Spend and Save: Finding the Right Balance

No matter the time of year, it’s important to get out and explore, as well as to spend time with friends and family. Of course, this increase in activity likely means an increase in expenses that comes with eating out more often, traveling and taking part in activities that require money. While these aspects of life may be vital for your mental health, it’s also important to pay attention to your financial wellness and make sure you’re striking the right balance between spending today and saving for tomorrow. Here are three helpful tips to consider for smart spending:

1. Recalibrate retirement contributions as needed.

Check how much you’re contributing to your retirement plan. At a minimum, if your employer offers a match, you should consider the value of taking full advantage of that investment option. Over time, the benefit can be significant, as the chart below shows. For example, assume you earn $35,000 a year and contribute 6% of your salary ($2,100) annually. Also assume that your employer offers a match of 50% of your contributions up to 6% of your annual pay—which provides $1,050 more in tax-deferred contributions going directly into your plan each year. That’s like getting a raise just for saving for retirement.

This hypothetical example is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent any actual investment performance, price or yield. This illustration assumes a beginning balance of $0, assumes no increase in earnings and has an annual rate of return of 6%. Investment returns are not guaranteed, and your actual return may vary significantly from that shown.

2. Gradually build your savings.

When it comes to short- and long-term saving, starting small can make a big difference. Putting away even small amounts of money can add up over time and help you generate a cushion for those inevitable unexpected emergencies. As for long-term saving, keep in mind that an increase in your contribution rate of even one or two percent per paycheck can make a meaningful difference over time. A Retirement Savings Calculator can help you see the effect of your monthly contributions and employer match on your total retirement savings.

3. Keep track of spending.

Think about ways to reduce your spending on nonessential items that you may want but don’t necessarily need. By tracking spending and utilizing easy-to-use budgeting worksheets, like those available at mymoney.gov, you’ll always be aware of your monthly expenses and purchases, and then be able to compare them to your take-home pay and other income.

Stick to Your Plan

While retirement planning can be daunting and may initially require a great deal of focus, once you develop a game plan and stick to it, saving for retirement can be easier than you think. Once you get into the groove of contributing and budgeting, you may find yourself worrying less about saving and feeling more excited about the prospect of a secure financial future. Patience and discipline are key, but once retirement comes, they can, quite literally, pay off.

Information and interactive calculators are made available as self-help tools for independent use and are not intended to provide investment advice. We cannot and do not guarantee their applicability or accuracy in regard to individual circumstances. All examples are hypothetical and are for illustrative purposes only. We encourage individuals to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding all personal finance issues.