How Much Should I Keep in My Checking Account? | The Motley Fool (2024)

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A checking account is a prerequisite for paying for many aspects of modern life -- utilities, gym memberships, and even other financial accounts like credit cards. But while having a checking account is a must, there isn't a hard rule for how much to keep in checking.

Below, we'll explain how much to keep in your checking account.

The right amount of money to keep in a checking account

One helpful rule of thumb is to keep one to two months' worth of spending in your checking account. If you prefer an extra safety net, consider adding 30% to that number as a buffer. So if your monthly expenses total $3,000, you'd want to keep between $3,000 to $7,800 in your checking account.

The rest of your funds should go to savings accounts or retirement and investment accounts. The rationale for keeping at least one or two months' worth of expenses in a checking account boils down to four reasons, which we'll discuss in detail below.

1. You'll largely avoid the risk of an overdraft

Even the wealthiest people can slip up and spend more than they have in their checking account. If your checking account balance falls below $0, you'll incur overdraft fees. You could pay $35 or more for every transaction made while your balance is below $0. Since some traditional banks charge you for up to four to six overdraft fees, you could be hit with up to $210 in charges for multiple overdrafts in a single day. Many banks offer overdraft protection, typically for a fee, to protect you from these extra charges.

2. Pre-authorization holds can hurt

Some merchants are notorious for putting "pre-authorization holds" on debit cards. For example, if you use your debit card to buy gas, the gas station may place a hold on your card for up to $100. This reduces your available balance (but not your actual balance) by that amount. When the actual purchase amount clears your account, the gas station will then release the hold.

Pre-authorizations can tie up your money until they are released. They are commonly used by hotels and rental cars, and can tie up your money for days at a time. Pre-authorizations can hit your checking account balance. A better option? Use a credit card, especially a travel credit card, rather than a debit card for these payments.

Checking account comparison

We recommend comparing checking account options to ensure the account you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of standout accounts.

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3. You'll need to meet the minimum balance requirement (and then some)

Most traditional banks require you to maintain a minimum account balance to avoid monthly service charges. These typically range from $100 to $2,500, though most are much closer to the lower end. If your bank has a particularly high minimum balance requirement, you don't want to have to worry about how much to keep in your account. Your priority should be to switch to a no-fee, no-minimum balance online checking account.

Minimum balances aside, how much money can you have in a checking account? There is no maximum limit, but your checking account balance is only FDIC insured up to $250,000. However, as we'll cover shortly, it makes sense to put extra cash somewhere it will earn interest.

4. Liquidity matters

Most vendors take cash, debit, and/or credit cards. However, a select few are cash-only or cash- and debit-only. Having money in a checking account means you're only an ATM or debit card away from making a purchase with a payment-picky vendor. This is especially important when you keep your savings and checking at different banks, and transfers aren't instantaneous.

Admittedly, one to two months' worth of spending is a somewhat arbitrary amount to keep in a checking account. But it's high enough for most people to go a long time without having to move money between accounts and avoid an overdraft.

If you get paid by direct deposit into a checking account biweekly, keeping a checking account balance of one month's spending will all but guarantee you never overdraft your account.

Why you shouldn't keep all your money in a checking account

In a perfect world, we'd all keep our money in savings accounts and skip the checking account altogether. But since many banks restrict savings accounts to six transactions a month, they aren't practical for people who need to pay bills or make debit card purchases. Plus, mixing money that you need for day-to-day transactions with savings can make it harder to keep track of how much is in your emergency fund, as well as how much you have saved for other goals.

Checking accounts are transactional accounts where you keep money you may need in the near future. They also aren't a good place to store all your cash for two other reasons:

  1. Low interest rates: Even the very best checking account pays less in interest than an online savings account or money market account. You want to keep most of your cash where it earns the most interest. A checking account is not that place.
  2. Theft risk: Though this is a small risk, the reality is that money you keep in your checking account can be easily accessed via a debit card. If your card is lost or stolen, your account could be wiped out by unauthorized purchases or ATM withdrawals.

Debit cards have poor consumer protections against fraud. If it takes you too long to realize your account has been compromised, you could be fully responsible for any fraudulent charges. Meanwhile, many credit card issuers offer zero liability for fraudulent transactions. This means you're totally off the hook if someone makes credit card purchases in your name. This is why we advise using credit cards or cash. You may see this as paranoid, but you only need to have your debit card number stolen once to realize how troublesome it can be.

Like many aspects of your financial life, it's about avoiding extremes. Don't stress whether you want to keep a checking account balance of one month's expenses vs. three month's expenses. But don't keep all your money in a checking account when it could be earning interest elsewhere.

Still have questions?

Here are some other questions we've answered:

  • What is a checking account?
  • How can I avoid checking account fees?
  • What is a check, and how do I write one?

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Don't get caught paying nuisance checking account fees. Check out The Ascent's top checking account picks to open a fee-free checking account that earns a high interest rate.

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FAQs

  • The median balance of transaction accounts (which includes both checking and savings accounts) was about $5,300, according to the 2019 Federal Reserve Board Survey of Consumer Finances. Using the median, or middle number, gives you a more accurate picture of typical savings than the average. The average household savings in transaction accounts was $41,600 in the same survey, but the number is likely skewed by a small number of super savers.

