Research in Ireland has found that women tend to be better than men at saving money.  Of course, such ‘data’ will likely fuel the old ‘it’s official, women are better than men at something else – add that to the list above driving, multi-tasking and smelling nice,’ argument that has been muttered, countered, and accepted since the dawn of time.  Yet, it also shows something more positive, i.e. that a nation also looks to be battling its way out of recession quite successfully – and that more people may now be aware of the importance of savings.

The research (collected and available at postbank.ie) shows that more than half (58 percent) of men and women asked in their Quarterly Savings Index consider the female of the species to be the better savers.  Women themselves are confident that they the most frugal gender, with 65 percent claiming that they were the best savers. Yet, the actual statistics pitch men and women closer together – with 80 percent of men and 82 percent of women saving regularly – whilst men are said to put more savings away using high interest savings accounts like offshore savings with a third of those asked stating that they saved €250 a month.

The data is a good sign.  The number of people devoted to saving is the highest in years, and the primary reason for doing so is security.  This is a fact that is evident when one acknowledges the average decline in interest rates across the country – similar to that which is being seen in the UK and the rest of Europe – but it has also been backed up by nearly half (49 percent) of the Postbank respondents who admitted they were concerned about the safety of their money at a time when possible unemployment is a lingering reality.

However, the risk of unemployment is clearly not the only reason that many are eager to put some money away each month.  Clearly the system is showing its worth aside from the benefits of interest available at times outside of recession.  With a small proportion of our income being deposited into our savings account automatically, it is easier to forget it is happening, and less easy for us to spend it without thinking.  There is a barrier that doesn’t exist when you’re stuffing cash into your mattress.

With the global economic crisis, the public are seemingly reassessing the importance of saving and how it can best be managed at a time when it is seen as both difficult and vital.  However, alongside each individual’s assessment of their own responsibility and that of the banks over their savings, such control no doubt has a knock on effect on how they treat their finances generally.

Moving is stressful.  There is nothing worse than getting all of your “stuff” to the new place and working with one of many moving companies, only to discover you can’t find anything without digging through every box and tote to find what you’re looking for.  Here are some tips to help organize your next move:

Get Supplies That Let You Prepare

Several weeks before your scheduled moving date, the following supplies should be obtained to make it possible for you to pack everything and still find it when you get where you’re going:

• boxes of all sizes, at least 20, but probably more!
• Packing tape
• Black markers to label boxes
• Furniture dolly / mover’s cart
• newspapers for wrapping glass and breakables

Clean Out!

Most people have clutter and unnecessary items hidden all over their homes.  Why move those unneeded items to your new home?  Now is a great time to do a deep cleaning.  Recycle anything that is in good shape but is no longer needed by giving it away, selling in a yard sale, or donating to charity.

Room by Room

The most organized way to pack for the movers is to put a few boxes in each of your rooms, and only pack items from one room into each box.  If your moving in summer, you can start with your winter items (and vice versa) since you won’t be needing them for awhile.

As you fill each box, close and secure with packing tape and label the box with the room and a quick description of what’s in the box.  Mark all breakable items with big letters, FRAGILE, on several sides of the box.  An example would be:

• bathroom, towels and washcloths
• kitchen, baking dishes. FRAGILE

If you’re going to use storage facilities at all, you need to do a very diligent job of preparing to move. Make sure to clearly label what’s going with you and what’s being put in storage.

Moving Day

When the big day arrives, you should pick up the UHaul or other moving vehicle you’ve borrowed or rented, and begin moving your items out.  It’s a good idea to move your big furniture pieces in first, stacking and consolidating space as much as possible.  You can often flip a loveseat upside down and place on top of a full size couch; turn bookshelves and cabinets upright and then fill the inside of their shelves with smaller items, etc.

Try to keep all boxes with FRAGILE on them in one section, to make it easier to keep track of where the boxes are that need special care.

