Saving money is hard. As human beings we are naturally wired to place our immediate needs (or wants) ahead of our future needs. Long term goals, like retirement, seem particularly daunting. The numbers are large, and the payoff is a long way off. Would it help to know that it gets easier the longer you do it?
Yes, the more consistently you set money aside the easier it becomes, because you are developing a habit of saving money. If you save through your company retirement savings plan, it’s even easier, because the money is whisked away before you get it.
But that isn’t what I’m talking about. The more money you save, the more your money works for you. Your money starts making money through the magic – actually the math- of compounding. Here’s what you could look forward to if you were to save the same amount of money each year, and earn an annual investment return of 7 percent.
- In eleven years, the earnings on your total savings will match your contribution in that year.
- In about six more years, the earnings on your total savings will be double your contribution in that year.
- In about three more years after that, the earnings on your total savings will be triple your contribution in that year.
Of course if your investment return is lower, it takes a bit longer for your investment earnings to match your savings contribution. If your return were only 5 percent per year, it would take about fifteen years for the earnings to match your contribution. But there is a similar pattern of doubling and tripling your contribution over ever shorter time frames following that.
Admittedly, I’m both a money and a math nerd. I find this half-life of time to essentially gain an extra year of savings through the earnings on what you’ve already saved exciting. Who wouldn’t appreciate their money working harder than they do?
That is why it is so important to begin saving for your long term goals as soon as possible. The more time you have, the more your money can do the heavy lifting for you. Your total contributions toward your goal can be smaller.
If you are struggling to find the motivation to save for something that is decades away, keep in mind that you don’t have to do all the work. Saving money is hard, so make it as easy as you possibly can. Take advantage of the magic of compounding. Save early and save often, and you won’t have to save as much.
Photo by Mert Guller on Unsplash
Julie Grandstaff 
Do you have recommendations for what type of savings account to use for this?
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Hi Kelly,
Thank you for your comment on my recent post, When Your Money Makes More Money Than You Put In.
In order to earn a return of 7 percent or even 5 percent, you need to have some exposure to the stock market. Of course, stock market investments won’t produce a return like that every year, but over time they are highly likely to average something in the neighborhood.
For retirement savings, Consider a target-date retirement fund. Both Vanguard and Fidelity have low cost options available. The best part about these investments is they automatically adjust their investment strategy as you get closer to retirement. You can invest in these funds through a brokerage account at a discount broker, such as Charles Schwab or directly with the mutual fund company.
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