money (and a MUCH better return, even if they only put in 50% of the first 1 or 2%). Look at it this way - if you put in $200 and they match that at 50%, in one month you'll have $300, not to mention whatever kind of capital gains you make. I don't know of any bank or other investment that can do any better.

Next would be to open a Roth IRA. You can contribute up to $4000 ($5000 if you're over 50) per year (at $200/mo, you're safely within both those limits). And you can withdrawal your principle (what you put in) TAX-FREE for ANY reason (just don't touch the earnings).

Answer 3

Like you, I live pretty much paycheck to paycheck- and I manage to have about the same amount of "savable" funds. What I do with those funds is put 50% in a savings account at my credit union so there's money for emergency expenses. I take 25% and put it in an IRA- Its never too soon to start one of those even if you can't sock a lot of money into it. Then the last 25% I put in a Christmas club type of arrangement -- think of it as a vacation fund or the fund for that big ticket item- the new car- or something like that.

Answer 4

There are many accounts (online savings) that you can use to save your money....if you're young, $200 is VERY GOOD! Remember, its not really about how much you have, but how much time you have to save.

Take a look at Emigrantdirect.com (currently 4.65%) with only a $1 minimum to start.

or us.hsbc.com (currently 4.65% as well) with only a $1 minimum to start.

Interest compounds daily and is paid monthly.

You can also use this calculator to see how quickly a few hundred bucks can add up....it will make you reconsider spending $4 for a cup of coffee!

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/calc/savecalc.asp

For example...you want to put away $200 / month, which equals $2400 / year (x 4.65%) =$111.60 in interest each year...when that compunds monthly...in 10 years instead of earning $24,000 (with no internest) you really earn $30,599.88...thats a big difference. This also assumes you continually put in $200 / month...when you make more you can save more...

When you get a good job, with retirement, have them automatically deduct 8-12% of your paycheck into a retirement account and you'll be set.

Answer 5

If you have $200. a month to save, get it into mutuals and cds. Once you have a couple grand in there move upward. Diversify and get a IRA going. Ask your banking institution to talk to a financial advisor (broker) for options. You also might call Charles Schwab, Vanguard, and other brokerage houses to see what they have going on. Just do not put all your $$ into any 1 thing. Later on see if you learn how to trade options on your computer and make a little change on the up and down of trading in the market. Get books and read up on all the terms of investing, all your options and what all is out there for todays wise investors. Ahhh its nice to be in the 21st century isn't it?

Answer 6

NO! If you listen carefully you will not lose. Research how to trade stock on yahoo.finance.com and put your money in stable or rising stocks through sharebuilder.com if you can save $200 a month then don't think about the stock fluctuation. it will stay stable. Dont move the money around much. stick with them. Soon you will have a real nice amount from nothing. This is not spam. I did it and it works. If times get hard You have money you didn't really think about. play wise and it will go up.

Answer 7

start with a "money market" account at your bank or credit union and set-up the account such that it automatically has $200 deposited into it each month from your checking account. the key here is automatic (as mentioned in "The Automatic Millionaire") such that you never have to remember to make the deposit and such that you wind-up forgetting about the $200. then i'd recommend that once your money market account grows to $2500, withdraw the money and invest in a mutual fund. my mutual funds are at fidelity (www.fidelity.com) and i've been very pleased with their customer service.

Answer 8

I'd just put it in a good savings account. It usually yields more interest than a checking account.

Answer 9

You should think about a 401k where you work. If that doesn't work for you look into an IRA.

Answer 10

open up one of bank america's new account http://www.bankofamerica.com/deposits/checksave/index.cfm?template=keep_change
it rounds up your purchases and puts it in a savings account