- Personal Finance
- Banking
Some offers on this page are from advertisers who pay us, which may affect which products we write about, but not our recommendations. See our Advertiser Disclosure.
Has your savings balance finally hit $100,000? If so, congratulations on reaching this financial milestone! Chances are, you had to apply a combination of discipline and hard work to get here.
Once you've taken a beat to celebrate, you may notice a feeling of uncertainty set in, especially when it comes to deciding where to put the money. You may even feel overwhelmed when you think about spending time opening new accounts and moving the funds around.
It's natural to feel unsure about what to do with such a significant sum of money, considering it doesn't come with an owner's manual. But with that said, there are tried-and-true strategies for prioritizing where your money goes.
1. Pay off high-interest debt
If you've got high-interest debt — loans or lines of credit with an annual percentage rate (APR) of 6% or higher — do yourself a big favor and pay it off ASAP. For most people, this will include credit cards, which currently have average interest rates above 21%, and personal loans, which average over 12%.
Why should paying off debt be your first priority? Because it's uncommon to earn more than a 6% return from any investment after accounting for taxes and inflation — and it's almost unheard of to earn that much from a bank account. In other words, there's no investment that will earn you enough to offset the cost of carrying high-interest debt.
Read more: What’s more important: Saving money or paying off debt?
2. Build an emergency fund
As the saying goes, "Expect the best, but prepare for the worst." Putting some of your money into an emergency fund allows you to do just that.
You're bound to encounter an emergency expense every once in a while, such as a major car repair, a medical bill, or other unexpected cost. Having an emergency fund allows you to cover that expense without going into debt or using money earmarked for other financial goals.
The best place to keep your emergency fund is in a savings account where you can access the funds at any time without penalties. However, if you want to earn the most money possible on your emergency fund, consider putting it in a high-interest bank account, such as a high-yield savings account (HYSA) or a money market account (MMA).
Read more: The 4 best (and worst) places to keep your emergency fund
Up Next
3. Create sinking funds
Once you've created your emergency fund, the next goal to focus on is creating sinking funds for specific, upcoming purchases. Common expenses you might create a sinking fund for include:
-
Vacation
-
Wedding
-
Childbirth/maternity leave
-
Down payment on a home or car
-
Home renovation
-
College tuition
-
Planned medical procedure
-
Business taxes
Since you won't need the money right away, you can put your sinking funds into a time deposit. These accounts, which include CDs and Treasury bills, require you to leave your money on deposit for a set period of time. In exchange for tying up your money, they typically pay higher interest rates than the average savings account.
4. Max out your retirement contributions
After covering your short- and mid-term savings needs, consider boosting your tax-advantaged retirement accounts.
The best retirement account to invest in depends on some of your personal circumstances, so it's wise to seek guidance from a financial advisor. However, for many people, the best move is to contribute up to the annual maximum allowed for a 401(k) or another employer-sponsored retirement plan. If you still have savings left after that, consider putting the rest toward a traditional IRA.
With both options, you'll benefit from a reduction in your taxable income for the tax filing year, and you'll earn compound interest on your investments.
For the 2025 tax year, you can still contribute to your retirement accounts up through April 15, 2026. Here are the maximum contributions allowed:
-
401(k): $23,500 ($31,000 if age 50 or older, $34,750 if age 60-63)
-
Individual Retirement Account (IRA): $7,000 (under age 50), $8,000 (age 50 or older)
Read more: Retirement planning: A step-by-step guide
Read More
Why you should think twice about using buy now, pay later to cover holiday expenses
Half of holiday shoppers plan to use buy now, pay later to cover costs. Here’s why that could be a bad idea.
Is 'financial FOMO' sabotaging your savings?
Financial FOMO — the fear of missing out on money-related opportunities — can lead to overspending and other risky financial decisions. Here's how to stop it.
Holiday budget guide: How to save money and avoid debt this year
Don’t start the new year in the red. Here are a few practical ways to control holiday spending, boost your savings, and stay debt-free through the season.
Bill negotiation guide: How to secure lower rates and save money without cutting services
Monthly costs are rising fast. Learn how to negotiate bills for internet, insurance, and more to cut expenses and save hundreds each year.
Worried about job security? Take these 5 steps now to protect your finances.
There’s never an ideal time to lose your job. However, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your finances in case you're laid off.
