MSN Money – 7 reasons Americans save so little
This article makes us aware that Americans do not save enough money and throws us some statistics. Psychology, miseducation, and no consequences for being in debt seem to be the reasons offered. How much of your income (as a percentage) do you save?
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you have definitely opened my eyes more to saving (although i’ve always wanted to- it’s not so easy).
now my question- the percentage you save, is that supposed to be pre or post tax?
Yeah, I think saving is all about discipline. A lot of people say that they’re going to do it, or talk about it, or whatever, but they don’t actually do it. It’s a matter of making a start, even if it’s only $50 per paycheck, just to say that you’re doing it. Once you build that discipline, I think it probably gets easier.
I vehemently disagree that there are no consequences for being in debt. Many people have suffered the consequences of interest rates above 20% on their consumer debt. That article also basically ignores the fact that it’s actually much more difficult for ordinary people to save now than it was in the 50s. I agree that there is insufficient education on money and debt management, and people who could have stayed out of debt end up in it unknowingly, but that’s not the full story. One episode of unemployment or illness in the family can throw a family into crisis and unavoidable dependence on credit. And, of course, consumer creditors have become more predatory year after year. Some blame should be distributed to that whole industry.