Is Saving More Important Than Investing?
| October 19, 2011 | Posted by Roshawn Watson under Uncategorized |
By: Roshawn Watson
A recent US News article suggests that a) investing is sold as a panaceas to all of our financial ailments and b) that this undermines more important efforts, namely “educating investors on establishing goals and making tough budgeting decisions.” Although the issue is complex, the article made me ask the following question: could we have it entirely backwards – should our efforts center on savings rather than investing?
Saving Is A Lost Art
I want it, and I want it now!
Delayed gratification: two words that few enjoy. In fact, many of us can’t imagine a life without credit. Before you dismiss that notion, consider how many people you know who purchase their cars, pay for tuition, pay large medical bills, and even purchase their homes without ANY debt. All too often, we hear that credit is just how we purchase things while we completely discount the fact that there was life before credit became so abundant.
Let me be clear: Debt is among the most aggressively marketed products in the world.
Thus, it is unsurprising that as a society we tend to a) worship at the altar of the great FICO score and b) have completely disavowed all knowledge of saving. After all, anything less than immediate is far too slow in our culture, or is it? Anyone who offers you debt is NOT giving you a true gift. Along with the debt comes bondage, a nasty little fact that we readily discount all too easily. Moreover, Henry Ford once commented that debt is the lazy man’s method to purchase items. In other words, there can be gain in the struggle, and I’m not just referring to the lessons learned. The process of working through something difficult can actually be more enjoyable than getting what’s you are aiming towards. There’s power in anticipation and focusing all of your available resources on a singular goal: whether it be a car, a flat-screen, a home, or an investment.
Have you deprived yourself of the benefits of the struggle?
There Is More To Investing Than Rate Of Return
One of the reasons learning to plan purchases and budgeting is so important is because the three basic variables that greatly impact the total investment return are:
- Amount Invested – Your contributions
- Time Horizon – How long you hold the investment
- Rate of Return – The percentage by which your money grows
Although these variables are intuitive, I mention them to lay the following foundation: while the financial services industry spends an inordinate amount of time maximizing the return, it may be more meaningful to embrace a more complete approach. Consistent investing over the long term in diversified and solid investment vehicles may ultimately do the masses better than getting an extra half percent. Note, this isn’t to say that a half of percent is trivial, but to emphasize that rate of return is only one part of the puzzle. If you invest in paper assets (i.e., stocks, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds, etc.) over the long term, most of your portfolio will theoretically be growth anyway, provided that you have allocated appropriately for portfolio growth. Since only a fraction of your total portfolio is what you actually put in, adequate time and putting enough starting capital are essential for your portfolio to become sizable. Stated differently, a 30% return on $10 over 5 years is not much.
Most of us Don’t Systematically Invest
That last example emphasizes why financial literacy is so important, which brings me to some very troubling news. However, first let me state the positive. While earlier last decade the savings rate was negative, it has rebounded since 2008-2009 and has been hovering around 5-6% ever since. Retirement assets are up too (10% compared to last year according to CNN Money) and just shy of the all time high in 2007. Anyone making investing a priority should be applauded.
That said, the sad truth is most Americans do not systematically invest, and even when we do invest, many of us are pretty crappy!
Research from a leading human resources firm tracked the financial acumen of the masses. The studies indicated that most Americans don’t know what they are doing (USA Today). Moreover, “the general public tends to play up their investing success(es) while ignoring the lessons of their losses…” According to LaSalle St. Securities, “nine times out of 10, investors’ long-term performance lags behind the market by a wide margin.” (People wonder why I index!)
Some basic considerations for investors are:
- What’s your investment strategy?
- What’s your risk tolerance?
- What’s your exit strategy?
- Are you especially adept to a specific type of investing?
- What’s your time horizon?
- What are the tax implications of different types of investments?
- How will you diversify?
- How often will you rebalance?
- What kind of lifestyle do you want to live when you retire?
