Last Friday, I started a weekly post about products/services that I think are beneficial to the readers of In the Money.  I recommended Upromise last week as I think it is an absolutely great free service for people to save money for college or to lower their student debt.  This week I will recommend ING Direct. 

I think everyone should have a high yield savings account.  It is just silly to let your money sit in a bank account that barely pays any interest or pays none at all.  Online savings accounts can hardly be considered “high yield” these days, but it is still better than nothing.  I have had an ING Direct savings account for the last 5 years and it has been absolutely great.  It is really easy to use and very dependable and reliable.  One of the great features allows you to create separate “sub-accounts” within your savings so that you can create savings accounts for certain savings goals.  For example, if you are saving for a car or a large purchase, you can create a separate account just for that.  The savings account annual percentage yield is currently 1.3%, which really isn’t great compared to yields in the past, but I’d rather be getting 1.3% than nothing.

Even if you are using your money often, it likely doesn’t collect any interest while it is in your checking account.  ING offers a checking account that offers .25% annual percentage yield for accounts with less than $50K.  This is certainly better than the 0% you get at most banks, and they also let you withdraw money from a number of ATMs as well.  At the least, this would be something to look into.  I strongly believe in getting the most for your money, and every little bit adds up.

You can click on this link if you want to check out the ING electric orange checking account:

ING DIRECT Checking Account. Free ATMs. FDIC Insured. Open online now.

Or this link for an ING orange savings account:

Earn high interest with the Orange Savings Account – No fees, no minimums & no need to change banks! FDIC Insured.

Happy Savings!