I Made Over $1,200 in Savings Account Interest This Year. Here's How You Can, Too

We're nearing the end of the year, but it's not too late to set yourself up for financial success in 2024. One way to improve your financial situation is by opening up a savings account and making regular contributions to it. This way, you'll have extra money whenever you need it.

Because I have a high-yield savings account and have continued to set money aside bi-weekly, I've earned a significant amount of extra cash from interest payments. Find out how I made over $1,200 in savings account interest this year and what steps you can take to do the same.

I opened a high-yield savings account

The first step that I took was opening a high-yield savings account. For many years, I only used a traditional savings account offered by my regular bank. However, since high-yield savings accounts at online banks tend to have higher annual percentage yield (APYs) than savings accounts provided by brick-and-mortar banks, it's advantageous to open this type of bank account to maximize your interest earnings.

This past year, APYs continued to climb, so I was able to earn a significant amount of money in interest. Most checking accounts don't earn interest, so there's little benefit to keeping your extra savings there. If you don't yet have a high-yield savings account, now is an excellent time to open one so you don't miss out on the chance to boost your earnings.

Our Picks for the Best High-Yield Savings Accounts of 2024

Capital One 360 Performance Savings APY 4.25% Rate info See Capital One website for most up-to-date rates. Advertised Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is variable and accurate as of April 11, 2024. Rates are subject to change at any time before or after account opening. Min. to earn $0 Open Account for Capital One 360 Performance Savings On Capital One's Secure Website. Member FDIC.	APY 4.25% Rate info See Capital One website for most up-to-date rates. Advertised Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is variable and accurate as of April 11, 2024. Rates are subject to change at any time before or after account opening.	Min. to earn $0
CIT Platinum Savings APY 4.85% APY for balances of $5,000 or more Rate info 4.85% APY for balances of $5,000 or more; otherwise, 0.25% APY Min. to earn $100 to open account, $5,000 for max APY Open Account for CIT Platinum Savings On CIT's Secure Website. Member FDIC.	APY 4.85% APY for balances of $5,000 or more Rate info 4.85% APY for balances of $5,000 or more; otherwise, 0.25% APY	Min. to earn $100 to open account, $5,000 for max APY
American Express® High Yield Savings APY 4.25% Rate info 4.25% annual percentage yield as of September 7, 2024 Min. to earn $0 Open Account for American Express® High Yield Savings On American Express's Secure Website. Member FDIC.	APY 4.25% Rate info 4.25% annual percentage yield as of September 7, 2024	Min. to earn $0

I put my savings on auto-pilot

I've always been a big fan of saving money, but I didn't always follow the best strategy. For many years, I made manual contributions to my savings account, which resulted in me frequently forgetting to save. But that's not the case anymore. In 2021, I finally automated the savings process, which has allowed me to stay on top of my savings goals month after month.

You can set up automatic, recurring transfers so money is transferred from your checking account to your savings account routinely. This is an excellent way to ensure you pay yourself first. You can do this through your bank's mobile app or website. Once you set everything up, the process will be automatic so you can save time and feel less stressed.

I think this is one of the biggest reasons I was able to earn over $1,200 this year from interest. If I hadn't automated the savings process, I likely wouldn't have saved as much money as I did. The more money you stash in an interest-earning bank account, the more interest you can earn. If you have savings goals you're trying to reach in 2024, you may want to consider this strategy.

Here's what I'll change in 2024

While I feel satisfied after earning more than $1,200 in interest this year, I'm not done saving money. I can't control APYs, and my high-yield savings account APY may fluctuate. But one thing I can change is how much money I contribute to my savings account. I plan to increase my savings contributions at the start of the year. This will allow me to be even more prepared for future expenses. Plus, I can continue to earn interest while my cash sits in the bank.

If you have been meaning to prioritize savings, now is your chance to set yourself up for success before 2023 ends. Consider opening a high-yield savings account and setting up automated transfers so you earn interest on your savings. Future you will be glad you did. If you're looking for more ways to improve your finances, review our personal finance resources.