Are You Saving Enough in 2025? What the Data Says About Falling Short (Plus: Where to Keep Conservatorship Funds)

NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

NerdWallet Personal Finance

Business, Education, Investing, How To

4.2 • 665 Ratings

🗓️ 19 June 2025

⏱️ 24 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Learn whether you’re saving enough money in 2025. Then, learn where to keep conservatorship funds to safely earn interest. What is the average American saving in 2025? Where can you keep conservatorship funds to earn interest? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola tackle a listener’s question about how to grow savings when managing a conservatorship account. But first, Elizabeth welcomes Anna Helhoski, NerdWallet senior writer, and Erin El Issa, NerdWallet data writer, to discuss new findings from NerdWallet’s midyear savings report. They cover how much Americans are saving in 2025, what they’re saving for, and the biggest barriers, even for high earners. Erin shares strategies for getting back on track with your savings goals, including how to start small, automate contributions, and make use of tools like “sinking funds.” Then, host Sean Pyles joins Elizabeth to answer a listener's question about how to grow savings when you're managing a conservatorship account. They welcome NerdWallet banking writer Margarette Burnette, who explains the special requirements of conservatorship accounts, why most online banks won’t support them, and how to shop for the best fit. They discuss how credit unions may offer the right balance of customer service and flexibility, what features to compare when choosing an account, and why convenience and compliance often outweigh high interest rates in these cases. NerdWallet’s roundup of the best high-yield savings accounts: https://www.nerdwallet.com/best/banking/high-yield-online-savings-accounts See NerdWallet’s lists of the best banks and credit unions that can help you manage and grow your funds more optimally: https://www.nerdwallet.com/p/best/banking/best-banks-and-credit-unions How to decide between a credit union and a bank: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/banking/credit-unions-vs-banks In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: how to save money, emergency funds, 2025 savings trends, high-yield savings accounts, conservator savings account, conservatorship account, savings goals, savings by income level, how much to save per month, automating savings, sinking fund, saving for travel, saving for emergencies, online savings account, savings barriers, low interest savings, saving with a high income, credit union vs bank, managing someone else's money, saving for medical expenses, pet emergency savings, budgeting for short-term goals, CDs vs savings accounts, 529 plans, UTMA account, retirement account options, IRA vs 401k, APY drops explained, saving for gifts, saving for kids expenses, certificate of deposit, NerdWallet savings survey, savings tips 2025, and setting savings goals. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected]. Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	On June 25th, Ironheart arrives on Disney Plus.
0:03.0	Rui, what is going all with you?
0:04.8	From Marvel Television, an executive producer, Ryan Coogler.
0:07.8	I wanted to build something undeniable, but now I'm in trouble.
0:10.7	Don't miss the sixth episode of Vand.
0:12.7	I joined a crew of criminals, and now I'm about to get killed by a Drenched Man in a Cake.
0:17.4	Be the first to experience the all-new series.
0:20.5	You've bitten off a hell of a lot more than you can chew.
0:22.7	Don't you'll have.
0:23.5	Marvel Television's Iron Hard.
0:25.4	Streaming June 20th, only on Disney Plus.
0:27.7	18 plus subscription required.
0:29.1	Deas and Cs and Cs Apply.
0:30.5	Today on the show, we're saving you.
0:33.2	Wait, no, we're not saving you.
0:35.6	We're teaching you all about savings and why and how Americans
0:39.2	are saving. Or maybe they're not.
0:47.3	Welcome to NerdWallet Smart Money Podcast, where you send us your money questions and we answer
0:52.4	them with the help of our genius nerds.
0:54.7	I'm Elizabeth Ayola.
0:56.7	Later this episode, we're going to be talking about how you can grow your savings when you're a conservator for a family member.
1:03.0	But first of all, our weekly money news roundup, where we break down the latest in the world of finance to help you be smarter with your money.
	...

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