3 On Your Side: Saving With Small Things
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It was only 2 years ago this week that the stock market dropped to its record low, triggering a big wave in personal saving. Since that time, spending has crept back up. 3 On Your Side Consumer Reporter Jim Donovan finds that you may be surprised just how much your own spending could be affecting your retirement savings.
Are you tired of hearing how much money you can save if you cut out your daily latte or cappuccino? But to remind you, that's 4 dollars a day. Invested at 8% and with compounded interest over 30 years would leave you with just under $200,000.
Here's a break-down of some weekly costs that you may or may not be able to do without: Pizza, manicures, coffee, smoking. Over 30 years, each will cost you in the six figures. Added up together, you're looking at a total of $1.7 million!
David Bach is the founder of Finishrich.com. He says, "What most Americans do is they spend first and they try to save last. It doesn't work."
In fact, a recent study finds that 77 percent of Americans have less than $100,000 saved for retirement. A fresh look at your savings strategy could allow you to afford a latte now and in retirement.
Bach says, "If you could learn to live on 80% of your income and take 20% off top, 10% would go to retirement saving and 10% would go to paying down debt, you would have no financial concerns when you retire."
Watch this video...
Reported by Jim Donovan, CBS 3
