In this post, I’ll explore the benefits of saving on a monthly basis. Whether it’s into a savings account, an ISA, a pension plan or another investment, saving money is a crucial habit that can help secure your financial future. Also, it’ll provide you with a safety net for unexpected expenses.
While the idea of saving may seem daunting, adopting a plan of saving on a monthly basis can make it more manageable and reap long-term benefits. In this article, I’ll delve into two essential concepts: pound cost averaging and firstly, compound interest.
Compound Interest: Let Your Money Work for You
Compound interest is like a secret ingredient that turbocharges your savings over time. It is the interest earned not only on your initial investment but also on the interest you have accumulated.
By saving on a monthly basis, you harness the power of compound interest, as your savings grow and generate interest each month. Over the long term, compound interest has, not surprisingly, a compounding effect, resulting in exponential growth. It allows your savings to snowball and accelerate your progress towards achieving your financial goals. Starting early and putting money away consistently, such as saving on a monthly basis can significantly amplify the benefits of compound interest.
Let’s compare the benefits of saving £100 per month versus a lump sum saving of £1200 per year. We’ll do this by quantifying the potential growth over a 10-year period. For this example, let’s assume an annual interest rate of 5%.
Saving £100 per Month:
If you save £100 per month consistently for 10 years, you would have contributed a total of £12,000 (£100 x 12 months x 10 years). With an annual interest rate of 5%, your savings would grow over time due to compound interest.
Using a compound interest calculator, we can estimate the future value of your savings. After 10 years, your £100 monthly contributions would accumulate to approximately £15,806.
Saving £1200 per Year:
If you save £1200 per year in a lump sum, you’d contribute the same total amount of £12,000 over a 10-year period. However, the timing and frequency of your contributions differ in this case.
Again, using the compound interest calculator with an annual interest rate of 5%, we find that after 10 years, your £1200 annual contributions would accumulate to approximately £15,493.
Comparing the two scenarios, we can see that saving £100 per month (£15,806) results in a slightly higher accumulated amount compared to saving £1200 per year (£15,493). This is due to the effect of compound interest, as the monthly contributions have a more frequent compounding impact.
Pound Cost Averaging: A Strategy for Smoother Investing
When you’re saving on a monthly basis, you are able to automatically embrace a powerful investment strategy called pound cost averaging. It doesn’t apply to savings accounts or cash ISAs, it concerns investments.
This approach involves consistently investing a fixed amount of money at regular intervals, regardless of market conditions. Pound cost averaging allows you to buy more shares or units when prices are low and fewer when prices are high. Over time, this strategy helps smooth out market fluctuations and reduces the risk associated with trying to time the market. By investing consistently, you can build a substantial portfolio without the stress of trying to predict market movements.
Let’s go back to our £100 per month example. By saving £100 per month and investing it, you benefit from the concept of pound cost averaging, investing at different price points over time, and taking advantage of market fluctuations. Additionally, the consistent monthly contributions allow your savings to compound more frequently, resulting in a slightly higher growth potential compared to saving a lump sum annually.
So, in this example, we’ve demonstrated the potential benefits of saving £100 per month versus £1200 per year over a 10-year period. Although the total amount contributed remains the same, the monthly savings approach benefits from more frequent compounding and the advantages of pound cost averaging.
In Conclusion: Saving Money on a Monthly Basis Has Numerous Advantages
Saving money on a monthly basis is a smart financial decision. By adopting a monthly savings plan, you can benefit from pound cost averaging, a strategy that minimises the impact of market volatility and maximises your investment potential. Additionally, the magic of compound interest allows your savings to grow exponentially over time, providing you with the opportunity to achieve your financial goals more rapidly.
So, whether you are saving for a deposit on a house, a dream holiday, or building a pension fund, making saving on a monthly basis a habit is a powerful step towards securing your financial future. Start small, stay consistent, and watch your savings flourish.
Checkout my other savings-related posts at: https://personalfinancial.info/blog/category/savings/
