{"id":30719,"date":"2017-08-23T10:32:16","date_gmt":"2017-08-23T02:32:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.imoney.my\/articles\/?p=30719"},"modified":"2018-08-24T00:14:46","modified_gmt":"2018-08-23T16:14:46","slug":"5-common-mistakes-malaysians-make-with-their-savings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.imoney.my\/articles\/5-common-mistakes-malaysians-make-with-their-savings","title":{"rendered":"Don\u2019t Make These Mistakes With Your Savings!"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Saving money is the number one money tip that everyone advocates and for good reasons too. It is the most basic money management step that keeps you prepared for the most unexpected scenarios. Whether it’s your car breaking down, or you needing to make an emergency trip, having savings gives you the peace of mind to tackle most unforeseen circumstances you find yourself in.<\/p>\n
However, saving is just one part of the equation. Instead of seeing it as just a lump sum of money you already have in your savings account, there are many ways to make the best out of your savings and keep it from losing the potential value it can give you.<\/p>\n
To make sure that you stretch your savings a little more and give you more value, here are five mistakes you need to avoid when it comes to your savings.<\/p>\n
If you are saving for your emergency fund, the general rule of thumb is to save up at least three months of your monthly income, or six months monthly expenses.<\/p>\n
For example, if your monthly income is RM3,000, you may look at saving about RM9,000 as your emergency fund. You can then start by putting 10% of your monthly income into your savings account.<\/p>\n\n
Monthly income<\/b><\/td> | RM3,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||||||||||||||||
Target emergency fund \n<\/b><\/td> | RM3,000 x 3 = RM9,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||||||||||||||||
Monthly savings (10%)<\/b><\/td> | RM300<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||||||||||||||||
Duration of savings<\/b><\/td> | 2 years 6 months<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n The bigger your savings is, the more benefits you can avail from the bank (more on this below)!<\/p>\n <\/span>Mistake #2. Not putting your savings in a better interest-bearing account <\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nSo, how can you safeguard your hard-earned money from the ghastly inflation? By putting your contingency savings in an account that offer liquidity and high interest rate.<\/p>\n Take advantage of this feature from savings or current accounts offered by the banks to boost your savings. For example; Maybank2u.Premier Account, which can be opened via Maybank2u or Maybank2u app, offers attractive interest rates without any restrictions on liquidity.<\/p>\n\n Savings Band<\/b><\/th> | Effective Interest rate<\/b><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n\n | Up to RM5,000<\/td> | 0.30% per annum <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Up to RM10,000<\/td> | 0.40% per annum <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Up to RM25,000<\/td> | 0.55% per annum <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Up to RM50,000<\/td> | 0.70% per annum <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Up to RM100,000<\/td> | 1.00% per annum <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Up to RM200,000<\/td> | 1.36% per annum<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Up to RM500,000<\/td> | 1.46% per annum<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Above RM500,000<\/td> | 1.61% per annum<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n | In a multi-tiered interest account like this, you don\u2019t only protect your savings from being eroded by inflation, you are also keeping yourself motivated to increase that balance in your account!<\/p>\n <\/span>Mistake #3: Not using auto-billing<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nDid you know that certain savings and current accounts have a yearly service charge? Some are service charges for using the ATM while others charge you every six months or half a year if your account is below a certain balance.<\/p>\n
Some accounts waive this fee if you have an average balance of RM1,000 within six (6) months). So save yourself RM21.20 every year by consolidating your savings into one account.<\/p>\n Not only can you save on service fees, having a bigger balance in one account also opens up other forms of benefits, such as a better interest rate (Refer to point #2 above).<\/p>\n To encourage people to save more, Maybank\u2019s Savings Carnival also rewards depositors who have incremental monthly ADB with a chance to get additional 3% p.a. interest\/profit!<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a tip – if you grow your balance in Maybank2u.Premier Account, you can get up to 12X entries in Maybank’s Savings Carnival Campaign!<\/p>\n\n |