I'm only spending roughly half of what I earn; should I spend more?

Question

around 6 months ago I started this job. Around 3 months ago while reading this very website I downloaded a budgeting software and started writing down everything I earned and spent, and I noticed I'm spending roughly only half of what I earn.

This was my first serious job so I had almost no money when I started but now - for reasons of simple math - I already have enough money to comfortably live for half a year without working. I read, again on this very website, that it's a very good rainy fund.

But now I'm very torn on what to do. I already live fairly comfortably and while I try to avoid impulse purchases I buy myself mostly everything I really want, but obviously there are things I like but not love that I don't buy.

These are the options I see:

• Keep saving 50% of what I earn indefinitely, in case I need it later.
• Spend it all on small/stupid things that, while stupid, would make me happier. For example take taxis more often, eat often in nice restaurants, buy designer clothes, etc. I'll be young only one time.
• Save it to buy something big, for example a nice car.

I realize this sounds like a really stupid question, but I don't really know what's the right thing to do. Money not spent is worthless, but I feel this impulse to keep saving it.

Answer 1

If you are happy, really honestly happy, there is no need to change because you read it somewhere.

While I believe that budgeting in some fun is smart so you don't go crazy, I am really speaking for myself. I personally have to work at not spending more than I make, so I need to blow off some steam.

I also think that you will find in the future something you want to do that costs money, and you would be glad to have it now.

The same rules apply for you as they apply to everybody

1. Have no debt.
2. Have an emergency fund of 6 to 12 months in a liquid form
3. Take advantage of any retirement account with employer matching
4. Fully fund a retirement account like a Roth or traditional IRA
5. Save money for future large purchases like homes or cars
6. Have some fun.

Answer 2

Goodness, I wish I could put away half my paycheck.

Not to rain on your parade, but a 6-month emergency fund is not quite "very good." It is the typical starting time frame. Personally, I would feel more comfortable with a 2+ year fund. That is a bit extreme, but only because many of us can barely seem to make it around to a 6-month fund. So, we focus on the more attainable goal.

I say you do all three. Make saving money your priority, but do enjoy some of it; in moderation. Do not plan on making any big purchases with it, but know that you will eventually be able able to do so.

Money not spent is worthless

Idle money is worthless. Make some -- hopefully -- prudent investments with some of your money.

A small portion of that investment portfolio can/should be in speculative investments. Maybe even as much as 20% of your investment portfolio, since you are young. Consider that money gone and you will hopefully be surprised by one of those speculative investments. That is the crucial point: earmark a small portion of your investment portfolio which you are willing to lose. However, do not gamble with it. Research the hot emerging technologies, for example, and find a way to make an investment.

So, in summary:

1. Keep saving and consider increasing the size of the emergency fund.
2. Invest some of that money, prudently.
3. Invest a small portion of that in some riskier ventures, but do not gamble with it.
4. Do enjoy some of that money, but do not make that your focus.

You may have more money that you know what do with, right now. However, that does not mean you need to go out and spend it all. Trust me, as you get older you will think of plenty of good uses for that money.

Answer 3

Heck no, don't spend more!

I saved a ton of money when I got my first real job.

You won't always be able to do this. Save a bundle while you can.

Answer 4

I have an idea. Keep saving what you are and think "Early Retirement". Work for 20 years, then do whatever you want 40 hours a week. If your satisfied with your current lifestyle, start thinking of your bigger long term financial goals and when you want to accomplish them by. Maybe you can accomplish these sooner than you think. Saving to buy a house/property? Investment portfolio? Want to travel all over the world? Family planning/kids? I am sure you will figure out how you would want to spend it.

Answer 5

Apart from what the other posters have said, you could look at some 'good cause'. I'd keep on saving 50% as spending more won't really make you more happy. You already sound happy.

What I used to do, when I could, was to donate 10% of my 'profit' per year. I'd compare year start with year end and do the math. Afterwards it was just a matter of choosing. there are non government organizations that will get most money where it's needed.

Edit as soon as the business I'm starting becomes profitable, I'll continue my donations. Thanks for the appreciations.

Answer 6

I use to think there was something wrong with me because I always hated spending money. This hatred of spending resulted in me always saving quite a bit of my income.

Since I don't enjoy spending it, why am I making and saving it (besides for an emergency fund)? I've come to the realization that I enjoy my free time more than I enjoy making lots of money. So I go to work for something to do - and pay the bills - but I am no longer trying to advance my career, or be the best at my profession, or climb some corporate ladder, or be some superstar. In fact, I'm considering a career change where I would make half of what I'm making now.

What's my point? If having a lot of savings depresses you and you don't enjoy spending it then consider reducing your income.

Answer 7

The suggestions towards retirement and emergency savings outlined by the other posters are absolute must-dos. The donations towards charitable causes are also extremely valuable considerations.

If you are concerned about your savings, consider making some goals. If you plan on staying in an area long term (at least five years), consider beginning to save for a down payment to own a home. A rent-versus-buy calculator can help you figure out how long you'd need to stay in an area to make owning a home cost effective, but five years is usually a minimum to cover closing costs and such compared to rending.

