Saving for a large purchase
Buying something on credit can be significantly more expensive than paying cash when you figure in the cost of borrowing the money for the purchase. Many people find that saving the money beforehand is a more efficient strategy. Here's a checklist that can help you along the way.
Getting started
- Estimate how much money you will need to meet your goal. Although prices may vary over time for any specific item, you should be able to make a good estimate based on comparable items today.
- Determine how much time you have until you need the savings. One year? Five years? The more time you give yourself to reach your objective, the easier each step will seem.
- Create a schedule for adding to your savings fund and calculate an amount to contribute each period. The best time to set aside money is when you receive it. Create a savings schedule that lines up with when you receive your paychecks.
- Establish a separate savings account for this goal. This will help you keep the funds for your goal separate, and you'll be able to clearly see how quickly you are approaching your goal.
- Include the savings amount in your budget with all other regular financial obligations. Treat your savings effort the same way you treat your utilities and other bills — as regularly scheduled commitments.
Finding the money to save
Reaching a major goal calls for a disciplined savings habit, which also may involve disciplined spending habits to back it up. Keep in mind that items you pay for out of pocket can add up to a great deal more than you might realize. Consider economizing on these expenses:
- Take-out coffee and soft drinks can cost several dollars each. Eliminating one such purchase per day could give you $10 to $20 a week for your savings goal.
- Buying lunch at work could cost $10 per day or more. Bringing your lunch could potentially free $50 a week or more for your savings.
- Entertainment costs for movies, night clubs and sporting events can add up. Skipping even a few such expenses each month could save you $100 or more for your large purchase.
- Commuting costs can be made more manageable with some planning. Gasoline, tolls and parking fees can far exceed the price of commuter passes or mass transit fares, creating a significant savings opportunity. If mass transit is not an option, consider carpooling: Two people sharing one ride to work can cut their commuting costs in half.
- Cable/pay TV subscriptions may cost more than your telephone service. You may find that you can reduce the number of options in your service to give you more money to redirect to your savings goal.
Taking a tighter rein on spending
- Write down all of your outlays to clearly see where you are spending money each month.
- Pay down credit card debt and revolving loans, which are typically the most expensive forms of credit. Unless you are paying more than the minimum each month, you may never pay those debts off and could face never-ending interest expenses.
- Compare rates on credit cards, homeowners insurance and automobile insurance since prices for these can vary widely, creating new opportunities for savings
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The material was authored by a third party, DST Retirement Solutions, LLC, an SS&C company ("SS&C"), not affiliated with Merrill or any of its affiliates and is for information and educational purposes only. The opinions and views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of Merrill or any of its affiliates. Any assumptions, opinions and estimates are as of the date of this material and are subject to change without notice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The information contained in this material does not constitute advice on the tax consequences of making any particular investment decision. This material does not take into account your particular investment objectives, financial situations or needs and is not intended as a recommendation, offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security, financial instrument, or strategy. Before acting on any recommendation in this material, you should consider whether it is in your best interest based on your particular circumstances and, if necessary, seek professional advice.
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