What percentage of your paycheck do you put into savings?

Question

I just read this Yahoo article http://biz.yahoo.com/brn/061009/
Titled: 6 (worthless) excuses for not saving money

And I realized - I don't save nearly enough as I should. Are you pretty good about saving $$$? And if you are, how do you keep from not spending it?

Answer 1

10%

the rest is invested in my personal entertainment

Answer 2

I get paid weekly and I put the following into savings:
$10/week in my Car Maintenance/ Emergency Fund
$10/week in my I Can't Wait Til The Kids Leave The House Fund

Answer 3

If you're low on money then 10%. As someone said have it automatically deducted from your payroll (direct deposit to your savings account). If you never get it you won't miss it. Look for a money market checking account, something with a higher interest rate 4% or so. I'm with Capital One, but you can go with whoever, just do a search. Put the max each year in a retirement account.

Answer 4

I don't save right now, but I just graduated from college and can't really yet. But if you want to save, just set it up so 5-10% of your paycheck will drop into a savings account you've established with your bank. You'll find that if you never see it, you'll adjust your living habits around the money that you DO have, and it will be easier to save.

Answer 5

I average around 7%, sometimes less, for a month.

Basically i see the 'savings' as a bill, and i put it in on payday and dont look at it as spending money.

What you should do is open a SEPERATE account, at a different bank, and cut up the ATM card they give you. Then go deposit cash and atleast you konw you cant get to your money on the weekend when you get spend-happy. You have to go in during regular business hours to get it out.

Answer 6

I put about 5-10% in savings. It isn't a lot, but it helps. I also put every other child support payment I get into savings for my daughters education. I then put money into CD's every 6 months so I don't touch it. I let them roll over so it makes it easy and I never see it unless I need it.

Answer 7

Aim for 10%.

And save before you spend...set up a monthly debit order at the beginning of the month.

Answer 8

I honestly believe the best way to do it (for me anyway) is to think of it as a bill. I owe my savings account $200 per month or whatever the case may be. When paying bills, either transfer that amount to your savings or have it deposited their automatically. Most direct deposits allow you to split the deposit (by percentage or fixed amount) to separate accounts.

Answer 9

spend less than you earn and any pay off debt with all extra money... open a money market account now and start putting whatever you can each month for starters... there is no set amount to save - it depends on your financial/debt situation now... learn the power of interest and make it work for you, not against you!

Answer 10

Zero-it all goes to bills and necessities. I've read the articles, too. I don't have change to put in a jar or a way to 'pay myself first' but maybe in the future I will.

Answer 11

Ha I wish!!! I put my tax return in my savings and then a month later the transmission in my car died, so there went my savings. I hate California. I hate taxes.