Where to Keep Your Money When Saving for a Car: Saving is more essential than ever if you intend to purchase a vehicle. In May, the average price of a new vehicle was $48,528 according to Kelley Blue Book. The average price of used automobiles is $27,256.
You can obtain an auto loan to assist with payment, but the interest rates are relatively high. The average interest rate on an auto loan ranges between 6.9% and 17%, depending on your credit score. Therefore, it makes sense to make the largest feasible down payment to avoid incurring excessively expensive debt.
But where is the best location to save for a car? Due to the volatility of the market, you should not invest this money. You do not want your automobile savings to decrease in value when you need them. There is a particular form of account that is ideal for your car fund.
A high-yield savings account is an excellent choice.
Index Universal Life Insurance (IUL): Exploring the Average Cost
Where to Keep Your Money When Saving for a Car
For security and adaptability, the best option is a high-yield savings account. These are similar to other savings accounts, but they offer significantly higher interest rates. Currently, the average savings account interest rate is 0.42%. Numerous high-yield accounts offer rates in excess of 4%.
To put this into perspective, if the interest rate on your savings account is 0.42%, a $10,000 balance would yield you approximately $42 annually in interest. With a high-yield account earning 4%, the same balance would yield approximately $400. From a financial standpoint, the decision is simple.
The funds in a high-yield savings account are accessible at any time. This makes it ideal if you are uncertain about when you will purchase a car. You could withdraw your funds after a week, a month, or a year. It’s entirely up to you.
If you’re concerned about the security of these accounts, you should know that the majority are FDIC-insured, just like accounts at large institutions. This protects eligible accounts up to $250,000 in the event of a bank catastrophe. On the bank’s website, by contacting the bank, or by contacting the FDIC, you can determine whether an account is FDIC-insured.
Also available are money market accounts and certificates of deposit.
If you’re unsure whether a savings account is the best option for you, there are a few alternatives to consider.
These accounts combine the advantages of savings and checking accounts. Many of the best money market accounts offer interest rates comparable to those of high-yield savings accounts. In addition, you can use a debit card, cheques, or both to access your funds, just as you can with checking accounts.
This facilitates access to your funds. With a savings account, it is customary to first transfer funds to a checking account. When purchasing a car, you could compose a cheque directly from your money market account.
With a certificate of deposit (CD), it is possible to secure in your interest rate. The interest rates on savings accounts and money market accounts are variable and subject to change. They have increased significantly over the past year and a half, but it is impossible to predict how long they will continue to rise.
CDs are accounts with a fixed interest rate and fixed maturity period. Generally, terms range between six months and five years. Moreover, the best CD rates are sometimes higher than the highest savings account rates, allowing you to secure in an excellent rate.
However, you cannot deposit additional funds into a CD once it has been opened. If you intend to consistently contribute to your car savings, this may not be the most convenient option. However, it can be advantageous if you have a substantial amount of money invested and want to ensure that it earns a high interest rate.
Increasing your auto savings
A high-yield savings account is an excellent location to save money for a car. If you want more withdrawal options, you should consider money market accounts. And CDs are an excellent way to obtain a fixed rate of return on your savings.
If you anticipate needing an auto loan, use this opportunity to improve your credit score. This can help you obtain a loan with the lowest possible interest rate. Once you’re set to purchase, be sure to compare auto-loan options, as you may discover that some lenders offer significantly better deals than others. Automobiles may be costly, but a substantial down payment and an affordable auto loan can make a significant difference.
