Category: Saving

If you go by the book, you would shoot for 10% to 20% of your gross income. But that ballpark figure can be deceiving. Savings and retirement estimators are helpful, but often misleading, tools. These calculators can be insufficient to determine how much money you should be saving based on a few calculations. It’s not wise to solely trust calculators to tell you if you’re adequately prepared for an emergency or retirement. In addition, some people trying these calculators may be so discouraged by the numbers they see that the tools end up not helping at all. If you looked in a financial planning textbook, an individual should be saving 10% to 20% of his or her gross income. However, that number, in and of itself, doesn’t tell the entire story. To estimate how much money you should be saving you can’t rely on general advice. And maybe that isn’t the right question to be asking anyway. Maybe instead of asking how much should you be saving, you should ask yourself how much can you save? Are you saving as much as possible? In a time when many Americans live without an adequate safety net, prioritizing savings is increasingly difficult for many people. Here are a few things to consider as you start thinking about your savings goals and how to ramp them up. Lifestyle Choices Affect Savings One of the biggest obstacles to savings is living outside of one’s means. Acquiring debt, installment payments and frequent “Keeping up with the Joneses” spending binges consume funds that could otherwise be saved and earn interest. That probably doesn’t come as a surprise to you, but what if you are living within your means? Your money decisions money can still have an impact on your ability to save. We all can do better. Not being purposeful in aligning your current spending with your priorities will undoubtedly leave you falling short of achieving your goals. I have seen many people who say being prepared financially for retirement is extremely important to them. However, when you look at their finances you quickly see that they’re spending a major portion of their income maintaining their current lifestyle. For example, I knew one man who was saving 6% of his gross income in a retirement account, while also receiving a 3% match from his employer. The problem was that he was also spending, on average, 20% more a month than what he made, running up credit card and home equity debt while depleting his savings. While he was saving for his future, at the same time he was destroying his current wealth and on the path to financial distress. The Curse of Instant Gratification Another problem many families face is the drive for instant gratification. Instant gratification is a curse to savings, in part because of the ease and convenience of both online shopping and digital banking. Advancing technologies facilitate spending money, and consumer demand drives technology’s march forward. More than simple wasteful spending, instant gratification may sometimes include necessary and functional purchases — just at the wrong time. For example, many people like driving a new car with the latest technology, but do you really need it? You may need a car because of where you live or your job, however do you need to purchase the latest model factory delivered with all of your specifications? Ways to defer gratification include: Make a list of wants, and save toward large purchases so you can pay in cash. These don’t have to be major purchase like a home or car, but could be a family vacation, a new washer and dryer or that new Ultra 4K TV. Use a debit card for purchases, not a credit card. If the money isn’t in the account, don’t make the purchase. Leave credit or debit cards behind completely and use only cash. Basically, don’t blow your money. Simple enough, right? But even the rich and famous can have trouble with that concept. Take Johnny Depp. His business managers, whom he is suing, say his “lavish spending” — $30,000 per month on wine, $200,000 per month on private jets and reportedly $75 million to buy homes, a horse farm in Kentucky and several islands in the Bahamas — has put him in dire straits. Saving enough for wants, emergencies and other unpredictable expenditures means having enough money left over from paychecks to save. For many this will be a difficult change to make. It will mean that you are willing to exercise financial discipline and delay purchases until you can afford them while also meeting your savings goals. Conclusion No calculator or estimator can come up with the exact amount for any one person to save. Knowing what to prepare for is personal to each individual situation. Every person who wonders how much to save must first examine a larger picture that includes long-term financial goals, lifestyle choices, spending habits, wants, desires and necessities. It is a personal decision that deserves thoughtful contemplation and strategic financial planning. If you are currently wondering how much you should be saving to reach your version of financial success, you can always reach out to a Certified Financial Planner. The time you take now to prepare for your financial future can make all the difference in your long-term quality of life. Source: Kiplinger.com

Parents know all too well that getting food on the table doesn't come cheap. If you're not careful about your expenses, you might just blow a good portion of your paycheck on a routine stop at the supermarket. To help you figure out if you're overspending on food for your family, budgeting website Growing Slower created a monthly grocery spending guidelines chart. The guideline, which was shared by The Real Deal of Parenting Facebook page, uses data from the USDA's Cost of Food report to make recommendations for a thrifty monthly grocery budget based on family size. The chart starts with a family of one and goes up to a family of 11. For just a mom, dad and child, for example, Growing Slower suggests dedicating between $475 and $558 a month on groceries. For a family of six, the range is $768 to $999 per month. The chart can be seen here or below: Family Size (Total) Thrifty Monthly Grocery Budget 1 $200 - 227 2 $392 3 $475 - 558 4 $557 - 707 5 $633 - 882 6 $768 - 999 7 $870-1089 8 $1013-1216 9 $1166-1343 10 $1355-1442 11 $1543-1536   When the chart was shared on The Real Deal of Parenting's Facebook page, a lot of parents were surprised at how they actually spent less than the range given for their size family. Though, it's worth noting that a family of four that includes a toddler and a breastfeeding baby is very different than one that includes two voracious middle-schoolers. It's also not a complete science — it doesn't account for the cost of groceries in more expensive cities, and it doesn't account for extra spending on meals out of the house. So take it with a grain of bargain salt, and see if your family's spending is on track. Source: PopSugar.com