Unloading

When you reach your new home, resist the urge to bring everything into the first room you come to and dump it!  While you don’t need to set up your furniture configurations immediately, moving items into the rooms they belong to prevents having to move everything multiple times.

Free savings accounts do still exist.  A free savings account should be a standard feature offered by your financial institution.  A savings account is a specific account that is maintained by a bank or other financial institution. It is set up for the purpose of saving money not spending it.  Savings accounts also entitle the owner of the account to earn interest from this account.  The amount of interest earned is based on the amount that is in the account.  A savings account is different than a checking account in that the money in the savings account is not to be used for routine spending such as that of a checking account.  A savings account is set up to encourage the account holder to save and earn interest based on those savings.

The good news is that most financial institutions, especially traditional banks, offer free savings accounts.  Beware that even though they are advertised as free,  there are usually some stipulations or potential fees that go along with an account; even a free one.  There may be fees associated with the account down the line if you fail to adhere to the rules and regulations that govern the account.

Typically opening up a savings account at any financial institution requires a certain minimum amount to open the account.  Even though the account itself may be free, charges may apply if you do not maintain a certain amount in your account. To open up a savings account and make the minimum deposit requires little more than signing on the dotted line and making your first deposit.

The following points can offer some guidance to finding and locating the best free savings account.

• If you currently have a bank or credit union that you do business with, the best option is to start there.  Many times the relationship you have with an existing financial institution allows you some perks and benefits that are not often offered to the general public.

• Talk with your lender about what you are looking for from your savings account.  You want to get the best return from your money.

• If you are starting from scratch to locate a free savings account, start by calling around to banks or look online to shop for free savings accounts.  Once you have located two or three options, start making calls to talk with the lender about what these accounts entail and what you may need from a savings account.

• Ask if there are fees and costs associated with opening and maintaining the savings account.  Be sure to ask about any hidden or less than obvious rules or stipulations to maintain this account.

• Research and compare the interest rates, amount of investment necessary to avoid the opening fee and the penalties associated with withdrawing funds from the savings account.

• Identify the best account for yourself and arrange to save the amount of money necessary for the initial deposit.  When you are searching for a free savings account, ensure that you read the fine print to avoid unnecessary costs that may be incurred down the line.  Speaking with a representative is the best way to ensure that you are getting the best account for your needs.  Saving for a home is different than saving for a vacation.  You want to ensure that you are getting the best return rates for an account that meets your specific needs.

With the average consumer showing a renewed interest in growing their savings in a low risk environment, high yield savings accounts are becoming more popular. High yield savings accounts, also referred to as high interest savings accounts are a great option for savers who want the opportunity for growth but lack a higher risk tolerance. High yield savings accounts also address liquidity issues that are present with other savings vehicles such as a certificate of deposit. If this type of savings account meets your savings goals you are in luck. There are literally hundreds of accounts across the nation offering a wide variety of benefits as well as varying savings rates. While having so many options to choose from promotes a more competitive environment for the banks offering high yield savings accounts, this can also work against the average consumer looking for the best account to reach their financial goals. Here we offer basic tips on how to find the best high yield savings account to meet your needs.

• Find the best rate- Obviously one of the first things you will look for is the best interest rate available. Fortunately this can be done with relative ease using the Internet. There are many websites that do the work for you, narrowing down the list of potential accounts by comparing rates and other benefits, eliminating much of the leg work needed to find the best account. Remember that interest rates do change, therefore it is important to base your decision on other factors besides the interest rate alone.
• Online versus brick and mortar- There are benefits and drawbacks to each type of banking. With online banking you often find better (higher) interest rates due to the fact that online banks do not have the same overhead as brick and mortar banks. Conversely online banks do not always offer the same range of services and convenience that you might find at a local branch. Which account is best for you depends largely on your own unique banking needs.
• Security- Your savings are not automatically safe simply because they are in a bank. Do your research first to ensure your account is FDIC insured and the bank with which you are dealing is reputable and trustworthy.

