Finances are many peoples Achilles Heel. Figuring out what to do with your money leaves many a sleepless night. Having questions like these above is not uncommon and are very realistic. Follow even just a few of these attainable ideas can pay dividends.

Saving for the future can be a complicated and intimidating process to think about. With all the questions of "how much will I need and when will I need it?" One can't help just throwing up their hands and not bothering. The burden gets heavier for those who have been laid off in the last couple of years and have either lost or had to use their retirement savings.

Get in touch with a human resources representative at work and ask about employee benefits that you can take advantage of. Many private businesses offer 401(k) plans and many public employers have 457(b), or 403(b) plans. With these you can defer whatever amount of pre-taxed income you set for retirement. In some cases, the employer will match your contributions to your account. These accounts have advisors that guide you along to show you what you can save vs. what you still need to live.

If these types of accounts aren't available to you and you can't afford to do it either by yourself, or with the help of a financial advisor, see what products your bank offers. Many banks try to be as competitive with their interest rates on CD's, Money Market Accounts (MMA's) and Savings Accounts. These can either be through brick-and-mortar banks or online banks. In most cases, you will find much higher rates online.

Depending on how much money you have liquid, able to spend, you may have to put more of it into a CD or MMA in order to get a more worthwhile rate. The problem with this is you can't draw from it before it's due date without getting assessed a penalty (fine) by the bank. That means more of your money is tied up long term to get a better return.

If you can't part with enough extra money to make CD's worth it, look at online savings accounts. There are many online banks offering rates comparable to CD's that can remain liquid. Some don't even require a minimum deposit in order to open an account; or that minimum is reasonable. Ally Bank's rate is currently at 1.29% with no minimum deposit required. There are a few banks with slightly higher rates but require high minimum deposits.

An online savings account may be the way to go for many right now. You get a relatively high interest-rate and can still use your money without penalties. Link the savings account with your current checking account and set up a small weekly deduction to your savings that you won't notice. You're basically paying yourself. 

Saving for the future doesn't have to be so intimidating. If you feel overwhelmed, you're not alone. It may not hurt to sit down with a financial advisor and at least find a path to take.