Skip to main content
_FB_2018-Icons-finalized-cleaned-up_new_FB_2018-Icons-finalized-cleaned-up_newGroup 9
Back
Scroll to top

How Much Money Should I Have Saved by the Time I am 30?

Personal Finances 3 min read

Ready to talk to an expert?

Are you approaching 30? How much money do you have saved? According to CNN Money, someone between the ages of 25 and 30, who makes around $40,000 a year, should have at least $4,000 saved. However, because everyone’s financial situations are unique and are influenced by their spending habits, income, debt and overall lifestyle, not every 30-year-old will have the same amount of money tucked away — and that’s okay!

Rather than tell you a precise amount that you should have saved by the time you are 30, we will provide you with savings tips to help you reach your specific financial goals, whatever they may be.

3 Financial Goals for People Under 30

By now, you know that the most effective way to save money is to set a monthly budget for yourself and stick to it. Some tips for setting a realistic and effective budget include:

  • Recording your daily spending
  • Tracking your spending habits for at least a month
  • Still budgeting for fun and entertainment
  • Making automatic savings contributions
  • Clearly defining spending priorities

But what else can you do to ensure you have a healthy chunk of change stashed away by the time you hit the big 3-0?

1. Have no consumer debt. By the time you are 30 years old, you should have auto loans, credit cards and other consumer debt paid off. Remember, it’s better to have $500 in the bank with no debt than to have $5,000 in the bank with significant debt.

2. Make at least one (smart) investment. According to Investopedia, “A mutual fund is an investment vehicle that is made up of a pool of funds collected from many investors for the purpose of investing in securities such as stocks, bonds, money market instruments and similar assets.” Mutual funds are the largest and most popular investment vehicle for the retail buyer, making them a great investment option for young people with limited investing experience.

3. Have at least three months of living expenses saved. Everyone should have an emergency fund to better prepare for unexpected events, such as an expensive auto breakdown or unemployment. When saving money for your emergency fund, make sure you are putting money in a savings account (separate from your checking account).

First Bank* Helps You Save

No matter your age, First Bank can help you save money to reach your financial goals. Some savings options that we offer include:

Want to learn more? Contact us or visit your local First Bank branch today!


———
Source:
Investopedia: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/mutualfund.asp

Ready to talk to an expert?

Share:
First Bank’s Good To Know Logo
Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know about new tips, insights, and products from First Bank.
First Bank may use this email address to contact you about products, services, and promotions.

You may be interested in...

