3 Key Signs You’re Losing Money By Saving Too Much
Saving money is essential, but saving too much in a traditional savings account could be quietly costing you. If you’ve already maxed out your 401(k) contributions, built a robust emergency fund and still have cash piling up, it might be time to rethink your strategy.
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While it’s great to be financially cautious, over-saving can mean missing out on better returns and long-term growth. Not sure if you’re overdoing it? Here are three key signs that your savings account might be too full — and what you can do to make your money work harder for you.
Your Emergency Savings Is Overstuffed
Building an emergency fund is a smart financial move, but there is such a thing as saving too much. The general rule of thumb is to set aside three to six months’ worth of living expenses. But once you’ve hit that target, continuing to stuff your emergency fund can be a waste.
“Having excess cash beyond an emergency fund can mean missing out on potential returns from investing,” said Fluent in Finance founder, Andrew Lokenauth. “The opportunity cost of playing it too safe with savings can be substantial over decades.”
So, how much is enough? It depends on your lifestyle and income stability. According to Christopher Stroup, a certified financial planner (CFP) with Abacus Wealth Partners, dual income households can typically aim for three months of expenses. On the other hand, single-income earners or those with variable income should aim for six months for added financial security.
Once you have a solid emergency cushion in place, you should consider putting your excess money towards other investments.
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You’ve Maxed Out Your Retirement Accounts
If you consistently have money left over after maxing out your IRA, 401(k) and other tax-advantaged retirement accounts each year, it may be time to put that money elsewhere. Saving for the future and your retirement is crucial, but you could be losing purchasing power to inflation over time as your cash earns little interest.
As accredited financial counselor and founder of Retire Certain, Camille Gaines explained, even the most high-yield savings accounts lose value to inflation over time. Instead, try putting that extra money somewhere it can do more for you, like in a money market account.
“Safe money market accounts that do not fluctuate in value can be seen as a good alternative to keeping money in a savings account that pays little interest and has a negative real return after inflation,” said Gaines. “More than two months’ worth of living expenses in a savings account is too much given the ability to earn around 5% from easily accessible money market accounts.”
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