When Your Money “Quiet Quits,” Put it Back to Work

You may be a successful tech professional in Silicon Valley.

You may be diligent about your budget, pay your credit card balance in full every month, and maintain a solid investment portfolio. You may even keep a significant portion of your money—let’s say, 10% of your investable assets—in a traditional savings account. It’s a safety net, a go-to for emergencies and upcoming expenses. But what you might not realize is that this "safe" cash is quiet quitting—losing its value over time while it hides out in the back office.

The Silent Wealth Drainer

When we think of cash, we often imagine it as a safe, stable part of our financial portfolio. However, cash left in low-yield accounts is not just “sitting there” getting its job done. It’s effectively losing value over time. That’s called a “cash drag” on your overall portfolio. And like an unhappy employee "quiet quitting"—showing up to work but putting in minimal effort–your idle cash is doing the same. And your portfolio is quietly missing out on its full potential.

From Quitter to Overachiever

Imagine if, instead of earning a near-zero return, you could secure a 2.5% annual yield on those funds. Sure, the current rate might hover around 5.5%, but let's not bank on interest rates sticking at that peak indefinitely. For our planning horizon, let's adopt a more conservative estimate of 2.5%. Over 30 years, that 2.5% yield could transform $100,000 into approximately $209,000.

That’s more than double—just by making your cash work a bit harder for you. 

To be clear, this isn't about taking on additional risk for higher returns; it's about harnessing the power of compounding over time. For those holding significant cash in their savings account, the difference over the long term could mean the dream home, the summer vacations with the family during retirement, or the charitable contributions you hope to make down the road. 

All of these goals could be significantly closer with just a simple adjustment to your cash management strategy.

Motivating Your Money

So how do you turn your lazy dollars into star performers? High-yield savings accounts (HYSAs), certificates of deposit (CDs), municipal bonds, and Treasury securities are all valuable alternatives to consider. Each has different tax implications, liquidity horizons, and varying yields, so the first things you need to figure out are your goals and how much of your idle money you want to transform from slacker to go-getter.

Here’s what to do:

1. Review your accounts: Look at the interest rates on your current savings and checking accounts to know what you’re currently earning.

2. Research alternatives: Compare high-yield savings accounts, CDs, Treasury securities, and municipal bonds to find the best fit for your needs.

3. Reallocate funds: Calculate how much cash you need for emergencies or short-term needs, and move the rest from low-yield accounts to higher-yield alternatives.

4. Consult an expert: Ask your digital family office to guide you through each step of the way.

Make your money work!

Your portfolio deserves better than quiet quitting. Head over to the Arta app to check out High-Yield Cash Reserve for a higher yield on your savings. Or, if you prefer a personal touch, schedule some time with our member success team and we’ll help you get started. Either way, let’s light a fire under your idle funds and make them hustle!