We’re over 1 month into 2018, a time when many people are still riding the motivation high of their New Year’s resolutions. People resolve to save more and spend less, pay off debt, and accumulate funds for a future purpose. But even if you have those goals firmly placed in your mind, when it comes to the action steps and decisions it takes to reach those goals, many people battle internal thoughts and external stimulus. There are two voices playing in your head. Typically, one voice outshouts the other, making it the winner of your decision-making process. There are several types of conversations that might play out at various times. For example, one voice might be urging you to spend on something fun or frivolous, while the other tells you that it won’t be quite as much fun when the bill comes in next month. It might sound something like this: “Wow, look at that __________! You’ve always wanted it!” “Gee, yeah, I’ve been thinking about buying it. But, I don’t know….” “Come on, you KNOW you want it. You deserve it, you work hard!” “I’ve been working really hard to keep my spending under control…” “Which is one of the reasons why you should have it. You know, a reward for how well you’re doing!” The internal conversation continues until one voice wins — causing you to spend or save. Your inner voices battle, unless one is clearly stronger than the other, and it will lead you to one of two paths: living closer to your values or money misery. The good news is that you know what to do and which voice to heed. The bad news is that sometimes, the cacophony is simply too overbearing to find clarity. It might take a “third party”, so to speak, to help you decide: your gut. The voice that is urging you to go off plan will typically awaken that feeling in your stomach reminding you about that something that might not be aligned with your values. Your gut feelings are worth trusting. You know from your money history whether your decisions have led you towards positive outcomes or frustrating problems. Here are five action steps to making the right financial decisions: 1. Make a list of the last five financial decisions you’ve made. 2. Which voice swayed your decision? 3. If you could go back and do it over, would you make the same decision again? 4. What did you THINK about when making the decision? 5. What did you FEEL when you made the decision? Chances are, you might not even remember what you thought or felt — your decision might have been that quick and decisive. But nonetheless, there was a process. Whether it was deciding on purchasing a bottle of water, a snow blower, or to invest in a particular security, you went through a process of deciding. Be present and aware of your decisions and whether those decisions are being made with your values in mind. Be aware of which voice is speaking and whether it is pulling you away from your goals or supporting your choices to live within your financial boundaries. Check in with your gut and decide whether what you’re “hearing” is genuinely what you want. Your awareness is necessary in order to achieve financial success — there are no magic bullets or potions. There is only you, your values, and your ability and willingness to listen to the right voice. Source: Forbes.com

