It’s never too early—or too late—to start saving for the future. There are many benefits to opening a savings account, even if you don’t have much money saved up yet.

So if you haven’t opened a savings account yet, now is the time to do it because of these eight reasons.

Reach your financial goals sooner

A savings account can help you reach your financial goals sooner than you may think. Whether you’re saving for a down payment on a house, a new car, or a dream vacation, having a specific goal in mind will help you stay motivated to save. And the sooner you start saving, the more time your money will have to grow.

You should also choose the right savings account. Depending on your goal, you may want to take advantage of high yield savings rates, which can help you reach your goal even faster. These accounts typically require a higher minimum balance, but the trade-off is worth it if you’re serious about saving.

Save Automatically

One of the best ways to save is to set up automatic transfers into your savings account from your checking account. This way, you can make saving a habit without having to think about it. You can typically set up automatic transfers online or through your mobile banking app.

Additionally, you may want to consider a tool like Digit, which analyzes your spending and automatically transfers small amounts of money into your savings account when you can afford it. This can be a great way to boost your savings without changing your budget.

Earn interest on your balance

Interest is the money that a bank or other financial institution pays you for keeping your money in an account with them. The interest rate is the percentage of your balance that you will earn in interest.

For example, let’s say you have a savings account with a $1,000 balance and an interest rate of 1%. This means you’ll earn $10 in interest over a year.

While the interest rate on savings accounts is typically lower than the rate on other types of investments, like stocks and bonds, it’s still a good way to grow your money without taking on much risk.

Get free money

Did you know that some employers offer matching contributions for employee 401(k)s? This is free money that can help you reach your retirement savings goals sooner. If your employer offers this benefit, be sure to take advantage of it.

On the other hand, if your employer doesn’t offer a 401(k) match, you can still get free money by contributing to a Roth IRA. With a Roth IRA, your contributions are made with after-tax dollars, which means you won’t get a tax deduction now. But when you withdraw the money in retirement, it will be tax-free.

Build your credit history

Your credit score is a number that lenders use to determine whether you’re a good candidate for a loan. The higher your score, the more likely you are to get approved for a loan and get a lower interest rate. If you have a checking account, you may already have a financial history. But if you don’t have any accounts at all, it can be difficult to build your credit score.

One way to do this is to get a secured credit card, which requires you to make a deposit that serves as collateral for the account. This deposit is usually equal to your credit limit. For example, if you have a $500 deposit, your credit limit will also be $500.

Using a secured credit card responsibly can help you build your credit history and improve your credit score. Once you’ve improved your score, you may be able to qualify for a traditional credit card with better terms.

Avoid fees

When it comes to savings accounts, there are two types of fees: monthly maintenance fees and transaction fees. Monthly maintenance fees are charged by the bank for keeping your account open. Transaction fees are charged every time you make a withdrawal or transfer from your account.

You can avoid both of these types of fees by looking for a no-fee savings account. There are plenty of options out there, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding an account that meets your needs.

For instance, an account with no monthly maintenance fee might have a higher minimum balance requirement. But if you can meet that requirement, you’ll be able to avoid the fee altogether.

Get peace of mind

A savings account can give you peace of mind knowing that you have money set aside for emergencies. This can help you avoid going into debt if something unexpected comes up.

For example, let’s say you need to replace your car tires. If you have a savings account with $500 in it, you can use that money to pay for the tires and avoid putting the expense on a credit card. Then, once you’ve paid off the tires, you can replenish your savings account so it’s ready for the next unexpected expense.

On the other hand, if you don’t have a savings account and need to pay for the tires with a credit card, you’ll not only be paying interest on the purchase, but you’ll also be adding to your debt load.

Keep your money safe

Savings accounts are FDIC-insured, which means your money is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government. This protects you in case of a bank failure. While it’s unlikely that your bank will fail, it’s always good to know that your money is safe and sound.

Additionally, in case of theft or fraud, you’re only responsible for up to $50 of unauthorized transactions if you report them within 60 days.

There are many good reasons to open a savings account. You’ll be glad you did when you have a little bit of extra cash on hand for emergencies, or when you’re ready to retire and have a nest egg to fall back on. Also, by keeping your money in a savings account, you’re helping to keep it safe from theft or fraud.

So if you haven’t opened a savings account yet, now is the time to do it!