jody fransch

Saving has always been a challenge for me, but of late I just made a commitment to myself that no matter what I’m going to save at least 10% of my earnings. And I must say that it’s going pretty well as I’m getting into the habit of saving now which is good. I’ve also been reading a lot of books and articles on the subject of money and managing your personal finances. I thought that it’s about time I shared some of my insights with my readers concerning the law of saving.

In common usage, saving generally means putting money aside, for example, by putting money in the bank or investing in a pension plan. In a broader sense, saving is typically used to refer to economizing, cutting costs, or to rescuing someone or something. In terms of personal finance, saving refers to preserving money for future use – typically by putting it on deposit – this is distinct from investment where there is an element of risk.

Financial freedom comes to the person who saves at least ten percent or more of his income throughout his lifetime. One of the smartest things that you can ever do for yourself is to develop the habit of saving part of your salary, every single month. Individuals, families and even societies are stable and prosperous to the degree to which they have high savings rates. Savings today are what guarantee the security and the possibilities of tomorrow.

The first consequence of the Law of Saving comes from the book The Richest Man in Babylon by George Classon. It is to “Pay yourself first.”

Begin today to save ten percent of your earnings, and never touch it. This is your fund for long-term financial accumulation and you never use it for any other reason except to assure your financial future.

The remarkable thing is that when you pay yourself first, and force yourself to live on the other ninety percent, you will soon become used to it. You’re a creature of habit. When you regularly put away ten percent of your earnings, you soon become comfortable living on the other ninety percent. Many people start by saving ten percent of their income and then graduate to saving fifteen percent, twenty percent, and even more. And their financial lives change dramatically as a result. So will yours.

The second outcome of the Law of Saving says, “Take advantage of tax deferred savings and investment plans.” Because of high and even multiple tax rates, money that is saved or invested without being taxed accumulates at a rate of 30% to 40% faster than money that is subject to taxation. Self-made millionaires, according to Dr Thomas Stanley’s book The Millionaire Next Door, are almost obsessive about accumulating their funds in assets such as real estate, self owned businesses and equities that increase in value without triggering tax liabilities.

Invest in company pension and retirement plans , stock option programs and whatever else has been approved by your government for long term financial accumulation. Make every dollar count!
Here’s two practicle things you can do to apply this law immediately:

First, begin today to put away ten percent of your earnings. Set up a special account for this purpose and treat your contributions to this account with the same respect that you do your rent or mortgage payments each month.

Second, become a lifelong student of money. Read the best books, take courses and subscribe to the most helpful magazines. Know what you are doing so you can always make intelligent decisions when you invest your funds.

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