Electric bills are kind of a mystery. You always remember to turn off the lights before you leave, so why is your bill still sky high? The average household spends about $112 a month on energy bills and prices are steadily rising, according to the Energy Information Administration.  The first step to demystifying your electricity bill, and hopefully reducing it, is to take stock of where you use the most energy.  "Cutting energy waste results in energy savings, but it also translates into money savings," said Kateri Callahan, president of the Alliance to Save Energy, a coalition that promotes energy efficiency. You can find a professional energy auditor to help you assess your home's energy use, potentially for free, through your electric company or the Department of Energy’s website. If you follow their efficiency upgrade recommendations, you could shave 5% to 30% off your energy bill.  Free and Easy Lifestyle Changes Can Add Up Heating/Cooling Heating and cooling takes up the largest chunk of your monthly energy bill, but cutting back doesn't have to mean being uncomfortable. Callahan recommends cleaning your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit every 30 days to keep the system running efficiently. “If you’ve got clogged or dirty filters, you’re just using more energy to push that air through,” she said. Keeping the blinds open in the winter and closed in the summer can also reduce the burden on your HVAC system, she added. Using a ceiling fan instead of your air conditioner can keep temperatures and costs low in the summer.  These three steps combined can save you anywhere from $62 to $118 per year, Energy Impact Illinois estimates. Water heaters Water heaters are typically large energy consumers and Callahan suggests lowering the temperature on your water heater from the standard 140°F to 120°F. This can reduce water heating costs by 4%-22% annually, according to the Department of Energy. Washing your clothes in cold water can cut costs since about 90% of the electricity consumed by washing machines is used to heat the water. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that can save the average household up to $40 per year. Air drying your clothes can further reduce energy consumption and save you money.  Appliances A typical American home has 40 products that are constantly drawing power, even if they're not in use. This is responsible for 10% of your electricity use, according to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Energy vampires, like your phone charger, computer and coffeemaker, can cost the average household $100 a year, according to the Energy Dept., and should always be unplugged when not in use. “An easy way to do this and make sure it all gets done is to have a power strip,” said Callahan. Power strips make it easy to unplug everything at once, and smart power strips automatically cut power to devices that are in standby mode. If you're diligent, you can cut your standby power consumption by 30%, the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory reports.  Discounts Although you probably only interact with your utility company when it's time to pay the bill, Dr. Iain Walker, a scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, recommends checking its website for savings opportunities. Some utility companies offer rebate programs and off-peak rates which can be up to 30% cheaper, Walker said. "There's a lot of good stuff out there," he said. Customers can capitalize on this by "load shifting," or saving energy-intensive activities until the rates are low.  Long term investments: Bigger savings Behavioral changes do add up, but you have to alter your home to really make a difference in energy consumption, Walker said. Long-term savings come from bigger investments, like getting new windows or proper insulation. If you're planning on upgrading your appliances, many companies and states offer rebates that make it cheaper to purchase energy saving technology, like LED bulbs or Energy Star certified appliances.  "The more you spend, the more you save," he said. Heating/cooling Seal leaks, doors and windows. Homeowners should start by buying cheap caulk and weatherstripping, Callahan says. This can reduce energy use by at 15% to 30% on your heating and cooling costs each year, the Department of Energy estimates. "Those cracks and leaks can be the equivalent of a 3 foot by 3 foot window open all the time," Callahan said. Buy a programmable thermostat. For as little as $20, you can automatically set your thermostat back 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day. Doing so can save up to 10% on your heating and cooling costs, according to the Department of Energy. "That’s a great way to make sure that you’re not wasting energy when no one’s home except the goldfish," she said.  Install or add insulation. Insulation can cut your costs but estimated savings varydepending on your location and fuel type. "There are many utility programs out there that will give you a pretty good rebate if you add insulation to your home," Walker said.  Lighting Both experts recommend switching to LED bulbs, which last much longer and are 90% more efficient than traditional bulbs.  Replacing your five most used lights with Energy Star approved LED bulbs can save you $75 per year.  Appliances "Don't throw out good equipment, but if you’re in the market or the systems are getting old, buy the most efficient items," said Callahan. Energy efficient appliances sometimes cost more upfront, but can save you money in the long run. An Energy Star certified refrigerator, for example, could set you back about $800 or more depending on the size, but the you could save $260 in energy costs in five years. Source: USAToday.com

Taking just a little time now (even just an hour) can save you a lot of stress, money and time later on when you'd rather enjoy the holiday season. If that gets your attention, keep reading for a few easy, important tips to get organized now for a successful shopping season later. Dig out last year's shopping list. In today's digital age, "digging out" last year's shopping list is hopefully as easy as opening a saved file on your computer, tablet or smartphone. Take a look at who you shopped for last year and how much you spent. This can refresh your memory, help create a budget for this year and kick-start your new shopping list. Create a budget. Knowing how much you spent on gifts last year is helpful, but you should also survey this year's financial situation to see how much you can afford to spend. If you have a savings account for holiday shopping, check the balance. Also see what expenses are coming up and make sure you have a cushion for emergencies. When creating a budget for the holidays, give yourself a spending limit for gifts and don't forget to account for entertaining and party hosting, decorations and travel costs. For even more control over your budget, you can narrow down a budget per person on your shopping list. If this is sounding like more lists than you know how to manage, you'll want to check out the next tip. Download a holiday planning app. Technology saves the day again: There are several helpful (and free) apps to help you plan, budget and organize the holiday season. Santa's Bag is a popular iOS app that gives you an easy and colorful platform for budgeting, planning and checking off the items on your list. You can create a total budget amount and an amount per person, and the app will automatically update your budgets when you tell it how much you spent. The app allows you to enter everything from your gift ideas to whether an item has been purchased and even wrapped. For Android users, Christmas Gift List is a similar solution with the ability to track all your shopping, keep an overall and per person budget, and even archive lists so you can check back on previous years. Prioritize your shopping. After you start your list, you might notice there are a few gifts that are more specific than others. Your wife might be hoping for a new cashmere sweater, but your daughter has that specific new smartphone in mind – plus, she'd love it in that hard-to-find color. For gifts that will fly off the shelves early, make a priority to get these first. Of course, waiting for the week of Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday will give you the best chance of finding a deal, but you may want to keep an eye out for savings starting now. Note which gifts on your list need early attention and which ones are more generic or flexible that can wait until later. Subscribe to stores and coupon websites. Now is the perfect time to get on the email lists of the stores where you know you'll do most of your shopping. You'll be first to know when they have flash sales or free shipping days. You can also follow the accounts of your favorite shops on social media for exclusive sales and promotions. Subscribe to coupon and cash back websites and sign up for alerts now, and you'll have all the best deals hitting your inbox directly – the perfect solution when you need an idea for the sibling who has everything. See, that wasn't too hard. Now that you spent a little time getting organized for the holidays, you can go back to enjoying fall. Here's one last tip: Stock up on heavily discounted candy the day after Halloween and use it for delicious holiday dessert recipes next month.  Source: Money.USNews.com