Why Is Saving So Important?
We save, basically, because we can't predict the future. If we could, we would know
precisely how much money we would need for the things that we want and need in the
future. But because we can't do this, the need to save money for the future is vital.
Think about these few reasons why:
Emergency cushion - This could be any number of things: a new roof
for the house, out-of-pocket medical expenses, or a job layoff and sudden loss of
income. You'll need money set aside for these emergencies to avoid going into debt
to pay for what you need.
Retirement – If you intend to retire someday, you'll probably need
savings and/or investments to take the place of the income you'll no longer get
from your job.
Average Life Expectancy – With more advances in medicine and public
health, people are now living longer (and needing more money to get by).
Volatility of Social Security – Social Security was never intended
to be the primary source of income and should be treated as a supplement to income.
Education – The costs for private and public education are rising
every year, and it's getting tougher to meet these demands.
Without money put away in savings and/or investments, you may open yourself up to
other risks as well. For example, not having enough money to pay for emergency dental
care may force you into taking a loan that your savings might otherwise have covered.
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