High yield savings accounts are a great way to save money with a decent interest rate that allows for some grow opportunity while giving the account holder access to their cash without fear of fees or penalties. Any effort made to increase savings will improve both your short and long term financial health.

It is important when deciding how and where to invest your savings that you understand the options available to you. While the economy is constantly changing there are some low-risk investments that appeal to investors who are balancing their portfolio or simply unwilling to place money in higher risk vehicles.

I Bonds are basically savings bonds that are issued to consumers by the U.S. Treasury. Backed by the U.S. government, there is virtually no risk of default. The interest rate for the I Bond is adjusted by the changes in the inflation rate. I Bonds have a maturity of five years, however you are able to redeem them earlier than that (minimum twelve month holding period) if you are willing to forfeit the earned interest for the previous three months. After five years an I Bond can be redeemed without penalty and all interest earned is exempt from local and state income tax. Here we look at frequently asked questions regarding I Bonds.

Where can I purchase I Bonds?

I Bonds can be purchased electronically through the government website TreasuryDirect.gov or in person at most financial institutions. There is also an option online to convert existing paper savings bonds to electronic securities using the SmartExchange^sm program.

How much will it cost?

I Bonds are sold at face value which means if you want to invest $100 it will cost you $100. When purchasing online you must invest a minimum of $25. Purchased in person at a financial institution, I Bonds are available in the following denominations; $50, $75, $100, $200, $500, $1,000 and $5,000. The maximum amount of I Bonds that can be purchased in one year is $5,000.

What are the eligibility requirements to purchase I Bonds?

Unlike some other investment vehicles, there are no income restrictions or complicated exclusions with I Bonds. To buy an I Bond you must only be 18 years of age and have a valid social security number.

How are interest rates determined?

The interest rate for the I Bond is actually determined by combining two different rates; the fixed rate and inflation rate. The fixed rate is announced in May and November of each year and will apply to all bonds issued during that period. The fixed rate will remain the same for the life of the I Bond. Added to the fixed rate is the inflation rate which is based on the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers. This rate is also announced each year in May and November.

As to whether or not an I Bond is a good investment, it all depends on what type of risk and return you are looking for when investing your money. The I Bond may not offer the biggest return, however if you are looking for a low risk investment that is fairly liquid, this is a good option to consider.

If you have children, teaching them about how to manage their money is not an option. Teaching them about money is just as important as teaching them how to read or how to drive a car. It’s a necessary skill for anyone to function in society. Unfortunately, most of us drop the ball in raising our children up in a manner where they are ready to manage their financial situation when they head off into college or enter into the business world.

You don’t have to teach your child about derivatives trading or specific tax deductions, but they should have a solid foundation and understand the importance of giving, saving and spending. One tool that is extremely helpful to teach their kids to save is a savings account. By teaching your child to save up for something and pay for it, you are teaching them the concept that delayed pleasure equals success.

Perhaps the best savings account for children is SmartyPig. SmartyPig allows its customers to create savings goals and then develop a savings plan in which they save a certain amount of money each month to meet that goal.

Once the goal is met, SmartyPig will transfer your savings amount back to you or provide you with a gift card (with a bonus) to the retailer that you want to make your purchase at. If you opt for the gift card option, you are also teaching your children the value of being intentional and savvy about their finances. If they do research and figure out how to do things the right way, they can get even more money than they had to begin with.

Bet setting your child up with a savings account, you will also teach them the power of compound interest .Watching a saving account grow via compound interest can help teach a child the importance and benefits of saving and investing at an early age.

Perhaps the most important lesson that your child will learn with a SmartyPig account is the power of setting and achieving goals. They will see the direct correlation between the amount of effort that they put in and the results of their success.

At SmartyPig, your savings are FDIC insured and there are no monthly fees. The initial deposit is just $25.00 and you’ll earn a 2.15% APY on balances under $50,000– one of the best rates available for an FDIC insured savings account.

A great savings plan for a child is to have them contribute to a 529 or RESP plan.