A flashy rate can feel like a win, especially when you’re trying to make your cash work harder without taking on risk. But the number on the homepage isn’t always the number you actually earn, and that gap can quietly cost you. Some accounts change rates fast, some require hoops you didn’t notice, and some advertise an APY that only applies up to a small balance. If you’re counting on that interest to build a bigger cushion, a mismatch between “promised” and “earned” is frustrating. Here’s how high-yield savings can mislead in practice—and how to confirm what you’re really getting.
