How much money should you really keep in the bank?
Aim for about one to two months' worth of living expenses in checking, plus a 30% buffer, and another three to six months' worth in savings.
Savings account: 2 to 4 months of expenses
After allocating one to two months of your expenses into a checking account, Anderson says that the two to four months of additional reserves should be put into a savings account — specifically a high-yield savings account.
When your savings reaches $100,000, that's a milestone worth marking. In a world where 57% of Americans can't cover an unexpected $1,000 expense, having a six-figure savings account is commendable.
For savings, aim to keep three to six months' worth of expenses in a high-yield savings account, but note that any amount can be beneficial in a financial emergency. For checking, an ideal amount is generally one to two months' worth of living expenses plus a 30% buffer.
That should include a little cash stashed in the house, enough to cover the monthly bills in a checking account, and enough to cover an emergency in a savings account. For the emergency stash, most financial experts set an ambitious goal at the equivalent of six months of income.
Having $20,000 in a savings account is a good starting point if you want to create a sizable emergency fund.
The median account balance in 2019 was around $5,300, while the average account balance is around $41,600. This is the latest available data, as the Federal Reserve releases this survey every three years. The Fed plans to publish its 2022 survey data later this year.
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.
Real estate investing is a powerful strategy for turning a significant amount of money like 100K, into a million. Investing in rental properties or commercial real estate can provide monthly income through rent, along with appreciation in the real estate market over the long term.
“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.”
How many Americans have no savings?
But despite the larger pressures, they're not satisfied with their situation; 57% of respondents said the current state of their savings is stressing them out. Nearly one in four (22%) of U.S. adults have no emergency savings at all, Bankrate found—the second-lowest percentage in 13 years of polling.
While it is legal to keep as much as money as you want at home, the standard limit for cash that is covered under a standard home insurance policy is $200, according to the American Property Casualty Insurance Association.
FDIC and NCUA insurance limits
So, regardless of any other factors, you generally shouldn't keep more than $250,000 in any insured deposit account. After all, if you have money in the account that's over this limit, it's typically uninsured. Take advantage of what a high-yield savings account can offer you now.
Bottom Line. Living on $1,000 per month is a challenge. From the high costs of housing, transportation and food, plus trying to keep your bills to a minimum, it would be difficult for anyone living alone to make this work. But with some creativity, roommates and strategy, you might be able to pull it off.
- JP Morgan Private Bank. “J.P. Morgan Private Bank is known for its investment services, which makes them a great option for those with millionaire status,” Kullberg said. ...
- Bank of America Private Bank. ...
- Citi Private Bank. ...
- Chase Private Client.
About 29% of respondents have between $501 and $5,000 in their savings accounts, while the remaining 21% of Americans have $5,001 or more. Few hold much cash in their checking accounts as well. Of those surveyed, 60% report having $500 or less in their checking accounts, while only about 12% have $2,001 or more.
| Savings account balance | Percentage of respondents |
|---|---|
| $1,001 to $5,000 | 22% |
| $5,001 to $10,000 | 8% |
| $10,000 to $20,000 | 7% |
| Over $20,000 | 14% |
Aim to have three to six months' worth of expenses set aside. To figure out how much you should have saved for emergencies, simply multiply the amount of money you spend each month on expenses by either three or six months to get your target goal amount.
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.
9% of Americans have between $100,000 and $200,000 saved, and 4% have between $200,000 and $350,000 saved.
How much do most Americans have in their bank account?
Are you curious how your savings stack up to other Americans? According to the Federal Reserve's most recent Survey of Consumer Finances, the median savings account balance for all families was $8,000 in 2022. Savings account balances can vary greatly depending on income, age, education and race.
| Average savings amount | Share of Americans |
|---|---|
| Less than $1,000 | 42% |
| $1,000-$5,000 | 16% |
| $5,000-$10,000 | 9% |
| $10,000-$25,000 | 8% |
Key Takeaways
Retiring with little to no money saved is not impossible, but it can present some challenges to your financial plan. Depending on where you're starting from, you may need to delay Social Security benefits, work longer, or drastically reduce expenses to retire with no money saved.
If it seems like your paycheck disappears as quickly as it hits your bank account, you're not alone. More than 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck as of September 2023, according to a LendingClub report. Even people in higher income brackets are affected.
Explore: What To Do If You Owe Back Taxes to the IRS
“By the time you hit 33 years old, you should have $100,000 saved somewhere,” he said, urging viewers that they can accomplish this goal.