Banks That Offer Personal Loans There are hundreds of banks that offer personal loans, but sometimes choosing a bank that is the right fit you can be difficult. That’s where First Bank comes in. At First Bank, we want to make finding a personal loan as easy as possible, which is why we offer some of the best personal loans in North Carolina and South Carolina. First Bank Offers Personal Loans to Meet a Variety Of Needs Now that you’ve found First Bank, you don’t have to choose between banks that offer personal loans any more. Our personal loan options can be customized to meet your needs, and each is offered with flexible terms and highly competitive rates. Our personal loan options* include: Personal Line of Credit — This line of credit allows you to borrow money as soon as you need. You can even write a check to request cash. You may be required to provide qualified collateral to secure your personal or commercial line. Credit Card with Rewards — Enjoy the freedom to make everyday and monthly purchases in a convenient and secure way with a First Bank credit card*. Plus, earn rewards points on purchases when you use your eligible card. Home equity lines of credit — Take out a loan using your accrued home equity as collateral and fund a large project like medical bills or college tuition. Auto loans — Purchase your ideal car with the help of an auto loan from First Bank, offering competitive rates, a fast, secure application, and approval rates that last 30 days. Boat loans — We provide competitive rates and flexible terms with no prepayment penalty for our boat so you can take the plunge on your next adventure. Visit Your Local First Bank Today If a personal loan isn’t what you need, don’t worry. First Bank offers other loan options such as credit cards and business loans. To begin an application or to learn more about our loan options, visit your local branch. *Loans subject to credit approval. See our Terms and Conditions for complete details on our One Rewards Program. MasterCard, Debit MasterCard and the MasterCard brand marks are trademarks of MasterCard International Incorporated. ——— Sources: Investopedia: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/o/overdraft.asp 2 min read
Image for tile. Learn How to Be A Phishing Attack Detective With a number of people relying heavily on online services and communication for work and personal life, cybercriminals have increased their volume of attempts to acquire personal information. One of the most common ways they may try to gain access to this secure information is through phishing attacks. This causes problems for both individuals and companies when they are trying to keep information safe. What is phishing? As described by phishing.org, “Phishing is a cybercrime in which a target or targets are contacted by email, telephone or text message by someone posing as a legitimate institution to lure individuals into providing sensitive data such as personally identifiable information, banking and credit card details, and passwords. The information is then used to access important accounts and can result in identity theft and financial loss.” These attempts may look like someone posing as a coworker, asking for input, including links or attachments, among other things. Scammers attempt to gain access to user information every day, but when you know what to look for you don’t have to become a victim. Take a look at our playlist for a few tips to help you become a phishing email detective and use them in your everyday life. It is always a good idea to double check information before opening anything from unknown senders. In episode 1, you see Gil Ubble attempting to open an email from an external source. Upon further investigation, the domain name does not match and the email is not from someone at the company. Often times people are caught in these attacks because they aren’t paying close enough attention to who the email came from. If the email in question looks similar to something that provider would send, do not click on links or attachments. Instead, go directly to that company site or give them a call to make sure the information is accurate. If the email comes from someone who seems to work at your company, but you do not know the person, check to see if they actually work there. Even if the person’s email shows that they work at your company, check the email for other signs of false information. Scammers may go to extra lengths to spoof email addresses 4 min read
How Much Should I Have in Savings at Age 35? How much money should you have in your savings account at the age of 35? It largely depends on when you started saving, your income and lifestyle, and whether you carry consumer debt. Savings for Adults in Their Mid-Thirties You might have heard friends, parents or financial advisors at local banks advise you to follow the 50/30/20 rule. If you follow this rule, you’ll break up your income in the following manner: No more than 50% of your income should go to required expenses, such as shelter or food. No more than 30% can go towards the wants in life, such as your gym membership or cable. The final 20% of your income should to towards savings, retirement and paying off debt. Some experts explain it another way and recommend that your savings should equal your salary by age 35. Still another way to approach savings is by using this guide from CNN Money. According to this, 35 year-olds should have saved the following, depending on their income: Income Estimated Amount in Savings $40,000 $60,000 $65,000 $97,500 $90,000 $135,000 $115,000 $172,500 However, this isn’t necessarily the case for many Americans, especially those with consumer debt or who didn’t get a job until later in their 20s. The savings goal at any age is simply to save so that you have an emergency fund, can pay off debt, and are able to invest. Now is the Time to Start Saving for Retirement Once you begin saving, it’s important to begin investing your wealth to let your money grow. This can be done through stocks and bonds, job promotions and salary increases, or even buying the apartment you’ve been renting. Your investment options should begin small and increase the more you save. Additionally, you should be making regular contributions to your IRA or 401k, whichever your company provides and matches. There’s no single answer to how much savings you should have by age 35. Ultimately, it comes down to your own unique budget and contributions. To learn more about savings at any age, contact your local First Bank* today. Our financial advisors can speak with you about your savings and help you plan for retirement. ——— Sources: CNN Money: http://money.cnn.com/gallery/retirement/2015/09/01/how-much-do-i-need-for-retirement/2.html CNBC: http://www.cnbc.com/2014/02/10/qa-were-in-our-30s-how-much-should-we-be-saving.html Investment and insurance products and services are offered through Osaic Institutions, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. 3 min read