an save for the future by spending a little less today, investing the savings and then being able to spend a whole lot more in the future. Most Americans can do with less. According to Dr. Gregory A. Boyd in his book Letters from a Skeptic, Americans “make up aThe average American saves less than 5%. In recent months, the average savings rate for Americans has actually been negative—Americans have spent more than they earned. People in other industrialized nations such as Canada, France, and Japan save 11% to 15%. Just as your individual standard of living will decline in retirement without adequate savings, future generations of Americans will see their standard of living decline if the U.S. economy loses ground against global competition. It requires the efforts of individuals, families, corporations, and government to increase America’s savings rate.

In Aesop’s fable about the grasshopper and the ant, the grasshopper ignored the potential for future difficult times and starved. The ant saved some food for the winter and was able to survive because of his foresight.

Saving money means accumulating funds for emergencies, seasonal expenses, short-term goals, and long-term goals. Like Aesop’s grasshopper, you can use up all your resources now and have nothing later, or you can save for the future by spending a little less today, investing the savings and then being able to spend a whole lot more in the future. Most Americans can do with less. According to Dr. Gregory A. Boyd in his book Letters from a Skeptic, Americans “make up ab

Just as your individual standard of living will decline in retirement without adequate savings, future generations of Americans will see their standard of living decline if the U.S. economy loses ground against global competition. It requires the efforts of individuals, families, corporations, and government to increase America’s savings rate.

In Aesop’s fable about the grasshopper and the ant, the grasshopper ignored the potential for future difficult times and starved. The ant saved some food for the winter and was able to survive because of his foresight.

Saving money means accumulating funds for emergencies, seasonal expenses, short-term goals, and long-term goals. Like Aesop’s grasshopper, you can use up all your resources now and have nothing later, or you can save for the future by spending a little less today, investing the savings and then being able to spend a whole lot more in the future. Most Americans can do with less. According to Dr. Gregory A. Boyd in his book Letters from a Skeptic, Americans “make up a

viduals, families, corporations, and government to increase America’s savings rate.

In Aesop’s fable about the grasshopper and the ant, the grasshopper ignored the potential for future difficult times and starved. The ant saved some food for the winter and was able to survive because of his foresight.

Saving money means accumulating funds for emergencies, seasonal expenses, short-term goals, and long-term goals. Like Aesop’s grasshopper, you can use up all your resources now and have nothing later, or you can save for the future by spending a little less today, investing the savings and then being able to spend a whole lot more in the future. Most Americans can do with less. According to Dr. Gregory A. Boyd in his book Letters from a Skeptic, Americans “make up a

was able to survive because of his foresight.

Saving money means accumulating funds for emergencies, seasonal expenses, short-term goals, and long-term goals. Like Aesop’s grasshopper, you can use up all your resources now and have nothing later, or you can save for the future by spending a little less today, investing the savings and then being able to spend a whole lot more in the future. Most Americans can do with less. According to Dr. Gregory A. Boyd in his book Letters from a Skeptic, Americans “make up a

an save for the future by spending a little less today, investing the savings and then being able to spend a whole lot more in the future. Most Americans can do with less. According to Dr. Gregory A. Boyd in his book Letters from a Skeptic, Americans “make up about 7 percent of the population of the earth, but we consume over half its resources!”

After tithing/giving, your first order of business with your finances should be building your cash reserves for a bare minimum of three months living expenses for emergencies such as a job loss, unexpected medical expenses, repairs and automobile maintenance. Six to nine months living expenses as an emergency fund is even better. Keep your emergency fund in an easily accessible liquid account. In fact, money you will need within five years should be kept in safe investments such as bank CDs, money-market funds, treasury bills, or mutual funds that purchase top-rated bonds maturing in one to three years. Money that you will not need within five years can be invested in the stock market. Saving and investing gives you comfort and a sense of security. Being in financial distress can create mental anxiety. Even if you never have to use your emergency fund for a “rainy day,” it will provide funding for a “sunny retirement.” Saving helps you to f