Other goals that might be worthwhile are a fully funded new car fund for when you need new wheels, the ability to take a longer or nicer vacation, a future wedding if you'd like to get married some day, and so on. Think of your savings not as a slush fund of money sitting around doing nothing, but as the seed of something worthwhile.

Yes, you will only be young once. However being young does not mean you have to be Carrie from Sex in the City buying extremely expensive designer shoes or live like a rapper on Cribs. Dave Ramsey is attributed as saying something like, "Live like no one else so that you can live like no one else." Many people in their 30s and 40s are struggling under mortgages, perhaps long-left-over student loan debt, credit card debt, auto loans, and not enough retirement savings because they had "fun" while they were young. Do you have any remaining debt? Pay it off early instead of saving so much.

Perhaps you'll find that you prefer to hit that age with a fully paid off home and car, savings for your future goals (kids' college tuitions, early retirement, etc.). Maybe you want to be able to afford some land or a place in a very high cost of living city.

In other words - now is the time to set your dreams and allocate your spare cash towards them. Life's only going to get more expensive if you choose to have a family, so save what you can as early as possible.

Answer 8

Keep saving or investing, but set aside a relatively modest amount for "fun money". That way, you can go have a good time without thinking too much about what you're spending within the limits you spend for yourself. You don't need to spend lavishly to have a good time!

Not having the stress on your shoulders of worrying about money is a huge thing. Savor it!

Answer 9

Aside from what everyone else has said about your money (saving, investing, etc.), I'd like to comment on what else you could spend it on:

Spend it all on small/stupid things that, while stupid, would make me happier. For example take taxis more often, eat often in nice restaurants, buy designer clothes, etc. I'll be young only one time.

You could also put the money towards something more... productive? Like a home project. Convert a room in your living space into an office or a theater-like room. Install hardwood floors yourself. Renovate a bathroom. Plant a garden of things you would enjoy eating later. Something that you would enjoy having or doing and can look back at and be proud of putting your money towards something that you accomplished.

Answer 10

"Your Money or Your Life" is a great book on this topic.

Answer 11

Looks like you don't want to participate in the consumerist rush but feel that you just have to do that too.

First of all, you don't have to do what you don't want. Then there're researches showing that joy from a compulsive purchase only lasts for a short period of time and then you are left with a relatively useless item in your house. So it's one thing if you really wanted that cool full-electronic sewing machine (or whatever DIY item you might want) to be able to repair all the stuff and craft all the nice things you wanted, but it's another thing if you look at the item and can't decide whether you really need it. The latter scenario is you struggling with the consumerism rush.

If you feel really happy and can save half of what you earn just save the difference - it won't hurt. Having a good sum of money saved is really helpful in many scenarios.

Answer 12

What you should do with your money can be answered along moral, economic, or financial lines, and that list occurs in order of legitimacy:

• If a choice is financially advisable and presents no other issues, it is a good choice.
• If a choice is financially advisable and economically inadvisable, it is ultimately a bad choice.
• If a choice is financially or economically advisable, but morally problematic, it is ultimately a bad choice.

You are asking if you should spend more money. As a purely financial question, the answer is no. There is no purely financial reason for you to spend any more or any less on any category. Financial decisions must be economically or morally justified. They do not self-justify.

Are there economic reasons for you to spend more? Clearly. You have stated that you could "Spend it all on small/stupid things that, while stupid, would make me happier." Your use of the word "stupid" here, however, implies that there are other things which are not stupid. What are those things?

You also mention saving money in case you need it later. This highlights a conflicting economic variable called time preference. You might need money later, but you also simply might enjoy spending money later. The fact that you save so much would already indicate to a typical economist that you have a low time preference.

So there is value in spending today (vt) and there is also value in saving today (vs). As a result, the economic answer is unknown. From an economic perspective, it depends on the specific value you would get from either activity. If vt > vs, you should spend marginally more on consumption goods.

The moral question would overturn the economic analysis as well. Do you give to charity? How much? There is an easy question in moral theory which is considered tricky in pure economics: Would a recipient of your charitable spending appreciate the money more than you would appreciate spending it on yourself?

The question is tricky in economics because it involves interpersonal comparisons of utility, which many economists state is a violation of economic practice, but moral theorists have no problem doing this. Indeed, normal people have no problem doing this. If there is a man starving and begging on the street, and you have extra money, unless you suspect he is a liar or is only asking for drug money or something, it would be considered morally advisable to give the beggar money.

So I would say ratchet up that charity spending if you really don't know what to do with your own money.

Answer 13

Yes, please spend all of your money by giving me all of your savings. I promise it will make you feel happy and satisfied! :)

No, you don't need to spend more. You definitely don't want to spend for no good reason. Spending money is always easy, but not spending is hard once you get used to a lavish lifestyle.

If you're really at a loss as to what to do, just figure out how much you need to retire early and do so. Since you are clearly God's most blessed soul, I bet you love your job too and don't want to stop doing it. I dunno, volunteer or something. Ask your boss for a pay cut.

Since you mention getting nice things to make yourself happy, I'll suggest that things don't bring happiness. If you are unhappy, you might as well invest your money in a therapist or a hobby. But you already say you are comfortable.

If the money is really burning a hole in your pocket, and you are happy with your job, the more useful things to do is donate it to a charity or fund businesses or people you like. This is probably the most likely to make you feel like you accomplished something.