  • Money in a checking account is FDIC insured for up to $250,000 per deposit, per institution, per ownership category, so you don't have to worry about losing money if your bank fails. A bigger risk is that when you pay with a debit card, which is usually linked to your checking account, you get fewer protections against fraudulent activity than you get with a credit card.

  • Sometimes, but not always. Among checking accounts that do pay interest, the annual percentage yield (APY) is much lower than you'd get with a savings account.

Our Banking Experts

How Much Should I Keep in My Checking Account? | The Motley Fool (79)

By:Kevin Payne

Kevin Payne is a freelance writer and family travel and budget enthusiast behind FamilyMoneyAdventure.com. His work has been featured in Forbes Advisor, Credible, CreditCards.com, Bankrate, SlickDeals, Finance Buzz, Student Loan Planner, and more. Kevin lives in Cleveland, Ohio with his wife and four teenagers.

How Much Should I Keep in My Checking Account? | The Motley Fool (80)

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Robin Hartill, CFP®, is a personal finance writer and editor whose work frequently appears in various national publications. She wrote the syndicated “Dear Penny” financial advice column for four years.

How Much Should I Keep in My Checking Account? | The Motley Fool (81)

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How Much Should I Keep in My Checking Account? | The Motley Fool (2024)

FAQs

What is a good amount to keep in checking account? ›

A common rule of thumb for how much to keep in checking is one to two months' worth of expenses. If your monthly expenses are $4,000, for instance, you'd want to keep $8,000 in checking. Keeping one to two months' of expenses in checking can help you to stay ahead of monthly bills.

Is $10,000 too much in checking? ›

A popular guideline is to keep enough money for one to two months of spending in your checking account. For extra security, you can add up to 30% on top of that amount. So, if you normally spend $5,000 per month, then there's nothing wrong with having $10,000 and even up to $13,000 in your checking account.

How much money does the average person keep in their checking account? ›

Average household checking account balance by age
Age range of reference personAverage checking account balance in 2022Median checking account balance in 2022
Under 35$7,355.53$1,600.00
35 to 44$15,309.92$2,500.00
45 to 54$20,155.22$3,400.00
55 to 64$17,515.35$3,500.00
2 more rows
Oct 18, 2023

How much money should I keep in my current account? ›

However, it's always best to have a little bit spare each month, just in case. As a guideline, workers should aim for at least three to six months' worth of expenses in their account, while retirees should keep around one to three years' worth.

What is a good amount of money to keep in the bank? ›

Most financial experts suggest you need a cash stash equal to six months of expenses: If you need $5,000 to survive every month, save $30,000. Personal finance guru Suze Orman advises an eight-month emergency fund because that's about how long it takes the average person to find a job.

How much balance should I keep in bank account? ›

Reserve 20% of your income for savings, including contributing to retirement funds and building an emergency fund. This ensures you are prepared for unexpected expenses and can work towards your long-term financial goals.

How much money do millionaires keep in a checking account? ›

“Millionaires' checking accounts are all over the place,” Thompson said. “Some clients will only keep enough to pay for immediate expenses (e.g., $10,000) and others will have $150,000 in checking on any given day.”

Is it better to keep money in checking or savings? ›

It's advisable to have both types of bank accounts. You can: Use a checking account for spending and paying off expenses, and. Use a savings account to build and hold your emergency fund while earning interest.

How much is too much money in a checking account? ›

Unless your bank requires a minimum balance, you don't need to worry about certain thresholds. On the other hand, if you are prone to overdraft fees, then add a little cushion for yourself. Even with a cushion, Cole recommends keeping no more than two months of living expenses in your checking account.

How many Americans have no savings? ›

As of May 2023, more than 1 in 5 Americans have no emergency savings. Nearly one in three (30 percent) people in 2023 had some emergency savings, but not enough to cover three months of expenses. This is up from 27 percent of people in 2022. Note: Not all percentages total 100 due to rounding.

How much do most people have in the bank? ›

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.

What percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck? ›

A majority, 65%, say they live paycheck to paycheck, according to CNBC and SurveyMonkey's recent Your Money International Financial Security Survey, which polled 498 U.S. adults. That's a slight increase from last year's results, which found that 58% of Americans considered themselves to be living paycheck to paycheck.

What is a good amount to keep in your checking account? ›

The general rule of thumb is to try to have one or two months' of living expenses in it at all times. Some experts recommend adding 30 percent to this number as an extra cushion.

How much is too much cash in savings? ›

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.

How much money do you need to live off interest? ›

Many Americans need at least $1 million invested to live off interest, but it varies. Explore how to live off interest and calculate how much you need for retirement.

How much should a 30 year old have saved? ›

Fidelity suggests 1x your income

So the average 30-year-old should have $50,000 to $60,000 saved by Fidelity's standards. Assuming that your income stays at $50,000 over time, here are financial milestones by decade. These goals aren't set in stone. Other financial planners suggest slightly different targets.

Should you keep more than $250000 in a bank? ›

The FDIC insures up to $250,000 per account holder, insured bank and ownership category in the event of bank failure. If you have more than $250,000 in the bank, or you're approaching that amount, you may want to structure your accounts to make sure your funds are covered.

How much money should I have saved by 40? ›

As a general rule of thumb, you'll want to have saved three to eight times your annual salary, depending on your age: 40: At least three times your salary. 45: Around four times your salary. 50: Six times your salary.

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