Should I Save or Invest My Money? (2024)

FAQs

Should I Save or Invest My Money? ›

Saving is generally seen as preferable for investors with short-term financial goals, a low risk tolerance, or those in need of an emergency fund. Investing may be the best option for people who already have a rainy-day fund and are focused on longer-term financial goals or those who have a higher risk tolerance.

A savings account is the ideal spot for an emergency fund or cash you need within the next three to five years. Good for long-term goals. Investing can help you grow money over the long term, making it a strong option for funding expensive future goals, like retirement.

Investing in yourself means putting time and money toward your own personal growth.

The future is unpredictable, and financial emergencies can crop up anytime. Saving money allows you to create a safety net for your future expenses as well as unplanned financial needs. The more you save, the more peace of mind you have, as you are better prepared for anything life throws at you.

Investing can give your savings an extra boost to help make your goals easier to attain than just saving alone. In many cases, the growth that can come from investing is a key ingredient to making financial goals achievable. Investing could be right for you if you are looking to grow your money.

At least 20% of your income should go towards savings. Meanwhile, another 50% (maximum) should go toward necessities, while 30% goes toward discretionary items. This is called the 50/30/20 rule of thumb, and it provides a quick and easy way for you to budget your money.

Making your money go further

This means the money you save buys you less over time. If you don't need to access your money for 5 years or more, investing gives it greater potential for beating inflation than savings. Keep in mind – no investments are without risk.

What is a brokerage account? An account used to buy investments like stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.

Investing is best when you're looking to maintain the value of your money with a little bit of growth. You earn interest in a savings account and a return by investing in the stock market. Putting your money in a savings account is best if you'll need to withdraw the money in the near future.

When you invest in yourself, you gain knowledge and skills that can lower the amount of time you focus on things that are less important to you and more time on things that make you happy. Even though you may not see the impact of your investment right away, investing in yourself can greatly impact your life over time.

Is it bad not to save money? ›

Many Americans struggle to save money but it's worth the effort since there are serious downsides to not stashing away cash. These can range from going into debt, facing financial hardship after losing your job, and not being able to achieve your aspirations, like homeownership.

1. You get a dollar for dollar return. One of the best things about saving more money is that you get to enjoy all of the money you saved. On the flip side, when you make more money you have to pay tax on those extra earnings.

Over time, your savings will compound, and you'll be able to reach your financial goals more easily. Additionally, it's important to track your spending and look for ways to cut back on unnecessary expenses so that you can save more.

Saving is generally seen as preferable for investors with short-term financial goals, a low risk tolerance, or those in need of an emergency fund. Investing may be the best option for people who already have a rainy-day fund and are focused on longer-term financial goals or those who have a higher risk tolerance.

Millionaires prioritize avoiding consumer debt, making wise financial decisions, and aligning spending with long-term goals.

Saving provides a safety net and a way to achieve short-term goals, while investing has the potential for higher long-term returns and can help achieve long-term financial goals. However, investing also comes with the risk of losing money.

Start saving and investing today.

When you're in your 20s, time may be your most valuable asset. Consider saving 10% to 15% of your pre-tax income for retirement, but even if you only have a smaller amount to invest each month, it may still be worth it. Time in the market is key. Get started as soon as you can.

Investing, on the other hand, involves putting your money into financial instruments like stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and mutual funds. Investing is riskier than saving, but can also earn higher returns over the long term.

The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.

Imagine you wish to amass $3000 monthly from your investments, amounting to $36,000 annually. If you park your funds in a savings account offering a 2% annual interest rate, you'd need to inject roughly $1.8 million into the account.