There are two ways to look at savings accounts:

1. a place where your salary is paid, to park your money without giving it much thought, or;
2. a tool that you actively manage as you pursue a specific financial goal.

A focused and disciplined budget planner is more likely to be a successful saver than somebody who takes a set-and-forget approach to their bank accounts.

If you pay close attention to your money, or have decided you want to get more serious about your saving, you may want to try our savings calculator.

A savings calculator is an online tool that estimates how fast your savings could grow in a saver account.

To use our interest calculator, all you have to do is enter the following information:

• How much you plan to initially deposit in a savings account
• How much extra you plan to deposit in the account each month
• How long you plan to keep the money in the account (in months)

Based on those numbers, the calculator will then estimate:

• How much you could earn in interest each month, assuming a popular interest rate
• How much you could earn in total interest after your selected time period has passed
• Your estimated final balance

The great thing about a savings calculator is that you can compare different scenarios, and see how your savings could be affected by different deposit sizes and saving periods.

Your next step should be to research savings accounts. This could be difficult, as there are dozens of banks and other Authorised Deposit-taking Institutions (ADIs) in Australia, offering hundreds of different savings accounts. Fortunately, RateCity has made the process quick and easy with our online comparison tool.

RateCity can tell you how much interest each savings account could pay, and also other relevant information, such as which accounts charge an account-keeping fee or require a minimum opening deposit. Not every high interest savings account will suit every financial situation.

Pay close attention to both the ‘base rate’ and the ‘maximum rate’. If these numbers aren't one and the same, then new customers will have to meet certain conditions to earn bonus interest. Otherwise you’ll only receive the lower base rate.

Sometimes the difference between the base interest rate and maximum interest rate can be as high as two percentage points. Before you enquire about an account with two different rates, make sure you understand exactly how to qualify for the maximum rate with the bonus interest.

Consider a savings account's other features, benefits, terms and conditions before making your choice. For example, some online saver accounts offer higher interest rates on savings, but may not offer branch access. This may be fine if you do most of your everyday banking online, but you may prefer other options if you prefer to manage your bank accounts in person.

If you earn a regular income, having your pay automatically deposited into your savings account can help to grow your interest faster. Most accounts offer this as a standard feature and there are generally no additional fees involved. Online saver accounts often let you manage everything online via your computer or smartphone.

If you’re struggling to save, making small irregular deposits into your account can be a great way to start. Although it can be hard, you could try to increase the frequency of your deposits so you can earn extra interest. 

Remember, if you're not sure about the best way to save or manage your money, or you're looking for some general advice on which financial product to choose, consider contacting a financial counsellor for financial advice.

Term deposit

If you have a specific savings goal you're trying to reach, and know that you may be tempted to dip into your savings account from time to time, you could consider a term deposit account. A term deposit is where you agree to deposit money with an ADI for a fixed length of time, and earn interest on your savings over this term. 

The more money you deposit, and the longer the savings term you choose, the higher the interest rate you may enjoy. You can't easily access your savings until the end of your term, which may help you make progress towards your savings goal. To work out how much interest you could potentially earn, consider checking out our term deposit calculator.

Superannuation

If you're saving money for your retirement, consider checking the status of your superannuation fund. Consolidating your super and selecting a fund with fees, charges, and investment options that suit your needs can help make a big difference to your future lifestyle. Making extra superannuation deposits can help to further build this balance.