Savings vs Investing

When it comes to managing your money, two key concepts often come up: savings and investing. While they might seem similar, they serve different purposes and have distinct characteristics. Understanding the difference between the two can help you make better financial decisions and achieve your financial goals.

Capital at risk. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise and are not guaranteed. Investors may not get back the amount originally invested.

Savings

Savings refer to the money you set aside for future use. This money is typically kept in a savings account at a bank or a similar financial institution. The primary goal of saving is to have funds readily available for short-term needs or emergencies. Savings accounts are generally low-risk, meaning your money is safe and easily accessible. They also offer a small amount of interest, which helps your money grow slightly over time.

One of the main advantages of saving is liquidity – the ability to access your money quickly and without penalty. Making it ideal for unexpected expenses or short-term goals like a vacation or a down payment on a car. However, the downside is that the interest earned on savings is usually quite low, often not enough to keep up with inflation. This means that over time, the purchasing power of your saved money may decrease.

• Liquidity: The ability to quickly access your money without penalty. These penalties could include fees, loss of interest, or even a reduction in the value of your investment.
• Interest: The small amount of money earned on savings, usually expressed as a percentage of the amount saved.

Investing

Investing, on the other hand, involves putting your money into assets like stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate with the expectation that it will grow over time. The primary goal of investing is to build wealth and achieve long-term financial goals, such as retirement or funding a child's education. Unlike savings, investing carries a higher level of risk. The value of your investments can fluctuate, and there is a possibility of losing money.

• Assets: Items of value that you can invest in, such as stocks, bonds, or real estate.

• Risk: The possibility of losing money on your investments.

• Returns: The money you earn from your investments, which can vary based on the performance of the assets.

The potential for higher returns is one of the main advantages of investing. Over the long term, investments have the potential to grow more than savings. This growth is often driven by the power of compounding, where your investment earnings generate their own earnings. However, investing involves higher risk, which requires a longer time horizon and the ability to tolerate market fluctuations.

• Compounding: The process where your investment earnings generate their own earnings over time.
• Time Horizon: The length of time you plan to hold an investment before needing the money.

An example

If you saved $100 every month from 2000 to 2024 you would have $28,800, if you placed this into a savings account earning 1.5% interest, in 2024 your value would be approximately $34,000.

Now if you invested $100 a month from 2000 to 2004 into an investment fund earning an average 6% return you would have approximately $64,000.

For illustrative purposes only. Not meant to represent the past or future performance of any particular fund or index.  Source: Investopedia, What average annual return S&P 500, Accessed 1 March 2025.

Why is this? When you invest you put money into things that may go up in value over time, they can also fluctuate or fall. The longer you keep your money invested (5 years +) the more opportunity it has to grow.

Key Differences

The key differences between savings and investing lie in their purpose, risk, and potential returns. Savings are meant for short-term needs and emergencies, offering low risk and easy access to your money. Investing is aimed at long-term wealth building, with higher risk and the potential for greater returns.

Summary

In summary, both savings and investing play important roles in a well-rounded financial plan. Savings provide security and liquidity for short-term needs, while investing offers the opportunity for growth and long-term financial success. Understanding the differences and balancing both strategies can help you achieve your financial goals and build a secure future.

Capital at risk. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise and are not guaranteed. Investors may not get back the amount originally invested.

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of current or future results and should not be the sole factor of consideration when selecting a product or strategy.

Changes in the rates of exchange between currencies may cause the value of investments to diminish or increase. Fluctuation may be particularly marked in the case of a higher volatility fund and the value of an investment may fall suddenly and substantially. Levels and basis of taxation may change from time to time and depend on personal individual circumstances.

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