Mon 22 Oct 2007
What’s the Difference Between Saving and Investing?
Posted by Robin Bal under Investing , Personal Finance , Savings[7] Comments
In simple economics, there is little distinction between savings and investments. One saves by reducing present consumption, while he invests in the hope of increasing future consumption.
Therefore, a fisherman who spares a fish for the next catch reduces his present consumption in the hope of increasing it in the future.
Most of the people probably have savings accounts with ATMs to access their hard-earned cash and be able to store away any extra cash in a place a little safer than a mattress. A few of you may even have some stocks or bonds.
Let me explain why while a savings account in the bank may seem like a safer place than the mattress to store your money, in the long-term it is a losing proposition! If you open a savings account at the bank, they will pay you interest on your savings. So you think that your savings are guaranteed to grow and that makes you feel extremely good! But wait until you see what inflation will do to your investment in the long-term!
The bank may pay you 5 percent interest a year on your money, if inflation is at 4 percent though; your investment is only growing at a mere 1 percent annually.
Saving and investing are often used interchangeably, but they are quite different! Saving is storing money safely, such as in a bank or money market account, for short-term needs such as upcoming expenses or emergencies.
Read
Typically, you earn a low, fixed rate of return and can withdraw your money easily.
Investing is taking a risk with a portion of your savings such as by buying stocks or bonds, in hopes of realizing higher long-term returns.
Unlike bank savings, stocks and bonds over the long term have returned enough to outpace inflation, but they also decline in value from time to time.The rate of returns and risk for savings are often lower than for other forms of investment.
Return is the income from an investment. Risk is the uncertainty that you will receive an expected return and preservation of capital. Savings are also usually more liquid. That is, you may quickly and easily convert your investment to cash.
The decision about which investment to choose is influenced by factors such as yield, risk, and liquidity. Investments may produce current income while you own the investment through the payment of interest, dividends or rent payments.
When you sell an investment for more than its purchase price, the profit is known as a capital gain, also called growth or capital appreciation.
October 22nd, 2007 at 8:37 pm
Understanding this distinction is very worthwhile. Thanks for writing this post.
October 23rd, 2007 at 12:42 am
When you bold the first letter of every paragraph it makes me think you are trying to spell out a secret message.
October 23rd, 2007 at 6:36 am
Hi Roshawn,
Thanks for your comment and welcome to FW. Most people think that both mean the same.
Take care and cheers
October 24th, 2007 at 7:45 pm
For me, it`s important not to watch stock market during the session. It` bad for investments. Really. You turn on your emotions.
January 17th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Very good comparison between investments and savings. I always refer investment as a saving but that does not mean your saving is your investment. When you save money for future prospects that can be your investment. And the money that you use in your present is your saving.
April 26th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
i want more on this
March 16th, 2010 at 2:18 am
Hey i think (very unusually) that it very important to be in harmony with others to make things works. With anything. Any field of life.