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Cape Town - Saving is essential, yet it is frightful how many people delay this process. As the end of the month draws near, there never seems to be enough money left over to start saving for emergencies or children’s education, let alone retirement.
FNB Savings & Investments takes a look at how two similar young men, in different financial situations are able to apply some sound principles when it comes to saving.
Peter and Joe recently graduated after completing their BCom degrees. They were fortunate in that both of them found jobs quite easily and, although they work in very different industries, they earn similar salaries each month.
From the outset these two young men seem very alike. Peter however had to face a few more obstacles during his varsity days compared to Joe.
A bit about Peter
Peter had a wonderful upbringing with a very supportive family but, like many others, his parents were unable to pay for his university studies. Peter, being the determined young man that he is, started working as a waiter after matriculating and managed to secure a student loan to fund his studies.
Three years of hard work paid off and he extended his loan to complete his honours degree. While studying, Peter was diligent in paying his monthly instalments on his student loan, bringing down the amount consistently, but is still left with a sizable debt at the start of his working career.
Peter decided that he wanted to go to Europe to visit some friends so he has also started to save a little bit of money every month to turn that dream into a reality.
Who is Joe?
Joe has always been an achiever. He was very fortunate in that his family were able to support him financially and pay for his university studies.
Varsity was very different for Joe, who went out with friends in his spare time. His parents also funded his honours degree when he decided to continue his studies.
Although Joe worked at his dad’s shop every weekend, he enjoyed spending his money and didn’t see the need to save at his current young age. He is also planning on taking a trip to America to visit his brother later this year. He has just received his new credit card which he plans to use to pay for the trip.
Where to from here?
Many of us left university in the same position as Peter, wishing we could be Joe - no debt to worry about and a credit card with a limit that can turn our dreams into reality. When it comes to saving though, Peter’s financial situation has taught him some valuable lessons...
What can Peter apply from his situation when it comes to saving?
Reap the rewards of the compounding effect
The earlier you start to save the more you earn, due to the impact of compound interest.
Compound interest is when you earn interest on interest, so the longer your money is invested the greater the amount at the end.
For his overseas holiday, Peter started saving R200 a month four years ago, at 4.25% interest with a 10% escalation in his savings contribution each year. That means that by the end of this year Peter will have saved just over R16 000 – enough to cover his trip overseas.
You need to be disciplined
Starting to save early does not only assist in growing your money, through the compounding effect, but it also teaches you discipline towards saving.
Starting to save is always tough as it means that many times there is something else you have to forego in order to save.
If you apply disciplined saving principles from the start, saving becomes something you do naturally instead of something that you dread doing.
Identify your savings goals
It is important that you know what you are saving towards. Every savings goal will require a different savings vehicle.
If for example you are saving for a rainy day, you need to keep your money in an account where you have immediate access to it. If you are planning a trip overseas in a few years time, you can take a savings or investment product with a fixed term which typically has a higher interest rate associated with it.
Get comfort from understanding 'good debt' vs 'bad debt'
Debt is a reality, so don’t be discouraged if you find yourself with having to repay debt. All debt however is not necessarily 'bad debt'.
For example, Peter was able to go to university because of his student loan; this has resulted in him getting a job and being able to earn an income.
Student debt also generally has a lower interest rate, which means lower monthly repayments. Because Peter has never missed a repayment, he has been able to create a positive credit record which will further assist him in the future when he buys a house or a car.
It is important that you continue to pay 'good debt' off, but don’t forget to save while doing so.
What should Joe be wary of?
Never drawing up a budget
Joe’s fortunate situation meant that he didn’t ever really have to worry about money.
His job meant that he had enough to pay for the things he needed and, if he didn’t have the money, he borrowed it from his parents.
Joe also never had any debt that he had to repay and so his money was his to spend as he liked.
It is important that Joe quickly learns the importance of budgeting. A budget highlights not only the money you earn, but also how you plan on spending it.
Ensure that all your non-negotiable expenses, such as your rent as well as your savings, are catered for before spending on extras like dinners out.
Saving what is left over
Very often saving is something that people do with money that is left over at the end of every month. Saving regularly is essential not only to achieve short term goals but also to be able to provide for longer term goals such as your retirement.
Always "pay yourself first". Once your budget is complete and you know how much you can save every month, set up a scheduled transfer that will automatically transfer your money into your savings or investment account – that way you are not tempted to spend that money on something else.
Starting too late
It is easy to procrastinate when it comes to saving. The longer it takes to save, the less you benefit from the compounding effect and the harder it is to get into the discipline of saving.
Joe has a year to save towards his trip. Even though he can save more than Peter, R500 each month, he will still save much less for his trip - only R6 000 compared to the R16 000 Peter saved.
If Joe had saved the R500 from the start, he would have saved just over R40 000.
Funding goals with credit
Access to credit unfortunately makes it easy to spend more than you can afford.
You want to go overseas, like Joe, so you swipe your card and your flights are instantaneously booked. Your trip is amazing but you have to pay if off over the next 6 to 12 months.
Personal loans and credit cards generally charge a higher interest than other forms of credit, like a home loan. Instead of using credit to fund goals, rather save up and pay for it from the start.
This way you truly get to enjoy realising your goal and the only reminder of your experience are the photos and memories and not the lingering credit statements.
