The Power of Pennies: The Saving Cents Program

Saving money isn’t always easy. With life’s twists and turns, sometimes it can feel like an uphill battle to put a percentage of your hard-earned paycheck into a savings account.¹ But there are simple solutions to grow your funds. Our Saving Cents² program can help you increase the money in your saving account effortlessly. By taking a small portion of each debit card purchase, your spare change can gradually add up. With the freedom to build your savings safety net quicker, there are many reasons to sign up. There are endless ways to use your Saving Cents funds from family expenses to big purchases. In this blog, learn how the Savings Cents program can help you reach your financial finish line sooner with the power of your spare change.

What’s the Saving Cents program?

The Saving Cents² program is a great resource for people to incrementally grow the money in their savings accounts. Every time you use your debit card, the total amount is rounded up to the increment of your choice. At the end of each day, all the extra change is deposited into your savings account.¹ Over time, the spare change from your everyday purchases can make a big difference in your savings overall.

For more information on how Saving Cents works, check out our recent blog.

What can I use the Saving Cents program for?

The possibilities for using your Saving Cents² funds are endless. Whether you are planning a large purchase or just needing a little extra cash every now and then, Saving Cents can help you reach your financial goals. With each debit card swipe, you can always know that some extra change is going to be put away for something special. Here are a few ideas for how you can use your Saving Cents funds:

1. Creating childhood memories

With the hustle and bustle of family life, sometimes big expenses come up during your kid’s afterschool activities. It seems like there’s always a bake sale to prepare for or a rehearsal to drive to, and everything comes with a price tag. With Saving Cents, spare change from everyday purchases goes towards covering items like dance shoes and costumes. So, you can cheer on your kids at their recital or game without worrying how you will pay for their experiences and memories.

2. Upgrading a new set of wheels

If you are saving for something big, putting your Saving Cents money towards it might be a good idea. On top of consistently saving money through budgeting and financial calculators, having that little extra boost of cash can help. With extra change going towards your “car fund,” you can get what you want even faster.

3. Cash in your “rainy day” fund

April showers bring May flowers, but sometimes those showers bring home repair needs. By saving a little bit each time you use your debit card, you can put a little money in your savings “just in case.” Perhaps you need to update the plumbing or redo your garden after a big thunderstorm, but you can rest easy knowing you won’t strapped for cash. So, go ahead and select the fancy bathtub you have always wanted or plant more flowers in your garden. The Saving Cents program is a great way to keep a financial safety net for a “rainy day.”

How do I sign up for Saving Cents?

Signing up for the Saving Cents program is easy. First, make sure you have both a checking³ and savings account¹ through Academy Bank. Once your accounts are set up, simply log in to Digital Banking and send us a message. You can also call or visit a branch and ask an associate for assistance. When you have confirmation that you are signed up for Saving Cents, all you have to do is make purchases with your Academy Bank debit card and watch the extra change transfer to your savings account each night.

With Saving Cents, you have the freedom to save for your important financial milestones. Whether it’s making family memories, saving for a big purchase, or stashing money away for later, Saving Cents can help you reach your goals. It’s your money, so why not use it how you need it. What are you waiting for? Enroll in the Saving Cents program today and start putting your spare change to work!

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¹$25 minimum opening deposit required. $100 minimum balance required to avoid $5 monthly service charge. $5 paper statement fee applies. Closing new accounts within 90 days of opening will result in a $20 closure fee.

² Choose from $1 to $5 increment to round up on your debit card purchases from your checking account. Each night all the extra change will automatically transfer from your checking to your savings.

³Opening deposit required. Monthly service change applies. Closing new accounts within 90 days of opening will result in a $20 early closure fee.