How much money should I have in my checking account?

Checking and savings accounts don't earn much interest, so there are better places to park your money if you don't need it immediately. In your checking account: at least a month of net pay A good rule of thumb is to keep at least one month of net pay in your checking at all times. read more

Why So Many People Ask This Question: Building up your cash cushion can be a double-edged sword. Since it's easy to have too much or too little, many people are eager to find that just-right Goldilocks number. read more

Your goal with a checking account should keep enough to pay the month’s bills, have a little extra to access when you need cash and a buffer to avoid potential overdrafts. Everything else should be kept safely in savings because your checking account can quickly become a financial weak spot. read more