Key Takeaways Traditional savings accounts preserve your balance but rarely outpace inflation, eroding your money's value. Balances left dormant for too long may be handed over to the state. It's smart to put your savings somewhere it can earn a high return. The best high-yield savings accounts pay 12 times the national average. Putting cash away in a savings account feels reassuring, but comfort alone can come at a cost. Between inflation and the rising cost of living, any account earning less th ...