What are you saving for? A car? A trip with friends? Maybe you just want to be prepared for a rainy day. Whatever your goals are, it’s important to have a savings account and use it. Here are some basics to help you get started.

CHECKING VS. SAVINGS

Your Choice Checking Account and Youth Savings Account are designed for different things. With your checking account, you can make purchases, pay bills (if you have them) and have easier access to your cash. A savings account is for just that—saving. Your money is a little more difficult to spend, so it accumulates more easily.

MAKING A DEPOSIT

There are a variety of ways to deposit money into your Youth Savings Account:

  1. Direct deposit. This is the most convenient method of depositing your paychecks into your savings and checking accounts. Choose a percentage of your paycheck to go toward savings and a percentage to go toward checking and give this information information to your employer, along with your account information. The money will then be deposited directly into your accounts every pay period.
  2. Mobile deposit. This is a fast and easy way to deposit a check on-the-go. Simply open the TruWest app on your mobile device, select Check Deposit from the menu and type in the amount of the check. Next, take pictures of both the front and back of your check and tap Deposit.
  3. ATM. Using an ATM to make deposits has its benefits. For example, ATMs accept both check and cash deposits, and you don’t have to enter a branch. Use your TruWest debit card to access any of our 30,000 ATMs, and follow the on-screen instructions to make your deposit. It’s simple and speedy.
  4. In-branch. You can make cash or check deposits at any TruWest branch teller window.

HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU SAVE?

How much money you reserve for your Youth Savings Account is up to you. Set aside a specific amount or percentage whenever you get money from an allowance, birthdays, a part-time job, etc. Make sure that amount is high enough to help you reach your savings goal in a set amount of time, but not so high that you don’t have enough money left for everyday expenses and entertainment.

To learn more about the specifics of budgeting, check out our blog on Money Management!