What does it take to become a millionaire from saving?

It’s time to invest. If you want to save until you earn a million, where do you start?

Of course, you’ll need to focus on saving fast, saving as much as possible, and doing it consistently over the long term in order to get enough stuffed away. Yet, you can’t do it just on interest alone, especially with today’s very low interest earning power of a bank savings account.

So, what does it take to save enough to become a millionaire? There’s plenty to do and think about. Here, I have had a look at some of the essential factors that should be considered by those wanting to hit the million mark.

According to a recent survey, only 7 per cent of Americans, for example, actually make the goal of saving a million, even though many more people try to reach it. Still, there’s significant allure and determination out there to achieve it. There are three main factors to consider when it comes to reaching the goal:

• How much time do you have to save?
• How much do you save consistently?
• How do you invest the money?

There are many ways to put this puzzle together, but you’ll need to focus on a combination of these three factors to get the results you desire.

TIME

Time is the most important component to the process. The sooner you begin to save, the less you’ll have to put away simply because compounding interest is available to help grow whatever you tuck away. Consider how many years you have until you retire. Factor in about three percent inflation. Subtract what you currently have put away and divide the remainder by the years you have left until retirement. That gives you a basic figure to start with.

AMOUNT

Of course, you’ll need to save as much as possible to earn a bank account statement with a million. Yet, how much you save depends on how much time you have. In short, the amount you need to put away needs to be as much as it can be and it needs to be consistent.

HOW YOU INVEST

Some investors say a combination of 60 percent equities and 40 percent bonds is a good balance, but this of course depends on your personal acceptance of risk and to a degree some market conditions.

There are several key factors that can help you to reach that market.

1. Work with a financial adviser to create an investment portfolio right for your risk tolerance, understanding of risk and your goals.
2. Cut your budget and costs down significantly to allow more to be put away.
3. Boost your income whenever or wherever possible to increase your saving power.
4. Improve your stock portfolio towards equities if you have more than 10 years to go.
5. Get rid of risky investments or assets costing you money.

A combined effort in all of these areas, and a lot of focus and determination, will get you to the point you want to be. Everyone’s situation is different, but a carefully laid out plan can take you there.

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Blog published by Mike Coady.