- Fin24
Consider yourself a savings hero? Or just have something on your mind? Add your voice to our Savings Issue:
* Write a guest post
* Share a personal story
* Ask the experts
FNB Savings & Investments takes a look at how two similar young men, in different financial situations are able to apply some sound principles when it comes to saving.
Peter and Joe recently graduated after completing their BCom degrees. They were fortunate in that both of them found jobs quite easily and, although they work in very different industries, they earn similar salaries each month.
From the outset these two young men seem very alike. Peter however had to face a few more obstacles during his varsity days compared to Joe.
A bit about Peter
Peter had a wonderful upbringing with a very supportive family but, like many others, his parents were unable to pay for his university studies. Peter, being the determined young man that he is, started working as a waiter after matriculating and managed to secure a student loan to fund his studies.
Three years of hard work paid off and he extended his loan to complete his honours degree. While studying, Peter was diligent in paying his monthly instalments on his student loan, bringing down the amount consistently, but is still left with a sizable debt at the start of his working career.
Peter decided that he wanted to go to Europe to visit some friends so he has also started to save a little bit of money every month to turn that dream into a reality.
Who is Joe?
Joe has always been an achiever. He was very fortunate in that his family were able to support him financially and pay for his university studies.
Varsity was very different for Joe, who went out with friends in his spare time. His parents also funded his honours degree when he decided to continue his studies.
Although Joe worked at his dad’s shop every weekend, he enjoyed spending his money and didn’t see the need to save at his current young age. He is also planning on taking a trip to America to visit his brother later this year. He has just received his new credit card which he plans to use to pay for the trip.
Where to from here?
Many of us left university in the same position as Peter, wishing we could be Joe - no debt to worry about and a credit card with a limit that can turn our dreams into reality. When it comes to saving though, Peter’s financial situation has taught him some valuable lessons...
What can Peter apply from his situation when it comes to saving?
Reap the rewards of the compounding effect
The earlier you start to save the more you earn, due to the impact of compound interest.
Compound interest is when you earn interest on interest, so the longer your money is invested the greater the amount at the end.
For his overseas holiday, Peter started saving R200 a month four years ago, at 4.25% interest with a 10% escalation in his savings contribution each year. That means that by the end of this year Peter will have saved just over R16 000 – enough to cover his trip overseas.
You need to be disciplined
Starting to save early does not only assist in growing your money, through the compounding effect, but it also teaches you discipline towards saving.
Starting to save is always tough as it means that many times there is something else you have to forego in order to save.
If you apply disciplined saving principles from the start, saving becomes something you do naturally instead of something that you dread doing.
Identify your savings goals
It is important that you know what you are saving towards. Every savings goal will require a different savings vehicle.
If for example you are saving for a rainy day, you need to keep your money in an account where you have immediate access to it. If you are planning a trip overseas in a few years time, you can take a savings or investment product with a fixed term which typically has a higher interest rate associated with it.
Get comfort from understanding 'good debt' vs 'bad debt'
Debt is a reality, so don’t be discouraged if you find yourself with having to repay debt. All debt however is not necessarily 'bad debt'.
For example, Peter was able to go to university because of his student loan; this has resulted in him getting a job and being able to earn an income.
Student debt also generally has a lower interest rate, which means lower monthly repayments. Because Peter has never missed a repayment, he has been able to create a positive credit record which will further assist him in the future when he buys a house or a car.
It is important that you continue to pay 'good debt' off, but don’t forget to save while doing so.
What should Joe be wary of?
Never drawing up a budget
Joe’s fortunate situation meant that he didn’t ever really have to worry about money.
His job meant that he had enough to pay for the things he needed and, if he didn’t have the money, he borrowed it from his parents.
Joe also never had any debt that he had to repay and so his money was his to spend as he liked.
It is important that Joe quickly learns the importance of budgeting. A budget highlights not only the money you earn, but also how you plan on spending it.
Ensure that all your non-negotiable expenses, such as your rent as well as your savings, are catered for before spending on extras like dinners out.
Saving what is left over
Very often saving is something that people do with money that is left over at the end of every month. Saving regularly is essential not only to achieve short term goals but also to be able to provide for longer term goals such as your retirement.
Always "pay yourself first". Once your budget is complete and you know how much you can save every month, set up a scheduled transfer that will automatically transfer your money into your savings or investment account – that way you are not tempted to spend that money on something else.
Starting too late
It is easy to procrastinate when it comes to saving. The longer it takes to save, the less you benefit from the compounding effect and the harder it is to get into the discipline of saving.
Joe has a year to save towards his trip. Even though he can save more than Peter, R500 each month, he will still save much less for his trip - only R6 000 compared to the R16 000 Peter saved.
If Joe had saved the R500 from the start, he would have saved just over R40 000.
Funding goals with credit
Access to credit unfortunately makes it easy to spend more than you can afford.
You want to go overseas, like Joe, so you swipe your card and your flights are instantaneously booked. Your trip is amazing but you have to pay if off over the next 6 to 12 months.
Personal loans and credit cards generally charge a higher interest than other forms of credit, like a home loan. Instead of using credit to fund goals, rather save up and pay for it from the start.
This way you truly get to enjoy realising your goal and the only reminder of your experience are the photos and memories and not the lingering credit statements.
- Fin24
Consider yourself a savings hero? Or just have something on your mind? Add your voice to our Savings Issue:
* Write a guest post
* Share a personal story
* Ask the experts
