It's America Saves Week!
BOSTON (CBS) - Today starts a campaign for America to save more. America Saves Week is an opportunity to promote good savings behavior. Now if only Congress would take note of that I would be a happy citizen.
You can log on to the America Saves website and take a pledge to save more. They will send you text messages with saving tips and they offer several different newsletters you can sign up for. I do think small reminders help us keep on track when trying to reach a big goal.
Also on their site are many links to a variety of calculators to help you save more and estimate how much more you need to save for your retirement and college for the kids.
So for this week I thought it appropriate to work on saving more on everyday things we do or buy. Small changes you can make now that, in one year, will produce some real savings. Then I thought I would figure out what they might look like if you did them for 20 years or more.
Let's start with your morning routine, getting your caffeine jolt. What can you do to save money here? Get up a few minutes earlier and make your coffee or tea? Today you can still get your favorite brew, Dunkin' Donuts or Starbucks at home. How about convincing your boss or company to have your favorite coffee at the office for everyone to enjoy during the day?
How about eating breakfast at home instead of heading to the drive thru? Try the easy stuff: cereal, yogurt, fruit, English muffins, toast, a power bar, last night's leftovers.
Average saving for making coffee and breakfast at home: $3 a day, that's $15 a week, now multiple that by 50 weeks it equals $750.
Now take the money and increase your 401(k) plan and if assume a 9% return in 20 years you could possibly have an extra $40,000 in your retirement nest egg.
