Saving Vs Investing What to Choose as A Nigeria Low-Income Earner

By | January 24, 2024

The terms “saving” and “investing” are commonly used interchangeably, yet we should be doing both to protect our financial future.

Saving and investing have things in common: they are both extremely crucial in our lives. If you aren’t doing either, now is the time to start. This may demand adjustments to your tracking, spending, and income usage, but it is something that should be factored into your strategy.

Low-income earners are expected to run savings on a short-term basis while investing should be done long-term. Let’s look at the differences with that in mind. Also, keep in mind that when risk decreases, liquidity increases, and vice versa for both saving and investing.

Before we go into which is the best option for low-income earners let’s understand the concept of saving and investing.

What Does Saving Entail?

We set aside money for purchases and unforeseen expenses. Saving money means that it will be there when needed and will not depreciate in total value.

Saving Vs. Investing What to Choose as A Nigeria Low-Income Earner

It’s important to keep track of your savings, deadline assignment, or schedule, and a monetary value to your aims and objectives. For instance, if you want to save $4,000 for your yearly family vacation, you could decide to set a goal of saving $4,000 in nine months and withdrawing it at the end of the year.

You’ll know how much you’ll need, how much you should save each month, and whether you’ll be capable of taking the cash out without incurring costs to spend on that much-anticipated holiday.

Investing, What Does it Take?

When it comes to making an investment, it’s critical to do it carefully. If you start running investments early, you will get a better return. Understanding the various investment vehicles, what they are used for, and how to use them is critical to your success.

We put money aside for long-term goals like our children’s college fund or retirement. We employ specific vehicles that enable us to expand. If our children have at least ten years before starting college, we can monthly put money into an education savings account.

When your child starts college, these will allow for withdrawals. Long-term college planning can assist you in achieving that objective.

Comparing Saving and Investing

The most fundamental and significant distinction between saving and investing is risk. When you place cash into a savings financial account, such as a money market account or a Certificate of Deposit, you are saving (CD).

It has a low danger of losing money, but it also has a low chance of making money. When you save money, you can typically access it when you need it (or after a period of time).

Saving Vs. Investing What to Choose as A Nigeria Low-Income Earner

When you invest as a low-income earner, you always have the chance to make higher long-term profits or rewards, but you also have the chance to lose money.

You take on more risk in exchange for a higher return, but your potential loss is also greater. It’s critical to assess your objectives to determine whether saving or investing is the best option for each.

Making bad decisions could cost you a lot of cash in fees or result in a loss of prospective investment revenue.

Another distinction is interest or profit. The purpose of running investment is to make cash, whereas the goal of saving is to keep our money secure while earning relatively little.

A CD is a popular way to save money. This instrument can be used for a short period, ranging from a few months to many years (seven or more).

Your money is quite safe and grows at a little higher rate than in a standard savings account while it is in the CD, but retrieving it before the term is over could result in fees and penalties. Compare CD rates from various institutions to ensure you get the best deal.

You could be a fantastic investor with a growing 401(k) and rental properties yet still be unable to make a living because you don’t know how to save your short-term funds.

You can save money each month, but those savings will not pay for your retirement or your children’s college education in the long run, so investing is just as vital. This should serve as a reminder of how critical both are, especially when done in tandem.

When Should You Engage in Saving as a Low-income Earner?

If you need money in the next few years, a high-yield savings account or money-market fund is probably the best option. If you haven’t already done so, you’ll want to start with an emergency fund before moving on to investing.

Saving Vs. Investing What to Choose as A Nigeria Low-Income Earner

Most experts recommend setting away three to six months’ worth of spending in an emergency fund.

If you happen to own a high-interest debt, like a credit card amount, you should pay it off first before investing. Paying down a loan with a high-teens annual interest rate will almost certainly give you a greater return than investing.

When Should You Invest Your Money as a Low-income Earner?

If you won’t require the money for at least four years and are willing to take some risk, investing the money will almost certainly outperform saving.

If your retirement plan, such as a 401(k), qualifies for an employer match (k). It is critical to contribute enough money to ensure that you receive the match, as the match is essentially free money.

Considering Either Saving or Investing

Short term is defined as less than seven years, and long term is defined as more than six years, but when it boils down to saving and investing, those statistics are more dependent on the specifics of the aim.

Keep in mind when you need money, what you’re going to do with it, and how safe or risky the goal is.

Saving Vs. Investing What to Choose as A Nigeria Low-Income Earner

Finally, do not put off saving or investing. Time is the best way to grow your money and achieve your objectives. You can begin investing and saving with a tiny sum of money and set yourself on the path to achieving all of your financial objectives.

Conclusion

Investing is preferable for money that you want to grow more aggressively over time. Proper investment in the stock market, mutual funds, or exchange-traded funds may be an alternative for someone wishing to invest, depending on your risk tolerance.

You give yourself quality time to ride out the inevitable ups and downs of the financial markets if you can keep your money in assets for longer. As a result, investment is a great option if you have a long-time horizon (preferably several years) and won’t need the money very soon.

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