- Feel free to add others below in comments 🙂
Parting Thoughts
My opinion is that both saving and investing are important. Saving is for the short-term: when one needs his or her money within 5 years or less. Investing is for the long-term. One’s investing efforts are aided by the discipline of saving and budgeting consistently. The original article’s comment about financial services’ overemphasis on the rate of return, almost to the exclusion of anything else, seems valid. Clearly, both savings and investing are generally critical elements to healthy financial plans.
So what do you think: which is more important saving or investing?
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Their is a lot of good things that come out of the struggle. Easy consumer credit via credit cards is a fairly recent phenomenon of the past 30 or so years, but can anyone imagine life without one today? My grandparents bought the first and only house they ever owned for cash back in the great depression. It was a small house, but how foreign that concept is these days. They never had a credit card and saved at least 40% of what they earned. They never invested their money, and if they would have they would have been millionaires even with their modest earnings. They were the extreme of all savings and no investing. If they had taken a more balanced approached and taken on the extra risk of investing they would have been wealthy beyond their wildest dreams.
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To me they are both important in that you need to save to invest and timing is important in that you like to have a sizeable portfolio when the market starts producing double digit returns. Unfortunately, that's when many people start to save and then think about investing and they chase what's hot.__Thankfully, investing has gotten a lot easier in recent years with index funds and with target date funds.
Learning to save is an important habit. In this volatile market, saving may trump investing. In the long run you need both.
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Both are important, but without savings, you can't invest!
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That's an awesome story about your grandparents. It perfectly illustrates why both saving and investing are key components of our financial plans. It's funny how such experiences can shape our lives.
My recent post Is Saving More Important Than Investing?
I completely agree. Historically, we're pretty bad regarding predicting when is a good time to jump in and jump out. There are some exceptions i.e., Paulson and others. However, in general, a more consistent approach is advantageous to us nonprofessionals (I realize you are an investing profesional 🙂
I am very grateful that it has gotten easier to invest!
My recent post Is Saving More Important Than Investing?
That's so good of a point. Cash IS a form of diversification. A balanced approach is key.
My recent post Is Saving More Important Than Investing?
Yes. This is typically the case. If one does save without investing, he will fail to be prepared in an emergency, so he will typically either go into debt or dip into investments during a crisis. YUCK
My recent post Is Saving More Important Than Investing?
I don't know if you've noticed but Paulson is having a difficult year and taking a lot of heat for it.
You're only as good as your last call in the predicting business 🙂
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I would love to go back to the low or no credit days! Why? Because credit makes things expensive. If no one had access to credit then the principal for assets would deflate. I respect your grandparents for surviving the great depression. Talk about hard times!
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That's a great point!!! Prices do get inflated by debt. Don't forget about the cash discount though. Those who pay cash nowadays get such a discount on numerous items, including cars, homes, and many consumables.
I must say, I like cash. I like it in the bank and in CD's, I like it in MM funds and in foreign currency, and I like it in plain ol' greenbacks under the mattress. Also like investing and speculating in stocks. I guess what I'm saying is that balanced approach works for me.
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I think cash is a must for any investor. It should be part of almost every strategy. It's risk adverse, but so what! It will keep you out of SO much trouble. I didn't realize that I was a balanced investor until after a few years of investing.
I also agree with this statement. They are both important and it is essential a person learns how to do both effectively.
Yeah, all too often the media highlights investing while ignoring the benefits of saving. Like you said, the essential part is making sure one knows how to do both effectively!
Cheers
Simply because, it forms an integral part of your financial planning activity.
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Studying to preserve is an essential addiction. In this unpredictable industry, preserving may trump making an investment. In the lengthy run you need both.
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Every thing is impotent in this world so its depends on us how we managed all these things. I think its a very good one.
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I concur with you both are exceptionally significant to carry on with a wealthier life. You need to contribute for approaching of cash. I likewise put resources into business and now I have more cash.
Saving and investment are the biggest decisions for a good businessman. It is hard to make a decision that how much amount you need to save and how much pay for investments. Sometimes you pay your whole amount in investment at first but when you see that your competitor is delivering the best and you need more investment to compete in the market it makes difficult for you. Always think of the both aspects of the investment either finance and marketing related. This is the best way of investment.
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