Kirill Chernovol, Researcher at the Gaidar Institute's International Best Practices Analysis Department, commented for Izvestia on how to effectively build a financial safety net. The expert shared practical strategies for saving and talked about which instruments are worth paying attention to in the current economic conditions.
Speaking about the easiest way to start saving, Kirill Chernovol suggested not looking for complicated schemes, but using automation instead. “The simplest method, not even a ‘life hack’, is to automatically set aside a small, comfortable percentage of each income (salary, bonus, etc.). Banking apps, for example, allow you to make automatic deposits into savings accounts,” he explained.
The expert paid particular attention to the choice of instruments for preserving and growing savings. He named bank deposits as the most reliable option, emphasizing the importance of a favorable interest rate: “You need to find deposits with rates higher than the Bank of Russia's key rate (currently 15.5%), then your money will ‘grow’.” At the same time, he warned that it is not easy to find such offers now: the average yield even at the largest banks has fallen below this level, so you need to approach the choice of a deposit carefully, using aggregator sites and thoroughly studying the terms of the agreement.
For those considering investments, the expert recommended investing small amounts by purchasing stocks, bonds, etc. from banks. "Long-term federal bonds, known as ‘long OFZs,’ are considered reliable. Even with low interest rates, their income can be high due to price growth. In addition, securities from high-quality issuers are good instruments; today, securities from large banks and energy companies are considered “high-quality.” When it comes to riskier instruments, these are primarily stocks and higher-yield corporate bonds. They can yield higher returns than deposits, but there are no guarantees in terms of either maturity or yield," said Kirill Chernovol. At the same time, he urged caution: “The main principle is: do not invest money that you need for vacations, medical treatment, rent, children's education, or any other expenses that may arise in the coming year in risky instruments.”
The expert also noted that you can start building a safety cushion even with small amounts, without waiting for large capital. “According to Banki.ru, there are deposit offers with a minimum amount of 10,000 rubles, and the maximum rates in the catalog as of February 25, 2026, are stated at up to 17.5% per annum, which means you can start without large savings,” summarized Kirill Chernovol.