I used to think stashing my cash under the mattress was the way to go. There it was, my cold, hard cash, the most convenient currency out there - no need for an ATM, no need for the internet, pay and you're done.
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Until recently, that's exactly how it was. I'd occasionally stash some cash, but let's just say it wasn't exactly a thrill to do so.
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But over the past couple of years, it's become super attractive to keep my cash in a savings account. At the very least, it cancels out inflation, and at best, if I've got a decent chunk of change, it's like earning a side income.
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With interest rates on savings accounts now above 20%, I'm starting to think that buying a flat and renting it out might not be the most lucrative option after all.
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Savings Account T-Bank (formerly Tinkoff) Reviewsxa0
But as they say, nothing lasts forever, and things are always changing. Let's see what tomorrow brings.
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I've got a relatively small amount in my account for now, but even the smallest top-ups are a pleasant surprise.
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I spent ages choosing a bank. Ozone's interest rate is a bit higher, but I've got lower trust in them. Tinkoff, on the other hand, is my go-to bank.
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So, I decided to open a savings account with them.
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Savings Account T-Bank (formerly Tinkoff) ReviewsWhat's good?
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1. The savings account is super easy to open.
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Savings Account T-Bank (formerly Tinkoff) Reviewsxa0
In the app, you just select the 'save' option, choose the 'savings' section (interest rates are currently up to 24%), and the app will calculate your interest and let you pick the most convenient conditions.
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T-Bank (ex-Tinkoff) Reviewsxa0
If you make a non-replenished deposit, the conditions are better.
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T-Bank (ex-Tinkoff) Reviewsxa0
But you put your money in and forget about it until the end of the term, you can't add to it (you can only do it in 1 month), or withdraw it.
The interest rate for replenished deposits is much worse.
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T-Bank (ex-Tinkoff) Reviewsxa0
Meanwhile, the conditions for PRO, PREMIUM, and regular customers are the same when making a deposit.
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T-Bank (ex-Tinkoff) Reviewsxa0
The most profitable conditions right now are a non-replenished deposit for 3 months, with an interest rate up to 21%.
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I spent some time trying to figure out the conditions under which the interest rate is 24%, but in reality, it's capped at 21%. And it's even increased. I opened it under 18% for 3 months, and by the end of that term, the interest rate had risen by 3%.
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T-Bank (ex-Tinkoff) Reviews
xa0For myself, I've come to the conclusion that I'll only open deposits for up to 2 months, so I can open a new one with more favorable conditions.xa0
2. By the way, you can open multiple deposits at once, with different conditions.
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T-Bank (formerly Tinkoff) Reviewsxa0
3. I love that you can choose where the interest goes - either onto your card or onto your account. I'm saving, so I go with the latter.
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4. It's super convenient that you can add friends and family to the account, contribute to it together, and keep track of the balance. That's a big plus.
T-Bank (formerly Tinkoff) Reviewsxa0
5. The 'rollover' feature is a nice touch - once the initial period is up, the account automatically renews at the current interest rate. With rates going up, this might be a good thing. It's not a huge deal, but it's nice to have the option, especially if you're super busy.
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T-Bank (formerly Tinkoff) Reviews
6. For me, this has been a great motivator to save. Now, every time I make a purchase, I think twice - is it really worth spending the money, or can I put it aside for a bigger purchase later? Or just enjoy the passive income. It's really satisfying to see the balance grow.
What's weird is that having a savings account or a place to stash your money makes you more aware of your spending habits. You start thinking about what you could've done differently in the past, and how much more you could've saved.
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7. Plus, the support team is super responsive and helpful, which is a big plus.
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What's not so great?
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1. The minimum deposit is 50,000 rubles. It's not a lot, but I'd like to open smaller deposits too, because I'm unable to top up the current one. Some banks don't have a minimum deposit limit.
2. When you close the deposit early, you lose all your interest. They don't recalculate it at a lower rate or anything. You'll lose the entire amount you've earned.
3. They list the interest rate higher than it actually is. A bit of a tease. And, yeah, you can find better deals at other banks. But since this is my main bank, I decided to stick with it.
TB Bank (ex-Tinkoff) reviews
Conclusion.I initially saved money on Ozon. They offered a higher interest rate and you can top up the deposit during its term. But I read the fine print carelessly! You can top up, but the interest is only applied to the initial amount. I deposited 70,000, added another 40,000, but the interest was only applied to 10,000.
My new deposit is with Tinkoff. The initial amount was 140,000, and I added almost 10,000 in a month. After three months, I'll get an extra 7,000. It's not a lot, but more than if I'd just left the money in a piggy bank. But I do recommend reading the terms and conditions very carefully, wherever you make a deposit or open an account.
In general, everything is fine. I want to save, set aside money. The deposit stops me from making impulsive purchases. With my relatively small deposit, I get a small passive income, which is nice, I guess.
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