There is an unspoken universal understanding that 30 is when you have to get your sh*t together. The dirty thirties is a major milestone and transition in adult life that (in some ways) marks the end of youth and the beginning of adulthood. Partying until 4 a.m. doesn’t hold the same appeal it used to, and things like getting started, having kids, buying property, and retirement planning are more interesting.
That said, while 30 is still young in the grand scheme of things, it’s a great time to plan and save for retirement. So, to help you prepare for the future of financial freedom, I decided to answer one question: How much money should I have in savings by age 30?
How much should I save by 30?
According to Fidelity Investments, the general rule of thumb is that you should have at least equal to your annual salary saved by 30. However, like everything in life, this rule is not one-size-fits-all, and personal finance. is employees. We all have different debts and jobs, opportunities and financial situations, so for some people, this number may not be possible.
So if you don’t have an annual income in savings or you haven’t started saving yet, don’t worry. The good news is that you can start now, no matter where you are financially or whether you’re already in your 30s. With these practical tips, you can build an emergency fund, pay off debt (for example, student loans!), and reach your long-term financial goals. Keep scrolling to learn how to start saving after age 30 and beyond.
How to start saving
1. Create financial goals
You will make money mistakes if you don’t have something to work for, so go ahead and set financial goals for yourself. These goals can be anything you want, such as saving to buy a home, paying off debt, growing your investment portfolio, saving for retirement, and more. Nothing is too big or “unreasonable.” Having these realistic goals to accomplish will make the rest of the process easier, and you will be unconsciously forced to spend better and save more.
2. Set short-term goals
Once you know your financial goals, you can create short-term goals that will help you reach them. For example, if you want to have $30K in savings per year by now, set a goal to increase your account by $2,500 per month. Having short-term goals will make your long-term financial goals less overwhelming and motivate you to make better financial decisions.
3. Build your emergency fund
By now, you know that having money that you can invest at one time without penalty is important. And this is especially true in your 30s because you may have responsibilities. So, start building your emergency fund by optimizing your life for saving. Use one of the best money saving tools, make changes to your budget, learn how to save money while paying bills, and keep track of your money and expenses. Doing this will make investing in your emergency fund a regular occurrence.
4. Get an advanced savings account
Traditional savings accounts don’t earn high interest, but high-yielding ones do. And if you have an emergency fund, it can also be in an account that allows you to grow your wealth. So, let your money work harder for you and get yourself a high-quality savings account. Check out our advanced savings accounts for everything you need to know.
5. Contribute to a 401(k)
There are a plethora of retirement plans out there, but a 401(k) is one of the best options for anyone who works. With an employer-sponsored retirement plan, you decide how much to contribute to your paycheck before income taxes are calculated, and often, your employer deals in ‘your gift. This is a great way to build your retirement portfolio with less debt. Talk to your employer to learn about your options and what you need to do to get started.
6. Create a Roth IRA
A Roth IRA is also a great option for anyone who is employed or self-employed because it is an individual retirement account. With a Roth IRA, you contribute tax-free while the money grows tax-free. At 59 ½, you can withdraw all the money from the investment without paying any fees or taxes. However, if you are in a difficult situation and want to withdraw money before that time, you can withdraw any contribution you have made without penalty. So, if you’ve contributed $5,000 to a Roth IRA and your portfolio grew to $7,000, you can deduct $5,000 tax-free — you can’t deduct $2,000 of your earnings.
7. Additional income
Receiving a raise or a big bonus from something like a tax refund is exciting, and it’s a good idea to spend it while you’re holding onto that incentive. However, do yourself a favor with that wallet now. When you export, in the big picture, it’s probably not a lot of money, and down the line, you’ll be glad you chose to remove it and combine it.
8. Cut out high interest debt
Not all debt is bad, but high interest debt is something you don’t want in your life. With this type of loan, most of your monthly payments go toward interest instead of principal, so it takes longer to pay off. Credit card debt has high interest rates, but student loans can also be illegal, so check what you’re paying now to find out which one has the highest interest rate. Then, make a plan to get rid of it. This can include making larger payments, securing lower interest rates, or transferring the debt (to another account, different credit card, etc.) to lower the interest rate.
9. Be efficient with taxes
You accumulate a lot of responsibilities in your 30s (think: kids, mortgage, and more), and those responsibilities combined with a higher annual salary can make taxes even more complicated. as they were. The last thing you want is to accidentally miss something that could help you save big or get a big refund, so consider consulting a trusted professional, like a CPA or financial advisor, to be sure. that you work as efficiently as possible with you. taxes.
10. Improve your finances
If you want to make your life easier, refinancing is the way to go. With automatic deposit, a percentage of your payment is deposited into your savings account. So you don’t have to waste more time thinking about what to save or worrying if you’re spending too much. If you are employed, tell your employer to deposit a certain percentage of your paycheck directly into your savings account. If you are self-employed or a freelancer, put your income directly into your emergency fund or set up automatic transfers from one account to another. And if you’re an entrepreneur, you can automatically put a percentage of your income into savings and put the rest back into your business account.
11. Save as you get more
It’s easy to invest more money as you earn more money, but falling into the rut of life can hold you back financially. To combat this, make it a priority to save more than you earn. This means putting more money into savings and investments, spending less, and ultimately living below your means. And just think: If you do this now, you’ll be able to make a big splurge down the line.
12. Always check your finances
Keeping an eye on your finances is very important. Knowing where your money comes from and where it goes is part of being financially independent. Get into the habit of checking your finances regularly. This means checking expenses and automatic payments as well as checking income, investments and debts. Do your due diligence and see if there are any areas where you can cut back and save (think: canceling subscriptions, finding lower prices elsewhere, etc.). Likewise, be sure to adjust your budget accordingly. This may seem like a chore, but taking the time to do this will help maximize your income.
13. Use your money wisely
When it comes down to it, money is a tool. But if you can view and manage it as a group, you will make better financial moves. Be careful where you invest your money, and try to spend wisely. For example, if you have a low-interest loan, don’t make paying it off your first priority. Instead, continue making monthly payments and focus on building your savings and retirement portfolio, and eliminating high interest payments.
14. Stay strong
Confidence is the key to everything in life, and money is no exception. Of course, it’s easy to let savings plans and financial goals fall by the wayside—busy lives, unexpected things come up, plans change—and give yourself and your future by staying consistent. Contribute regularly to your emergency fund and retirement portfolio, pay higher interest rates, and access your savings and change as needed. If you can do this, you will be golden, regardless of your current financial situation or circumstances.
