Banking & Savings
Simple setup that runs on autopilot. The goal isn't to optimize every basis point—it's to set it up once and focus on building.
4-5%
High-yield savings APY
$250K
FDIC insured per bank
0.01%
Traditional bank pays
Your bank is stealing from you
Traditional banks pay 0.01% on savings. That's $1 per year on $10,000. Meanwhile, inflation eats 3-4% of your money annually. High-yield accounts pay 4-5% with the same FDIC protection.
On $50,000 in savings:
Traditional Bank
$5/year
High-Yield Account
$2,250/year
Where to put your money
High-Yield Savings
4.0-5.0% APYEmergency fund (6-12 months expenses)
Best for:
Money you might need anytime
Options:
Treasury Bills
4.5-5.5% yieldShort-term savings (3-12 months)
Best for:
Money you won't touch for 3+ months
Options:
Checking
0-0.5% (not the point)Operating cash (1-2 months)
Best for:
Bills, rent, daily spending
Options:
My Actual Setup
What I personally use
Emergency Fund
High-yield savings (Marcus)
6-12 months expenses
Operating Cash
Checking (Schwab)
1 month expenses
Short-term Projects
T-bills (Fidelity)
3-6 month project funds
Long-term
Index funds (Vanguard)
Everything else
Quick Tips
Always check FDIC insurance
Up to $250K protected per bank
Avoid monthly fees
No reason to pay fees for basic banking
Set up automatic transfers
Pay yourself first, every paycheck
Keep minimal in checking
Everything else earns interest
Don't chase the highest rate
0.25% difference isn't worth the hassle
Review annually
Rates change, make sure yours is competitive
Common Questions
Ready to earn more on your savings?
Compare high-yield savings accounts and start earning 4-5% instead of 0.01%.
Compare Savings AccountsAffiliate link—I earn a commission if you open an account
How much should you have saved?
Calculate Your Freedom NumberThe Philosophy
Banking should be boring. Set up the right accounts once, automate transfers, then forget about it. Your energy belongs on building things, not optimizing interest rates.
The difference between 4.5% and 5% is noise. Having 6 months of runway is what matters.