It should be harder to get at. Only take money out in a true emergency. This money should be for long-term goals like a college education or retirement. There's a question that James didn't ask that could affect his success. That's whether it's better to put money away in savings or to pay off credit card balances first.
Some people think so.
They believe that once you've started to save money you'll continue to save. And there's some truth to that. Using your savings account for the unusual expenses gets you out of the habit of reaching for a credit card when a crisis occurs. But, it does seem a little crazy to be borrowing money at a higher interest rate than you're getting on your savings. Achieving a debt-free lifestyle is important, too.